Màu nền Màu tối Mặc định Xám nhạt Xanh nhạt Xanh đậm Vàng nhạt Màu sepia Vàng đậm Vàng ố

Font chữ: Palatino Linotype Bookerly Segoe UI Patrick Hand Times New Roman Verdana Tahoma Arial

Chiều cao dòng: 100 120 140 160 180 200

Kích cỡ chữ:

Assalamualaikum fair people of Wattpad.

So after a long break here I am with another chapter. It's been a great pleasure to have new readers and get feedback from them. I can't really explain how much I value each new reader. JazakAllah for giving this story a chance.

Read on and enjoy.

***

#22 The Past Tense

Eid holidays lasted a whole week. Going back to school felt like such a pain after that, especially since only Samar and I had to go. The rest of our cousins were plotting more fun stuff. Last night Shoaib bhai and Samir were talking about accompanying Muhammed Phuppa and Raziya Phuppi to Hyderabad with their kids. Phuppa's parents were anxiously waiting to meet them all. Razi Phuppi had gone to meet them only once since she landed here from Dubai.

In a way it was a relief. Safwan and Marwan were getting back into their notorious selves and as usual Samar and I faced the brunt of their devious plans. A little separation would be healthy for them. But Jaad baby would be missed, and Faiz too. With their family gone Ashiana had become a lot less loud.

Mom has started talking about leaving too. She hadn't said anything to the family as a whole but I had caught the tail end of a conversation between her and Dad a few days back. It was a little heated and I forgot why I had gone to Dad in the first place on hearing them. Before they could notice me I left their room.

It was a bit saddening to be honest. I enjoyed having my whole family here, even Mom. I didn't want them to leave yet. Mom's career is something important, but couldn't she spare a bit more time for the rest of us? I'm sure Safwan's school wouldn't open for another month and Samir also mentioned having two more weeks of holidays. As for Dad he could work from here as well. If need be he could even work from the office downtown.

So all in all I was feeling a bit under the weather on our first day back after Eid. Sidra was also not there at the stop to cheer my mood up even a bit. That girl radiated huge heaps of positive vibes.

It felt like I was the only one feeling blue because everyone else at school looked eager and excited. It was the first time in my life that I saw students returning to school so happily after holidays.

"Assalamualaikum! What's up with the face?" Haseeb said to me as soon as he spotted me entering class.

His big bright smile actually pissed me off.

"I've never been a morning person, " I snapped at him.

"Woah woah calm down! Sit down and seek refuge my friend!" He said putting his hands up.

My body deflated as I sighed.

"I'm sorry but I'm just not feeling whatever is making the lot of you so chipper. It's as though everyone's high," I mumbled.

We were both outside our classroom in the hallway. Lia was yet to reach school and this was how I usually spent my mornings at school. Occasionally Haseeb and I would be joined by Azza and Wafa. Truth be told, I'm starting hate the two of them. Their constant back biting and bitching was starting to get on my nerves.

"Well, this week onwards the cultural fest will begin. Offstage stuff will take up atleast two periods every day and the practise for onstage events would begin in a week or so as well. One whole month of fun!"

He squealed like a little girl towards the end of his mini speech. Not that he would ever admit it.

"Wait you're in the same house as I am right?" He questioned, his tone turning dead serious.

"Umm, I'm in Jade..." I trailed off.

"Awesome! Samar and Zaid are both in Coral. Our house has always come second to theirs. This year we gotta beat them! Have you got any skills at all?"

He was speaking so fast that I barely caught on. I gave him my signature glare when he questioned my skills though. Junaina Ali comes from the highly talented Ali family. Talent runs in my blood!

And I told him as much.

"You dare question my capabilities?" I seethed.

"Okay hold on. I can see that the competitive streak runs in your family as well. What all can you do?"

"Anything I set my mind on."

"Okay. Just keep that confidence up girl."

I raised my thumbs up to make it a deal. He had a big excited smile tacked on his face.

"Admit it, didn't I make you feel a little bit better?" He asked, amusement clear in his eyes.

Actually he did lift my spirits up but we shouldn't give his ego a boost now should we?

"Never." I said smirking.

"You're evil. I don't even know why I befriended you in the first place."

"Because I am too cool for you to resist. Say alhamdulilah you got me on your team. I make a very strong opponent."

"That's the only reason I'm tolerating you."

I wanted to slap the smirk off his face. Old Juni would have definitely punched him. But now I knew my boundaries a bit. Touching boys is a huge no no. Lucky Haseeb wouldn't get to taste my mean right hook.

"Speaking of teams, remind me to introduce you to Najwa today. She's one of the coolest people in our house. Together I think you both would make a killer team," Haseeb remarked.

At the mention of Najwa's name, my face fell. Not only did she make me feel constantly worthless without even meeting her properly, even my closest friend thought she was the coolest. I'm not sure if Haseeb's killer team would become a reality. I had really bitter feelings towards this girl in the first place.

During class Saira ma'am mentioned that we'd have a house meeting in the last two periods. She told us the classes that were allotted for each house and asked us to report on time. Sadly for me even Lia was in the same house as Samar and Zaid. If only I could swap places with her.

Or may be it is better this way. Atleast I would have to waste a lesser amount of brain cells thinking about him.

The whole day went by in a blur with excited conversations going on and on about the Cultural fest. I was starting to get a little amped up. A competitive streak came with my genes after all. So when the bell rang for 7th period I followed Haseeb and some of my other classmates out to the allotted classroom for our House.

And the little anticipation I had fell off because of two people.

One was Najwa.

