‘M, DO YOU WANT TO KISS ME?’
Misbah blinks. ‘Excuse me?’
‘You have been staring at me as if you want to kiss me. Is that what you want?’
‘Reana, where is this coming fro-?’
‘Answer the question, Misbah.’
l. l. lako
OUR MARRIAGE
OF
CONVENIENCE
The Malik Billionaires: Book Two
(Volume One)
OUR MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE is a novel. Any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2022 by L. L. Lako
All rights reserved. This e-book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
This book contains Nigerian pidgin words and phrases which have been italicized.
There is a glossary at the end of the book with translations and explanations of the pidgin words and phrases.
For all my readers.
1
MISBAH MALIK
The evening harmattan wind carries a lot of dust and chill. The chill penetrates my thin shirt fabric, aiming right for the bones. Slightly worried that the dust might irritate my eyes, I knock on the heavy metal door more urgently.
The sound of the latch comes through. The door opens wide.
‘Thank God you’re here. I’m starving.’
As always, her familiar scent hits me first, followed by the thought of how lovely she looks. Casually put-together in a long green top, dark jean trousers and a fashionable cap, Reana dimples prettily as she steps back to let me in. Against her coffee-and-cream skin, her full, unpainted but gleaming lips are curved in a slight smile. Then again, they almost always seem to look that way. I know for sure that she’s excited about something though, by the sparkle in her large, expressive eyes.
‘Sorry I’m late.’
‘And you forgot your key again. If you’ll make me open the door for you every time, you might as well return the key.’
‘Sorry. You really should learn to check who is at the door before opening it, Ree.
That’s what this peephole is for.’
Reana grins, ‘and that concludes the chastisement portion of tonight’s entertainment, folks.’
‘I am serious, Ree. This isn’t a safe area.’
In bare feet, Reana’s head reaches up to my shoulder so she has to tilt up her head slightly to look into my eyes. ‘You worry needlessly.’ As if the discussion is over, Reana turns on her heels. She precedes me down the short, dimly-lit corridor to the living room.
The living room always looks cheerful: overwhelmingly so, in fact. There are throw pillows and knickknacks in bright, clashing colours. This place makes me think of a nursery school classroom. As usual, it is in slight disarray. Books are piled high on a bookshelf in the corner of the room. It suits Reana to the ground.
Reana never learnt how to use a bookshelf properly. Maybe she simply doesn’t care.
The long, glass-topped table in the centre of the room has a pack of Whot cards for our game.
Slipping on something, I catch myself, but only just.
At my slight sound of distress, Reana halts. She walks back to me. With a sheepish smile, she kicks a teddy bear with one ear out of the way. ‘Sorry.’
‘About the door, what if it was someone with nefarious intentions? Would you open the door without checking first?’
‘M, darling, don’t be a bore. Now, as you can see,’ Reana gestures towards the long table. ‘All is set for tonight. We’ll eat first.’
With a sigh, I push my worries aside. ‘You look great tonight.’
She laughs, ‘thank you.’
‘But, there’s something … more. New scarf?’
‘New something. Did you bring food?’
Surprised, I peer into her eyes. ‘Ree, you said you were going to cook.’
‘Aw, I thought you were going to bring the food.’
Ah! I relax. ‘Reana, you know that twinkle in your eye always gives you away.’
Her fake look of horror turns into a mock pout and then soft laughter. Reana returns from the kitchen a moment later with a large tray.
Grape juice! ‘Reana, my one true love, marry me.’
‘And make you grape juice every day for the rest of our lives?’
‘That goes without saying.’
With a fond headshake, Reana serves us Couscous and meat balls.
I take a large gulp of juice and sigh. ‘So, are you going to tell me why you’re in such a good mood tonight?’
Reana giggles. ‘I met someone. He’s handsome. He dresses really nice, like you.’
She puts a meatball in her mouth. ‘He has swag and a nice car. This one has class, unlike that idiot, Garba.’
‘Ree?’
‘I know, I know.’ Getting my meaning, Reana sighs. ‘I just met him, I know. But he’s really kind, I swear.’ She smiles. ‘His name is Eric. He calls me doll.’
Great! Knowing my job, I nod, ‘happy for you.’
‘Cool. So, I invited him to Femi’s wedding tomorrow, and he said he’ll be there.’
‘Wait, I thought we were going together.’
‘Yes, yes, of course. I invited him along as, like, a second date. I really want you to meet him, M.’
It is quite painful for me to deny Reana anything. It is just about impossible to do so when she aims those large, brown pools right at my soul, just as she’s doing now. Ignoring the funny feeling in my gut, I nod once more and shove a ball into my mouth.
After the meal, Reana brings us mugs of hot cocoa. ‘It is rather late.’ She sits, facing me across the table. ‘Maybe you should stay here tonight.’
‘Are you sure your new boyfriend won’t mind?’ I pick up the cards and shuffle.
Reana dimples. ‘We’re only talking. Eric’s not my boyfriend yet.’
‘Sounds as if you’d like him to be.’ I deal out the cards.
‘We’ll see. Anyway, we’re a package deal, right? You’re non-negotiable. He should know that from now on.’ She drops a two-plus. ‘Pick two.’
Hiding the pleasure her words give me, I pick two cards from General Market with a grunt.
‘Why did you arrive late anyway?’
‘This and that,’ I hedge.
Reana says nothing, which means she can see what I’m trying to do.
I look up, find her watching me intently, and release a sigh. ‘I had an impromptu date with Lola.’
‘Ah.’
‘We broke up.’ I return my attention to my cards.
Reana watches me in silence for a long moment. She places a hand on mine with a firm but gentle pressure. ‘What happened?’
With a sigh, I recall the pain of the experience. ‘I found out she was cheating and confronted her about it. According to Lola, I am emotionally abusive, because I neglect her. Someone else was more willing to be there for her. She went with him.’ What I do not add is that Lola also accused me of cheating with Reana and using our close friendship as a cover.
Reana gives a sad headshake. ‘I am so sorry, M. You did not deserve that.’
I wave, showing that it does not matter.
‘One day, when we met at your place, she cornered me and accused me of shifting your attention away from her.’
I look up in surprise. ‘You never told me this.’
‘Why would I? So I could ruin your precious relationship?’
I suppose there’s no point in covering stuff up. ‘Lola did mention something to that effect as well.’
Reana gives a short laugh. ‘She thinks we’re lovers? That does not surprise me.
Her behaviour bothered me at the time. You were in one of your moods during that period and that was the only reason you were distracted. She did not know and she did not care enough to ask. That was when I knew she wasn’t for you.’ Reana goes silent for a long beat. ‘She cheated and then blamed you for it. I’m sorry you’re hurt but I am glad she’s out of your life.’
‘I’m not hurt.’
With a sad smile that implies she knows better, Reana repeats, ‘I am sorry, M.’
Knowing that there’s little point in further denial, I lift her hand and press it to my cheek in silent gratitude. ‘If I’m going to sleep here, I am not sleeping on this torture foam you call a sofa, not again.’
‘We’ll figure it out. I got an inflatable pad a few days ago. You can help me try it out.’
‘Sounds comfortable.’
Reana snickers. ‘I told you I’m thinking of buying another house in a better area.
Until then, I don’t want to buy any real furniture for this place. The mattress is a good compromise. It can serve as a sofa too.’
I drop a 5-star. ‘Pick three. I keep telling you, Ree, move into my place. It’s more than big enough, it’s safe, and it’s more comfortable for hangout dates.’
‘I keep telling you, Mister M, I am good, thanks.’ Reana picks three cards from the General market. Her words do not surprise me. Ree has to do everything by herself.
She especially does not accept help from men.
‘Yeah,’ I reply absently. The thought I’ve been pushing away all evening comes back. ‘Ree, tell me the truth.’
She looks at me, curious.
‘Am I emotionally abusive … or neglectful?’
Reana’s eyes soften. ‘Don’t let her words get to you, M. I know what neglect looks like. I grew up with it, remember? Do you honestly think I’d keep you around if you were the slightest bit like that?’
That makes sense.
I raise my mug to Reana in a toast.
We talk and play cards till late into the night. After Reana agrees that I’m the winner, we inflate her new mattress.
2
REANA OLOWO
Misbah and I awoke early this morning and said our prayers.
Feeling rather sleepy, I decided to return to bed for a while. With Misbah, I don’t have to worry about being a terrible host.
He doesn’t count as a guest. Besides, he can find his way around the house.
An hour later, a terrible but familiar ache in my lower belly cleared my eyes of any lingering sleep. I rushed to the bathroom and had a purge. There, I saw what I should have known. My period had arrived.
This always happens to me. I don’t know why it had to come today of all days, when I have to go to this wedding thing. I would prefer to stay home, eat whatever sugary stuff I can get my hands on, watch sappy movies and sleep.
Stepping out of the shower area, I wrap a dry, red towel around my body and stick my head out the bathroom door.
The room is empty.
Good.
I turn the key in the lock to be safe; M hasn’t learnt to knock yet.
I’m not so modest as to be troubled if he ever saw me naked, but I’d prefer to avoid that during my period. Carefully, I pick out my previously selected clothes. My ensemble consists of black lace lingerie; a ball-style gown in an Ankara fabric; the matching head piece tied in a fashionable knot; and a lacy white veil around my neck. After arguing with myself, I decide to wait till we get to Misbah’s before applying my make-up. I hold the make-up kit in one hand, along with my glittery high-heeled sandals and gold purse.
On my way out of the room, I stand in front of the cheval glass for a few seconds and then nod in satisfaction.
Misbah is sitting on a sofa, scrolling on his work tablet.
As usual, seeing M brings me a familiar surge of pleasure, making me feel a little less blue.
He looks up with a smile as I walk in. Beneath the quick, charming smile is a tough, headstrong nature. I would know as I’ve butted heads with that stubborn rock several times.
Misbah hardly shows his hard side, though. Brown, dreamy eyes on dark chocolate, a sneaky cologne, an impressive physique and a heap of charm makes for a very potent mix on people, especially unsuspecting females. ‘Hey, sleepyhead,’ he winks. ‘I thought I’d let you catch some while I-’
‘Work, I know.’ I try to return his smile, I really do, but from the arch look on Misbah’s face, I do not quite succeed.
‘Are you okay?’ His voice lowers. With a concerned frown, Misbah puts his tablet away and stands.
‘Yeah, I’m good.’ Still contorting my face in an effort to smile and getting a little frustrated with myself, I nod. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Your special bed was surprisingly comfortable. I slept like a baby.’
‘I know. You farted in your sleep.’
‘No, I didn’t.’ M sounds insulted.
I dump my stuff gently on a sofa. ‘Twice, in fact, but there was no smell so ...’ I shrug. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t tell your next girlfriend.’
I straighten slowly, turn around, and am a little startled to find Misbah standing right behind me. I put out my hand. ‘Do you mind moving back? You need to learn to stop invading my space.’
Remaining in place—why do I bother? He never listens—Misbah hands me my favourite mug with steam rising from it.
Taking a sniff of the hot cocoa, my eyes widen and my breath quickens.
‘You are welcome.’
Ignoring him, I sit on a short stool, take the first, hot sip and close my eyes to savor the burn of the liquid going down my throat. I open my eyes with a sigh.
Misbah is now sitting on a sofa across from me. He is watching me with a smirk he probably thinks I can’t see.
‘Thank you. I really needed this.’
Misbah nods. ‘I don’t fart in my sleep.’
His solemn tone makes me smile.
Misbah nods with satisfaction. ‘What’s up, Ree?’
‘M, it’s nothing you want to know, trust me.’
His smile turns into a toothy grin. He leans forward in his seat. ‘We don’t keep stuff from each other, Ree.’
I beg to differ, but now’s not the time to bring that up.
I place the mug on the table. ‘Okay. I got my period and my belly hurts. I am not sure if I want to cry or throw up: probably both. Instead of going to a party, I want to stay indoors for the whole day and just gorge on chocolate. I promised you I’d go with you to this wedding though, so I have to go. Oh, and I have a stupid pimple on my cheek.’
Misbah stays silent for a moment. ‘It doesn’t sound like you’re fine.’
‘No, I am fine.’
‘I can call and cancel.’
‘I would prefer to cancel for sure, but we won’t.’
Misbah nods again, as if he is processing this just-gotten information. ‘You look like you’re about to cry.’
‘Wow. Thanks.’
‘No, I didn’t mean-’ His eyes narrow. ‘Wait, this is a thing, right? You become more irritable on your … um …’
‘Period. Yes.’
‘Hm. Despite the pimple, you look stunning.’ Misbah says it as a matter of course.
‘That makes me feel a little better. Would you like breakfast?’
‘You can cook in your … condition?’
‘You can pronounce the word, you know? Period, period, period.’ Taking pity on Misbah, I stop repeating the word when I see him cringing.
‘The “condition” is not a grave illness, Misbah. Yes, I can cook. Again, I would prefer not to, but you’re here and you hate to cook, so the task falls to me, doesn’t it?’
‘Are you hungry?’
I shake my head.
‘I’ve already had Cornflakes.’
‘In that case …’ Moving to a sofa, I lean back, close my eyes, and enjoy my beverage. ‘When you’re ready, we can leave for your place.’
Misbah goes silent. He continues working on his tablet, but I feel his gaze on me every few minutes. If I were to guess his thoughts, I’d say he’s trying to get used to knowing about my female workings.
I did tell him not to ask.
When the drink finishes, I wash the mug.
Misbah is on his feet when I return. ‘Come here.’
I halt a few feet from him. ‘Sorry?’
‘I said come here.’
Frowning a little, I go to him. ‘What’s this about now?’
Misbah surprises me by pulling me close. He wraps his arms tight around me in a hug.
At first, I stiffen in surprise. Then, I relax and return the embrace. I nuzzle my nose into the crook of his neck and draw in his scent. ‘That feels really good.’
‘What was that?’ He steps back.
‘You smell amazing. How can you smell like a million bucks after using my boring soap?’ I bend gently to pack my stuff.
Misbah collects the purse and the make-up kit from me, leaving me with the shoes.
‘Your soap isn’t boring, and I didn’t use it.’
‘You didn’t use my soap? What did you use this morning?’
‘I haven’t had a bath yet.’
‘Wow.’ We move towards the front door. ‘You haven’t had a bath, and you smell like that. That is so unfair.’
Misbah gives a low chuckle.
I remember something. ‘Wait.’ I narrow my eyes at him. ‘Misbah, you used my toothbrush again, didn’t you?’
He shrugs. ‘I had to use something.’
Every time.
‘I have told you to stop using my brush.’
‘If I can’t find a spare brush, I’ll use yours.’ Misbah shrugs again, unbothered.
‘Next time, bring your own toothbrush.’ With a hiss, I insert the keys in the door-lock and turn.
Outside, the chill of the morning is harsh, while the sun is just starting to peep. We hurry to M’s Jeep parked in front of the house. Thankfully, it has not been stolen.
