Last Tears

Chapter 14

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
- When Harry Met Sally

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"Good morning Ya Akram" Afra smiled as he joined us on the table for a late breakfast. Maama and Mr. Ibrahim had had breakfast and left the house a long time ago.

"Morning Afra" he smiled at her as he pulled the seat opposite her.

"I knocked on your door an hour ago, you didn't open" Ahmad spoke to him and he replied as he sat down only for Adil to interrupt his reply.

"Good morning Ya Akram" Adil greeted him

Akram didn't spare a glance at him and replied only loud enough for those listening to hear. This seemed to upset Adil and he got up and left the table.

"How do you feel?" Akram asked me paying no attention to his brother

"I'm fine" I replied simply before getting up to follow Adil. I went into the house to his room before knocking on the door. There was no reply so I hesitantly pushed the door open and entered. I saw Adil sitting on the edge of his bed, a cigarette in between his fingers and a lighter on the other hand ready to start it.

"What are you doing?" I frowned

"Trying to smoke in peace"

I walked over to him and seized the lighter.

"Don't worry, Maama has seen me before" he said opening his bedside drawer to look for another lighter

"It doesn't matter" I said taking a seat on the sofa opposite his bed, "She's not exactly ecstatic about it is she?"

He shrugged. "Stop worrying; I'm not a habitual smoker"

"It's only a matter of time before it's stuck between your lips all the time" I said locking eyes with him. "Why exactly do you want to smoke right now? Because Akram is upset with you?"

He didn't reply.

"What happened yesterday..." I sighed "he'll get over it"

"I didn't mean to do it on purpose Ya Maheen I swear. My mind was elsewhere"

"I know" I smiled, "And I wasn't angry at you not even for a second. But it's Akram's duty as an older one to make sure we don't repeat mistakes right?" I asked and he nodded "Even if the only way is to be upset. Now you are going to come back to the table and have your meal. And after that you'll meet Akram alone and apologize"

"Fine"

"And I..." I reached for and opened the drawer he was rummaging earlier and took the open packet of cigarette "Will keep this with me" I smiled, "Let's get back" and he grinned

"Thank you Ya Maheen" he said to me just before we walked back into the dining room.

XXX

"I can't believe Eid is just two days away" Maama commented as Afra passed me another cupcake to decorate "And I really don't know why I let you take this work upon yourself Maheen. We could have just ordered the cakes like we normally do"

I smiled, "I wanted to do it, besides-" what I was saying was cut short by the sound of laughter as the three sons came into the house through the kitchen door.

"You're back" Maama acknowledged her sons. Ahmad swiftly walked in and jumped onto the deep freezer sitting there, Adil took seat on the floor at his mother's feet resting his body against her while Akram remained standing, leaning on the door.