19: A Nuisance Called Brothers

I bit on my nail anxiously, starring at the text once again. 

"I don't know Nimmy. Should i accept?"

"A lunch with a stranger? Do you think we're living in dramas??" She gave me the 'you're crazy' look.

"I know it's inappropriate, but I can't reject him either". 

"What's wrong with you Hidaya? You're going beyond your ways for this guy you met just 2 days ago. Watch your steps or you'll fall into a fiery pit" she scrunch her face in disgust.

"I hadn't met him just 2 days back Nimmy. I've told you already, we met at Jannah's wedding. I even know his mother hajiya Khalthum" 

"You think that's a verification of him being a gentleman? You think you know him enough to trust him?"

I couldn't respond for a moment. A part of me agreed with Nimrah but the other part... The flesh beating in my chest, feel something heavy for Asif and I'm feeling like I can't control it.

"But he's nice to me and he's kind, humble and he came from a well known family. So he can't be anything but a gentleman". I shrug like i just stated a fact.

She nods, her lips in an annoyed pout. "So you think anyone from a well known family is a gentleman? What about all those spoilt conglomerate sons who always made it to the headlines? Just because your family instilled values in you doesn't mean every family does! I'll always say this with a proud chest that our family is different because we are filthy rich but not despicable".

If we could be rich and good Asif could also be the same- is what i thought but i didn't dare to say it, instead i grab ahold of her hand into my warm palms and lowered my voice "It's just a lunch Nimmy, an official one for that matter. Please sis?!" I bat my lashes to earn her sympathy.

She stare at me for 5 seconds before she sighs "okay. but ask for permission!".

"That's my best friend" i engulf her into a hug delighted "I'll ask dad tomorrow morning".

.......

8:00am

"What is it Hidaya?" Mummy asked tired as dad was waiting for me patiently to spit out the words stuck in my throat.

But I'm anxious for the first time, i can't find this confidence i used to present new projects at the board of directors meeting, in front of people way older than my dad and so many bold faces.

I can't find that courage i used to beg Daddy K to give Jk another chance.

I can't find that courage i used to always tell my other suitors I'm not interested in them.

But because of Asif, I'm anxious.

"Well... Well.. it's..."

The words dance on my tongue as my hands and legs begin trembling.

Jk quickly wipe his mouth with a napkin and put it down only to place his left hand on my lower back, making me gasp softly as he began rubbing it upward gently to calm me down. 

"Daya, are you okay?" He questioned concerned.

"KHALEEL i told you NO TOO MUCH PHYSICAL CONTACT! You're both adults now for god's sake!!" Mummy shouted as she dropped her spoon on the ceramic plate loudly making me flinch but JK didn't move an inch.

"Please Calm down please Noorie" daddy K reaches for her hand pressing it gently shaking his head as they communicate with their eyes. 

She exhaled and focus back on her food, because if she's to open her mouth to what she's witnessing between Hidaya and khaleel these days, she might say something unfavorable to everyone including herself. 

"But mummy isn't Daya my sister? I'm her mahram so i think there's no harm in this much physical contact"

She and Kaleem intended to bury this secret forever and take it to their graves, they knew a day will come when one of the kids will retaliate but she's not ready to keep seeing them committing sins unknowingly. 

However she feels grateful when his grandma Hajiya(mother) spoke.

"She might be your sister but she's a lady as you're also a grown man now, so it's unethical and unmannered"

"But..." 

Habeeb place his hand on top of Khaleel's to halt his words of retaliation.

"Arguing with your parents might be the worst decision of your life, even if you think You're right. Believe me, I've been there".

He stood up seeing how disturbed his mom looks, and walked behind her seat then hug her from behind, as Noor close her eyes feeling her mind enjoying the presence of her son. 

"I'm sorry mum, i just cared about Hidaya nothing more."

"It's okay, let's all hear what she's worried about".

They give me a chance to speak my mind again.

"Actually..." I started again. 

"What is making Royala group's future Chairwoman anxious?" Uncle Habeeb raised an eyebrow from beside Jk "you might make the directors change their mind regarding your succession if it isn't a great deal"

"Bold's chairman invited me to dinner" i found my lips talking after listening to uncle Habeeb's threat.

Dad smiled "is that what made you tremble like a woodpecker?" 

It's only now that i realise I've been shaking the whole time, so i steady myself.

"You can go!"

A sense of relief radiate through me.

"Just make sure you take a third party along and I'm fine with it".

"Take Abdulmaleek or Abdullah with you" aunty Lailah offered for me to take my brother or Nimrah's brother.

"No. I'll go." Declared Jk. 

"I knew he won't let me go with Ya Hidaya" Abdulmaleek started crying but Abdullah did not care.

"See this boy, i could drive her there but what can you do?"

"Who said I can't drive myself?" I glare at khaleel then turned to Abdulmaleek "don't worry, I'm definitely taking you along"

"And so you're definitely taking me, I'll be waiting for you outside" he grabbed my car keys and left his breakfast half eaten just to go and start the car.

Khaleel has become a leech to me.

.......

"This is soo embarrassing!" I facepalm myself the 4th time after we arrived at the restaurant Asif reserved a table for the two of us and asked me to go before him since he has an urgent work to finish and will also arrive in 10 minutes not knowing that i have two big heads along and i sat between them in the booth seat because Khaleel keeps picking fights with Abdulmaleek making the poor kid cry.

"Jk stop teasing this boy" i warned khaleel yet again.

"He can choose to go home if he doesn't like it here. Ugly kid, u neither look like me nor the ugly Hidaya, we both look better than you" 

And by this time, tears were racing down Abdulmaleek's eyes. He then began bawling, grabbing us attention of all the customers at the Michelin star restaurant.

I angrily slap Jk's arm. But instead of yelping he smiled.

"I swear you've gotten weak over the years. Maybe old age has started knocking on your door"

Angrily i began hitting him non-stop while he laughed annoyingly.

"I didn't know that Royala group heiress was violent"

Asif sat down inside the booth opposite to us.

My nerves instantly calmed.

"You're here?" I tried to take my hand off khaleel but he hold it in his, his eyes scrutinizing Asif.

Asif smiled. "I'm sorry i kept you waiting, the task took longer than expected. And i see you brought a little company along" 

"We haven't been here for long either " i smiled wryly pinching khaleel on his lap with my free hand. This kid might destroy this fantasy before i even started creating it. 

"We've been waiting for about 20 minutes don't lie young lady" he raised a brow and his eyes says 'i'm going to burst your bubbles' i pleaded a 'Don't! pretty please' with my eyes. But I guess i have to find out when it stopped having effect on khaleel because the next minute the back of my hand was on his lips.

He kissed it and turned to Asif.

"And we're not a little company because i'm Daya's fiance.

My name is Ibrahim Khaleel"

~~~~~~~~~~~