Chapter-6

Gone wrong

Aleesha's call woke Aalia up from her deep slumber.

"Hello..." (Aleesha)

"Um....tell...." Aalia said in a sleepy tone.

"Good morning...." (Aleesha)

"Did you just call to wish me?" (Aalia)

"Oh....how rude....I called you to say something important." (Aleesha)

Aalia stood up and stretched herself. With that she started folding the blanket.

"Wait, what are you doing?" (Aleesha)

"Folding the blanket." (Aalia)

"Wwwhhhaaattt????? I think it's going to rain today. Aalia woke up early? " (Aleesha)

"Should I laugh? I am a mannered girl and I know that I am not at my place so I will do everything properly by myself." (Aalia)

"Ooh...... My sister is growing up too fast..." (Aleesha)

"Yah... Yah..." Aalia rolled her eyes.

"Yaar Aali, mom and dad will be reaching home soon. So come back home with Hana after college. They were about to stay a few more days but, do you know my little sister, she is not allowing them. " (Aleesha)

"what did I do? " (Aalia)

"Ohhhh..... You were the one to call dad and inform him that you were missing him. So he decided to leave me. He chose you...." (Aleesha)

"Somebody is jealous...." (Aalia)

"In your dreams." (Aleesha)

"Fine, fine. Whatever. Bye" (Aalia)

"yah" (Aleesha)

Aalia freshened up and went to the kitchen in search of Mina Khala. She was sitting on the table chopping the vegetables. Aalia sat on the chair next to her.

"Good morning Khala." Aalia greeted her aunt in a formal way.

"Good morning... What happened? Is it time for your college?" Khala asked Aalia giving a puzzled look.

"No....actually I wanted to inform you that I won't be coming back home because Aleesha Di called me to inform me

that mom and dad will be arriving very soon. So... I will be leaving with Hana after college." Aalia waited for her aunt's reply.

"oh...So what, no matter what, you are not going anywhere today." (Mina Khala)

"Nah.... I should leave...I will come some other day because you know.....I want to see dad and mom. I will surely stay here on my next holiday. Okay? " Aalia showed her puppy face.

"Don't give me that look. You always do this. Fine." Mina Khala agreed to Aalia's statement.

"Thaaaaank yooooou Soooooooooooooo much.." Aalia hugged her aunt and ran to the room to get ready.

It was then she remembered that she wasn't having any other dress to wear to her college. She decided to ask Adnaan to drop her home. She went to his room and the door was wide open.

"Yah... Allah ,where will I find him now?" she murmured.

"Are you looking for me? " Adnaan's voice was heard from behind. She bite her lip in embrassessment.

"Noooo" she turned around and saw him in his workout clothes. He was wiping the sweat off his forehead with his towel. She looked away from him trying not to make eye contact . She didn't want him to notice that she was losing her self consciousness.

"ummm... Umm... I-I wanted to um... Ask you something." (Aalia)

"Yah..tell me. What's it? " Adnaan raised his eyebrow.

She looked at him and asked. "I want to change but I am not having any dress and I want to go to college so... Can you drop me home? "

"Yah..for sure. Wait for me I will be back." he went into his room to change. She was still in shock. He looked too good even after his workout. She smiled and went back to the room inorder to pack her college back.

Adnaan came back and he asked her to get into the car. Aalia hugged Mina Khala and asked her to inform uncle about her departure.

She entered the car and Adnaan was already ready in the driving seat.

"It seems like you are too eager to get rid of me." Aalia complained.

"Yah. I am." he said.

Aalia decided not to talk anymore. She was sad-mad. She was sad that he was not stopping her and mad that he was eager to get rid of her. Reaching home Aalia thanked him and opened the door, headed towards her house. She looked through the window and saw his car was not there.

"What are you even expecting Aalia?"

She told herself and walked towards her room to get ready to go to college. Aalia texted Hana asking her whether she left for college or not. Hana replied that Hassan dropped her to college a few minutes ago. Aalia locked the main door and was about to call for a taxi when she saw Adnaan's car. She walked in the opposite direction.

'Don't think anything dumb. Why would he wait for me… I am exaggerating like always. Don't look back. Huh'

She thought and took a deep breath. She heard the honking of his car near her. She turned towards her left to see his car near her. Adnaan opened the window and looked at her.

"Where are you going? Come fast. You are already late." Adnaan stated.

Aalia was shocked and surprised at the same time. She entered the car.

