Chapter Four

"An Amusement Park?" I exclaimed.

Tariq stood beside me and said,"you always wanted to visit one yeah?"

I looked at him confusion written on my face.

How did he know?

He looked at the park with hands inside the front pockets of his jeans.

"Isn't this for kids?" We both turned to look at Akka.

My smile fades a little.

Kids?

Tariq then spoke,"well the child in you never dies, it's not the age that makes you grow old, it's the fun you let go off that makes you grow old."

He then held my hand and then turned to face Akka,"Zee? You coming?"

She rolled her eyes saying,"do I have a choice?"

My first time to ever visit an Amusement Park, something I always dreamt of.

"So which one should we try first?" Asked Tariq looking at me.

"Umm..I. I dont know, which one is more fun?" I asked.

He smiled saying,"i just hope you don't throw up on me."

My smile fades a little and mutter,"i don't know."

He first took me to the smaller ones... and I enjoyed alot.

We then went to eat at the snacks bar.

I ordered for myself double cheese burger while Akka ordered a coleslaw cause she was on diet.

"Tariq what are you ordering?" Asked Akka.

Tariq looked at Akka, then at the menu and said looking at the waiter," make the double cheese burger two."

The waiter nodded heading to prepare our order.

My heart skipped a beat.

What's wrong with Tariq today?

First he came to feed me then he spoke in my support then he brings me to an Amusement Park because I always wanted to visit one and now? Now he is ordering the food i ordered.

Or am I just imagining things?

It can be possible all this is a coincidence.

Maybe he also likes burger.

But what about bringing me to an Amusement Park?

Oh Allah! Please help me.

Tariq and Akka were conversing while I had just zoned out thinking what Tariq was planning in his head.

"What do you think Zeren?"

"Huh? I.. umm what did you ask?" I asked Tariq.

He smiled shaking his head and said," Zee doesn't want to go to the haunted house so what do you suggest? Do you want to go?"

My face lit up and I asked,"haunted house?"

Tariq nodded.

"Oh ofcourse I want to go, I have always heard stories about it but never went, Akka you always told me about it."

Tariq bit his lips smiling probably at my childish behaviour, noticing this i kept quiet and muttered an apology for acting this way.

I was feeling bad for not spending the childhood everyone had.

I never went to high school, my English is very bad in writing and reading.

I never went to parks with family or friends.

Tariq held my hands and said,"well are you ready to face the ghost in that haunted house?"

Looking at our hands i muttered,"yes now I am." And then smiled at him.

****

"Whoa! That was fun! I didn't know Amusement Park are these much fun!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah!... umm this was your first time yeah?" Tariq asked.

I nodded asking,"how did you know that by the way?"

"Akka told me."

I turned to see Akka at the backseat, she smiled at me but I turned my head saying,"thanks for today Tariq."

Tariq nodded starting the car.

Upon reaching home, I hurriedly got inside without sparing anyone with a glance.

What is Akka trying to do?

First making me agree to marry Tariq,

Then helping Tariq for filing the divorce.

And now? And now she is making Tariq do things that I like.

I headed towards the kitchen to prepare for dinner.

Removing Tilapia fish from the freezer and then making it ready for marinating.

When I felt Tariq's presence in the kitchen.

I turned to see him fidgeting from one leg to other.

To remove the awkwardness I asked," you wanted something?"

He shook his head as a no and then came towards me, sitting on the counter I was working on he spoke,"you are angry."

Even though that wasn't a question but I still answered, "yes a little."

"Whom are you angry on?" He asked

"Akka, am angry on Akka, how could she do to me like this? Am her sister even though not real sister but I am her sister yeah? Even though not by sister but atleast through humanity she shouldn't have done this."

"You are not her real sister?" He asked with a questioning look.

I nodded.

"Who told you that?" He asked again.

I switched on the gas and kept the frying pan on it, "Akka told me."

"When?"

"When I was ten maybe why are you asking me so many questions?"

"And you believed her? Oh come on! Both of you were small to even know the meaning of being step-sisters"

"Yes I agree but there are so many reasons to prove Akka right."

"Like?"

"Like Akka's eyes are like my mum while mine are not."

He smiled inching a little closer, tucking the hair strand behind my ear he muttered,"well your eyes are like your dad."

"Hmm...but what about height? Both of my parents are tall like Akka while am a midget."

"Umm..I.i..," he stammered but I interrupted him saying,"dont know right? Exactly you don't know me at all neither do I know you so don't judge as to why I believe Akka."

"That's why I did all this today to know you better."

I raised my eye-brow and asked,"you did all this or Akka made you do all this?"

Before he could speak anything else I said one more thing," i hope you have not forgotten that in less than four months there is our divorce."

He took few steps back away from me and spoke,"divorce! Oh yes! Ofcourse I have not forgotten," taking steps backward he went out of the kitchen and said," call me once the dinner is ready."

Tears spilled from my eyes as I switched off the gas and sat on one of the chairs to let the tears come out before I gain the posture to cook.

I wonder what did I do bad in my past to deserve this pain.

*****