The Destiny.

Shoe Lace.

Chapter-4 Shoe Lace.

I splash water on my face and glare at myself through the mirror. Or more specifically, at the pimple popping up on my left cheek.

This just isn't my day, is it?

First, it was the nightmare, then I'm late. If that wasn't enough I bump into someone who turned out to be my new lecturer!

I hope he doesn't take his revenge over my rudeness out on my assignments and test papers.

I take a deep breath. What's done is done, I cannot change it. I'll just apologise for being so short with him and hope that'll be enough.

Now, what do I do with this pimple!?

I adjust a few bangs so that the pimple is not as visible. It'd have to do.

I walk out and scan the hallway for the new lecturer.

Oh, there he is.

"I'll be back then," I say dragging myself to him and waving bye to Cassy.

"Good luck!" Cassandra waves back cheerfully, a big grin on her face.

"This way, please," I say him and move forward so that he can follow me.

"Where are we going first?" He asks, looking around curiously.

"I'll show you the labs fir-"

"Oh!" His exclamation stops me "Your shoelace." he murmurs and quickly crouches in front of me.

My eyes widen "Ah! It's fine Mr. Khan! I'll do it myself!" I hurriedly kneel down as well.

He chuckles "It's no problem." he says and ties my shoelace.

"It's okay, I'll do it," I say and I'm about to grab the lace but he was already done and was standing up.

He offers me his hand and I hesitate but grab it. He pulls me up and I hastily let go of his hand.

"Thank you," I say with a halting smile.

"Anytime dear," he says with a wide grin.

'Dear?!' I think, giving him an incredulous look which quickly turns into a frown

He chuckles at my expression and spins around to walk down the hallway.

We walk through the basketball field and the cultural centre and finally arrive at the laboratories.

As we're leaving the labs, I finally muster the will to speak. "Thank you for returning my keys and sorry for the head hit and the rude behaviour," I say looking straight ahead.

"Oh! It's no problem." He replies but doesn't make an effort to start a conversation.

I nod. I'm glad that he seems to be a quiet person, I don't really want to talk to him.
______

Where are they? I dialled Yumna's number walking through the parking lot.

I gasp as someone taps my shoulder, I turn and sigh in irritation.

"Y-You!? You startled me." I say

"What are you doing here?" Mr Khan shrugs.

"I'm waiting for someone to pick me up. Why?" I try to hide my ire and not let my annoyance show.

He raises a brow at my expression and says "It's getting late, you should hurry home. Have a good night." he says and leaves.

Huh. What a weird guy.

My phone starts vibrating and I quickly receive the call.

"Where are you?" I ask blowing my bangs away.

"We're at the cafe across the street with my baby- I mean with my car," Yumna said.

"Okay, I'll be right there," I assured.
____

"Let me drive this time to please" I pout at Yumna. I've been pestering her for a while.

"Fine! But be careful" she demands.

"Yes, Ma'am," I assured with a wide smile. We quickly get into the car and drive away.

Yumna and Zoya are discussing the results and what they did all day.

We three only share the language classes, other than that their classes are different. They are studying Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics.

"How was your day today?" Zoya asks me.

"It was okay" I can't keep the annoyance out of my voice.

"Why do you sound irritated?" Yumna interrupted.

I huff and narrate the whole incident to them.

They laugh.

"What is your problem Ayaat? Why do you always keep fighting with everyone?" Yumna snorts.

Zoya giggles and agrees.

I give them a glare.

"What? You totally do!" Zoya says.

"I heard that Mr.Arhaan is the son of Dr.Nijaat Khan, one of the famous psychiatrists of our guild city," Yumna says sipping her shake
"Arhaan has completed his studies, he's a specialist in some subject of psychology." Zoya completed.

"Is he mad? I mean that's good, he has completed his studies but then why did he come as a lecturer? He could have gotten a much higher paying job than this..." I say wondering what could be the reason.

"Who knows." Zoya shrugs.

"Yeah" I frown.

_____

I change into comfortable pyjamas and lie on the couch checking my messages. A message catches my eye.

"Salaam, dear sister. 26th December will be Zain's engagement. We'll be happy if you would join :)"

I quickly type out my reply.

"Salaam, brother! Oh mashallah, that's great news!! I'll try my best to come :D"

I still as a sudden thought comes to me. It's been 7 months. I have not seen my brothers for seven months, just because of my father. My brothers continued to love me even after we lost our mother.

I know they have felt lonely despite living with father. Father is a very cold person and he is always busy with his textile factory. Soon though, my elder brother, Zain, is going to become the CEO and Uzair, who is younger than Zain will take over as Managing Director.

I hear someone leave the kitchen and walk towards the living room.

I blink back my tears. "Hey", I say as she comes into view.

Yumna comes and sits beside me.
"What happened? I've been calling for you for a while but you didn't respond, is everything alright?" She asks, running her hand through my hair.

"Yeah" I give her a tired smile.

Her eyes land on my phone "Oh! Is that Uzair?" She asked.

"Mhmm! He has invited us to Zain's engagement which is next week on 26th December" I inform her, my smile turning into a happy one.

"Oh! Masha'allah, that's a piece of very good news", she says.

Yumna stands to leave but turns to me, "I know that you are feeling troubled... but I won't ask you questions and trouble your little heart. I just came to say that Zoya has prepared us dinner. Come on, let's go eat" she gives me a smile too.

I nod and follow her, feeling grateful for such understanding friends.
______

Thank you for reading my book and if you like it then don't forget to vote and share. :)
Xoxo <3