The Compromise I Don't Regret

Chapter 35. NEW ARRIVAL

"Ow" I screamed as I almost dropped my perfectly baked cake which is extremely hot. I really don't want to start over with this cake since there is only an hour left till Annie comes and I have got enough work to bake another one. Though she's been a frequent visitor since the past month. I find it important to make a good meal for my guest, something that runs in our family's culture. But it's been really hard to ignore and act unaffected every time she criticised the food I made. Sometimes I doubt if she does it on purpose and it's not just her nature. But I'll believe it's the latter because why would she hate me on purpose? I get it she's Amaan's ex but it's not like Amaan and I are 'together' together or something. She must be aware of that then why would she hate me? Though Mama and mami show hospitality to here and always welcome her as a close friend of Amaan, they do not seem to encourage the idea of her spending so much time with Amaan. "Choti seems left off. Amaan should give more time for her" they say. But I just wave off their concern saying I'm totally fine and I've lots to learn anyways, my exams are just months away. Truth to be said I'm so used to this that I don't even care. Two weeks into this new routine of ' Annie be my guest' , while conversing with Annie, Amaan had excused himself to come talk to me because according to him I didn't seem welcoming to Annie. Excuse me! It's not my fault I didn't feel excited to know how her boss had hired her at the first look without even checking her profile, and how she was shocked and insisted him to check which led him to praise her and bla bla bla. I somewhat worded out my thoughts and that led to a heated argument which led to us not talking that often. Life's been extremely boring yet again with Mama always busy traveling and handling the requirements outside the state since he don't want Amaan out of station, him being newly married and Thamanna's been busy complaining about how hard life is for her considering that she have to study and only study. Poor thing, I'm pretty sure she's gonna regret this as soon as she grows up. Mami's been busy with the businesses she own. I'm really happy that's after years of sacrificing her career for her family she's finally doing something she's passionate about even if it is in her 50s. But sometimes I do wish she would be home to attend those stupid society meetings and functions. God! How I hate those things. I got to meet a few neighbours through those sessions though. Mr and Mrs Kenneth were such nice people in their 90s, they're so sweet to each other that I respect them for being married for so long and haven't lost even a tad bit of love for each other. Then there was Lucy and her brother Luke who lived with their parents per say but hardly had them around. They are 17 and 15 and have to live on their own. Though this
.won't be big deal around here I still feel sad for them. The world has come to such a point where people are running behind money for their family but only by leaving behind the same family they should actually treasure. Contradicting to their life there's a really happy family of five, Mr and Mrs Burns with their 3 year old triplets who are just to too adorable to ignore. Then there was Eric who lives alone in the one bedroom flat just opposite of us. Funny how we never met otherwise. He seems to be cool and pretty decent. They were many other people I met whose name I've been trying to recall ever since. The impatient ringing of the bell disturbed my thoughts and since I'm all alone in the apartment obviously I had to get the door. I quickly grabbed a scarf , loosely rapping it around my head as I proceeded to open the door. The door opened to reveal of course the 'oh so sweet' Annie and Amaan who as I perceive was about ring the doorbell yet another time. " Hi Annie, asalamu alaikum Amaan" I greeted both of them plastering a welcoming smile on my face for which I received greetings back. They both made themselves at home as usual while went back to kitchen. " shall I lay the table? " I asked them to which I received a yes from Amaan.
Later after we were done with our lunch they started their conversation I believe it's about their days at the university. Both of them seemed to be so enjoying their time traveling down the memory lane. I hardly have any joyous memories of university. Heck I didn't get to finish my studies yet. The only time I was carefree was probably during my first year the later period of my time at the university have always been a nightmare. Ha not again I don't want to think about it. I can do better. I can- my prep talk was interrupted as my phone started ringing. It was from Zara di. Ya Allah she's gonna kill me for not calling her for so long. " socha ki tujhe call na Kare ( I thought of not calling you)" she said angrily as soon as I picked the call. " arre di.... I'm really sorry don't get angry now." I pleaded. " hm... I'll think about it later. Now tell me when are you going to catch a plane considering the fact that I'm already admitted in the hospital and is due in three days?" She asked. " subhan Allah! You are due in three days?... you are due in three days!!! Couldn't you remind me any sooner? How am I going to get there? Wait where are you now?? " I asked a rally of questions . " arre saans thoh loh ( at least take a breath). I'm in Delhi. You remember Thahseen aunty right? I'm consulting her. By the way where is that brother of mine? I had called bhai a couple of times but he never called me back" she informed. " well...." I dragged as I glanced at Amaan who was laughing at something Annie was saying. " well Amaan is quite busy in a meeting. I'll let him know and why haven't Mama or mami spoken a word about this ? I don't know!" I ridiculed before saying our byes and hanging up the phone. As I waited for Annie to leave I planned out how things should be from now. I'm not going to waste my life like this.