Chpater-12

Clumsiness

"Ummm..what happened? " Aalia asked.

"You are not answering my question, Aalia." Hassan said. It seemed like he was pleading.

"Umm... Can we talk about it after the performance? " Aalia asked.

"Hm..Be ready at 12:00. I will pick you from your house. We shouldn't be late for the program." He said.

"Yah. " Aalia hung up the call.

"OMG. What happened to him now? Did I mess something up? Think Aalia.....Noh... I didn't.... I guess." Aalia told herself.

"Calm down. You got this. " She took a deep breath.

She looked at the teddy bear.

"Good morning, Adnaan." She gave it a small smile.

After taking a long refreshing shower, she walked out of the bathroom and patted her teddy bear on its head.

She got ready and took the bracelet Adnaan gifted her and wore it.

"Everything is going to be alright."

She reminded herself .

Before walking out of her room, she gave her teddy a kiss.

"Bye-Bye. " Aalia said.

"Dad? Mom?" Aalia called out walking down the stairs.

They were sitting in the living room with Adnaan.

'OMG. What is he doing here?' Aalia thought.

"Hey. " Aalia greeted.

"Hi." Adnaan said.

"You guys should be present at the institution at 1'o clock. I want to meet someone. Will see you at the program." Aalia walked towards the door. She could hear the footsteps right behind her.

"Didn't you see Adnaan? " Her mom held her hand.

"I did. " Aalia said.

"Then why didn't you talk to him?" She scolded Aalia.

"Look Mom, I am not in a mood to argue. " Aalia said in a low voice.

"Aunty, can I talk with Aalia for a while?" Adnaan's voice was heard from behind.

Aalia's mom nodded and walked back to her dad.

"Can we go for a drive? " Adnaan asked.

Aalia looked at him without answering.

"It's completely fine if you don't want to,-" Adnaan was about to explain his point when Aalia called out to her parents.

"Dad, Mom. I am leaving and I am taking Adnaan with me. "

She found his face glowing with a hopeful smile.

"I am going to drive. " Aalia took her car keys.

Adnaan nodded like a kid.

The ride was pin drop silent.

'Aalia, He is really trying hard to meet you. Don't make him sad. What he needs is support. Aalia talk to him.' Her mind was warning her.

"I got a ridiculous gift from someone. " Aalia said.

Adnaan looked at her and dropped his head down.

"What did you do with it? " Adnaan asked.

"I have decided to give it to Hana." Aalia kept her eyes on the road.

"What was the gift? " Adnaan asked, his eyes not having any hope left.

"A Teddy Bear. " Aalia said.

"You didn't like it?I thought you liked Teddy bears ." Adnaan said.

Aalia parked her car in front of a shop and looked at him.

"Do you know what?" Aalia asked.

"what? " Adnaan questioned.

"I LOVED YOUR GIFT. IT'S REALLY REALLY REALLY ADORABLE AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT I NAMED IT? ADNAAN. " Aalia said it aloud.

His eyes lit up with joy and his dimples were too deep now.

'Why am I talking to him like this? What happened to me? Did I really forgive him? Maybe because I am in a good mood. '

"Wait. I will be back within a few minutes. " She walked towards the shop and as promised she came back within a few minutes with 4 small pink carry bags in her hand.

"Will you be there after the performance? " Aalia asked.

"Hm.. " Adnaan hummed.

"Why did you bring me a gift all of a sudden? " Aalia asked.

"I wanted to. " He said simply.

"And I don't know whether you will believe me or not. But buying a teddy was my dream!" Aalia exclaimed.

"I am glad." Adnaan said.

Aalia drove back home in silence. She looked at him in between and saw that he was in deep thought. He wasn't even blinking.

'Maybe he is thinking about business. What if he is thinking about me? ' Aalia smiled at her own baseless thoughts.

"I will be leaving within a few minutes." Aalia mentioned.

"Yah.. " Adnaan said and Aalia was about to open the door when Adnaan held her hand.

"Hey, I want to say something. " Adnaan said.

Aalia sat back.

"You don't have to try to make me happy. Just take your time. I will wait. No matter how hard it is for me. " Adnaan said.

Aalia felt her tears flooding up. She nodded and smiled at him.

