from previous-

-as  they  reached  the  hall, the  hostess  ran  to  greet  them both, welcoming  and  ushering  them in, abrar  and  madiha   were  asked  by  the  gracious  woman  if    madiha  was  feeling  better  , madiha  had  come  prepared  with  a rehearsed  excuse  , in the  school  she  was  kept  busy  in a  hectic  sports  week  so  she  collapsed  with  exhaustion but  now  she  was  fine  but  arrived  late  , feeling  rather  ashamed