𝓜𝔂 𝓫𝓪𝓫𝔂, 𝓶𝔂 𝔀𝓲𝓯𝓮

14# UNDERWAY

THE KHALIL RESIDENCE,
ASOKORO.
DECEMBER, 2020.

It'd been a week since Jamil and his dad had last conversed on matters regarding Jamilah.

And in ways, Jamil felt relieved. He didn't want to be confronted with the possibility of him being a coward.

....not when he was sure he stayed away only because it was best for everyone.

Jamilah and his Ayman had drawn closer, they even chatted, played and laughed.

But when Ayman would tell Jamil about all they did, trying to goad a response out of him, the only thing Jamil would notice was the subtle shift in his brother.

...A shift that worried him.

After he'd talk about Jamilah, he'd sigh, expressing his wish for her to return back to normal as soon as possible.

Jamil couldn't help but think his brother couldn't fully accept Jamilah's new reality.

He'd let Ayman make his proposal without a word, knowing his brother had genuine care for Jamilah, and would be kind towards her.

But now, he couldn't help but feel he'd over-burdened Ayman.

Jamil had no problems with the way Jamilah was. If anything, he only drew comfort in the fact that she was in his home, being taken care of.

But he didn't, as he was beginning to realise, put into perspective that hers indeed was a peculiar situation that most wouldn't be able to manage.

And as he walked towards his brother's room, that one question took precedence, unwavering.

"Assalamu alaykum" He said, lightly rapping his knuckles against the door.

He heard some shuffling on the other side, most likely Ayman changing the channel from some cartoon.

While his brother never denied his still-existing love for cartoons, he didn't like being caught watching them.

It was a few seconds until the door swung open inwards, Ayman smiling sheepishly.

"Wa alaykumu salam", he answered.

Jamil's brows were raised the slightest bit, "which one was it this time".

Ayman looked surprised for the slightest second, before breaking into a sheepish smile, "Attack on titans".

Jamil hummed, stepping into the room. "Levi dies", he said simply, taking a seat by the window sill.

Ayman looked like he would cry at that point. "Why?...why'd you spoil it".

Jamil stared at him for a second, ....two,.....three. "I'm kidding".

"... I've not watched it. I just happened to hear the name Levi once while you were watching it".

Ayman sighed in relief, one that ushered in a silent that wasn't in any sense, comfortable.

He wondered what his brother could've come to his room for. He hardly ever came into the room, and probably had never even taken a seat with how little he was ever home.

Jamil on the other hand, seemed oblivious of the tension in the room, eyes raking over the neutral hues of the room.

Blends of browns, and greys and whites.

Ayman's was a typical gamer's room, with high level gaming equipments at one corner of the room. Some gifts, and others bought from him saving as much as he could in college.