Chapter-11

Time Machine

Aalia took the box and walked to her room. Judging by the size of the box she thought it was heavy but it wasn't.

"Huh. What am I supposed to do with this ?" Aalia asked herself.

'It seems big. Who sent me this? And why? What should I do with this? Should I open it? And mainly is it for me? '

Aalia thought.

She walked around the box and saw a letter attached to it. She took it and sat on the floor. She was curious to know who the person was.

She opened and It and took a glance at the handwriting.

"Gotcha" she said.

The letter was-

'I know you are still mad at me. I won't force you. Take your time. Because in the end I want to be WITH YOU. I will wait. This is for you. I know you are not feeling like talking to me. So you can talk with this. You can put a name for it. I hope everything will be alright soon. We should sort everything. And we will. Because You are everything I have always hoped and wished for.

-Adnaan'

She looked at the box.

'What does that last line mean? Why is he making it more complicated? Ooh... Aalia you shouldn't open it.'

She stuck the letter back on the box.

She took her phone and was scrolling through instagram but her mind was busy thinking- 'What is inside the box? Judging by the box, the thing inside it will be big enough.'

"AALIA! CONCENTRATE!" She told herself.

She played her favorite songs and laid on the floor staring at the ceiling. She wasn't feeling sleepy. Because she was curious. Her phone rang.

"Hanuz"

"Hey bro. What's up?" Aalia asked.

"How are you?" Hana Asked.

"I am fine. Adnaan was here. He wanted to clarify things with me. He talked to me and now he is gone and I am feeling sleepy. That's it." Aalia explained.

"Oh. So did you talk with him. " Hana asked.

"Yah. He asked whether I am mad at him. I said it's alright. '' Aalia said with an emotionless face.

"Did you just forgive him? Isn't it too early?" Hana asked.

"There was nothing to forgive. He hasn't done anything wrong. But still.... I am mad at him for no reason. " Aalia explained.

"Did he know that you are mad at him? " Hana asked.

"Hmmm...He left a box for me." Aalia said.

"What? " Hana was curious.

"Yah. It was on the doorway. " Aalia said.

"How did you know that it was him who sent it to you?" Hana asked.

Aalia tried not to talk about the letter.

"His name was written on the top." Aalia lied.

"Did you open it? " Hana asked.

"Nah. I will open it tomorrow. " Aalia said, hiding her curiosity.

"Don't you want to know what's in it?" Hana asked.

"Nah.. " Aalia tried to sound rude.

"Liar..I know you, girl..Will see you bye." Hana said with a giggle.

"Whatever." Aalia hung up the call.

The rest of the day was hard for her as she tried to ignore the big box in her room.

At night, after finishing her dinner with her parents, she thought of opening it. But something was stopping her. She went to sleep with a heavy heart staring at the box.

______________________

The next day Aalia and Hassan were busy with the practice and Hana was sitting on the couch watching YouTube videos.

"Hey. I am jealous. " Aalia said.

"Go practice. " Hana mocked at Aalia.

Hassan looked at Aalia.

"Hassan, Ask her to stop watching it." Aalia said.

"Hana, stop watching it. " Hassan said.

"OMG. Why are you taking her side?" Hana said.

"Because He is going to be my partner the day after tomorrow. " Aalia said proudly.

"Whatever. " Hana said.

"We can do a final rehearsal tomorrow. You can take a rest." Hassan smiled.

"yeeeahhh... Hassan you are the best. " Aalia smiled.

Aalia went back home after watching a few episodes of Goblin with Hana. She changed into her pajamas and laid on the bed to sleep. She took her phone and checked the messages.

'Tomorrow can we go for the purchase of the dress, after the practice?'

Hassan's message.

She answered positively. She was really eager for the performance.

_______________________

She woke up early. And walked towards her wardrobe. She took out her black hoodie and matching leggings. There was a missed call from Hassan. She walked downstairs.

"Mom. I am leaving. " Aalia said to her mom.

"Yah. Bye " Mom said.

Aalia closed the main door behind her and looked at her phone.