And the other was Azhar.

Both were people I didn't really want to see because of different reasons, and both were part of my house. Great, just freaking great!

"Assalamualaikum Najwa! Another year is here and this time we have a new talented member in Jade. I'm sure you've heard of Junaina Ali." Haseeb said approaching the girl in question.

"Wa alaikumasalaam. Of course, who hasn't heard of her. Great to have you on the team!" Najwa addressed me, extending her hand in greeting.

Haseeb looked at me expectantly. I couldn't just walk away from there. Putting on my well rehearsed fake smile, I shook her hand.

"It's great to be here."

Najwa pulled me with her to the rest of the girls in the house. The House teachers were yet to reach here, till then all the members were in eager discussions about our strengths and weaknesses and defeating Coral. Apparently Coral has won the overall House cup for three years running. The previous holder of the top spot was our house. So everyone in Jade wanted the title back. I was questioned about what I could do and my previous experiences. Najwa introduced me to all the main members from the grade 1 children all the way to the seniors. Despite their presence Najwa seemed to be the unofficial head here.

While she chattered away I observed her.

She was friendly, smiling always. She had attention for everybody. Her brilliance was obvious. When she spoke to the boys she lowered her voice and changed her tone. She was confident but not arrogant. Her hijab covered her very well, she wore it better than most of the girls in the room. Her green eyes had a pretty spark in them and her olive complexion looked perfect. She was tall and willowy. Her graceful nature was worth watching for.

She was wonderful. Everything that I wasn't.

I would have delved deeper into a comparison between me and her if not for the timely arrival of Saira ma'am and two other teachers Farzana ma'am and Ishaq sir.

All of us rose in greeting and took our places. I ended being seated next to Najwa right at the front. I had no real reason to dislike sitting next to her, but I still wanted to be anywhere but near her.

"I can see all your excited faces. Ready for another cultural fest huh?" Saira ma'am asked.

There was a unanimous chorus of agreement.

"In sha Allah this year we'll beat those Coral people. And then I can gloat in front of Sreejith Sir." Ishaq sir said making us laugh.

"No wonder your students don't improve. Stop misguiding them!" Farzana ma'am scolded.

"At least leave sir alone ma'am! " One of the boys hollered from the back, prompting more laughter.

"Getting back to serious stuff. All should definitely participate in the offstage items. You never know one of you could end up among the top three and be selected for Sahodaya events. Story, essay, poem composition, drawing; take part in everything. Alright?" Saira ma'am said.

"Yes!" Came the reply.

"So girls and boys, split and discuss who will take part in what events. I want a list of all participants from each category for all the programs by the end of the day. I'm counting on you guys to have an active discussion and we'll pop in and give our advice as needed. From this day all Jade members are family and everyone else becomes an enemy, even your flesh and blood."

Saira Ma'am's last few words were directed to me and I knew fully well she was referring to Samar. I nodded giving her a big smile.

Soon we split up. The smaller girls were under the care of the seniors. The middle schoolers and 9th and 10th grade grouped together. Najwa and Shikha her friend stood at their head. After lengthy discussions the middle category's participants were finalized. We had just started discussion on our category which included 8th, 9th and 10th girls when Saira ma'am joined us.

"I think you should put Junaina's name for English speech or extempore. She has a good accent and with practise could produce great results," Saira ma'am suggested.

"Not extempore ma'am. I can't speak with just five minutes of preparation. I'm up for speech and singing too." I said.

"That's set then. Najwa and Junaina for English speech. Junaina can be part of the individual and group singing events as well. Be prepared to feel your throat go hoarse." Shikha said smiling.

Najwa jotted everything down. At the end of the meeting my name was up for three individual events and four group events. Saira ma'am had me take up English recitation as well. We had Arabic group song, Patriotic song and Urdu group song along with Drama. To practise it all we had just one month left.

It was fun though, the prospect of all those programs and practices and whatnot. I had just gotten out of our house meeting when I met Samar and Zaid stepping out of theirs as well. Samar approached me and Zaid followed.

"So, you're in Jade huh. Did they tell you how they lost the title to us three years ago?" Samar taunted.

Crossing my arms, I quirked my brow up in challenge.

"Yep. We also decided that we're going to reclaim it this year." I answered.

"You guys are gonna lose just like last year," Samar sneered.

By then Najwa had joined me and stood right next to me. Zaid stood for a moment there and his expression had turned off. Muttering something to Samar he walked away. I could feel Najwa stiffen next to me.

"Cat got your tongue?" Samar taunted further.

Najwa relaxed and stared Samar down.

"We've got a jewel from your family with us this year. The scales might just tip in our favor this year. Especially if you're being so overconfident. I'm sure you're aware Junaina is a strong asset to our team." Najwa answered coolly.

Samar's nostrils flared in anger and then he stalked anger way claiming "we'll see!". It was funny really and I couldn't help but laugh along with Najwa.

My mood soured later on as Lia asked me what I thought of Najwa.

"As much as I want to hate her, I can't. She's just too good. No wonder he liked her."

The last few words were said a moment too soon and I couldn't take them back. Luckily it was only Lia who was part of the conversation. She knew well not to talk to me about a certain senior boy.

"Past tense honey," She commented.

It was intended to build my confidence in myself. Funny how I even needed a confidence boost. A few months back I had an ego so big it could be the size of a small country. Now I feel low simply because someone doesn't acknowledge me.

Past tense or not, he's still affected by her.

***
So it may not be as long as my previous few chapters but you got to meet someone new. How did you like Najwa?

Stay tuned for more updates.

Love,

Ann