"Were you waiting for me? " Aalia asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" (Adnaan)

"But when I looked through the window-" (Aalia)

"I went to park my car." (Adnaan)

"oh." Aalia was confused.

"Why did you look through the window?" (Adnaan)

Aalia ignored his question.

Adnaan dropped her at the college and went back. Aalia saw Hana on her way to the class.

"Hey.....Aalii" Hana gave Aalia a bear hug.

"haaaannaaaaa.... Do you know what happened," Aalia explained each and every single thing that happened last day.

"Oooh... Such a looong day ,huh!" Hana winked at Aalia.

"Yah... Did you study chemistry?" Aalia asked.

"I didn't." Hana replied confidently.

"You know that professor is gonna ask questions and why are you lagging on these. " Aalia asked.

"She won't ask." Hana tried to convince her.

"fingers crossed." Aalia said. She was afraid of that particular chemistry professor who would ask questions every week and she wasn't prepared this time.

Aalia memorized half of the portions and it was then the bell rang. What she felt relieved about was her period was after a break.

As soon as the bell rang for the break , Hana asked her to take the assignment they submitted from the Staff room. She went to the staff room and looked for her assignment in the pile of assignments. She took her assignment and ran back to the class. The bell rang as soon as she opened the book.

"whaatt? " she was astonished.

In no time her chemistry professor was in front of the class ready with her notes and presentation.

Aalia sat on her seat and started praying silently. She started teaching. In between the class her professor called out her name. Aalia stood up from her seat.

"Why do we fuse an organic compound with sodium metal for testing halogens, nitrogen and sulphur?" Her professor asked all of a sudden.

Aalia's mind went blank.

"Uhmmmmm...There is a conversion from the covalent form into the ionic form ....um... when the compound is fused with sodium metal for the elements present in the compound." she answered.

"OK.... That's right. In Lassaigne's test, can potassium be used in place of sodium?" (professor)

"No." (Aalia)

"And can I know why?" (professor)

'Why is she asking like this? I am going to mess this up for sure. ' she thought

"Because potassium is more reactive as compared to sodium." Aalia answered.

"So you are thorough with this chapter right?" (Professor)

Aalia stood silently.

"Explain Electromeric effect." (professor)

She tried to recall what she learned.

"umm.... I-I ac- tually learned it but I don't remember..it." (Aalia)

"You learned it? " Professor asked sarcastically.

Aalia nodded.

"You know what? You should drop out and try to apply for some drama course. You will be appointed as some main leads for sure. Your expressions are like you know everything."

Professor said and everyone was looking at Aalia.

Aalia felt embarrassed and sad at the same time. She tried to hold her tears. She didn't want to cry in front of her colleagues.

"And I am sure that you will act well too.. " Her professor said thoughtlessly and asked her to sit down.

Aalia felt herself weak and tired of everything. She waited for the bell to ring. As soon as the bell rang Aalia stood up and was about to leave when Hana held her hand.

"Where are you going?" Hana asked. Her concern towards Aalia was seen on her face.

"Hm.... I think I want some fresh air." Aalia smiled at her.

"Then why are you taking your bag with you? Are you going home? " Hana asked.

Aalia hugged Hana burying her face. "I am fine. It's just that I am feeling sleepy so I am going home." Aalia lied.

"I know what you are going to do." Hana said.

"Don't think too much. " (Aalia)

"You can leave . But take care and call me after this OK?" Hana said and patted on her shoulder.

"hm... " with that Aalia went to her college library.

She sat on a bench and looked through the window. Tears fell down from her eyes. She buried her face with her hands.

"Why do people judge me for everything I do? " She cried. She felt sad. She wiped her eyes and nose.

"It's not your mistake Aalia." She tried to convince herself. She looked around.

"It's OK. It's OK." she kept on mumbling between her sobs. She wasn't a cry baby but the way her professor disrespected her made her feel too low. She dropped her head backwards. She stared at the ceiling for a while.

She heard someone entering. She turned and saw the librarian with some books.

"What are you doing here? Are you cutting your classes? " librarian asked.

"No... I was not well so I wanted to take a half leave." Aalia said.

"Did you inform your parents and HOD? "

(HOD means head of a department)

"No. Actually I came here to submit this book. " Aalia explained and handed over a book to the librarian.

"Oh. You can leave now, HOD is down stairs." Librarian smiled at her.

Aalia gave her a small smile and left the library. She saw her HOD standing in the staff room.

