Newfound Destination

~ 42 ~

"Hey Muna, where's your brother?" I asked the little girl that opened the front door for me.

"Um, Ya Khalil is out with his girlfriend." She told me.

I frowned in confusion.

Since when did Khalil have a girlfriend?

"Y-you're brother has a girlfriend? Muna, are you sure about-"

"Please Karimah, don't mind Muna. Khalil is out with his female friend and not his girlfriend." Her babysitter Rukayyah, whom I had become friends with, butted in as she came into view.

"Please, come in." She invited me.

I nodded and went in with her and Muna.

"Muna, go up and do your homework while I make some snacks for you." Rukayyah said to Muna.

"And can I watch TV afterwards?" She asked cutely.

"Sure you can, but make sure you finish your homework. I'll come check-"

"I know, I will!" Muna yelled as she started running up the stairs.

I smiled at the scene.

Since Khalil's mother was always out of town, Rukayyah took care of Muna. She was some years older than me and Khalil too so she was quite experienced and handled the job perfectly.

Yes, I usually visited Khalil so I got to know her.

"Come on, let's go to the kitchen and we can talk while I make the snacks." She beckoned.

I agreed and escorted her to the kitchen.

"So...this female friend of Khalil's...for how long has she been Khalil's friend?" I asked Rukayyah as I rolled up the sleeves of my shirt, readying myself to assist her.

She looked at me with a grin, "Wouldn't you like to know..."

I sighed, "Rukky please, it's not what you think. I'm just wondering."

"Mmhm, Nima I'm just saying..."

"What are you 'saying'?" I asked.

"Well Karimah, I'm saying... I know you have feelings for Khalil. It's only natural, I understand." She concluded.

"No, that's not it. Incase you didn't know, I have a boyfriend." I told her.

"I see. Well then, I guess there's no harm in telling you about Khalil's girlfriend. Her name is Fatimah Jibril and her and Khalil have been seeing each other since he got out of the hospital." Rukayyah narrated.

I felt a little bit of discomfort with this information but I kept my words to myself and just started kneading the dough.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Rukayyah gazing at me intently.

"The dough is already kneaded, Karimah. Stop trying to distract yourself with it."

Oh I know that, Rukky. As you claim, I'm trying to distract myself. Knowing you couldn't be more correct disturbs me.

"Alright, I'll take it from here." She finally snatched the dough away.

She rolled it flat before cutting out some round pieces and arranging them on a board before slipping it into the oven.

"We're done here." She said as she washed her hands.

I did the same after she was done and we walked to the living room.

"I know you want Khalil to remember you but you're really not trying hard enough. He's just your friend, yes. You have a boyfriend, yes. You like him as a friend, yes. You have feelings for him-"

"N-"

"Nope, I didn't ask you for an answer. I can answer that for myself and again, it's a yes." She interjected.

I cleared my throat, "I just want Khalil to remember me... what we did together. It's a special memory, he needs to keep it forever."

"Or, you want him to love you again. You want him to notice you...you want...him to be with you." She contemplated.

I looked at her as though she was crazy, "Um, who said I'm not satisfied with my current relationship?"

"Oh, you think you're okay. But I know that you selfishly like both your boyfriend and Khalil."

Gosh, I thought I passed this stage.

"No, no, no. You're wrong, absolutely wrong, Rukayyah. I think I should leave-"

"Muna! Muna, where are you?! Ya Khalil is back and I got you a present." I heard Khalil's voice call out.

He seemed to be getting closer to the living room. Where we were.

He soon stepped into the living room and Muna came running in just then so his attention went to her immediately.

I however looked at the girl beside him.

Where have I seen this face before?

"Oh, I think I know you... you're the boss's girlfriend, right? I'm Mr Sani's secretary, Fatimah. Remember me? I think we've met before." She said.

Khalil then turned to me, puzzled then looked at Fatimah, "Where do you work again?"

"At this company, Sani Limited. Why?"

Shit.

Khalil snapped his head to me, "Y-you're th-the CEO's girlfriend?"

"Yes?"

Just then, Khalil collapsed and I immediately rushed to him before anyone did.

The memories from the day he got in that accident flashed through my mind in an instant and I found myself crying.

"No! Wake up! You better wake up now! And remember me this time!" I yelled at him.

"W-wake up...you stupid idiot..." My voice cracked and soon I was sobbing loudly, not caring that everyone in the room had their eyes on me.

I only cared about Khalil.

And just as I decided he wouldn't wake up and we needed to take him to the hospital, his eyes pinched open.

I stared at him in anticipation, with teary, hopeful eyes. Just hoping... praying that...

"Y-you again? You're Karimah right?"

He still didn't remember...