Straightening Ali (22 page)

“
Tell him yourself when you see him. I’m not your slave,” Haseena said crossly, knowing that Ali had heard every word that had been said in the room.

There was a loud bang as the front door banged shut and then a hush descended in the house.

When Haseena opened the door leading to the staircase she found Ali hunched on the stairs, shivering as if he was in a state of shock. “It’s going to be okay,” she said hugging him. “If she had gone up the stairs, I would have called the police. I wouldn’t have let her take you away.”

“
I’m really sorry, Haseena. I didn’t mean to drag you into this. I’d better go back. I don’t want to cause you any more problems,” Ali said, sounding helpless.

“
You’re not going back, Ali. I’m your best friend, and I’m here for you no matter what,” Haseena said.

“
Thank you,” Ali said, sounding relieved.

“
I’m your friend, and this is what friends do,” Haseena said, brushing his hair gently with her hand. “I’ll go and draw the curtains in the lounge. Then I’ll call you.”

Haseena went back down the stairs and into the lounge. She peered discretely out of the gap in the curtains to see if anyone was outside and noticed a taxi parked on the street corner. She waited a few minutes to see whom it was waiting for, but no one appeared. She suspected that it was someone keeping a watch on the house.

“
I hope Derek gets back soon,” she thought worriedly. He was on call tonight and had been called out on a plumbing job just before Ali had arrived.

“
Come down, Ali, it’s okay,” Haseena shouted after she’d finished drawing the curtains. Ali’s disheveled form appeared in the doorway to the lounge. He paced the room nervously for a few moments before sitting on the sofa next to Haseena.

“
I’m really sorry about what Yasmin said about you. I know she didn’t mean it. She was upset,” Ali said, ashamed at his sister’s behavior.

“
Don’t worry, Ali. I know what people say about me. They’re so narrow minded that they think I only married Derek because I couldn’t find a Pakistani husband as I couldn’t have children. I’ve heard all that crap before, so please don’t worry,” Haseena said.

“
I’m sorry,” Ali said, apologizing again.

“
Stop worrying about me, Ali. Let’s sort somewhere out for you to go. The last thing I want is Yunus barging his way in here and finding you,” Haseena said. “Oh, I’ve just thought about something. Where have you parked your car?”

“
It’s really quite far. I parked it on George Street,” Ali said.

“
That’s good. Your family won’t find it there. Now what are we going to do with you?” she asked herself out loud.

“
I don’t know. I didn’t plan to leave,” Ali said feeling lost. “I don’t know how I’m going to sort myself out.”

“
Well, you’ll have to leave the country for a while. They’ll find you if you stay in Birmingham. Why don’t you visit Steve in France while all the fuss dies down,” Haseena suggested.

“
I’m not sure,” said Ali. “I can’t dump myself on him. He’s busy with his studies. He won’t want me there. I have to sort this out myself.”

“
You’re in no fit state to sort this out yourself, Ali. Steve loves you and will be there to support you. You can’t go through this without him,” Haseena said. “What are you afraid of?”

“
I don’t know. Well, what if he doesn’t want me there?” Ali said.

“
Of course, he’ll want you there. You’re just feeling insecure right now. Give him a call and tell him that you’re going over,” Haseena said.

“
I’m not sure. I don’t want to be a burden on him,” Ali said.

“
Phone him, Ali. See what he says and don’t just rely on what you think he might say. Take the phone upstairs and call him,” she said, picking up her cordless phone and handing it to Ali.

“
I can’t use your phone, Haseena. It’s expensive to call France,” Ali said.

“
I can afford it. Go on. Call him,” Haseena replied.

Ali took the phone from Haseena, went up the stairs and sat on the landing. He pulled out the antenna from the phone, dialed Steve’s number and waited for the ringing tone. It rang for a few seconds and to Ali’s relief was picked up by the receptionist at Steve’s hall of residence. He gave her instructions in French to put him though to Steve’s room.

He just didn’t know what Steve’s reaction to his news would be, and he couldn’t help but feel insecure.

The phone rang several times before being picked up. “Fabien?” Steve’s voice asked.

“
Steve, it’s me, Ali. Who’s Fabien?” Ali asked jealously, taken aback.

“
Oh, how are you, Ali? I’m so glad you’ve rung. Fabien’s a friend I’ve made here,” Steve said.

“
I know the names of all your friends, and you’ve never mentioned him before,” Ali said suspiciously.

“
I met him at a party yesterday. So how was the wedding?” Steve asked, changing the subject quickly.

“
I have to tell you something,” Ali said.

“
What is it?” Steve asked.

“
I’ve left home,” Ali said.

There was a long silence at the other end of the phone. “What?” Steve asked eventually in disbelief.

“
I’ve left home,” Ali repeated again. “I’ve run away.”

“
That’s wonderful,” Steve said, after the news slowly sank in. “What happened?”

“
I don’t know. It was all very sudden. I just got up and left,” Ali said.

“
So what are your plans? What are you going to do now?” Steve asked.

“
I need to get away from Birmingham. I thought I could come over and visit you in Strasbourg while it all blows over,” Ali said haltingly.

“
I don’t know if that’s possible. I’m really busy with my studies right now. I don’t really want any disruptions,” Steve said.

“
I won’t disrupt your studies. I just need somewhere to stay while I sort myself out,” Ali said, trying not to show the hurt in his voice.

