You, Alone. ✅

Chapter 21

Rayyan's POV

Dandelions- Ruth B

I sipped the tea I made for my brother and I and relished the taste yet again. I always make tea for us when we are having a discussion and whenever he's in town.

Sadiq is my immediate brother. A fair, lean and good looking young man in his last year of school. Never went for almajiranci or having so much issues in his head. A young man with dreams and ambition that are most likely to come true. Someone I would have hoped I became

I always love the moments we have together when he's here. The cinnamon and star anise tea used to be our thing but now, this particular moment felt weirdly different.

Ever since Ammarah and our sessions where I sometimes bring along cinnamon and star anise tea, sharing any moment with anyone else feels wrong in some way.

"You should sign up for tea competition" Sadiq said relaxing more into his seat

My eyes swept over him mindlessly as I hummed and raised on leg over the other.

"You're thinking about her aren't you? Sadiq asked and I turned to look at him

"I'm not" I replied defensively

"Yes you're. Just like Bashir said"  Sadiq raised a hand up and said "Whipped"

I rolled my eyes at the fact that Bashir told Sadiq about Ammarah and settled more into my seat then said "If forces changed the direction of the universe, then she's the force and I'm the universe dancing to her tunes"

Sadiq rolled his head back and burst into laughter. He clutched his stomach while I glared at him from my seat.

Minutes later of almost wanting to choke from laughter, he looked at me and sat upright.

"You're first a sales guy, now a poet? What has Ammarah done to you?

"Shut up. I'm not"

"The silent and reserved Rayyan Annur. Claimed to be a sales guy and then turned into a poet" He paused with a grin "because of a girl"

"A few words about the universe doesn't suddenly make me a poet" I glared at him "Although I would love to be a poet"

He sipped his tea again "You always sound poetic when talking about her. Don't worry, you're already a poet"

"Bashir said he has talked to her parent" I said trying to divert the topic

He kept his tea on the table and looked up "I just find it intriguing that you, decided to play sales boy for days. Even going to the extent of taking cab and going to the market every day. Why run back to the old life of cabs when you can now afford cars"

He winked at me and added "A girl"

"Sadiq" I warned narrowing my eyes at him

He raised his hands up "I'm just saying. Didn't you find it strange at that time? Suddenly willing to go great extent for a stranger"

"Can we drop this? I said with a final tone in my voice and he nodded before strengthening up

"Bashir told me he talked with her parent and apparently they were very very excited. Especially the mother, she wanted to fly back to Nigeria that moment"

"When are they coming? I asked

"Next week.

I furrowed my brows "Why not now?

"Good morning Sir" Bashir, right on cue walked into the room with a huge folder in his hand. He dropped it on the table as Sadiq stood up and they shared a side hug.