𝓜𝔂 𝓫𝓪𝓫𝔂, 𝓶𝔂 𝔀𝓲𝓯𝓮

48# RECONCILATION

THE KHALIL RESIDENCE,
ASOKORO.
APRIL, 2022.

The Eid celebrations weren't as much a celebration as they were a time for reflection that year.

Except for a few key staff, most of the people had gone back to their homes. Hamdan and Rahma had gone to be with their families too, to be back by the weekend.

The aunties too had gone back to their homes after mooching off half the food items in the pantry. Following everyone's leave, there was an overwhelming silence in the Khalil household.

Jamilah, although sad that everyone had gone, was looking forward to some alone time with Jamil.

After a long while of staying at the Khalil household, they'd be visiting theirs for the day.

"Are you ready?", Jamil asked, walking out of the room. He looked a lot neater than he had in days, in black trousers, white sneakers and an army green tee.

Jamilah was dressed more casually than he was, in a black abayah and brown veil. "Yeah", she said, adjusting her overnight bag on her shoulder.

Jamil's eyes travelled to her shoulders, hands reaching for the bag before she could stop him. He hauled his larger bag on one shoulder, and carried hers in one hand.

There was a tension between them that had been there since arriving the Khalil household. Jamilah was desperate to diffuse it, but wasn't sure how to.

Even as they walked to the spot they'd parked their car, side-by-side, she wasn't sure if she should pursue the issue or leave it.

Their knuckles brushed as they walked, once, twice...until Jamilah was sure it was intentional. Her eyes flitted up to her husband's, but he wasn't looking at her.

When their knuckles brushed for the fourth time, she chose to take it as an invitation and linked her hands through his. Jamil still didn't look at her, but there was the hint of a smile playing at his lips.

When they reached the car, he unlinked his hands from hers, going around to the booth as she sat up front. The car was humming steadily when Jamil entered moments later, engine prepared for the ride ahead.

"Put on your seatbelt", he said, as he put his on. Jamilah thought it was crazy how some things about him would re-occur to her every once in a while. Like how she'd hear his voice day in and out, and yet be astounded in some moments at the depth and quality of it.

Like now, the sound of his voice was causing her to stir. She placed her hand on the console between them, her own invitation.

Jamil glanced from her hand to her a few times, a small smile breaking free as he shook his head in amusement. Still, he took her hands in his, rubbing small circles on the back of her palm.

Jamilah's eyelids fluttered close, a moment of bliss passing through them. It had been so long since she'd had any level of intimacy with Jamil, and she missed it more than she'd care to admit.

She was still trying to come to terms with the fact that she was more predisposed to companionship in her moments of sadness, while Jamil dealt with his in isolation. Navigating that reality had put a strain on their level of comfort, and consequently, intimacy with one another.

But Jamil's touch brought all her wants back to life. And if she was being honest with herself, she didn't think she could make it to Jabi with her sanity intact if she didn't kiss him at that moment. But Jamil was already pulling out of the driveway, so she resigned to the fate of the proverbial patient dog, while her fat bone manned the car wheel.

***
JAMIL KHALIL RESIDENCE,
JABI.
JANUARY, 2022.

"Let's get some food before we head home, okay?", Jamil asked as they drove closer to their neighbourhood.