CHAPTER SIX

One week later

Today is the day, I've finally decided to talk to my dad. I thought a lot about what Umaira said, and I'm gonna give it a try to see how things go.

"Hey mum, have you by any chance seen dad around?", I asked. But honestly I was feeling very nervous.

"Oh honey, he left the house about an hour ago", Great, just great.

"Ok I'll be off then",

"Honey, please I think you should give your dad a chance, I mean...he's really trying to show you that he's changed now, please."

"I'll think about it", and with that I left the house.

At school...

Before I went to class, I saw Umaira and her friends. I greeted them all and gave Khaleel a bro hug. A few days ago, when I was going to greet Umaira and Firdaus with a hug, they explained that I can't since I'm their non-mahram. And I totally respect that.

"So are you guys going for the carnival?", Khaleel asked.

I'm definitely not missing this, but sadly Umaira and Firdaus had to disagree.

"Come on guys, it's gonna be fun, at least it's better than sitting on a chair all day, and I know Umaira would have so much fun spending time with me", I said.

"Haha, you wish", Umaira scoffed. For a moment she looked kinda distant and it worried me.

"Hey,you ok?"

"Umm...yeah" Ok now I know there's definitely something wrong.

"Austin please can I talk to you...alone", we excused ourselves from the others, and walked towards our classroom.

"So, how did things go with your dad"

"Well, when I got home he was already gone, which wasn't really surprising because he's really good at disappearing"

"Did your mom say anything?"

"Yeah, she told me to give him a chance but I said I'd think about it"

Umaira stopped in her tracks and faced me, "Look if you need a serious conversation I'm just a phone call away", she said annoyed.

"That was so cheesy, but thank you", I chuckled.

We continued our way to class and I asked Umaira if I could give her a ride again,but sadly she declined. Well this is gonna be a loooong day.

Next day

My head ached from yesterday's test. I wanted to sleep some more but I knew it wasn't possible because we had to go to school.

I woke up earlier because I was going to spend some time with Firdaus and I wanted Umair to drop me at the cafe close to our school. I wore a white sweater with a cyan mom jeans with a white hijab and black sneakers.

We arrived at the cafe within 20 minutes, and luckily for me, Firdaus was already there. It was a very popular cafe and I wasn't surprised. It had this very calm atmosphere filled with tones of beige and green and it smelt like chocolate and coffee.

Then a guy with jet black hair and hazel eyes came over towards our table.

"Hello ladies, how may I help you?", He spoke eloquently while smiling. He wore a barista attire with a black apron around his slim waist. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up a bit to his elbow.

"I'll have a croissant and vanilla latte", I said and Firdaus said she wants the same thing.

"Ok, I'll be back with your orders", He said smiling brightly.

Once he left Firdaus scream-whispered excitedly," Omg, I think someone likes you!"

"What makes you say that?",I asked confused.

"Girl didn't you see the way he was smiling so brightly at you",

"Correction, he smiled at both of us" ,I corrected her.

She just face palmed and said, "You're so dumb, it's really annoying but don't worry that's why I'm here"

I rolled my eyes at her and I decided to tell her about the bet. After I was done she looked like she was gonna kill someone. "Umaira are you kidding me? And you actually agreed to that stupid bet".

"Well if it's gonna change him for the better why not? So are you gonna help me or not?"

"I've got your back",she said slightly punching my shoulder as I rolled my eyes.

A few moments later, the guy came back to our table and placed our orders and turned to look at me before saying "Hey I'm Adam and I'm guessing you're Umaira".

I was shocked that he knew my name but nonetheless I had to stay composed, "Yes, but who are you and how do you know my name?"

He chuckled, "I've been seeing you around with your brother after school always arguing, and you look really cute whenever you're angry"

I chuckled lightly remembering one of the times Umair and I had an argument just because I asked him to wash his clothes by himself.

"Hey, ummm by any chance can I get your number?", He then asked with a sweet smile that girls would melt for.

I was about to decline when a familiar voice said, "Get away from her you pervert, she may be cute and all but she doesn't need to hear it from trash like you"

Oh boy, can't this guy mind his own business.

Adam's smile disappeared and he said, "Just back off and mind own business"

Ok so that touched a nerve.

Austin quickly started throwing punches, and so did Adam. This guy really needs to control his temper.

