Chapter 4: Chapter 3
I walked towards my best friend's huge house and climbed the front steps before ringing the door bell.
She lived in the well off part of town where the rich resided.
I waited for a while then rang the door bell a second time and the door flung open revealing my very beautiful friend, Raina.
She had bright green eyes which was further accentuated by the green hijab she wore, while I had chocolate brown eyes. She was fun, smart, and out going while I was quiet, shy and reserved. We were complete opposites but we fit each other like a puzzle.
"Hey Zara, Asalam alaykum, come in" she said as she ushered me in looking very excited.
"Wa alaykum salam, how are you today" I asked as I went in.
Her house was very huge, twice the size of mine. Her father was the CEO of a company and as a result, he was always very busy and absorbed with work leaving Raina all by herself. I always hang out with her to keep her company.
"I'm feeling super happy today and you?" She gushed excitedly as we made our way into the large living room.
"I'm alright" I said as I eyed her suspiciously plopping down onto the comfy cream coloured sofa.
Just then, the house keeper, Naomi, walked in carrying a tray containing a plate of cookies and two glasses filled with orange juice.
Naomi has been around since I can remember. She had always taken care of Raina whenever her father wasn't around. She was like a mother to her ever since her real mother passed away.
"Good morning Naomi" I chirped smiling at the middle aged woman.
"Morning dear, how are you today?" She said, as she gave me a warm smile and slowly lowered the tray onto the table.
"Am fine, thanks for asking"
She quickly walked back to the kitchen as I turned to Raina hoping to know the reason why she was so hyper and wanting to tell her about my encounter with the stranger, a few hours ago.
"Okay tell me what's got you all excited"
"Sorry, it's a secret and I can't tell you"
"Since when did you start keeping things from me? What's so private that you can't confide in me about?" I asked, feeling hurt by her words.
"No no, I didn't mean it like that, I just can't tell you for now that's all. But don't worry, you'll know soon enough"
I sighed heavily. "It seems as if everyone is keeping something from me today. What's going on?"
That same strange feeling from this morning came back, twisting my insides into knots and making my heart beat rapidly with every passing moment.
"I've been feeling weird since this morning. I really hope everything is alright."
"Oh please don't say that, by the end of today, I'm sure you'll love your surprise"
At the mention of that my ears perked up. Surprise? What surprise is that?
"What surprise?" I asked, my eyes wide open with shock.
"Oh my Allah. Uh..um....di..did I say surprise? I meant..uh..forget what I said. It was a slip of tongue that's all." She stammered, flustered.
"Please tell me Rai, I want to know." I begged ignoring her previous statement.
"Please zar, you have to understand, I can't tell you yet" she begged with those cute puppy dog eyes I could never say no to.
Hesitantly I agreed. "Fine I won't ask again but I do hope you tell me soon."
Just then, I remembered the incident that happened this morning and narrated the entire ordeal to her.
"Oh my Allah! Are you serious?" She exclaimed dramatically.
I nodded my head.
"Was he good looking?"
"Seriously? After all what I told you, you're asking if he was good looking? I can't believe you." I exhaled loudly.
The things that go on in this girl's mind.
She looked at me curiously
"Well, was he?"
I looked at her incredulously. Is she kidding me?
We were locked in a staring contest for a while till I gave in.
"Fine! He was extremely good looking" I said, raising up my hands in exasperation.
"You're so lucky!" She squealed.
Lucky?
"I was lucky to have gotten my purse stolen and then retrieved by a stranger? Is that what you call luck?" I asked incredulously.
"You know what? Just forget I said anything okay. Let's talk about you. What's been going on in my absence?" I coaxed, changing the subject.
We drifted off into a series of conversations and watched some movies.
Time passed on like a stranger not caring about anyone and soon it was evening. I watched the sunset from the balcony of raina's room and felt content at that very moment lost in my own thoughts.
A sudden voice jolted me out of my thoughts and I turned around.
"What?" I questioned not hearing her the first time.
"I asked if you've applied for that job you were talking about earlier."
She was referring to the job I applied for at a school as a biology teacher. I recently just graduated from university with a degree in medicine. I've applied at almost every hospital but was always given the same excuse of being overstaffed. I grew tired of their excuses and decided to apply at schools, not willing to waste any time in my life.
"Yea I did, but haven't gotten any response yet. I Just hope they'll accept me. I can't keep sitting idly at home, I need to do something"
"I know the feeling sister, my dad doesn't want me doing anything despite me having a degree in psychology. But don't worry, you'll get it. With your qualifications how can they refuse you?"
"Thanks"
"What are friends for?"
I looked at the white wall clock with its intricate designs hanging by the left corner of the bedroom, above her book shelf. It was 6:30 already and that's pretty late for me since I don't stay out late at night and my parents must be worried by now but surprisingly, there has been no calls or texts from them and this got me worried. They always call me when I'm out to know if I'm alright.
"Hey Rai, I better get going. My folks might be worried by now."
"Oh yea. I'll come with you" she said getting excited all of a sudden.
"Really? Its late and I don't want you driving back at night"
"Don't worry, I'll sleep over."
"Alright, let's go then" I said, as I stood up adjusting my hijab in the process.
We climbed down the large stairs and into the living room and I grabbed my handbag.
We were about to head out when I got a call. I checked the caller ID knowing who it was immediately. My mom's smiling face flashed across the screen and I answered.
Instead of my mom's sweet voice asking when I'll be home, I heard the deep baritone of a man's voice. The urgency in his tone caught my attention as he asked if I was the daughter to the owner of the phone.
Panic struck me and I became overwhelmed with fear of the unknown. My heart beat rapidly against my rib cage threatening to be freed and blood rushed through my veins as my body became cold.
Gulping nervously and taking in a huge breath of air, I answered.
"Y..Yes. Yes I am and who are you? What are you doing with my mom's phone?"
The next words the man spoke sent my entire world crashing down and my heart fell out of my chest, shattering into millions of tiny bloody pieces at my feet.
I lost all will to live as my entire life flashed before my eyes.
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There it is. Chapter three. Long chapter huh? Not much going on here but next chapter is going to be pretty emotional so stay tuned.
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