Hajara's Journey (A Love Story)

Chapter twenty

20

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Presently, the whole family was having breakfast. Even Zak whom I was meeting for the first time had arrived from France to share in the joy of his brother.
Everyone seemed to be happy. Well who wouldn't? Their elder brother was getting married.

But for some reason I felt Mr Hakeem wasn't really into the wedding. At first I thought because well guys like him always hide their emotions. So I thought that was what he was doing.

Until yesterday when I mistakenly eavesdropped on his conversation with his fiancee.
Mami sent me to call him for lunch and when I got to his room I knocked several times but he didn't reply.
I decided to open the door only to realize that it was unlocked. He sat on his bed with his back facing me. And he seemed to be in a heated argument with someone.

"I told you, I'm not a man to be loved or known to love. Sumanya you have no idea what you're signing up for.
I will urge you to back of if you love your life. My heart is made of stone. Please consider my plea because I'm not promising you to be a lovey dovey husband. Fine I will provide all your needs but not love!
If you want that then fine you and Hajia can continue with your plans.
And o don't let Hajia full you. I can't love and I don't love!"

I slowly made my way out of the room. To shocked to even say a word. Hajia! That woman was evil and I could feel it in my guts.
I was sure she wanted something out of this marriage.

Maybe, the girl in question was one way or the other related to her.

I continued stabbing my poor scrambled eggs oblivious to my surroundings. I was deep in thought. Why will Hajia want Mr Hakeem to marry someone when he obviously didn't want it?
Why didn't he let his mom know he wasn't interested?

"Hajara are you OK?  Zack asked bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Oh yh I am" I responded smiling at him

"And you keep on stabbing the poor egg like that " Huzaif added.

For some reason he and Zak clicked and they could make fun of you till you cry.

I smiled at their direction.

"Oh boys leave the poor girl alone" mami added

As she added a spoon full of egg unto my plate.

"Thanks mami but it's OK I added. She just shrugged her shoulders as she added more sausages and chips unto everyones plate.

Zak and Huzaif welcomed it with open arms as they fought among themselves.

"You guys act like pigs sometimes " Rama added as she screamed for the maid to serve her extra chilli.

Dad stared at her as he mumbled incoherent words about how she lacked manners.

I realised that Zak and Huzaif clicked together in almost everything and seemed to be the comedians of the house.

Rahina who was the more quite and observant kind of person was always with Mr Hakeem. The two looked way different that you will think they are couples from afar. I realised that Mr Hakeem only opened up when he was with Rahina or his mum.

For Rama, well, she was the black sheep of the family. Very disrespectful and arrogant. But for some reason she always seemed to get away with her deeds since she was the last born and dads favorite.
Obviously to, she took after dads complexion and even his figure. She took everything of his except of course his character. She was a spoilt brat.

And I observed that Mr Hakeem was always irritated by her. Her loud piercing voice sent the maids running for their lives whenever she entered the house. But deep down I knew she was a nice person.
I felt that maybe something was keeping her from showing the real her.