The Flower Shop

Chapter Two

Jalil felt something wet on his face and opened his eyes to see the slobbering face of his seven-month-old nephew staring back at him. Once baby Jaheim realized that his uncle was up, he began to grin and babble.
"Jah, did your mama sit you on me?" Jalil asked the baby.
The baby began to kick and giggle and Jalil sat up, holding the baby by his back.
He looked around the two bedroom home and blinked before things came into focus. He rubbed his hair and felt his durag on his head. Hearing footsteps, Jalil's sister Jacquie entered the living room. She was older by five years and did well for herself. She had a job as a paralegal at a law firm and made good money. But, she was a single mom and a lot of her time and focus went to her son. Even with all that going on, she still made time for Jalil.
"Good. You're up." She smiled at him, her light brown skin glowing. "I knew my baby would do the job."
"Jacq, you about to leave?" Jalil asked his older sister. He sat up on his bed, which was also the living room couch.
Jacquie nodded. "Yes. I have a big case today. I have to work late, so can you watch Jaheim?"
Jalil nodded and bounced the baby on his knee.
"Yeah, I got you."
"Great. You know- if you called your future bae over for the day- maybe Jah could help get y'all together." Jacquie hinted.
Jalil's mind flashed back to the last time he'd seen Nadia. He swore up and down that her kisses had him ready to claim her as his own. But he didn't want to rush things with her. He knew that she was too special to just play with. And playing wasn't in his intent when it came to Nadia.
"I don't think she'd wanna come over here and spend her day with me and my nephew." Jalil countered. "Plus, I gotta explain to her that I live with you and don't have my own spot. It's not manly."
Jacquie smacked her teeth as she gathered her purse on her shoulders. "J, from what I hear she's very understanding."
Jalil couldn't deny that. Nadia was more than understanding- the girl was an angel in his eyes.
Jacquie looked at her little brother and could see the thoughts racing in his mind. "Look, baby brother. I'm just tryna help you out. But no pressure. Do what you feel is best. But don't be like my dumb baby daddy and miss a good thing."
That caused Jalil to laugh and his sister to smile.
"See- that's the brother I know. Listen, two bottles are already made, but you know how to fill some more. I gotta bounce, but I'll see you when I get home."
The door shut as Jacquie walked out and Jalil looked at his nephew, who was looking at him patiently.
"So what do you want to do today?" Jalil asked the baby, who giggled and stuffed his hands in his face.

A few hours passed and Jalil exhaled as he finally laid his nephew down for a nap. The baby had kept him busy and while he loved his nephew, he desperately needed time to himself.
As he sat down, he flipped on the television and began to watch reruns of The Fresh Prince. Laughing at Carlton and Will's shenanigans, he looked down once he saw his phone buzz. Opening it, he saw it was a text from Nadia.

From: Nadia (Boss Lady):Hey, I just wanted to see how you were doing on your week off. Resting, right?

To Nadia (Boss Lady): I'm tryin'. But are you resting Miss Busy Body
From Nadia (Boss Lady): Lol, I'm chilling. Kinda bored though.
To Nadia (Boss Lady): Not you bored.

From Nadia (Boss Lady): Can't help it. You know I'm always moving.

To Nadia (Boss Lady): since you bored, I might have a project you can help with?

From Nadia (Boss Lady): See I'm interested now. Do tell.

