Always Him

11

Panic surged through me as I rushed out of the restroom and into the living room. I looked disheveled and my hair stuck to my wet face.

"Dad!" I yelped and ran into his arms. He was still dressed in his suit and he looked tired probably because he just arrived.

My dad chuckled warmly. "Hey Hanna." He fluffed up my hair and looked at me. "Wow you've grown too tall now."

I smiled, I was happy to see my fathers face. I could see he had aged a little more but his brown eyes still carried light and his dark chestnut hair was still shining. "I'm still not as tall as you though." I huffed.

My dad laughed and shook his head. "That wouldn't be fair to me."

Karan came and stood next to dad. "I'm almost his height." Karan raised a challenging brow at me.

"You wish." I sneered.

"I-"

"Okay." My mom came up to us. "You two have to always fight?" She looked at Karan. "Let your dad rest. He's had a long flight."

We both nodded and watched as dad picked up his suitcase and walked behind mom.

After they left Karan looked at me. "Ew why do you look like you just took a shower In your clothes."

"Shut up." I bit back before heading to my room. For the rest of the day I focused on getting closer to my dad and forgetting about what had happened between Murad and me earlier today.

Dad was only staying for a week and I needed to take the time to spend it with him. I was thankful that today was Friday so I could have the weekend to think about how in the world I would ever talk to Murad normally.

*****

The next day I didn't hear anything from Murad. Usually he called to ask if Karan was available to go to a basketball game just so I could tag along with them and cheer them on. Or he'd call to ask what I was doing so he'd do it with me. Many times I told him I was planning to go the salon and he would offer to drive me then after we'd get ice cream together.

But today it was quite.

I stared at my phone.

Of course he wouldn't call. He can't. Not after what happened.

I closed my eyes wanting the memory to disappear but also getting weird butterflies in my stomach as I remember.

You liked it.

The kiss.

I tore my eyes open and hit my head again and again to get the weird thoughts out of it.

We're just friends.

"Do you want dinner or no?" Karan leaned over the door.

"I'm coming." I say quickly as I put my phone in my pocket.

***

We ate moms delicious food and spoke with dad on his work. He told us stories of weird Clients and we laughed.

But suddenly the air shifted after Karan stood up and left to wash his hands. A knowing look exchanged between my parents and then they looked at me.

"Hanna." My dad smiled at me and I nodded.

"What?"

"Me and your mother have been thinking about your future." He spoke, avoiding my gaze. "You're coming of age and I know many great men that would be good for you."