Spontaneous Attachment

15

The moment I stepped a foot inside the living room, I was welcomed by a motherly hug.

"Thanks for coming Fauzia, I thought you wouldn't make it"
Ammi said after releasing me.

"I would never miss your invitation"

"Come on,the food is about to be served"
She lead me towards the dining area and pulled a sit for me,which left me wondering...why all the special treatment?

I sat down with a smile just as Saudah entered the dining.
She beamed after seeing me and gave me a hug before sitting across me while Ammi sat at the head of the table,leaving three more chairs empty.

The maids started lining different varieties of food on the table and I couldn't wait to start eating.

I heard footsteps and turned to see the person,we both froze after making eye contact.

"Salman,glad you could join us,come over"
Ammi called him.

Contemplation was written all over his face,he was thinking whether sitting with with me on the same table was worth it.

"Do I have to drag you?"
Ammi questioned and he sighed before slowly dragging his feet to the table. He was about pulling the chair facing his Ammi when she stopped him.

"Nope,sit here"
She gestured to the chair beside mine. I nearly chocked.

What the heck is she planning?

With a frustrated sigh,Salman obeyed his Mom,not without sending me a disapproved glare which I totally ignored.

"Fauzia dear,meet my third child and only son, Salman. Salman meet Fauzia,the kind lady I met at the hospital"
She introduced with an excited tone.

Her son didn't even send a look of acknowledgement my way.

He doesn't know we share the same feelings, I would rather be at another place than here.

After a long pause,Ammi realized non of us was going to say a word,she cleared her throat and hit Salman's arm,he looked at her startled and she glared at him.

"Nice to meet you Fouzia"
In other words 'I'm dishonoured to meet you' but the way he said my name Fouzia,it sounded foreign and ....

he's stupid!

I'm not supposed to be thinking of the way he says my name.

"Same to you" I said "block head"
I added so only him could hear.

"Masha Allah, Saudah please serve the food" Ammi ordered and Saudah pouted before she stood up.

"What should I serve you, Fauzi?"
She asked.

"Anything"
I told her with a smile and she served me rice with sauce and mashed potatoes,then filled a glass cup with green coloured juice.

She asked her brother what to serve him and coincidentally he said the same thing I did.

"Anything"
So Saudah been the good girl,served him the same thing she served me,we both gave her disapproving looks which she either ignored,or didn't notice.

"Ammi..."

"I'll have the gas meet with mashed potatoes and my blended veggies"

She finished serving and sat on her seat.

"So, Fouzia"
Ammi called to gain my attention and I looked up.

"From which country are you?"
She asked,I kept my spoon and focused on her.

"Nigeria"

She looked surprised
"You don't really look like one?"

"Yea, I resemble my grand parents who migrated from Syria to Nigeria during the crises"
I told her and she nodded with a satisfied smile.

"My children are also Egyptians,but I'm a Nigerian,do you understand Fulde?"

"Yes,my dad was Fulani"

"Was?"
She asked also dropping her spoon

"He passed away"
I said looking down at my fingers.

"Oh,I'm sorry for bringing it up, Allah ya jikan shi da rahama"
She sympathized and I just nodded muttering a silent Ameen.

"Do you have a boyfriend or a fiance"
I nearly dropped my spoon on the floor,that question was unexpected.

"No,I'm single"
I answered a bit shy and she beamed.

"Masha Allah,my son here Salman is also single"
She said suggestively and Salman nearly chocked on his food as he stared at her dumbfounded.

I would have had the same reaction if I wasn't trying to hide my laughs at his expression,while Saudah was covering hers with a small cough.

We finished the food in silence with no more heart attacking questions. The adhan was called and we all prayed magrib and sat in the living room.

"I think I'll be going Ammi,thank you so much for the food, I haven't taste something this tasty in a while"
I told her sincerely as I picked my bag from the couch.

"It's nothing dear" she said just as Salman walked into the living room from the main door
"Salman would you be so productive?"

He halted mid step and turned to face her "yes Ammi" he answered.

"Drop Fouzia at her residence"
She dropped the bomb shell.

Salman opened his mouth to protest but shut it when he saw the look she was giving him,that don't you dare argue look.

"I'll be outside"
He walked out

"Allah Yayi Miki albarka,safe journey"
Ammi prayed for me.

I smiled at her before walking out.

Salman's car was parked at a distance,it was a grey sports car,looking brand new and expensive.

I opened the front seat when I reached and entered,he zoomed off before I closed the door.

"Thanks for opening the door,you're a gentle man"
I told him sarcastically when he was out of his mansion.

He didn't answer me so I found something else to do,like admire the leather seats and the sleek dashboard.

"Where"
He boomed bringing me out of my thoughts

"Hmm, where?"
I asked confused

"Your house,or am I supposed to know it without you telling me"

"Don't yell at me,can't you ask nicely?"

"Step down"
He ordered parking by the road side and I stared at him dumbfounded.

There was no sign of a living soul on the road,and he's asking me to get down?,what if I get harmed?

Obviously he doesn't care.

My conscience reminded me.

"I'm not going down,Ammi said you should take me home,not a deserted street"
I said stubbornly as I folded my arms.

His jaw clenched and unclenched. I told him the address and after a while,he started driving at a very high speed.

He was trying to scare me but the poor thing didn't know I like speeding on an empty street,we used to do it with him back in Nigeria.

I quickly dismissed the thought and focused on the passing trees and buildings on occasions.

"We're here"
He said curtly after parking in front of my house but I ignored him,not that I enjoy his presence,just to piss him off.

He opened his door forcfully and steped out before opening my door. Before I could say a word he pulled me out by my arm and re entered his car and zoomed off.

So much for pissing him off, I massaged my arm which was slightly hurting and made my way to my home. Only to stop when I saw Zaid staring at me from the window.

Oh no.

You guys should tell me what you think about the book so far.......see you in the comment section. Tnx