'Mahdia, that guy Ahyan. You like him, don't you?' Mrs Siddiqui asked as Mahdia folded her clothes. They had returned, put Mariam to bed and now Mahdia had changed into her night PJ and folding her clothes. She looked up at her mother, she felt slightly nervous not knowing how her mother will take this. She gave a small nod.

'I like him too. He seems like a nice person. But then there are other things like his family and who he is. But more importantly, does he love you too?' Mrs Siddiqui finished.

'Yes, Ma! He loves me.' Mahdia lied effortlessly. Mrs Siddiqui studied her daughter carefully and to avoid making the situation awkward, Mahdia added, 'and I am sure he is from a decent family. He is rich.'

'Being Rich isn't everything Mahdia.'

'But he is a good person, you said yourself.' Mahdia defended him. Mrs Siddiqui nodded, 'but still we have to find out about his family,' she placed a palm on her shoulder and looked at her seriously, 'Mahdia you are my daughter, my only daughter. You are very precious to me,' Mahdia lowered her head. Mrs Siddiqui hooked her fingers under her chin and made her look up, 'I don't want to lose you like I lost my son.' Mrs Siddiqui stopped speaking as tears made their way to her eyes.

'Ma!' Mahdia hugged her mother, 'trust me Ma, I know what I am doing. And I trust Ahyan, he is perfect for me.' Mahdia assured her mother. Mrs Siddiqui blinked her tears back and hugged her daughter.

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Ahyan stared at the ceiling, a bright smile on his lips. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see Mahdia's smiling face pushing behind a random strand of her hair. He closed his eyes admiring her image once again. He wished only she was with him then he could have just stared at her till his heart's content.

'Di, I am sure this is what you meant by love, didn't you?' Ahyan smiled at his own stupidity. The earlier version of him would have rolled his eyes and mocked him. Ahyan felt his eyes moist as he recollected his sister. Today after so many years this is the first time he is wishing he had his sister with him.

She would have advised him as he is very new to all this. He doesn't know anything about wooing a girl and he is pathetic in expressing himself. He felt concerned. He grabbed his phone and googled for some help, just then his phone rang and it is from his mother. He sighed and picked up the phone. His smile vanished as his mother spoke to him.

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Next day, Mahdia was nervous to face Lydia but luckily, she was cool. She had accepted it was her fault she went slightly overboard. But Mahdia was happy when she said she was just looking out for her.

'I have seen many jerk men in life, that's why I was just looking out for you.' she had admitted. The two girls had hugged and patched up.

Mahdia adjusted the cowl neck of her off white sweater dress. She checked her sneakers, clean. She smiled at her reflection and happily walked out from the washroom.

Mahdia frowned on noticing Ahyan sitting with a serious expression on his face. He twirled the salt stand with his index finger. She cleared her throat and walked towards him.

'Hey!' she greeted him cheerfully. He looked up at her, he didn't smile. One look and Mahdia knew something was wrong. Ahyan stood up.

'You have fifteen minutes?' he said seriously. Mahdia nodded. Her heart racing with fear of what he wants to tell. His behaviour is scaring her.

Mahdia didn't utter a word as she followed Ahyan out of the café, all the while she stared at his back. Numerous of negative thoughts clogging her mind.

Ahyan had wanted to talk outside the café in fifteen minutes and be done with it but Mahdia insisted they go somewhere quieter where they can talk without being disturbed. Ahyan had reluctantly agreed.

Now, together they strolled in the Parc Montsouris, one of the beautiful parks in Paris. They walked silently along the river. Mahdia kept glancing at Ahyan, she didn't want to hurry him. From his expressions, it looked like he is thinking hard. Mahdia wanted to hold his hand but sadly his hands were shoved into the pocket of his woollen overcoat.

After a while Ahyan stopped, Mahdia stopped too. He turned and walked towards the river. Mahdia followed him. With this growing silence, she is slightly panicking now.

'It is so peaceful, right.' Ahyan inhaled sharply. Mahdia nodded looking front where his gaze is. He sighed, 'Funny, how it is the complete opposite to what we are feeling inside.'

Mahdia turned to face him, 'Ahyan, what is it? You are scaring me.' she said unable to take the suspense. Ahyan turned his head to look at her. Mahdia's heart skipped a beat but not in a good way. There were unshed tears in his eyes, this is the first time she saw tears in his eyes.

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Oh ho! What you guys think happened? Do tell me your opinions in the comments

That's all for tonight, folks

Good night.....