"Hey"

Aalia found Hassan standing near her gate.

She ran towards him.

"Let's leave. " Aalia cheered.

"Yah." Hassan smiled.

The whole drive was filled with Aalia's chatter about her excitement. Reaching the mall, they headed towards the shop. Aalia was busy choosing a couple dress. And Hassan was sitting there looking at Aalia. She took a couple hoodies. But Hassan replied negatively.

"Can I choose? " Hassan asked.

"Yah. " Aalia moved aside.

After a while Hassan took a light blue and cream couple dress.

"How's it?" Hassan asked.

"Wow. Perfect. " Aalia cheered.

"Can we try it .... please..." Aalia asked, showing her puppy face.

"Yah.. " Hassan took his dress and gave Aalia her dress.

Hassan got dressed within a few minutes and was waiting for Aalia. He sat there looking at his shoes.

"TADAAAAA.... " Aalia opened the dressing room's door.

"How do I look? Cute? Gorgeous? Pretty? Beautiful? Adorable? Sweet? Charming? " Aalia asked.

"Umm.... I guess you look Cute, adorable, sweet, gorgeous and beautiful." Hassan said.

Aalia was left speechless.

"You look handsome. " Aalia admired.

"Let's see how we look together." Aalia took his hands and walked to the nearest mirror.

"Wow. Perfect. " Aalia cheered.

Hassan smiled at her.

"You can go and change your dress." Hassan said.

"Are you going to put this on now?" Aalia asked

"No. I will change and will wait for you at the billing section. " Hassan explained.

"Okie dokie " Aalia ran to the dressing room.

Aalia came out within a few minutes and Hassan was already waiting for her.

"Let's go. " Hassan said.

"Wait, did you pay for it? " Aalia asked.

"Yah... " Hassan said.

"That's not fair. " Aalia said.

"You can buy me some donuts instead from that shop. " Hassan said.

"Yeah. Yeah .whatever" Aalia said rolling her eyes.

They went to a café in the mall. After placing the order they sat on the vacant seat.

"Can I ask you something? " Aalia asked.

"Hmm.. " Hassan straightened himself showing his interest.

"What kind of girl do you like?" Aalia asked.

Hassan was silent for a while.

"Look, the one next to the guy dressed in white. Is she your type? Or.... That girl who is walking with a cute baby. Is she your type? Don't worry, I don't think that the baby is Hers. She looks young." Aalia asked, looking at random girls.

"What if she is a young mother?" Hassan asked with a playful smile.

"So Is she your type?" Aalia asks curiously looking for that girl.

"No.." Hassan refused.

"Thennn??? " Aalia asked.

"Maybe, someone like you. " Hassan said.

Aalia was surprised.

"Are you sure? Because you don't have any idea how deserving you are. Look at yourself. You are perfect. I am not that kind of stupid girl to say that 'yes. You deserve me. Maybe I deserve something more. ' " Aalia mocked.

Hassan laughed at her actions.

"I will take your picture and will ask my friends whether they want you as their boyfriend. " Aalia took her phone and started clicking his photos, when he looked away and tried to covered his face with his hand.

After finishing the ice cream, Aalia looked at Hassan.

"Can you wait for me out here. I want to buy something. " Aalia said.

"hmm. Take your time. " Hassan agreed.

Aalia walked to the book shop and was busy looking for 'it starts with us'. She was unaware of the time passing. She looked at the watch.

"OMG Hassan is waiting for me. " She took the book and went to the billing section.

Running back to Hassan she found him lying on the bench.

"Hassan" Aalia called him.

"hmm.. " He held her hands.

She slowly took her phone and clicked his pictures.

"Stop clicking my pictures. " Hassan warned.

"Whatever." Aalia said.

"I will show you something" Aalia took his hands and walked to a soft toy shop and she took a big teddy and hugged it tight.

"Isn't it cute? Can you click a picture." Aalia said.

Hassan took out his phone and took her picture.

"I will buy one someday." Aalia reminded herself.

They roamed around the mall when Aalia got an idea.

