LOST IDENTITY

Chapter Twenty One

MUKARRAM

Three hours!  Just three hours made my life  a living hell. Those  three hours taught me how valuable  time is. I kept pacing  in the corridor  wishing  I have a super power to know what's  going on behind  closed doors. To do something that will make her magically alright  but  I know it's  beyond me and the only thing  I can do is hand over everything  to Allah because He is the only one that makes everything  better in a blink of an eye.

"Mukarram you need to go home and rest. You've  been here since morning and she's likely coming out of that room unconscious "Aunty  Hadiza said trying to hold in her laughter even though  her eyes tell  a different story.

"I'm okay.  Its fine I can wait" I insisted thinking of how I can't be able to do anything not  knowing the condition my Tasneem is.

"I insist. If you say no again I'm going to call the guards"She threatened  with a not so subtle glare.

"okay but I'll come back  after ishaa in shaa Allah " I grumbled  feeling defeated.  She's  being unfair to send me away.  It's my choice to stay and wait for her why does she have to insist that I leave?

"Don't show your face  here until tomorrow morning at 10am.  If you  come a minute early I'm going  to make pepper soup out of you" she waves me off and I had no choice  than to leave.

I met Ahmad  waiting crossed leg for me in my living room with an evil smirk. I'd have killed  him or thrown him out the instant I saw him if not because  he brought food for me.

"Mamma insists that I wait for you no matter how long it will take.  She's there ranting off our ears with her constant  raking"

I shrugged with a tired sigh "Jazakumullah khairan. I wasn't going to eat anything if not because of you guys.  Bismillah let's eat "

He laughed to his fill saying " You should've just fasted you know. You literally go all day with an empty stomach.  If you die who do you think is gonna  marry Tasneem? "

I shoved his shoulders with my arms with a deathly glare " If you utter one word about her I'm going to dislocate your jaw"

"What's up with you and death threats today?  Anyway let's eat in silence  and go for a stroll,  it's been  long we do that.  Maybe it will relieve some of your stress" he replied with a pout.  That man can be a boy a times. Most of the time if you ask me.

We went out locking the door behind us.  It was  kind of chilly but none of us mind.

"Did you ask her what happened two years back that made her what she is now?  Though she's a tad bit  different  nowadays " Ahmad popped  the question.

"Nah,  I didn't.  I don't want her to shut me off now that she's starting to open up to me.  Whatever  it is,  is definitely  something huge and we should let her tell us when she's ready even if it will take forever. "

"You are right man. I think Maryam knows but she's taken a vow of secrecy.  I wanted to force it out of her earlier on our way back but gave up midway,  knowing it is unfair to both of them" He rubbed his palms together.

"You are right Malam Ahmad,  now let's talk about anything that doesn't have to do with Tasneem shall we? " I cocked a brow.

"When are we going to meet your.... " I didn't let him  finish knowing what the last word is.

"Seriously man!  You need to let go and stop minding them okay? "

I kicked an imaginary ball in the air ruffling my hair in frustration " What else do you want me to do?  Whenever I made up my mind to go there they are always too busy to have my time. Mom never calls and when I call she's always acting aloof and uninterested. Dad is kind of okay but it seems like she is the boss and he follows her like a tail. "