I got up from my seat and yelled out, "Austin! Please stop it" I went up to him and held his shoulders. His rosy lips were bleeding and there was a cut on his left cheek. His eyes held so many emotions, hurt, anger and sadness.Once he saw me, his features softened.

"Please, let's go", I said as I held his warm hands and he obediently followed.

We silently left the cafe and kept walking till we came across an amusement park.

We sat on a bench not saying a word until Austin finally spoke, "I'm so sorry you had to see that".

Our hands were just a few meters away, I wanted to hold his hand and tell him that it was okay, but I couldn't. Why do I have the urge to hug him tightly? Why does he look like one word would break him into a million pieces?

I broke the silence and glanced at his features and he looked like a complete mess. His hands and face need to be bandaged.

"Stay here, I'll be back in five minutes," I said and he looked kinda disturbed.

"Please promise me you'll come back" I smiled softly at him before saying, "I promise". Austin wasn't a bad boy at all, he was someone who always craved for love but never seemed to get it.

Five minutes later...

I ran as fast as I could and saw Austin sitting in the same spot. I smiled and he turned and tried smiling but instead he winced. I guess he was really in pain and it was all because of me.

I sat beside him and opened the kit and took tweezers, disinfectants and cotton. I started applying the disinfectant using the cotton on his knuckles and he winced.

"It's your fault you got into a fight, so hold still", I said holding up his chin to face me.

He kept staring at me and it really was in a creepy way.

"Will you stop staring it's rude". His cheeks turned red and he quietly muttered ,"Sorry."

I quietly recited Surat Mulk.

"You have a wonderful voice...what song is it?",He whispered and I replied, "Thanks, but it's not a song. I was just reciting the Quran"

"What's a Quran?", He asked.

"It's the holy book of Islam, just like Christians have the bible as their holy book", I said and he nodded his head in understanding.

"It's in Arabic right? Please can you read it again, it's more soothing when you recite it", he asked with curiosity laced in his voice.

"Of course", I said.

I finished putting on bandages and we still sat there with me reciting the Quran. When I was done reciting I turned to see Austin crying. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

"Why am I crying? What have you done to me Umaira? This year has just started and because of you I'm crying in front of a girl, I don't feel manly anymore", He said looking at me intensely and a bit confused as well.

I chuckled before saying, "It's okay you don't have to understand Arabic to be moved by the Quran, and hey for your information you not crying only make you less human. We're all people with emotions and we have to feel them. It's the 21st century, we should be a better generation".

"You really are wonderful", he said and I hid my face in my hands.

"Stop complimenting me". I whined.

I didn't realize my hijab looked like mess, and I also didn't realize my hair was showing. Austin kept side glancing at me and turned around to ask him why he was staring at me.

"Your hair is showing, but I didn't know if you wanted to be told or not", I was going to tuck my hair in when he put my hand down and gently tucked it in with his rough hands that brushed my cheek softly.

I was frozen under his touch and my heart was erratically beating. I should have moved his hand away but I couldn't. I knew it was haraam because I practically let him touch me. I was still frozen in the spot until he moved away and said, "There", with a satisfied expression. My nerves seemed to have kicked back in and quickly and aggressively stood up.

"Aira?", He asked confused at my sudden action.

"Don't call me that, you can call me Umaira, but I don't think you'd need to since we aren't going to see each other again", I said packing up my stuff.

"Wait, hold on, why all of a sudden you're mad at me?", He asked standing up.

"I'm doing things I shouldn't be doing because of you. Why am I even hanging out with you? Please just stay away from me. I hate you Austin, meeting you was a mistake, I really regret it"

"You know what? Just go. I'll just let you go with your life. Come to think of it I thought I had someone who was going to finally show me the light, but I guess I was wrong. We hate each other that's what you always believed, right? Then I'll start believing it too. Goodbye Umaira, I hope I never see you again"

With that I left the amusement park without turning back. I texted Firdaus telling I was going home by myself and she didn't have to worry.

It's all Austin's fault. My relationship with Allah is deteriorating because of him. I should've never been around him. People like him are trash. While walking, I could feel warm teardrops on my cheek.

I don't know why I'm crying, and I know I couldn't stop myself from crying. I am so frustrated, why am I feeling this way? Why does he have an effect on me? Am I crying because of what I did was haraam or because of him. I am so pathetic.

I hate him.

I hate Austin Woods.

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So sorry for the late update, just got caught in some work.