Nawal's POV

After having sleepless night, I saw Aziza looking less angry than yesterday. That was a relieve. But she still wasn't talking to me or rather looking at me. I tried my best to talk with her but she just ignored as if I'm not even in the same room as she is. Thinking it was my turn to give up on this, one idea popped in my head. This usually worked when we were little but I am not sure if it will work now or not. It was my last and final hope so I'll be giving my hundred percent. When we were little and Azi used to get upset with me, I usually cheered her up with her favourite teddy bear and keeping a letter in between his hands. By doing this, she always would cheer up and forgive me. 'But she isn't that small anymore Nawal', my inner voice mocked me. Sure she isn't small, but I can't think of any other plan. My hopes are dependent on this idea and In Sha Allah this works.

As I don't have one now, I went to the gift shop's toy section. I saw other cute toys but I know what I need to buy. And searching aisle after aisle, I finally found the teddy's aisle. I searched for the perfect one and still I didn't got. There were many - from being my height to a small ones, and most looked as if you can give them to your lovers and not siblings. After searching many shelfs, something caught my eye. I took a closer look and found a cute red teddy bear with a huge white heart with 'Sorry' written on it. Perfect! This is the one I was looking for. I made my way towards the cashier counter and saw that there's not much rush. I waited for my turn and my eyes caught a really cute card which was for birthday greeting. I somehow made my way towards that section and saw varieties of cards - anniversary ,valentine's day , birthday's , miss you's , and finally at the corner - sorry's. Bingo! I searched for a card with just front decorations and writing and nothing on the inside as I wanted to write that. And boy was it difficult to find. I was holding my teddy in one hand and the other hand searched for an empty card. I released a frustrated noise but made sure not to make too loud. My guess was wrong. The salesperson saw me and made her way towards me.

"Hello! It seems like you are little lost here. How can I help you?" She asked politely. Should I really ask her and give her chance to say how lazy of me that I can't even find a freaking card? Well, I'm running out of time so screw it.

"Uh, yeah. I was looking for a card which is plain from the inside - so that I can write on it. Oh, and I need a apology card. Are there any here?" I asked her. I saw her with pleaded eyes hoping she will say yes. She was in deep thought, thinking if it really is here or not. My high hopes were deflating like a ballon until her face looked like a bulb lit up in her brain.

"Oh! Yes yes we have! It's in the storage room as we were waiting for this stock to finish," she waved her hand towards the stack of cards. "But it looks this stock isn't going to sell out soon. Wait I will be right back." She flashed me a genuine smile and made her way to the room. Thank god I asked her. Wait, for how long I am in this store? I took my phone and saw its 12:00 pm! Did I literally spend two hours just to find a teddy bear and a card? Way to go Nawal. Way to go.

Currently sitting in room, I'm thinking what right words to use and make it look that this isn't a fake thing. I came home at 12:30 pm. I kept the bear and card in my bag so nobody can notice. Well, Aadil is back at work and strictly warned me to not leave Azi. As if I was planning to come. Naushin was currently sitting in living room with Aziza and I made sure both of them doesn't see my bag. Naushin just smiled at me but Aziza didn't even looked, as if she can't sense a person coming and going. I was relived but mostly sad on how she was ignoring me. Anyhow, I made my way to the room and here I am still confused what to write. Thinking about nothing, I thought to just write what my mind says.

I kept the teddy bear and letter in between on her bed and I was standing close to her door, waiting for her to come out of the bathroom. Naushin got to know about this when she suddenly entered my room and then I explained to her. I also told her how nervous I am if this doesn't work. But she encouraged me it will. Suddenly her mobile vibrated and saw her mother is calling from Bahrain.

"Go and talk with you mom. I will see what happens next." I assured her with my smile and she made her way to talk in her room. I waited for two minutes when I felt someone is behind me.

"What are you doing here?" Aadil whispered in my ear making me almost scream. I quickly kept my palm in my mouth to stop myself from doing that and turned to him. He, like always looked hot and dashing in his office formals. Woah. That's the second time I called him handsome in a indirect way. First being when we met outside of my home. He cleared his throat making me snap out my random thoughts.

"If you have done checking me, care to explain why you look as if you are spying on Azi's room?"

