CONFRONTATIONS AND CONFUSIONS

I was making myself some eggs. I chose not to go to the

hospital today. I didn't feel like it.

I wasn't mad or upset with him. I was just too shocked and

confused. My mind was a mess of swirling emotions today.

He had managed to charm me. I was fascinated with him. I

was happy with him. Being with him felt like I have known

him for a long time now.

I transferred the eggs onto a plate and walked over to the

couch.

"Romi, have you seen my charger?" Daniyal walked in.

"Here, you can use mine." daddy walked in too handing him

the charger. Daniyal quietly took it from him mumbling a

thank you.

"Daddy, Daniyal let's watch a movie." I suggested.

"I don't know." Daniyal looked down.

"I..." Daddy looked around for an excuse.

I got up.

"Oh, come one. Just one." I took their hands in mine and

tugged them to the couch.

I played Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2.

Personally, I wasn't a big fan of Harry Potter but I knew

Daddy and Daniyal loved it. They had watched all of the

movies of Harry Potter at least thrice. Whilst watching they

would together make comments on the scenes and characters.

It was like they bonded together over it.

I watched them from the corner of my eyes. They were sitting

far off from each other and occasionally kept passing glances

to each other. I smiled.

"I am going to make us some popcorn." I got up.

"Be careful with the machine." I heard daddy call out to me.

Now I just had to wait. I peeked in the living room. I could tell

form Daniyal's expression that he wanted to talk but he looked

scared.

"Get done with it already, doofus." I texted Daniyal.

I saw him check his phone and look in my way. I immediately

hid behind the kitchen divider.

I peeked out again.

"Daddy, I wanted to talk." Daniyal finally began.

Daddy turned to him.

"About?" he asked coldly.

Daniyal sighed.

"I am moving back to San Diego permanently. I will be

practicing here now."

"So, you still don't want to work with me? I thought you

realized your mistake."

"I did nothing wrong." Daniyal said quietly.

"Yes, you did. You abandoned your family and went off to

another state. You refused to help me in my business, you

refused to support me when I clearly mentioned that you were

the heir to my business and that I wanted your support and

that I trust no one but you with this. But you chose to

abandon me."

"Can you stop saying that? Abandoned me. Abandoned me. I

didn't do such a thing. And you're the one who's being

unreasonable. Hamza is a fairly good choice for an heir. He

can work with you. He can take your business to a whole new

level but you don't trust him." he stood up all angry and

frustrated.

Crap. I didn't want this.

"Alright. So, now my kids will answer me back like that. Great.

Just great. This is the day I raised you for." he got up.

"You always do this. You emotionally blackmail us and trick

us into doing something." Daniyal spoke frustrated.

"Because, you don't listen to us in the first place."

"It is because you act unreasonable all the time."

"It is because we want the best for you."

"It is because you are hell bent on imposing your choice on

us."

"It is because you don't know how to take decisions."

"You might know what's best for us but, sometimes there are

things that we want to do." Daniyal pulled his hair.

I rushed out.

"This isn't the way you talk to daddy, Daniyal." I rubbed his

back. He took deep breaths.

"Dear, daddy. I know I haven't been the perfect son. I know I

left to pursue medicine despite your refusal. I know that I

refused to work with you but it is because I chose this for

myself. I promise to support you in your crisis but I can't do

what you're asking me to do. It's just not me. Besides, I don't

even know a thing about business. Trust me if I were to take

over the business, you'll regret it." he whispered the last part

quietly.

I took a look at daddy. He looked awful. He looked almost

guilty.

"Daddy, I too promise to assist you in your business in every

possible way. But you need to give Hamza a chance. A chance

to prove himself, no matter how he is he would never ruin

your business. He has great potential." I told him and smiled

at him hopefully.

I felt a soft body curling up against my feet. I looked down and

Prince was cuddling my feet.

Baby.

I picked him up in my arms and raised him in front of daddy.

"Look, even Prince agrees." I smiled at him.

He just nodded and walked back to his room. I turned towards

Daniyal. He looked much relaxed now.

I raised Prince towards him.

"Look at him. He's begging for your attention."

He reached forward to gather him in arms and Prince closed

his eyes curling up against his large arm.

Daniyal raked his eyes up and down my form.

"Why aren't you dressed properly?" he asked with a slight

frown.

I looked down at myself. I was wearing fluffy pink pajamas.

