Novels by Muskan umata

chapter 1The world's an empty canvas filled with little creativity … that's why I choose to study art, turning the world's fullness into my paintbrush. I'm Nura, disowned by my parents as soon as I rebelled against an engineering scholarship, which isn't surprising since it went against everything they lived and worked for.A senior art student by day, and a biker gang leader by night, ruling the underground world.I lived a very Islamic life growing up in one of the richest South African suburbs, where people can't mind their own business and parents don't care about their children's happiness.Growing up in the shadow of my parent's name, so moving out and living on my own did place a terrible stain oh their spotless sheets.I use to be the threat of the town nearing my karate black belt at age 16… you could say I took early retirement.I rent an apartment with

Chapter 6She watched over her grandmother like a hawk, ensuring that her health was taken care of. With her juggling school and everything at home she hardly felt time go by, she had her finals coming soon, but first her trial examination needed to be killed. Eric was hardly around since his father's arrival, which meant Aiden became Arylans shadow. They were together the majority of the time.“ Okay, do you understand the congo chapter for history now?”“ I get the fundamentals but…I still don’t understand how to write the essay.”“ take these notes and go over them, they’re personalized.”“ Okay thank you.”“ you guys seem cozy,” Eric said putting his bag on the table.“ Well hello to you too, ” Aiden said leaving to collect the takeaways.“You're alive?”Arylan said handing him a note pad“ if only you knew half of it, either way, what’s up with you and pretty eyes?”“what do you mean?”“ You guys are literal

Chapter 5With grandmother still battling for her life and Arylan pretending to be stronger than she actually was. Time flew by and Arylan found herself writing her last examination. Aiden her biggest support while Eric Attempted fixing his relationship with his father who saw him as a failure, rich people problems.Abdullah was missing since he had dropped Biel at the hospital and Tim was behaving like a secret messenger who visited grandmother when no one was around. He provided for her the best medical facilities, only allowed the top doctors to monitor her, and was never hesitant to upgrade it when the need arasied, that was the least he could do for her. Loving and protecting her from afar. He knew he could not have her, it was not the desire or passion that made him stay as her friend for all those years but rather the sad reality that his friend had won her over, and he had failed even with many openings, so he prayed to have her in his next life.Aryl

Chapter 5Arylan was no longer the person she knew she was, she wanted to move on like everyone else. Pretending as if nothing had happened, pretending as if it was not her who had to face it.With the trial examination coming soon, the teenager felt wounds ripen on the inside of her. The comforting messages and monthly medications felt like sirens. The nightmares becoming clearer and clearer.“ so have you told Aiden yet?”“ about what?”“ uncle Abdullahs confession.”“ why would I do that, the man's nothing to me.”“ Aryan…even if you deny it till the day you die that man will forever be apart of you, this could be a lead to finding your parents.”“ drop it Eric…why would I look for those people…they seem to be doing perfectly fine without me.”“ sure.”Aiden rushed out of the library and hopped onto Eric's b

Chapter 4Arylan had her 18th birthday coming up. A can of adulthood and maturity knocking at her door. She would normally go camping on these days but this year she could not make it due to her hectic study routine at school with constant visits to the hospital. There wasn’t much that could be done, so a small intimate party was held with close family and friends, Tim had not shown up for the entire event and has been missing since Abdullah's arrival.On the day of the party, Arylan was met with more confusion when Abdullah came knocking on grandmother's door with a gift for her and disturbing news, news that turned her entire world into something else. A word she never thought that she could own.“ Here take this, ” Eric said handing her a chocolate“ no, thank you.”“ you haven’t eaten any junk food since you. Birthday party…you have to take this.”Aiden arrived and sat across both of them in the café, taking out the notes for class

Chapter 3Arylan was back in school. Something that got her mind off her constant battle against her memory. most of her time was spent at school studying. She needed to catch up with a month's worth of work…with her trail examination due in a month.Grandmother tended to her as much as she could, she constantly had her checked up and made sure that she had her medication.“ Tim, what if the child really remembers what happened to her. How do I explain myself?”grandmother asked switching the cattle off.“ Biel, you can not control things like that it's up to Allah.”Grandmother was left to raise Arylans father on her own. Her husband Abdullah was always in and out of the house, till he completely disappeared. It’s been 20 years now. Arylan had her father snatched from her at a young age, but the Lord blessed her with memory loss so she did not have to deal with the pain or trauma. Grandmother saw it as a blessing in disguise… for 7 yea

Chapter 2Arylan spent majority of her time with Aiden without realization. Eric left confused by the extra person in their small circle choose not to question what was happening, and accepted their new routine.“ sooo, are you going to explain? Or should I guess…”asked Eric handing a text book to her, after pulling her aside.“ well, umm he apologized. And made an effort sooo now we’re friends. Nothing to be confused about.”“ wow… next time I’ll sign up for summer school as well, never knew they thought people about overnight bonding as well.”“ha-ha-ha, aren’t you funny.”“ whatever, you’ll regret it one day.”“ I did not ask you to become a father figure what so ever.”There was a little tension between the two boys who had plenty of awkward situations from time to time.Arylan had more company, which meant an extra study buddy. There was a reason the school accepted him as a last minute student, he was as s

