Page 33 of Storm
‘Why?’ He asked, as if bursting with interest.
‘Because I was sleeping.’ I muttered then added, ‘Forget it.’ before he could irritate me more.
Unable to hide my own racing mind, I finally divulged a little of my conflicted thoughts to him trying to sound casual,
‘The guy we met in the party. The Aariz guy. He seemed kind of wierd to me.’
‘You were talking and laughing with him like best of friends. And ‘now’ you are thinking this way?’ Zee scoffed pointedly.
What is the matter with these people? Just because I behaved in a friendly way with Aariz, they make it seem as if, I took vows with him!
Grinding my teeth, I snapped,
‘But we are not friends. That’s what is wierd. Who gets so...so chummy with a group of people he barely knows? Trying to charm his way into everyone...!’
‘But I don't get why are you still thinking about that night?’ Zee asked as if thoroughly confused.
Then added chuckling,
‘Relax, he is not a psycho or a serial killer or anyone dangerous with secret motives, if that’s the tangent you are going in. I had told you Ibbi and Humza have known him for long, just like me. So you see, not all of us were strangers he was trying to charm that night.’
I made a face, too mortified to accept my wrong beliefs about Aariz. Therefore, I asked more in order to be sure,
‘But how do they both know him and I don't? I will ask Ibbi.’
‘No!’ Zee was quick to refuse, making me more doubtful.
Before I could ask anything, he went on normally,
‘I mean Ibbi won't be able to explain properly, because there is nothing to understand here. It’s just a guy thing. Aariz is my friend. They had once met through me and became friends. Simple as that.’
‘I don't like that guy.’ I muttered furiously.
‘Cool.’
‘When will you come back to town Zee?’
‘In a couple of days. What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing...’
‘Right...’ He accepted without further arguments and we remained in peaceful silence for a while, which soothed me better than anything else did.
Zee made me realize I was being wrong and immature running away and hurting Aariz for his joyfulness and niceness towards me.
Maybe it was a guy thing too. Aariz knew me as his buddy Zee’s best friend. Therefore, as my Professor he was trying to be nice with me. I should have enjoyed the perks of it, rather than doubting him.
Talking to Zee and making up my mind about not being negative toward Aariz without knowing his good intentions, I was in a considerably calm and happy mood again.
“Hello people! Good morning.” I yawned loudly as I reached the dining table where my family sat having late breakfast.
My Grandpa, Dr. Arhum Shaad, famous retired Neuro surgeon, smiled greeting me back, and Dad grinned at me before moving his focus to some chest x-ray reports, probably preparing for a surgery. While, Mom stood busy at the kitchen slab.
My dearest mother had just one goal in life, to feed everyone.
I took a bottle of water from the fridge and started gulping it down my throat to Mom's dismay, who hurried towards me all wide eyed,
“Sani you have just woken up. Haven’t even brushed, right?”
