Chapter 13: Long Gone

AMYRAH

The time of his flight was 5pm.

How can I forget something that kept me awake the entire night?

I went shopping with his mom and sister, but instead of feeling happy, all I felt was gloom.

Like some part of me died.

Maybe I should just call, apologize and call off the destiny thing?

But I trust Allah, I trust that if he is meant to be mine, we will meet.

I just have to wait.

I stared at the clock.

I have been doing that since Asr.

Today was Sunday so no work.

But because of no work, I was getting tensed by each passing moment.

I honestly don't know why.

My phone's ringtone made me jump from my spot on the couch.

I checked the called ID to be Aiyla.

Who else?

I swiped the call and answered it.

"As salaamu alaikum!" I said and Aiyla yelled a quick reply before she began squealing.

"What is it?" I asked her.

"I am leaving for Fiji in two days!!!" she said happily and I instantly smiled and then frowned.

"Really? Without me?" I muttered, feeling sad over the fact that my bestie was leaving for Fiji WITHOUT me.

"Oh come on! You will be joining me soon. You will be, right?" she asked me and I smiled.

"Of course! A week later perhaps. Since I have cleared majority of my schedule for two months, I am hoping I have fun" I replied pulling my legs underneath me on the couch.

"Great! Anyways, are you excited about meeting your family?" she asked me and I inhaled a sharp breath.

My family, the whole extended one.

"Ummm, thats for time to tell and now, I just wanna not remember all of that. So hows the whole wedding prep going on?" I asked her.

"You are my MAID OF HONOR and don't you dare step back!" She threatened and I laughed.

"Never! What about the dress codes and all?" I questioned her.

"OH that, don't worry. All the people taking part in the wedding are coming before hand and the designers are ready with all of it. We will see once we are in Fiji" she replied.

"Is it like a big wedding?" I questioned hesitantly.

"Of course! Well the nikah was small and since the families were majority in Fiji, we decided to have all the rituals and all there. Plus, He is the son of rich businessman! Come on, Myra" she explained and I nodded.

"Anyways, guess what?" she asked me.

"What?"

"Ehaan said that It's not neccessary that I wear heels on my wedding day!" she squealed like a mad girl.

"No, You are wearing heels! I will make sure of it! Plus I am going to buy you one. Oh and what do you want as your wedding gift?" I asked her.

"Uhhh lets see.......... hmmmmm........ You are buying me shoes, you are buying me those cute dresses I sent a picture of and........... yes, buy me something ornamental" she said and I laughed.

"I brought the dress of yours yesterday, as for shoes- I will check the stores and the ornamental one- how about some snow globe?" I laughed.

"Don't you dare! I already have a thousand of those! I want soemthing............ that signify's us. Like how we stuck to each other for years now. And I am getting married!" she said and I felt my eyes watering.

"Aaiyla!!" I whined as I wiped away the tears that fell.

She sniffed and chuckled.

"Look at us! Crying as if we are losing each other!" she laughed causing me to laugh as well.

"We are not losing each other, merely people are joining our little family" I replied, rubbing away my eyes.

"Awww man, I love you!!!" she cooed and I laughed.

"I love you too!" I replied.

"I would totally marry you if Ehaan was not in the picture!" she replied and I sighed dramatically.

"I know but I would still decline you." I replied haughtily.

"No you won't after seeing my ring!" She said and I laughed.

"If its blue diamond with black mist, I am marrying you!" I said and then we both burst out laughing.

We chatted until Magrib when I retired to pray and then head to do some work.

Again, I felt restless.

As if I was........ missing him?

Wallahi!

I sighed and plugged my iPad in my TV for some movies.

I played my favorite Korean Drama and it took my mind off things.

But not all the time.

The following week was a mess. I could not concentrate and what not!

He did not even message me and I did not want to be the first one to message him.

I mean why would I?

I was the one who said that if its destiny, we will meet.

Arrggghhh!

The week passed and soon I was packing away for my Fiji trip.

My whole family were there already, since Aaiyla is my first cousin. Yes, her father is my father's youngest brother.

Don't be surprised that we cousins are best friends!

We did not meet each other in the younger days because they were in New Zealand for some work but for high school, Aaiyla stayed with us.

Why do you think I am going there for like two or so months?

Okay thats my frustration talking!

I packed my clothes, mostly the summer clothes from the back of my closet, my shoes, my hijabs and what not.

I knew I had to pay for extra luggage but who cares!?! I need them!

Wallahi, I really am frustrated.

I guess its called PMSing kinda thing.

I am so glad it will be over tomorrow, hopefully!

My phone rang and after so much of oofs, aah's and what not, I manged to pick it up from my pile of clothes.

"Salaam!" I said and mama answered with a was salaam.

The whole week, all i got were photos.

All over the place!

"Your flight leaves in 5 hours, you done?" she asked me.

"Yes mama" I replied, partially telling the truth.

"Okay then, make sure to pack your heels and all, I don't want to run around here looking for your shoes" she said and I chuckled.

"Yes mama!"

"Packed your makeup kit?"

"Yes mama"

Not like I have much. An eye pencil and different shades of lip stick is what she meant.

Yes, I am a lipstick fan.

"Your hijabs? Summer dresses? Kurti's?"

"Yes mama, you sent me a list a week ago!" I said, sitting on my bag so that I can zip it up.

"All done!" I sighed and she chuckled.

"Okay, love you beta. I will see you soon"

with that, she said her final salutations before hanging up.

I messaged Aaiyla telling her I was coming to Fiji.

I sighed and got up from the bag.

Walking to my bed, I put the extra clothes into my closet and then headed to shower.

I changed into a peach long length kurti that had floral designs at the bottom, and the rest of the body was plain. It was also the high and low kinda dress. I paired it with black leggings and peach hijab, a shade darker though.

And after a few minutes or so, I was ready.

I took my phone and my purse, checked my house one last time, checked my belongings and my handbag again for all the things I would need and then, I was done.

I took my coat, my luggage and called the services to help me with them.

A man helped me with my bags from the elevator to the car, which drove me to the airport.

Finally after 2 hours of checking in, paying for EXTRA luggage and waiting aimlessly, we were called to board the plane.

As I stepped into the line of boarding, I felt giddy and nervous all over again.

I was boarding Air Canada now for a flight to LAX from where, I will board Fiji airways to Fiji.

A long flight indeed.

I got in and took my seat before the usual routines, buckle your seat belts, switch your phone to airplane mode and what not.

I zoned out as I got comfortable on the seat and closed my eyes.

3 hours later, I was boarding another flight to Fiji.

i sighed and took my seat.

Beside me, a little girl took her seat and smiled at me.

"First time?" i asked her and she nodded.

"Good luck" i winked at her and she laughed.

I plugged my headphones and got comfy on the seats.

Fiji Airways was actually good.

I checked the time and realized it was 7pm, meaning I will land in Fiji almost at around 7am tomorrow.

I switched on my iPad and browsed to my collection of Korean Drama's.

I plugged in my headphones and played the re runs of My Lovely Samson.

Halfway through, I was lost because I was excited and nervous and what not.

But most of all, I was hoping that destiny is kind enough to me.