Too Little, Too Late

32

It took half an hour after Ibrahim left for Ayra to pull away from Ibtihaj and say she wanted a bath. Although she wanted them to get straight into whatever it was that had happened, Ibtihaj couldn't bring herself to say no; not after Ayra had cried in a way she – Ibtihaj – had never witnessed before, even when Ibrahim didn't show up for Eid or for their graduation.

She held Ayra's hand the entire walk up to her room and she only let go when she had to step into the bathroom, Ayra's sniffles haunting her in the tiled space. She got one of the bath bombs in the basket on the vanity and put it in the tub before filling it with water that was warmer than she'd like on a normal day; water that would be warm enough for Ayra.

Ayra, who'd gotten out of her clothes and into the bathrobe she'd brought along with her, sniffled once again as she stepped into the bathroom. She managed a small smile. "Thank you, Ibty."

Ibtihaj's chest squeezed painfully but she managed to smile back. "Come off it abeg. This is nothing." She turned off the tap. "You'll be okay alone in here?"

Ayra nodded. "I will be."

"Alright then. I'm right outside if you need anything."

"Thank you, Ibty."

"You're always welcome."

When she stepped out of the bathroom, Ibtihaj let her mind finally run wild and she came up with every unfortunate situation. She wondered if Ibrahim and the others had gone back to their old ways of leaving for a long time while Ayra stayed alone or if they'd done something as bad as uttering the worst statements.

She went as far as wondering whether or not Ibrahim had done something as bad as hitting Ayra. She told herself that if that was what had happened, she'd waste no time in killing him and feeding him to the wild animals in the zoos and resorts all around the country once she was done roasting his remains.

To keep herself busy, Ibtihaj got out pyjama sets for the both of them and then proceeded to put every single thing that was out of place back into their respective spots. By the time Ayra stepped out of the bathroom, the room was clean but Ibtihaj's mind was still spiralling.

No words were shared as she picked her own towel and headed into the bathroom. The only thing she was grateful for was that Ayra looked a bit better after the bath although her face still stayed a little puffy. Ibtihaj had her bath in record time and by the time she got out, Ayra was dressed and she had a small smile on her face.

"Shey we can start talking now?"

Ayra's smile widened by an inch. "Tell me about Adil first."

It took everything in Ibtihaj not to groan. "Ayra."

"Please, Ibty. Tell me about Adil first and I promise, I'll tell you everything I haven't told you since the day you left."

"Aunty, if I beat you!"

"Ibty, please."

Ibtihaj's chest squeezed again and she knew deep, deep inside that there was no way she would say no. Pushing every negative thought aside, she focused on the man who'd recently become part of her life and it was easy – something that was still scary for her – for heat to rush to her cheeks. Wanting to hide it, she moved in the direction of the wardrobe.

"Omo, where do you even want me to start from?"

Ayra loved it so much that for the first time in a while she could focus on something that wasn't the nightmare her life had become. Her eyes widened slightly and she sat on the bed. "Ibty, are you blushing?"

Ibtihaj, who refused to turn around from her skin products, blushed deeper. "Shut up!"

"Oh my days, Ibty!"