"What's wrong with it?" I frowned.

"Mama would be mad. Go dress up."

"I won't. Stop ordering me around."

Mama walked in keeping her shopping bags on the counter.

She came to give Daniyal a hug.

She turned towards me and raked her eyes up and down my

form with a scowl.

"Why aren't you dressed properly?"

I groaned.

This mother and son duo.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Go dress up properly Romi."

"Stop ordering me around like that. I will do whatever pleases

me." I snapped at her.

Daniyal looked at me with confusion all over his face.

I walked away angrily.

I was reading a book when a call interrupted my peace.

It was George.

"Where are you at?"

"Hello to you too George." I replied in a bored tone.

"Shut up. Why didn't you come today?"

"I didn't feel like it."

"You should have informed me."

"It's not like the hospital isn't functioning because I was

absent. Besides, you have plenty of nurses to help you." I

snapped at her and declined the call.

I looked up and Daniyal was standing at the threshold of my

room.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I replied blankly.

He walked inside and picked up my diary form the desk. I

jumped out of my bead and snatched the diary form him in a

swift second.

"It's private." I muttered.

"What's private between us, Romi?" I heard him ask.

"There are things."

He clicked his tongue and reached out to snatch the diary

from me with a chuckle.

"Daniyal. Please leave." I yelled slightly. He stopped and his

eyebrows drew together in confusion.

"Romi. What' wrong?"

"It's nothing and shouldn't you be spending time with Mama.

She would probably be upset even if you're away from her for

a minute." I spoke rapidly suddenly feeling jealous of him.

I always knew Mama had loved Daniyal more than me and

Hamza and I had always found it cute unlike Hamza who felt

a little envious of him. I had always accepted that she favored

Daniyal over us. But today I felt different.

I took a look at him and he was staring at me with a confused

expression.

"Are you jealous?" he quietly asked me.

Anger rushed through my veins.

"No, I am not."

I walked back to my bed expecting him to leave and he did.

I sighed.

I tried to take a nap but sleep was far away from me.

I did not understand this mess of emotions that was swirling

around in my mind.

It was a day later and I still preferred staying at home. I wasn't

in the mood to work.

I was making myself some coffee when Daddy walked in.

"Romi, aren't you supposed to be at work?" I heard him say.

"I just didn't feel like going." I replied blankly.

Just then Hamza walked in.

"Make me one coffee too." he casually brushed past me.

"I am not. Make it yourself."

I poured the coffee in my cup and as I was about to walk to my

bedroom Hamza reached forward and grabbed the mug from

my hands.

"Hamza." I almost yelled angrily.

Daddy and Hamza looked at me obviously stunned form my

reaction.

"What do you think you're doing?" I attempted to snatch my

mug from his hands but he pulled back which resulted the hot

coffee to splash on his hands and my face.

I screamed again.

"What's going on here?" Mama walked in.

I clenched my eyes shut trying to find my way to wash my

face. I felt Daniyal grab me and take me to the sink. He

splashed water over my face. I winced.

"What the hell did you do?" I heard Daniyal growl.

I opened my eyes and I saw Daddy struggling to free Hamza's

collar form Daniyal's hold.

"What's with you and grabbing my collar? Huh?" Hamza

yelled.

"Guys. Enough with the family drama." I snapped and rushed

to my room.

I locked myself in. Daniyal had tried to get me to open the

door once but that had failed too.

My phone rang and I glanced at the unknown caller Id. I

answered it.

"Gosh. Romi. Where the hell are you? And why have you

blocked me? You're so mean. I had to call you from a different

number. Why have you ghosted me? Can we meet

somewhere?"

He muttered everything in a breath.

I sighed deeply.

"I am at home and I'm sorry but I can't meet you now. I will

join from tomorrow so, goodbye for now."

"Wait." I heard desperation in his tone.

"Please tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong." I tried to convince him.

"Then can we meet?"

"No, I am sorry." I declined the call.

Half an hour later I got dressed up forcing myself to get out of

the pajamas. I was wearing a flowy green palm leaf floral

pattern, long sleeved bohemian dress. It was my favorite. I styled

my hair in a low bun and wore gold hoops. I just felt like dressing

up today. I walked over to my window and picked up a glass of

water. As I was drinking, I glanced down the window and I saw a

white BMW i8 stopping outside our gate. Azaan stepped out.

