Eye For An Eye

Nine

"The desire to be loved is the last illusion. Give it up and you will be free."

-Margaret Atwood

Ersana.

I decided to see Amaya.
Not because I miss her or because I'm trying to fix things but because she's the only one that can tell me about Tariq. I want to know what they discussed, why he approached her and why he ignored me.

Like I've mentioned before, Amaya and I both had a massive crush on Tariq but then he made his choice. But I really don't get why he behaved the way he did.

I found her outside the gazebo reading a book which I was thankful for, I didn't have to enter the house and meet all of her siblings.
"You busy?"

She raised her head and looks at me, not at all surprised by my presence.
"I was wondering when you'd show up"
"It's Ramadan, I always come by for Iftar"

She smiles "You're not here for Iftar. You could have shown up a long time ago if that was truly the case, no?"
I walk over and sit across her "You're back to reading, I guess you're in a good mood"

She nods "You could say that, I mean I have every reason to be happy—do I not?"
I chuckle "I guess we all do. Everything has been great with Jazeel"

"I know, he's been looking happy too"
I tilt my head "He comes by a lot?"
I nod "He's friends with Auwal and you met him here so duh"

She keeps the book aside "It's good to see you but you know I don't particularly like beating around the bush"

The fact that she's my only hope annoys me but I made peace with it before I came here. I want answers and only she can give them but at the same time I have to be very careful what I ask so she doesn't see right through me.

"That dinner was great, I think she might just like me now" I began "And Jazeel talked to his sisters, they don't seem so against our relationship"
"Of course, they have no reason to, right?"

I nod.
"Maybe we should go back to that restaurant another time. I could thank Ya Aisha personally and try out that milkshake again. Overall it was a great night except of course when Tariq showed up. You must have been mortified when he asked to see you"

She shakes her head casually "No I wasn't. Yes I was astounded by his appearance but things are good with us. We even met up the other day, talked for a long time and I invited him to our Eid soirée"

Their 'Eid Soirée'.
They started it about 8years ago, they have it in the evening on every second day of Eid. I used to look forward to them but now I have other people I could spend Eid with—at least that was the plan but I guess I'm coming to the soirée.

"Oh, that's right. If you're inviting him then you two must really have patch things up"

She grins "He's always known my weak spot so he probably played at it"
"And I'm invited too? Seeing as I'm family"

"You are? I thought you'd gotten a new one all this time we haven't been talking but of course, how could I not invite Jazeel's girlfriend? You're his plus one"

Two things pissed me off about being his 'plus one'. Firstly, the fact that after so many years I'm now just 'Jazeel's girlfriend'. Secondly, that he'll be there which complicates things for me but I'm not letting an opportunity like that slip by, I'm netting Tariq.

I force a smile "Can't wait"
"Oh of course you can, it's in a week"

How did we stay friends as long as we did?
I really don't get it.