A Promise From My Heart

30.

NOORIE'S POV

My left index finger strumming against my hip bone pattered to the rhythm of my restless heart. The shuffle of my foot echoed quietly, almost indistinct, in the porch as it tried to find the right position before it can stay still. In my right hand was a basket that homed a new delicacy Kenny had made this morning before I left the house. It was baked chicken, sautéed in spices and a chicken mix he had made, his own recipe with a secret ingredient, on a bed of vegetable salad and baked potatoes.

A taste, and its juiciness released a splash of flavour and spices onto my tongue making me want more. I could not have enough. The chicken was so tender which made it easy to chew. It melted like butter on the tongue. His hands were blessed for cooking. My mouth covered with pink lip gloss watered at the thought, as it made an attempt to tug up despite the knots that were in my stomach.

I waited for the door to be answered, my heart trumping in my chest like a bird trying to free itself from a cage. I hoped I was doing the right thing and prayed I don't mess up again. I had planned my speech, even written it and learnt it but standing at the entrance of her house, everything I knew had flown out of my head. What if I am just over reacting like Doctor Smith had said? Sister Amatullah might not even take the issue as hard as I was. But it still does not change the fact that I offended her. Forgiveness was all I needed to finally have peace of mind.

When the door opened, my breathing halted as I turned as rigid as a stone. Sister Amatullah's head appeared in the slightly opened door, a towel latched over her head and held together under her chin with a hand. It was obvious she had rushed to get something to cover her hair with.

"Noor?" Her voice held disbelief just as her eyes grew bigger.

"Assalamu alaikum." I greeted with a smile I had practiced to make tensed free.

Sweat sipped from the glands in my palms and the thumping of my finger against my hip bone had stopped. I shifted on my feet, trying to ease the tension in my body as the one in the air grew thicker. She ought to be surprised. I have never dropped by at their home since they moved out. It was my way of avoiding her.

"Walaikum salam." She replied, cheerful but uncertainty and questions sat at the threshold of her voice. That's still good. A positive sign I guess. She's in a good mood. A good way to start. "Come in." The door opened wider to the backward pull of her hand. I stepped in.

Notes of jasmine expertly blended with sandalwood and amber that gave the atmosphere a touch of richness and warmth took over my sense of smell filling me with its sweetness. There was a subtle hint of leather in the background which made the floral core more masculine and prim. I paused to rave my curious eyes over the wide space of the living room.

Shards of beams from the P.O.P lights bounced against the walls glazed in chalky white with grey tones. There were very dark grey drapes obstructing daylight from streaming in through the windows, a set of subtle grey sectional sofas and coffee table with golden iron legs complimented with a Persian rug in the warmest shade of grey.

An abstract floral English Rose wallpaper created a spectacular scenery on the wall where the television was hanged. Posh pillows and throws in saffron yellow, a colour picked from the wallpaper, brought radiance and warmth to the neutral design of the living room.

The best part of the expanse, one I fancied the most due to my love for nature, were the two green plants stationed at corners and their miniature replica on the coffee table next to the diffuser that sat on a pair of big books, added life and fineness to the room as well as made the cool air clean.

The wall across from me, adjacent to a foyer that led to the inner rooms, had a mirror that reflected light and made the space feel extensive and dazzling. Arts in glass frames with gold-plated rims gave animation to not just the walls but also the entire room.