“
Ali, I don’t know if it’s going to be possible. I’m in university accommodation, and they don’t allow guests to stay overnight,” Steve said worriedly.

“
I don’t know what else to do, Steve. You’re the only person that can help me. I can’t stay here. My family has already been to Haseena’s looking for me. They’ll find me if I don’t go somewhere far away,” Ali said.

“
Okay, Ali, Okay! I guess I’m going to have to sort something out for you,” Steve said grudgingly. “Have you got any money?”

“
No, not much,” Ali replied.

“
How come, Ali? If you’re coming to France you’ll need some money,” Steve said.

“
I didn’t expect to run away. If I’d done it consciously, I would have planned it a lot better. It just happened,” Ali said, bewildered by the lack of support from Steve.

“
What are you going to do for money when you get here, then?” Steve asked.

“
I’ll get a job,” Ali answered.

“
You hardly know any French, and you think you’ll get a job?” Steve exclaimed.

“
I’ll find something. I can do something manual,” Ali replied.

“
Well, if you really have to, then I guess you can come and visit me,” Steve said finally. “Give me a call and let me know your flight details when you have them.”

“
Thanks, Steve,” Ali said feeling relieved.

“
I’ll speak to you soon,” Steve said and hung up the phone before Ali had the chance to say anything else.

Ali got up from where he was sitting feeling worried. “Maybe he’s met someone else,” he thought, after considering Steve’s apparent reluctance for him to visit.

The telephone rang in Ali’s hands just as he started to walk down the stairs. Ali answered it immediately.

“
Don’t forget to bring your credit card with you,” Steve said.

“
I won’t,” Ali said, surprised at Steve’s instruction. Steve then promptly hung up the phone leaving Ali shocked by this sudden request.

“
How did it go?” Haseena asked him as he walked back into the lounge.

“
I’m not sure if he wants me there,” Ali said, trying not to sound upset. “He even called me back to tell me to bring my credit card with me.”

“
You know Steve’s very practical about money,” Haseena said.

“
I know, but this was very different,” Ali said.

“
Ali, you finished with him a few weeks ago to get married, and then you call him up out of the blue to tell him that you’re running away to be with him. He just needs time to get used to it. Be patient with him,” Haseena advised.

“
He seemed different. He didn’t say he loved me. He always says ‘I love you’ at the end of our telephone conversations, but he didn’t today,” Ali said worriedly.

“
Steve loves you, and if you’re worried that he doesn’t, then the only way to find out is to fly out there and see him,” Haseena said.

“
I know you’re right,” Ali agreed.

“
I’ve just thought,” Haseena said suddenly. “Have you got your passport with you?”

“
Yes, I think so. I’m sure I left it in the suitcase. I can’t remember taking it out when I packed to go to Nottingham,” Ali said, sounding uncertain.

“
Not to worry. I’ll go and check your suitcase later,” Haseena said. She pondered to herself for a few moments. “Ali, I don’t think it’ll be safe for you to stay here tonight in case Yunus decides to pay a visit.”

“
I don’t have anywhere else to go. What am I going to do?” Ali said sounding immediately distressed again.

“
I have a friend who might be able to put you up for the night. She owes me a few favors. I’ll give her a call and ask her,” Haseena said. “Then, as soon as Derek gets back, we’ll make a move.”

“
Thank you, Haseena,” Ali said gratefully. “I don’t know where I would be without you.”

“
I’m sure you’d be fine,” Haseena said. “Why don’t you lie down for a bit on the sofa and have a rest while I go upstairs and make that telephone call. Tonight is going to be a long night, so you will need all the rest you can get.”

“
Okay,” Ali said, as Haseena left the room, shutting the door behind her. Ali took off his shoes and lay back on the sofa. The leather felt sticky against his face as he rested his head against it and shut his eyes. He knew Haseena was right. It was definitely going to be a very long night.

“
Wake up!” Ali heard someone say. “Ali!” the voice repeated sharply. Ali was jolted quickly from his dreamless sleep and opened his eyes to find Haseena towering over him. He tried to get up off the sofa but felt too weak and slumped back. The sweat on his face had attached his cheek to Haseena’s leather sofa, and it made a sound when he eventually peeled his face off it and sat up.

“
I’m sorry, but I had to wake you up,” Haseena said. “I phoned my friends Anne and Mick, and they’ve agreed to look after you tonight.” She went over to the window and peered out through the side of her curtains.

“
The taxi’s still waiting on the corner of the street. It’s not moved since I checked last,” Haseena said, whispering. “I’ve sent Derek out to see how safe it is for us to leave.”

Feeling upset, Ali rocked gently on the sofa trying to comfort himself. He attempted not to cry and just about managed to succeed.

“
It’ll be okay, Ali. They won’t get you,” Haseena said, coming over to Ali and giving him a hug. “You’re my closest friend, and I’ll make sure nothing bad happens to you.”

The door to the lounge opened, startling both Ali and Haseena. It was Derek.

“
Hello. I see you’re finally awake,” Derek said, greeting Ali. “It’s good to see you again. I can’t remember when I saw you last.” Derek was still dressed in his overalls. He was a tall imposing man with a shaved head and a stocky build.

“
It’s good to see you, too,” Ali said, smiling shyly as Derek took his hand and shook it vigorously.

“
The house is definitely being watched. There’s a taxi on the corner of the street and another one further up the street,” Derek informed them both.

“
So what are we going to do about getting Ali out of the house without being seen?” Haseena asked.