When Two Become One

29- Sunrise

It was now almost ten and Aneel still hadn't called me. To say I was worried was an understatement. Why hasn't he called? Not even a message!

I smiled at my friend once before I raised the phone to my ear. Pick up! After it went to voicemail, I rung him again. I needed to know if he was okay.

"I'm trying to spend quality time with my mum after twenty years and you keep bugging me! Fucking hell, Aisha, what the hell do you want?" I quickly lowered down the volume so no one would hear anything but I guess I was a bit too late since my friend raised her eyebrow at me.

"Nothing, I just wanted to make sure you were fine. I'm sorry I disturbed you," I quickly whispered before hanging up.

"What crawled up his ass?"

"Stop it, Beth." She scoffed and moved her son to her other lap.

"No. You worry about him all day and he tells you you're disturbing him? Nah, mate."

"He's going through a tough time right now."

"You know what? It's okay if he doesn't need you with him because sometimes doing it alone is far better but that doesn't mean you take it out on your spouse. Fuck sake, Aisha, does he do that all the time?" I took her son from her and frowned.

"Swearing is not good." He giggled and then stuffed his chubby finger back into his mouth. "He's sweet. Trust me when I say he is a loving guy. He really cares for me and makes me happy and I couldn't ask for anything more. It's only been a few times where he did this but we talk it over after."

She sadly smiled and got up. She held her son again and walked out. I looked around the room for my jacket and found it on the sofa beside me. After I had got all my stuff, I walked into the kitchen to find Beth putting her son in a chair.

"Beth? Listen, I'm gonna go now. You should go to sleep, you're so tired."

"Seriously, I'm fine. How you gonna go?"

"Train?" She rolled her eyes before picking up her phone.

"Let me call Kevin-"

"No. I'm gonna by myself. Let Kevin hang out with his friends." I quickly kissed her cheek before leaving the house. I walked down the street towards the train station but stopped when I saw a coffee shop. I needed something to keep me awake and warm. I had my phone in my hand as I bit my lip.

Do I call him? I inhaled as I raised the phone to my ear. It didn't take that long for him to answer. "What the hell is it now?"

I kicked a stone in my way and sighed. "Just letting you know that I'm gonna home now. I have the keys so it's fine. Just thought-"

"What do you mean you're going home?"

"You're with your mum and so I don't want you to end the day because of me. I checked how to get home and it's about three trains from here. Taking a cab will take too long and will be too expensive. It took us almost three hours to come here and imagine what it will be like when I go back. And plus, I saw that they are closing down one of the roundabouts at around ten anyways. You stay and-"

"No, I'm coming. Just do me a favour and wait in the cafe that's near your friend's house. Know which one I'm talking about?"

"I'm outside it now. But don't be silly, Aneel. Spend time with your mum. Don't let me come in between." I walked into the dimly lit cafe. There weren't that many people here but I still went and got a table at the far corner. A waitress smiled at me before sliding over the menu.

"You already did. I'm coming in half an hour. Wait inside and buy something if you need to. You're already ill as it is, don't need you spreading your germs." I was about to respond but then heard the line go dead. A small smile settled on my face as I scanned over the menu. He still cares even though he was angry. That must mean something, right?