amsterdam ( central cee )

17

Dragging my suitcase up the stairs of my flat, I curse myself for bringing so many clothes.

Sweaty and panting, I curse the broken elevator while walking toward my apartment. "Are you even listening to me, Hanne?"

Mo's loud voice booms through my AirPods.

"Just a min, Mo. I'm carrying a 20kg suitcase to my house."

Mo laughs at the other end. "How long did you stay in Amsterdam?"

"What date is it?"

A heartbeat of silence falls on his end while I jab my key into the front door. "The twentieth."

"Okay, so that's nineteen days."

My house reeks of dust the second the door flies open, and I instantly regret not cleaning before I left. I slam it shut behind me and shove my suitcase to the side, knowing it'll probably stay there for the next week. I stand in the center of my apartment with both hands on my hips, staring around my messy house.

"When are you coming back?"

"I'm gonna start packing tomorrow, mom said Marius would fly over next week and help me with the last bits."

"Nice," Mo answered, the sound of him munching on chips scratching my ear. "Are you staying for good now?" He asks with his mouth full.

I drop myself onto the couch while fishing my phone out of my pocket. I tap on our facetime and I come into view. Mohammed had me propped on something, giving me a good view of him playing a game.

"It's what I'm planning. I know that'll ease the stress in your heart won't it?"

"Oh yes," he nods, his eyes still fixated on his tv. "Already missing you."

"Same here."

"Good."

"I'll probably crash at my parents for the first few months before I get my own place."

"Noice," he sounds. "You'd be in time for my wedding."

Silence falls, more cause I'm trying to figure out if he's joking or not.

"Mo..."

"Hmm?" He's still looking at the screen.

"Mohammed." I sit up, his name now a prayer in a hope that I'm not trying to lose my sanity.

"What?" He's finally looking at the screen."

"Married? You're getting married?!"

"I told you this, what you deaf now or sum?"

"No, you did not!"

"Yes I did so-- you were just too busy talking about your stupid boyfriend that you didn't listen to me."

I lean back against my seat and allow his words to seep into my mind.

"You're getting married."

"Uhu."

"You? You are getting married?" I say, still in disbelief. "You must be joking."

"I dunno why this is so hard for you to comprehend cuz I know you ain't stupid."

"Excuse me! Mo, this ain't just news you can drop on someone."

Mo laughs.

"Who's even planning to marry you?! You sure she's sane?"

"Yes, Hanne. It's Dina from our old school, you'll see at the wedding." I gasp as more shock waves over me.

My doorbell rings and I already know who it is. Lexi.