20. Emotional Talks

N A D A' S  P O V

"Nada! Get up we have reached home." I heard someone from beside me.

"Noooo. Five minutes only please." I whined and snuggled more.

"You've been saying this for last five minutes get up!" And that certain someone is none other than my enemy-cum-husband, Mr Fahad.

"I hate you." I muttered and got up rubbing my eyes.

"Same here. Now get up we need to go home. My shoulder is paining because of your heavy head even though it doesn't contain anything." He debated as we got out and he was paying for the cab.

"It does contain many things and we will split the fare."

"It contains garbage nothing else. And it's okay I have paid the bill if next time we go somewhere you pay." He spoke casually and making me gasp.

"How dare you say that Fahad Hammad Sheikh?!?"

"Shh. . . Alizah is sleeping. Shut your loud speaker." He whisper-yelled.

"I know I am not dumb. You just gave me her a few minutes ago." I snapped.

"But you act like one." He postulated.

"When? When will that day come when you will shut your mouth?" I asked him agitatedly.

"The day when you will shut your mouth."

"Why am I even expecting that from you. Nevermind."

"So how did it go?" Uméma asked. I had shower, made Alizah sleep and now we were having our dinner now.

"We got nothing Ummi. And the police said that he will track Junaid's place and arrest him." I elaborated.

After dinner, I went and offered my Isha Salah (The last prayer of the day of Muslims).

And after that my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID to see Mira calling me.

"ASALAMWALAIKUM MIRA SAYED!" I said enthusiastically. I don't know why I was so happy?

"WALAIKUMASALAM NADA SHEIKH!" I heard her. I spoke too soon.

"Uhh...was it necessary to add Sheikh?"

"Ofcourse because now you are one."

"Whatever."

"Actually I have called you because I wanted to inform you that today we had to go to the college to fill the details for graduation which is tomorrow."

"Oh my God! How could I forget that!! Tomorrow is my graduation!" I squealed. "Wait a minute! I didn't go today I was busy in going to orphanages and the police station."

"Yes. Rahim told me about it. And don't worry I filled your details too."

"Thank you Mira. You are the best!"

"Hey! What are best friends for? And by the way what happened to your phone?" Her voice filled with concern.

"Nothing it's fit and fine." I answered casually.

"Then why weren't you picking up my call? Or you were busy with your hubby? Aww! The newlywed couple." She cooed.

"Oh please Mira atleast you don't start. You know how much we despise each other. So no chance. We just have to search for Alizah's parents now that's it or the ones who are willingly adopting her. That's the main goal."

"All the best for that. I and Rahim will also look for that. Anyway it's our graduation tomorrow! Will meet you tomorrow. AllahHafiz (Parting greeting of Muslims. Basically meaning let God be with you)."

"Yes I am so excited. Meet you tomorrow, best friend, AllahHafiz."

And I cut the call.

It's my graduation tomorrow. I have waited for so long.

I dialled my Mom's number.

"Hello! Asalamwalaikum (Peace be upon you) Mommmmm!" I chirped.

"Walaikumasalam (Peace be upon you too) dear. How are you? How's everyone there? And what about Alizah and Fahad?" I heard the lovely voice of my mother. And boy, I missed her so much.

"Everyone is doing good Alhumdullillah (Because of God's grace)" I answered her. "Mumma!! Tomorrow is my graduation day! Yayy! You have to come to my college tomorrow by four o'clock."

"Yes. Zarur aaungi mein. How can I miss my only daughter's graduation. I will attend." (Ofcourse I will come.)

"Yes Mom please do come, haa."

"For sure!" She affirmed.

And then I told her everything that happened today.

"Mom, I am so tensed. When will we find Alizah's parents?" I asked her while I was looking at Alizah who was sleeping peacefully. Where is Fahad? Uh...why do I care? Maybe in his study.

"See whatever will happen in your life it will be good. So relax okay?" She comforted me, which really helped me a lot and chuckled. "And please don't fight with Fahad again and again."

"Mom you too? You know he starts the fight first." I whined.

"You know the house has got so empty since you left." She croaked, sounding so upset that it filled my eyes with water too.

"I know Mom. I miss you too." I tried controlling my tears and stood in the balcony.

"It's okay Nada every girl has to leave her house."

"Yes. But I will get a divorce also soon."

