Unexpected Promises

Chapter 24 ✓

Saad's pov :

I didn't let my hopes get high because I had a feeling that even she wouldn't know anything about this. But staying silent, I watched him call his sister and ask her about them. I saw his face falling after hearing her replies and I knew I wasn't wrong. Shaking his head, he muttered something before disconnecting the call.

I looked away, tears brimming my eyes once again as I felt the rush of emotions altogether. 'I need to stay strong. I can't let my guard down. This is just a test.' 

Glancing at him, I saw him already looking at me. He shook his head sadly and I gave him a small smile. "It's okay yaar, mujhe pehle se hi lag raha tha ke use nahi pata hoga. Chalo ab, finish your sandwich."

(It's okay man, I already had a feeling that she wouldn't have known anything about this. Now finish your sandwich.)

"Kar raha hu." He took a bite to show me. 

(I'm finishing it.)

"Accha, I want your help."

(Okay.)

"Haa bolo na. What can I do for you?" He sat straighter.

(Yes tell me. What can I do for you?)

"I want you to keep an eye around here for me and let me know if you guys find them. And also, I will be giving you the key to this house so can you please come and check up here every once in a while? I'm sorry, I know I'm asking for too much but I don't know anyone else here and-" 

"Oh hello mister! Why are you apologising? And this is not too much to ask. I will actually be glad to help you. And you don't have to give me the keys, I think ammi already has them since aunty gave her one a long time back, just in case." He said, waving my apology away.

I smiled at him gratefully. "Jazak Allahu Khairan. I don't even know how to thank you enough for whatever you have done for me. You don't even know us that well but here you are, helping me out and being here for me when I need someone."

"Waiyyakum. Now you are making me embarrassed. Don't say these things man, I'm glad to be here for you. Now tell me, did you book your flight already?" He changed the topic.

I inhaled loudly before replying. "Yeah, I did."

"When is it?"

"After Fajr. Around 5:30 or so I guess." I frowned while trying to recall the exact time.

"And when will you be leaving for the airport?" 

"Around three or four I guess. Why?" I looked at him curiously.

"Aise hi. How will you be going to the airport?"

(Oh just like that.)

"Cab, I guess."

"Oh. Okay then, I will be taking you guys to the airport." He grinned.

._._._.

We headed out of the airport with the crowd, some of them coming out with us while some headed inside. Alayna was hopping beside me in happiness, a wide grin adorning her face. Thankfully, she didn't ask me much about Atifa and Amira. Because I didn't know what to tell her.

Spotting bhai and bhabi in the crowd, Alayna squealed, her arms spreading out as she ran towards them. I shook my head as a smile tugged my lips. Bhai smiled widely as he bent down to catch her. Bhabi laughed while shaking her head as she turned to look at me expectantly.

They still didn't know about their sudden disappearance. I didn't inform them because I was going to come here today anyway. And I didn't see any point in worrying them beforehand. In fact, I couldn't even call them yesterday because I didn't know what to tell them or how to answer their questions.