‘I always find it interesting that you never worry about this huge car in this unsafe area.’
Misbah glances at me with a boyish grin. ‘Is the unsafe area the reason you insist on driving that embarrassment you call a car?’
The laughter erupts before I can stop it. Feeling a loud pang in my belly, I wince and massage the spot lightly. ‘I beg, don’t make me laugh this morning.’
M opens the car door for me. He waits till I’m seated before placing my stuff beside my feet. Then, he gets in the driver’s seat and switches on the heater.
I glance at him. ‘That was sweet of you. The hug.’
‘You looked as if you needed it.’
You have no idea.
Once driving, Misbah glances at me in that strange manner.
We move past small, fenceless bungalow houses similar to mine, that are packed closely together. A bunch of area boys leaning against an abandoned car stare at us pointedly as we drive by. Soon, we reach the main road.
M glances at me again.
‘Darling, spit it out or keep it to yourself but please, watch the road.’
Misbah remains silent for a beat and then sends me another glance. ‘I just wondered something. Well, a lot of things.’
‘I know. You have it written all over your face.’
He clears his throat. ‘I mean, we never talked about that stuff before. I just never thought about you in those terms.’
‘You mean you never thought of me as a woman. Now, you do.’
‘It isn’t that I never thought of you as a woman. I mean, you’re clearly a female …
woman. It’s just that you don’t … put yourself forward.’
‘Meaning that I don’t call attention to my breasts the way your girlfriends do.’
‘Hah.’ Misbah erupts in a short laugh before going quiet for another moment.
‘Does it always bother you like this? Every month?’
‘Yep. You should know that this strange vibe that we have here this morning, is why you did not know about it before today.’
‘Nonsense. I am glad I know one more thing about you. But, you know, sorry that you have to go through … all that.’
‘Yeah, thanks.’ I turn my face to look out the window as we gradually enter into an exclusive part of town.
This area is as far from my place as can be, but it is the kind of neighbourhood I am very familiar with. I spent the first part of my life in one such neighbourhood.
Dwarf trees line the middle of the roads and the side pavements. The houses are really mansions with lots of spaces between them.
I always have trouble believing I am such good friends with a man who owns a home in an area like this. It shows the kind of person Misbah is. If M weren’t the nicest person ever, if he did not have a beautiful soul that shines through in his character, there is no way I would be caught dead with him.
‘That’s why you’ve cancelled some of our dates, isn’t it?’
I smile to myself. No one can accuse Misbah of being slow.
‘You didn’t have to, you know.’
I remain silent, looking at our surroundings. We come to an even more exclusive area where there are only trees and no houses. At the end of this street is Misbah’s place. The block part of the fence is only about three feet high. Above this, there are metal bars that taper out with electrocuted barbed wires on top.
‘I mean, I imagine you’d want to be alone, but I could also bring you chocolate and help you out around the house and … stuff.’ Misbah stops the car in front of the gate, taps a few times on his tablet and the gate slides open quietly to let us in.
I turn to him sharply wondering if he’s trying to make a joke out of all this.
He looks perfectly serious.
‘How do you know I might need all that?’
We go down the paved driveway flanked by Masquerade trees with the occasional Hibiscus breaking the monotony of the Masquerades up till the front of the house itself. Another word for this house is palace.
He shrugs, ‘Nike was quite vocal about … all that stuff. I took her a care package once or twice.’
‘Hm. You were such a good boyfriend to her. I wonder why she left.’
‘She didn’t leave, Ree. I told you I broke up with her.’
‘Right,’ I return, tongue in cheek.’
‘Here we are,’ Misbah steps out.
Without waiting for him to come around, I open my door and step out with my baggage. ‘M, would it be okay if we didn’t talk about this anymore? I feel quite uncomfortable talking about it.’
‘Ok. You don’t have to be shy with me though, you know.’ Misbah collects some of my stuff and lets us into the house.
‘Uh-huh.’ The scent of pine hits my nostrils the moment I enter the house behind Misbah.
Hardwood floors gleam in the anteroom. We take off our shoes here and proceed straight into the living room.
A huge, white, semi-circular leather settee decorates the room. It looks luxurious but I know just how comfortable it is.
A snow-white rug sits in the centre of the living room. White ottomans with brown stripes rest at several points in front of the curved couch.
Only Misbah can use white so liberally without worrying about stains. This is probably because he treats dirt as his mortal enemy.
I especially adore the nature painting scenes hanging on the walls. My favorite is a waterfall with a clear, almost serene lake at the bottom of it.
Misbah takes my stuff up the stairs and I go with him.
Right beside his room, is a room I use whenever I stay over here. That’s where we go first.
Misbah drops my stuff on the armoire, while I sit on the large, soft bed. ‘I have to go and get ready. Excuse me for a moment.’
I wave him away. ‘Take your time. I am just going to stretch out here for a bit.’
‘Don’t stretch out for too long, Ree. I’ll only be ten minutes. Fifteen, tops.’
‘Okay.’ I struggle to hide a yawn.
Misbah shoots me a look before leaving.
I fall asleep on the same spot and awake only when Misbah, fully dressed, opens the door. ‘Are you—Reana? Are you sleeping?’ Shock covers his face.
‘What? Don’t be silly.’ With my face averted guiltily, I hurry to the bathroom. ‘Just give me five minutes.’
Twenty-five minutes later, we leave for the party.
3
MISBAH
I remind myself to slow down as we approach a bend since I don’t want to get us killed.
It was only a few months ago that my brother, Omar, and his lovely wife, Yesmin, had a car accident. The horror of that is fresh enough to make me cautious in spite of my irritation.
I can’t believe Reana made us late.
Actually, I can believe it. This isn’t the first time.
She was supposed to get ready while I was getting ready, not sleep off. As if that wasn’t terrible enough, she had to spend another twenty minutes on makeup.
For goodness’ sake!
Then, she’d had the nerve to claim she had been fast about it. Fast? I’d hate to see her take her time with it.
The worst part of it all is that I can’t even fight with her because of her … woman thing.
By the way, who’d have thought?
She was right this morning. I’ve never really thought of Reana as a woman before today. She has always just been Ree, my super chill pal.
Since this morning, I’ve definitely become very aware of her femininity. I’m slowly noticing things about Ree that I never noticed before. It was as if she clicked a switch in my brain when she told me about … that womanly stuff.
God, why can’t I say the word?
I’ve suddenly noticed her long legs. It’s now as though the lips that are always puckered are particularly awaiting a kiss from me. On and off, I’ve caught myself wondering whether her waist would fit in my palms.
It all makes me very uncomfortable. Why would I be thinking of my best friend like this? It makes no sense.
Releasing a sigh, I come back to myself as we arrive at the city Polo club where the wedding is taking place.
The security guards at the gate ask for our names, consult a tablet, give us a car tag and let us in.
Finding a free, shaded spot near a large tree, I bring the car to a gentle halt. With a glance to the side, I see Ree leaning her head against the window. She’s sleeping again.
Gently, I nudge her shoulder.
She comes awake with a start. ‘What? Where?’
Strangely enough, her sleep-thickened voice brings me a kind of pleasure that, when it comes to Reana, is forbidden. I struggle to keep my tone casual, ‘who?
Why?’
‘Oh, God, I slept. Did I drool?’ Ree pulls open the car-roof mirror to check her face.
‘Your face is fine.’
‘You’re sweet.’ Ree answers in her usual cheeky manner, while examining her face in the mirror. She pulls out an enormous brush from that tiny purse.
‘You look fine. There’s no need for all that again. Will you please let us go?’
Eyeing me with a scathing up-and-down look, she proceeds to dust her face with the long brush. Then, she brings out … a lipstick.
Sighing, I lean back against the seat, preparing to wait for another half hour.
But, a minute barely passes before Ree closes the mirror. She returns her stuff into the purse and snaps it close. ‘Shall we?’
‘Please.’ I must sound a little too enthusiastic, because she sends me that look again.
‘By the way, I have to pee, so we need to find a restroom as soon as we go in.’
‘We literally just left home not fifteen minutes ago, how can you be pressed already?’
‘Do you want to sit here discussing my bodily functions, or shall we get moving?’
‘I’m just saying.’ I open the door.
Ree snaps. ‘If you know you’ll freak out and become a jerk like this, don’t ever ask me about my personal business again. I told you what’s going on with me today and instead of you to be supportive, you’re behaving as if you-’ she chokes on her words.
That’s a sure sign I’ve upset her. She had better not be crying.
I especially hate it when Ree cries—and she rarely does. ‘Ree-’
‘Let’s just go.’ No tears, but her voice has become cool and distant.
‘I’m sorry.’
When she stays silent, I release a sigh. ‘I’m sorry, Ree. I feel slightly off today. It’s not about you.’
‘Right,’
‘Really. It’s probably a mood coming on.’
But maybe she’s right.
Ree stares at me for a moment longer.
‘I’m sorry, okay?’ I rub her cheek lightly. ‘Will you smile for me?’
‘Bite me.’
I move around to offer Reana a hand to help her out of the car. My gaze drops, and I catch myself thinking of how attractive her feet look beneath the sandal straps.
What might the rest of her legs look like without the dress?
Yep. I am definitely in a mood today. Lifting my gaze, I tell myself to look only forward as we walk the short distance to the hall.
‘You look lovely today, if I haven’t told you already.’
A dimple creases her left cheek.
Encouraged, I add, ‘absolutely breathtaking.’
Reana shakes her head. ‘There’s no need to flatter me. Just be nice.’
There are ushers in white and black at the hall entrance.
A slim female with a pink, fade-cut, guides us over to a table of four, reserved in our names.
The reception has not started yet.
Reana and I are too late for the first ceremony, but too early for the second, so all we can do is eat and wait.
Some guests are milling about and some are seated, waiting for the couple to arrive.
Omar and Yesmin are already seated.
Reana holds a short discussion with the usher before she leaves.
‘Brother.’ I hail Omar as we arrive at the table.
Omar and Yesmin welcome us with smiles on their faces.
To be more accurate, Yesmin smiles glowingly at us.
Omar wears what is a variation of a scowl aimed at me. His face only softens a little when he glances at Ree. ‘You’re late,’ Omar says in his flat voice with a glance at me.
I want to roll my eyes.
Before I can snap out the sarcastic reply on the tip of my tongue, Yesmin chides gently, ‘Omar’. Still wearing her smile, Yesmin turns to us. ‘Misbah, Reana. It is great to see you both.’
‘Thank you, beautiful. You see this, Omar? This is how to be nice.’
Omar scoffs.
Reana gives Yesmin a hug. ‘It is great to see you guys too.’
Reana turns to Omar. ‘Omar, you get scarier and sexier every day, don’t you?’
Omar lets out a chuckle. His face transforms from slightly forbidding to welcoming.
‘By the way, guys, it was my fault, not M’s. I apologise. On that note, I have to go.
I’ll be right back.’
‘Where are you going?’ I ask in a low tone.
‘I have to pee, remember?’ Reana returns in a similar tone.
‘Don’t you want me to come with you?’
‘Never mind, I can find my way there. I’ll be quick.’ She departs.
I find Omar and Yesmin watching me with matching smirks. ‘What?’
Yesmin shakes her head.
Omar, on the other hand, leans close. ‘So, you two are still friends?’
‘Clearly. Are we supposed to be enemies by now?’
‘Hm.’
Yesmin glances at Omar.
He winks at her.
She flutters her lashes.
I know what that look was about. They still think Reana and I aren’t just friends.
Wanting to give Omar a little payback, I turn to Yesmin. ‘Yesmin, darling, remember, if you ever get tired of my brother, we can be out of the country and on our way to Namibia in about an hour, maybe less.’
Yesmin bursts out in laughter.
Omar, with his face looking as if someone farted, says in a cold voice, ‘I would hate to kill my own brother.’
I am used to the frostiness of his voice whenever Omar gets irritated or just pretends to be, but Yesmin shivers a little. She glances at Omar with wide eyes.
They stare at each other for a long moment.
Omar mouths ‘sorry’ while giving Yesmin’s shoulder a gentle rub.
A pang of jealousy hits me. Why can’t I have that?
From the corner of my vision, I catch Reana coming back. As I feel whenever I see her, there is a sense of relief. I turn my head fully to watch her return.
Just then, Reana stops. She does a quick eye-scan of the crowd.
A tall, slim man dressed in lace walks up to her. He has a slick smile on his mildly attractive face.
Reana returns his smile with a flirtatious one.
That must be Eric. Looking at that slick smile, I want to grab him and smash his face into the nearest table.
After talking for several minutes, Reana makes a gesture at our table, and they come in our direction.
‘Who is that guy with Reana?’ Yesmin asks.
At the same time, the duo arrives at our table.
‘Hey, guys,’ Reana’s cheery voice rings out. ‘I would like you to meet Eric. Eric, meet my best friend, Misbah, his brother, Omar, and Yesmin, his wife and our mother-to-be.’
Eric nods at us. His smile looks pleasant enough, but I don’t trust it. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you all,’ he speaks in a low, baritone voice. ‘Musbau, I have heard so much about the B.F.F. Good to finally meet you in person.’
‘It’s Misbah.’ I correct without a smile. ‘Unfortunately, I haven’t heard anything about you.’
He looks uncomfortable.
Beneath the thin smile Reana shoots me is a look that I’m sure is meant to slaughter me. ‘Oh, I told you about Eric, Misbah, have you forgotten?’ Her saccharine-sweet tone confirms the silent message.
Message gotten.
‘I guess. Welcome to the party, Eric. Where are you seated?’
‘Here, with us,’ Reana cuts in.
A waitress arrives with a tray of Kebabs, Spring rolls, Puff-puff and Samosas.
Yesmin gives a weird smile, stuffing her face with a Samosa.
Omar is the one who takes charge, since he thrives in situations like this. ‘Hey, you.’ Omar lifts a hand, barely raising his deep voice as he calls out to a roving usher.
‘Yes, sir?’ The young female comes rushing to our table.
‘Get us an extra chair, will you?’ In his authoritative tone, no one ever refuses Omar.
‘Right away, sir.’ Her gaze drops, and she acts flustered before turning around to leave.
Less than a minute later, a male usher brings a chair to the table.
Reana seats Eric between us, much to my annoyance.
Omar starts a conversation with him.
Yesmin keeps stuffing her face as if she is trying to stop herself from saying something.
As for me, I pointedly avoid Reana’s eye-messages telling me to be nice to Eric.
Ignoring him, I pay little heed to their conversation and allow my gaze roam about.
The compere announces the couple.
Everyone’s attention shifts to the front of the hall.
The Deejay raises the volume of the music.
Ensuring with a glance that Reana is still seated, I, too, watch the couple’s entrance.
Femi, the good neighbor of Omar and Yesmin, with his striking bride—their doctor, if I am not mistaken—dance down the aisle.
