Unlikely [Formerly Known as Nerd Next Door]

Chapter Fifty-Four🌻

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, the Fifty-fourth chapter of the story begins, please do enjoy it.
Good luck!

Taliha's POV:
Arif and I were able to reconcile and become friends.

We were still seated under the tree, but we had no idea that things were going to change soon. [Q16:81]

Although, we maintained a large distance between us, that way I could be comfortable with him.

Otherwise, I might panic and leave immediately.

In the meantime, I was slowly understanding his kind of personality.

Luckily, I was using logic to handle the situation.

As we talked deeper, we were able to talk more about our past.

"So tell me, Arif, didn't your mother do anything to stop you from becoming a soldier against your will?"

I asked with my arms folded, I sat upright because my back started aching.

Arif was quiet, he didn't say a word.

I watched him without a word because he didn't reply to me.

I was confused.

Is he okay? Is he sad or happy?

I didn't know what to do, but I needed an answer.

Hence, I decided to repeat the statement, louder.

"So tell me, Arif. Didn't your mo---"

Then he blurted abruptly, "She is dead..."

I became dumbfounded.

He faced downward, and he looked bloody sad.

"She died years ago..." He said breathlessly.

I could see his face getting red gradually.

"Maybe I won't have to fight for my ambition against my father...if she was alive."

I didn't feel any sympathy for him, I just gazed at him quietly.

But I wanted to say something to cheer him up, so I asked him afterward.

"Do you...miss her?"

Then Arif turned to face me in shock, and I held a confused look.

I was terrible at giving people emotional support.

"Of course, I do." He scoffed instantly with a raised eyebrow, "Should that question even be asked?"

"How did she die?"

"From cancer...it was killing her even before she married my dad."

I was astonished.

Wow...so shocking.

"And you?" He uttered softly, and I faced him with a gape, anxiously.

Me?