Flawed Hearts [Preview]

Chapter III: Grumpy Beginnings

Najmah snapped her book shut then fastened her seat belt, staring out of the window. She had a phobia for flights, so she spent the whole flight duration reading one of the many books she had brought together with her; "Lie to me, Dan by Longrin Wetten″ which happened to be one of her favorites.

She gripped the edge of her seat and snapped her eyes shut as the captain began the procedures for landing, muttering all the du'as• that came to her mind at that time, holding tight to her seatbelt as if her life depended on it. And much to her relief, it was a smooth landing. She took off her seatbelt with shaky hands then got her luggage from the compartment, sighing in relief when her feet came in contact with asphalt as she stepped out of the plane.

"Welcome to Istanbul, your new home," Mr. Faik beamed at her once they were done with airport preliminaries.

"Thank you, sir," she replied forcing a fake smile.

"Please don't," he scrunched up his face. "Call me Baba if you don't mind. After all you are now part of my family."

"Yes Baba," she nodded, feeling strange calling him that. She'd always referred to him as Abba′s friend and now, she was to call him Baba. The irony of that, she sighed inwardly.

"Come on let's get going," Mr. Faik smiled at her. "Our ride is already here."

She nodded, trailing behind him. She struggled to understand what he was saying, what with his heavy Turkish accent as she settled into the lush leather seats of the Mercedes E-class. She stared out of the window, enjoying the scenery and for a moment, she forgot where she was, her mind travelling back to her safe-haven; the fantasy world she created in her mind.

"Najmah," Mr. Faik called out tapping her a little on the shoulder, making her flinch as his hand made contact with her body. "I'm sorry child, I didn't mean to scare you," he smiled apologetically, retracting his hand.

"It's okay,″ she responded, smiling politely. ″I was just caught unaware."

"Well then,″ he nodded, stepping out of the car. ″We are here."

She followed suit, gawking at the magnificent building before her, which looked more like an estate than a house. She tailed behind him like a lost puppy as the household staffs took their stuffs into the manor. How she wished she could just run back to Nigeria and curve into her reading nook, away from the world; at least with Fahad, he knew what to expect from her.

As they passed through the grandiose foyer, Najmah couldn't help but admire the tasteful art decorations and cut flower arrangements in artistic vases, lining up the slate tiled floors.

As they passed left, through a wide open space, three pair of eyes greeted them. A woman dressed elegantly in a red abaya with startling green eyes stood next to a lithe lady, clutching a six-year-old.

Najmah's heart fluttered as her chestnut eyes made contact with the little girl's blue ones who hid behind the lady, casting her gaze downward.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," the lady threw her arms over Najmah before kissing both of her cheeks lovingly."We are going to be terrific sisters."

Najmah awkwardly returned the hug, smiling at the enthusiastic lady, unsure of what else to do. She noted that the lady's accent wasn't as heavy as her father's, it was almost nonexistent.

"You're really pretty, Kardeş* is going to swoon when he sees you," she clapped her hands with enthusiasm. "I'm Lale by the way."

Not knowing how to reply to that, Najmah just nodded then squatted down to greet her mother in law.