‘They met in our hospital room, baby, remember?’ Yesmin asks with a wistful smile.
Omar nods once, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. ‘You introduced them.’
Yesmin sighs. ‘Once they set eyes on each other, this was inevitable.’
‘How sweet!’ Reana tilts her head, focusing her attention on the dancing groomsmen and bridesmaids in front of the couple.
Something makes me glance at Eric.
Eric is just removing his eyes from Reana’s bust.
Our gazes clash for a second before he looks back at the show.
I do not let my gaze stray from him for too long for the rest of the ceremony.
Twice more, I catch him leering at Reana. Twice more, our gazes clash.
I don’t call him out, because I know it will upset Reana.
4
MISBAH
‘I can’t believe you did that.’ Reana mutters on our way back from the party venue in the evening.
Here we go.
‘What did I do?’
‘You were rude to Eric. You embarrassed me in front of him and I know you did it on purpose. What would it have cost you to pretend to be nice?’
‘Ree.’
‘Don’t “Ree” me. You can flash the charm whenever you want at whomever you want, except the one person I ask you to be nice to?’
‘Name one of your boyfriends that I have not been nice to. Reana, I was always nice to every single one of them, including Garba.’ I pause to stop myself from getting angry. ‘This one is just wrong, Ree. You can’t seriously want to date him.’
‘Oh, my God!’
‘I don’t like his smile.’
‘What? His smile?’ Ree sounds genuinely confused.
‘He wasn’t even hiding his interest in your body. He kept staring at your … your …
chest.’
‘You are not making any sense, Misbah. So what if he was staring at me? Maybe I want him to stare.’
‘No, you don’t! There’s something off about him.’
‘Great.’ Reana gives a dramatic eye roll.
‘Roll your eyes at me all you want, but I don’t ever want to see you with him again.’
‘Who do you think you are to tell me who I can and can’t date? Even my father doesn’t tell me who to date.’
‘Your father would if he paid any attention to you.’
There is a moment of silence in which I taste regret. ‘Reana, I did not mean-’
‘No need.’ Shaking her head, Reana scoffs. ‘Drop me off at my place.’
‘It’s late. You can stay over at my place till tomorrow.’
‘Absolutely not! I do not want to look at your face for a second longer than I have to.’
‘Reana, please.’
Reana goes silent and turns her face to look out through her window.
That annoying silence could mean anything. Unfortunately, my regret isn’t allowing me think clearly and so, I can’t read her.
‘Ree?’
Silence.
‘Reana?’
Silence.
‘So you won’t talk to me?’
Silence.
Losing my patience with her, I drive on in silence.
When we arrive home, Reana marches up the stairs with violent steps.
I take my time to freshen up. By the time I finish taking a bath and saying my prayers, I feel a lot calmer. I go to the door next to mine, thinking I might offer to make a Reana a hot beverage. It’s a shameless bribe but she’d like it.
Remembering in my penitent way to knock, I do so and wait for an answer. When there is none after a few knocks, I turn to leave.
A thought strikes me. I twist the door-handle and push the door inward sharply. It is just as I thought. The room is empty. Maintaining some hope, I look around for Reana’s things.
Nothing.
I open the bathroom door and look, already knowing she isn’t there.
Debating myself, I go down the stairs. Do I call Reana or get in the car after her? I decide on the former after a minute.
Sitting on a kitchen chair and leaning my elbows on the gleaming table surface, I bring up Reana’s contact.
The phone rings. There is no answer.
I try two more times before she finally picks up the call.
‘Reana, where are you?’
‘I am on my way home.’
All sorts of things go through my head. I sigh. ‘Come back, please. Let’s talk. It’s too late to go to your neighbourhood on your own.’
‘No.’
Hello, stubborn Reana.
‘Why not?’
‘Maybe it’s because I am very annoyed with you. Or maybe it’s because I have a date with Eric. I’ll let you figure out which one.’
‘I am coming after you right now.’
‘If you come to my place, I won’t let you in. Or maybe we’ll just have the date at his place.’
I remind myself to breathe. ‘Will you let me know when you get home?’
‘Whatever.’ She disconnects the call.
I adore Reana, but she has the rare talent of driving me nuts. With considerable effort, I suppress the ache in my chest and bury the worry.
Finding nothing that interests me in the freezer, I decide to make a sandwich to have along with tea. I eat slowly. Afterward, I take my time in washing the dishes and replacing them.
Reana still does not call.
If I call her again, she may or may not answer but either way, I am done fighting tonight.
I wait for about two hours. After, I say my night prayers, brush my teeth, and go to bed for the night.
Reana does not call.
Even if she hadn’t planned a date with Eric, she could go and have one with him out of spite. Reana is that stubborn.
I could go over to her place tonight, but I won’t just in case they’re on a stupid date. I don’t want to see that jerk looking at her chest again or I might deck him.
5
REANA
I woke up late this morning. That means I had a lot of time to sleep and rest. I should be well rested but I have been feeling groggy since I awoke. A bit out of sorts, anxious, I feel as if I am forgetting something important. I don’t think I am but maybe after my brain clears of this fog, I’ll remember something.
The fight I had with Misbah yesterday is probably what is making me feel this way.
I hate fighting with him. Maybe I should call him … no, I’ll let him apologise first.
Meanwhile, I have a craving for sugar. I know it would be wrong, just wrong, to eat cookies for breakfast, especially if they were chocolate chip. Although, if I had some tea first, cookies would technically be the second thing I’m having this morning.
Misbah’s knack for eating junk food may be rubbing off on me. I smile to myself as I recall just how he goes through bags of chips one after the other.
Our fight comes to mind once again, and my rising mood takes a plunge. Pushing away the sad thought, I command my feet to move. I fill the kettle with water, and right when I am about to heat it, there is a knock.
An excited bump happens in my chest. So, Misbah has come to say sorry. Maybe I’ll let him sweat a little first.
On getting to the door, I reach for the latch. Something makes me remember Misbah’s lectures. Wanting to avoid another speech this morning, I pause and look through the peephole.
What is Eric doing here?
Disappointment replaces the anticipation. Guilt quickly follows it. I paste on a wide smile and open the door. ‘Eric! This is a surprise.’
‘A pleasant one, I hope.’ Handsome as always in a fitting dark shirt and Khaki slacks, Eric beams at me. ‘Hello, Dollface.’ His smile turns a little sheepish. ‘I hope you don’t mind me dropping in on you like this. It’s just …,’ Eric sighs in a way that makes him look endearing. ‘I enjoyed our time together yesterday and thought we could spend some more time together … without others present …’ He tilts his head gently.
Wow. I am such a terrible person.
‘I don’t mind, Eric. I enjoy spending time with you.’
His grin widens.
Wearing a bright smile, I turn to lead him into the living room.
Something makes me halt.
With a curious frown, I turn around. ‘Wait, how did you know my address?’
Eric’s face freezes. His smile drops, and then it becomes brighter than it was before. The hesitation was only about a second long, but that was one second too long.
Warning bells go off in my head. The wider Eric smiles, the louder the bells clang.
‘You must have mentioned it in conversation.’
‘No, I don’t believe I did.’ My head is pounding heavily, but I maintain a steady voice.
‘Well, you must have. How else would I know this?’ He blinks innocently.
Please tell me I did not pick another psycho.
Something in me must have known that something was off the instant I saw Eric’s face through the peephole. ‘I am hoping you’ll tell me.’
Eric stares at me. Perhaps he sees the knowledge on my face because his smile falters.
‘I would like you to leave, Eric.’ My face is now devoid of a smile.
Like a film in slow motion, I watch Eric’s face transform. His eyes lose their sparkle and turn hard. When he speaks, his voice comes out harsh. ‘How rude!
Don’t you know you should entertain guests when they come to see you?’
Hoping to calm his anger, I attempt a smile that I’m sure does not reach my eyes.
‘I’m sorry, Eric. I am not in the mood to entertain this morning.’
‘Shut up!’
Shocked, I shut my mouth. Whatever I was going to say disappears from my mind entirely.
Still as if in a movie, Eric moves towards me in a stalking fashion.
With each step he takes forward, I take one in reverse till my back hits the wall.
‘Eric?’
‘Shh.’ He smiles again: an evil smile. He caresses my cheek lightly with the back of his hand.
My skin crawls.
‘I watched you at the party yesterday. I knew you wanted to be close to me. We wanted each other, didn’t we?’
I shake my head.
Eric flicks a finger against my cheek, making it sting. ‘Don’t lie, you’ll make me angry.’
Why can’t I move? I should defend myself. Why can’t I think clearly?
Eric grips my cheek with one hand. The grip is so hard that I fear my teeth might break from the pressure. His second hand covers a breast over my robe and squeezes hard.
Because of the time of the month, my breasts are sore already, making the resulting pain unbearable. Unbidden, a weak sound leaves my mouth. Tears roll down my face.
Eric gives a low cackle when he sees the tears.
To block out his face and the pain, I shut my eyes and will myself to fight.
There is a bang.
I open my eyes.
A few feet to my left, Misbah stands at the entrance with his mouth open, probably about to call my name.
Thank God he hasn’t learnt to knock. Thank God he remembered his key today.
Misbah stares at us with disbelief written on his face.
Eric’s hands go lax on my body parts.
When Misbah’s accusing gaze clashes with mine, he frowns and then his eyes go flat. Without a word, he marches forward.
Eric is slowly withdrawing his hand when Misbah reaches us.
He grabs Eric by the shirt collar and with a rough yank, pulls him away from me.
At the same time, Misbah pulls back a fist and lands Eric an uppercut.
Fear grips me when Eric’s head snaps backward.
Misbah lands another punch on Eric’s face.
Eric’s eyes roll up in their sockets. His body sags.
Misbah throws Eric’s motionless body down and punches him yet again.
Thereafter, he kicks him over and over and over.
My heart is beating faster and faster. This show of violence terrifies me to my bone marrow.
What Eric did was the worst but it numbed me. I could not feel anything, do anything.
What Misbah is doing deeply disturbs me in a way that I can’t explain. There’s blood all over Eric’s face but I don’t know where the blood is coming from.
‘Misbah, stop,’ I shout, surprised when the words actually leave my mouth.
Grateful that I can speak once again, I call out, ‘please, M, that’s enough. You’re going to kill him.’
‘That would be no more than he deserves.’ Misbah grates out in a cold voice. He delivers another kick to Eric’s midriff.
Feeling completely exhausted, I slide down to the floor. I lean against the wall with my knees up. ‘Please, just stop.’
At last, Misbah stops. He eyes Eric with disgust, spits on him, and grabs the motionless body. Opening the front door, he hauls him outside. ‘Bastard!’ Then he shuts the door and turns the key. Misbah glares at me with some of the rage remaining in his eyes, ‘This is what you ditched me for?’
I open my mouth to say something, but my teeth chatter, making words impossible.
Tears, hot tears stream down my cheeks. I try to stop the tears but I can’t stop them no matter how hard I try.
Misbah’s eyes soften and he squats in front of me. His tone gentles. ‘Hey. Hey. It’s okay. You’re okay now.’ With an audible sigh, Misbah lifts me. ‘Come on.’
Holding me close, he goes to the living room and places me on a sofa.
Before he straightens, I cling to him, burrowing my face against M’s neck. I’m not ready to be left alone, and his familiar scent calms me.
In silent understanding, M sits on the chair with me in his lap.
Wrapped around each other, we provide and receive comfort, until I drift off to sleep.
***
I don’t know what wakes me. Perhaps it’s the feeling of being watched. I open my eyes to find Misbah sitting on a short stool, watching me contemplatively.
‘Hey.’ Misbah’s mouth softens in a smile but his eyes look severe.
Determined not to fall apart again, I sit up. ‘Hey, back.’ I try a tentative smile and feel grateful when the smile comes easily. ‘How long have I been asleep?’
‘About an hour.’
Stretching my arms over my head, I lean against the chair rest. ‘Have you been watching me the whole time?’
‘Not the whole time.’
‘Just most of it.’ I smile again when Misbah stays silent. ‘M, I’m fine.’
‘That remains to be seen.’ He straightens. ‘I was going to carry you to the hospital, but I thought you should wake first.’
Huh? ‘You what?!’
‘Can you stand?’
‘I don’t need-’
‘We need to get one of those emergency contraceptive pills. Then we need Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; HIV is real. We also need to test for any other STDs. I know this is difficult for you, but we need to do these immediately, okay?’
He’s panicking. He looks calm on the surface, but he’s panicking inside.
This realization brings me some comfort, strangely. ‘We are not going to the hospital, M.’
Misbah holds my hands. ‘Reana, please, this is not something to be shy about.
When there has been sexual assault like this-’
‘There was no sexual assault.’
M tilts his head in confusion. ‘I thought … he did not force himself on you?’
‘He tried to. What you saw was the extent of it.’
Visible relief comes over Misbah’s face. ‘He had just started. Okay. I thought he …
it seemed ... And when I saw your face ... you looked like you …’
He frowns, ‘you were—are—in your robe.’
‘He arrived just as I woke up.’
Misbah’s frown deepens. ‘I thought your date was last night.’
I recall my words to M on the phone last night.
Sometimes, my mouth …
‘Actually, that was a bit of a lie. We did not have a date.’
Misbah nods slowly. ‘So, what was he doing in your house?’
‘He just showed up. I let him in. Then I asked him how he knew my address because I am sure I did not give Eric my address. He got angry and attacked me.’
Misbah’s eyes fire. ‘He stalked you then?’
I shrug, ‘probably.’
Misbah nods slowly. It’s as if he’s cataloguing these details. ‘Are you sure you’re fine, Reana? Don’t hide anything from me.’
‘I’m sure.’
‘Do you need to talk to someone?’
‘M,’ I attempt another reassuring smile. ‘It’s fine, I promise. I froze, and then I fell apart. It was great that you came when you did, and I am glad that you remembered your key today.’
M chuckles, making me feel just a little bit better.
‘I don’t need to see anyone. But,’ I raise a finger when M opens his mouth. ‘If I need to talk about it some more, I’ll let you know. Deal?’
Misbah nods slowly. ‘Deal.’ He gives my hands a final squeeze and rises with a heavy sigh. ‘I checked outside earlier but he was already gone.’ He twists his head back and forth as though stretching his neck. ‘Ha! Hm! I am going to find that bastard, and I am going to mess him up. By the time I’m through with him, he’ll wish he never met you.’
The look in M’s eyes reminds me of the look on his face when he was beating Eric.
It scares me. ‘M, I need you to promise me something.’
‘Anything.’
‘Promise me you won’t go after Eric.’
He looks shocked, obviously not expecting this. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Promise me you won’t go after Eric.’
‘Is this a joke?’ He tilts his head and his eyes harden anew.
I swallow. ‘I don’t want to visit you in prison for the rest of our lives.’
‘So, you want him to go scot-free? A rapist?’