"Please, do me a favor. Make sure that you are always happy." he said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Aalia got out of the car and waited for him. Adnaan walked towards her and hugged her.

"All the best. You will do the best. I am sure." Adnaan told her.

She felt her heart melting. Aalia gave him a smile.

"I want to collect some stocks. I will be there at 1 0' clock after finishing my work. " Adnaan said.

"Yah." Aalia said.

She went back to her room and called 'Iqra'

"Hello" her Angelic voice was heard.

"What's up? " Aalia asked.

"I am the one to ask you that. What's up? Why are you not visiting me? " Iqra asked.

"Oppps...sorry... I was busy with some family matters. " Aalia explained.

"Mm..I missed your talks." Iqra hummed.

"Aww... You missed me? " Aalia asked.

"No. Just the talks. " Iqra said.

"Yah. whatever." Aalia rolled her eyes.

"I want a box of chocolates and donuts." Aalia said.

"Okay. I will get it ready by 3:30. Is it okay?" Iqra asked.

"Yah." Aalia said.

"How are you? Because last time I saw you, your health wasn't remarkable. " Iqra asked.

"Right now,I am fine....I guess. " Aalia said.

"Look. Just live your life to the fullest. You can call me whenever you want. I will help you with everything okay?" Iqra said.

"Yah.. you are just like Aleesha. But you are more energetic." Aalia said.

"Aleesha is your sister, right?" Iqra asked.

"Yah. " Aalia said.

"Sorry that I can't come for the program. " Iqra apologized.

"You are apologizing for the nth time. And now I am tired of saying 'it's OK.' " Aalia said.

"Oh... I will call you. My cake is in the oven. " Iqra said.

"Yah. Bye. " Aalia cut the call.

Iqra was the one who helped her with her mood swings when Hana was staying at her grandma's place.

________________________

Aalia was watching Goblin's episode in the living room when a bell was heard. She opened the door and saw Hassan wearing the matching outfit.

"Hey.... This is really cool. " Aalia said.

"Yah. It is. " Hassan said smiling.

"Mom, Hassan came. I am leaving with him." Aalia called out.

"Yah. We will be there too within half an hour. " her mom said, walking towards them.

"You two look great in this dress. " Her mom admired.

"Thanks, aunty." Hassan said and walked out of the house. Aalia ran behind him.

"What happened? " Hassan asked entering the car.

"What happened? " Aalia asked.

"Why are you so silent? Is it about the question I asked?" Hassan asked with a victorious smile.

"Nah. I will answer just after the performance. " Aalia said.

"Nah. Before the performance." He said.

"huh? " Aalia looked shocked.

"Yah. I want to sort everything as fast as possible. " Hassan said.

"I swear, I will tell you everything. But after the performance. " Aalia pleaded.

Hassan remained silent.

They reached the institution.

"Come on. " Hassan said.

They walked into the auditorium and a program was going on.

Aalia looked at the audience. Her heart skipped a beat seeing Adnaan there. He walked towards Aalia.

"what happened? " Adnaan asked.

"Nothing." Aalia said.

"Why did you guys call me?" Adnaan asked.

"I didn't." Aalia defended.

"I called him. " Hassan said.

"Why? Your program is at 1 o' clock, right?" Adnaan asked.

"Yah." Hassan said.

Aalia stood in between them with a confused face.

Hassan called someone on his phone while Adnaan looked at me trying to understand what was going on.

"Aalia, wait for me. I will be back. " Hassan said and took Adnaan with him.

He came back.

'Allah, save me from him and his questions. ' she prayed in her mind.

Hassan took her hands and walked to the rooftop. They stood there silently for a while.

"Aalia." He called her.

"hmm. " Aalia hummed softly.

"I want to help you out. " He said.

"From what? " Aalia asked.

"You clearly know what I am talking about." Hassan said.

"I don't know what to say. " Aalia said.

"Look, just let it out . Don't hide." he said.

She could feel a lump forming on her throat.

"It's nothing. " Aalia said.

"Is that so? " Hassan asked.

Aalia stayed silent.

"I don't know. " Aalia said.

She was losing control of what she was holding up for a long time. Her vision was blurred as tears were flooding up.

