She was the most beautiful,
complicated thing
I'd ever seen.
A tangled mess of silky string
And all I wanted of life,
Was to sit down
Cross-legged
And untie her knots.

- Atticus
_________________________________________________________
'Zara, did you see my silver heels ?' Eliza's voice rouses me up from my thoughts.

'No' I reply.

'Well can you help me search for it at least.' she says.

'It must be where you left it the last time you wore it.'

'Wow! I didn't know that.' she replies, clearly annoyed.

She and Ira are going shopping to Yas Mall. Just 25 minutes ago Ira had called Eliza and asked if she was ready to go shopping and that she was on her way. Obviously, Eliza said yes, since then she has been getting ready.

'Eliza, you ready yet?' , comes Ira's voice from the living room.

No..no, please do not come here. I am fed up of faking a smile and saying hello to people. I hear her footsteps down the corridor and finally hear the knock on the door

Well, my prayer is not accepted. I get up from the bed and look at myself in the mirror, I look fine not like a person who was in bed all morning. I walk towards the door and open it.

There stands Ira in a beige top and jeans. I open the door wider and let her come in.

'Hi, Ira.' I say with a smile.

'Hey.' she replies while she seats herself on the couch.

'Is she ready yet ?' I am about to answer her when Eliza shouts 'Yes...yes just a second.'

I sit down on the bed and stare at my feet, I hate interacting with people. It is exhausting.

'Zara.' Ira's voice interrupts my thoughts.

'Er...yes you said something...I didn't hear you.' I mumble. 'Sorry'

'Why don't you come with us to Yas Mall ?', repeats Ira.

It has been a while now, people have to repeat whatever they say since I am so lost in my thoughts.

'No you both can go. Thanks for the offer though.' I smile.

'Zara that's a great idea.' , comes Eliza's voice from the green room.

She moves the curtain and comes out wearing black heels.

'Why didn't I think of it ?' She says.

'Thanks Ira, Eliza but I am not interested and by the way I am busy.' I say. I can't think of an excuse fast enough with my mind half asleep.

'Busy doing what? Daydreaming?' Eliza says.

I pass her a murderous glare which she steadily ignores. She knows how much I hate being forced.

'Zara it will be great and it will also be a change for you.'

I am beginning to have a feeling that I am not going to get out of this.

'Fine.' I say.

'But I will take time to get ready. You might be delayed.' I make one last attempt.

'No problem, by then I will take out the car.' Ira says and leaves.

I open my wardrobe and take out my clothes, I tell Eliza, 'By the way, your silver heels are under the bed.'

'What! Couldn't you have said that earlier, now I have to change my accessories to wear them.' she says.

I can't help smiling to myself.

I glance through the window , it's been 20 minutes since we started our journey. I am seated behind while Eliza is in front, talking to Ira.

'Have you guys planned anything for the trip?' Ira asks.

I crack my head, thinking about what trip Ira is talking about. Finally, I remember the road trip Maaz and Ziyan had planned for our families.

Thankfully Eliza replies 'Not yet, but Ziyan has this crazy idea of trying to catch locusts and barbecuing them on skewers. Apparently, it's a delicacy in some country. Well, technically everything he does is crazy. Right?'

I roll my eyes when she turns to look at me.

'Isn't this great?' Eliza says excitedly while Ira locks the car. I force a step forward while Ira walks fast to catch up with Eliza and continue their conversation. By the time I join them they are already inside H & M.

'There you are.' Eliza says. She is holding a small light pink color clutch.

'How is this? I really like it, especially the color.' she says.

'Nice.'

I spot a small stool just two or three steps away from them, I walk over and seat myself.

Whatever I do these days is forced upon me like talking, interacting with people and other social stuff. All I want is some peace and quiet, is it too much to ask? I am just waiting to go home and have some peace.

'Zara!' Eliza shouts.

I stumble when I stand up and walk towards her,

'We are outside Eliza and you do not shout when you are outside.' I say annoyance seeping into my tone.

'I wouldn't be shouting if this wasn't the fifth time I asked you; should I buy this?' Eliza asks.

'Go ahead.' I say.

Ira and Eliza walk over to the counter while I walk outside the shop. They join me three minutes later and we walk for some time passing different shops.

'Oh my God! 50% discount, we need to check this out.' Ira says and pulls Eliza with her.

I silently groan and follow them inside, I walk over to join them. Both of them are discussing which pattern to choose.

I lean toward the wall and look around. It is not crowded since it is not the weekend. A man enters the shop, he is quiet tall which makes him tower over most shoppers. His height makes him stand out attracting my attention. He is sporting a French beard on his tanned face. He heads over to the menswear scanning the racks.

'How is...?' Ira is holding up a small clutch, she stops abruptly as her eyes follow my line of sight and land on the guy. He too looks up at Ira and I think I see a flash of recognition in his eyes.

A shop assistant comes to us and asks 'May I help you with something, ma'am.'

Her voice snaps Ira out of her daze. The guy makes his way to the billing counter.

'No thank you.' She says and walks back towards Eliza.

I sigh, how much time will they take now?

'Well, I am hungry.' Remarks Ira walking out of the store with a packet in each hand.

'Why don't we have lunch and then continue shopping.'