I understand what he is trying to say. If M hadn’t come when he did, Eric might very well have done worse.
I avert my gaze. ‘Not scot-free. I’ll go to the police. I’ll file charges against him.’
M remains silent, staring me down with those eyes.
‘Maybe a restraining order?’ I add, grasping.’
‘Ree, you can’t seriously expect me to leave this … this-’
‘I do.’
M does not seem to be softening. He sits down again, leans forward and speaks in a flat tone. ‘Ree, if he had attacked anyone at all, I would have wanted to bash in his head. But, he went after you. That means I want to finish him. Don’t worry, I won’t kill him, I’ll just make him sorry.’
‘Can’t you let the authorities deal with him?’
‘No!’ Misbah snaps. ‘I’ll deal with him myself.’
‘Your mulishness is showing again, Misbah. Can’t you understand? I want him out of our lives completely. I don’t want to traumatize myself any further by having anything to do with him.’
‘I won’t involve you,’ Misbah insists.
‘So, you’ll add that to the list of things you’re keeping from me?’
M’s expression becomes guilty.
Got you!
‘Listen, I get how you feel, M. I also know it takes strength, the kind of strength I know you have, to let something like this go. I’m asking you to let it go for me.’
Misbah’s tone is softer now. ‘Reana, you should understand that I am doing this for you.’
‘In that case, you should do what I want and not what you want, don’t you think?’
His headshake is slow. ‘I know people like that, Ree. He’ll be back. If we do nothing, he’ll return. I may not be around the next time he does.’
It takes me a moment to get over the fear. ‘I’ll report him. I’ll make sure he’s locked up. If he does return, then I, myself, will ask you to treat him as you wish.’
M watches me silently for a long moment. ‘We’ll regret this.’
Not as much as we’d regret it if you accidentally killed someone.
‘Maybe, maybe not, but, this is what I want for now.’
Misbah shakes his head in resignation. ‘You are the most infuriatingly stubborn human being I have ever met, Reana. Do you know that?’
I smirk and lean back in my chair, knowing I’ve won this one. ‘I know nothing of the sort, sir. Have you met yourself?’
M does not laugh at my cheeky reply. He watches me silently. I can’t read him in this mood, but if I were to guess, I’d say he’s thinking. Well, whatever he’s planning, we’ll know soon enough.
‘I owe you for this, M.’
He replies absently, still in his thoughts. ‘There are no scores between friends.’
Misbah shakes his head with finality, showing that he has completed his thinking slash planning. ‘Have you eaten yet?’
‘Uh-uh. I was about to make something when he arrived.’
‘Hm. You know, I should be angry with you for leaving like you did yesterday. If you’d stayed at my place, maybe-’
‘M, please, not now. By the way, I forgive you.’ Sitting up, I peer at him. ‘You came to apologise, did you not?’
Misbah looks as if he might deny this but then he nods.
‘Thank you.’ I get up. ‘Let me go and put something together. You’ll eat too, I imagine?’
‘It’s okay. Get dressed and get your stuff. I’ll buy you a late breakfast on the way.’
Rising from his perched position, Misbah slips his hands into his trouser pockets.
With a slight frown, I pause. ‘Get my stuff? Where am I going?’
‘Back to my place. You live there from today.’
And there’s his plan.
‘No, I don’t.’
‘Yes, you do. You want me to stay away from your rapist boyfriend, I will. You don’t live here alone anymore for now.’
‘He’s not my boyfriend and I can handle myself.’
‘Right,’ Misbah smirks.
‘Don’t be a jerk. Also, why do I have to be the one to move? You could move in here instead. I’ll even buy a box of toothbrushes.’
M chuckles, ‘you know that’s never happening.’ He sobers. ‘Look, Ree, on a more serious note, letting you stay here alone is not an option. We need to be cautious. I need you to trust me on this, okay?’
I guess he’s right. ‘I suppose living in a mansion where I don’t have to do any chores isn’t much of a hardship.’
‘That’s the spirit.’
‘How long am I staying?’
M shrugs, ‘until he gets convicted, at least. In addition, I need to know where you are at all times. In fact, try not to go anywhere without me.’
‘Aren’t we getting a little carried away here?’
‘Not really. Come on now. I’ll take you to Indulgence.’
My eyes widen when I hear the name of my favorite restaurant.
Seeing the reaction, Misbah smiles, pushes. ‘I’ll take you to Indulgence if you get ready in twenty minutes.’
‘Thirty.’
‘You have twenty five.’
Remembering something, I rise sharply, ignoring the twinges in my belly and the stiffness in my joints. ‘I have to clean the corridor first. Eric’s blood must be all over the place.’ I cringe, just thinking of what I am going to see.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Misbah responds. ‘I’ve cleaned it.’
Oh.
‘Really?’
Misbah nods.
My heart swells.
M can be really amazing sometimes.
‘Thank you, M,’ I breathe, smiling.
Feeling lighter, I take a few steps away when Misbah says, ‘oh, and you might want to do something about that stain.’
In a panic, I pull my white robe forward to check for the stain behind. I don’t see anything there. Confused, I look back only to watch Misbah dissolve into laughter.
‘You think this is funny?’ I pin him with a look.
‘Oh, yes. You should have seen the look on your face.’ He laughs again. ‘I should prank you more often.’
Idiot.
I head to the bedroom.
‘Twenty minutes more.’
With a bang, I shut the door on the sound of the accompanying laughter.
6
ReANA
Misbah has an older housekeeper called Nana. I don’t know if that’s her name, but that’s what everyone calls her.
As far as I’m concerned, Nana is an amazing person. She does all the housework. I never have to lift a finger to cook or worry about cleaning. I know Misbah is paying her to do this, but I still feel grateful to not have to do anything.
Now, Nana is breaking my heart. Maybe I should run back to my house and let Misbah take care of this business himself. He’s the one who decided to get a mansion, after all.
Although, I love the mansion in all its beauty and magnificence.
‘ Madam Reana, you dey hear me?’ Squinting, Nana stretches her neck.
With an inward sigh, I nod. ‘Yes, Nana, I can hear you clearly.’
‘ Eh-hen. I say I dey go my village. My sister, she no well.’
I bet I know who the ‘sister’ is, and what ‘not well’ means. Misbah told me Nana has a beau. I won’t be surprised if she is taking time off to spend it with him. Being of a conservative generation, she would think it inappropriate to mention such a relationship, so she’d have to lie using her non-existent sister.
With a slight smile, I nod. ‘I understand, Nana. Have a safe journey. Give everyone my regards.’
She gives a firm nod. ‘ I don tell Oga Misabu and I don put food for one month for freezer. ’
‘Thank you, Nana.’ Straightening against the gleaming kitchen counter, I take a bite out of the apple I have been bouncing on one hand. ‘We will miss you, Nana.’
Pleasure fills her face. Nana hitches her lace wrapper on her waist. She pats her head tie and opens the door to the back verandah.
Her taxi driver, a short, stocky man in a striped polo-shirt and trousers, picks up her travelling bag. He tips the edge of his round-billed cap towards me in wordless greeting.
Waving at me, Nana hurries along after him.
Steadily eating the apple, I stand in the kitchen doorway long after they’re out of sight. With a loud sigh, I close the door and throw the bare stalk into the dustbin.
The house feels empty.
Misbah isn’t back from the barber’s yet.
No one but me is in this place and it is giving me the creeps. I debate going upstairs to do some work but dump the idea fast. I am not in the right mood for work.
What can a person do in this place on a weekend?
I haven’t done a tour of this house yet. There are so many rooms, so many switches on the walls. I always avoid touching them as I don’t want to create a lockdown or
fire outbreak or something. On the first floor where Misbah’s and my bedrooms are, I open one door after another.
Each room seems to be an extra bedroom of sorts but is decorated slightly differently from the rest. They’re all lovely. I am quite sure those bedsheets are Egyptian cotton like the ones in M’s and my bedroom, although I try not to pay attention to stuff like that.
My father’s face and his elegant surroundings come to my mind. As usual, I shut out the unwanted memories.
Having checked out the first floor, I climb another set of stairs to the second floor.
Here, fewer doors lie farther apart.
I open the first one and find a dark space. With the light coming from the corridor, however, I am able to see the chairs and the giant screen on the wall in front. After feeling confused for a minute, it finally clicks for me. This is a theater of sorts.
Misbah has a media room!
Now certain of how I will spend the next couple of hours, I run down the stairs, straight to the kitchen. A few minutes later, with my overflowing bowl of popcorn, I move as gently as I can—even though a few spill on the floor—back to the second floor.
Directly opposite the media room, I see a door I haven’t opened yet.
Curiosity overtakes me. Grabbing the iron handle, I push the door.
It swings inward.
Once inside, I see that everything about this room is different from the bedrooms.
It is Misbah’s home gym.
I know nothing about gyms and workouts, but whenever M talked about his gym in the past, I would imagine a smaller room somewhere on the ground floor, maybe connected to his office. This could not be farther removed from the picture in my mind.
This room is as large as the media room. It is filled with mirrors on one side. On the far side, floor-to-ceiling windows give a clear view of the blue sky, the green grass below and the trees beyond the grass. Even if one wasn’t interested in working out, the view is a major draw. The room itself is …
I smell M before hearing his footsteps. I turn around just as he approaches the entrance.
‘Madam.’ Standing in the open doorway, Misbah has a curious smile on his face and a bag of potato chips in one hand.
‘Mister,’ I return the smile. ‘Nice haircut. Do you think it is strange that I can recognise you by your scent?’
Misbah enters. ‘Only if it is strange that I knew you were here just by your leavings on the floor of the house.’ He puts a chip in his mouth.
‘Oh. I’d forgotten about the popcorn.’ I put one in my mouth. ‘You know, all the times you told me about your home gym, I never imagined something like this.’
Misbah dips one hand into my popcorn bowl. ‘I imagine this would be unexpected for most.’ He chews silently for a moment with a side glance at me. ‘Especially for those who never spend any time in gyms.’
‘Hey!’ My feeble protest is made even less serious when I put more popcorn in my mouth. ‘I exercise in my head. Is that a punching bag?’
Chewing silently, Misbah inclines his head.
‘I would have expected your gym to be full of all sorts of equipments, like that bike thingamajig, maybe a treadmill, and lots of weight lifting equipments … oh, and dumbbells. But you have one punching bag in the middle of an open room with great lighting. Amazing view, by the way.’
‘This is one of my two gyms, darling,’ a teasing light comes into his eyes. ‘The one with all the equipment is downstairs-’
‘Don’t tell me! It is downstairs, directly connected to your office by a door or so.’
He inclines his head in surprise.
‘I know you too well, darling.’
‘ Almost too well,’ M puts in.
‘True; I didn’t know you liked punching stuff.’
‘I come here on the rare occasion when I feel like punching someone or something.
That’s why it’s upstairs, and not downstairs. The other gym is for a full workout: press-ups and lifting weights, if you will.’
‘Don’t be condescending, M. It doesn’t suit you.’ Then I ruin the haughty effect by asking conspiratorially, ‘but why would you feel like punching someone?’
With a shrug, Misbah puts a chip in his mouth.
‘No answer? Okay, is there anyone specific who you sometimes feel like punching?’
The chewing sound is my response. The shuttered look in his eyes tells me there’s something there, something Misbah won’t be talking about today.
What else is new?
‘Okay, if you won’t tell me your deep, dark secrets, maybe you can teach me a little about workouts, punching, self-defense moves?’
Misbah’s eyes narrow speculatively. He throws more popcorn into his mouth. ‘Is this about the thing, with that guy?’
‘Will you teach me or not?’
He smirks. ‘Don’t be passive-aggressive, sweetheart, it doesn’t suit you. We’ll begin calisthenics tonight.’
Jerk!
With an empty bowl of popcorn, having admired the gym to my heart’s content, I exit.
Behind me, M yawns loudly.
‘Don’t be gross.’
He scoffs. ‘This is coming from someone who left a trail of popcorn all the way from the kitchen here.’ With a shake of his head, Misbah shuts the door behind himself. ‘How did you find this place anyway?’
‘Bored, wandering, wanted to watch a movie, found this.’
‘Ah. I see the media room slightly ajar.’
In my head, I count to four before M, unable to help himself, steps over to shut the media room door.
‘Sorry, Mr. OCD. Nana said she’d told you she had to leave.’
‘Her sister is sick in the village.’
‘More like her boyfriend.’
‘No, she really has a sister, who is in fact, sick. I check these things.’
As we come to the top of the stairs, I pause and turn to Misbah with surprise. ‘You are telling me you checked to see if her story is true?’
Misbah nods.
‘How?’
‘I have my ways.’ He descends a stair.
I grip Misbah’s shoulder. ‘How? Don’t tell me you hired thugs or some such.’ The thought makes me laugh. ‘You know what? I don’t want to know if you did.’
Misbah chuckles, flicks my cheek. ‘Not exactly.’
Huh?
‘They’re … we’ll call them informal security consultants. They have specific methods, but they get things done.’ He descends the stairs.
I follow him. ‘There really are a lot of things I don’t know about you, M. But one thing I do know is that you are more of a control freak than I ever thought.’
Misbah shrugs.
‘In any case, you need to figure out how to clean this house now that Nana isn’t here.’
‘That’s not a problem.’ M says as we reach the first floor. ‘The cleaning team will work as usual. As you can see, your popcorn litter has been cleared.’
Ignoring the dig, I glance at him. ‘You have a cleaning team? I did not know that.’
They’re paid to be efficient and to make themselves unseen. Nana cooks and oversees the staff. You didn’t think she cleaned this entire house by herself, did you?’
Thank you, God!
‘I see,’ I respond calmly while doing cartwheels in my head.
‘You know, you could have simply used the kitchen on this floor instead of going all the way downstairs from the second floor.’
I stop in my tracks. ‘You have a kitchen on this floor? Are you kidding me right now?’
Misbah grins. ‘Why don’t I give you a long-overdue tour of the house?’
‘Why don’t you?’
***
‘So, how do you feel?’ Misbah asks when I enter the kitchen later in the evening.
‘I did not think I could feel this great after all that exercise. I am a little tired, but also revved up, if that makes any sense.’
‘It does,’ Misbah nods. ‘No aches anywhere?’
‘Not at all, surprisingly. The shower rounded it up nicely.’
When Misbah takes out a bag of chips, I snatch it from him with a smile. ‘I figure I’ve earned it.’
He looks mildly irritated. ‘I’m not saying you haven’t earned it, but can you get your own?’
‘Sorry,’ I open the bag and take one out. ‘I would’ve expected more aches and pains seeing as I haven’t done any exercise in forever.’
With a headshake, M takes out another bag before joining me at the table. ‘Be careful of what you wish for.’
‘Meh. Those who say exercise is everything might be onto something.’ I chew more chips. ‘Right now, I am so pumped up, I feel like Mike Tyson.’
