The Courtyard

23.

Izhar had dropped me off to my parents' house on his way to work. We had decided that I would stay the weekend and he would come and get me on Sunday.

I was currently in the kitchen making tea for my amma and I. As I was swirling in the hot milk into the deep, brown tea, amma had made her way beside me. I gently hand her her cup while giving her a small smile. Instead of heading back to sit on the couch she places her cup back down in the counter. I look at her with confusion and she grabs my hand in hers.

"Syra," my amma says while gripping my hand slightly.

"Yes, amma?" I say confused as she looked worried. "Is everything okay?" 

"I should be asking you that," says amma, worry in her tone. 

I look away from her and focus on my tea. I bring the cups toy lips, the hot liquid scorching my tongue. 

"Why would I not be okay," I say laughing, hoping to convince her that I'm okay. 

"You seem distant ever since you've came. Did something happen with Izhar? Did he say something? Are you happy?" Amma's questions come rushing towards me. 

"Amma!" I say with a laugh, "everything is perfectly fine. Izhar is wonderful! I couldn't ask for better! I'm just a bit tired with all the work at the hospital, that's all," I say with a smile. She cups my face with her soft hand and we both move past the conversation. 

It was soon time for me to sleep so I head upstairs while everyone else was still watching TV. I guess old habits don't die easy, I remember I would always be the first one to go upstairs for bed and be the first one up. I had decided to change into a t-shirt and pyjamas and begun my skin care routine. I was never the one to do any routines because I would start for a couple of days and then never commit. But I did notice that my skin was getting dry because of the weather so I needed to take care of it as soon as I could. 

Once I was done, I made my way into bed and decided to call Alishba since I hadn't talked to her in a while. 

"Syra!" Alishba screeches with excitement at the other end. 

I laughed loudly as I know exactly how excited she is. 

"Hi!" I exclaim back. "How are you?" 

"I am well now that you called. Where have you been girl? How's everything? How is Izhar bhai?" 

"I'm well and everything is good. Izhar is great. I'm actually at my parents' house for the weekend." 

"What? Really? Then I definitely have to drop by and see you. Ammi has been missing you as well so the timing is perfect."

"Yes, please come. I miss you and phupo and I really want to share some stuff with you," I say sighing as I remember the whole incident at Izhar's house. I can tell Alishba understood and didn't question me further. We talk for a little while and then hang up. 

The next morning I had decided to wake up early and make breakfast for everyone. Just like old times, every weekend I would make a special breakfast for everyone. I wanted to feel some normality and so this was the perfect time. I quickly shower, pray and change my clothes. I had decided to make quiche for everyone so I wear something disposable since I knew I would make a mess. 

I soon make the dough for the quiche and prep the eggs. I decide to wake my parents and everyone else up while the quiche was baking. As I slowly make my way up the stairs I make sure I don't bother the twins. They usually don't wake up this early and I know they had a tiring day yesterday. I gently knock on my parents' door and slowly open the door. 

"Asslamualakkum," I whisper as I enter their room. I see Baba glance at me and open his arms, allowing me to approach him. Baba takes me into his arms and give me one of his signature hugs. I decide to do what I used to when I was very little. I gently step over Baba and slither in between both my parents. I remember I would do this as a kid to try to get them to wake up. And it would work all the time because eventually Amma would get annoyed and get up. And that's exactly what happened this time around as well. 

"Syra, you will never change," Baba said laughing. 

"I know," I saw hugging Amma. "Let's go downstairs, I made breakfast!" 

——-

We had all finished breakfast and soon after everyone went their ways doing their stuff for the day. As I was going to shower, my phone rings. When Izhar's name pops up my heart beat quicken and a gentle smiles graces my face. 

"Hello," 

"Hey, babe, how are you?" Izhar's raspy voice comes through the phone, indicating that he had just woken up. 

"Did you just wake up, Izhar?" I say laughing. 

Izhar laughs knowing how I hate sleeping in late, "well, without you next to me, it was kinda hard to get up." 

His words cause a blush to creep up my face. He's not even here and I'm blushing like a teenager.  I didn't know what to say to that so I instead asked him when he would come over today. 

"Whenever you want, babe. If it was up to me, I would've picked you up last night." 

"Come around 3PM, that's when phupo and Alishba are getting here as well so it'll be nice for us to be together." 

"Okay, I'll see you soon," 

"Okay, I love you, bye." 

We both hang up the phone and I can't help but realize what I just said. I told Izhar that I loved him. I didn't even think about it and it just came out. I feel my heart beat fasten and I contemplate whether to call him back or not. God, I'm such an idiot! Oh, my God! I guess I'll just figure it out when I go back home. My phone dings and I look down. It's a message from Izhar. "I love you too."