TREASURES AND THORNS

Chapter Eighteen

Our greatest strength lies in the gentleness and tenderness of our heart.
    - Rumi

AHMAD
<Meet ups and celebrations>

"I've been inviting you out all week long, its not fair to you. I think is time I pay back the favour. I'll come see you tomorrow In Shaa Allah. In fact I'll be spending all day there...what do you say?"

My eyes had been focused on my phone while she talked. I did that deliberately to prevent myself from staring at her too much.  I couldn't bear to look at her.  It brought back painful memories that I'd prefer to forget. It had been days but her sight still felt surreal, like a figment of my imagination.

"Not tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Because I'd be going to work with my wife tomorrow."

"Really?" She sounded amused. "Isn't that unethical?"

"And you spending all day there corresponds to ethics?"

She rolled her eyes. "Well I am not your wife, plus I want to discuss business with you."

"All thanks to you!...business or no business, it has to wait."

Hafsat had always had the upper hand in our relationship. She is beautiful, smart, and very convincing. I liked how she could get whatever she set her mind to. Most times what she wanted ended being what happens. Although ever since she returned, I denied her the free access I once handed her.  Seeing her struggle to get my attention was enjoyable. I was giving her a taste of her own medicine.

"So tell me about your wife...what is she like?"

"My wife is none of your business Hafkay!"

"Okay fine! So how pregnant is she? I know you are young and healthy, there should be a bun in the oven by now."

That was her retaliation. A mockery of the highest order. I was irritated the moment she dropped the comment. On further thought, I realized how insecure she was.

"My wife, the oven and the bun are none of your business!" The chuckle that escaped my throat surprised and amused me at  the same time.

"Oh you're no fun! Fine, when do I get to meet her?"

"Now you're just out of your mind!"

"No I'm not! I really want to meet her as a good friend of yours, please Bae!"

"Hafsat you are not my friend!"

She laughed hard. "Well I tried."

"And you lost."

"Yeah whatever. I'll just help Salma with her wedding prep."

"One of the kittens is getting married?"

"Yup!"

"Congratulate her on my behalf, I'm leaving."

I stood up and left the restaurant. That was the sixth time I had been there ever since she appeared at the Cafeteria. I couldn't explain why I kept agreeing to meet her whenever she called.

I had formed a habit of calling my wife immediately after launch. A part of me always felt guilty whenever I answered Hafsat's call. I could neither explain the guilt nor get myself to stop seeing her.

I snapped out of my thoughts when her voice came through. "How is the photoshoot going?"

Haneefah - my super hero sister - decided invited my wife to The emporium, to join the set of a photoshoot.