Instead of texting her back, he decided to give her a call. She answered on the first ring.
"Hi." He heard her soft voice call out.
"Hey. Look- the project I have for you is not really a project, but more like a favor. My sister asked me to watch my nephew and I need to cook, but I can't do both at the same time. You one of the only people who I trust down here, so could you come by and watch him while I cook?"
Jalil's heart raced as he waited for Nadia's response. Please say yes, he thought to himself.
"Sure. Just text me the address and I'm on my way." He heard Nadia say.
Smiling to himself, Jalil nodded as if she could see him. "Cool. I'll see you soon."
The pair hung up the phone and Jalil texted Nadia the address. As soon as he did, he tossed his phone to the side of the couch and began to straighten up the living room.
He wanted everything to look nice for Nadia. Although his sister kept the house clean and got on him if he didn't, Jalil still wanted everything to be perfect when she arrived.
Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang and he ran his hands down his cornrows as he walked to the door. When he opened it, he saw Nadia looking at him with a smile on her face.
He allowed her to step inside and he helped her out of her coat. The early January weather was kicking in and he knew that it was about to get cold.
"So where is the baby?" Nadia asked. Jalil looked into her eyes and saw a twinkle in them.
"Dang, I don't get a hey, how you doing?" Jalil joked which caused Nadia to smile at him.
"Hi Jalil. But seriously, where is the baby? It's been a while since I've held one." Nadia replied.
Jalil asked her to wait in the living room and Nadia respectfully did so, When he returned, he had Jaheim in his arms. The baby had just awoken and rubbed his sleep filled eyes.
When Jalil grabbed his bottle and sat down with Jaheim in his arms, the baby took the bottle and held it, looking at the stranger who sat beside his uncle.
Nadia waved to the baby who sat watching her every move. When he was done with the bottle, his uncle burped him. Sitting back down on his uncle's knee- Jaheim once again began to stare at Nadia.
"I think he likes you." Jalil commented as he watched his nephews actions. "Jaheim this is Nadia, Nadia this is Jaheim."
Nadia smiled and as soon as she did, the baby giggled and reached for her.
Taking him gently, Nadia allowed the baby to place his hands on her face as she smiled at him.
"Hi, I'm Nadia." She said and he smiled and began to talk gibberish.
Jalil's heart leaped in his chest and he knew then that he'd made the right decision by calling her.
"I guess I can let you two get to your business." Jalil said as he stood up. He looked down at Nadia. "Are you sure you can stay here by yourself?"
"I think we'll be fine. Jaheim her seems to be taken with me." She commented as she watched the baby stare and smile at her.
"I agree." He shook his head at her. "The bathroom is down the hall to your left. Everything you need for him is in his diaper bag on the couch. But I shouldn't be gone but for thirty minutes."
Nadia nodded as she took in everything Jalil said. After he left, Nadia slid off the couch onto the floor and sat Jaheim in between her legs on his back. He kicked and giggled as he watched her face disappear and then reappear. And while he didn't understand why, he enjoyed her smiling face when it popped up each time.
Hearing the key's turn in the lock, Nadia's ears perked up. While she was comfortable in Jalil's home- it was her first time really being in this neighborhood and she was nervous in new environments.
"Aw man I have to pee so bad!" She heard a feminine voice call out.
Standing up with Jaheim in her arms, she looked up and a girl who looked exactly like Jalil looking back at her.
"Hi you must be Nadia. I'm Jacquie." She rambled off her tongue really fast before disappearing down the hall. Nadia furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. She stood still, trying to figure out just who this "Jacquie" chick was.
But she looked just like Jalil...wait- this must be his sister. Of course!, Nadia thought to herself.
The sound of footsteps made her look at the medium built woman. Her light brown skin was clear and hear hair was long and straight, flowing past her shoulders. She dusted off her pants and smiled at Nadia.
"Sorry to whiz right past you. I'm Jacquie, Jah's mom and Jalil's older sister. I'm so happy to finally meet this Nadia that he's been talking about. And I see my baby likes you. Usually he'd holler because he don't play with everyone. But he's taken to you." Jacquie said.
"Hi. Sorry to just be in your home like this." Nadia said sheepishly.
Jacquie waved her off. "Girl please. Jalil texted me and let me know what was going on. And as soon as I heard your name- I knew that I wanted to meet the girl my brother can't stop talking about."
