"You guys sound like two cats dying!" -Isa Amin, IASWAD.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Gatherings And Discoveries

Zamzam Amin

"Hey Amir," I picked up my phone and pressed it against my ear. I've been eagerly waiting for him to call me so I could hear the amazing news from him. "Hey so I'm guessing Aliyah already told you the news? I just got done talking to my dad about it right now and I really don't know what to do." He replied with a deep sigh. "You'll figure it out In Shaa Allah. Just ask Allah for guidance and make Istikhira. That's all the advice I have for you. You got this Amir." I responded truthfully. I hope that this is what both of them want and are happy with.

"You're right thanks. I felt confused about it at first but now I don't as much as I did before." We then talked for another 10 minutes or so about anything and everything."I got to go so I'll talk to you later." He said before he hung up the phone. After he hung up, I laid back on my bed and was about to fall asleep but I was interrupted by the sound of my phone vibrating. I looked at the screen of my IPhone 6s Plus and groaned once I noticed it was a text from Adam.

Mr Cocky: Hey thanks for not freaking out those couple of days that I slept over. I know I should've said it before but I'm saying it now so thanks.

Okay that was not what I was expecting at all.

Me: You're welcome?

Not even seconds later I got a reply from him.

Mr Cocky: Why the question mark?

Does he honestly not know why I put the question mark there?

Me: I put it there because you're usually rude and never thank people.

Mr Cocky: Oh really? You see I thought I was really nice person. I mean that's why all of the girls are after me right? Well that and my undeniable good looks of course.

I couldn't help but let out a giggle. This guy is way too cocky for his own good. I just hope by now I'm getting through to him even a little bit. This bet is way more to me than just a bet to me, I mean I don't care if I lose or anything. At least I'll be able to say that I gave it my best shot. And if he really doesn't want to change then what can I do other than try to guide him? I hope in the next couple of months he'll change for the better. After a couple of seconds I started typing back my reply.

Me: Don't forget your incredible modesty. Girls must really love that!

Mr Cocky: Hey I'm plenty modest. Anyways good job on the presentation today. We make a great team.

Wow this is the second compliment I got from him in one week.

Me: Thanks.

Mr Cocky: Uhm... Aren't you going to compliment me too?

Me: Nah I don't think so. Your head is already big enough, wouldn't want it to explode.

Mr Cocky: Fair enough...

"Zamzam?" Grams called from downstairs. I got up off of my bed and approached her in the kitchen where she was cooking traditional Yemeni food. I almost yelped when I saw the Baklava on the dining room table. "Eeeh! Grams you made Baklava!?" I squealed in delight. "Wait," I stopped cheering and turned to her with a raised eyebrow. It's weird because she only cooks these types of food when there's a celebration of some sort going on. "What's going on?" I questioned curiously.

"Didn't your dad tell you? We're having a family gathering tomorrow so I'm making as much food as I can right now. That's why I called you down so you could help me make it." She explained as she rolled out some dough.

"Oh okay what do you want me to make?" I rolled my sleeves up ready to get messy.

* * *

"I know when that hotline bling! That could mean one thing!" My cousins Suhayla and Sabrin sang off the top of their lungs. I put my fingers in my ears as I tried my best to block out the sound of their horrible singing. They're only doing that to annoy me and it's working. You know what's the worst part of this? I'm stuck in a car with them and can't get out!

The reason is because I was at Gram's shop earlier and so were Isa and them. Well Grams told all of us to go to our house and clean it before all of our relatives come. And now here I am in a small car with three of my family members while two of them are killing my ears drums. Fun right? Note the sarcasm. "You guys sound like two cats dying!" Isa exclaimed with a laugh. "Okay fine why don't you two Amin siblings give it a try?" Suhayla challenged with a smirk on her face. "Omg yes I want to hear the two legendary singers in the fam!" Sabrin added while clapping her hands. I looked at Isa and he nodded his head.

"Okay what song?"

"Lets do Allahi Allah Kiya Karo." Isa suggested. We've been singing this nasheed ever since it came out a couple of years ago. By the time we were done singing the nasheed Isa was already pulling into our driveway.