Chapter 13today's my last day as a single rebellious pringle. I regret the whole agreement about only having a face reveal the day of the wedding…everything still feels unreal, from the women who's busy with my henna to the family members enjoying sweets and baked delights. Having to look at everyone come up to me and hand me a gift, and a duaa(ask Allah for something).Elham was still not herself, but respected the traditions and did what was needed of her. She hardly spoke to me. Soon she would be moving into her apartment down the road, my parents insisted on her staying with them until she could settle down, or at least hash out her issues with her parents, but she was determined to leave. Unlike me who suddenly felt like home was the best place to be rather than living with a stranger for the next few weeks.I tried to sleep it off but the wedding getters got to me, so I was up all night near a punching bag, which I stared at knowing that I

Chapter 12~Elham's arrival~I looked up at my parent's faces, they looked at me bluntly. I felt fear creep up and down my spine. It was time that I face the music, I placed my bad on the single sofa in the room, and watched them.She slapped me, I held my face and watched my father tear up. How the Jahannam (hell) does that even make sense…I did not know how to feel, I felt more upset then afraid. My mother began waving my medical records in my face, everything around me began spinning. The four tiny walls I grew up in suddenly felt like a prison.I swallowed all the disrespect I was about to throw at them, leaving the house. Yes, they finally found out about what I had done, my relationship with Zain, the drugs, partying, and all-round me being a disappointment.My parents want Zain to compensate me through marriage 'fixing what we broke… '. The thought made me shiver, the guy had driven me to therapy once and I'm sure he'll be pleas

chapter 11I dressed in the attire mother prepared for me and wore the fancy jewelry that my father handed to me last night.I sat in my room as I listened to the chattering of the arriving guest, I took a deep breath in and walked out smiling.I saw all my cousins, high-school friends as well as the auntie's I grew up with. I took a seat and waited for them to announce the event. I approached a few of them while savories were being served seated near Elham majority of the time.A few hours later after everyone settled in, we began opening up the presents and that's where the crowd cheered up. We laughed together and joked about what was to be in the next one.My mother in law gave me her blessings and everyone was severed food. They left after a few hours. I could not wait to remove the heavy itchy dress that I was forced to wear.After taking a shower my future spouse phoned me, for the first time we spoke for hours on the phone. Str

Chapter 10Four years dedicated to studying art, and this year was the most productive yet challenging one. When I first set foot into campus I was fresh out of matric, I had much planned out for my art career, I was filled with ambition, and a burning passion to succeed …I did not allow what my family had to say get to me, I stood up for myself and my happiness, but, it is sad how now, I have zero control over what's to come.I ranked amongst the top 3 for the first time in 4 years. Zafar as number 1 in his coarse not that I care, it was nothing unusual.The past few weeks were very exhausting, but it was worth it. I can leave knowing I made something out of myself, that I have grown from a shy introvert to an extroverted individual full of confidence. my passion still lived inside of the walls built to protect my soul.That aside, I leave next week and return in January for the annual graduation ceremony. Elham completed her course as well, she

Chapter 9Zafar had not contacted me after the entire studio incident. It is understandable… he was put in a very awkward situation. I would reach out to him but is it really worth it at this stage? I have a few moths left before I get married to a stranger and I'm not wiling to give up my japan opportunity any time soon.I miss him though something I choose not to lie about, almost everything reminds me off him, another reason why I stayed away from the close friends concept, excluding the backstabbing part.We stopped calling, texting and hanging out… we saw that the relationship was taking a wrong turn, and islaamically I was not ready to deal with all the consequences. Elham was out of the hospital and back on track… she managed to kick depression in the face and attend her therapy successfully, I'm happy that she's finally taking care of herself.She invited me to one of her sessions, but I'm not the Feely type… I prefer action over wor

Chapter 8~Elhams clash with zayn~" you'll be discharged tomorrow. "he said handing me my food." thank you, doctor, please don't forget to give me the therapist address."" noted, and you'll need to see a dietitian as well, your progress is phenomenal… and my apologies for what happened," he said looking me in the eye," oh yes someone's here for you."" it's okay doctor, I'm fine. You can let the person in."I was annoyed with all the sympathy I had been receiving lately, I felt like I was seen as pathetic, and filthy.He walked in and I immediately felt my tummy knot up." what do you want?" I ask him turning my back towards him." salaams to you as well," he said placing the flowers he had bought on the counter, " your favorite, tulips."" walikumsalam, funny how you remember now only."" I heard what happened, I'm sorry."" Zayn…I don't need your pity or sorry. Please leave me alone."