Destined To Be.

Chapter 12

Ayla,

2 years later

What a blissfully tiring day.  I make my way towards the balcony, leaning against the railing I look down at the dusty city below.  The humid weather is welcomed  after the monsoon rain, the intense heat finally calming down, albiet for a while.  The sun is setting and the call to prayer is not far behind.  The voice of the Iman calms me to an extent where tears  stings my eyes at the beautiful words.  They're a soothing balm and I'm gonna miss it.

"Hey sis, You ready and packed?" Aqsa walks over to join me.  She shares my sentiments of earlier as she takes in the beautiful city below with a pretty smile on her face.

"I'm gonna miss this place."I sigh sadly. "I don't want to go". Aqsa puts an arm around me, leaning her head against mine.

"Ayla, Mom and Dad miss you, Inaya is bugging me non stop to get you to come home and our dear brother is missing his other half". She replies in a calm manner. 

"I don't get the twins. They can't stand each other when they are together and when they apart they hate that to". I snort, trying to avoid the real issue at hand here.

"Zayan has been here for over a month now, you letting him come over was only supposed to be for a couple of weeks." She replies patiently.  

"Hey, it's not my fault he fell madly in love with the homeland." Aqsa turns to see the smirk on my face.

"Ayla, you know running away was not the answer." She leans back so she is facing me, arms folded.

"I was not running away, I just needed a...a..change. Yep, I wanted a change." I nod my head for extra emphasis.

"Your change as you so elouquently put it, lasted for two years.  You need to come home and sort your life out." She sighs tiredly.

When did she get  grow up, last time I checked I was the older sibling.

"I am home ,sister dearest." I reply annoyed... more with myself as Aqsa is making me feel like I'm a spoilt child.

"You know damn well what I mean Ayla," Aqsa snaps at me angrily." You have us all worried. Mamma, Abu Jan, uncle Robert, Aunty Amanda not to mention Jam...".

"Don't!!!. Don't mention his name". I shout out angrily at my sister.  She sighs tiredly, but stays quite apology clearly in her eyes.

"I'm sorry". I walk up to her and put an arm around her shoulder.  She snuggles up to me, leaning her head against mine.

"No, I should apologise.  I know he's a touchy subject for you but in his defence, he's worried about you.  He's been badgering me non stop about any info regarding you." She pulls away to look at my face.

My face betrays me as it heats up.  The mere mention of him has my body reacting and my heart pacing.

Two years, Two years away has done nothing to diminish my feelings whatsoever.  After his rejection the second time round, a week later I had my bags packed and with my worried parents and siblings in tow was at the airport, waiting to board a plane to Pakistan.

Yes Aqsa's right I was running away, I still am, but now Aunty Amanda is due to give birth anytime soon and she has practically begged me to come back home, to England.  She wants me to be there for the birth. She doesn't have any other family aside from us and she has never stopped thanking me for setting her up with my Uncle Robert.

"Ayla, are you okay?" Aqsa nudges me to gain my attention.

"Sorry sis, just thinking." I turn to face her, I can see the worry etched all over her pretty face. "I don't think I can hack going back and seeing him again."  She see the tears in my eyes and pulls me in for a hug.