"I don't know, I don't know. I-I don't want to be pathetic. I don't want to... " Aalia struggled to let her words out in between her cries.

"It's OK. Take deep breaths and just let it out. I will help you. " Hassan said.

"We are not like how we were. Something changed. I don't know. " Aalia covered her face.

"Look at me. " He held her shoulders.

"Nothing changed. I know what you are feeling and what you are going through. Just be strong. I am sure that everything is going to be fine. I swear. " He said.

"I don't want to keep myself away from him." Aalia said.

"Listen, he likes you. He considers you special. And you are. What you need to do is to talk to him and sort everything. Don't make the barriers that you guys have already built between you kill your relationship." Hassan said.

"Talk to him after the performance. Okay? " Hassan said.

Aalia nodded.

"Am I really deserving? " Aalia asked.

"You just keep loving yourself and remember you are the only one with you in both good and bad times. Find your beauty inside and love yourself because no one's gonna make you believe that you are beautiful and unique and the best version of yourself." Hassan said.

"Thank you for being there with me." Aalia said.

"You are a strong girl." He said and gave her a slight hug, patting her shoulder.

____________________

Adnaan 's Pov

Hassan took me to his cabin where Hana was waiting. I felt something suspicious. Hassan left me alone with Hana.

"what happened? Everything alright? " I asked.

"Yah. I wanted to talk to you about something. " Hana said.

"What? " I asked.

"It's about Aalia." she stated.

"Tell me. " I commanded.

She took a breath.

"I think as a friend I should let you know what she is going through. She may look strong and happy outside but things are not going good. Remember when you were away from her? She was really down and I am really angry at myself that I wasn't there with her. I can't tell you everything but just remember she wants you. She is trying to hide her pain for you. It's not like you don't care about her. She is a way too fragile. So make sure it is given its worth." She said and waited for my response. But I was lacking words.

She looked at me and said-

"Hey.. Take it easy. I found that there is something wrong between you two and thought of letting you know her side because I don't think that she is going to tell what she is going through." she walked towards me and patted my arms.

"Just talk to her. She is not having a problem with you. " she said and walked out of the room.

______________________

Aalia, Hassan, Adnaan and Hana were waiting on the back stage. The announcement began within a few minutes.

"Moving on to the last performance of the day. We have our young principal of our institution, Hassan and Aalia for a duet song. "

'Aalia It's OK take a deep breath. You got this.' Aalia reminded herself.

Hassan looked at Aalia.

"We will do this. " he reminded me.

Aalia took a deep breath.

"Yah. " Aalia said with a confident smile.

He held out his hand. Aalia looked back and saw Adnaan. She gave him a smile and held Hassan's hand. They walked towards the stage hand in hand. Adnaan was staring at them and Hana noticed it. Hassan gave her a mic. The karaoke started, soothing everyone's mind.

"You're the last crack on the pavement

You're the water running cold

Into the wild, washed up and wasted

You're staying up

You're staying up at night" Hassan sang melodically and gave Aalia a convincing smile.

"You're the flower in the concrete

Find your way into the light

I wanna show you what you can't see

You're keeping me up

Keeping me up at night" Aalia sang looking straight at him.

"So let me give you every color that I find

In your eyes

You wake me up

And it breaks my heart

That you're perfectly imperfect

You're hurting but you're worth it"

Aalia was really into the song. Her eyes were searching for Her Missing Piece in between the crowd.

"You don't know why

I would waste my time

But I'm falling and I mean it

I want you like I need it

There's nothing you could try to change my mind

'Cause I'm in love with you." He sang smiling tilting his head.

Hassan sang, removing the guitar that was hung on his shoulder.

"So call me when you want me and I'll come running

Find me waiting at your door

So tell me if you're lonely and it won't last long

'Cause I'm in love with you (you)"

Aalia sang and Hassan gave a chorus.

"You wake me up

And it breaks my heart

That you're perfectly imperfect"

Hassan slowly raised his hand.

"You wake me up

And it breaks my heart

That you're perfectly imperfect

You're hurting but you're worth it

You don't know why

I would waste my time

But I'm falling and I mean it

I want you like I need it"

They sang together and Aalia gave him her hand.

