Chapter 9 #2
"I'm telling you, Ara," Asvika groaned, sprawled beside me on the bed. "This is a war we're not winning. My mom barely lets me go for a late-night drive, and you want her to approve a whole international flight?"
I sighed, brushing a hand through my hair. She wasn't wrong. Mrs. Khan was protective—relentlessly so—but also fair.
If there was one thing I'd learned from being around her, it was that love didn't always mean cages.
Sometimes, it meant holding you close enough to protect you, but gently enough to let you go.
"Let's just try," I said, already sliding off the bed. "Before we call it quits."
Asvika groaned but followed anyway.
Downstairs, in the Khan family's living room, Mrs. Khan was seated beside Aahil's father, their conversation low and easy. Aahil was nowhere in sight, which, honestly, worked in our favour. He had a talent for turning anything into chaos.
I took a breath and stepped forward. "Auntie?"
She looked up, smiling warmly. "You're awake, beta." She patted the cushion beside her. "Come. Sit. How are you feeling?"
I perched at the edge of the sofa, heart already thudding. "Better," I said honestly. "Thanks to you."
She gave a nod. "Good. That's what matters."
I hesitated for a moment too long. "Actually…there's something I wanted to ask you."
Her brows rose, curious.
"Sanaa called," I began, choosing each word like a landmine. "She's in Dubai. Just for a short vacation. And she invited me to join her."
Her expression didn't shift, so I pushed on.
"I think it could be good for me. A change of scenery. Time to clear my head. And I wouldn't be alone; Sanaa would be there. And Asvika too if she's allowed."
Asvika perked up instantly. "It's not like we'll be alone, Mom! You know Sanaa, she'd never let anything happen to us. And it's just for a little while."
Silence.
Then—
Mrs. Khan placed her teacup down carefully. "Arabella," she said softly. "Do you think flying to another country will heal what's hurting you?"
I swallowed. "No. But—"
"But you think it'll help you forget," she finished gently.
The truth stung. I hadn't even realised that was what I was doing. But maybe she was right.
She reached out, taking my hand in hers. "I won't stop you from living, beta. I just want to be sure you're not making choices out of pain."
My chest tightened. Her words landed heavier than expected. She saw me—really saw me—in a way my own mother never had.
"I understand," I whispered.
Aahil's father, Mr Khan, spoke for the first time. "Who else will be in Dubai?"
"Sanaa, of course," I said. "And Asvika, if you agree."
Mrs. Khan turned to Asvika, eyes narrowing. "And who will keep you both in check?"
Asvika gave her most innocent grin. "We're super responsible, Mom. Scouts honour."
Mrs. Khan sighed. "Responsible, but impulsive."
"Please," I said softly. "Just…consider it?"
She studied both of us, then let out a long sigh. "I'll discuss it with your uncle. But—" she raised a finger, silencing our rising hope, "no bookings. Not until you get a clear yes. Understood?"
We nodded so fast our necks almost snapped.
Progress.
Then, just as we turned to leave, Aahil walked in. Hoodie on, his hands in pockets. One look at our faces, and he smirked.
"What are you two scheming?" he asked, voice laced with suspicion and amusement.
"We're not scheming," I said, crossing my arms.
He raised a brow. "Right. Because every time you and Asvika team up, it's never reckless."
Mrs. Khan rubbed her temples. "They want to go to Dubai. With Sanaa."
Aahil paused. His face changed—just for a second—but instead of his usual sarcasm, he simply said, "Sounds like a good idea."
We both blinked at him.
Mrs. Khan blinked too. "You think so?"
He nodded. "Maybe a change of scenery will help her. And Sanaa's solid. You know she'll take care of them."
My breath caught.
Mrs. Khan narrowed her eyes. "You're very supportive of this all of a sudden."
Aahil shrugged. "I'll even drive them to the airport myself."
My jaw dropped. What was he up to?
Beside me, Asvika lit up like a Christmas tree. "See? If Aahil's coming with us to the airport, it's basically like having a bodyguard with us."
Mrs. Khan sighed, clearly worn down. She looked between her son, daughter, and me, then nodded slowly.
"Fine."
I nearly leapt up.
"But," she added, "you will update me daily. You will be cautious. And you—" she pointed at Asvika, "will not drag her into trouble."
"Trouble?" Asvika gasped. "Who, me? Never."
Mrs. Khan gave her a long-suffering look but said nothing more.
It was happening.
I was going to Dubai.
The city blurred past the car windows, washed in gold from the setting sun.
Asvika chatted away beside me about rooftop lounges, yacht parties, and beach resorts. But I was quiet, heart racing, thoughts buzzing.
In the driver's seat, Aahil kept his gaze on the road, hands steady on the wheel.
He'd insisted I sit in the front. "Gotta watch your symptoms," he said, completely deadpan.
I knew it was an excuse. But I hadn't argued.
"You're quiet," he said eventually.
I turned slightly. "Just thinking."
"About?"
A pause. Then, "Whether this trip is a mistake."
His hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. "You need this, Ara."
I studied his profile, the set of his jaw, the quiet intensity in his eyes.
Maybe he was right. Maybe I did need this.But that feeling, the one that lived in my gut like a warning—it hadn't gone away since the day I left home.
The drive to the airport was smooth. Music played softly in the background as the city blurred into glowing lights. My nerves buzzed beneath the surface.
"How long are you staying?" Aahil asked as we pulled into the departure zone.
"A week? Maybe two?" Asvika answered breezily. "Depends on how fun Dubai is."
I smirked. "Or how long it takes before Mrs. Khan demands we come home."
"She did give you permission," Aahil said.
"After a lot of emotional blackmail," I muttered.
He chuckled, grabbing one of our bags from the boot. "Still counts."
At check-in, he glanced over at me. "Are you sure you're good to do this?"
I knew what he meant. Are you okay?
I gave him a small smile. "Yeah. I think I need this."
He nodded, eyes lingering for a moment longer. "Alright. Have fun."
And just like that, we were off.
The flight was smooth. Business class. By the time we landed in Dubai, the city was already bathed in gold and heat, the air thick with promise.
And there she was, Sanaaya, waiting just past security like she owned the world. Sunglasses perched on her head. Dressed like the model on the cover of Vogue. Arms wide.
"My babies!" she shrieked, throwing herself at us.
Asvika shrieked back, laughing as Sanaa pulled us both into a tight hug.
"You took forever," Sanaa scolded, inspecting me like I was a fashion emergency. "Gorgeous, but exhausted. Don't worry, Habibi. I'm about to fix that."
I grinned. "I don't doubt it."
She linked arms with us and led us out. "The villa's ready. The car's waiting. And tonight? We're hitting the best spots in the city."
"Already?" Asvika gasped. "You're spoiling us."
Sanaa smirked. "I always do, darling."
And for the first time in a long time, I felt it—
Something light.
Something warm.
Something like hope.
Maybe this trip was exactly what I needed.