The Perfect Union

Chapter 11 - The search party

Aliyahs POV

'Where the hell are you Haider' I asked pretending to be scared when really I had spotted him, I just thought I would get him back for a prank he played on me yesterday.

'Im next to the black taxi' he said, definitely falling for my prank.

'I really cant see you theres too many people. Get out the car and wave your hands around or something' I said waiting to see if he would actually do it.

'Argh the things you sisters make me do. Its so cold outside and im not wearing a jacket as well' I heard him grumbling. I thought he probably wouldnt di what I had said so I started walking in the direction of his car. But then I saw him, actually standing outside his car waving his hand around.

I cut the call off laughing my head off. 'You actually did it. Yay one point for me and no points for you. I tricked the great trickster Haider' still laughing as I got into the car.

'Thats really bad Aliyah I was proper worried' he said pretending to be angry but he couldnt resist and started laughing too. 'On a serious note you have no idea how happy I am to see you smile. I really wasnt expecting that. Everyone at home will be so relieved. Wait let me just call mum she has called like 4 times' he pulled out his phone.

He told mum that I was safely in the car and weirdly happy so she could stop worrying. He then went on to say we would be back in about half an hour because we were going for ice cream.

'Ice cream' I asked...confused. It was 9.45pm and my crazy over the top healthy brother who never ate anything after 8pm let alone anything unhealthy like Ice cream was taking me out and that without any begging too. Something wasnt right. But i wasnt going to complain.

'What cant I break my rule once in a while. Anyway I want all the gossip before we get home and you pretend your too tired and need to sleep' he said with a cheeky grin.

'God Haider your such a girl sometimes' i said jokingly.

'Well maybe its a good thing you are getting married and finally there will be some more testorone in the house to balance out all you crazy women' he said sticking his tongue out.

I pretended to get angry but couldnt help not laugh with him.

Ahmeds POV

I finished telling Fatz everything that had happened that afternoon. I didnt tell her everything about Aliyas past just the parts that affected me. At first I thought id not tell her the train scenerio but then again couldnt hide it either. So I told her that too.

She waited for me to finish. Her reaction to everything was really hard to read.

'Well Im not exactly pleased that you both met alone. I know I know Samaa and Abdullah were there but still. And the whole train station bit....you know what I think about all that kind of stuff Ahmed. But I trust you and I know enough about Aliyah to know that she is not that kind of girl and both of you wouldnt have let that situation to develop into anything that it wasnt. But from a sisters point of view....Im glad you cared and respected her enough to make sure she got on the train safely. Im proud of you little bro' she said as she leaned over to give me a hug.

'So looks like the little blip as been sorted out and everythings good again and I hope it stays that way Inshah Allah' she said looking at me as I checked my phone for the millionth time. It was 9.50pm and Samaa still hadnt had a reply. I was starting to get worried. 'Helloo........whats so interesting in your phone. You havent put it down for the last half hour' she said going back into scary big sis mode.

'Sorry....its just Abdullah said he would let me know when Samaa heard back from Aliyah, you know saying she had got back to birmingham ok but she still hasnt texted her. Its nearly 10 o clock, she should be home by now.

'Im sure there is a perfectally good reason. Dont worry Ahmed Im sure she is at home and just hasnt checked her phone. Its been a long day you know' she said trying to reassure me. She probably realised nothing she had just said was helping. Then all of a sudden she looked like she had an idea. She went into the living room and got her phone from her bag.

She looked through her contacts and before I knew she was calling someone. 'Wait you have her....' I asked before I was shushed by her.

Aliyahs POV

'God Haider you are so boring. Vanilla Ice cream. Thats all your having. Live a little. Look at my tropical rainbow ice cream mix with sprinkles and chocolate buttons' I said showing my Ice cream.

'Just because Im breaking my rule doesnt mean I have to go to extremes Aliyah' he said pretending he was enjoying his vanilla boring ice cream while his eyes was on mine.

'Whatever lier. Wait i think my phones ringing' I took my vibrating phone out of my bag. I looked at all the notifications. Like a gazillion messages and miscalls from Samaa. She couldnt really have been that crazy worried about me. I told her i might not text her today because she normally went to sleep early and I didnt want to disturb her.

I looked at the number flashing on my phone. I didnt know who it was as the number wasnt saved in my contacts. I answered abit scared...'Hello.....'

'Asalaam Alaikum Aliyah' the girl said. I recognised the voice but I couldnt remember who it belong to.

'Walaikum Asalaam' I answered frantically trying to remember who it was.

'So sorry to call so late. Its just I have come down to London today and Ahmed was just telling me about today. Your train must have reached birmingham quite late I just thought Id make sure you had reached Birmingham safe and sound.'

Oh my god it was Fatima. Ahmeds sister. But how did she get my number I thought. Oh yeah i remembered we were in a w******p group with a few of my friends.

'Yes Alhamdulillah i have reached safe and sound. I think i got here for 9.40pm and Haider came to pick me. It seems my brother wanted to pamper me so we were just having some ice cream' I told her and then mentally slapped myself. Why had I told her we were having ice cream.

She chuckled ' Alhamdulillah for brothers eh. Ahmed has been the same since he came back this evening and he found out I had come down. Anyway you guys enjoy yourself. We are really glad you are ok. Allah Hafiz. See you soon Inshah Allah.'

'Inshah Allah. Allah Hafiz.' I said ending the phonecall thinking that was so weird. What did she mean by WE? Had she called me because Ahmed was worried. I just tried to shake the thought out of my head and went to check my messages.

I silently read all of Samaa messages telling me she was going to kill me for not replying. It wasnt like she knew i was capable of getting back home ok but just that Ahmed had been pestering Abdullah for the past 40 minutes waiting to hear I had gotten home ok. I knew I shouldnt laugh but seriously I didnt think he would get that worried.

I am so so so sorry Habibi. Im back safe and sound eating Ice cream with Haider. I will tell you the full story tomorrow Inshah Allah. Allah Hafiz and take care. By the way how you enjoying playing messenger for me I texted her back laughing at my cheeky remark

You owe me big time Aliyah. Finally i can go to sleep now that you lovebirds are content. Allah Hafiz x she texted back.

'Eh Hello. Do you know how rude it is to text in somebodies company' Haider said pretending to be angry 'Anyway who were you texting?? Ahmed?? Cus you looked so happy. Can I say as an older brother I dont approve of you two having any contact without a chaperone. Maybe it would be better to have a w******p group with me included' he said.

'Are you serious' I said completely shocked at his assumptions 'Not that its any of your business but it was Samaa i was texting. I dont even have Ahmeds number nor do I have any inclination to call or text him before we are married. And before you ask the phonecall was from Fatima.'

'Ahmeds sister Fatima......she was ringing to make sure you had reached home. Oh my god Aliyah what have you done. That poor guys acting like a lovesick romeo' he said teasing me.

'Go away' I said pretending to be annoyed 'Go and get everyones ice creams or they wont let us in the house'.

'Your wish is my command' he said with a bow.

I couldnt believe it. He had cared so much he had practically sent a search party after me. With every minute Ahmed was confusing me more and more.