Eye For An Eye

Eleven

Amaya.

Hayaan and I have been getting to know each other. He insists we meet so we can talk, we would've met earlier but he traveled for work. He finally came back today and insists we meet up today.

I wonder what it is.

We went to a bakery, it had this fantastic set up on the rooftop perfect for picnics. Apparently the place belongs to the woman who raised him and the rooftop wasn't for customers, she just loves gardens so much.

"Maybe she should open this place too, people would love it. Maybe take pictures for the gram"
He sighs "People have tried but she's more stubborn than you are".

We sit on the fluffy carpet.
"I have to admit I'm really curious—you've been asking us to meet it almost felt urgent. Or are you finally coming clean about your intentions".
"You don't seem surprised".

I shrug.
"But it's not that, I've made my intentions clear to you and there's nothing that's going to change my mind".
I nod feeling reassured "So? Why the urgent meet up?"

"I want us to start this relationship with no secrets. At least secrets that we owe to the other to say. Or if there's anything you're curious about".
"So kind of a 'speak now or forever hold your peace?' That kinda thing?"
He shrugs "Could be".

I shake my head "There's nothing".
"No?"
I'm guessing there's something on his mind already and he wants the full gist and I have a feeling I know where he's headed.

"Ersana?"
He doesn't answer but that was a response on it's own.
"I'm not trying to seem controlling or deprecating but—you two have been friends all your life and I've noticed the malice between you two and I've already married the wrong woman once, I wouldn't want to repeat it again. So I'm sorry if you might feel offended or think that I don't trust you but I just want clarity".

Offended?
Not at all.
In a way I liked the fact that he wanted to really know me. A part of me still thought he was here for other reasons but maybe not.

I take a deep breath "Okay, truth be told—I don't really want to because maybe the way you see me might change. I don't want you to think it's something serious but—"
He smiles "Amaya, I know you're not an angel and at this point if you were—I would've walked away a long time away".

I grin.
"Anyway, as you might've heard Sana and I have been friends since we were little. What people will tell you is that she's nice, friendly, kind, selfless and generous. But she never knew how to make friends, in fact I was her first friend and was her only friend for years until I introduced her to my other friends and relatives. Because of how her family pampered her most people don't like her at first glance, in fact she had opposers. But through me she started having friends, she started getting along with every single person I knew. Our relationship though we never spelt it out—it was like a give and take. I get to enjoy the perks of having a friend whose family doused her with money while she got popularity and friends through me".

"Maybe you might not have noticed but I get along with everyone without even trying, I'm a people magnet and I get along with everyone and so that got passed to her. I got things I wanted so I never cared. The problems started arising when she'd try to befriend guys I liked. And she's dated three of them. I tried to be cool but I guess I started disliking her then and even warned her".

"So, when I was in SS2 a guy on our street Hafiz who happened to be in the same class as I was, he was flunking badly. So my mother suggested that I start helping him, he'd come by our house for at least an hour everyday. One day I decide to go there instead because my dad was seeing his. That was when I met his cousin Tariq but everyone called him Zacs, he was two years older and was in his 100level. And as usual I started getting along with Zacs and his other cousins. Soon he started coming by our house to hang with my brother Salim and as you can guess, I had a crush on him".