Chapter 25: "First Baby Steps"

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March 2018 (As pointed out by Maria, this stuff is from 3 years ago, not 2. It's mad!)

Salma let out a wail of irritation, sounding like a strangled cat, when she was woken up by the incessant ringing of her phone. She rubbed the sleep off of her eyes and picked up the annoying gadget.

“Sarah, you pest!” Salma grumbled, swiping the call. What does she want so early in the morning? “Assalamo’ Alaikom. May I know what itched you to ruin my --”

“Wa alaikom Assalam,” Sarah replied, "Hold your tongue woman!" then added in one breath. “It’s on the speaker. Zayn’s listening in.”

The heck?!

Salma lifted herself on one elbow, suddenly wide awake but not sure if she had heard her right in her sleep-drunk state.

“What?” She frowned. “Why?”

“He asked me what kind of coffee you drink and I said it’s black with ten sugars. He pestered me into calling you.”

Salma closed her eyes and fell back on her pillow. Her friend was nuts. She chuckled sleepily.

“It’s a regular.”

Cutting the call, Salma got rid of her phone and snuggled into her pillow. She had every intention to go back to nuzzling into her floofy headrest, but a pinch in her gut kept making her restless. The battle for more sleep and numbness ended when her mother’s sharp voice speared through the tranquil nothingness of unwakefulness.

“Do you plan on going to the school at all?!” Alley called.

Salma slapped an arm over her ear, groaning.

“Yes,” Salma replied.

“Then get a move on!”

Salma growled into her pillow, before answering her mother.

“Okay,” she replied, finding a more comfortable spot. “Five more minutes.”

She heard her mother’s complains. Salma shut her voice out but could not doze off anymore. The pinch in her gut was now a heavily knotted bundle of nerves. Sighing, Salma threw her covers and got up.

“Just face your fears,” she muttered to herself. "Face your fears. Come on, Salma, face your . . ."

Still, Salma felt quite queasy. Zayn had asked her to meet him at the coffee house and she was not exactly sure what he wanted – except that he planned on buying her coffee, maybe. At least that much was clear from his request and Sarah’s weird call.

Almost an hour later, her stomach was still churning with unease as her father drove her to the campus. She had wanted to drive to her classes herself but he insisted.

“I had been meaning to talk to you,” he began once they turned to the man highway.

Salma almost smiled. She was about to find out why he insisted on driving her.

“What about? she asked, sounding disinterested.

“About Burak.”

Salma frowned, all her attention focused on her father all of a sudden.

“I’ve gotten reports that he acted suspiciously?” he asked.

Salma huffed, then shaking her head, turned back to resume her watch out of the window. His inquiry had Zayn written all over it.

“You’d believe him to be a snitch?” she asked.

“It’s shady business, princess,” he said. “You can never not be too careful. I want to hear it from you.”

Salma had already had this discussion with her mother the other day. She did not want a repeat of it.

“Zayn just read him wrong, dad!”

“The kid’s careful.”

“He’s distrustful!”

“That’s smart of him.”

“It’s a horrible way to live,” Salma countered. “Imagine suspecting every other soul you come across!”

“I don’t imagine, I do it,” her father replied calmly. “Now tell me what happened?”

Rolling her eyes, Salma turned away from her father. She narrated the whole incident as it had happened. Then, she told him about Spogmae and Burak Kaka’s exchange and how and where the Green Coat lady thought Burak had acted suspiciously. Once finished, Salma shut herself out. Burak Kaka was perfectly fine. The lot of them were paranoid.

As silence resumed inside the car, her thoughts drifted back to the impeding coffee ritual she was about to have with Zayn. The Green Coat interrupted her silence again.

“What of her?”

Salma frowned.

“Who?”

“Spogmae?” he said. “Did she do anything you might have thought suspicious?”

Salma thought about it for a second, then shook her head.

“No. Except that she kept agreeing with Zayn which was annoying.”

A smile graced her father’s lips.

“That is very, very suspicious indeed,” he joked.

“Dad!” Salma warned.

“I mean, I’ll look into this matter seriously, and this matter only.”

Salma pouted at her father and turned away from him in annoyance, to which he laughed.

Out of nowhere, Toryal’s poisonous stutters burned into her mind.

“You really th-think -- your father bothers w--with your views . . . and choices?”

A raking shiver rattled her. She glanced at her father, the most repulsive thoughts crossing her mind.

"He -- he married you to--to a man you detest!”

Was he really playing her for a pawn on his grand chessboard?

No!

The word screamed in the dark corridors of her mind, chasing Toryal’s venomous allegations out. She inhaled a deep breath.

