𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙣𝙖- sister 2 of Zaara

Happy birthday to me!

Today, marks a year since I turn 18 and move out of this damn house!

 Things have been tense around the house between Zaara and Mother but of course Mother didn't notice because it has nothing related to shoots or movies. 

I am actually convinced that that's the reason why she even talks to us. 

I am so happy today in fact, that for the first time ever I'm humming while putting on my makeup. I finish and smooth out my royal blue dress I had gotten specifically for today. 

Of course it sucks that Zoya and I are the same age but she's turning 18 in a month so it's fine! 

I happily spun around and left my room to go downstairs and see what was for breakfast. When I arrived downstairs I saw no one there besides Zain who was munching angrily on an apple. 

"Hey, where is everybody?" I said picking up a banana from the fruit basket. Zain shrugged "I don't know man no one is coming down from there rooms today." He angrily ate his apple and picked up his bag. 

"I have basketball practice, see you." And then he left. I stood there wondering what the hell was going on. Why was no one coming downstairs? 

I shrugged and quickly ate my banana before taking a breath mint. I chewed it while climbing up the stairs to go see Zaara or Zoya or even Eshan but before I could climb the last remaining stairs I heard my name. 

I looked to see Mother smiling at me "Good morning darling!" I smiled back at her "Good morning Mother." She nodded and looked a bit nervous "Are you going somewhere?" She asked pointing to my dress.

I laughed but then stopped once I realized she was dead serious "Are you... are you not joking?" Mother gave me a puzzled look "No?" 

oh

"Uh yeah I have a interview in an hour and they told me to do everything freestyle today so I'm going-" But I stopped when Mother quickly nodded and started going downstairs "thats amazing honey can't wait to see it on T.V! Also Maria is sick today so she won't be coming back for a few days!" 

And then she turned the corner and left me there. 

Now, 2 things bothered me about this. 

1 she had forgotten my birthday

 2 she had just come from the west wing. 

"Zaara open up!" I yelled pounding on her door. Suddenly, her door slowly opened and I gasped once I saw a very messy Zaara. 

This was the most messiest I had ever seen her in....ever really. 

she was still in her pyjamas that were wrinkled, her face had spots on it and her hair was up in a messy bun. Her nails were chipped like she had been chewing on them and don't get me started on the dark circles. 

"Are you...okay?" I asked cautiously. I walked inside and saw 4 empty coffee cups. Zaara glared at me like I had just asked her what the radius of the sun was in 67 years "Okay? Am I fucking okay? Are you serious Humna did you not hear Mother yesterday??" 

Oh yeah the whole getting rid of Rayyana thing. 

I sighed "Zaara I don't think Mother is going to kill Rayyana, after all they are sisters aren't they?" Yeah Zaara and Zoya can get super annoying, but killing them is too much for any sister to think. 

Zaara shrugged "Knowing this family, anything is possible." She turned around and stared at her whiteboard which was filled with the 4 clues we knew so far about Rayyana. I scoffed as I looked at the board "You've been awake the whole night... figuring this out?" 

Zaara didn't respond and instead pointed out her coffee cups "What do you think?" and then she turned to me and saw what I was wearing for the first time since I entered her room "Do you have a shoot today?" 

She looked at her calendar which marked Sunday April 10 aka my birthday

Seriously, she forgot too? 

"Actually, it's something else today." I hinted making her scrunch her face in confusion. And then suddenly her face lit up making mine light up as well. 

Finally, some acknowledgment. 

"Oh my gosh! How could I forget?!" Zaara made a move for me and I extended my arm waiting for my hug but she instead whizzed past me and started looking around for something "Where is my phone?" 

And then she hummed and quickly dialled a number "Hello Steve? Yeah listen I'm going to need you to send a cake to Faye's house because she has COVID and we all need a little pick me up am I right? yes, thank you! bye." And then she cut the call and took a breath of relief. 

"Thanks Humna, almost forget! How did you know about Faye?" 

I was shaking with anger. 

What

The 

Fuck?

"Are you fucking serious?" I let out. Zaara jumped back at my harsh tone and glared at me "What are you so damn angry about?" 

What was I-

Before I could scream that this prank wasn't funny, Zaara's door flew open and Zoya came running in "Zaara! Look!" She had a tablet in her hand and was showing Zaara something, I was too angry to walk over there and see what the fuck was more important but I didn't have too since Zaara gasped and dragged me near her. 

She shoved the tablet in my face and on it, I saw Mother and a man talking. Mother was standing somewhere near the mansion that looked like the backside and she had on a long black cloak that looked like something typical I had worn in a movie before.

