Symphonies in E Minor

Chapter Ten: The Run In

By some miracle, Aaliyah's cousin decides to accompany her to a cafe on Saturday morning. Her cousin's name is Niru, and she prefers to keep to herself most of the time. Aaliyah suspects her aunt told Niru to spend more time with her, but if it were up to Aaliyah, she wouldn't be all that happy about this arrangement.

It's not that she doesn't enjoy spending time with her cousin, but it's more about the differences in personality. For example, while Niru is very critical of all people, Aaliyah doesn't mind getting to know something before judging them. After all, without knowing them, any judgements that are bad have to do with physical features and she'd rather not speak about people's outward appearance like that. Niru doesn't seem to have a problem with this, which is intriguing to Aaliyah because most of her family isn't the type to judge someone straight away.

Niru is also a gossip. There aren't that many things that perturb Aaliyah, but speaking with someone who only chooses to gossip with others is a pet peeve of hers.

They go to a nearby cafe, one that is very busy when they arrive. After a brief wait, they're seated and it only takes a while for their food to arrive.

Niru sighs deeply, still shivering from the cold. "I cannot wait until your sister's wedding." Since she's been in England for many years, her accent is becoming an English one. "I do wish it was in the spring or summer though."

"Aye, but you know her and her fiancé wished for a winter wedding."

"I have no idea why they'd want that. I imagine it's still snowing up north. Oh how lovely a warm summer wedding would be. Dancing outside in the field outside the castle, going riding everyday, waking up to the bright sun."

Aaliyah herself finds that image very nice. "Aye, it is very appealing. However, I dinna assume the weather will be all that unbearable. We are Scots after all."

Niru looks out the window after reaching for her cup of black coffee. "You're more of a Scotswoman than me."

"You're still a Scot."

Niru takes a deep sip and sighs again. She's no longer shivering. "Sometimes I'd rather be English than a Scot."

Aaliyah chews on her french toast slowly, inspecting her cousin. It's true that she hasn't spent too much time with the younger girl, but the pride of being Scottish runs through all the Scots, here or in Scotland itself. She's rarely ever met someone who dislikes their nationality and heritage.

But Aaliyah reasons with her. While she's a visitor, Niru is a permanent resident. "Aye, I ken that living here for a longer time may have made you accustomed to it."

Niru nods. Unlike Aaliyah's braids, Niru's hair is left natural. She witnesses Niru meticulously place rollers in her hair every night, tying them in with ribbons to achieve the look she has. Aaliyah thinks suits her. She, herself, hasn't had short hair in some time.

"Would you move here permanently? I hear you've made friends," Niru asks, taking another sip.

Aaliyah thinks about the friends she has made here, some more willing than others. She didn't expect to end up being friends with her instructor, but she's glad she can call him that. Ruhina and Faiz are her closest friends. Though she's only known them for a little over a month, she considers them close to her. They understand her. She never would have assumed that a Lord and Lady would be her friends. But as Ruhina said, the bigger title you have, the less friends you also have.

"My friends are great," Aaliyah confirms with a smile. "But moving here? I'm not sure. I havena ever thought about it at least."

"Your instructor is especially popular in England so it's no doubt you've found just as well known friends. Lord Ahman and Lady Ruhina and all that."