Even though it was the end, Aalia felt the same energy. She looked at his eyes.

"There's nothing you could try to change my mind

'Cause I'm in love with you"

They finished the song hand in hand.

The long round of applause made Aalia smile.

"Thank you. " She said looking at Hassan.

They walked out of the stage and Aalia was pleased to know that everyone liked their songs. Her parents looked proud. Hassan stood near her and said-

"You nailed it. "

"Thanks to you. Look, I am happy that my parents are proud, everyone liked our song, and you... Helped me out with the Adnaan's issue. Thank you for being my Guardian Angel. " She said.

He just gave her a smile.

Aalia walked out of the crowd searching for Adnaan but he was nowhere to be seen. She messaged the 3 of them that she was going back home to fresh up with her parents.

Reaching home Aalia was busy uploading pictures of her with Hassan and Hana. She messaged Hassan, Adnaan and Hana that she was throwing a treat for them in the evening. She was excited to see them because she was having something for them. They agreed to go out soon after they finished their work.

"Aalii"

Her mom called her.

"Coming. " She threw her phone near the teddy bear and ran downstairs. She slip, trip and fall. The only thing she remembered was the intense spike of pain on her foot.

"Moooommmmm.... " she screamed.

Her mom came running from the kitchen and saw her daughter on the ground moaning holding her foot.

"Oh My God! What have you done to yourself ? Why do keep running like a maniac? Wait let me check it. Is it painful? " she pressed against the foot and Aalia was literally crying.

____________________

Laying on the hospital bed with everyone looking at her was the weirdest thing ever. And now she was on the hospital bed and the doctor said that she was having a minor ankle fracture. Her foot was bandaged. They told me that it would take 3-4 weeks to heal. Her dad was nowhere to be seen. She looked at her foot.

'pretty good, I guess.' she thought.

"Where's dad?" (Aalia)

"Went to take the car. Don't you want to go home? " (Mom)

Aalia rolled her eyes.

"Does it hurt? " (Mom)

"Nah. " Aalia smiled.

She sat on the bed trying to stand up. Taking baby steps she walked out of the room with her mom's help. She saw some packets on her mother's hand, which is probably going to be medicines.

'Eeewwwhhh' she thought and rolled her eyes.

Her dad helped her get into the car.

"From now I don't want to see you running around! "

This was how it started. Throughout the drive her dad was giving her a speech with a mixture of emotional dialogues, anger, care and warnings.

'This is not good! ' She thought.

Reaching home Aalia saw a familiar car parked on the porch. As soon as the engine stopped Adnaan came running from nowhere. He opened the door and held her hand. She found her mom and dad talking with his parents.

"why did they visit all of a sudden? " She asked.

He looked at her with suspicion.

"No. I wasn't talking about you but about your parents. " It's then Aalia got an idea of what he said.

"Oops. I didn't mean to offend you. I was just curious." She said, smiling sheepishly.

"Your mom informed my mom that you fell from the stairs. So they thought of visiting you. I will help you, wait. " He said.

"Aunty, uncle. I will take her to the room. " He said, looking in their direction. They approved in between their talks.

She saw them walking towards the front door.

He slowly held her hand and helped her. She was trying to walk without showing the pain, when he held her waist.

"You are hurting yourself. " He stated.

She felt her leg hanging. He was lifting her sideways. He was dangerously close to her face. She tried not to look in his direction. After alot of effort, she reached her room and sat on the bed.

"Make sure that you don't hurt yourself anymore. " He commanded.

"You are telling like I did it intentionally." Aalia said giving him a angry look.

"I am asking you to take care." He said.

"I bought this for you." Adnaan showed her the box of Ferraro Roche.

"Give it to me. " Aalia said smiling like a fool.

"Before that, promise me that you will take care of yourself from now on. " He said, showing his pinky finger.

"pinky promise?? " He said.

'OMG!Why is he looking so adorable..... '

Aalia thought.

Aalia intertwined her pinky finger with his.

"Pinky promise. " She said with a smile. He handed her a box of Ferraro Roche.

"OMG! Thank you.." She took it and started unpacking it.

"Do you want some? " she asked.

"No. It's for you so you can have it. " He said.

