Rayhaan

The photographers hovered around the hall, snapping pictures of the guests, probably for the photo album. I stayed glued to my seat, not wanting to snap a single picture, because of my non-photogenic face.

"Ya Ray!" She exclaimed with a squeal, making the hair at the back of my neck stand firm. I hated the mere sight of her. Her voice makes me sick! "I've been looking for you all over! Why are you sitting here all alone? Come, let's snap some pictures" she said tugging on my arm and I mentally groaned.

I glanced at her for a moment. Nazneen was indeed a very attractive young lady. She wore a very tight dress that was clinging to her dark, ebony skin. Her hair was falling out from the small maroon scarf she had tied.

I looked away murmuring "Astagfirullah" and gently pulled my arm from her tight grip.

"Aunt said I should keep you company" she said, clearly hurt by my behavior.

My eyes roamed the hall until I found Umma, smirking at me. Oh damn.

Nazneen smiled sweetly as she gestured to the photographer. I stood helplessly in front of the camera and she pouted her lips in an annoying manner, tugging at my arm yet again.

What's with this lady and arm touching?

She kept following me all over, even after snapping pictures against my wish. She sat and watched me as I ate, and even poured apple juice into my glass. She blushed as she stared at my expressionless face

Wait! Is she getting the wrong Idea that I like her. Then she must be highly mistaken. She's my mom's best friend's sister, plus, I absolutely hate her.

I specially hate girls that seek attention. Girls should have a certain attitude, class. They shouldn't throw themselves out by wearing cheap clothes and speak with a sensuous voice. They should rather be reserved and taciturn.

I turned away from her, ignoring her attempts to start a conversation with me, and turned my gaze to Iman, my five year old cousin, wearing a cute pink frock.

She ran with her little legs and hugged me. "Iman, how are you?" I asked

"I'm fwine" she replied.

"I have a gift for you!" I spoke, rummaging through my pockets under the big, babban riga I wore.

Fright was evident on he face, as she scurried away from me, into the large crowds, leaving me holding a lollipop

Perks of being a doctor, children will always hate the sight of you, in fear of injections.

Injections that don't even hurt a bit.

The girl beside me had moved her chair closer to me, making sure I listened to her ramblings. She spoke about the shade of lipstick she looked better on.

Like seriously?

I typed a short message to my sister without Nazneen noticing. "Save me"

And she arrived in minute, cladded in a long purple dress.

"Ya Ray, could you please come and check on the caterers?" My sister spoke as she slyly winks at me. My savior.

I got up without a second thought I scooted, as Nazneen called out my name, but I left without sparing her a glance.

"Thanks Fifi" I said before she started her long lecture about why everyone is spoiling her name.

"So which nickname do you prefer, fifi, Fiya, Afifi, Fi-"

"None of the above, My full name would be better. I have a nice name, Affiyah" She frowned and I grinned

The caterers needed no help, so I fled outside, away from the clingy lady that I had absolutely no interest in.

Rain was threatening to fall, but I'd rather get drenched, possibly catch a cold, than to stay with her. I wonder what Umma was thinking when she sent her to me.

I need to speak with Umma. I don't wish to marry now, I still haven't found the right one.

I checked my phone for any emergency from the hospital but there was none. I wish I hadn't taken a week's leave for the wedding preparations. Now I miss working. Staying twenty four hours at home makes me sick.

Well, I still have five more free days.

My mind drifted to the six year old girl that was diagnosed with leukemia. Safiyya and her divorced mother struggled with the hospital bills and the chronic condition.

I have a strange strong bond with the little girl in her six months stay at the hospital. Her cancer is at it's last stage. It pains to know that her treatment isn't responding. Her body is slowly giving up.

It pains when she shares her ambitions with me, while knowing she has less than a month or so to live.

It pains to see her slowly giving up life with a smile on her face.

I dialed the nurses' number and she answered on the third ring.

"Hello Doctor!" She beamed.

"How's the patient in room fourteen?"

"Her blood level is quite low, But we are hoping for the best"

"Can I speak to her?" I asked, my voice cracking

We aren't supposed to get emotionally attached to patients, but safiyyah was different. Even when my first patient died, I didn't feel as miserable as I felt when she started chemotherapy, and her soft black hair was replaced by a white scalp.

"Hi doc doc!" She spoke, her breath loud and heavy. I could hear her fiddling with the oxygen pipe.

"Hello safiyyah! How are you?"

"I'm okay doc. I haven't seen you since yesterday, where have you been?" She struggled to speak. Safiyyah is a talkative, that makes her very easy to get along with.

"Uhmm...I went to get you a surprise"

"Yay! I love surprises!" She beamed.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow, bye-bye"

A security guard handed me an umbrella because the rain had begun showering down. The elders left the event in haste, probably because of the pending rainfall.

The guards leading a few cars out of the venue, and I could hear them murmur among themselves, how weird it is to rain in December.

A sight caught my eye.

A girl was sitting on the bare ground, getting completely drenched. She hugged her knees and buried her head beneath, rocking back and forth.

I squatted down in front of her before speaking. "It's raining, you'll get drenched and catch a cold"

She startled, lifting her head abruptly. She flashed my face with her phone's flashlight, making me wince, shutting my eyelids.

She stared at me for a while before she switched off the flashlight. The place was dark so I couldn't see her.

There was a crash of thunder followed by lightning and she flinched, clutching the hem of her dress.

The bright thunder flashed over her face and I stared into perfect black orbs.

Those same eyes that I couldn't forget.

My jaw dropped on seeing her face. I'm seeing her full face for first time, and wow, she's an epitome of beauty.

She had perfect white skin, perfectly white, her black eyes were puffy and full of tears, kohl was smeared around her eyes, giving her dark circles. Her lips were pink. Bright pink. Her nose was red, an evidence of crying.

I felt a sudden urge to wipe off her tears. I want to fix her. I want her to be alright.

"A..Are you alright? You seem upset" I spoke and she nodded slowly.

A moment of silence passed after she finished wiping her face with a small handkerchief.

"Thank you...for the umbrella, and also for taking me home safely...sorry I didn't get a chance to thank you the other night, Thank you so much" She spoke. "Oh and also for returning my bracelet" She added, holding up her right wrist showing the jewelry.

I smiled at her, not knowing exactly what to say.

She flashed her eyes to the effect of the drizzling rain on small gutter, where it made beautiful dimpling.

I continued to ogle at her, then I looked away, muttering "Astagfirullah(Oh Allah, forgive me)"

I think I've lost my heart

She stood up after a while, and made her way back into the hall. My eyes shifted to the handkerchief she had left. And I quickly shoved it into my pocket.

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Revelations😈

Who had the slightest idea of Affiyah, being Rayhaan's sister? 😉

Rayhaan and Noor? Will they get along?

Tag along for more revelations.

Husnah💙