Daneen

CHAPTER FOUR

DANEEN

"You've all been posted to Kano? What a nice coincidence!" Mum exclaimed.

"That's right, we'll be able to visit always for more of mama Izhar's delicious meals." Muhammad said flashing a charming smile at my mother, which she was definitely falling for.

"Thank you dear, luncheons like this will become a regular then. You guys can drop by whenever you want," mum replied full of smiles.

After the meals, we moved to the sitting room where my mom engaged them in small talks. I was sitting next to my brother on the couch, my mother shared a settee with Muhammad, while Aahil who I've been to figure out ever since their arrival sat in the single couch.

He was quiet most of the time, he only spoke when direct questions were asked at him. Muhammad was pretty much the attention of the room.

I couldn't help but steal occasional glances at him. There's no way he's the one right?
I mean, he spent give years with my brother, surely Izhar must have brought me up. He would have tried to contact me if he was the one right?

I tried to glance at him again to catch a resemblance, but our eyes met instead. I couldn't look a way and he didn't either. He peered at me with such intensity like he was trying to tell me something with his eyes.

Senior Aahil?

"So did you also attend AFMS Jos?" My mum's voice suddenly broke our contact.

"No ma, I attended a civilian school, but Aahil here is also an Ex-Pilot,” Muhammad promptly replied, I looked back to Aahil again but he seemed to be avoiding my gaze.

"Wait, AFCS Kaduna right?" mum asked.

"Yes ma." Aahil replied.

So he really is the same Aahil.

"Wow, then you must have met Daneen right? Or don't you know him?" Mum asked turning to me.

"Um, I- um..." I stammered at the sudden attention as their gazes turned to me.

"I think, he looks familiar."

"You didn't meet my sister? What year did you graduate again Aahil?" Izhar asked him.

"I'm not sure, I don't really remember people I was not classmates with." He replied still avoiding my face.

Ouch.

"What do you mean, you graduated barely six years ago" said Muhammad with a playful expression.

Aahil gave a quick glance at him but didn't reply causing my brows to deepen. He haven't actually said a word to Muhammad since they arrived. His replies were always directed at Izhar or my mum, and he definitely just snubbed him right now. Were they fighting? Not to mention him denying recognizing me, my face didn't really change. He's either flat out lying or he suffered some kind of memory loss.

What's up with him?

"Hah, seems I'm the only black sheep among you all." Muhammad said laughing slightly to fill the sudden silence.
"Which one did you attend ma?"

"That'll be two black sheep then, cause the only thing tying me to the military is my husband." My mum replied with a light laugh and Muhammad joined in while Izhar smiled at them.

My focus faded from them to the person that intrigued me the most in the room. At the moment he seemed totally cut out from the light-hearted mood in the room. The total  opposite of Muhammad who seemed to be creating it. His head was bowed slightly as he glared at the carpeted floor, paying no mind to anyone nor the discussion. I couldn't help but comically wonder if the area around him will be cooler than the rest of the room.