I choked on my drink. It took me a few minutes to compose

myself. George stepped out with him.

"Traitor." I thought and rushed downstairs.

"What are you guys doing here?" I snapped angrily once I opened

the gate and rushed towards them.

'We..." George looked around.

"It was his idea." she pointed towards his direction. I turned to

him.

He was looking at me with a longing expression. Or admiration.

Or shocked. I couldn't comprehend.

"What do you want?" I crossed my arms across my chest and

looked at him incredulously.

"I..." he looked around.

"I am here to meet you." he stated the very obvious.

"And why have you blocked me?"

"Did I do something?"

"Everything was fine until a day ago."

"Are you sick?"

"But you look fine to me."

"Why are you absent from hospital?"

George quietly walked inside.

I looked away.

"I am fine. And, I didn't feel like coming to the hospital. You

didn't have to come here. I am on a break and I would appreciate

your cooperation." I stated in a calm tone and began to walk away

when he reached forward and clasped my arm.

I tugged at it but his grip was firm.

"Appreciate your cooperation? Why the formal tone? We're

friends, Romi." I looked up at him. He looked concerned.

"We are friends." his voice repeated in my head.

"Of course. We're friends." I smiled.

"I told you. I took a break. I will be back." I pulled my arm again

but no avail.

"Then why have you blocked me?" he furrowed his eyebrows

together.

"Maybe it was accidently." I shrugged wanting to get out of his

hold.

"What's going on in here?" Daddy walked out looking frantic.

Azaan immediately left my arm.

"Daddy, this is my friend." I smiled politely.

Daddy looked displeased.

"Azaan Ibrahim Ahmed." he forwarded his hand.

"Who are you?" Mama came out.

I facepalmed myself. Internally praying for them to not start a

family drama again.

"You are the prettiest woman I've ever seen." I heard his deep

voice. I immediately looked up hopefully and he was speaking to

Mama.

Right. Who else would he compliment? Mama is the prettiest

woman anyone would ever see. I reminded myself.

And, indeed she was pretty. Despite being in her mid-forties she

looked really pretty. She had pretty honey colored eyes and

porcelain skin tone. Her cheeks were full and she had a natural

tint of red on them. Her eyebrows were perfectly made and her

brown chestnut hair did wonders to her beauty. Of course, she

had fine lines but they didn't dull her shine.

I saw him kiss her hand.

The memory of him kissing my hand flashed before me.

The way he had looked at me.

I saw Daddy step forward in front of his beautiful wife.

I smiled.

Possessive daddy.

"What brings you here, young man?" Daddy asked him, his tone

full of warnings.

"I..." he looked at me hopefully.

"Daddy. Me, him and George had plans today." I suddenly blurted

out.

"But you didn't tell me. You always do." Daniyal came out. George

trailing behind him.

"I..." I looked at George hopefully.

"She forgot perhaps. We had plans. That's why Romi is all decked

up." she smiled.

I internally prayed for her happiness.

"Why does she have to inform you about everything, Daniyal?

Who are you?" I heard Azaan.

I turned towards him. His eyes were swirling with unknown

emotions. I couldn't understand.

"Because, I am her brother. Who are you?" Daniyal stated with a

isn't this obvious expression.

Azaan's tensed expression turned into a smirk.

"Oh, you are her brother? I am Azaan. Azaan Ibrahim Ahmed." he

offered his hand.

Daniyal eyed his hand and turned to me. Azaan quietly retreated

his hand back.

"Take care." he patted my shoulder. I looked at Daddy and Mama.

They seemed unsure but Daniyal gave them a curt nod and they

walked back inside.

"Get in." I heard him.

"I am not. You may leave." I shrugged.

"Romi, I have plans with Hamza. You two can go and have fun."

George grinned.

"How did you?" I asked her amusedly.

"I placed a bet with him and told him that if he lost, he would have

to take me out for a treat." she shrugged.

"What was the bet about?"

"He was making coffee when I walked in and I told him that I bet

that coffee is going to be trash but, he had faith in himself. He

naturally lost the bet. He kept asking how did I know that the

coffee would turn out like trash." she laughed.

"Little does he know that I've spilled all of his secrets in front of

you." I laughed quietly.

Hamza wasn't made to make good coffee and I had talked about

this to George. And, she had used it as an advantage to go out with

him.