M gives a low laugh. ‘I bet you do. The only difference is you still punch like a girl. Just make sure you show up to workout every day. We have a long way to go.’
‘I punch like a girl because I am a girl but I’m up to the task. In fact, each time I had to contort my body into an unnatural shape, I imagined myself punching Eric in the face like you did. That kept me going.’
M laughs again.
After emptying the bag, I dump it in the dustbin and move to the sink to wash my hands. Recalling something, I clear my throat. ‘Hey, M. So, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.’
‘What is it?’ He moves around behind me. From the crinkling sound, I suppose he’s dumping his empty chip bag as well.
‘Since you have access to these investigators, I was thinking maybe you could ask them to help me do some … investigation on this guy.’
M joins me at the sink. ‘I thought you wanted me to stay away from Eric.’
‘Not Eric.’
He sighs. ‘Who is the mofo this time around?’
A snicker escapes my lips. ‘Adam is not a mofo. He sounds really nice. He’s rich but nice. I think he sells cars. We met online this past week, and he hasn’t sent me a single D-pic. I might give him a try, but I just thought I should be more cautious after the last experience.’
‘Save us all the trouble. Tell him no.’
I turn to M in surprise. ‘You won’t even do the investigation first?’
‘I don’t need to. He’s probably a drug-dealer who sells women’s parts to blood ritualists on the side. The car-sales business may be a cover.’
‘That’s absurd.’ Leaning against the counter, I dry my hands using a kitchen napkin.
Misbah shrugs, ‘I don’t like him already.’
‘You’ve started again. You don’t need to like him, Misbah. I do.’
‘Also, you don’t have a lot of luck with men. This one will probably be like the others. We haven’t even dealt with the last one, remember?’
Trying to control the anger slowly working its way into my head, I push away from the counter and walk to the fridge. ‘There’s nothing wrong with my luck. Not all of them were bad. The last one was a creep, yes, and maybe the one before. And, yes, Garba was a real scumbag. But Sam was okay, wasn’t he?’
‘Pass me some water, will you? I don’t know which Sam you mean, Ree, because Sam was a real creep.’
I place a glass of water in front of Misbah with a thud, and the insensitive clod that he is does not realise he’s irritating me. Or maybe he just does not care.
‘Thank you.’ M gulps half of the tumbler’s contents. ‘Shall we talk about Sam?
The fool asked you out in a hospital ward. I can’t believe you ever went out with that moron.’ M shakes his head. ‘Then, he goes ahead to cheat and has the nerve to blame you for his cheating.’
‘He had needs I was not ready to fulfill. It is understandable, you know.’
Misbah gives me a dark, piercing look that causes me to hunch in defense. ‘Don’t you dare!’
Turning around, I open the freezer. ‘I’m just saying.’
‘You are not to blame for his stupidity, except maybe for having the poor sense to date him in the first place, which, when you think about it, could have happened to anyone.’
Just as it happened to him with Lola.
‘So, have you spoken to your lawyer about Eric?’
‘Um …’
‘I take it that’s a no. Gone to the police yet?’
‘Um …’
‘Ree, three weeks have passed since the incident.’
‘I know. I will do it.’
‘Fine. Do it first, and, then, maybe we’ll investigate this other guy.’
‘Okay. Although, you sound as though you don’t want me to date anyone anymore, ever.’
‘I never said that. When did I say that?’ M fake-protests, which means I guessed right.
Considering the freezer’s contents, I scoff lightly. ‘I don’t believe you, M. Are you going to stop me from getting married and having a family?’
After a short silence, M sighs. ‘Ree, I am not trying to ruin your life. I’m just trying to protect you.’
‘I know. That’s why I’m not biting off your head. You have to stop, though. I can’t meet someone without meeting people. I mean, unless there is someone you want to introduce me to.’
Misbah scoffs. ‘You won’t like anyone I might think of. You only date people you know you can’t settle down with. That’s your thing, isn’t it?’
I pause, turn around. ‘So, you have the dossier on me now?’
He gives a quiet smile. ‘I know you, and I care about you.’
Sometimes, M can be insensitive and sometimes, he knows how to say the right things. ‘You probably think I need therapy, don’t you?’
‘We all do in some sense, don’t we?’
‘How philosophical!’
All of a sudden, his loses the flippant attitude. ‘Look, Ree. What I think does not really matter. The question is what do you think? If you want it, you know you have my support. We’ll find you the best therapist in town … or out of town, whichever one works.’
I give him a small smile. ‘I appreciate that, M.’
We are not talking about this.
Time to change the topic.
‘Fried Rice?’
M gives me a knowing smile before answering. ‘Sure, that’s fine.’
I put the frozen food on the stove to heat up.
When I turn around, I see Misbah watching me silently with a bulge on his forehead.
‘What?’ I join him at the table.
‘Nothing.’ His stare tells me that Misbah is thinking, maybe planning something.
‘I can literally see the wheels turning in your head, M. What is it?’
He hesitates, which rouses my curiosity. Misbah never hesitates before speaking. ‘I have been thinking about something for some time now. I haven’t mentioned it to you yet, because I … well.’
This show of nerves is rather interesting. ‘Are you going to tell me now?’
Misbah nods, but stays silent.
‘M.’
His eyes take on a resolute look. ‘I was thinking about taking a step. It’s a little radical but now that we’re discussing relationships, it’s occurred to me that we have similar issues. So, I’m thinking you should join me. Will you tell me what you think?’
All sorts of thoughts run through my head. ‘I could, if I knew what it was.’
‘Yes. Could you pass a bag of chips, please?’
‘M, darling, stop stalling.’
‘I have decided to adopt a child.’
‘Huh?’
‘I want you to adopt a child with me.’
What?
‘Have you lost your mind?’
‘Not really.’ In typical M fashion, now that he’s dropped the bombshell, he’s wearing a relaxed smile.
I inhale deeply. ‘Start from the beginning. How did you come up with this …
scheme?’
‘I’ve just been thinking, you know? I want a child, and I don’t want to wait until I meet someone perfect. So, I narrowed it down to two options: adopt or find a surrogate. I prefer the adoption option. Here we are.’
Where is this fear coming from? Why is there fear at all?
‘Misbah,’ I grip his hand tight. ‘Misbah, don’t do something in a haste that you won’t be able to take back.’
He returns the squeeze. ‘Ree, I won’t want to take this back. A loving, loyal woman has proven elusive thus far. I can’t keep waiting for her to show up before moving ahead with my life.’
‘I knew it! This is about Lola isn’t it?’
‘No, I-’
‘Stop it! I know the breakup hit you harder than you will ever admit. This is what happens when you refuse to talk about your pain. You go crazy and make crazy plans.’
Misbah simply stares at me in that way that he does.
I throw up my hands. It looks like I’m saying nonsense, but who cares? ‘Lola was stupid, Misbah. Anyone who cheats on you is stupid. Don’t let her push you into something you’ll regret.’
‘Reana, Lola is not pushing me into anything. Now, for the last time, I won’t regret having a child.’
‘You’re talking about a child, but that’s your cover story. What you really want is a woman. You feel alone, don’t you?’
Misbah tilts his head. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Reana.’
Sighing, I grip his hand again. ‘The woman will come, M.’
‘If she comes, that’s fine. If not, that’s fine too. I’m no longer waiting.’
‘You’re not alone, M. I’m here for you. We can get through anything together.’
He gives a soft smile. ‘I know, love.’
Oh, God! He’s not changing his mind.
‘I will make a deal with you. What if I said I wouldn’t start a family of my own until you are able?’ In my desperation, I throw out the words, but, after they are out, I realise I would do it without hesitation if M asked.
Misbah looks shocked for a moment. ‘That’s ... you can’t do that, Ree.’
‘What you are trying to do is - what if you got a child and thereafter met someone?
What then?’
Misbah smiles. ‘If she isn’t okay with my child, adopted or biological, then she isn’t really the one, is she?’
Misbah’s stubborn spirit has come again.
Misbah shifts in his seat, leans forward. ‘Ree, I know this is surprising, but once you’ve had some time to think about it, you’ll understand. I really believe this could solve both our issues. Consider it. Do you really want to put your life on hold waiting for “The One”, when you could take charge and go for what you want now? Unless, of course, you don’t want children-’
‘No! Yes, I do. I just - I thought it would be much later. I’m really not ready to …’
My voice trails off while I’m trying to gather my scattered thoughts. ‘It’s not that -
I just know this is more about the absence of a woman than it is about a child, Misbah. You’re either lying to me or yourself if you say otherwise.’
‘I-’
‘If I said no to this whole thing, you’d do it without me, wouldn’t you?’
His eyes narrow. ‘I’d rather not make that choice. Even if you didn’t want to adopt the child with me, I’d still want you on board. As, you know, support.’
‘Why?’
He gives a surprised frown as if the question is a strange one. ‘Well, because …
just because. You’re my … Ree.’ M smiles. ‘Plus, I’m sure I will need some help with it along the way, and I’d like to be able to count on you.’
This is the most insane idea I have ever heard from Misbah. Normally, I go along with his ideas, because they seem fun. This one, though, this one involves another person’s life: a child. So many things could go wrong. ‘This is crazier than that time when you made me do the BASE jump.’
M lets out a chuckle. ‘Yeah, that was fun, wasn’t it?’
‘More like dangerous. This is even more dangerous, M. There are so many things that - you don’t even like cooking, for God’s sake. How will you feed a child?’
‘That’s why you’re here, love.’ He laughs.
‘Very funny.’
‘I’ll have Nana, won’t I? Maybe hire a live-in cook, a nanny, someone.’
‘That’s your answer to everything? Throw money at it?’
Misbah’s smile drops. Silently, he watches me.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.’
Why did I snap?
I feel a steadily growing anxiety within. It is only now hitting me that M is moving on with his life and I am probably not always going to be a part of it.
Misbah is ready to be a dad and is asking me to take this journey with him. If I say no, he’ll end up with someone else who’ll readily agree.
Where would I be then?
‘M, I can’t be anyone’s mommy. I’m a mess. Maybe I will be ready in a couple of years, maybe, but not now.’
‘Ree, I get it.’
I release a sigh, knowing what I’m about to delve into. ‘One more question, Misbah. Have you thought of how people will react to this? What they might say?’
Misbah scoffs. ‘When have I ever given you the impression that I care about what others think?’
‘You might want to care about this one, Misbah, because it’s huge.’
He frowns. ‘What do you mean?’
As if navigating a minefield, I try to pick my words. ‘You’re in Africa. Adopting when you don’t have biological children is suspicious. People might say you’re impotent, for instance, and - what’s funny?’
Laughing, Misbah gives a headshake, ‘continue.’
‘This is serious, M. You’re young—only thirty six years old—and rich. They might say you used black magic to get wealthy by using your … seed, and that’s why you can’t have children.’
Misbah laughs some more. ‘You think I haven’t considered that? Again, Reana, I really don’t care.’
That stuns me for an instance. ‘Even if your exes decide to give credence to it?’
Misbah lifts an eyebrow.
I let out a sigh. ‘Nike told me you’re impotent.’
‘Nike … my gold-digger ex?’
‘Everyone is a gold digger to you, Misbah. It was right after you guys broke up. I think she said that to discourage me from-.’
Misbah interrupts me with a shake of his head. ‘She said that because I refused to sleep with her. That’s not surprising. Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I didn’t want you to feel bad. Why would I tell you something like that?’
Misbah stares at me with piercing eyes. ‘Stop keeping things from me, Reana.’
Look who’s talking.
Misbah shrugs. ‘Nike was angry because she couldn’t trap me and my money. She can say whatever she wants. I’m not changing my mind. Don’t try to change my mind, Ree.’
Exhausted, I relent. ‘Okay.’
‘Okay?’ With a carefully blank face, Misbah tilts his head to the side.
‘I don’t want a child right now, but you do. I won’t hold you back and I can’t let you fumble around by yourself. So, I’ll support you through the process. Adopt your child. Whatever you need, I’m here. We’ll figure it out together.’
Misbah’s eyes widen, like a child who has just been given a gift. His smile makes his entire face glow.
The pleasure I get from this is so reassuring.
Misbah grips my hand across the table, strokes my cheek with another hand.
‘Reana, you are a darling.’
I grin. ‘I know. So, where do we start?’
‘We’ll get to that. I think the food is burning.’
Crap!
7
MISBAH
Watching my steps, I grip the tray tightly. I know Reana well, so the contents of the steaming mugs are a superb bribe. If I am wrong, then I have to resign as Ree’s best friend.
If I’m so confident, why do my hands keep threatening to shake?
Pausing, I blink a couple of times to clear my eyes. I spent most of the night thinking; is it any wonder that my eyes are bleary this morning? Balancing the tray on one hand, I knock the door of Ree’s room and wait. Getting no answer, I knock again. Manners are important when making a delicate request.
The door opens.
A pair of red-rimmed, bleary eyes peers out at me from underneath a giant, black bonnet. ‘What?’ Even her voice sounds croaky.
Surprised, I squint. ‘Did you not sleep? You look terrible.’
The door slams in my face but for my quick hand that shoots out to stop it.
Oops.
Swallowing a chuckle, I push the door open and follow her in.
‘Please, go away.’ Limping back to the bed, Reana pulls her coverlet over her head.
I believe I know what the problem is: the workout from last night. I move closer and infuse my voice with as much sympathy as I can manage. ‘Your body hurts, doesn’t it?’
Reana lets out a groan. ‘My entire body aches.’
‘Tsk.’ I tuck my tongue in one cheek. ‘That’s tough. Although, the good thing is your muscles are coming back to life.’
‘I want it to stop now. How do I make it stop?’ She insists petulantly from beneath the sheets.
‘You have to continue doing the workout.’
Reana pushes the coverlet down and raises her head. She blinks one eyelid open while the second stays closed. ‘You knew this was going to happen.’
It isn’t a question.
I nod.
‘I hate you.’
This time, I can’t quite swallow the laugh. ‘I come bearing gifts.’ Lifting one mug, I sit on one side of the bed and push it close to her nose. ‘See?’
Ree’s eyes narrow suspiciously before she reaches out to take the mug. Stiffly, she sits up, leans against the headboard and brings the mug to her mouth.
I count to three in my head. When the moan comes, I do a mental fist-pump.
After taking a sip, and another, she lowers the mug with a sigh. ‘What did you do?’
‘Can’t I simply bring my beautiful best friend hot chocolate in the morning?’
‘Beautiful? A second ago, I looked terrible.’ Ree scoffs before taking another sip.
‘This is superior hot chocolate. And you knocked. I know when I’m being softened up. If you did not do something, you want something.’
Can’t hide stuff from this one.
She takes another sip, groans. ‘While you figure out how to present your case, I want to tell you I’ve been thinking. What we discussed yesterday - is the offer still open?’ Bending over her mug, Ree watches me through her lashes.
‘The adopting-together offer?’
‘Hm.’
