Better Late Than Never

02

The plane from the Liverpool John Lennon Airport hit the runway in Raven Isle, Atlantica at 6:15AM on Tuesday, December 7th. In the business class cabin, Ayman silently offered a prayer of gratitude for the safe flight while massaging his temple as his head threatened to split in two.

In front of him, Adil had a grin on his face as he stared out of the window, watching as the Atlantican sky lit up little by little while the plane made a few turns and came to a slow stop.

The warning lights went off a few minutes later and passengers were allowed to unbuckle their seatbelts and get ready for de-boarding. Ayman, as he usually did, stayed in his seat, waiting for the plane's population to fizzle out as much as possible while praying his headache receded.

Adil, who had gotten to his feet like many others, opened the overhead compartment and pulled out their boxes. He was still grinning when he faced his cousin. "We made it!"

Ayman managed a small smile. "We did, Alhamdulillah."

Adil's grin slipped off his face, worry taking its place. "The headache is still there?"

Ayman nodded, lowering his hand from his temple. His smile stayed on his face. "It is. I'll be fine In Shaa Allah. Let's just get off, pray, and then find a place to change."

Adil laughed but it was way too light; a tell-tale sign of nervousness. Ayman's eyes narrowed. "Adil, please tell me you didn't."

Adil held both his hands up. "Then I won't tell you."

"Adil, wallah –"

"In my defence, Amna and Aabidah had a video chat with me while you used the restroom before we left Liverpool and when I told them we were still in our suits from the meeting, they made me promise that I'd do everything possible to keep you in your suit until we got to Aomi."

Ayman felt the usual urge to commit murder. "I really want to wring your neck, Adil."

Adil grinned, his hands falling to his sides. "You and I know you can't do that. Everyone in the family will kill you. I am their golden baby after all."

Ayman couldn't stop his snort. "Yeah right." He then groaned, briefly closing his eyes. "You all know how I feel about suits. You shouldn't have promised them anything!"

"And risk them not preparing food for us?!" Adil looked at Ayman as though he had lost it. "Ayman, these women have virtually learnt new culinary skills from Mas'ood Dantata and you want us to pass out on their offer to serve us a full blown breakfast? Are you crazy?!"

Ayman kept his mouth shut, not because he didn't have things to say but because he knew how beautiful meals were when made by Amna and Aabidah. He rolled his eyes when a near minute passed. "But still...I've managed this for the entire night while we were up in the skies. An hour plus drive to Aomi is a whole different story."

Adil grinned yet again. "Ayman Hakeem, you look breath-taking in a suit and we all love it when you dress to the nines. That's why we love keeping you in it when the opportunity presents itself. Knowing that your days as acting president of the company are ending now that I'm graduating, we'll make use of the few opportunities we have left to see you all glammed up. Now, let's get off this plane, pray Fajr, call them to let them know we've finally joined the rest of the family here in Atlantica and that we're on our way, and then actually be on our way. Okay?"

Ayman's smile was impossible to hold back. "That's a lot of flattering for such an early hour, especially with the flight we've had. Aren't you tired?"

"When I'm this close to being in the same city with the woman I love?" Adil scoffed. "Oh please. Now, let's go, Ayman. We still have a trip ahead of us and you're staying in that suit."