Of course not! He was her father. He’d never do that.

She relaxed back into her seat as she realized she was actually being stupid enough to entertain what a spy had spewed when he was cornered with a possibility of getting strangled to death. She figured there was no question of choosing a cruel spy’s mad words barked in desperation to save his skin, over her family’s care and love anyway. She had no evidence against them. Perhaps the reason her father had chosen Zayn was because Spogmae had told him she liked Zayn.

Although it did not really matter, Salma still decided to ask Spogmae about it when she ran into her the next time.

It was drizzling slightly when Salma stepped out of the car in the lot. She made her way to the coffee house. It was crowded. Fortunately enough, she noticed Sarah standing under a tree by the building. The two girls exchanged salams.

“You don’t get coffee in the morning,” Sarah said, taking a sip of her drink.

“Apparently, now I do,” Salma replied, searching the crowd for a certain dark haired digital arts student. She was not keen on wrestling her way in.

“What brings you here?” Salma asked. Sarah had already bought her coffee, so it made no sense that she would stick around.

“He told me I should be here. Why’re you here?”

Salma shrugged at the obvious answer. “Because he told me I should be here --"

She broke up mid-sentence. She turned to Sarah only to see the goof faking an alarmed expression.

“No!” Sarah scowled. “Please don’t tell me you asked him to set us up. Salma, I’m so sorry to let you down.”

“What are you on about?!”

She laid a consoling hand on Salma’s shoulder and faked a sorry expression.

“I know it'll be a rude realization for you but . . . Salma, I bat for the other team,” she said quietly.

Salma closed her eyes in frustration.

“Sarah?” Salma said.

“Yes?” She blinked innocently.

“Shut up.”

“Okay.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

The brief silence that followed was interrupted by the two girl’s fits of laughter.

“You’re such a goof.” Salma rolled her eyes, sobering up.

“Honored!” Sarah tipped an imaginary cap. “So, why did you guys decide to meet up here?”

“I didn’t. He did,” Salma said. “Baby steps, I guess.”

“I’m glad he knows what that means,” Sarah muttered.

Just then Salma saw Zayn making his way out of the coffee house, a cup in each hand and closely followed by Niall. Zayn looked around, located the two girls and his face split into a bright smile when their eyes met.

“You’re late,” Sarah snapped.

“Good morning to you too.” Zayn rolled his eyes.

“Wa'Alaykum good morning.”

While the two boys eyed her weirdly, Salma had trouble stifling her laugh. Zayn shook his head, and turned to Salma.

“There you go.” Zayn smiled, offering her a cup. “One regular coffee for Bee.”

“Thanks,” Salma muttered, avoiding his gaze.

“Don’t mention it.” Zayn smirked. “You’re buying me one tomorrow.”

“Dude, that’s low,” Sarah grimaced.

“Snob, just be quiet!” Zayn scowled at her.

While the two bickered, Niall turned to Salma

“Hi Salma,” he chirped. “Long time, no see.”

“Hi.” Salma smiled. “Yeah, it’s been a whi-“

She cut off abruptly as her eyes fell on her coffee. Sarah frowned and turned to her, concerned, only to realize there was a bee drawn on her drink. Surprised by the art, Salma looked up to meet Zayn’s gaze. He smiled at her.

“Oh, the art.” Salma heard Sarah, then felt an elbow digging into her side, “Salma, coo!”

“Pardon?”

“Do that aww-thing girls do. He'd like that!”

Salma closed her eyes, mortified.

Sarah!

“So you suffer from EFS, you know the Embarrassing-Friend Syndrome?” She heard Zayn ask Sarah. “I know a very good doctor --“

“You’ve got exactly ten seconds before I start throwing blows, Harris!”

Zayn snorted, giving Sarah his back.

“Thank you.” Salma pointed at her coffee. “I appreciate it.”

“I’ll see you around, Bee.” He smiled warmly, walking away. “Come on, Brownie, I got a class to catch.”

The two boys left. Salma raised the cup to her lips, taking a sip.

“Is that it?” Sarah frowned, watching the two boys walking away. “Didn’t even offer to carry your books or walk you to classes?”

Salma scoffed.

“I’m glad he didn’t.” she said. “It is quite awkward as is. I would have been even more uncomfortable if it was just me and him and he had insisting on sticking around."

“I know,” Sarah replied. “That’s why I told him to lay off and stop at buying you a coffee.”

Salma choked on her drink, and turned to her friend, wide-eyed.

“Oops!” Sarah shrugged.

***

March 31st, 2021

Salma paid the salesgirl and accepted her cupcakes.

