It's Not Meant To Be

Chapter 1

It's been a while since this house has had any life. For the past 4 years, this house was eerily quiet. There weren't any more weekly parties, no more laughter spreading from one room to another, no more stories to hear or share.

But all that was going to change again since Khalis and his parents were coming back from America.

Khalis had left Pakistan four years ago when he got accepted into a college in California. I couldn't quite remember the name of the college, but I can recall Khalis telling me how beautiful California is and how there are so many beaches there.

I've never been to a beach before and probably never would get the chance. But I did have a desire to feel the sand slip between my fingers. Right before Khalis had left, I asked for him to bring me back some sand. Some of the others maids said I was foolish for even asking for sand since Khalis might never come back here. Once a person felt the breeze of the American life, they wouldn't want to come back here.

I cried that night he left wondering if that was true. Would he want to even come back here? There was nothing here for him to want to come back to. Every night for three weeks I would lay in bed just wondering what he might be doing, what he might be thinking. Over time the thought of Khalis started to drift away, but it never vanished.

There were moments like when I would sit on the apple tree that I would remember all the stories Khalis told me when we both sat there. After finishing my chores, I would run up the hill towards the apple tree and relax on one of the branches waiting for Khalis as he finished his school work. Khalis always had great stories about him and his school friends. His stories always managed to make me laugh so hard that I had to clench my hand around the branch to prevent myself from falling.

Two days ago Baba got a phone call from Sadar sir, who was Khalis' father, saying that they were coming back to Lahore. The maids and I quickly got busy cleaning the house and deciding on what to cook for them. The house typically remained clean all the time. Baba made sure that at least two people did a light cleaning around the house every day. After Khalis had left, Sadar sir had left Baba in charge of taking care of the house. In other terms, Baba was the head servant. But Baba never complained. He liked serving for the Baksh's because we owed them an enormous debt.

I glanced at the clock for maybe the fifth time in the past ten minutes. I put more force into my hand as I was kneading the dough, some of the flour managed to spill out of the bowl. Baba had left to go to the airport about two hours ago, meaning Khalis and them would be arriving very soon. The dough was not fully ready, the dishes were still in the sink, I had to take a shower, and I still had to pray Zuhr.

Quickly kneading off the dough, I placed a plate on top of the bowl and let it set on the center of the table. Running towards the sink, I lathered the sponge with some soap and began to wash the dishes. In a rush I managed to spill some water onto my clothes which just got me infuriated, but I continued with the dishes.

"Aima," I heard a voice from behind me.

Turning around I saw Safreen, one of the other maids walking into the kitchen. "Aima, you still haven't finished washing the dishes."

"Omaima left me to knead the dough so she can take a shower. I finished that first, and now I'm washing the dishes. Any news from Baba?"

"No," she replied as she took off her hijab and placed it on the chair. "Here, I got this," she said grabbing the plate from my hand. "Go take a shower and pray, and I'll finish washing the dishes."

Out of all the other maids here, I was the closest with Safreen. She was more like a sister than a friend to me. " I love you," I said before running out of the kitchen.

Within half an hour I had taken a shower and prayed. I chose to wear my new salwar kameez that Baba gifted me on Eid. For others, my salwar kameez might have looked simple, but to me, it was beautiful especially because it was gifted by Baba.

Baba and I as well as the other maids live in a small house right next to Khalis' house. Our little home looked like a little shack in comparison to the Baksh's mansion. But I never complained. I always thanked Allah for allowing us to have a roof over our head and food on the table.

Walking out of our little home I made my way to the mansion but stopped when I heard the sound of a car horn. The guards at the front gate quickly got up and pulled the gates open allowing the two cars to come into the driveway. I took that moment to hide behind the tree that was next to me.

My hijab managed to slip past my head, and I quickly managed to place it back into place. I slowly watched as Baba was the first one to step out of the car. He called over the guards and instructed them to take out the luggages from the second car. As the guards made way to the second car, I saw Baba open the door to the first car. Sadar sir stepped out of the car wearing a complete suit.

He had a look that screamed power. Sadar sir was indeed a rich and powerful man, but he had a soft heart that he didn't like to show to others that often. I only managed to get a glimpse of it once. Kaneez ma'am was the next one out. It seemed as if though her beauty never aged. She still wore that soft smile on her face, and she did have light makeup on that just brought a glow to her face. As she stepped out Sadar sir offered his hand assisting her out of the car. I always admired their relationship since I never got to see that with my parents.

Sadar sir and Kaneez ma'am made their up the stairs into their house. I saw a slight movement inside the car, and I waited until the last person got out. At first glance, without a doubt, I could tell that was Khalis. He was wearing a blazer with jeans and dress shoes. He had a pair of sunglass on covering his eyes, and his hair was slicked back from his forehead. I watched him look around his surrounding, his head tilting slowly from left to right.

Right when I thought his gaze passed by me, his head shifted towards me. I couldn't see his eyes but I could tell he was looking straight at me. In a moments notice, he took off his glasses revealing that he was indeed looking at me. A smile formed on his face causing my cheeks to heat up. Feeling embarrassed I quickly looked down.

"Khalis," Sadar sir called out. "Come inside.

When I was sure Khalis had turned around and was walking up the stairs, I looked up and watched him go inside the mansion. When he was inside and was out of my vision, I let out a breath that I didn't even realize I was holding.

"Aima," I heard Baba call out. "What are you doing there?"

Stepping away from the tree I walked towards Baba. "Nothing Baba. I was just walking back inside."

Baba smiled and grasped my shoulder as we both walked up the stairs.

"Aren't you so happy that they're here?" Baba asked.

If only you knew Baba. If only you knew.

A/N- Assalamualaikum everyone. This is a new book I've started and I hope you guys like it. Votes and comments are appreciated :)