‘Yes.’ I reply tentatively.
‘Okay. I thought about it all night. You were right. I want a child too, and I am not holding my breath for Mr. Perfect. So, I’ve decided to join you. Like you said, we’ll both be the parents of the child. We’ll sign the adoption papers, whatever, together. It’ll be easier to get one together than singly anyway, and we can raise him or her together. After all,’ Reana adds, ‘I could do worse than you to raise a child with.’
‘You’ve such a sweet mouth in the morning.’
‘It’s a compliment. How about it?’
Sometimes, a door opens and you only have to pass through it. But, there’s always something … ‘what’s the catch?’ Because I am watching carefully, I see the surprise enter and leave Reana’s eyes like a flash.
Using her mug as a prop, she lifts it for a sip. ‘Who said anything about a catch?’
‘I know you, Reana. Spit it out.’
‘Okay, okay. I really want to do this with you now that I’ve been thinking about it.
So … can you give me a year?’
My eyes widen. ‘You want a year?’
Reana sighs, puts down her drink and holds one of my hands in a grip. ‘The adoption process might take that long anyway. Look, I don’t feel ready to be a mum to anyone. I have to get my stuff together. I have things I want to do, and I don’t want to ever feel like my child held me back, you know?’
‘Held you back?’ That makes little sense. ‘What would you do in this year?’
She shrugs. ‘Travel, get my dream car, buy more houses, save money, mentally prepare for a lifetime of child rearing, etc.’
‘You sound as if you haven’t been travelling before. We spent your last birthday in Bali. Three months ago, we were in Kuala Lumpur. We’ll travel some more to anywhere you want. I have more than enough money and properties for all of us, and a child won’t stop you from having a life.’
‘M, you’re not a woman; you can’t understand. Please, I need this. I mean, it’s not like there’s a deadline or anything, right?’
No deadline, but I do want it soon. Also … ‘what if the year runs out and you change your mind?’
‘You know me better than that. Once I give my word, I won’t change my mind, unless you do, or unless either of us met someone.’
For a long moment, I stare at Ree, thinking. Then, ‘we’ll wait a year, with a few adjustments.’
Ree raises her eyebrows. Her face, just softening into a smile, turns sober.
‘Adjustments?’
Sipping, I take my time swallowing. ‘You see, I was thinking all night too and I wanted to tell you this morning that I agree with some of what you said last night especially about the fertility thing. And this change of heart you’ve had is perfect.’
Reana looks blank.
‘I mean, I changed my mind. Instead of adopting a child, we can have our biological child. Together.’
Her forehead bulges. ‘What is this?’
Enjoying her reaction, I flash a wide smile. ‘It’s very easy. I have it all planned.
You want to wait a year, we’ll wait. We’ll get married now, and have our child a year from now.’
***
After work, I put my desk surface back in order. Next, I find my way to a restroom close to my prayer room. With an absent glance around, I approve of the gleaming state of the interior as I freshen up and make ablutions for my evening prayers.
There’s a knock on the door of the prayer room.
‘Come in.’
The door pushes inward.
Reana’s head in a flowery scarf pops in around the door. ‘Hi. I thought you might’ve finished praying.’
I nod once.
‘Me too. I’m going to change now. Meet you in the kitchen?’
‘Sure.’
With the thought of the kitchen come hunger pangs. The grumbling stomach lasts only briefly, before the thought that has distracted me all day returns. The thoughts just wouldn’t leave my head.
The implications of my proposition scare me, but the more I think about it, the surer I feel of the decision. I only have to convince Reana to get on board with me, and that’s what I am going to do. Getting up, I fold my prayer rug and return it to its place on the shelf.
Before I even reach the kitchen, aromatic scents assault my nose, reminding me of my lingering hunger. Looking around, tuning my ears for any approaching footsteps, I make a stealthy move to the stove.
Just then, I hear the faint sounds of what must be Ree’s footsteps. ‘Stealing from the pot already?’
‘Not quite.’ I turn around.
Reana’s unpainted mouth is in its customary unmoving pout. Her large, brown eyes contain a little spark as she stands in the doorway watching me. ‘I missed you at lunch.’
‘I missed lunch.’
She nods, moves to where I am by the counter. ‘Avoiding me?’
I shift to face her. Something tightens in my belly at her closeness. This is a new feeling that is quickly becoming familiar when it comes to Ree. My eyes search hers.
Why are her eyes blank? Why can’t I tell what she’s thinking?
My voice lowers by itself, ‘you kicked me out of your room this morning, remember?’
‘I did.’ Ree nods once. She sounds normal, unaffected. ‘Maybe I overreacted. We’ll eat now and talk.’
She proceeds to dish out Pounded Yam portions for both of us.
Grape juice! Feeling rather grateful to Reana and to Nana, I pull out a chair for her.
At the same time, I am wondering what’s going on in Reana’s head.
‘I agree to your terms.’
It takes a second to penetrate my mind. ‘Wait, really?’
‘Don’t get excited, we have a few details to fight over.’
Even though her voice sounds bland, I recognize the buried excitement.
‘I knew it! You are just as crazy as I am.’
‘Hey!’ Reana gives a mock frown.
I grab Reana in a tight hug and lift her with a spin.
Her arms go around my neck. She lowers her cheek on top of my head with a light laugh. ‘Okay. You can put me down now.’
I put her down.
I’ve held Reana this way several times before. But for the first time ever, I feel something. From the point at the back of my head where Ree’s hands are, electric current sizzles, shooting straight to the soles of my feet.
From her casual demeanor, Ree feels nothing different.
It must be just me. That’s just as well.
Taking a seat, I try to compose myself. After swallowing a bolus or two, I get myself under control.
Sipping her juice, Reana speaks in a casual tone. ‘It’s been three weeks since you broke up with Lola.’
I nod, wondering what’s on her mind.
‘And all in that time frame, you’ve decided you want a child with me: someone whom you’ve arguably never thought of as a woman before.’ At this point, Reana gazes straight into my eyes. ‘Or should I say you never saw me as a woman before that weekend?’
‘Where are you going with this, Reana?’
‘It’s because of the period thing, isn’t it?’
No one can accuse Ree of being slow, that’s for sure. I sip some juice, stalling.
‘What do you mean?’
She smiles. ‘I think you know what I mean, Misbah. ‘Tell me the truth. You got the idea for this whole scheme because you learnt about my period. It was the catalyst, so to speak, for you to see my potential in this matter.’
‘No, not the whole thing.’ Realising what I’ve just admitted, I release a sigh. ‘It’s not like that, Ree. It’s not as if I’m trying to - I’m not thinking of you as …’
Why can’t I get the words out?
Ree gives a slow nod. ‘That’s what I thought. I knew you wouldn’t leave it alone. I just didn’t know it would lead to’ she waves a hand, ‘all this. I’m not angry, don’t worry. I just wanted to confirm.’ She resumes eating.
While I eat, I rack my brain for what to say to Reana. How do I explain that I am not trying to take advantage of her or deceive her? Somehow, the words escape me.
I observe her discreetly, and she truly does not look angry. So maybe she really doesn’t mind. After thinking throughout the meal and coming up empty, I move on to other thoughts. ‘Quick question.’
Reana looks up.
‘This morning when I brought up the idea of having our own child, you called me crazy. What made you change your mind?’
She shrugs. ‘You said it yourself. I am just as crazy as you are.’
This makes me laugh. ‘Seriously.’
‘Seriously, I don’t know. I want you to be happy, M.’
‘I appreciate the sentiment.’ After a short pause, I go on. ‘So, you are agreeing to marry me and have a whole life with me because you want to make me happy?’
‘Let’s just say I am saving you from the evil clutches of witches out there.’ Ree laughs and then sighs. The flippant voice becomes serious, unsure. ‘Honestly, I don’t know. I wish I did. I guess I thought we could take this journey together, like we do everything else.’
Reana’s words and something in her eyes make my heart beat faster. I don’t understand the feeling. ‘That’s really … something. Thank you. It means a lot to me. I can’t tell you … how much …’
Ree dimples. ‘I know, M.’
I take a breath. ‘You know, when I first thought of this … scheme, it bothered me to think about us being intimate. Actually, it was a little nauseating before I got used to the idea. I thought it would bother you. I’m surprised it does not.’
‘Okay, a few things.’
Here we go.
‘Shoot.’
‘One, I have a good guess on why you insist on a marriage. It’s most likely because of the child. I’m agreeing to it. But, since it’s a marriage of convenience, we have to leave the door open and be honest with each other. If I meet someone, I’m free to go with them. Same goes for you. You have to agree to that.’
I nod, ‘go on.’
‘Okay. Regarding the conception …’
‘Yes?’
‘Misbah, you know we could be married and still adopt. We could use AI or IVF. I could be your surrogate. It’s unconventional, I know, but so is what we’re trying to do here. No one needs to know abou-’
‘Reana.’ Holding up a hand, I take a deep breath, reminding myself to keep my voice low and calm. ‘One, the deal was a biological child not an adopted one. Two, I am not conceiving our baby in a test-tube and I am not using you as an incubator.’
She rolls her eyes. ‘You would not be. These are viable options and I don’t-’
I shake my head. ‘You aren’t listening to me, Reana.’
‘You really do not need to shout, Misbah. I can hear you just fine from here.’ Ree’s words come out spaced. She places a hand on her forehead as if she’s beginning to get a headache.
Join the club.
‘I was not shouting,’ I protest from between clenched teeth. ‘You know I never shout.’ I take a breath. ‘Look, like I said, I understand how you feel. It wasn’t easy
for me to get around the intimacy part either. If you want, I can give you pointers on how to think about it.’
Reana remains silent.
‘Reana?’ I prod.
‘What?’
‘Are you - do you find me repulsive?’
Reana’s big eyes become as wide as saucers. Her reaction settles a growing terror within me. ‘No!’ She replies in a low voice filled with shock, as she spreads her palms on the table surface.
‘Good.’ I nod, concealing my relief. ‘Then we’re fine.’
Reana shakes her head. ‘Listen to me, Misbah. What you are suggesting is impossible … and abnormal. It has nothing to do with how attractive you may be.’
‘What is abnormal about us having a baby like normal people?’
Reana raises her hands and drops them in a show of frustration. She speaks slowly to enunciate each word. ‘It is abnormal to consider sleeping with your best friend, Misbah. It is almost incestuous.’
‘It is not incest. We aren’t closely related.’
‘I’m not saying it is. I’m saying it is like incest. It certainly feels that way.’
‘The point is that it isn’t and if you let yourself, you can feel differently.’
‘Whatever.’ Ree rises. ‘I will not sleep with you - God, I cannot believe I am even saying these words. We’ll have our baby some other way, or we’ll go back to the original adoption plan.’ She picks up her half-eaten plate and glass.
‘Where are you going?’
‘I am going elsewhere so that I can eat in peace. Goodness! We aren’t even married yet and you’re driving me crazy already.’ Turning on her heels, Ree walks out of the kitchen, muttering, ‘must be an omen or something.’
‘Remember, Reana. Workout is in one hour.’
Silence is the only response.
Reana is bothered by the idea of us being intimate but I’m not worried. She’ll get used to it with time. I’m certain of this.
I got used to it, didn’t I? In fact, more than that, I’m starting to feel a certain type of attraction to Reana. I’m sure she’ll get there too, even if I have to convince her of it. Of course, if I had my way, I would hurry along the process for her.
One way or another, we will finish this discussion.
8
REana
Right as I get into bed, there is a knock.
That must be Misbah. He’s knocking. This means we’ll have that discussion now.
Misbah and I had the discussion about conceiving a child during our evening meal yesterday.
I walked out in irritation and thankfully, he did not come after me.
Since then, as if by mutual agreement, neither of us has brought up the subject.
At first, I had not wanted to go for the workout session last night, because I was scared it would worsen my body ache. But, also, I was afraid he’d bring up the subject. Later, I convinced myself to go. I was tense at first, but M carried on without mentioning it.
The same thing happened throughout today.
We had breakfast, lunch and dinner together. We also had the workout session.
Again, there was no mention of the subject. I began to wonder when he’d bring it up again, or if he’d bring it up at all.
Hearing another knock, I push away the coverlet and don my hair bonnet. I open the door and find myself amused when I see Misbah holding two steaming mugs on a tray. ‘This is your M.O. now? Knock and bring me a hot beverage to keep me happy with you?’ I shake my head. ‘Not to sound ungrateful, but I’ve already brushed my teeth.’
‘Then I’ll just drink both, won’t I?’ Misbah gives a disarming grin.
Smiling back at him, I open the door wide to let him in. ‘I suppose you’re here to continue that discussion.’
With a non-committal grunt, he puts the tray on the nightstand. Sitting on the bed, he picks up one mug and takes a sip.
Unable to resist any longer, I grab the second mug and sit beside M. I inhale deeply of the chocolate-y scent, sip, and let off a loud sigh that sounds embarrassingly like a moan.
As usual, Misbah smirks.
As usual, I ignore it.
The chocolate makes up for any poor behaviour on his part.
We sit for a while in relative silence, enjoying the beverage. It feels rather peaceful, pleasant.
When I put down my empty cup, M follows suit. The move draws my attention to M’s arm.
The sleeves of his shirt are folded up to the elbow showing his strong forearms.
They make M look manly, very attractive.
I know he is attractive, but that does not mean I want to go to bed with him. For God’s sake!
‘So, Misbah, the bribe has been received. You may say your piece.’
He chuckles. ‘It’s hardly a bribe. I’m just hoping you’ve had time to think about what we discussed. Maybe consider-’
‘Consider incest? No.’ Casually, I adjust and lean my back against the headboard, prepared for another bout of discussion.
‘For the thousandth time, Ree,’ Misbah counters in an endlessly patient tone, ‘it is not incest. We are not related in the least bit.’
‘That may be, but there is a reason we only remained friends all these years. It isn’t meant to be between us.’
‘Okay, I give you that. But maybe that has been because of our mindset? I am sure if you could just try to start thinking differently, then-’
‘It also won’t work because we are incompatible. You’ve got bad habits.’ I fold my arms across my chest.
‘Oh, and you don’t? By the way, I have transferred your dinner leftovers into a tupperware. You’re welcome.’
I scoff, ‘as if I care. But, if you like, that proves my point. We are incompatible.
How am I supposed to find you sexy when I have heard you fart before?’ I can’t stop the smirk from coming to my face and staying there.
‘So?’ Misbah jerks a shoulder, unconcerned. ‘We all fart. At least I don’t snore.’
‘Who snores?’
‘You, Reana, you snore, and it is not cute.’
Shocked, no sound leaves my mouth.
‘Okay,’ Misbah amends. ‘It is a little cute.’
‘No one has ever told me I snore.’ I return in an indignant tone.
‘I am telling you, and that’s what counts. Now, if we have counted all the reasons this may not work, let me tell you some of the reasons it could work.’