She looks at me and I nod while Eliza says 'yes.'

We take the escalator to the top floor where the food court is. Outlets of KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee's, Cold Stone and Dunkin Donuts form a circle around the seating area where numerous metallic chairs and tables are scattered. We find a table for ourselves and I sit down. Ira places the shopping bags on the seat next to me.

'What do you want ?' , Eliza asks me.

'I will just take a strawberry smoothie. ', I say.

Both of them go, while I close my eyes and attempt to drown out the voices around me.

A masculine voice interrupts my repose, surprising me, 'May I sit here ? '

I open my eyes to see Maaz standing before me, a half smile gracing his lips. His head is slightly tilted as he waits for me to answer.

I sit up 'Sure. Ira has gone with Eliza to get something to eat. I think they will be back soon. '

'It is not Ira I'm here for.' He says very softly.

Eliza walks up at that moment holding a box and Ira is behind her holding a tray.

'Hey Maaz, stalking your sister ?' Eliza chirps, seating herself on the chair beside mine.

'Why would I stalk her? As if I haven't had enough of her at home.' Remarks Maaz with an affectionate look towards his sister. Ira smacks his arm and places her tray in front of him.

'Dig in.' She tells him.

Eliza passes me my smoothie. She opens the box of Dunkin Doughnuts and starts eating them. She catches me staring at her and she nods towards the remaining doughnuts ; a silent question , I shake my head and start sipping my smoothie.

Soon Ira is on her feet, 'Come on, there is still so much to buy! We haven't checked out Next yet.'

'Yeah and I also need to get shoes.' Adds Eliza.

'I'll leave you girls to shop. I am out of here.' Maaz says sliding out of his chair. He picks up his phone from the table and pockets it.

I sigh in exasperation making Maaz look at me. His eyes rove over my face, searching. I shift uncomfortably under his intent gaze.

Ira returns after dropping her tray off at the station and picks her bags from the chair.

'I can drop you home.' Maaz almost whispers in my ear, he is right behind me. His breath tickles the rim of my ear. I move a step forward.

Home seems like the magic word. I hesitatingly look at Eliza who is all set and energized for another shopping spree. A part of me feels guilty of wanting to leave my sister.

Sensing my hesitation Maaz speaks up once more from behind me, 'I need some shopping advice myself. I will take Zara with me.'

Ira's confused look is wiped off as Maaz signs something to her from behind me. Eliza too looks surprised at his request. She looks at me silently asking.

I nod.

'Okay then, see you later.' Says Eliza and they both hurry away leaving me with Maaz.

'Shall we ?' He asks, indicating the exit.

'You don't have to shop ?' I ask.

'I thought you hated shopping. You looked like you would be anywhere but here.'

The corners of my lips turn up at his remark which is spot on.

'Yeah...well, they have been doing the same for hours. I don't mind checking out a few men's clothes, maybe a nice change from all those feminine things.'

I didn't want to seem rude. After all he had offered to drop me home. And I doubt he'd take as much time as them.

'If you say so.' He heads over to the nearest store and I follow him in.

'What are you looking for ?' I ask.

'A jacket or anything that will keep me warm.' He replies.

I rummage the rack of hoodies while he looks at another rack. I watch as he tries on a black hoodie and examines himself in the mirror. I shuffle the rack before me to find a better one.

It takes me a few minutes to pull out a navy blue hoodie with a single white stripe across the pockets. I mull over whether I should take it to him or leave him on his own.

'Try this.' My voice is barely audible over the music blasting from the speakers of the store.

He moves towards me and leans in to hear my voice. He is close, too close to me.

He brings his ear to my mouth and I have the weirdest sensation, of wanting to capture this moment forever, to make time stand still and another of running as far away from him as I can, to distance myself from something so unfamiliar.

I bring myself out of my ridiculous thoughts. I have no idea where these ideas come into my head. I realize I have taken too long to answer and that he is still waiting.

'I think the color would go with your eyes.' I say the most stupid thing I could, looking into his eyes that is all I can manage. But it is also the most honest.

We walk together to the exit after paying for his hoodie.

I stay silent for most of the ride in the car. I don't understand what had happened to me back there. I look out the window at the cars driving past us.

'How are you? Really how are you ?' Maaz asks earnestly breaking the silence. We are waiting at a traffic light, I feel him looking at me but I keep staring ahead.

'I'm alive. Aren't I? That is one thing to be grateful for.' My reply is curt.

'Yes, you are alive, you are breathing, you are safe. That is three things to be thankful for.' His voice holds a sincerity in it. As if those three things really do matter to him.

'Of course, there are many more.' I say thinking about my family. I cannot imagine what I would do without them.

'But...' He prods.

'Yes that but is there.'

'...and that is a very big but.' He says. The traffic light turns green and his eyes are back on the road.

' I like big butts and...' He sings under his breath.

'Ross!' I exclaim breaking into laughter.

'You heard me.' He smiles, embarrassed. 'That was exactly what I was reminded of though.'

I'm still busy laughing to respond.

'And just like Emma it has made you laugh.' He says, his voice a murmur.

He looks at me in awe and I raise my eyebrows at him in question.

'It is the most melodious sound in the world.' He adds quietly.

***

A/N ; Hello awesome readers!
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