After a delightful dinner, Ahmad extended his gratitude to Aysha's family and prepared to depart. As they approached the door, they unexpectedly encountered Aysha's father, Shams Mirad, who was just about to enter.
"Father," Aysha greeted warmly, reaching for his briefcase.
"Hello," Mr. Mirad acknowledged Ahmad, offering a polite greeting. "Good evening, sir," Ahmad responded respectfully.
Curiosity evident, Mr. Mirad directed his attention to Aysha, inquiring, "Who is this?" The tranquility of the moment was promptly disrupted by Aysha's little brother, who cheerfully declared from the living room, "He is sister's boyfriend."
An immediate reaction echoed from Lucy, who scolded the enthusiastic youngster with a stern "Shut up!"
The term "boyfriend" hung in the air as Mr. Mirad, with a measured expression, sought clarification. "Sir, I'm just a friend of your daughter," Ahmad clarified, a note of apprehension coloring his voice.
Silently, Mr. Mirad stepped into the room, leaving an ambiguous air in his wake. Ahmad, still standing near the door, couldn't help but inquire in a hushed tone, "Is he upset?"
"He'll be fine," Aysha reassured, though her own countenance betrayed a hint of concern, as if anticipating impending complications. The situation took an unexpected turn when Mrs. Mirad approached them.
"Thank you for the visit, Ahmad. We hope to see you next time," she expressed gratitude before turning her attention to Aysha. "Aysha, do you mind if I talk to you?" With those words, she gracefully walked away, leaving a tangible air of tension.
Ahmad, now at the doorstep, acknowledged the subtle shift in atmosphere. "Alright, I suppose this is goodnight," he remarked, descending the front porch steps.
As Aysha closed the door behind him after his departure, the lingering uncertainty and unspoken concerns hinted at the complex dynamics playing out within the Mirad household.
As Ahmad strolled down the dimly lit streets, a distant voice reached his ears. Turning to the sound, he spotted Lucy making a brisk run towards him, fervently calling out his name. He halted, patiently waiting for her to catch up. As she arrived, her breaths came in rapid succession, and she took a moment to regain composure.
"Why the rush?" Ahmad inquired, a hint of amusement in his voice. "And why announce my presence to the whole neighborhood?"
Lucy, between breaths, offered a sly smile. "You walk fast but seem slow. It's an art."
Perplexed, Ahmad queried, "What does that even mean?"
Lucy gestured towards the nearby corner. "Let's go. There's a cola stand just around the corner. A little drink won't hurt, and besides, don't you want to discuss Aysha's father's reaction earlier?"
Ahmad hesitated, mindful of the advancing hour and the impending school day. "It's getting late, and I have school tomorrow," he pointed out.
"Oh, come on! A quick drink won't hurt, and don't you want to unravel the mystery behind Aysha's father?" Lucy cajoled, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Ahmad sighed, feeling a sense of foreboding but intrigued by the unresolved tension. "How long do you plan to linger at this cola stand?" he inquired warily.
Lucy responded with a playful smirk, "We'll see." With that, she seized his hand, and together, they ambled towards the awaiting cola stand, shrouded in the enigmatic atmosphere of the night.