I roll my eyes.
‘If you aren’t careful, one of these days, I might mistakenly puncture your rolling eyeballs. Now, as I was saying …’ Misbah waits for my laughter to stop. ‘We have known each other, bad habits and all, for a long time. We love each other despite the intimate knowledge of each other’s negatives. We are both loyal, non-abusive-’
‘Debatable. You like threatening me.’
A smile, quickly suppressed, appears on Misbah’s face. ‘- and generous. Falling in love won’t be hard for us. In fact, maybe we already are in love but don’t know it.’
‘Oh, please. I think I would know if I were in love.’
M shrugs. ‘In any case, sex is not going to be a problem. You already said I don’t repulse you, and I think you’re very attractive.’
‘Hm.’ I clear my throat. ‘What if I still don’t want your method, are we going to keep having this argument until I am forced to agree with you?’
For a long moment, Misbah stares at me with narrowed eyes. ‘Are you saying no because you don’t ever want to get into bed with me-?’
‘Yes!’
‘-or are you saying no,’ Misbah goes on as if I haven’t spoken, ‘because you are afraid of sex?’
Tensing inwardly, I try to remain calm outwardly. ‘Afraid? Don’t be silly. What does my reason have to do with anything, anyway?’
‘Tell me the truth, Ree, and we’ll see. If you really don’t have a problem with sex, but you just never want to be with me, then we’ll do things your way.’
‘My way?’ I ask, surprised.
‘Yes, Reana, I promise. We’ll adopt a child together, you’ll never hear me talk about getting married or having a biological child or … anything else. We can raise the child together. When I meet someone else and get married, or you meet someone else and get married, we can find a way to co-parent. This is what you want in summary, isn’t it?’ He peers at me closely.
‘Yes, it is,’ I give a firm nod. ‘I guess you have been paying attention.’
Misbah smiles, ‘I always pay attention to you, Reana. So, tell me, which is it?’
Oh.
I clear my throat. ‘The first option, like I said. I don’t want to sleep with you. Now, can we move on?’
Misbah gives a sober headshake. ‘No.’
Why do I feel relieved?
‘No?’
‘You just did that thing with your eyes. You’re lying to me. Why are you afraid of sex?’
‘That’s absurd, Misbah.’
He gives a sardonic smile. ‘Is it? You can’t even say the word.’
‘I can, too.’
‘Then say it.’ He challenges.
The word sticks in my throat. ‘I don’t need to prove it to you. That’s childish.’ I turn my head away for a bit.
Misbah adjusts till he’s right next to me. He sits there saying nothing.
‘Look, it’s not a big deal. I just am not very good at it, okay?’ I hear a sound beside me and send Misbah a quick glance.
His mouth is open. ‘Which idiot told you that?’
I glance down and pick at the sheet. ‘No one had to tell me.’
Misbah gives my head a gentle stroke, making me look up. ‘You can’t not be good at it, Ree.’
I give him a doubtful look.
Misbah smiles. ‘You don’t believe me. Tell me about it.’
I release a sigh. ‘This is why I have that dating thing that you talked about.’
‘Where you date men you don’t really like?’
‘It’s not that I don’t like them … exactly. It’s that I already know I have this thing.
Why look for someone ideal when I know it will have to end anyway?’
‘What is the thing?’
‘It’s just - I just – I don’t think I’m supposed to be … doing it. Men don’t interest me in that way. I mean, it’s all fine when I imagine stuff by myself, but once a man enters the picture, I just … it … fizzles.’
‘That’s it?’
I release a frustrated sound. ‘Misbah, you’re talking as if that is a small thing. If I’m not into it, how will you get me to participate enough to make a baby?’ I hesitate and then sigh. ‘I should probably also tell you that I haven’t done it before, for this same reason.’
Misbah nods, looking unsurprised. ‘I already knew you weren’t doing it with your boyfriends, anyway. That’s not a problem.’
‘Oh.’
What?
‘Wait, how did you know that?’
Misbah chuckles, ‘please. So let me get this straight. You don’t get aroused with one or two men and so you convince yourself you’re bad at sex. Then you prove this to yourself by dating men whom you know you don’t find sexually attractive.
Is that the summary?’
Um .. .
‘When you say it like that …’ Remembering the main issue, I shake my head to stop from getting distracted. ‘How did you know, Misbah?’
‘I say it like that to show you what you’ve been doing. You are not bad at sex, Ree.’
‘Have you been stalking me?’
Misbah bursts out laughing. ‘Certainly not, Reana. Why would I?’
‘Then, how did you know?’
‘How did I know about your sexual history?’ He grins, ‘I told you I always pay attention.’
I narrow my eyes at him, but Misbah only laughs louder.
‘Listen, when people are intimate, I can tell just by seeing them together. Most people think they can hide it, but that’s a mistake. The only way to hide it from me is if both of you never appear together in public. I’ve seen you with all your boyfriends. Put two and two together.’
‘Oh. That’s a bit dubious but at least, I know you haven’t done it either.’
‘Yes, because I told you.’
‘Whatever. So, how do you know you aren’t bad at … it?’
M chuckles, ‘please. For now, I propose we test my theory. Let’s do an experiment, shall we?’
I shoot Misbah a look.
He gives a headshake. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to, okay?’
‘Okay.’
Shifting, Misbah kneels on the bed over me so that his legs are straddling mine. He places his palms beside my face on the edge of the carved bed frame, effectively caging me in. His eyes hold mine and he leans in close to my face. Close.
I stay silent, curious about what Misbah is about to do. I barely feel any trepidation, because I trust him completely.
With his eyes fixed on mine, Misbah speaks in a low voice. ‘Ree, I want you to breathe, relax, and listen to me very carefully. I am going to tell you what I want to do to you, but you are in charge. You can tell me to stop at anytime, and I will. Nod if you understand.’ His voice sounds deeper than I’ve ever heard it.
I nod, feeling a bit warm. I did not know Misbah’s eyes could be this alluring, that his voice could be this enchanting.
‘Listen to me. Think only of me and what I tell you.’
I nod.
‘I want you to imagine us in bed. Both of us are in your bed in this very room. You are flat on your back. Can you see me lying over you?’
I nod.
‘Can you feel the warmth from my body?’
With another nod, I force myself to smile as proof that I am not affected by M’s words.
He smiles in return, droning on in his deep, unsettling voice. ‘Our clothes are off.
My hard, nude body slides up against your soft skin. I stare deeply into your beautiful, brown eyes as I am doing now. Then I stretch your tied hands above your head so that you can’t move them. You struggle to release your hands but you don’t really want them freed, do you?’
Huh?
It feels like M has moved closer. My clothes feel tighter than before. The air conditioner must be spoilt, because this place feels hotter than it was earlier. Maybe they seized the light. The warmth is spreading from my head, to my chest, lower.
Why can’t I breathe right?
‘I drop light kisses on your chin and on your earlobes, and you feel it down, down between your thighs. I know this because your crotch lifts towards me. At the same time, you lift your chin and I bite your neck because I can’t help myself.’ His gaze moves lower.
My chin lifts, and I feel a liquid pull in my pelvis. Catching myself, I lower my chin when Misbah’s gaze returns to mine.
His eyes look bigger, darker … scary.
My head and heart are pounding in tandem. I feel out of control. I think I like it.
He continues in his whisper. ‘Your body feels familiar, as if I’ve touched you a thousand times before. Slowly, I kiss you all over. You have the softest, warmest skin. Your breasts are so sexy and your nipples are the most beautiful things ever.
They are so sensitive and they turn me on like nothing else. You know what else turns me on?’ He waits.
With a swallow, I shake my head.
‘That slight sound that leaves your throat. It lets me know how turned on you are even though you try hard to hide it.’
A weak sound escapes my mouth. My eyes widen in surprise as I recall suddenly that this is all an experiment.
Is this some sort of hypnosis? Is he controlling me with his words?
Misbah does not make the joke I expect from him. He looks sober. His gaze has a longing quality to it. His breathing sounds heavier. Maybe he’s as shocked as I am.
I don’t know what to say or do so I shut my eyes tight and wait.
‘You’re fine, Ree. You’re perfect.’ M’s close whisper turns the rest of my insides out.
It takes everything in me to stop myself from groaning out loud. I want to scream, to beg M to carry on with this weird experiment that makes me feel alive. But if I do this, it would be really embarrassing. Keeping my eyes and mouth shut, I try to bring my breathing back under control.
After a moment, M’s weight lifts away from the bed.
I hear the door open and shut.
A long while passes before I open my eyes. The discomfort between my thighs is still very present. The heat is still there, overwhelmingly so. Perhaps it is time for another shower.
By the time I finish my shower and return to the room, I see things from a clearer perspective.
Misbah’s experiment worked too well, but it worked. It proved him right.
It also proves to me that I am not as broken as I thought.
How come I responded to Misbah like that, though? I’ve never felt that way before.
Maybe I should call him to do the experiment again.
Putting away the wet towel, I pick up a nightshirt and slip it on; I can’t deal with pajama trousers tonight. After brushing my teeth once again, I push the empty mugs away from the edge of the nightstand and straighten the sheets before lying down.
Every motion is made with care not to create any friction between my thighs. I pull the coverlet over myself, adjust the lower part till it straightens and after saying a prayer or two, I dream.
Of Misbah coming to my bed, touching me; of him licking me all over; of more. In the dream, I respond boldly, kissing and caressing him freely in return. The intense feeling builds and builds, until, at once, something causes me to wake.
With some confusion and a little anger, I realise that the alarm clock is ringing. I groan to myself. Along with the anger, comes a deep frustration and an insistent throbbing I can’t do anything about.
For the next few minutes, I remain in bed. Trying to settle myself, I assess how I feel about having a wet dream featuring my best friend. Of course, my best friend happens to be a man: a very sexy man.
Oh God, I just thought of M as sexy.
Does this mean that a part of me wants him? Or did he do something to my mind last night?
In the privacy of my mind; in the privacy of my bedroom; riding on the high of the dream, I can admit to myself that I don’t really mind wanting him.
Not that I’ll let M know this, of course. It may feel good, but I still think it is inappropriate.
9
MISBAH
I knew my experiment would work but I didn’t know it would work this well. I certainly did not think it would affect me so much. It was so bad that I had to leave Reana’s room abruptly last night. Any more of the drasted experiment and I would have broken down and begged. As it was, that experiment made for an uncomfortable night. I spent half of it tossing in bed. The other half was filled with erotic dreams featuring my best friend; although this part was not at all bad.
On the brighter side, I saw that the experiment worked on Reana. Even she cannot deny that she was affected last night.
And that sound … God!
While I cannot regret my actions since they brought me closer to my goal, I can admit that perhaps I took things just a bit too far. I just hope the suddenness of the change will not send Ree running scared. Even so, she may be feeling awkward this morning. With the way I’m feeling right now too, I might add to the awkwardness rather than help dispel it.
There is a knock. The door opens before I answer.
Reana glides in. ‘Hello!’
Why is she smiling?
She has on a dark trouser suit and a mauve coloured head-scarf with its ends thrown behind her shoulders.
‘High heels? You have a meeting?’
‘You know it! I need the confidence boost.’ Her smile widens and then she sobers.
‘Are you sick?’
‘No.’
Ree’s smile returns and she bounces—there’s no other word for it—to the bed.
‘Then why are you still in bed?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Aren’t you Mr. Sunshine this morning?’ She sits on the side of my bed, crossing one leg over the other.
The little movement draws my eyes. The sight of the legs causes a hitch in my breathing. Memories of those legs in a very recent dream fill me, bringing with them a longing. The direction of my thoughts embarrasses me. I lift my gaze and try to think of something else.
To my surprise, Ree moves close to me and puts her arms around my neck. She presses her head on top of mine briefly. I think she sniffs me, but I’m not sure. ‘Are you having a mood again?’
I shrug. ‘A little,’ I whisper back.
‘I’m sorry. You know the best thing you can do is to move around. Get up, okay?
Take a shower. I’ll make you hot chocolate so you can feel better.’ She sounds slightly worried.
I feel guilty because I can’t tell her what really bothers me.
Reana shifts but I grab her arms before she can remove them. ‘You’re not angry?’
Her lovely face goes into a light frown. ‘Why would I be angry?’
‘Last night? I went a little overboard in my experiment.’
‘Oh.’ Ree pauses for a bit. ‘I don’t know if you went overboard but it’s not a big deal. The experiment worked and that’s good, right?’ Her eyebrows lift.
Really?
‘Yeah, but … you’re really not angry about it?’
‘Angry? M, I am thrilled. You don’t know how it feels to know there’s nothing wrong with my … engine.’
I guess she really isn’t angry. With this, I relax, but a different feeling is making itself known. I give a casual smile that gives away none of the struggle going on inside me. ‘Your engine, huh? How does it feel?’
She laughs, staring at the wall in front of us. ‘Feels really good. It felt good last night too. A little uncomfortable, though.’
Hm!
‘You’ll get used to it with practice.’
Reana pulls back with a grin. ‘I was thinking the same thing!'
The eagerness with which she says it makes me laugh. ‘Would you like to go right now?’
‘I have a meeting, remember? Plus, I figure I can practice on my own.’
‘Hm.’ Getting into the discussion, I lean my head sideways against hers. ‘You could. Or, you could cancel the meeting and we could … practice. Everything’s more fun with a partner.’
As if just realising the nature of the discussion, Ree pulls her head back and scrambles off the bed. ‘Gosh, look at the time. I have to go.’
‘Chicken.’
How disappointing!
She lifts her chin with her arms akimbo. ‘I’m not a chicken, M. I’m really running out of time.’
‘Uh-huh. What about my beverage?’
‘Get yourself together and come downstairs.’ In much the same way she came in, Reana glides out of my room and shuts the door.
About ten minutes after Ree leaves my room, I find her in the kitchen bending over the dustbin. Her jacket has shifted up, leaving the arousing sight of her trouser pulled taut over her butt.
My hand goes to my belly to settle the tumbling in it. For the second time this morning, I avert my gaze from Reana. Putting on a casual air, I step into the kitchen.
Reana straightens with a glance at me. ‘Feel better?’
‘That depends. I believe I have a hot beverage coming.’
‘Hang on.’ Without warning, Reana inserts her face into the crook of my neck and makes an inhaling sound.
My belly tightens. I take a breath to relax so I am able to sound casual. ‘Are you sniffing me again?’
Reana shrugs. ‘I like the way you smell.’
Hm. ‘I like the way you smell but you don’t see me sniffing you, do you?’
I watch a pleased surprise enter Reana’s eyes as her lips curve even more. ‘You do?
It’s the flower-scented oils. What do I smell of in particular? I want to know which one of the scents stands out.’
Lulled by the unexpected surprise in Ree’s expression—I really should pay her more compliments—I say the first thing that pops into my mind. ‘Like I want to bury my nose in you and never come up for air.’