Once we came inside Ihsan and Abdi were already there setting up. They must've not notice us coming in because they looked like they were in a deep conversation. "Hey bro!" Isa walked up to Abdi, and clapped him on his back. Suhayla, Sabrin and I approached Ihsan who's stomach was getting bigger day by day.

"How many months are you?" Suhayla asked as she rubbed Ihsan's stomach. "1 month and a half." She replied with a delightful smile. I still can't believe that's she's pregnant Mashallah. I'm going to be an aunt! I always wanted to be an aunt and now In Shaa Allah in a few short months I will be one. I could already picture how much I'm going to spoil my future niece or nephew. I'm just sad because Ma will never be able to hold her own grandchild or see him or her grow up.

But that's what Allah had planned so I guess it's just meant to be.

* * *

By now all of my aunts, uncles and cousins were here and the house was packed. When I say I packed I mean PACKED! There's literally no space for anyone to park their cars anymore because the parking spaces are all filled. "Hey cuz!" Muna came up to me and gave me a hug. "Muna!" I shrieked and tightened my grip around her. It's literally been forever since I last saw her.

"How have you been?" I asked, letting go of her.

"Alhamdulilah I've been good. What about you?" She replied with as much enthusiasm as me. We then sat down and talked for another thirty minutes until everyone was called outside to the backyard.

"Okay guys calm down," Uncle Fareed, my dad's younger brother, shouted so he could gather everyone's attention. He then cleared his throat and proceeded to talk. "I know it's been forever since we've had a family gathering so my siblings and I thought it would be a great idea to bring all of us together again. I know the last couple of months have been really hard on all of us...but Alhamdulilah we stuck together and pulled through. Alhamdulilah we have Allah, Islam and each other. So let's have some fun!"

Adam Mathews

"I'm going to give you 5 seconds to get away from me before I lose control." I breathed each and every word with anger. "Just give me a second so I could exp-" I cut him off before he could even finish the rest of his sentence. "Don't you get it!? I don't want a god damn explanation!" I couldn't control my fury at this point.

You know what hurts the most? The fact that he still invited her to parties and acted all friendly right in front of my face. He acted as if nothing was going on and they didn't stab me in the back. As if we're all the three musketeers like we were before. I should've suspected something was going on by the looks they gave each other. I feel so stupid!

"She came on to me! Okay!? She kissed me! I tried to resist but I just lost control. Please just can we move past this?" I've never seen Alex look so desperate before in my life. "I'm sorry but we can't now get off of my property." I closed the door on his face and proceeded to walk back to my room.

I'm relieved that my father and his fiancé have left back to Europe by now and I could stay in the comfort of my house without worrying about having to face my father again. As I was walking to my room I noticed that his study was unlocked and desk drawer was open. Perfect, I thought to myself as I walked in there.

I always wondered why he constantly kept this room under lock and key and now I could figure it out. At first the only things I saw on his desk were opened envelopes and scribbled pieces of paper. Just when I was about to give up I saw something that caught my eye. It was a letter from my mom...

Dear Alec,

I can't believe you are doing this to me! You said you loved me but it was all a lie! You cheated on me and now you're keeping me away from my son!? How dare you? How DARE YOU!? You think those men you sent after me are going to keep me away? Guess again because I'm coming back for him. I will get Adam away from you even if it's the last thing I do.

-January 20th 2007

There was a whole bunch of letters that my mom sent to him over the years.

I can't believe you seriously tried to kill me! I swear to god I will get Adam away from someone like you.

-July 12th 2007

He tried to kill my mother?

I found out all about your drug ring and now I have all the proof I need to get your ass in jail. Ever hurt Adam in anyway and I swear to you I will turn these in.

-April 1st 2008

Drug ring?

Wow just when I thought you've hit rock bottom you manage to surprise me. Now you're using little high school students to do you dirty work? That's low even for you! I swear if you try to get Adam involved in this mess in anyway I will ruin you. Don't test me Mathews.

- February 9th 2016

That's when it all fell into place. The person that was the leader of Avon's drug gang wasn't Avon. It was my father... That's why we couldn't find anything at Avon's house because it's here...

Just what kind of person am I living with?

CLIFFY!! Leave your comments about what you THOUGHT about the CHAPTER please! Not just can you update? Or I liked it I also want to know WHY you liked it! Thanks💕

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QURUX

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QURUXLEYS

MWAH!!:)😘