My Hijab,Jake and I.

Chapter Nine/Distant and Polite

Three months later.

Jake

I sit and stare out of my bedroom window at Uncle Joe’s. What a beautiful site. The green fields stretches for miles. The sun casting everything in a shimmery glittery glow. I guess  I now  understand why uncle Joe decided to quit life living in London and purchased a run down farm in the good old countryside.

The rundown farm has been converted into a quaint little house, with several acres of beautiful greenery. Uncle Joe is no longer the wild playboy he was infamous for. He has finally settled own with the woman of his dreams. The typical married with children cliche living happily ever after.

The farm is such a tranquil place to be. Even the annoying bloody cockerel in the morning finally grows on you. The mooing of the cows, the bleating of the sheeps all create a natural symphony that is so typical and natural of farm life.  

‘’Jake! You ugly git. Get down for brekkie’’. I smile at the loud booming voice of my uncle.

Quickly putting on a t shirt over my shorts I make my way first to the bathroom to wash up then head downstairs to the kitchen. The Aromas of freshly baked bread and coffee makes my mouth water. Damn I could get use this. Come to think of it I am used to it. I've been here for almost four months now.

‘’Morning all. I sit at the table where Uncle joe is seated feeding his one year old Millie, whilst Two year old oscar is busy throwing food at four year old Tilly. I love the sense of love and content that emanates from this room. Uncle Joe’s wife Alisha sets  a plate full in front of me whilst ruffling my hair.

Damn. My uncle is one lucky man. Alisha is so beautiful. She has a natural beauty that captivates you. She is a tall willowy woman. But still manages to be dwarfed by Uncle Joe. She has coffee coloured skin that is flawless. Her eyes are a captivating hazel with a tinge of green, With a little straight nose and beautiful pouty lips which Uncle Joe can't seem to get enough of. The amount of times I Had to cough to make my presence felt when they get carried away.

To think that my tattooed uncle has fallen in love with a woman who is so beautiful and refined has me wondering sometimes how he pulled it off. Then when I listen to the stories that I’ve heard about him about how charming and devilish he was in his bachelor days.. Even nuns were not immune. A true story I heard straight from the horse's mouth.

God. I wanted to have what they had on day.They make you envious of their passionate love. Their beautiful children are the icing on the cake. My gut clenches when I think of another beautiful creature. She two has hazel eyes and a mouth made for ki…..

‘’Jakey boy. Where have you gone to?’’ Uncle joe’s voice interrupts my thoughts. I silently thank him.

‘’Oh. Nothing Uncle Joe. Just thinking what shall I do on this beautiful day. It's my day off which I very much appreciate’’. I finish whilst stuffing my face with buttered bread.

‘’Jake. Why don't you go and visit Kelly and your folks’’. Alisha suggests happily whilst casting a glance at her husband. It was a husband and wife personale code.

‘’Jakey my son. You haven't been down since you set foot here. Sure you phone them but it’s not the same. Go on my lad. Get ready after brekkie and I'll drop you off at the station.’’ he gently coaxed me.

I know they mean well. I know that they are not fed up off me being here. The love is real between all of us. I’m very lucky to have people like them in my life. I guess I can make it back home and here in time.

I refuse to think any further than that. Hopefully being away has helped me in some way. Yes Medina, [there I said her name] does trouble my thoughts from time to time but I think being away has made me more in control of my feelings. It has given me the chance to adjust to life without her although temporarily. I know running away is not the answer, but I felt that if I didn't remove myself from those intense feelings that were controlling me, I would have made things far worse. I would have made an utter fool of myself.

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I entered my home to find it quiet. I wanted to surprise my parents and Kelly. I walked down the hallway and I finally heard some voices coming from the garden. Smiling to myself I made my way to the garden. Making my way outside I saw that Dad was busy tending to his beloved roses. Mom was sitting at the small table reading and kelly was talking to Sarina over the fence.

‘’What does a fella have to do to get some attention around here?’’ I shouted dramatically.

Dad whipped around with a smile on his face, mom put her book down and stood up walking briskly towards me with a look of pure joy on her face. Sarina and Kelly had a little girls shouting session. I could see Kelly running up beating mom to it and flung herself in to my arms.

God.I missed her. I twirled her around a few times loving her ecstatic screams. Putting her down I hugged Mom, smelling her scent and kissing her a few times on her cheek. Dad had taken of his gloves and finally hugged me tightly.

‘’Dad. I..Can’t..Breath..’’ I joked, pretending to choke.

Sarina had come over the garden fence and the look in her eyes told me that she had missed me just as much as I had missed her. She shook my hand shyly.

‘’It's good to have you back Jake. You idiot, leaving without a word’’. She punched me hard on the arm. Ouch.

Good old Sarina. No beating around the bush with her. I missed her bossy demeanor.

‘’I’m sorry. Sar, things were complicated’ I tried to avoid eye contact. Little mind reader that she is.

‘’Mhmm I forgive you but I don't think Me….’’

‘’Sarina. Mamma says to come in and finish tidying up your bed…’’ Medina trailed off when her eyes met mines. Damn. My gut clenched at seeing her.

She stood there as if not believing what she was seeing. We stared for what seemed like minutes but were really probably seconds.

‘’Medina darling. So good to see you’’. Mom broke in chirply. Thank God.

‘’Yes. It's nice to see you Medina’’ I say quietly. Looking once more into her eyes. She quickly averted though. Shit. Back to that are we.

‘’ Thank you Mrs White , likewise.  JW, Good to have you back. How was your uncle and his family?’’ She politely asks me. Which grinds the crap out of me. She's acting as if we are strangers. Damn I need to get a grip.

‘’All fine Thank you’’.I reply equally polite.’’How’s Mr and Mrs Jahan.’’ Touche.

‘’.Very good Alhamdulillah. Thanks for asking. I better go in. Mr and Mrs white’’. She nods her head and quickly turns around to go inside. I see her long dark hair swishing behind her. I fist my hands.

‘’Well that wasn't awkward at all’’. Sarina chips in. Rolling her eyes.

Mom and Dad share a look and just burst at laughing. Good old Sarina. Such an ice breaker. God I love that girl. She has told me on more than one occasion that she sees me as her second brother and in kind I see her as another kid sister.

I wish I had brotherly feelings towards her elder sister though. Shit. Time away has somehow done me good but it has no way lessened my feelings. Seeing her after all this time just intensified them. However I need to man up and act the way she just acted. Polite and distant. Yep. Very polite and very distant.

‘’Come on everyone. Why don't we treat Jake to a proper homecoming. Pizza extravaganza with cookie dough ice cream for afters.’’

‘’Hey guys. I’m joining you lot. Mama's gonna give me an earful later but come onnnn.. Pizza and ice cream are sooo worth it.’’ Sarina holds Kelly’s hand and both runoff inside .

I put my arms around both of my parents. They look at me with pride and maybe hope. Hoping that maybe I’m staying for good. I don't  want to disappoint them right now. I return their look and the three of us make our way up the path.

I chance a glance at Medina’s room to find the curtains twitching. I smiled Inwardly. Looks like I'm not the only one fond of peeping. Then I remember my earlier conviction to myself. Distant and polite, quickly looking away to proceed inside.