I saw Hamza walk out all decked up wearing his shades and

twirling his car key around his fingers. George ran up to him and

they both sped off in his car. I sighed and turned to Azaan.

"I don't feel like going out." I looked down at my heels.

I sensed some shifting and then he clasped my hand around his

arm.

"As long as I am with you, we could take the long way. Drive a

little slower, I am not ready to go home. I'd rather stay with you."

he sang, his voice deep and husky as he looked up at the sky and

tugged me with him to his car.

I smiled despite my gloominess. He opened the car door for me

and I sat inside.

"What's wrong. Romi?" he chuckled as we drove off to nowhere in

particular.

"It's Romaisa for you." I looked away. Gloominess overpowering

me again.

"You never call me by my name." he stated.

"What are you talking about?" I spoke absentmindedly as I toyed

with my dainty gold heart necklace.

"I've been dying to hear my name from you but, you wouldn't call

me by my name." he spoke dramatically.

Suddenly I felt too angry.

"Do you say all these things to her too?" I asked as anger rushed

through my veins.

"Huh?"

I looked at him. He looked at me confusedly.

"Your fiancée. Asmara." I shrugged.

His face fell. And he looked ahead clenching his jaw.

"How do you know about this?" he muttered quietly.

"About what? Your fiancée? Does it matter? Don't you think she

should know about this? You flirting with every other woman that

you see and taking me out on dates." I spoke bitterly.

"Dates? When did I take you out on dates?" he looked angry.

I stared at him disbelievingly until his voice rang in my ears.

"We're friends."

Of course. We were friends and that food adventure and boat ride

didn't count as a date.

"I apologize. My mistake. But don't you think she should know

about this all? Your flirtatious behavior with every other woman

that you, see. And I don't think she would approve of this socalled friendship." I spat bitterly.

"Seriously? I just joke around with older women. They understand

my jokes. I don't go around and flirt with young women." he

growled angrily.

"And So- called? My friendship with you isn't so-called, Romaisa."

he shot me and incredulous look and stopped the car. We were in

the middle of the Los Angeles downtown Figueroa Street now. The

sky was getting dark.

I ignored the sudden feeling of my heart when he took my name.

He was tugging at the strings of my heart.

"It is. If it wasn't you would bother telling me about your fiancée."

When he didn't reply I harshly unlocked the door and got out.

"Romaisa, Wait. Get back in."

"Shut up. What's with you and everyone ordering me around like

that. Just because I am younger that doesn't mean you all get to

order me around like that." I yelled and walked forward cursing

the choice of my footwear.

I felt a drop of my hand and simultaneously I heard a crash of

thunder. I looked up and saw a flash of lightning. I heard Azaan

curse the sky.

Then it started drizzling.

"Romaisa. Get back in." he yelled again.

"No, you can leave me alone." I yelled back.

"You'll get sick."

"Doesn't matter. I work at the hospital."

"So, do you think the people who work at the hospital do not fall

sick?"

"No, of course not. I meant I can get myself treated easily."

I looked around the hustling and bustling of the city.

He grabbed my arm from behind.

"What part of my words do you not understand?" he looked

almost emotional. His eyes and voice were laced with pain. He

closed his eyes and sighed deeply. His words rang in my ears.

"I despise the rain. It's like the rain took away my mother from

me."

I took in his hand in mine and rubbed his forearm soothingly.

"Azaan." I breathed out.

I saw tears fall down from his closed eyes. I couldn't do anything

so I continued rubbing his arm soothingly.

"We can try and make new and happy memories instead of

dwelling upon the past sad ones."

He opened his eyes and looked around.

"You can make new and happy memories of the rain." I suggested

calmly.

He smiled at me.

That moment was more than perfect.

My hand on his arms. The rain drenching us slightly and his

smile.

Gosh.

He gazed at me lovingly and tucked a strand of my bangs behind

my ear and I ruffled his wet hair giggling quietly.

Suddenly feeling cold I rested my head on his shoulder and

encircled one of my hands around his neck the other one still

holding his arm.

I hugged him.

And, waited for him to hug me back.

He didn't.

And, then I realized what I was doing.

He was engaged.

I immediately pulled away and quietly walked back to his car. I

didn't even bother looking at him.

He was driving us back. The ride was very quiet. I could see him

stealing glances at me from time to time.

We arrived.

"Goodbye." I muttered quietly.

"Wait, Romi." he grabbed my elbow.

