Better Late Than Never

35

The morning of Friday, May 6th was warm so Ayra stuck to wearing a floral wrap dress she'd purchased during a charity drive pop up event hosted during Ramadan by various masjids around Aomi.

Glad her parents were both spending the day in resting, she took her father's car and found her way to Eastside after texting Ayman that she would show up at work at least an hour and half late. She assured him – twice – that she was alright when he asked if she was okay and then if she was sure she was fine.

Once she'd parked the vehicle properly, Ayra killed the engine and got out, remembering to pick the gift box she'd come with. The entire elevator ride to the fourth floor was quick and with a small smile, she knocked on the familiar door before letting herself into the space she hadn't visited in quite some time.

Zainab Hashim lowered the book she'd been reading, her eyes unusually wide and surprise etched on her face. "Ayra!"

Ayra, with a little laugh, stepped in properly and closed the door behind her. "Surprise, surprise."

Laughing, Zainab closed her book, set it aside, and then got off the loveseat; a new addition Ayra didn't recognise. "Surprise indeed." She walked over, her arms held open. "Oh my days, Ayra, it's so good to see you in person after a while."

Ayra let herself be hugged and she used her free arm to hug the older woman back. "I'm sorry I haven't come over in a while."

"Oh nonsense." Zainab pulled back, still smiling. "We already said we'll see once in a while and from your posts, I know you've been having fun. That is more than enough for me. Also, we text occasionally too so...Come in, my darling. I just made citrus tea so you're right on time."

Ayra laughed again. "I see the citrus tea is still a signature thing here."

Zainab's laugh was pretty and she nodded. "It is, and so are the mugs. Your favourite's still here and each time a friend comes, I find myself not wanting to give it to them because I've branded it as Ayra's mug. It feels wrong to give it to someone else. You've really grown on me."

Ayra's smile was wide while warmth and nostalgia mixed in her chest. "You grew on me too and I don't regret it." She then sighed and held out the gift box. "Here, Dr Zainab. I know we wished each other Eid Mubarak on the day of Eid but everyone else got something from me and you have to get one too."

Zainab's smile was gone. "A-Ayra." Her chest was tight but in a positive way. "Ayra, you didn't –"

"Oh, I had to. You've done so much for me and this is the least I could get." She stepped forward, closer. "Please take it."

Zainab did, with a reluctance that Ayra didn't miss. Cracking a small smile, Zainab walked back to the loveseat and made herself comfortable, balancing the gift box on her laps. Ayra walked to the sofa she always occupied during her sessions and made herself comfortable, watching as the other woman undid the ribbons and lifted the box's lid, gasping at the box's contents: a dusty pink abaya with poet styled sleeves and pockets from the Ayneese line named after Amna, a blue hardbound journal, and a portable travel prayer rug.

With glassy eyes, Zainab raised her head. "Ayra, this is a lot."

Ayra blushed, putting her hands together as she repeated Ayman's words. "It's nothing too much. Besides, it's something I wanted to do so..."

"Thank you, really. This is the best Eid gift."

"That's an exaggeration."

"You have my assurances that I am not lying. Also," Zainab gave a knowing smile. "I see you're being a beautiful representative of Ayneese. Their abayas are stunning, Ayra, and I'm so honoured to have one more to add to my collection."