“Thank you.” The girl smiled at her.

“Pleasure.” Salma returned the smile.

She made her way out of the cafe, hoping James would enjoy the cupcakes. She had planned on visiting him weeks ago to catch up on the status of his studio funds but then, Agha Gul had to happen and mess­­ up her plans. His nuisance had also resulted in greatly restricting her options of where she could and could not go. After the Royal Rumble that had happened near the Summer Street avenue, the Green Coats expected a retaliation from Toryal. The egoist did not take lightly to insults, and Zayn and Salma had added quite a few strangling injuries to top it. A counter attack was imminent.

And so, Salma had to be careful. No more hangouts with the boys any time she liked. No more spontaneous plans on the go. She had to inform her father of everywhere she planned on going and everything she planned on doing so necessary security arrangements could be made. A quick visit to James and Dean’s apartment was cleared and approved the previous day but she was not allowed to meet them at their usual spot, Cody’s. Her father offered to get them their orders delivered but Salma had to wait another day for that to happen. The idea did not appeal to her that much. Not only because she could not wait another day but also, the magic at Cody’s wasn’t just in their finger-licking good food, but also the friendly hosts and the familiar, warm ambiance of the place. Since a meet up with the boys at Cody’s was shot down as dangerous, Salma had decided to pay them a visit at their new place and got them the cupcakes from the campus café that she had really loved.

Adjusting the items in her hands, Salma walked down the paved pathway, the sun burning down on her back. She turned to the next alley to take a shortcut to the parking lot. However, her father’s warnings to avoid generally isolated and potentially dangerous places stopped her. Grumbling, she turned around to continue walking down the main street when she heard voices.

Frowning, Salma looked over her shoulder to see two figures by the dumpster. Two girls. A hooded girl pinning another into the wall. Their heads knocking into one another.

Err . . . keep walking! The voice in her head told her. And Salma did just that, leaving the pair to their business until --

“Derek is using you too!” a young voice cried. Salma froze mid-step. She recognized the voice. “You shouldn’t --"

“What I do is none of your concern!” The other girl snarled, ramming Louisa into the wall. The kid whimpered in pain.

“Hey!” Salma called, as the hooded figure held Louisa firmly against solid concrete and bricks.

The hooded girl turned to her, then upon seeing Salma, slammed Louisa into the wall lowered her hood more and took off. Salma only noticed blond hair whipping over her shoulder as she retreated.

Disturbed, Salma disregarded her father’s warning and hurried towards Louisa.

“Lou?” Salma approached the crouched figure cautiously. She was crying.

The younger girl looked up, getting startled. Her eyes were raw from crying and filled with fear. Then, after recognising Salma, she relaxed and put her head back on her knees.

“You heard it all?” Louisa asked.

Salma eyed Louisa’s crumpled figure, deciding it was best to not lie.

“Some of it,” she admitted. “You need help.”

“I’m fine,” Louisa was quick to reply.

“You’re not, let me call --"

“Don’t tell Zayn!” Louisa’s panicked cry took her by surprise. As Salma looked into her frantic blue eyes, her startled cry reminded her of the eerie similarity it held to that of Claire’s from almost a year ago. “Please don’t call Zayn!”

“Okay,” Salma agreed. “I won’t.”

Placing the snacks by the wall, Salma settled down next to the miserable girl. She wondered why Louisa was so scared of Zayn knowing about her problem when she knew he would help? Why was Claire scared back then when she was mugged? Did Zayn usually overreact when he found out the girls he loved and cherished were harmed? Could it be that both girls were being harassed by the same person, and he warned them against telling Zayn? She knew Derek was the name of the man tormenting Louisa and he did not like Zayn. Could he also be the beast that mugged Claire in the alley and then tried assaulting her at the party that Will rescued her from? What was this Derek’s problem --

“Why are you here?” Louisa’s question interrupted her thoughts.

Salma settled back against the brick wall, taking out a bottle of Dean’s favourite chocolate milk.

“Just being here for you like you were for me,” Salma replied, offering her the bottle. “Have a drink. It’ll make you feel better.”

Glancing at her out of the corner of her tear-streaked eyes, Louisa accepted the bottle and uncapped it. A silence settled upon them as the younger girl quietly drank the milk, her expression dull and depressed.

“Thanks,” she muttered after a while, capping the bottle. “You bought this for someone?” she guessed, eyeing the two other bottles.

“Yes, but doesn’t matter. They’re for you now.” Salma shrugged, opening the box of cupcakes. “Fancy a desert?”

Throwing a quick look at the box, Louisa almost smiled.

