Chapter 8

The school was not that bad. Jessie, Kate, and Natalie became my good friends. The only thing that was making me upset was the memories of my dadoo and my home.

Today Sarah was planning to skip school.  I was walking in the aisle with Hadi. I didn't know why I was too nervous.  I was biting my lips and rubbing my both palms together.  I knew it was weird.

"Terrorist,  a towel head terrorist " a blonde guy shouted from behind. I heard loud chuckles and other disgusting comments.

My body froze for a while. I felt my eyes pricked from tears. I tried to keep it in but they slipped. This was the first time when someone bullied me for my religion.

I had never experienced this in my country. Undoubtedly, my India is a secular country, I started missing my country, my motherland more.

I silently made my way towards my class wiping off my tears.

Daniel's POV

I was laughing at something with Emily, Kyle, Jace, and Alex. Then my eyes traveled to a walking figure.  Then I heard someone shouted "Terrorist... towel head terrorist "  I didn't know why but I felt bad and my jaws clenched.  I was an atheist but I had never disrespected any religion. She was too coward to reply  them back. As she walked past us, I heard Alex gasping.  I raised my eyebrows to him.

"Jesus, She is fucking beautiful" Alex sighed.  And I wanted to smack his head like why the heck he was complimenting her..

Why do you even care Daniel?

Jealous? Whattt.. no way...

I shrugged my head from those stupid thoughts and we headed towards our classroom.

Anabia's POV

"Anaaaa" Kate screamed in my ears and I rolled my eyes. This girl got no chill. She held my hand and dragged me to their seat.

"Students,  please settle down and I want a pin drop silence. I'm going to announce something important " our English teacher, Miss Amie almost yelled.

"So students, next week there is an exhibition in our school and you all have to make a project for the exhibition" she announced and the whole class gasped.

"You have to work on a particular topic with your partner, so here is a list, I'm going to announce the name of students and their partners" she fixed her glasses and picked the list.

"Kyle  Anderson and Jessie Brown" I looked at Jessie. She was blushing.

Seriously girl??? She had a secret crush on him.

Kate and Natalie nudged  Jessie and she slapped their hand.  Now I was sure.

"Kate Bell and Natalie Johnson " they squealed and hugged each other.

Now I was wondering about my partner.

"Daniel and Emily Wood" my eyes automatically traveled to them. Emily kissed his cheeks. It felt like someone had shredded my heart. 

Why this is bothering you Anabia?

"Anabia Waqar and Shuzaat Khan" and my heart dropped. A boy?... I never had any guy friend.

"Guys you need to sit with your partner for the rest of the week," Miss Amie said rolling her eyes.

I think she loves rolling her eyes.

The classroom was filled with chaos and squeals.  Why the heck they were so much excited.

"Hi" a soft voice reached to my ears and I tilted my head.  He was a tall guy with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He smiled at me and I smiled awkwardly making a place for him.

"I'm Shuzaat, Anabia?" He raised his eyebrows and I realized that he was really handsome.

"Yeah " I replied but I was getting nervous as I felt his gaze on my face.

"So where are we going to discuss our project," he said smiling.

What's wrong with his smile... He was making me nervous.

"I don't know,  you can suggest," I said staring at the floor.

"Are you Pakistani?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"Nope,  I'm an Indian " I replied quickly.

"Oh, I see, Well I'm half Pakistani and half American but I was raised in France and now I brought here," he told me in detail and I looked at him. Our gaze met for a second. There was something in his eyes that made me blush a little. I quickly averted my gaze.

We decided to work at my place as I didn't want to go to his place. We exchanged our number and I texted him my address.

****

After praying asr salaah(prayer). I changed into a blue Indian dress. Now I was waiting for Shuzaat. I had already informed Maria and Uncle Afzal.

I heard the doorbell and I ran downstairs.  But I froze for a second as I saw Daniel walking with Emily holding her by her waist.  Emily raised her brows at me then Daniel whispered something in her ears. They quickly entered their room and closed the door. I sighed and looked at the clock.

A tall figure appeared at the door. I smiled and took him to the living room. I didn't want to work with him alone in my room. I asked the maid for some refreshment and we settled down on the couch.

"You're looking pretty,  I mean in that traditional dress," he said scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"Thanks " I blushed and I opened my books.

We worked for about two hours then he stopped me.

"I'm tired, let's do it the next day," Shuzaat said yawning.

"Okay, you want some coffee" I acted like a good host.

"I would love to have coffee" he smiled and I ran towards the kitchen.

I quickly made two cups of coffee and fried some pakoras.

"What is this," he said looking at aaloo pakoras.

"Well, this is made from potato and this is my favorite," I said putting a whole pakora in my mouth.  He looked at me and chuckled.

"You are so cute," he said putting a pakora in his mouth.

"Wow this is damn tasty " he licked his lips and I giggled. I was too comfortable with him. I guess he was a nice guy and we could be good friends.

Daniel's POV

I brought Emily to my home, that nerd was standing on the stairs. I frowned a little. I told Emily that we are cousins. She nodded and we moved towards my room.

We worked a little as the whole time Emily was teasing me. You know it's really hard to work with your girlfriend.  We even made out for an hour. Emily was starving so I decided to grab something from the kitchen. 

But the giggling noise made me walk into the living room. That nerd was sitting with a handsome boy. I guess he was his partner. They were laughing at something.

"You are so cute " that guy complimented her and my blood boiled.  I just wanted to punch him hard but anyhow I controlled myself.

She was blushing... blushing at his compliment...???

Why this is bothering you, Daniel?

I silently moved into the kitchen but that nerd and the guy were running in my mind.