"That's the part which dreads me the most. A mother would never want her daughter to live her life like a divorcee. Like me." Mom spoke in disdain.

"No Mom! You are not a divorcee. I mean Dad never divorced you. He loved us immensely. All that happened because of that stupid accident." I gritted my teeth at the last.

"It's okay. Now I won't ruin your mood. Be happy, my girl, it's your graduation tomorrow."

"Sure Mom I will. And also I will come tomorrow to meet you at our home." I said.

"Sure do come now AllahHafiz."

"Bye AllahHafiz."

I turned back to see Fahad already in the room. Huh? When did he come?

I quickly wiped all my tears. As I was going out when Fahad clutched my arm making me stop in my tracks.

"Nada. Why are you crying?" He asked softly.

I didn't turn back because if I did I will again cry looking at him as he is such a good father to Alizah even though she is not his real daughter and the way he cares about Alizah reminds me of my Dad.

"Is it about what I said in the cab earlier?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Then tell me what is it? I won't hurt any woman intentionally. And here you are crying is it because of me? I wouldn't hurt you to that extend that would make you cry. Fine! You can take the revenge however you want. But tell me why are you crying?" He jerked my arm and pulled me towards him. Which was quite close to my liking.

"You did nothing." I whispered looking in his caramel orbs.

"Then? You were getting bored so you thought to cry?"

"Shut up Fahad!"

"Then why?"

"It's because of my father."

"Huh? I have never seen him. Did he do anything?"

"You never saw because he is no more. He died! He died in a car accident Fahad! And left me. Left me and mom alone." I whispered the last part.

"Tomorrow is her daughter's graduation day and he will not be here. This is what makes me cry. He always had a craze that his daughter should study and proud him. He always used to say that his Nada will become an efficient professor. And now when it is my time to become one he is not there!" I finally bursted out. My tears were rolling down my cheeks as if it were a monsoon season.

"Nada it's okay. He is not here then what are you gonna do? Sit still and cry? No, you will go tomorrow and collect your degree and fulfill you Dad's wish, okay?" He elaborated looking me into my eyes. This close proximity added more to his eyes as I nodded at him.

"You know whenever I look at you with Alizah it reminds me of my father. He was the same. The same way you care about." I told him and he smiled.

"Now go and wash your face anyway you look like a joker." He said trying to lighten my mood.

"Idiot." I slapped him in the chest and went inside the washroom to wash my face.

Why is he so confusing? Now I know once I go out he will be back to his ugly personality. Anyway that's good too because at the end it would be difficult for me to leave him if he continues being soft.

I went outside and made my way to the couch. It was in the room but Fahad is so tall that his legs were dangling out. So he didn't sleep there yesterday.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Fahad's voice startled me.

"To sleep?" I answered.

"You sleep on the bed. I will sleep down."

"But today is your turn to sleep on the bed."

"My Mom has always taught me to be a gentleman. So in the name of humanity, I am telling you to sleep on the bed."

"Really?" I asked him, surprised and he nodded. Some gentlemen he is.

"Are you sure?" I again asked him and he again nodded.

"You mean it?" I did ask him again.

"You want to sleep or not?" He asked curtly and I rushed towards the closet to take out his bed.

"I told you to sleep on the bed then why the mattress?!" Fahad said agitatedly.

"It's for you. I am making the bed for you." I reasoned it out.

After making his bed, I decided to go tell Aunt Naaz and Uméma to come at my graduation.

"Where are you going?" Fahad asked as I was just going to twist the doorknob.

"Going to inform Aunt Naaz and Uméma about my graduation." I answered him and he nodded.

I informed them and they both willing agreed to come at my graduation.

I went inside to the room and saw Fahad sleeping with his phone in his hand.

I took the phone from his hands and covered him with the duvet. He sighed in his sleep which involuntary made me smile.

I switched off the lights and went to bed not before checking on Alizah.

I hope everything goes well tomorrow.

Asalamwalaikum and hello people!! Boring chapter. I know. How are you guys liking the story so far?  Tell me about it in the comments and don't forget to vote. Until then thank you, AllahHafiz, bye and take care ^_^

Also, do share what was your favorite part of the chapter.

CHAPTER ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ON: 03/07/18

CHAPTER REWRITTEN/EDITED AND PUBLISHED ON: 14-04-20