Parting Letters

Chapter 4 : Memories

October 4th, 2021

Blood rings loudly inside my ears. Thankfully my grip tightened

instead of slackening, otherwise would have fallen over the edge a long time ago.

"W-What d-did you say?", I enunciated Isla dead in the eye.

She takes a painful long deep breath before repeating, "I said Hanah is here downstairs and she is asking for you."

"A-Are you sure?".

"I hugged her to make myself realize that."

I heard what she said the first time, but I had to rewind the last few seconds to make myself realize that it's not a dream. It's surreal. What is she doing here? Now? Didn't she say she wasn't ready to come yet? Is her mess cleared up? Why wouldn't she inform me about her visit? Is she hiding from me - if so, does that mean she knows what happened? The train of thoughts kept plastering one over another until-

"Earth to Theo?!", Ishrat flicks her fingers, "You okay? It is rude to make someone wait, especially when she visited after a decade."

I observe that WE would have been bemused if it wasn't only expressed on my face.

I gape at them in distress, "You all knew about this?!!!"

They stood in silence glancing back and forth at each other.

"I can't believe it!", I climb down, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"She told us not to. Said wanted to be a surprise.", Aiman spoke.

"How long has she been here for?"

They again look at each other in the same manner.

"Answer me dammit!"

"A week!", Abeer blutters, "She has been here for a week now."

"Who else knew?"

Abeer makes a face, unsure, "Everyone.......but you....?"

"Hey, I am clueless like you!", Isla pronounces.

I couldn't care less. I hold the front of the edge by both my hands lowering the head. Bemusement widens a ton exploding like stars. A sigh carrying fleeting disappointment escapes my mouth. Everyone knew except for me. Me, who is her best friend. No- Was her best friend. We haven't spoken for years until the last two months. It's understandably contravene to the one in question trusts me.

A gentle palm squeezes my shoulder, "Hey."

I turn back to see Aiman smiling empathetically, "I get how you are feeling. I do. I may have not seen you together but from what I'd heard and seen, I can tell she is very dear to you. Maybe....", he hesitates, "Maybe....as dear as Abeer is to me."

My mush drops open hearing his indication. Air passages trapped the phrases in the larynx, not letting them out.

"Go talk to her. This should clear things up. Communication is key to relationships. I hope you know that.", Aiman pats my shoulder, "Keep in mind that Hanah wanted to be a surprise for you with NO intention of upsetting you in any way. Try to give others the benefit of doubt sometimes."

At a loss of words I trudge towards the exit. My legs carrying me on their own.

A new notion arises with each step I take. Aiman's remarks beguiling me profoundly. Surely he meant our friendship or our cousins' relationship. Nothing more than that right? Then again for which reason did he mean to compare his feelings for Abeer with mine regarding Hanah? Those two are completely dissimilar. Or not. Ugh! He's smart I know but the aforementioned provides extra credit. One thing I do agree is that I should give her the benefit of doubt. She wanted herself to be a surprise which is a good surprise. At least for me. I scoff that my parents knew before me. Is that the reason mom asked me to accompany her? Elated, she cares for my commiseration at least. While pondering I recognize I am two floors up from Aunt Kibi's apartment.