“Who am I robbing of their snacks?” she laughed dryly.

“No one,” Salma replied. “If you eat them, they were meant for you.”

Another flicker of a smile was ruined by whatever sadness the younger girl was battling to overcome.

“Thank you,” she replied, uncapping the bottle again. “This will do.”

Salma nodded, closing the box and putting it away. Lucky James, she thought. On a sudden inspiration, Salma decided to cancel her meet up with the boys. She decided to call her father to accept his offer of getting take-outs from Cody’s delivered to them some other day at their apartment.

Salma was about to pull her phone out to text her father and the boys of the change of plans when Louisa interrupted the silence.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“You already did.”

Louisa laughed a little, stretching her legs in front of her.

“Why were you two fighting back then? What did he do to make you cry so bad?"

Salma stopped typing the text, eyeing Louisa questioningly.

“You and Zayn,” Louisa clarified. “Back when I intervened and took you away. You were crying so much. What did he do?”

Salma heaved a sigh, turning back to her text.

“He expressed his love for me,” she replied simply. “Literally yelled the words at me.”

“And that made you cry?”

“Yeah.” Salma shrugged. “I was crying before that, but yeah.”

“Why?”

Sending the text to her father, Salma turned to Louisa.

“He’s a nuisance.”

Louisa laughed, her tear-streaked face brightening up with the smile. “I agree.”

“And I didn’t return the feelings so there was that too.” Salma started composing a text for the boys.

Louisa turned to her.

“Do you, now?”

Salma inhaled a deep breath.

“No.”

“But --"

“I’m giving him a try,” Salma replied. “See how things work out and stuff.”

Louisa smiled.

“I’m happy you are. He’s a nuisance, but he’s a good guy.”

“Hope so.” Salma muttered, pocketing her phone again. “I think you need to call the good guy.”

Louisa stared at her fumbling fingers in her lap.

“Maybe I should talk to Sarah first.”

“Better.” Salma agreed.

“Can I ask you something?”

“You already did.”

“Can I ask you another thing . . . after this?”

Salma chuckled at her almost falling into that trap again.

“Give Zayn a chance?” Salma guessed with a smile.

“No.” Louisa frowned. “That too, but that’s not what I’m asking.”

“Okay?” Salma nodded. “Go ahead then.”

“Try not to get involved in my mess or anything Derek-related. With how much you mean to Zayn, I don’t know what Derek would do to you if he gets a wind of you.”

Salma chewed on her inner cheek.

“With the amount of people out for my blood, I don’t think Derek would get the chance,” she mumbled to herself.

“What?”

“I’ll take care,” Salma said, instead. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“You need to get to Sarah.” Salma picked up her cupcakes and drinks. She got to her feet and dusted her clothes.

“Yes.” Louisa agreed, mimicking her moves.

“I’ll walk you to her dormitory,” Salma offered as the two girls started walking away.

Author's Note:

First pleasant interaction between Zalma 🤗. Under Sarah's watchful eye of course! 🥊🥴

About what happened in the last chapter, I know it upset a lot of you. It was a very harsh twist and hard to digest. My apologies for hitting you unsuspecting lot like that😬. I feel you. However, to everyone seeking reassurance from me, I'm afraid I have to decline the request. Whether Zayn is loyal to Salma or not, whether he's a Muslim or not, and whether he was playing Alex or the Green Coats, you guys will have to find out it yourself over the course of the story. I will provide no spoilers. It takes the fun out, and also, what's the point of me plotting the whole thing for years if I have to tell you things beforehand 😅. I mean its fun to see y'all go 😍😍😍 at a character in the first half of the chapter, and I laugh knowing you are about to go 😤😤😤 as you end the chapter 🤭. Kind of defeats the purpose of me plotting these twists if I tell you what is actually happening lol.

BUT

I will share a few very beautiful analysis/takes on Salma and Zayn's relationship and whether Zayn is actually trying to make it work.

First, this very intelligent take on Zayn's character by sehar7891

Second, this lovely analogy to light by ROSHEENZAHID:

Anything is possible, read between the lines from here onwards 😉

Vote comment and share ❤️. Check out my Patreon page. I just wrote a very fulfilling scene in the recent chapter there. My lil fictional babies are so happy in my head today🥳. Thank you for all the love and support 🥰

A special Shout-out to a_t_mn MariaAfridi qasimkainat and the new recruit to the Losties Comment spam Force, Stormyyetcalm. Love you girls🥰

Anyways, see you before 5th if you reach the goal, and on the 5th if you don't 😁

Lots of Love,

J.