"Would that be great if we invite Hana here?" Aalia asked eagerly.

"Yeah. We can. " Hassan answered.

He took his phone and walked out of the cafe. It seemed like he was in a serious conversation on the phone. He came back and said with a smile -

"They will come now. " Hassan said.

"They? " Aalia asked.

"Yah. Dad and Hana. Dad will drop her. " Hassan said.

Let's walk till then. They were walking around when Aalia heard a familiar lyric. Aalia took his hand and walked towards the voice.

"I used to say.... " Aalia sang out loud. But it was not heard as there was a stall where 'until I found her' was played in a high volume.

"I would never fall in love again until I found her"

Aalia acted like she was singing while holding her imaginary mic.

"I said, I would never fall unless it's you I fall into

I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her

I found you."

Aalia sang pointing at Hassan. He stood there watching her drama.

"How was my Concert? " Aalia asked, batting her eyelashes.

"Pretty good. I am thinking of changing my partner for the song. Instant regret." Hassan laughed.

"Haha. Not so funny." Aalia mocked.

A call interrupted him. He picked up the call.

"Hello. No-no-no. Wait, I am coming." Hassan kept his phone back in his pocket.

"The guy is singing very well. His voice is 'wow'. " Aalia was looking at the stall.

"Look at the 'To-From stall', do you know what's happening over there, random people are singing songs and even dedicating them for their beloved. Isn't that cute?" Aalia asked.

"Hmm. It is. Can you wait for me right here? Don't go anywhere. I will be back. Hana is on the ground floor. I will come back with her. DON'T GO ANYWHERE. " Hassan warned.

"okie dokie." Aalia said and continued to listen to him singing for his girlfriend. Aalia smiled at the cute couples.

__________________

Hassan's POV

Thankfully I got a vacant elevator. I pressed the ground floor. I was trying to do everything as fast as I could because Aalia was alone. And I was afraid that she might get lost. I was all alone in the elevator. It was kinda soothing but the elevator stopped at the next floor and Alot of aunties barged in.

'Whyyyyyyyyyy...... ' I did a mental scream.

The lift reached the ground floor but the aunties were not allowing me to move.

"Why did it stop here?" one of the aunties complained.

I was about to say when a girl interfered sayin-

"I don't know, aunty."

"Such a mess." The aunty was busy complaining that I didn't get a chance to talk.

The elevator's door was about to close.

'Wow' I thought.

"Actually I wanted to leave." I said.

"Oh. Why didn't you say it in advance? Were you not listening to what I asked earlier? " She started with her baseless talks.

"Aunty, I think we should let him go now." The girl said, giving me an awkward look.

"No. It's fine. I will take the stairs. " I gave them my awkward smile.

The aunties were laughing at me.

'why? Did something funny happen?' I thought.

Those aunties got out on the 2nd floor. I thought of taking the stairs. It's then the girl called me.

"Excuse me.You can stay here. I guess. " she said.

I looked at the empty Elevator and walked in AGAIN.

"Thanks. " I said.

She took a deep breath. A hiccup was heard. She looked at me and said 'welcome' struggling through the hiccups.

'What's with her? ' I thought.

I walked out of the elevator as soon as the 'DING' voice was heard.

I saw Hana with Adnaan at the entrance. I waved at them and took them back to Aalia. I saw Aalia standing at the same position where I left her. She looked like a lost child. I smiled involuntarily.

She looked at me and smiled happily. Her smile disappeared as soon as she found Adnaan with us.

We were having a series of conversations about the performance that was planned for tomorrow. I saw the change in Adnaan's face when I said it was a duet song with Aalia. At the same time, I found Aalia ignoring him. She was eagerly answering my questions and was busy giving Hi-fis to Hana.

Aalia explained to them about the "To-from stall". I asked her to sing a song. She was refusing as she was afraid of getting embarrassed in front of the crowd if she messed up.

But I wanted her to show everyone what she was capable of. Adnaan and Hana were busy asking her to sing.

