TREASURES AND THORNS

Chapter twenty five

”In the end, forgetting is nothing but turning a page in the book of life. It may
seem an easy matter, but as long as you can’t tear it, you will keep on stumbling upon it between each season of your life.” – Nizar Qabbani

OMNISCIENT
<A step closer>

UNEDITED

Rukkayya wore a cream chiffon maxi dress which she paired with a brown scarf. It was light, lose and elegant, perfect for a day out in sunny Stone town. Apart from the poor choices of night dresses, Atika had packed really nice dresses for her. Could she even blame the woman? Everyone felt that they were on the 'honeymoon phase'.

They were only struggling through the awkwardness that was always the third party. Except if the butterflies she got in her stomach whenever the deep brown almost woody orbs found hers count. An arranged marriage in the twenty first century! The thought made Rukkayya's head spin out of control whenever she tried to wrap her head around it. She shook her head gently in her attempt to rid her mind of the thought only the counter thought was an an image of him running his hands through his impeccably black slightly curly hair, with a smile gracing his lips. He was right next to her in person and very alive in her thoughts too. What was wrong with her?

"Dimple?"

"Huh?" She answered abruptly.

"Are you ready?" Ahmad asked.

She nodded looking at the large hand woven chair that was kept close to the window instead of the man before her. They left the hotel and got in to an awaiting taxi. She was tempted to ask him how he had everything prearranged but she refrained from doing so. She stole glances at him through the rear view mirror. He wore a plain blue shirt and ash coloured trouser, very casual for his usual dressed up appearance but he was still a sight to behold.

Rukkayya's subconscious mocked her for shamelessly checking out the man, she was about to heed its warning when his eyes found hers in the reflection. Busted! A voice with her teased. She quickly looked away only to feel his warm hand gently squeeze her small ones. It sent a thousand tingles swimming all around her . She had to see a doctor again, perhaps she was experiencing the early signs of high fever.

If at all that made sense.

Their first stop was at the Tangawizi spice farm in a reserve area in Maputo district. A man in his forties ran towards their packed car.

"Karibuni! Ji na langu ni Moussa.' (Welcome, my name is Moussa).

"Hujambo Moussa!" (Hello Moussa).

Rukkayya looked from the man to her husband.

"You speak Swahili?"

"A little," Ahmad replied.