When Two Become One

36- Crazy

//Jamil

I smiled down at Mariam as I walked into the bakery. My smile grew when I saw Priya serving a customer. Since the chimes echoed in the half empty bakery, she looked up and gave me a small wave. Once she was finished with the customer, I walked up to her.

"Hey beautiful." She rolled her eyes and handed me a slice of a strawberry tart. I took my wallet out and gave her the money. Once I had my change back, she looked over at Mariam, smiling.

"Give her to me," she said as she came around so she was in front of me. Before I could even do anything, she already started to take Mariam out the harness.

"Are you only marrying me to take my daughter away from me?"

"Yes, Jamil, that's exactly why I'm marrying you."

We took our seat at an empty table nearby the till so she could get up if a customer came in. It was really quiet since it was Friday afternoon but I knew that when schools or work finished, it would be packed. Mariam buried her head in Priya's neck. She had liked Priya from the beginning but over the last two weeks, their bond has become stronger. I mean just the other day Mariam was crying all day and I couldn't even calm her down but as soon as she was in Priya's arms...silent.

Priya had just given me the answer two days ago and Amma was making herself busy making preparations even though we just said we wanted a simple wedding and maybe a honeymoon at the end. And no, we aren't going to get married next week or something. We decided to get married as soon as we get everything sorted because there was a lot we still had to do before we did anything. If anything, we would be getting married in the next month or two.

"Jamil, hold her, a customer is there." I looked down at a sleeping Mariam and shook my head.

"I'll go." Priya had showed me how to deal with the cash machines and gave me small tips on how to deal with the customers since I usually come here during every break I have. I smiled at the man and once he gave me the order, I got what he needed and served it to him. Once he was gone, I put the tips into the jar and made my way back to her.

"You're getting better."

"Why thank you, beautiful." I cut into the strawberry tart and raised it to her lips. She opened her mouth with a small blush and silently ate it. "Do you want me to pick up Said and take him to my house?"

"Yeah. Benson isn't in today so I'll have to cover his shift. That means I'll finish at about nine before Jessie comes in." I nodded my head and finished off the tart.

"I'll pick you up then."

"No."

"Yes. I am not letting you walk through the streets when it's dark. I'm picking you up and you're gonna stay the night because it would be too late to drop you off home." She sighed and leaned back in the booth. She stayed yesterday too, in Aisha's old room. She was so knackered after finishing her shift that she fell asleep on the sofa. Amma gave her spare clothes that she changed into. Not going to lie, it felt good to come downstairs and see her first thing in the morning. She had already got Tariq up which I struggle with every single morning and dealt with Mariam at night. That must have meant she came into my room at night but not that I minded.

"My parents are-"

"With your brother. Don't even use your parents as an excuse because they are not even in the city." She smiled at me before leaning over and kissing my cheek.

"Thank you."

"No problem. I'll drop you off tomorrow so you can relax since you only have the weekends off." She nervously giggled and I raised an eyebrow at her. "The fuck did you do now?"