Newfound Destination

~ 36 ~

I didn't need to make up my mind.

I could just be friends with the both of them rather then pushing them away.

Salma nudged me, "Hey, Amir just texted me that Taheer is out of rehab."

My face lit up with the news, "Really?! Oh my God Salma, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

She drew me back, "Not so fast...Khalil is going to be there. How are you going to face him?"

I shrugged, "The way I usually do."

She furrowed her brows with squinted eyes, "What are you up to, Karimah?"

"Nothing." I replied.

"Okay then, if you say so. Let's go, we're to meet up at his house. We're throwing him a welcome home party." She told me as she stood up.

I joined her, "Yay! I really can't wait to see the look on his face once we surprise him."

"Now you're acting weird, let's just go abeg." She rolled her eyes.

I snorted and just followed behind her as we exited the room. Her driver was already waiting outside so we went into her car.

The entire ride went by in silence because, there was actually nothing to talk about. At least not until we had arrived at our destination.

And we did soon enough.

"Assalamu Alaikum." Me and Salma said in unison as we opened the door to Taheer's house, going inside.

The house was already decorated and everything was already in place; cake, snacks, drinks, games etc.

"Wa Alaikumu Salam." Khalil answered to us.

I smiled and went over to him for a hug. He gladly hugged me back and we both snuggled into the embrace for a moment.

I almost fell asleep, it was so comforting and cozy.

Salma cleared her throat causing us to break apart, Amir stepped into the room.

She then announced, "Guys, I invited Halimah and Habibah. Habibah is coming with her boyfriend."

I smirked as I received the message behind her words.

Salma went on smirking as well, "While... Halimah isn't coming with anyone."

Amir laughed, "I see what you're trying to do. This is too cheesy for my liking."

I looked at Khalil whose arm was still draped over my shoulder. I snickered as I noticed the dumbfounded look on his face.

"Mumu, we're going to hook Halimah and Taheer up. Did you already forget?"

His eyes grew wide in realization making me laugh harder, "Oh right, Good luck with that."

Just then, a knock came at the door and I went to get it.

I looked through the peephole and saw that it was Halimah and Habibah along with another guy.

I beamingly opened the door and pulled my two friends into an embrace in an instant.

As we pulled away and they both went inside, my gaze now averted from them to the guy I supposed was Habibah's boyfriend.

Judging from his looks, he looked...normal.

But I'd rather not judge a book by its cover. Not that it concerns me in any way.

"Hi, you must be Karimah." He smiled.

I nodded as I politely let him in, "You're welcome."

He walked into the house and looked about for a moment before looking back at me, "You don't care to know my name?"

Whoa, what's up with this one?

"I'm Farouq Ibrahim." He simply said before walking away.

Okay?

Then again, another knock came at the door.

We already knew who it was so we didn't bother opening the door. We just got in place and turned off the lights.

They knocked again but got no response so they opened the door and I grinned proudly for leaving the door unlocked on purpose.

"Welcome home, Taheer!!" We chorused as the lights came on.

Taheer's face lit up the moment he stepped in and he looked so much better, healthy again.

"Why does it seem like I suddenly have more friends?" He chuckled.

No one said anything and we all went over to him and hugged him.

"I'm so glad you're back." Amir said, surprising all of us.

He then added dryly, "As long as you don't keep being stupid."

Salma elbowed him, "Amir!"

"Ah, sorry." He muttered grumpily.

Khalil then said to Taheer, "It's good to see you again, bro."

Taheer smiled warmly at him.

Then it was my turn to speak, "You look better, that's good. Now you can go on with your life. Isn't that better?"

He nodded, "Certainly is."

Salma said, "Welcome home."

"Thanks." He smiled at her.

"Now, I will say this again, it seems like I have new friends?" He said, more like a question.

Before I could speak, that Farouq guy jumped in, "Hi, I'm Farouq Ibrahim. Nice to meet you."

Well, I guess that's polite.

They shook hands and Habibah went next and they did a side hug, "I'm Habibah."

"Nice to meet you, Habibah." He answered.

We stayed in silence and I looked at Halimah who just sipping out of her drink. I persuaded her to go to him with my eyes.

She grinned and shrugged, dropping her drink on a table before walking over to Taheer.

And I swear, I saw something flash through his eyes. That something is called...love at first sight.

Oya, start attacking for being cliché now.

It is what it is, people.

"I'm Halimah. Habibah's twin, incase you're confused." She said so elegantly that each and every one of us were blown away.

So Halimah could be like this?

Well, this is baffling.

Taheer shook his head, not blinking for a second, "You two look exactly the same but you don't clearly carry the same aura around."

"It's good to know that you picked that up from the first day of meeting me. I must say, I'm impressed."

Just like that, they walked out of our sight and went to the living room to be on their own.

Whoa...

"Uh..." I trailed as I glanced at everyone to see the look on their faces.

Habibah was pale. Amir was pale. Salma was pale. Khalil was amused. And then, Mr. Farouq Ibrahim was visibly uncomfortable; the look of agitation was there too.

Okay...