Introverted Love!

Chapter 13

Luke had spent two weeks in hospital, everyday i would go to work with my lunch and his and on my break go to his room to hang out. He truly made me laugh and forget all my troubles. He was geting better really quick, the physio had improved his leg he could hobble about on crutches for a few minutes before needing his wheelchair. The swelling on his brain had gone down and an M.R.I scan had shown no permanent damge he just had to keep it bandaged and not move his head aggressively for another few weeks. His eye had almost completly healed and he would show me by incessantly winking at everything. After work dad and Lizetta would spend the evening at the hospital talking sense into Luke, determined to not let him fall off the rails again.

It was friday today and I had just parked up at home when i saw Mr. Mazari come out of his house and walk towards me. My stomach churned nervously and little sweat beads erupted on my forehead. I knew this wasnt going to be good.
'Salam Maya beta, is your dad at home'
'Walaikum salam uncle, no he isn't he's at the hospital with Lizetta'
'Oh yes that Luke boy was in some kind of accident' he remarked i guess thats what dad had told him to save Luke from embarrassment. I felt releieved.
'Well do tell him when he gets home, that you are all invited to a dinner tomorrow night its Zainab's birthday and we are just having a small get together' he smiled didn't wait for a reply and walked back towards his house.
'Allah hafiz' he lifted his right hand right before turning the door handle and going inside
I stood for a minute dumbfounded. In the last two weeks i had totally forgotten about the marriage, i had been so happy with Luke i forgot the miserable truth. I was someone's betrothed, the thought made me laugh. I never did have that conversation with dad. Tonight would have to be the night, i dreaded the topic but it needed sorting. Just as i turned to walk inside i thouht i saw the curtains flutter in Zack's room but when i turned to look at them they were drawn so i just ignored it.

I sat in my silk floral pyjamas by the window trying to stay cool on this hot night, waiting for dad to get home. At 11.30pm i heard his car and mentally prepared myself. Lizetta came in looking exhausted she greeted me then went straight to bed. Dad went into the kitchen and pulled out a mug from the cupboard, he started making himself some tea.
'Salam dad'
'Walaikum salam beta'
'How's Luke?' I enquired knowing he was fine as he just texted me 20 mins ago
'He's doing well beta he can go home tomorrow' he smiled. I could see he was worried about him and the last two weeks had been hard on him.
'Mr. Mazari came by to invite us to Zainab's birthday tomorrow' i waited for a reaction but it never came
'Oh yes he had mentioned it at work but i forgot, beta here's some money please get her a nice gift shes going through a lot with finals and you know everything' he got quieter as he realised where the conversation was heading. I knew he was tired but i couldn't wait anymore.
'You never did tell me what was going on or explained why i had to get married to Zackariya' it felt weird saying his name that way.
'Its a long story' he finished making his cup of tea and walked over to the dining table, sitting down he patted the seat next to him and i went to sit down. He told me about Mrs.Mazari having a tempermental personality and pycological problems that resulted in her leaving her family. Only now she wanted to take Zainab right before she would become of inheritable age. It was suspicious. He went on to reason with me
'Beta, i will not force you if this is not what you want' he looked sad and tears welled in my eyes
'You know your mum has gone and i can never be her when it comes to talking to you so sometimes you may think I'm being harsh but everything i do is always for your benefit and only what i truly think is best for you' he held my hands in his
'You have to get married sometime nah but you don't show interest in anyone at work or otherwise so what am i to do'
'Let me stay with you forever' the tears fell and i rested my head on his shoulder
'If i could gurantee i would be here forever with you i would never let you leave me' he whispered and my heart sank
'But i will go to soon'
'Don't say that dad, i never want to hear you say that please' i pleaded through sobs
'It is true that Mrs.Mazari asked me for his own reasons but don't you think your dad would have thouht of it from the perspective of what's best for you my daughter. I trust that family the most, I've known Zackariya all his life and loved him like my own son, I've watched him grow into a fine young man in my eyes there is no one better. Also you would be next door so i could see my precious daughter everyday and she could come to me for anything' his words raced around my head and i finally understood his side. He was right in his own way but my heart felt uneasy still.
'Could i talk to him some more' i mumbled barely audiable as my face was now mushed in dads cardigan.
'Ofcourse beta, talk and see if it's possible thats all i ask give it a try. Then whatever you say I'll do no matter what ok' he smiled and we both sat for a while each lost in our own thoughts.