Mikaal

3: Mikaal

Was she losing her mind? Dalia could have sworn she saw Mikaal cross James Oval, a large field utilised by many recreational clubs for their outdoor sports activities. But as her eyes followed the tall figure to the Student Guild where small shops and cafes were clustered, a jogging couple interfered with her view. By the time she made the decision to catch up to him, he was nowhere in sight.

Determined, Dalia half-ran, half-jogged to the Student Guild in the direction the figure had headed. She wasn't far from the Guild, to begin with, so Mikaal, assuming he was Mikaal, couldn't have gone far.

Dalia scanned the area, beginning with the chemist, then the Guild Cafe, bookstore, but she couldn't see him. She let out a frustrated sigh.

"Who are you looking for?" a familiar voice suddenly asked from behind her.

Dalia froze. She was sure it was him, but after the tension from the past week surrounding the mystery behind Mikaal, she was almost afraid to face him. She was at her wit's end.

But turn to face him she did, an unreadable expression on her face.

He looked at her curiously and broke the tension with his gorgeous smile. "Wow, it's so good to see you again," he said full of warmth.

Dalia remained standing without a word. She didn't know how she was supposed to feel. Should she be angry for being kept in the dark about how he knew her and why his voice was familiar to her ears? Should she be pleased to have bumped into him to finally have the chance to hear the answer to her mind's questions? Should she be fearful that today would be a repetition of their first meeting, Mikaal leaving abruptly before letting her know what she needed to know?

Dalia's face grew tense and she started to feel light-headed.

"Hey, what's wrong? Come, let's get you seated." There was a command in his voice in spite of his gentle tone. Obediently, Dalia followed him into Guild Cafe, still mute since meeting him.

They both sat, quietly waiting for someone to break the silence.

"Should I get you a coffee?" Mikaal asked.

Although coffee coupled with Tim Tams were among her top vices, Dalia just shook her head.

"Dalia," Mikaal started but he paused. For the first time, his confidence was overshadowed by a look of uncertainty, as if battling with some internal conflict. "I'm sorry, I've been a bit cruel really, keeping you in the dark... I guess you want to know how I know you?"

Dalia simply waited, decided that she was not saying a single word until he finally helped her solve this mystery around their history.

"I know about Blake," he finally said.

"What?" Dalia's eyes grew wide with shock, her heart thudding so loudly that she could feel the pulsations at her fingertips.

"See, this is why I was hesitating about telling you," Mikaal said in a regretful tone.

"Mikaal!" Dalia's eyes were dark now from anger. "Stop speaking in puzzles. What do you know about Blake? And what does that have to do with you and me?"

He appeared trapped, and so with what looked like great discomfort, he admitted, "I was eavesdropping and heard that you were interested in him. I was wi..."

Why was his voice suddenly fading, growing more distant? Why did it feel like time had unexpectedly slowed down and become deadly still? And what was that annoying 'ding-ding-ding' sound that was drowning out his voice?

"Attention students, the library will be closing in 15 minutes. Please finalise your loans and take them to the counter."

Dalia's eyes slowly opened, before blinking shut again as they adjusted to the bright lights in Reid Library. She cursed under her breath, realising the warning bell playing through the library speaker system had pulled her out of a dream. She must have fallen asleep not long after Simon had left. "This is ridiculous," she said to herself, shaking her head at the thought that Mikaal was now invading her dreams.

As frustrated as she was, for the first time, determination coursed through her and coloured her voice as she said aloud, "I can't afford to waste any more time on this." She looked down at her lecture notes that were sprawled across the desk, a work of modern art with their handwritten comments in blue ink amidst pink and yellow highlights, an unwelcome reminder that ebbed and flowed, warning her that exams were looming.

---

Hey again guys

I hope you aren't ready to murder me at this point for leaving you with more unanswered questions... If you are, well, you won't know how the story ends!

Jokes aside, I promise it will be worth it as the story unfolds and that a change in tone is coming.

Once again, would love your feedback, and also, if you love the story so far, can you do me a favour? Share it on FB with one other person who you think will also enjoy it.

I'm excited to be on this journey with you, until next week!

-Noelle