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Leilah's POV

"Dad, you got back already. I was about calling you" the huge man stood, smiling infront of me.

My dad is 6.3. I pressed my 5.7 body to his, I got my height from my mum between. Like, they was absolutely nothing I didn't get from that woman. Except for her patience.

"I am sorry I couldn't make it to your graduation, Amamah...i tried princess " he stops for a reaction.

I gave none out so he continues.

"you know this deal I have been trying to seal with the government for years now finally became ours. And I had to go with your brothers to the state house for a meeting with the President's Assistant on finance matters"

pouting i sat on my bed. By the time he finished explaining himself, I was in his Arms cuddled into his chest.

Over the years, I have come to realize I could never stay angry with this man no matter how hard I try. I mean who can stay mad at the "Mr Haseeb", who can go from being the most annoying father in the world to sweet Dad in seconds.

"are you still Mad, Amamah? "

He seemed worried, calling me by His late mother's name. He dipped his tall self further in my bed, the bed was literally begging for mercy, while He makes himself comfortable.

Amamah meant mother, since everyone thinks I look exactly like my Dad's late mum who had died two years after I was born. Meanwhile, I secretly think I look like Mum instead.

"I am not. Daddy... You could have sent fawaz and Fahad there to that state house. I mean, I don't care if they attend or not but your attendance was more important to me than the graduation itself." still pouting.

" I am sorry Amamah, this is huge for me, I mean for us. But I did send you the biggest gift any father can ever give to his daughter" he winks

" I didn't get any gift daddy" I am starting to get angry now.

You didn't attend, You didnt send no gift. I mean, Who does that!

"Waleed Akhmad. He is the gift"

"Waleed Akhmad ? Really Dad! Are we practicing slavery? Sending a full grown 26-30 year old human as a gift to your 22 year old daughter? "

my pretty little head is beginning to get too confused now. I am officially more confused than i was in London, seeing a complete stranger at my graduation.

" You will go to sleep now my angel as tomorrow is going to be a long day for all of us, you especially. We are having lunch with Mr Waleed akhmad senior and his family tomorrow in their mansion..." He makes his way to the door and stops by the huge wood.

"for anything. Remember I love you my amamah. You are my favorite child you have always been and will always be " he blows a Kiss at me.

He is so cute when he does that.

I guess mum has told him how I reacted earlier saying he was with his "sons".

"oh Dad, I know I am not your favorite child, Asahd is. do not patronise me. " I watched him close the door behind him laughing at what I said to him.

He has never admitted to anyone who his favorite child is. But I know it is Asahd. AsahHD has not taken his features, but also The fatherly care he exhibits. His only grieviance, Asahd doesn't want anything with the family business. He wants to own his own clothing line and he is getting there already.

Mr Waleed has been up in my head all day. Here I am trying to figure out why he was at my graduation and now my dad is saying something about him being my graduation gift. I Feel nauseous...

When the plane had landed. My family driver, Sam was there to pick us. I didn't even say "bye" or " thank you" to Waleed. I heard my mum and AsaHD do that . I had rushed to hug Sam who is like my second dad as he is not only our family driver but my dad's friend. I quickly sat in front with Uncle Sam to talk about why he wasn't there with me and he had told me how he was made to stay with Amal who had fever in the clinic.

We stopped by the street, before the clinic to pick amal, my favorite Cousin who has been living with us since her parents , her dad, who is my dad's older brother died in a plane crash when she was five. She was so excited to see me as I was. . ..her.

We had alot of catching up to do. The thirty minutes ride was enough to tell each other what has been happening in our lives. I even told her about Waleed....and she suddenly became quiet and few seconds later... She started telling me how she just got the documents of the properties belonging to her father from my father who thinks she is now old enough to run her father's law firm. She had read law for this and was so excited that I couldn't stop her jubilation to ask her why everyone was starts acting differently whenever I mentioned Waleed.

When we got home, my dad and my brothers were no where to be found. The cook had us eating grasses instead of real food.

"I didn't travel all these hours to come eat this..." I had thought out aloud.

Oops... That wasn't meant to be loud. Everyone laughed at the table. My mum ordered them to make me fries with mashed Chicken. After my meal. I had returned to my room without seeing Amal or asahd anywhere to talk to them. I was beginning to ask myself why they were avoiding me until my dad came into my room.

