Blossom

15

⚜️ Z A R A H P O V ⚜️

It was a beautiful Monday morning. It was a fine day in New York City. The week-long storm had washed every sidewalk and gutter clean, and a tincture of freshness still lingered in the air despite the traffic fumes. The city’s vibrancy had bounced back in an instant the clouds cleared, and already, the parks were a hum of activity.

I got out of the hospital two days ago. I was pleased to get out of that sick place finally. I despise hospitals. I make me vomit for some reason. I was getting ready for University. I am not going to stop my education because of what happened to me. No way! Sometimes in life, you just have to move on. Forget about the past and think about the future.

I have a perfect family right now, a father-in-law who takes me as his daughter. He cares for me just like my father uses too. A pretty mother-in-law, who scolds you and does the motherly stuff if you get in trouble. A beautiful sister-in-law/best friend, who is sometimes annoying as hell and wouldn't shut up. And there is my husband, works non-stop. Over the dinner table, he told everyone about his new job. He was working at an FBI, on the field. He is barely home. He is always off to work and never answers anyone's calls. I am used to it now. I guess.

"Zarah! Sophia! Hurry up," mom yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

"Coming, mother," I answered, running down the stairs, excited for another brand new day to begin. 

"Good morning," Sofia kissed dad's cheek and then mom's.

"How is school going for both of you?" Dad asked, flipping through the newspaper.

"Alhamdulillah, it's going well," we both answered together. 

"Hurry up! You three are going to be late," mom scold, looking at the kitchen clock.

"Mama! Where is my superman jacket?" yelled little Ali from the top of the stairs.

"It's in your clothes on the right side," she yelled back.

"It is not there," he groaned, and you can hear his small foot stomping on the wooden floor. 

"What will I do with this boy?!" mom moaned, exiting the kitchen, "you three better be out of my kitchen before I get back here."

"Let's go before the old lady kills us," dad joked, winking at us. 

"I heard that," mom spoke. 

- - -

"Oh, my God!" Sofia screamed out.

"What?" I looked at her with concern.

"There is this new hot guy in this University. He joined today," she screamed, shaking my shoulders. 

"So?"

"So, I was hoping if you can get his number for me," she pleaded, fluttering her eyelashes at me. 

"Ya Allah! What is wrong with you? If your brother hears that, he will freak out," I exclaimed. 

"I was joking," she rolled her eyes.

"Well, I can't seem to figure out when you are joking and when you are serious," I grumbled. 

"Has bhai called?" she changed the topic. 

"Nope," I popped the letter 'p.’

"What is he doing anyway? He doesn't pick up anyone call," she stated in annoyance. I mean, can you blame her. I am annoyed a little bit. I am not okay with this at all. How can he not call, or he can at least let us know that he is alive. 

"He is probably busy," I spoke, walking to my class.

"I will see you after class then," she hugged me. I waved at her before entering the class. As soon as I entered the classroom, the students got quiet. I looked around to see them staring at me. I kind of felt uncomfortable. I hung my head down and walked to my seat.

"This is not a fucken show that you need to stare at," Mia snapped, seeing how uncomfortable I was. 

"Thank you," I smiled.

"Don't mention it. Someone has to say something to them. They annoy me,” Mai rolled her eyes. 

Mai is the head of a cheerleader and other activities; she isn't one of those mean blondies. She is excellent. While if you happen to get on her wrong side, then you can say goodbye to the world.

She is a sweet girl. She helps a lot with events and other programs. Even though her parents are wealthy, she prefers earning money by working. You never see her wear one dress at a time and then not wear it again. She saves up money.

"Why are they all looking at me like that?" I questioned, feeling her stare deep into my soul.

"You mean, you don't know?"  

I shake my head, not understanding what she was talking about. "They all know what happened to you.”

"Ho-how did they know?" I stuttered, looking around. 

"That bastard Ayan told everyone. He even posted on social media,” she spat out.

"What? Why would he do that?" I looked at her.

"I don't know. Ayan is stupid after all," she smirked.

"Can we please not talk about him?" I muttered

"Oh yeah, sorry," she smiled sadly.

"Again. Thanks for that," I grinned.

"Your welcome. Hey, you can hang out with us during lunch?" Mai offered.

"No, sorry, I am busy," I declined.

"It's okay. I understand. Well, I will see you around," Mai waved off.

"Yeah, see you," I spoke softly. I entered the classroom and took my usual seat, which was by the window. It was a rainy day.