Hearing those words from Jacquie made her smile. She never knew Jalil talked about her.
Jacquie sat on the couch and Nadia followed suit. Jaheim reached for his mom and as soon as she grabbed him, he rested his head on her shoulder. Jacquie gave him his pacifier and sat quietly.
Jacquie began talking to Nadia, and it felt good for her to have someone to talk too. She was the only girl out of her siblings- and the middle child- so a lot of times it felt like she was going through experiences on her own. But talking with Jacquie allowed her to open up.
The front door opened and in walked Jalil. He heard the familiar laugh of Nadia and also his sister's fast way of talking and knew that his sister was saying something. And he knew that that something had everything to do with him.
Upon entering the living room, Nadia smiled up at him and Jalil couldn't contain the bright smile that etched itself upon his face. Jacquie noticed the action and only smile to herself. She grabbed her son before standing up.
"Don't worry, baby brother. I didn't say anything too harmful. Nadia, it was nice to meet you." Jacquie said.
"Nice meeting you too. Don't forget to come by the shop if you ever need anything." Nadia said.
"Oh I won't. The firm needs some popping flowers because the artificial ones they have suck!" She said and Nadia laughed at her seriousness.
Once she left the room, Jalil spoke.
"Thank you. I hope my sister wasn't too bad. Once she starts talking- I don't know what's gonna come out of her mouth." Jalil shook his head and Nadia laughed even louder.
"Your sister was cool. Honest- but cool. Like seriously." Nadia spoke thinking back to her time with Jacquie.
"Well good. Listen- thank you for watching my nephew. He usually don't let people just hold him but he took to you- which is a good sign."
Nadia stood and grabbed her purse. "It was no problem. I'm glad he liked me."
"Where you going?" Jalil asked.
"Um, to my house."
"No you not. I'm about to cook. And to thank you for watching my nephew I'd like if you stayed and had dinner with us."
Nadia smiled and nodded, putting her purse back down on the couch.
"Come cook with me." Jalil nodded his head toward the kitchen. Nadia followed and helped him unbag everything.
"So, what are we making?" Nadia asked.
"Fried chicken, cabbage, and yellow rice- with some Hawaiian rolls." He told her. Nadia nodded and the pair got to work. They maneuvered easily in the kitchen together and Jalil was surprised at how well he'd adapted to having her there with him.
When they were done with the food, Jalil called everyone in and they sat down for dinner.
Holding hands, Jalil began to pray.
"Lord, thank you for this food. Thank you for the hands that prepared it. Please bless it and allow it to nourish us. God thank you for family. Thank you for everything and more. You are good. In Jesus name, Amen." Jalil finished.
Everyone said amen in unison and began to eat. Laughter flowed from the table. Even Jaheim giggled and kicked happily. Jalil was enjoying himself. While he ate with his sister and nephew often, having Nadia gave him something more to smile for.
When dinner was over, Jalil watched as Nadia grabbed her purse. He walked her outside to her car and saw his neighbor Sammy. They gave one another a head nod and Jalil focused his attention on Nadia.
"I hope you enjoyed tonight." He spoke, stuffing his hands into his coat pocket.
"I did." Nadia smiled. "Truly. Thank you."
"It was nothing." Jalil stepped closer to her. He gently touched under her chin. "I'd do it for you anytime."
Nadia looked into his eyes. Jalil looked into hers.
"I'ma be a gentleman and ask this time, since there's no mistle toe. Can I kiss you?"
Nadia bit her lip and nodded her head yes.
Jalil leaned in and kissed her again. He swore that this kiss was better than the last one. When he pulled away, Nadia opened her eyes. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him in for another kiss.
She pulled away and Jalil grabbed her hands, intertwining them with his own. He pressed their foreheads together and kissed her again, this time with aggression and intent.
"What are we doing?" He heard Nadia whisper. He looked into her eyes and could see a mix of emotions swirling in them.
"I don't know." He told her honestly, "But I don't want to stop it."
"I don't either." Nadia told him.
"So let's figure this out together." He told her and watched as she nodded.
And so they stood there, in the moonlight together, holding one another. Feeling one another's heartbeats as they allowed whatever they were allowing themselves to fall into to manifest itself.

***

And that's chapter two. How'd you like it? Tbh, I'm ready for things between these two to start heating up. When are they gonna get together foreal?!

Updates will be slower because I'm in my last semester of undergrad (yay!). But I got y'all.

See you next time,

Malaysia 🌺