STAR CROSSED

26.

'Thank you for taking me in and helping me when I was in need' I told Rahila Aunty the next morning after I brought my bags to the lounge area to say goodbye to her. She wasn't a too sentimental person, so it surprised me when she came forward and hugged me.

'You are always welcome here' Somehow hearing these supportive words from her made me tear up.

'Thank you' I nodded in her direction before going to meet Anaya who was waiting for me by the front gate. I gave her the money Maaz gave me in an envelope, but she declined.

'Please take it...it's for your child from me' I shoved the envelope back in her hands. I wish I could help her more, but I did the best I could.

'I hope you stay happy Eman, thank you' She embraced me in her arms and waited with me outside until Maaz showed up to pick me up a few minutes later. He got out of the car and took the bags from my hands to put inside the car.

'You got everything?' He said to me firstly.

I nodded.

I waved goodbye to Anaya for the last time before getting inside the car. Maaz gave her a quick nod, I guess acknowledging whatever she did for me or the support which she provided me when he was absent. 

'You want to talk to Amma?' He asked me after a while as he drove us to who knows where.

'Yes' I shook my head as he called her and passed me the phone.

'Hello Amma' I answered as soon as I heard her voice.

'Eman, my dear...how are you...we were so worried about you...he was so worried for you...'She informed me as I felt Maaz's quick glances in my direction every now and then.

'I am fine Amma' I managed to say.

'Are you coming back to the house?' She asked me.

'Are we going back to the house?' I whispered to Maaz while covering the phone.

'Not yet' He answered but didn't give any details.

'Not yet Amma' I passed the message.

'Okay...it's okay...as long as you two are together I am not worried' I sensed a relief in her voice.

'I heard about Kiran...is everything okay?' I questioned.

'We reap what we sow Eman...karma has a way of returning in surprising ways' She didn't reply straightforwardly.

'What are you saying?' I mentioned to her.

'The last few days have been very difficult for all of us...it has been taken care of it...Miraaj found her' She notified me. Did that mean that she was back?

'Miraaj' I mumbled.

'Yes...don't worry she is safe now' She reported, and I was happy to hear some good news.

'Can I talk to Maaz?' She asked me and I passed the phone to him. He didn't say much except and few yes and no before ending the call.

'Where are we going?' I asked him when I noticed him driving in between forested area towards the mountains.

'We'll be staying here for a while' He told me.

'Here where?' I looked around and only saw mountains and trees.

'I bought a house here' He casually said as if it was a normal thing to say.

'You what?' I turned around to face him.

'Why?' I watched him.

'When?' I asked again.

'About two days ago...well technically yesterday and because I wanted to' He stated. Was he always this quick minded? I stared at him, he always seemed on high alert, as if he was ready for everything and anything. Completely opposite from me.