END OF FLASHBACK*

..................................

"Everyone... It's time for Breakfast " mum 's voice echoed through the house.

I hate waking up sick. That happens after I worry myself to sleep. Mum still hasn't gotten rid of this microphone she orders everyone with when it is time for food.

I concluded my morning routine and out in a floral skirt and a Tank top. The tank top is definitely going to get me into a fighting game with my dad but I care less right now. I feel so hungry. Hurriedly, I skipped the stairs, twice at once down only to bump into my brother, Fawaz.

Oh Fawaz, the mischievous lot.

"hey! Easy Lee! " he screamed as his phone hits the tiled floor

'' the food isn't running away.....foodie" he picked up his phone from the floor.

The screen was shattered but he didn't care to check.

" I am sorry about your phone, but is this how to welcome a sister you haven't seen in A year? " my hands akimbo.

"come here" he pulled me into a tight embrace and raises me from the floor. I swear, I didn't see that coming and I think my entire ribs just cracked.

"put me down Fawaz! Now! "

He was busy muttering a continuous "congratulations kiddo" song while I wreath in pain.

"fawaz! Put her down" I hear his twin, the oldest twin, Fahad's voice.

Fawaz obeyed Fahad. Still laughing and now placing kisses on both sides of my cheeks. I stared at Fahad who is stood behind fawaz smiling at the sight. I smiled at him too. Unknown to me, I was in for soothing worse.

What happened next was meant to be a shock to me but it wasn't.

" now. It's my turn" Fahad pulled me into his own right embrace the same way Fawaz did.

They are both laughed at my misery like the evil twins they are. These men do not understand they are 25 or what! I pushed and cried for help as his arms were tighter than Fawaz's.

Asahd came into view with Amal, laughing. These two aren't going to help me.. I needed to scream.

"Daaaaaaaaaaaad! "

"will you put your sister down ! now! Fahad!" dad's voice rang from the top of the stairs.

Everyone dispersed hurriedly into their chairs at the dinning hall.

"salam " some of us hugging dad and some, Mum then vice versa.

We ate in silence for five minutes until Dad .

" we will be leaving in three hours to the Akhmad's house. I suggest everyone gets refreshed before we do especially you Lee. You will have a change of outfit " he turns to me.

His eyes scanned through my tank top with a little annoyance and pity.

" dad, there is nothing wrong with what I am wearing. i am a graduate now not some kid. " I answered politely, smiling at him.

" you are not wearing anything close to that, Lee to my friend's house and your future...... " he suddenly stopped.

"Well. Graduate or no graduate, you aren't wearing that and that's 's final "

" dad, are you hiding something from me? " surprised at the word "future" coming to Me in the same line with his friend.

"your mum will talk to you about that. I have some work to do and I will be in my office. " he murmured in an unreadable tone. "fawaz, Fahad. In my office now! "

I turned to find out Amal and Asahd had disappeared too.

" I wonder what those two are up to?" I was saying to no one in particular.

Mum is left with me in the hall, staring at me.

"mum, you know you can tell me anything right? I am a strong woman. What is wrong? "

"come, my child. Let's take a walk"

She led me through the back door into the open Field.

"a lot happened before you were born, princess. Today is the day everything will be told. No matter what. I want you to know that your Dad and I, love you so much. You will always be our princess and call on us anytime you need anything" she is fighting tears now.

"Mum... What is it? "

"you are getting married...."

She was becoming sweaty and uncomfortable. Mum wiped her face with the tip of her dress.

I can't even stop laughing hearing these words.

Is she serious right now?

I am not and have never been in a relationship. All I did in London was read! Read and Read more!. I am socially awkward. I couldn't even go on decent dates since I nearly got harassed on the first and now she is talking about getting married? I mean who gets married without a husband.

I knew this was going to come up. It is always the next thing after graduation for a decent Muslim home like mine. But it is too early to get pressured like this!

"oh man please.... Ofcourse I will get married but right now I need to sleep...it is too early mum.... Too early"

"Leilah ..we aren't Done"

"mum... I love you but I need to rest from yesterday 's trip before the lunch.. Then we Will have this discussion again. And No, I don't have a boyfriend. "

I head back into the house. Still recovering from the laughter.