The water droplets fall like they simply cannot think of anything better to do. There is a laziness about them as if they can barely be bothered to conform to the will of gravity. When I hold my bare arm out of the window, the droplets splatter on my outstretched fingers.

They are large and soft, not like the mean driving rain of back home at all. I tilt my fingers upwards and watch the remnants of the drops run downwards like tiny rivers. If this is the way rainy days are here, I could get used to it real fast; even the sound on the cedar roof is comforting. With a half-smile, I retreat, leaving the window open; this way, I can hear the steady drumming all the louder while I turn age-worn pages of long-forgotten books.

"Good morning, everyone," Professor greeted us.

"Good morning," we all greeted back.

"Welcome back, Mrs. Imran," he smiled politely toward me.

"Thank you, sir.”

"Please turn to page 550 and do the questions. You might have a quiz on them," he informed.

"But we just had a quiz yesterday," complained Carlos, banging his head on the table.

"This is college, not elementary school. You will be getting a lot of tests and quizzes, so get used to it," he snapped at Carlos. Well then, it looks like someone woke up the wrong side of the bed. What’s wrong with the Professor? He is usually always joking with us. 

"Sorry, sir."

"The sooner you finish, the sooner you get out of this class," he stated, ignoring Carlos’s apologies. 

I turned to page 550 and then took a piece of paper out of my backpack. I quickly began to start my work; I didn't want to be in this class. It wasn't because I didn't like this class. I love this class because 90% of the students were staring at me and giving me the pity look I didn't need.

After a couple of minutes later, I finally was finished with it. I turned in before heading out of the classroom. I exited the building and walked toward my usual spot but stopped when I saw them. I didn't want to be seen by two people who I dislike right now. So I turned around and started to walk away. But my luck ran out.

"Zara? Is that you?" Mariam ran toward me. She tried to grab my hand, but I moved away from her. At the moment, I didn’t want to see her, nor do I want to speak to her. Just by looking at her, I was getting infuriated. Her eyes held sadness from my action. 

"Yeah?"

"Come sit with us. We are having lunch together," Mariam offered with a tight smile. 

"No, thanks. I am about to leave," I declined.

"No, please, I insist," she pleaded.

"She said she is leaving, and I am here to pick her up," spoke a familiar deek voice, which I haven’t heard for a long time. I turned around and smiled big, seeing that Ahmed has finally arrived from work. He walked toward me and kissed my forehead.

"Hey," I greeted softly.

"Hello, how are you?" he sighed, giving me a devilish smile. 

"I am fine. How about you?" 

"I have been good. Just tired," Ahmed replied. 

"You should have stayed home instead of coming here.”

"And miss the chance of seeing this beautiful face. Nah," he smirked.

"You and your cheeky remarks," I slapped his chest, playfully, “how was your trip?" 

"I wouldn't say that it was a trip. It was more like a job trip," Ahmed laughed, opening the passenger door, “it was fine. However, someone got shot, but everything is fine now.”

Aww! What a gentleman. As I got in the seat, I accidentally hit his bicep, making him hiss. I turned to face him, wondering why he made that sound. He gave me a smiled to hide his pain.

"What happened?" I asked him suspiciously.

"Nothing," he stated, urging me to get in with his head. 

"No, something is wrong. Tell me!" I demanded with my arm crossed over my chest.

He placed his hand on top of my head. Bending down to my level, he grinned, "I can assure you that I am perfectly fine.”

"Then you won't have any problem showing me your hand," I narrowed my eyes.

"I can promise-"

"NOW!"

"Okay! So demanding," he chuckled before pulling his jacket off.

I stayed in my spot, not moving as I watched him roll up his sleeves. A gasp left my mouth, seeing the sight in front of me. His bicep was wrapping around with white bandages. I stepped closer to him and touched it.

"What happening?" I asked again.

"When I went to catch the guy, I didn't notice that he had a knife, and he sliced my arm," he replied.

"How can you be so careless?" I punched his chest.

"Look, nothing happened to me. I am perfectly fine," Ahmed grabbed my hand.

"What if something happened to you?" I looked away, feeling tears appear in my eyes.

"Hey! Look at me," he pulled my face up to meet his, "I am fine. I am standing right here."

"I know, but what if I lose you. I lost so many people in my life, and you're the only close friend that I have, and God forbid that something happens to you," I muttered.

"Nothing is going to happen to me. Okay? Let's go," he smiled.

"Where?"

"Somewhere," he winked.

"I don't like that face. Where are we going?" I eyed him.

"A place where you will love to say," he answered before getting in the driver's seat and driving away.