"Sir" Aalia called him.

"yes. What happened?" (HOD)

"Actually I am not well sir. " Aalia said.

He looked at her.

"Yah.. You seem tired. But it's almost time for the last period. So can't you stay for an hour and more. " he said.

"Sorry sir. I really want to go home." Aalia explained.

"You can go home if you are not well. Did you call your parents?" (HOD)

"No. I came to ask for your permission. Can I call?" Aalia asked.

"Yah. Write your name and number on the register. You can go home. " he said.

Aalia smiled and went back to the library.

"What happened? Was HOD not there?" the librarian asked.

"I saw him. He asked me to write my number on the register." Aalia stated.

"Yah" She took the register and handed it to her.

Aalia wrote her name and details on it.

"Thank you." Aalia gave it back with a smile and left the library.

She sat on the stone bench in the college campus and took out her phone.

"I shouldn't call dad and mom. I don't want them to worry about my mistake."

She dialed Adnaan's number but his line was busy. She thought for a moment and called Hassan. He picked up the call.

"Assalamualaikum." He greeted her.

"Walikkum assalam. Are you free?"

She asked, biting her lips waiting for his reply.

"Yah... I am..what happened?" Hassan asked.

"Can you come to college to pick me?" (Aalia)

"you alright? " (Hassan)

"Yah.. " Aalia shortened her reply.

"I will be there." He cut the call.

Aalia waited for him on the stone bench. She felt disappointed for herself. Tears flowed down her cheeks. After a while, She felt someone standing behind her. She wiped her tears and turned around to see Hassan.

"What happened? " (Hassan)

"I was not well. So I decided to take a half day leave. Hana is out there. She will only come after all classes." (Aalia)

"Should I inform uncle and aunty?" (Hassan)

"No it's fine." She tried not to look at his face as her eyes were puffy.

"Should I take you home?" (Hassan)

"No..." (Aalia)

"Let's talk about it later. Come on." (Hassan)

Hassan entered the car. The journey seemed too long because Aalia was trying her level best not to cry in front of him.

"Don't you want to know where we are going? " Hassan asked.

Aalia looked at him.

"hm... Where are we going? " Aalia asked softly.

"I won't tell you the place but I am sure that you will like it."

"ya.... " Aalia gave him a smile.

Throughout the drive he talked about his passion towards music and she was listening to him with full attention.

"Here we are. Come on" (Hassan)

"Okay...." (Aalia)

It was a bridge and the river seemed calm. The sun was about to fall. She ran towards the end. The cool breeze was blowing and she turned towards him.

"woo.....it's really adorable and gorgeous....I loved it.... " she smiled wholeheartedly. She looked at the edge of the river and let out a sigh.

"Do we have anything to talk about?" (hassan)

"No... " she gave him a sad smile

"Don't hold back your tears for too long." (Hassan)

She hung her head down in embarrassment.

"If you are hurt...you can cry..it's OK to cry...." Hassan patted her shoulder.

"Why am I always the black sheep? Why do I always make my parents ashamed? Do you think that I am acting? Why am I always the one to be humiliated? Why do people choose me for the wrong thing? Why can't I live my life like how my parents want? Wwwhhhyyyyy? " Aalia opened up her mind. She cried out. Hassan held her hands.

"shhh... What are you saying ? You are not a black sheep..and Aalia you have achieved everything your parents want. And about people choosing you, stop thinking about what people do. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. That doesn't make you bad and listen... You don't know what you are. How deserving you are. I know you want to stay positive but it's OK to feel low sometimes."

Hassan explained.

For the first time in her life she felt herself deserving. She looked at hassan. He held her shoulder with his hands.

"LOOK . YOU . DESERVE . EVERYTHING" (Hassan)

Aalia looked at him. He hugged her and patted on her head.

"it's OK.." (Hassan)

She stayed there for a while. She backed off and wiped her tears.

"I am sorry. " Aalia looked at her feet.

"heyy..it's OK. " he chuckled softly.

"Feeling better? " Hassan asked, leaning towards her.

Aalia nodded with a smile.

"I am sorry... I know that you are busy...but-" (Aalia)

"hey..... It's OK, come on it's not a big deal..." (Hassan).

"For you it may not be a big deal. But for me it is. You have spent your time for me." (Aalia)

"I am happy that I could do something for you. " (Hassan)

"Has anyone told you that you are a gentleman? " (Aalia)

Hassan chuckled. They stood there silently.