I sighed.

"It's Romaisa for you."

He came a little near to me and my breath hitched in my throat.

His hand reached forward and opened the glove compartment. He

was still looking at me. I kept my gaze fixed on his hand; he took

out a box. It was a Pandora box.

He opened it up revealing a beautiful charm bracelet. It had a lot

of charms but the two little hearts were really cute. They were

dangling and making little sounds.

On one of it was written, "You make me happy."

His name was written on the other one.

Azaan.

"I went shopping yesterday. I hadn't seen you for 2 days. I

couldn't think about anything else but you. When I saw this, I

thought of you, Romaisa." he whispered.

"You make me happy." he chuckled lightly.

Did he tell you about Asmara?

His fiancée.

Malik's voice rang in my ears.

"That's very sweet of you but I am sorry I can't accept this." I

spoke blankly. I saw his expressions change from the corner of my

eyes.

"Romi, I..."

"Please." I whispered and freed my elbow from his hold. I quickly

unlocked the car and got out. The drizzling had stopped and it was

unreasonably cold today. I hugged myself and rushed inside.

I locked the door and walked towards my room.

"Romi."

"Yes, Daddy." I peeked towards the dining area.

"Have you had your supper?" Daddy asked me.

"No." I smiled and joined them. I sat beside Daniyal and gave him

a side hug. My eyes reflecting an apology, he smiled in acceptance.

My eyes lit up seeing the spicy, red and grilled chicken served in

front of me.

"Did anyone tell you that you are the best, Mama?" I beamed at

her.

"Yes. Your friend, Azaan Ibrahim Ahmed." she beamed back.

My smile faded away and I concentrated back on my food.

"I met him once but I didn't know he was this close to Romi."

Daniyal chimed in.

I covered my face with one of my hands and munched on my food.

"He's such a cute boy." I heard Mama's excited voice.

"Careful there, Nafeesa. I really hope you aren't forgetting the fact

that we are married." Daddy chuckled.

"Ali." she whined.

"I meant he must be cute according to someone else's

perspective."

I groaned internally.

I took a peek at Hamza from between my fingers.

He looked angry. He looked up at me and I quickly glanced down.

"So, when are we meeting this friend of yours?" Mama asked me.

"Mama, it isn't like...." I began but Daddy cut me off.

"We all are free on Sunday. Call him over for a brunch."

"Daddy, I don't think this is a good idea." Hamza spoke up.

"Why not?" Daddy frowned.

"I don't know." Hamza looked away.

"You should be concentrating on our business together, Hamza.

Come with me to the company headquarters tomorrow. I will

show you around and you can meet up with everyone.

Concentrate more on the IT department. The head of the tech

department has given his resignation, you can take up the position

if you want. But, do not think of this as nepotism. I want you to

treat all of your team members equally. Come with me tomorrow.

Meet them, work with them and after a while you can take up the

position of the head."

I smiled at Mama and Daniyal whereas Hamza looked shocked.

"Daddy, I...." he tried to speak while his tongue was tied.

Mama laughed happily and I looked at Daniyal. He was looking at

Daddy expectantly as if wanting him to say something to him. But

Daddy didn't look up.

I prayed for my family's happiness.

"I will come tomorrow, Daddy." Hamza announced and Mama

whistled loudly.

Daddy looked at her horrified. Me, Hamza and Daniyal burst into

laughter.

"You never behaved this boldly in front of me, Nafeesa. You were

always so quiet." Daddy whined.

"Yes, because I am the mature one in our relationship." Mama

stated proudly.

"I am not a kid. I am the mature one too." he whined again.

"Please, you used to sleep with an old teddy bear when we got

married." she scoffed.

Hamza laughed loudly.

"It's not a teddy bear. It's Benny." Daddy pouted.

I smacked Daniyal's arm and Hamza nearly fell of the table.

I lay in my bead that night thinking of all of the events that

happened today.

I laughed remembering Daddy and Mama's argument. I took out

my diary.

December 1, 2019

Daddy finally trusts Hamza now.

He's soon going to forgive Daniyal.

George and Hamza went out today. I feel happy for her.

Me and Azaan went out too. It felt good.

He bought me a Pandora charm bracelet. It was really pretty.

I couldn't accept it.

I politely declined it.

He's engaged.

My family seems happy. I pray for them to Stay happy forever.

I closed my eyes feeling very tired.