I wasn't going to lie, those cloaks can really hide your face nicely. Mother's was hidden but I could tell it was my mother by the long curly black hair sticking out. The man was unfamiliar though. 

They looked like they were talking in hushed whispers as if someone was going to come around the corner at any time. And then...they leaned in and kissed!

 I forgot my anger and my hand flew to my mouth.

The date on the video read March 21, 2022 which was the day Father came over and we found out the truth about me and Zaara. 

After the whole fiasco with Zaara running away from the table, we had all cleared out and went our separate ways. And the time of the recording says 4 am which means we were all sleeping, so who was Mother meeting? 

"Could it be one of our uncles?" Zoya said thoughtfully. Zaara stared long and hard at the tablet but then shook her head "No, it isn't. Why would Mother be meeting them like this? And they kissed, Mother wouldn't kiss her own brother on the lips." 

While Zaara and Zoya stood there trying to figure out the mystery I was standing there wondering why no one remembered it was my birthday. 

I mean honestly, how important was Rayyana? 

She left us when we needed her which to be honest, makes her a bitch. 

Without another word I left the two to go over the mystery while I sulked in my room with cake. 

I stared at the clock and saw that it was 12:05 which meant it was the next day. I sighed and turned to my ceiling with tears in my eyes "Happy birthday to you Humna." I had checked my instagram and Twitter and millions of people had wished me a birthday and believe it or not, Father called me and wished me a happy birthday as well. 

But it didn't feel as good I mean come on, millions of strangers remember my birthday -including my father who isn't actually my father- but my family who is ACTUALLY my family don't? 

I had posted a few pics of me on Instagram and immediately millions of "I love you!" and "happy birthday queeeennn!!!" showed up but nothing from my family. 

I removed my makeup and earrings and by the time I was in my pyjamas my door burst open and my sisters, brothers, parents, and uncles all barged into my room with nervous smiles. 

"Happy birthday Humna!" Mother started and engulfed me in a hug. 

Zaara and Zoya were next and they wished me as well before apologizing. 

Eshan and Zain high fived me and gave me two gifts which was a basketball and a soccer ball

Just like every year

Finally, my uncles came and put there hands on my head and wished me a long life and good health while I stood there angrily. 

The rest of the family all stood there awkwardly. 

Good

they should know how it feels, they made me feel horrible about myself. 

"Okay well... we need to go home. Happy birthday again Humna!" My uncles said and then left me, Mother, and my siblings standing there. 

Eshan and Zain said they were tired and left while Mother, Zaara, and Zoya stood there. 

"So...your 17 now!" Zaara said excitedly. 

I hummed and pointed to the clock "Yeah, the hype ended 10 minutes ago though." She bit her lip and looked away. 

My mother sighed and said "I'm sorry Humna I was busy with....other things." 

yeah

having an affair was more important then celebrating your daughters birthday apparently

I nodded stiffly and let out a forced "okay." and then my mother left again awkwardly. 

I love the awkwardness. 

Zoya closed my door and then Zaara and Zoya started apologizing profusely not stopping for a second.

"I completely forgot!" 

"I was busy looking at Rayyana's hiding places and finding clues!" 

And that set me off

"Oh my fucking god can you both please relax with Rayyana? you both are taking this so seriously! have you selfish bitches ever thought that maybe she likes the way she is?" 

Zaara tensed up "No matter what Humna she is our aunt. And clearly, none of this is her fault." 

I wanted to scream

Rip out my hair

Throw a tantrum. 

All they cared about was Rayyana 

Zaara and Zoya cared

Mother cared

and my uncles cared about some bitch who had left us when we really needed her

"Is she so important that you forgot about your sisters birthday? The same sister who is always there for the both of you?!" 

Zoya scoffed "You are always there when there is drama around with your camera. Do you even care about us?" 

I felt tears coming into my eyes but I held it back and pulled out my calendar. I shoved my phone in Zoya's face and said in a whisper so I don't end up crying in front of her

"I have marked both your birthdays in my calendars, I have reminders set even though I remember, and I have been planning surprise birthdays for the both of you because you are my sisters and we are family but clearly you don't need these any more." 

And I snatched my phone and pressed cancel on everything. 

Zoya's face turned pale while Zaara just bit her lip

"No Humna I-" 

I shook my head and pointed towards the door "Thank you both so much for the birthday wishes, these will last for 5 years so don't bother wishing me till 2027 okay?" 

The look on there faces should have given me satisfaction but I didn't feel anything. 

"Zoya please-" 

I turned angrily towards them just wanting them to fucking leave already

 "I said go." 

Zoya and Zaara stood there for another 3 seconds before leaving and slamming the door angrily behind them. 

And then I stood in my room alone. 

All over again.