"Do you want to stay here for a while? " Hassan asked.

"No. I wanted to take a picture but I didn't take my camera. Will come here some day." (Aalia)

Hassan laughed at her.

"Why are you laughing? " Aalia asked.

"No. I was just thinking about how dumb you are thinking that you are a black sheep? " (Hassan)

"Past is past. " Aalia stated.

"I got my Aalia back. " He said and she chuckled at his statement.

"Let's go." Hassan said, patting on her shoulder.

They entered the car and he started the engine.

"What are your hobbies?" (Hassan).

"Actually I don't know. " Aalia said with embarrassment.

"Don't lie to me. Hana told me that you sing." Hassan stated.

"me? " (Aalia).

"Yah. You. " (Hassan)

"Yah just a bit. " (Aalia)

Throughout the drive he interrogated Aalia about her talents.

He stopped in front of his institution.

"Come on. " (Hassan).

Aalia wanted to ask A Lot of questions but she didn't mind asking them.

She followed him. He opened the door. It was obvious that it was his classroom.

"This is my music classroom. How's it? " Hassan turned around and looked at her waiting for her response.

" Wow... It seems too good... Perfect..." she said with a smile.

The room was neat and was well organized.

"Wait......" he said and dialed a number.

Within a short time a woman came in.

"Yah... There she is. Aalia, this is Usma. She will show you everything. I have something important to do. Is it ok? " Hassan explained.

"Yah... " Aalia said and with that Hassan left her with Usma.

"This way." Usma said.

Usma was tall and skinny. It was clear from her face that she was middle aged. She was polite and her vibe was too soothing. She showed Aalia his classes and was explaining about the institution.

"I can say by looking at your face that you are sad." Usma stopped in between and looked at her.

"na... I am fine. " Aalia said.

"Don't lie to me kid. I think you should look in the mirror. Your eyes are saying that they are tired of crying."

"Am I that predictable?" Aalia asked.

Usma chuckled.

"I swear. I wasn't feeling good but now I am just doing good." Aalia explained with a smile.

"If you are willing to stay happy. I will show you something really interesting." (Usma)

Aalia blinked her eyes.

"so...Deal? " (Usma)

Aalia smiled at her childishness.

"Deal." Aalia agreed.

Usma walked towards a new area. It was damn amazing. She couldn't believe that Hassan was taking care of all these.

"So...Hassan has a lot of work to do. right?" Aalia asked.

"Yes, Dear. He takes care of everything. And the way he deals with music is magical. Have you ever seen him playing any of the instruments?" Usma asked.

"No." Aalia said with a sad smile.

"Then what I am going to show you will really be a great help from my side." Usma assured.

Aalia smiled and walked towards a room.

"Open the door slowly and you can sit on the last seat. He won't notice you. Make sure that you stay quiet Okey?" Usma said.

Aalia gave her a questioning look.

"Goo fast... " Usma said.

Aalia slowly opens the door. She could hear the voice of the string. She slowly closed it and sat on one of the vacant seats at the back as Usma said.

The music inside the room was mind blowing. What made her amused was Hassan was sitting on the chair and was playing the guitar. He was into it and it was clearly seen that he was experiencing the world of music. She felt her heart lighter. Usma was right he is blessed with the art of playing and as well as loving music. He played for a while and ended it nicely.

She clapped her hands softly. And it was then she realized that she was hiding but for God's sake his students clapped their hands approving his music. As soon as Hassan looked towards Aalia she covered her face with her hands. She heard small whispers.

"Aalia" (Hassan)

She peeped through her fingers. Hassan was standing in front of her. Aalia stood up and looked around. His students were looking at her with amusement.

"Actually...I was looking for you." (Aalia)

"For me? " (Hassan)

"ya-NO. I meant that I was walking around and-" (Aalia)

"It's OK. You don't have to explain everything to me." (Hassan)

"I will leave. You can continue with your class." Aalia was about to leave.

"Hey... My class will end soon. Wait for me. Okay? " Hassan said. Aalia looked at him with widened eyes.

Aalia waited for him outside and he came out running.

"I want to tell you something." (Aalia).

"what's it? " Hassan asked with eagerness.

"I loved the way you played the music. Wow it was heavenly. I swear and I want to join your institution. I want to learn this and I will play guitar just like you." Aalia said in one stretch.