Oh my god. Oh my gosh. Did he...just said that? So..casually? What? How? Like he was upset with me yesterday and now he is behaving like nothing happened? And was it that obvious that I checked him? I felt my face heating up and probably my cheeks will be looking like two pink balls. He just chuckled at my face and raised his eyebrow, waiting for my question. Woah....that....was...damn.

"I-I w-was waiting for Aziza so she c-can see my apology." Great. Now I started stuttering. Aadil opened his mouth to reply but we heard a door being unlocked. I quickly made a sign for him to stay quite and turned around to my original position. Aadil too hid behind me, not wanting Aziza to notice us. I saw her face being emotionless even after seeing the teddy on her bed. I remembered how her face used to lit up whenever she saw that and now, this just crushed my hope.

I saw her opening the letter and reading. I kept seeing her face because I expected her to smile or laugh or - do something! But she didn't. She stood there emotionless. Tears were already forming in my eyes seeing how mad she was with. Then I saw her taking the teddy harshly and I knew what she is going to do. Throw it away. Not able to see, I ran to my room with tears rolling on my face. I sat on my bed thinking how stupid it was of me to do this. Ofcourse she isn't a kid anymore. Ofcourse she won't come running to me with teddy in her hand and say, 'thank you sis' with a huge grin plastered on her face.

I saw someone entering and looked up to see Aadil. He was confused on seeing my face.

"My planned wasn't successful. I knew it. I just knew it." I said and new tears started to fall. He took handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to me. I took and quitely said 'thank you'.

"You should atleast see what was going to happen. She took those and-"

"You think I really want to see her throwing my items and stay mad at me for much longer? Sorry. I can't handle that much. I have seen enough suffering and now I can't suffer seeing my only family being so distant from me."

"Who said I was mad at you?" Aziza's voice came. I looked up and saw her standing near the door with smile and teary eyes.

"I was bit upset with you Naw. I can't live without talking with you. Gosh. Now give me a hug." She came and hugged me so fast that we collapsed on the bed. I started laughing with more tears coming out, this time of happiness. I heard her pained sounds and then I realized that she recently was discharged from the hospital. I quickly made us sit straight on the bed.

"Are you okay? Ofcourse you don't. I just heard you making weird noises whenever you are in pain. Be careful Azi, you just ha-"

She stopped my rambling by hugging me for the second time - this time being much gentle.

"You know I love you alot. I was going to tell you about this. You had alot in life Azi. I couldn't see you suffer more. I am sorry sweety. So sorry. I will sacrifice my life for you. You know how much importance I keep for those I love. I have nothing but you guys. Bad things have to pass through me to pass through you all." I murmered to Aziza hoping she listened to what I said.

"I know you more than you knoe yourself Naw. And it's okay. 'Cause I believe that what ever stuff we deal with, be it so damaging you expect nothing good to happen, trust Allah and have faith in yourself. There will be better things in life. If I have to go through bit more bad stuff, so what? At the end I will get much better things. Right? And I love you too dumbo."

I separated and look her in the eye. How did she became so mature at such young age?

"Yes Azi. For there's bad, there's good in the end. When did you became so mature and talk as if you are the bigger sister here?" I teased her, trying to lighten the scene. She just laughed at my comment.

Naushin entered in my room looking quite dissapointed. "Why is it always that I am distracted whenever there's cute scene going on?" She whined like a little kid. We just all laughed and that's when she realized Aadil, her boss was standing her. She was turned red real quick and dashed out of the room, making Aziza laughing harder.

"You know, you always amaze me Azi, with your words." Aadil, who didn't said anything, finally spoke. While his words were for Aziza, he kept his eyes trained on me. Why it felt like...like his words were for me but used Azi's name as an excuse? I quickly shook that thought out of my mind. I mean, why would HE think that?

"I know! Aren't I the best?" She winked and flipped her hijab and made her way out of the room. I somehow controlled my laugh seeing her and looked at Aadil who was still staring at me, trying to understand - as if he is a scientist discovering what kind of fossil I am. I cleared my throat and he still kept on staring. I called him 'Mr Sheikh' several times but still, no response.

I finally took the daring idea and called him by his name.

"Aadil!"

"Huh? What? What happened?" Seriously? He kept on staring me and asking what happened?

"You. You kept looking me. I called you but you didn't even listened. What are you even thinking about?" This time, I swear I heard him saying, 'Thinking how amazing sister you are. And amazing' but again, my ears can be playing. He still stood there looking me so I thought to go out of this room.

💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