She stood up. Adnaan took her to the counter and after a while, an announcement was made-

"THE NEXT SONG IS FROM AALIA TO A SECRET GUY. "

Aalia took the mic. The background music was played. And Aalia started singing with the flow.

'Two weeks and I wait 'til the feeling hits

Maybe I just haven't let it sink in

For three years, we were living together

Held me like you'd hold me forever

Didn't think that heartbreak would feel like this

From everything to nothing at all

From every day to never at all

And everyone says that I should be sad

Is it normal that

I don't feel sorry for myself'

I saw her looking at Adnaan. Her eyes didn't succeed hiding the pain. Her eyes where really deep. Each word she sang was melodious as it from straight from her heart.

'Care if your hands touch somebody else

Wouldn't get jealous if you're happy

It's okay if you forget me

I don't feel empty now that you're gone

Does that mean it didn't mean nothing at all?

But I'll tell you what the worst is

It's the way it doesn't hurt

When I wish it did'

In between I saw Adnaan looking at Aalia. I thought of talking to Hana about this. Something was wrong.

A huge round of applause was heard. Aalia gave them an angelic smile and ran towards us.

"How was it? " She asked.

"Superb... " Hana said.

"Yah. You did great. " I said.

"You are really something super natural." Adnaan said.

But it felt like Adnaan was hurt badly too.

"I want to show you guys something. " Hana said.

"What? " Aalia asked eagerly.

She said something to Aalia's ears.

"Ooh... " Aalia said.

They looked at Adnaan.

"Will you stay?" Aalia asked him.

"Hmmm. " He hummed.

'What's up with them?' I thought.

We left the mall and Aalia was driving. We stopped at a beach side.

"Come on. " Aalia and Hana ran towards the ticket counter with a board.

"Pay And Ride"

They came back and asked us to join them.

There were 4 bicycles.

"Let's riddddeee... '' Aalia screamed.

"Wooooo... " Hana cheered.

Adnaan looked at me and asked-

"Don't you think that they are too energetic?"

"They are" I agreed.

We four were riding bicycles on the shore and it was really amazing.

Aalia and Hana were full of energy. In between Aalia fell on the sand and the bicycle was on top of her.

Adnaan ran to her and took her.

"Take care of yourself." Adnaan instructed.

They looked at each other.

I didn't notice Hana's eyes. She was looking at me.

"Why are you giving them such a look? " she asked.

"It's nothing. " I lied.

We sat on the sand viewing the sunset with ice-creams.

"Best friends forever....." Hana said.

"Yah." I agreed.

Adnaan was stil looking at Aalia.

"If I had a time machine. I would stop the time at this instant. I am really liking this. We four together, the sunset, the ice cream, happiness..... Everything seems perfect. Just perfect." Aalia said.

I found Adnaan looking at her for the nth time.

_________________

Reaching home Aalia walked to the room. Keeping the covers on the table, she looked at the unopened box.

She took a paper knife and opened it and was shocked to see it.

"A TEDDY BEAR. "

Aalia took it outside.

"OMG it's too huge. " Aalia hugged it.

There was a note on its collar sayin-

'I hope you like it. And don't think that I am bribing you.'

"ughhhh...... " Aalia felt irritated.

'Was she rude to him? Was he really hurt? Why is he being so nice? Is everything going to be fine? Was he jealous about the duet song with Hassan? Did he just fulfill my dream? OMG..why is it too hard? '

Aalia felt her eyelids heavy. She hugged her teddy , named Adnaan tight and drifted into sleep.

_____________________

Early in the morning she found Hassan calling her.

"Hello.. " Aalia said in a sleepy tone.

"Are you free? " Hassan asked.

"Hmm.. " Aalia hummed softly.

"I want to talk to you about Adnaan." Hassan said.

Aalia felt her sleep being taken out.

"What? " Aalia asked.

"What's going on between you guys? " Hassan said.

Aalia felt her blood oozing out of her body.

"Huh? " Aalia said with a shocked face.

"I. Asked. What's. Going. On. Between. You. And. Adnaan? " He said clearly.

'What should I say?' Aalia thought.

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_rs