Second hand hearts

Chapter 1 (Stuck in the Past)

"Happy birthday sweetie!.."

"Thank you Hafsah". She replied with a small smile on her plain face. She sat down yoga style on the couch as she adjusted the laptop in front of her to an angle with more light.

"So anything special for the wonderful day? You know something like fun with friends or take yourself out?". Hafsah who was pretty much more excited than Amal chirped clapping her hands happily.

Amal inwardly laughed remembering how they've always had this conversation with her friend which always arrives at the same answer,which is No,she hasn't been able to make any friends yet in all her 18 months of being in Birmingham. Neither from the neighbourhood nor from school. She has been riding solo for as long as she can remember. For as far as she's concerned,this birthday, as she turns 25 is just a sore reminder of how unfortunate and miserable her life has been and all of the precious things life took from her.

"I've told you more than once that i haven't made any friends yet. Gosh i miss you". Amal admitted feeling the familiar pang of sadness enveloping her chest.

"I miss you most, don't make me cry right now".
Hafsah pouted wiping out imaginary tears from her face.

"Enough about me,what about you? How's the wedding preparations going on?" , Amal quickly cut off.

"Ahh it's been hectic girl,it's not easy at all. As in the struggle is real. I might pass out any time soon and you know what? Faisal is out of town on some official assignment so I'm virtually doing everything all by my self".

"Must be really exhausting for you Hafsah. Being a bride to be isn't easy".

"I know right, I just can't wait for it to be all over". Hafsah sighed massaging her temples.

"So how's school going on?" She questioned Amal with keen interest.

"It's okay. I've got tonnes of assignments and presentations to prepare for before tomorrow. I am already tired as i spent the whole day cleaning the apartment in and out".

"Ah i can see from the oversize tshirt and the messy hair. I got to go,take care". Hafsah finished with a smile.

"You too". Amal chipped in with a smile matching her friends.

"Oh and don't forget to treat yourself to something nice please. And that hair Amal,it can pass out as a bird's nest".

"I know,i love you too". Amal said with an eye roll as the line went dead.

She closed her laptop and raked her fingers through her somewhat messy hair that has been suffering from dryness and a possibility of breaking anytime soon.

Looking at her reflection in the floor length mirror in her bedroom,she couldn't help but cringe at the image in front of her. She has drastically lost weight,she use to be slim but now,she looks skinny like some anorexic model. Her rich fair complexion has gone dull and darker than before.
No wonder nobody wanted to be close to her back at the university because she looks very much like some creep as she barely talks and always sat in the same seat at class. If there will be an award,she might win "the loner of the year" award.

But it's not her fault that life isn't what she has planned and dreamt for herself,losing almost everything isn't easy as well as sleeping and waking up with a broken heart.

She had cried enough tears and had wallowed in self pity for atleast the whole of last year. Every time she remembers her parents who are both no more,or every time her little brother calls,she feels she had failed at being a sister, she has failed at being the only family he has left. Instead of staying back with him, she left him in the care of her Aunty and ran away from her problems. She would be lying to herself if she says that the main reason she's accepted the scholarship was to further her education in Birmingham,rather she wanted to run away from him, even if she had quit her job from his office back then,living in the same city will always be a sore reminder to her that she has lost him.

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On Monday morning as usual,she got out of bed and hop into shower which is usually abnormally quick for a lady. After dressing up into some simple clothing,she padded into the kitchen to fix herself something to eat.
After eating,she rinsed the used utensils and left the kitchen back to her room where she grabbed the presentation papers for the day and her bag and set off to class.

Her apartment wasn't far from the school premises,so usually she walks and in rare cases when she's late,she rides the bus to school.
A lucky day like today,she isn't late so she decided to walk feeling refreshed as the cool autumn air blows through her. Something about that weather, something about the trees shedding their leaves, the atmosphere beginning to dry up in preparation for winter reminded her of the first time she met him four and a half years ago. If she had known knowing him,or having him into her life will leave her like an empty shell of her former self,she would've never accepted to work with him. But what's done has been done. She made her choice, shit happens and life goes on regardless.

She approached the lecture venue and saw students scattered in small groups, each of them going through their presentation before the professor comes in.
Skimmimg through the groups,she found the group she was in and walked to where they were seated having a discussion possibly about their topic of presentation.

"Amal Hameedah Mahmoud right? " ,one of the members asked in a British accent,the guy looked Indian but probably born and bred in the United Kingom.

"Yes,hope i didn't miss anything " ,she answered him as she pulled a chair to sit in.

"No,just that we wanted to let you know that we will be having a group discussion through the weekend but none of us has your number. So you missed it,but Nathaniel here can fill you in briefly ".

A lady with ginger blonde hair and large eye glasses about her age said with as she pointed at a guy who Amal guessed is Nathaniel opposite of her. She nodded and he gave her a curt not and a tight lipped smile too in response.

Half an hour later,the professor came and the presentations began. The Indian guy has suggested that she goes to the podium and present but Amal politely declined saying she'd rather stay back in case there'll be questions from either the other students or the professor himself,she'll help attend to them.

Later in the day,after she's finished with her classes she headed straight to the big faculty library to get some assignments done and borrow some text books to carry home for further studying.

That's how her day always goes on for the rest of the week days. From school,and then back home to her boring life and bulks of school work to do.
She has since realised that burying herself in school work is the only thing she does to get her mind off of her reality, and to get her thoughts wander somewhere else other than her lonely miserable life.
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So guys,a glimpse of a typical day for Amal. How was the first chapter? I'm sorry i couldn't upload earlier as i encountered some network ishh. Please vote,share and comment,it really means alot to me. See you next chapter .

#SHH team ❤