ALONGSIDE YOU

48| The letter

Cumar Xirsi Husseins Pov

"I can't believe you and Cumar are going to be brothers-in-law," Mohammed says through Facetime, laughing.

"I know, right? Now I have to be committed to him," Ahmed sneers back, taking a bite of his apple.

"You stupid monkey, I'm not going to marry you," I say, giving him a smack on the back of his head.

"Ouch, but it's my twin sister. We're basically the same person; we've shared everything throughout our lives," he argues back.

"Eww, you are not the same person," I say, disgusted. I know Ayaan is not like him; she is different. She is just pure perfection in my eyes.

"No way, Ahmed has to share his best friend with Ayaan. It's kinda ironic," Mohammed says, laughing.

"Shut it, Moha," Ahmed says jokingly.

"They don't have to share me. After this, I'm 100% Ayaan's," I say jokingly.

"Whoa, over 10 years of friendship, and my sister takes you away from me," Ahmed says, pouting.

"We're still brothers, Ahmed, of course," I say back.

"But you have to know, Ahmed, that after one is married, their spouse is their first priority. Your whole world almost revolves around them," he says, smiling. He got married nine months ago and is now living his best life in Riyadh.

"Okay, loverboy," Ahmed teases.

Ismail suddenly joins the call, sounding stressed as he tries to assemble a baby bed. "Guys, how am I gonna be a good father if I can't even build this bed?" he exclaims.

"Ismail, calm down. Don't stress yourself; Allah has got you," I reassure him with a smile.

"Well, Assalamu Alaikum to you too," Ahmed adds sarcastically.

"I can't calm down; I want Fatima to rest and not worry. So I have decided to take care of almost everything, but now this stupid bed is not functioning. I have to make dinner, the laundry is not done, and for some reason, amazing, my wife is struggling with morning sickness," Ismail shares, almost screaming into the phone.

"Who knew having a baby would be the end of your mental health," Ahmed teases.

Moha, concerned, asks, "Ismail, where is my sister?"

"She is sleeping, you moron," Ismail replies.

"Okay, just ask her to do the household chores, and you can take care of building the bed and painting the nursery and stuff," Ahmed suggests.

"See, that's why you're not married yet, Ahmed. Fatima is not gonna lift a finger; she very much needs the rest," Ismail replies.

"I am just saying you can divide the chores in half," Ahmed insists.

"Ahmed is right actually, divide the chores!" Mohammed chimes in. 

"She is carrying our child; I think she has enough chores on her plate," Ismail argues.

"He is right," I add from afar.

"Who?" asks Ahmed.

"Ismail" I say back. 

"Whatever you say, man. Aren't you also supposed to grade papers tonight?" Ahmed asks.

"I did that this morning," Ismail replies.

"Ismail, both my mother and your mother are coming in two days," Moha informs him.

Ismail, still frustrated with the unassembled baby bed, continues, " I know, I just want everything to be perfect for when they arrive. I've been running around trying to make sure everything's in order, but this bed is driving me crazy!"