Remember May (GxG)

11. Stay In My Arms

Once I got over the shock, I was angry.

She'd been in town for over a week and she hadn't bothered to come find me. Sure, things between us were rocky but a hello would've been appreciated.

I was livid even though I didn't want to be. I didn't want to care. If she wasn't going to come to me then I'd go to her.

"You look good, where are you going?" My ma asked when I stepped out into the sitting room.

"I'll be spending the day with Paul."

I hated lying to my ma but I couldn't tell her the truth. That was not even an option, she wouldn't let me go.

Catching sight of my reflection in the mirror as I walked out, I smiled to myself at what I saw.

For the first time, it didn't even bother me that I was excited to see her, or that I had dressed up just for her.

Normally, my ma would've frowned upon the red lipstick, the shorts and the low cut top even though I'd thrown a blazer over it, but she liked my relationship with Paul so much that she let it go and I was grateful.

When I got to Zahra's house, I realised that I should have thought it through. What was I going to say? "I'm sorry I rejected you and kicked you out of my house but let's still be friends?"

I pushed open the heavy metal gate before I could change my mind and walked up to her doorstep. With my heart in my throat, I reached up and shakily pressed a finger to the doorbell, praying to God that nobody heard it.

My prayers went unanswered as I heard footsteps shuffling inside the house.

I took a deep breath as the door started opening and I sighed in relief when she wasn't the one standing in front of me.

Her mother, Khartoum, stood there with the bright smile she always had on her face. I'd met her a couple of times and I hoped that she would remember me.

"Good afternoon, mama Zahra," I greeted clasping my hands tightly behind my back.

"Nadia?" She asked tilting her head to the side.

"Yes," I said in relief.

"Look at you, you've grown into such a beautiful young woman," she said holding out her hands which I took hating the clamminess in mine.

"Thank you. I came to see Zahra, is she around?" I asked, immediately going to the point. Best to get it done with already.

"Yes yes, come on in my dear," she ushered me in, the gleeful smile never leaving her face.

Remembering how Zahra's mum got, I quickly took off my boots before stepping onto the carpeted floor.

"You do remember where her room is, yes? She's been cooped up in there since she came back," her smile faltered for a second before her eyes lit up again, "Thank you for coming to see her dear, you're her only friend you know."

Then came the guilt again. I had been her only friend. I wasn't anymore.

"Go on now, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

That was debatable.

I knocked softly against her door, my heart filled with both excitement and dread.

"Mommy? It's open."

Her voice was still as beautiful as ever.

I sucked in a deep breath, slowly pushing the door open and I came face to face with her as she was walking towards door.

I shut the door behind me as we both remained glued to our spots, not taking our eyes off each other.

I could've sworn she could hear my heart beating as everything came flooding back.