Chapter Twenty Two

Not edited
Within fifteen minutes Zara and Fawwaz arrived at Aunt Yasmin's house. All the while, Zara was feeling restless, she hopes all is well. Pushing the door open, They were met with the family all seated. Her eyes immediately went to Amir, who was slouched on the floor, his head down.
"Assalamu Alaikum" Fawwaz started. All the faces snapped towards them. Amir's red eyes bored into hers, which result in her to tear her eyes away.
"Wa Alaikum salam. Come sit" Yasmin ushered. They did as they were told. Zara sat beside her mom while Fawwaz crouched down beside Amir. The whole room put up with silence again. By looking at their faces, you'll know something is wrong. All their faces were held in some kind of expression especially Yasmin, whose face was held in a frown.
"Um...Aunt is everything alright?" Zara decided to start a conversation. She felt her mother's hand on her arms and her eyes went to it.
"Zara do you like Amir?" Her head snapped towards Aunt Yasmin. She was caught off guard by this question. Why is she asking her this question? How did she know? Or did...? With her family around, how will she answer the question.
"Zara?" Her father's voice revibrates to her eardrums.
"I..."
"Aunt...." To say she's nervous and surprised at the same time will be an understatement. She has never been this way before. What is about to happen to her?
"Amir told us everything Zara, but we want to know the answer from your mouth" She inhales a deep breath. You have to say it, Zara, to clear out the misunderstanding. Amir must hate her at the moment by the dirty look he's been giving her.
"Aunt..."
"I like her Mom" the voice belongs to none other than Fawwaz. The room went dead silent once again. Zara stared at him bug-eyed, her mouth hung open. She couldn't believe her ears. Fawwaz like her too?
"None of this is her fault. I was the one who came between-"
"No, he's lying. They planned this all along so that they wouldn't be blamed" Amir interjected.
"I'm telling the truth. You just didn't want to accept it that she doesn't like you. Let it go Amir" Fawwaz seethe. They're now in a standing position.
"I understand it's because you're now lovers that's why you're saying that you don't know what I'm going through deep down" He ushered back.
"I can understand -"
"No you wouldn't" Amir lunges towards him grabbing him by the collar.
"Don't you dare show your fake concern, you're saying it to take pity" he tightened his hold as the family tried to stop them but they are far ahead with their fights.
"Amir let him go," Yasmin remarked pulling Amir back but he lunges more.
"Do you take a look at yourself, what's so good about you that made her fall in love with you. You're always the good son among in the eye of the family and now you want to look good in front of them like always"
Zara's eyes watered up seeing the two fightings. And it's all because of her. She had to put an end to it.
"Enough!" She shouted and their action stopped immediately.
"Enough of this fight. You guys are talking about yourself but what about me. Do you thought of what I must be going through" abruptly, Amir realised his grip on Fawwaz collar.
"Yes I like him"
"I like Fawwaz but is it a crime to love someone. At first, I took your action as anger but what you said and did right now made me think otherwise. I'm starting to regret calling the two of us best friends because friends shouldn't treat each other like this. I'm really disappointed in you Amir" A sob escapes her as she stumbles back, her mother went to her aid just before she could fall down.
"Zara, did I just hear you confess that you like Fawwaz? After all our bond together? Have you forgotten our friensh-"
"This isn't about friendship Amir" Fawwaz uttered after keeping quiet for a while.
"Shut up! You don't have a say in mine and her business" Amir seethe turning to Fawwaz once again with a murderous look.
"Yes, I have because Zara is important to me like she is to you" Fawwaz equally throws and their fight started again.
"Shut up!" A loud voice vibrates through the room and the voice belongs to none other than Jawad, Zara's father.
"If I hear any more talk from any of you then you'll have to see another side of me. What exactly is happening to this family?" Jawad raised a question.
"What is all this ruckus all about. And you guys have no shame, fighting in front of your family all because of something called love. Now you guys should get back to your seats. I think you need a serious lecture to remind you of what you have forgotten" the two crouched down to a sitting position not before giving each other a dirty look.
"Fawwaz, Amir, and Zara. I want you guys to tell us what are we to you?" Jawad spoke.
"Our parents" they both muttered together.
"Good. I'm glad you still didn't forget. Now tell me what do you guys know about Love. Just because you took a certain like for someone shouldn't mean you love that person. There is a difference between like and love. Look at each of us here, we both went through a lot in our relationship before reaching where we are now. And let me tell you, Love is a strong feeling. It can make you fall deep and also hurt you. So think deeply before venturing yourself into it. Amir" he called.
"Yes, uncle" he muttered his head still cast down.
"I'm like a father to you, so I have the right to scold you as a father. I'm not happy with the stunt you pulled earlier. I must say, we are also surprised by Zara's confession because we know how your bond is but there's one thing you need to understand, if you love someone, you can't force them to love you back. Sometimes, the heart can put you into doing something you'll regret later, so before your heart impose you into doing something bad try to stop it. We are all family, a little fight shouldn't break us apart. I'm not saying this because I favor the rest more, no I love you both equally but I'm saying this because you seem to be angry about it"
"But-"
"Let me finish first, I'll give you all the chance to say your mind but at the end of this meeting, we have to come to a decision which I think will be fair for both of you"
"Fawwaz you first. Tell me do you really like Zara as you said or is it part of anger" Jawad stated once again. All eyes now turn to him as they waited for him to speak up.
"Uncle, can I be honest?" He said. Jawad nodded in return.
"Yes I like Zara and I'm serious about it. I know we are not that close to each other like her and Amir but whenever we are together, I feel contented and comfortable around her. I feel something deep when I'm together with her" Zara's heart escalate as she hears Fawwaz confession.
"Alright then" his gaze turned to Zara who was holding her mother's arms for support. "What of you Zara do you really like Fawwaz feel free to tell us the truth. We don't want to make a decision that we would regret later on"
"Yes, father I do. I like him from the bottom of my heart but..."
"But what?" Myrah inquired after keeping quiet since their arrival.
"I don't want to hurt Amir's feelings. I know he's hurt already but-"
"We understand and that's why we decided to end this once and for all before It gets messier" Jawad continues. "We decided to get you two married"