Fated

Ch. 15

'I hope this wasn't so awkward for you...I mean the way my mother questioned you earlier...' Umair laughed shyly as we walked outside in my front lawn to talk in private while our families were busy chit-chatting inside. Umair was the eldest one; he had two younger siblings, one sister, and a brother. His family seemed nice, however, I could tell that his mother had high expectations and wanted the best girl possible for her son.

'I suppose every guy's mother is like that when she is searching for a perfect bride for her son to marry' I couldn't help but express my thoughts. I felt like his mother was interviewing me for a job instead of actually trying to know me as a person. I felt as if I had to give the right answer or else I'll lose the job and I'll be the loser candidate who wasn't qualified for her son.

'I am sorry...she is possessive about me' I could tell Umair was a kind person but was that enough to say yes to marriage?

'That's fine...you want to sit?' I offered as we walked towards the sitting area. Standing still and trying to have a conversation with someone you hardly know was challenging enough...I needed to sit down before I could tremble and fall.

'So where is the rest of your family...do they all live here?' He asked me.

'I don't have a big family... both of my parents don't have any siblings and my grandparents are no longer with us' I told him. It was just us but my parents never made me feel alone.

'We have good friends...they are like family' I added.

'Okay, ...we have a really big family...it gets crazy in our house when everyone is gathered together...' He informed me.

'I think we should go inside' I suggested seconds later, after realizing that both of us had nothing else to talk about...we also didn't have much in common...in truth, I wasn't even sure what I was looking for. I had no idols growing up...apart from my father but no one could ever be like him so what else should I have look for?

'I think we should wait for a few more minutes...we can walk around here for a while if that's okay?' He asked as he got up. I joined him.

'You and your sister seem close' He said a moment later.

'We are...she is very sweet' I smiled.

'Your mother said you used to work' He asked me and Zain's face appeared in front of my eyes as if he was right here in front of me all along.

'Yes,' I nodded, hoping he wouldn't ask me any more questions.

'Sounds like you weren't fond of the place' He must have noticed my discomfort when he made such a remark.

'It's not like that' I replied and just then I felt as if I was being watched from somewhere. I looked around but there was no one; my mind was playing games with me.

'I heard there is a full moon tonight' Umair changed the subject. I looked up at the sky with him to look for the moon but on the way, my eyes traveled to Zain's house and I spotted him on his balcony. I couldn't see him clearly because it was dark but I knew it was him...he still was dressed in his work clothes, his body facing me but his face was in the shadow, completely hidden. He was looking at me...I knew it because I could feel it. I looked down at the ground when I realized that he could probably see me gawking at him.

'I guess the clouds are covering the moon' Umair kept looking at the sky but all there was in the sky was complete darkness.

'I think now we must go inside' I hurried him, thankfully he listened and we returned to my safe place without glancing at the hidden figure that was taking up too much of my time and dreams for the last few days. I wanted him to disappear from my thoughts...anywhere from where I can no longer see him.