Ramlah

4 - Fifth day of July

It was the fifth day of July. When I woke up that morning I could feel it. My chest was heavy and I felt sick. It didn't help that I had cried myself to sleep the night before.
I got up and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. When I came out my mother was sitting on my bed, her eyes focused on the toilet doors. I could tell she was contemplating coming in.

"Kin samu kin tashi," she said with a wide smile. I appreciated the effort, but sometimes I just wished she wouldn't put so much into it.
I promised myself this year would be different. July fifth of this year would be cheerful and exciting. I was putting together a whole bakery, no tears today.

"Yes, good morning Mama," I gave her a light hug before heading to my vanity.

"I have told them to bring up your food today, so you don't have to worry about going down. And whatever you need just give one of us a call and we'll bring it."

"That won't be necessary, mummy, I have plans today." I watched the look of shock cover her face.

"Plans?" She repeated the words as if I had spoken another language. 

"Yup," I started before getting up from the vanity and over to my close, "Zay and I are going to finalize my menu so we can start putting together a final draft."

She nodded and got up. She walked over to me and placed her hands on my shoulders, "I'm here for you. All day." I smiled through the mirror and she walked away.
I got ready and made my way downstairs. The clanking of forks from the dining table as I approached it was only a little bit funny.
Hammad and Ali had gotten up to their feet and were walking towards me.

"You're downstairs!" Ali said placing both hands on my shoulders.

"And you're dressed!" Hammad gave me a light punch on the shoulder.

"You guys need to chill," I swatted their arms away, "I'm fine and, I'm going out."

On my way out I got a message. I knew it would come but I was a little surprised anyway. Maybe I didn't know, maybe I just... hoped?
I got in my car and drive over to Zainab's house, only a few minutes away of ours.
As soon as I knocked the door flew open. Her eyes looked puffy but she wore a smile.

"Are you okay?" I didn't feel there was room for pleasantries.

"I'm fine," she sniffles joining me outside and closing the door behind her, "I thought we could go out to lunch while we decide on a menu." She was heading to my car before I had time to process what was happening.

"Zay, what is going on?" I followed closely behind her.

"It's nothing, we just had a fight and I'm still upset about it." She hasn't turned around. She moves closer to the car and tried the passenger's door. It was locked. This made her turn around.

"Please open the door, I don't want to be here. I want to be anywhere else but here. Ramlah, let's go."
I unlocked the car and went around to the driver's side. I drove us to the nearest park and we sat in the parking lot. We were in silence for a while before she decided to speak.

"It wasn't even that bad," she began, "I was just really upset and I didn't want to see him." I knew what she was trying to do, what I couldn't decide was whether to let her believe that his image hasn't been tainted in my eyes or call her out on it.

I chose the former, "That's okay, these things happen, especially when you're newly weds trying to learn how to live with each other and all your quirks." I could see the relief on her face as I spoke. Good choice, Ram.

"Now let's talk bakery, okay?" She turned to face me.

"Oh, we're not doing that. We're going out to lunch, like you suggested, but it's my treat. For the first time in years on July 5th I'm not the one having a breakdown, it's cause for celebration."