The Life of Zara

CHAPTER NINE

I woke up with a throbbing headache. Of course I should expect nothing less with what happened yesterday. I placed my hand under my pillow and drag my phone out. Wow! 09:45 am. yeah right I didn't wake for morning prayer because it's my time of the month. I want to stay in bed and never get up but I know better than to stay. I made my way to the toilet and take a hot bath. And I already feel a little better. I picked up a maroon color gown from my wardrobe. It's light and simple. I picked up black scarf too.

Closing the door behind me I made my way to the kitchen. The smell of fried eggs hit my nose and I stopped walking. Ahmed came out with plates in his hands and made his way to the dining. He cooked his breakfast. I'm in trouble. I stayed rigid and watched him set the table. He hasn't noticed me standing yet. I should go back in there until he is out. Having bad luck on my side.he turned to my sight right this moment.

"Good morning Zara.." He smiled at me.

Am I hallucinating? I place my hand on my forehead and stared at him.

"I made breakfast. Well I don't know how to cook so I fried eggs we can eat it with bread and tea."

I'm sure my eyes are as big as saucers. I'm hallucinating. I'm going insane. I want to go and touch him to feel whether he is real. I closed my eyes tightly and opened them again. He's still here. Only that he is right before me now. He held my hand and tug me.

"Come on. It's getting cold."

He's real. I can feel his hand. I want to wake up from this dream. I reluctantly follow him as he led me to my sit and he also sat down on the one facing me.

"Here's the egg. He pushed the plate before me. I don't know how you like like your tea but I hope you won't mind the one I made." He smiled again nodding his head indicating I should eat.

I am dumbstruck. I want to run away. This most be some sort of cruel joke. I stared at my plate as if it will give me the answers I needed. May be some jinn took over his body. Do they really do that? Maybe there is sand inside the egg?

"Zara.."

I raised my head and looked at him.

"Let's talk when we are done eating. There is nothing in the food. You can eat."

We ate in silence. It was awkward and I feel nervous. I kept my head low avoiding contact with him. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I started eating.

After having breakfast I picked up the plates and cups. After washing them together with the frying pan. I made my way to find Ahmed sitting in the living room. He said we will talk. What are we going to talk about. I started fidgeting with my cloth.

"Zara.." Come here he called.

I went and sat at the other sofa facing him.

"How I'm I suppose to say this he asked?" With a sheepish look. He has never given me this look before. His face is relaxed not hardened. I don't want to notice how attractive he look.

"I'm sorry Zara."

I didn't expect to hear that. Did I just heard that? Did he really say that he is sorry.

"I am truly sorry Zara.. I.. I know I messed up a lot. i know what I did is not excusable. I am really sorry Zara. I can't say sorry enough. I want to earn your forgiveness."

He said he is sorry. Did he really said that he is sorry? Maybe this is some sort of cruel joke. But he looked sincere. It's pity. He's feeling pity towards me.

"Please say something zara."

"Okay."

It's the only word I could manage to utter.

He smiled.

"Do you think you can go to Aunty Hafsa's? It's okay if you are not ready. She's worried with the way you left yesterday."

The last thing I want to do is worry her.

"I'll go."

"Okay go get ready I will take you now. "

The drive to Aunty Hafsa's is quiet. I turned my attention to the window watching the cars passing by. Watching the buildings and people and their activities.

"Zara.." Ahmed called.

I turned my head to look at him in response. he was looking ahead. His concentration on driving.

"I saw that picture."

"What picture?"

"The one in your diary. "

What? He saw my diary? Did he opened it? Did he read it?

"I didn't opened your diary Zara. The picture fell from it. It was never my intention."

"Okay," I nodded.

"You look beautiful in the picture. You were happy.'

Yeah I was. I smiled at the memory. I still remember the events that lead to snapping that picture. I got lost remembering old memories I didn't realize when we reached.

I step out of the car. I stand there mustering all the courage I could. He held my hand supporting me. "Are you ready he asked?" I nodded and he smiled at me.

Ya Allah thank you for this blessing. For a change overnight.

The moment we stepped inside the house. The first person we met is aunty zainab.

"Ina kwana Aunty zainab. (good morning Aunty zainab) I greeted but I didn't get any answer. "The look in her eyes is of pure distaste. I followed her gaze. It is fixed on our intertwined fingers and I immediately pulled away my hands from his. I cannot even dream of a relationship with Ahmed. How naive I was. I step away from him and he gave me a disappointment look. I cannot let the Impossible start.