Lost

Chapter 1: Golden eyed Punchbag

Am I making a mistake by going?

Salma quietly placed the fork back on her plate and peeked through the glass pane. Her mother was seated by the table, holding a mug in her hands. A frown knotted her brow and her lips were pressed together in a line. 

Just a minute ago, Salma was happily skipping around the kitchen, grabbing herself a quick breakfast, when she overheard her mother talking to William on the deck, in the backyard. William was Salma's cousin – sort of. His mother, Anne, was married to her Uncle, Dawud.

"I don't want her to go, Will," her mother said, sounding agitated. "I just have this feeling –"

"Alley. She's not two. " Will sighed, making Salma quietly place the plate of eggs on the counter and tip-toe towards the glass-pane door of the backyard to eavesdrop better. "She can take care of herself."

Her mother chewed her lower lip anxiously. Salma resembled her mother in having inherited her high cheek bones and pale complexion, but that's where the similarities ended. While Salma had an average height and a thin frame, with a wavy curtain of brown locks and almond shaped, chocolate-brown eyes, Aliya Rehman was a few inches shorter, her eyes darker and rounder in shape and her curly hair was jet black. Also, Salma's eyebrows – that she refused to touch with a plucker – were arched unlike her mother's, who had a straight, shorter brow.

Salma believed her mother was a more beautiful version of herself. After all, she had a cuter nose, fuller lips and skin with lesser dark spots.

"Besides, it's just a camping trip," Will, who was leaning against the pillar with his back to Salma, continued. "Asim is going with her, not to even mention the dozens of students and the university staff. She'll be safe with so many people around her, and before you know it, her annoying existence will be gracing your presence once more."

Salma scowled at her cousin's back for calling her annoying. The tall, broad shouldered, well built lad had sandy brown curls - currently stuffed under a grey beanie - that reached just below his ear lobes. He had blue-green eyes and a defined chin. Overall, he was a handsome boy with huge heart. Currently, he was being rude. Other than a scowl from Salma, Will's joke seemed to have failed its purpose when a tensed silence followed his words instead of laughter.

"Maybe I should at least call Atif to inform him . . ." Staring into her mug, her mother's voice trailed off as if she was thinking out loud.

Salma's curiosity on why, all of a sudden, her mother did not want her to go on the camping trip, was swiftly replaced by dread and worry. Her heartbeat picked up pace. She had no idea what was going on but whenever her mother contemplated on calling her father, things were serious.

"Inform him of what?" Will questioned, sounding incredulous. "That she's going on a hiking trip, and will camp in the wild for –"

"No." Her mother cut in. "That I got a call from Sthooriya."

Salma's heart sank. With Aliya this worried after receiving a call from Sthooriya, it was not hard to guess where it came from and who made it.

"Why would you worry him about that when he's half across the globe?!" Will reasoned.

Salma's mother turned away, choosing to stare into her coffee once more. She looked closed to tears. Salma's heart ached to see her mother in so much distress. Will too, looked resigned and miserable. Sighing, he sank into a chair beside his aunt, pulled off his beanie and ran his fingers through his curls. "Look, it could be that your sister just called to know how you were doing? You're probably over-thinking this."

Aliya shook her head, swallowing her tears.

"When Tor Mahal inquires after something, it never ends well," Aliya added quietly, confirming Salma's fears.