"Actually, I think I have already told you that I don't share my food. But you can have one. And you should consider yourself lucky because a pretty girl like me is sharing her chocolate with you. " she said and gave him one.

Breaking the conversation, his mom came in.

"Why can't you take care of yourself? " she asked.

"I am fine, aunty. " Aalia whined.

"But look at your leg. " She scolded.

Aalia showed her puppy face.

"please...don't scold me..... " she pleaded.

They continued their talk. Aalia felt relieved. It's been a long time since she talked with her aunt. In between, Adnaan went out due to a phone call.

___________________

She was left alone with a book she bought from the mall that day. She was reading it when a knock on the door. Before Aalia could say 'open' the door burst open and Hana was standing with a tray of cold coffee and she ran to Aalia.

"Ooh...do you feel like a k-drama actress who fractured her leg. Your hero is going to take you in his arms. " Hana said, blinking her eyes.

"Nah! It's never going to happen in my life. Aalia said and Hana rolled her eyes.

"Why did you buy 4?" Aalia asked.

"For you, me, Hassan and Adnaan. " Hana said.

"Hassan came! " Aalia exclaimed.

"Yah... As per your wish we have decided to give you a small treat. It was Adnaan's idea." Hana said.

"Thank you.... " Aalia hugged her friend.

'Adnaan is too adorable! Boyfriend material! ' Aalia thought.

"Hey, How are you doing?" Hassan came in.

"Great. " Aalia said with a smile.

"I wanted to notify you about something. " Hassan said.

"What? " Aalia asked.

"Everyone liked your voice. " Hassan said.

Aalia covered her face.

"That's too good... OMG..." Aalia cheered.

Adnaan came in and sat on the couch. Aalia sat on the bed.

"Thank you Adnaan for this treat. And Thank you Hassan for the opportunity that you gave me." Aalia said.

"Come on.... This is for you. This one for you... These two for us. " she was busy serving the cold coffee.

They talked and laughed. They were creating great memories.

"Guys. I have a gift for you all. " Aalia said.

"What? " Hana was super excited.

Adnaan was trying to hide his excitement and Hassan was just smiling.

Aalia took the pink carry bags. The names of each were written on them.

"Open it! " Aalia ordered.

They opened their gift.

"A cow? " Hassan and Adnaan said in unison.

"Awwwhhhh... It's a bunny. " Hana said.

It was 4 key chains. Two cows and 2 bunnies.

"Yah. You guys are obsessed with milk products. So the animal that suits you guys is the cow. " Aalia said.

"What? Cow doesn't drink milk? " Adnaan defended.

"Oh... That's right. But still keep it Nah. I bought it with loooots of love. " Aalia said.

"It's cute. I liked it." Hassan said.

"We two have bunny key chains because we are cute. " Hana said.

Aalia laughed at Hana.

Hassan and Adnaan put it with their car keys and Hana promised to put it with her room keys like Aalia.

"Thank you. I loved it. " Adnaan said.

"Don't thank me. It's the symbol of our friendship." Aalia said.

They spend the rest of the time chattering and cracking jokes. They ate together in the room. Adnaan was busy checking on Aalia asking her -"does it hurt?"

In between Hana noticed Hassan staring at Aalia and Adnaan.

"I think we should leave. Aalia wants to take some rest too. " Hassan said.

"Don't leave na.... " Aalia showed her puppy face.

"We will come tomorrow." Hana smiled and hugged her. She walked out of the room taking the tray. Hassan waved at her and left behind Hana.

"I forgot to tell you. My parents are staying here." Adnaan said.

"What about you? Are you leaving? " Aalia asked.

"No. I am staying too." Adnaan said and found Aalia's face glowing up.

"But I am going to sleep now. Even you should. " Adnaan said.

"No. I am fine. " Aalia said.

"You have taken your medicine now. So better you take a rest. If you feel that you are in pain just call me. I am next door. " He said.

Aalia nodded with a smile.

He walked out of the room, switching the light off.

'No matter what happens I won't let you go, Aalia. I will sort out everything with you. Tomorrow it's going to be a great day for you Aalia. I promise. '

Adnaan thought with a smile.

PS: I am really sorry for the late update. My exams are on the way.

Please do vote and comment your thoughts

_rs