A reach for the stars

CHAPTER TWO

  “welcome home dad,” said Alina, looking at her dad who's still smiling at his beloved wife. Even after several years of marriage, the bond between the two seems to be getting stronger every day...Alina smiled lovingly looking at her parents while praying that God bless her with a loving husband like her dad...Because she believes that the person that truly loves you will never get tired of you...

  Mr.khan turned to look at Alina after the little  moment with his wife

  " my princess, how are you?."

  "am fine dad."

   Alina replied politely.

  "hmm!".

 Mr. khan exclaimed after Alina's reply.

  "what's it dad, I hope all is well" 

  Alina asked anxiously at his strange remark.

   "All is well my darling, I can see my daughter is all set for her trip."

   Mr khan assured, then continued to say as he scrutinized Alina with playful eyes.

  "Yea dad, I was born to be ready."

   Alina was so agile in her reply.

 "that's the spirit, now, you sound just like your dad."

 "After all am your daughter," said Alina proudly, rolling her fingers in the air. 

 Mrs. khan at the side suddenly cut in. "enough of all this, she's running out of time."

  "OK mum, thank you for reminding us about the time.." Alina said, then she started looking for her sandals.   

"Alina, where is your suitcase?" Mr. Khan said.

  “Here it is dad,” Alina answered slapdash, referring to a suitcase at a niche, positioned beside the wall as she's attempting to put her sandals on.

  "I hope you have loaded all the things you require throughout your stay over there."

. 

  "Yeah dad, everything is intact," Alina assured her dad then she turned to Mrs khan.

"Am going now, mother. See you in the next five days. am going to miss you a lot mum."

   Before she finished her statement, Alina unexpectedly sprinted back and squeezed her mother strongly. Her eyes were already blubbering at this moment.

  "Don't cry my darling, it's just for some few days."

  Mrs khan caressed Alina gently on her back and forth, she recollected. “Please, my dear, don't forget to pray...."

   "Thank you so much ma, I sure will," Alina answered. Subsequently getting over her reticence to part. This is the first time that Alina is leaving her parent to go to a place particularly far from home, the feeling of that, had made her and her mother relatively emotional.

  "let's go already, it's not as if she's going to stay there forever, is just a matter of 5days..."

  Mr khan expressed, a slight impatience at watching their drama. because of that, he even started whispering to himself. "women are just too emotional". 

  A few minutes later, Mr. Khan and Alina walked out of the building. While they both stepped out of the house, Mrs khan waved at them, asserting vehemently.

" wish you success in your exams...."

  "Thank you, mum, bye” Alina screamed on top of her lungs then she hurried out of the house to catch up with Mr.khan who's already ahead of her... When they got out, both Mr.Khan and Alina entered the car and drove to the train station.

   On arriving at the train station, Mr. Khan and Alina learned that Alina had already missed the first train that was going to the nation's capital on that day. Without any other alternative, she has to wait for the second train to arrive...

   Alina and Mr khan sat on a bench that was opposite an ice cream shop, loitering for the second bus, as they sat there quietly, the hums of the populace penetrated their ears from time to time. 

   Subsequently, there was a sudden change in Alina's mood. Mr khan didn't fail to notice that, but he choose to keep quiet and not ask her why. Mr. Khan was expecting Alina to shortly ask for ice cream but she didn't. Alina was quiet and seemed to be lost in a deep thought...which was unusual for her.

   Mr khan became worried because Alina who is always a chatterbox is quiet today. "I hope all is well with her...my poor child, am very sure that it's the thought of her exams that's eating her up like this."

  Mr.khan mumbled to himself worriedly. He then moved closer to her and consoled, "come on, my child, all is well, you will write the exams, just have faith in God. Alina lean her head on her father's shoulder. she responded to his questions with a soft voice. “dad, am neither scared nor worried, if it's meant to be, it's meant to be."

   Mr khan nods his head in regards to Alina...

  Alina was looking around but still, there was no trace of Leo... She started getting mad at Leo who had promised to journey together with her and remained nowhere to be seen until now.

   Leo in question is Alina's childhood friend. He is a young boy of about 19 years who has a calm and loving nature on top of being extremely handsome. His good looks had attracted a lot of girls towards him but he always shun them off when they go out of line.

    "How could he leave without waiting for me. the trip will not be fun without him. But Leo has never broken any of his promises before."

  "It's so unusual how people change overnight. Not a problem, am going to put him back where he belongs. I will not talk to him again ...It's payback time." Alina kept mumbling to herself under the presumption that Leo had broken his commitment and left on the first train without waiting for her.

  "Alina dear, are you sure you are OK"

Mr. Khan asked, however, there was no response from Alina who was drowned in her thoughts. Mr. khan then raised his voice a little. "Will you stop acting deaf.."

      Mr.khan shortly hissed out of annoyance because of Alina who was short of words. 

   "No dad, am sorry. I was just wondering, what is taking the train so long, 30 minutes have already passed since our arrival Yet, there's no any sight of the train."

 "Don't worry my dear, am very sure any moment from now, the train will be here."

   Mr.khan assured his daughter in understanding.

  "I hope so dad, cause am very tired of waiting. How I wish I could take a nap before the train arrives, but this place isn't convenient for me to sleep in, it's too noisy...." Said Alina lazily.

   "Ohh my little princess is tired. I know how to cheer you up."

  Mr.khan said. jerking Alina's cheek and also tickling her.

    "C'mon dad, stop it am not a kid anymore.."

  Alina proclaimed and made a babyface.

"Hahaha" Mr. khan burst into sonorous laughter due to her funny face.

   "will you like to have an ice cream?."

 Mr. Khan inquired.

  "yea dad, you know I will never say no to such a humble request, not even when it's ice cream." Alina jumps up out of excitement. 

  "so what flavor should I get you," Mr. Khan said.

    " the usual dad, it's vanilla flavor, if possible I want it with some toppings," Alina said excitedly. Her eyes glitter brightly.  

    "Alina you will never change." Mr. Khan stated in helplessness. 

   "Anyway, let me go and get your ice cream for you." He said and strolled out of the bench.

   "Should I come with you dad?"

 Alina offers to go with her dad as he strode on.

     " No dear, just wait for me, I will be back in no time. You can even watch me there, the shop is just opposite to where you are sitting, I see no reason why you should follow me."

  "OK, Mr. your wish is my command."

 Alina said playfully.

  "Glad you understand lady."

Mr. Khan replied then they both laughed.