"Calm done. Thank you. I am honored. By the way, what's your favorite song?" (Hassan)

"mine? Hmm.... Perfectly imperfect. I love the song. " (Aalia).

"hm.. " Hassan looked at the time.

"We can drive back to college and it will be time. We can pick her up. Okay? " (Hassan)

"Yah.. " Aalia agreed and entered the car.

"Why did you ask for my favorite song?" Aalia asked.

"I just wanted to know" Hassan said.

"Thank you for helping me regain my mood." (Aalia)

He just smiled.

Aalia started silent. Reaching the college Hassan parked his car on the same spot he always parks.

"I want to tell you something serious. You should promise me that-" Aalia said.

"I won't tell your mom and dad that you bunked your classes saying that you were not well. " (Hassan)

Aalia was amused.

"How did you know that I was going to say that?" Aalia asked.

"You are too predictable." Hassan smiled.

"Pinky promise?" (Aalia)

"Yah. Pinky promise. " (Hassan)

Aalia waited for Hana to come. Aalia saw Hana coming and hid behind the front seat.

"What are you doing? " Hasaan asked.

"shh..." (Aalia)

Hana entered the car.

"Assalamualaikum" she greeted him

"Walikkum assalam." (Hassan)

"Aalia was not well so she left in between the classes. So we can leave now." Hana said.

"I hope she is alright. And drop me at Aalia's place OK? I want to check on her.'' Hana said.

Aalia felt happy that Hana cared for her.

"boooooooohhhh" Aalia jumped up and Hana started screaming.

"What are you doing here?" Hana asked as soon as she saw it was Aalia was the one to scare her.

Aalia and Hassan gave each other hi-fi.

Hassan explained everything to Hana while Aalia was laughing while holding her stomach.

Aalia hugged her from behind.

"my cute Hana.... " (Aalia)

"Are you alright now? " (Hana)

"yaaa" Aalia said.

Hana and Hassan dropped Aalia home and went to their house. Aalia found her dad's car on the porch and rang the bell.

She was shocked to see Aleesha who opened the door.

"Suurrpprrriiiissseee" Aleesha hugged her sister tight.

"Yeeeeahhh..... Thank you for coming." Aalia tightened her grip.

"Are you going to kill me? " Aleesha asked.

Aleesha took her inside. She was excited to see her dad and mom. She hugged them and they sat together drinking tea. Aalia explained how she spent all these days and Alessha explained the events that happened at Aleesha's place.

At last, she was happy that her family was with her. She entered the washroom and locked the door. She smiled.

'Except for the college incident, the day was perfect. No.. I must believe that no matter what happened, it happened for good. Yah... I got to hear Hassan play guitar and he even took me to that place. My parents came back and on top of everything Alessha is back. '

she thought and washed her face.

After freshening up she looked at her phone. Adnaan had sent a message. She took it.

'Why did you call me? Sorry I was at the shop.'

Aalia read the message and bit her lip trying to calm herself down.

'I just called you because I was free. That's it. ' she lied.

She kept her phone back.

"Aalia, don't let him spoil the mood. Think about dad, mom, Aleesha, Hana and especially Hassan. He gave you his time. You shouldn't be annoyed. Be happy. Let's think about him later."

She said to herself.

She went to have dinner with her family and Alessha was talking about her husband (Aalia's crime partner). She saw Alessha helping mom with kitchen duties, Aalia went to the room and sat back on the bed when she heard a knock on the door. Aleesha came in and sat on the bed.

"Did something happen? " Aleesha asked.

"no.. " Aalia said.

"Did you cry? " (Alessha)

"It's just the college issues. Nothing much." (Aalia)

"I noticed it when you came but decided no to discuss it in front of our parents." (Aleesha)

"Yah.." Aalia said.

"Is that college issue sorted?" (Aleesha)

"Yah.... It is.. " (Aalia)

They laid on the bed and switched on the night lamp.

"Aalii.." (Aleesha)

"hm... " (Aalia)

"I want to say something important." (Aleesha)

"What's it?" (Aalia)

"Aalia...I am serious." (Aleesha)

They both sat on the bed , face to face.

"I wanted to tell you from the very beginning but I didn't want you to react unnecessarily. Don't exaggerate. okay?" (Aleesha)

"What's it about? " Aalia asked.

"Adnaan. " Aleesha said

Aalia was pale when she heard his name. She knew that it wasn't something good by looking Alessha's face.

'Aalia calm down, it's nothing...its gonna be alright. ' she told herself.

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