‘Oh, wow! That’s descriptive.’ Reana barks out a surprised, slightly embarrassed laugh.
Just then, I realise the double entendre. Hopefully, Reana has not thought of the second meaning because that would make things very awkward very quickly. ‘Still, I don’t sniff you.’
She tilts her head to the side, ‘do you hate it when I sniff you?’
‘No.’
‘Good, because I don’t intend to stop.’ She hands me a giant mug.
Burying a chuckle, I take a sip and sigh.
Reana watches me closely. ‘Good?’
I nod. ‘Thank you.’
‘My pleasure. Now that you’ve gotten rid of the mood, I have a question.’
‘Shoot.’ I answer absently, focusing on my drink.
‘Last night, what you said …’
Swallowing, I hold my breath and wait for her next words.
‘That was not the first time you imagined us together, was it?’
Once more, I wonder why I bother to keep anything from Reana. She always ends up finding out. I’m not even going to ask how she guessed it, though I still have to play dumb. Lifting my gaze, I find Reana’s eyes narrowed. The earlier smile is all gone now.
‘That’s a strange question, Reana. Why would you ask me that?’
‘Oh, dear.’ Seeing through my tactic, Reana shakes her head. She takes a seat. ‘Are you going to tell me what’s going on?’
With a jerk of my shoulder, I sit opposite from Ree. In reality, I am tired of keeping this issue to myself. I just don’t know if I should tell her. To stall further, I try taking another sip but realise the mug is empty. Perfect.
‘M?’ Reana calls gently. ‘Darling, talk to me.’
Her patient tone gets to me in a way that a more aggressive one would not.
‘What do you want me to say, Ree?’
‘The truth.’
Suddenly, the words come tearing out. ‘The truth is … I’ve been thinking about you for the past couple of days … weeks. I dream about you—us—a lot.’
Ree gasps.
Still, I continue. ‘I want you. In bed … and other places. With me. I’ve imagined you without your clothes more times than I can count. And … okay, I think that’s it. Now, what? And no, I do not know why I feel this way when only a month ago,
it would have disgusted me to think of you like this. And no, I do not understand these feelings. I’m sorry if it offends you, Reana, but this is not easy for me, either.
I am trying to handle it as best as I can.’
Reana stays silent all through my tirade. When I wind down, she stays silent for a moment longer.
‘I’m sorry,’ I add. ‘You asked.’
‘I hate being manipulated.’
When I open my mouth to speak, she raises a finger. ‘I know you were not trying to manipulate me, but it felt that way when I first figured it out myself.’
‘I thought, why would M create this elaborate plan just to get me into bed with him?’
Again, she stops me from speaking as I open my mouth. ‘I know it’s not in your character to be sneaky and that’s the reason I’m here, talking to you about this.’
Reana hesitates for another moment. ‘If we’re going to go ahead with this marriage, M, keeping things from each other is not an option.’ She pauses, peers closely into my eyes. ‘Do you understand me?’
I nod. I understand that she is referring to more than this one issue, but we’ll deal with only this one today. ‘You are right, Ree, I apologize. Look, you were right the other day. When I learnt about your womanly … monthly … thing, something shifted for me. I admit it. I suddenly realised you were a woman where before, I didn’t think of you as one. Slowly, I started noticing things about you that I had never noticed before. The thoughts troubled me, but the more I fought them, ignored them, the more aggressively they came. It all felt wrong. I felt wrong, Ree.
How could I speak of these things to you?
‘I had been thinking about adopting a child or getting a surrogate before I met Lola.
It became my contingency plan in case Lola and I ended up not working out. You know how that turned out. When we talked about your relationship situation, it occurred to me that we might do it together. Then I thought about it some more and realized it would be simpler if we could conceive a child instead. This was not something I planned from the start, Ree.
‘I admit that because of how I’m beginning to feel about you, maybe something in me hopes we might become … closer along the way. Perhaps; but I swear to you, that was not in any way, the plan.’
Ree nods, ‘very well. I know it can’t have been easy for you.’ Reana picks through her words as if she is struggling to put her thoughts in order. ‘I understand how one thing can lead to another unexpectedly. I understand that if something caused you to see me a certain way, the feeling could progress into more. It would be unfair of me to blame you for all that. After all this time, you should know that about me and you should trust me. You could have talked to me about it, M. We could have figured it out together.’
When she gets hurt—not angry, but hurt—Reana has a way with rebuke. It always hits the target, which is always the heart.
Letting my regret show in my eyes, I touch her hand. ‘I know. I am sorry, Ree.’
She nods.
In silence, we watch each other for a long moment. The moment is quite calm and calming. It has a solemnity in addition to something else that I can’t quite read.
With a loud sigh, Reana rises. The moment is over. ‘I have to go now: work, meeting.’
‘Right.’
She takes a few steps towards the door and then turns to face me with a light smirk.
‘Last night, I had a dream, the wet kind: clearly the result of your experiment.’
My belly churns, but a raised eyebrow is my only outward reaction.
‘You were there.’
Oh, dear God!
‘Is that so?’ I give a little smile.
Reana gives a soft smile. ‘I don’t know how to think or feel about it. I choose to enjoy the feeling. You might try that.’
‘I could,’ I release a sigh. ‘If I did, I might end up pushing certain … boundaries between us. Can you handle that?’
She gives a sassy grin, her dimples wink. ‘I can handle you, big boy. You do what you have to do. See ya.’
***
As it is time for my lunch break, I put my desktop to sleep. I hang my jacket on the back of the chair and roll my sleeves up to my elbows. When I get downstairs to the kitchen, I find the place silent, empty.
Reana must still be working or having a meeting. Maybe she’ll want to have lunch if she gets the time or maybe not.
Either way, I’m too hungry to wait for her. After washing my hands, I open the fridge and scan the contents briefly. Deciding, I pull out the makings of a sandwich.
With exquisite care, I make two fig-jam sandwiches. I cut the slices diagonally the way I like and clean the knife. Opening the fridge, I return the rest of the bread and pull out a carafe of homemade grape juice. I pour some in a tall glass, which I place right beside my plate on the table mat.
Bursting with anticipation, I replace the juice in the fridge. When I turn around, Reana is in the kitchen.
She looks slightly shorter than she did in the morning. Her heels are off, which must be why I did not hear her footsteps entering the kitchen.
‘Hey.’ I halt, smiling.
‘Hey,’ Ree replies in a tired voice. Her eyes latch onto my food and widen. ‘Nice!
Is that for me? Without waiting for me to answer, she changes direction and plops her butt on my space.
‘Ree, that’s-’
Reana takes a large gulp of my juice. ‘Hm?’ With an innocent look in my direction, she takes a huge bite out of one sandwich.
I release a heavy sigh. With all the care I put into preparing it, I had been looking forward to that food. Turning around, I open the fridge and begin the process all over again.
‘Thank you, my darling. It’s as if you knew how much I needed this. Such a wonderful surprise!’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘So nice of you. It tastes great too.’
‘I’m sure it does.’
‘Are you okay?’ She takes another large gulp of juice. ‘You sound a bit strange.’
‘I’m good.’ Washing the knife, I clear my throat. Finishing, I pull out another table mat and set up a new place. By the time I sit down opposite Reana, the contents of her plate are depleted.
Reana seldom rushes her food.
‘Is everything alright?’ I ask, frowning with concern.
‘Now, it is. Thanks.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘So, you know that meeting I had, with this new client that I was trying to close?’
‘Uh-huh.’
Reana nods, takes a smaller sip. ‘He didn’t want to talk about his custom software.
Not at all.’ She waves a finger to demonstrate her point.
I welcome the surge of anger as I just know what’s coming.
‘This client contacted me originally, because he thought it might be nice to proposition me during what was supposed to be a work meeting.’
I take a sip. ‘He propositioned you?’
‘Can you believe that? The nerve,’ Reana scoffs.
‘What’s his name?’
Ree peers at me as if she’s just seeing me for the first time. ‘You sound very cold all of a sudden. That’s quite strange.’
I shrug.
‘Why do you want his name anyway? You want to send your boys to teach him a lesson?’ Ree gives a light laugh.
‘I could, if you want.’
She laughs again. ‘Okay, Mr Mafia. There’s no need for that. Honestly, if he hadn’t wasted my precious time and crushed my hope on getting this deal, it might be slightly flattering.’
‘Flattering?’ It is getting harder to keep my voice even.
‘Yeah. Anyway, he’s an idiot but only a harmless idiot.’
‘What did you say?’
‘I told him that I don’t do stuff like that and that I knew he wasn’t trying to be disrespectful, but that was the affect.’
I nod firmly. ‘Damn straight.’
Reana smiles. ‘Also, I told him that I was engaged to be married. I think this was what cinched it for him because he apologized after.’
‘Very good.’ I nod and take a bite of my sandwich. My appetite, briefly gone, has reappeared with a vengeance.
Ree sighs again. ‘I was so close. The money I would have gotten from this contract was going to complete my car funds. I had been dreaming of this car since I got the email from this fool.’ Idly, she moves her nearly-empty glass round and round on the table mat, creating an ever-widening wet spot.
Knowing what her response will be, I make the offer. ‘You know you are welcome to any of the cars in my garage, right?’
The moving glass stops. Reana looks up. ‘We’ve had this talk, Misbah. I’m not taking your car.’
‘You’re not taking it. I’m giving it to you.’
‘No. Thanks, but no thanks.’ She softens the refusal with a smile.
‘Let’s do this instead. You tell me how much is left to complete the car funds, and I-’
‘No!’
I am getting a little frustrated here. ‘You have nothing to prove to me, Ree.’
For an instance, her eyes soften. ‘I know. I know. Maybe I have to prove it to myself.’
I get that. With a nod, I let it go. ‘If you ever change your mind …’
‘I know. Thank you. So, we need to think about the details of the wedding. Such as when do we want the wedding to be? Do you have any thoughts?’
‘I want it yesterday, or as soon as you agree to a natural conception.’
‘You mean you want us to get married as soon as possible because you can’t wait to sleep with me.’
‘What? No, that’s -’ I halt when I catch the teasing smirk in her eyes. Unable to suppress a smile, I shake my head. ‘That is an inappropriate joke, Ree.’
‘Oh boo!’ Reana makes a gesture. ‘Is it more inappropriate than us planning to get married and debating how we want to have our baby?’
Can’t argue with that.
‘Cheeky.’
Reana smiles. ‘As for the conception, I’m no longer saying no outright, but we’ll take it at my pace. That’s the best I can promise right now. In any case, I have a year to get more used to the idea. Hey, are you sure you don’t want to wait till-’
‘No.’ I interrupt, anticipating her. ‘We’ll wed now, and have the baby in a year.
That’s what we agreed to.’
‘Why does the timing matter? It’s all the same if we wed after a year, isn’t it?’
‘I have my reasons.’
Ree gives a light scoff. ‘I know how you think, Misbah. You can’t tie me down with marriage, I hope you know.’
‘Who said I wa-?’
‘Just saying. You can pick a date that suits you and work out the details with the court. Small or large ceremony?’
I give a casual shrug. ‘I leave the size of the ceremony to you. When should we go shopping for rings and outfits?’
‘There’s no need to go shopping. We’ll wear whatever we’ve got. We don’t need rings.’
‘Isn’t this a female thing? Aren’t you supposed to be excited about shopping for wedding stuff?’
Reana shrugs. ‘It’s not a real thing anyway.’
It’s not a real thing?
Ignoring the discomfort Ree’s statement brings, I shift my thoughts to the topic at hand. ‘Are we telling anyone about our engagement?’
Reana frowns a bit. ‘I don’t know yet. I thought I might call my dad and let him know.’ She says this with little enthusiasm. ‘We could tell Omar and Yesmin as well but we’ll wait till tomorrow for all that. As for the ceremony, we can have the official joining and a luncheon with just our families, maybe a friend or two.
Done!’
‘I guess I should be happy you did not choose to hide it from everyone.’
‘I thought about that.’ Reana shrugs at the look I send her way. ‘I’m not going to lie. But I thought … you know …’ She gives another shrug followed by a headshake. ‘I figured, what’s the big deal? Whatever the circumstances, it is a marriage. Which brings me to this - your lunch break isn’t over yet, is it?’
‘I’m good.’
‘Good. I was thinking you might want to talk to your lawyer.’
She sounds flippant, but I’ve learnt to read between the lines when Ree speaks. I can tell this one is important. ‘About what?’
‘We need a prenuptial agreement.’
I let out a surprised laugh.
After a beat, Reana laughs. ‘You called me broke in your head, didn’t you? Don’t be mean, Misbah.’
‘I am trying my best not to be.’
She rolls her eyes. ‘The pre-nup is for you.’
Ignoring the irritation that springs up at Reana’s suggestion, I get up and pour us each a fresh glass of juice. The action calms me before I respond. ‘I get why you’re saying it, Reana, so I won’t get angry.’
‘Oh, stuff it. You know I’m being pragmatic. What happens when each of us meets someone else and we still need to co-parent? What if for whatever reason, the baby thing doesn’t happen and we need to end it? Or if after we do have the baby, one of us just decides it isn’t working anymore and wants to leave. What if-’
‘Like I said, I get it. But, what if I don’t leave, no matter what? What if you try to leave for some other dude, and I lock you up indoors somewhere? After I bash his head in, of course.’
Reana’s laughter is loud. ‘Are you high? I’m being serious here.’
So am I.
I empty my glass in one long swallow. ‘We’re not seeing any lawyer, Reana, and we’re not getting a pre-nup.’
‘Misbah.’
‘Reana,’ I reach across the table to hold one of her hands. Our gazes clash. ‘One of the reasons I wanted this with you is that I know you. I know your heart. In spite of a huge amount of hurt, you have not become a monster.’
Her eyes soften. ‘Of course not. I just thought- . ’
‘And you hate my money. That’s more than enough for me.’
After a short silence, Reana gives a short nod. She empties her glass, muttering, ‘I don’t hate your money.’
‘Uh-huh.’
We take our dishes to the sink.
‘I’ll deal with it,’ I tell Reana when she moves to turn on the water tap.
‘Thanks. And thanks for lunch; I know I ate yours.’
I knew it!
I send her a glance.
Wearing a sly grin, Ree runs out of the kitchen.
10
REANA
‘Let’s just do it.’
‘One moment.’ Keeping my eyes shut, I inhale deeply. Talking to my father requires a lot of mental preparation.
‘Would you like me to talk to him?’ Misbah asks gently.
‘I wish.’ I take another deep breath that comes out as a sigh. ‘This is going to suck anyway, so I might as well take the plunge.’
‘Hello?’ The gravelly voice comes through when I place the call.
‘Good evening, sir.’ At the back of my mind, I recognize that my voice has lowered automatically.
‘Reana, how are you?’
‘I’m-’
‘Hope all is well.’
My breath hitches. ‘Yes, I-’
‘Okay, good. It’s getting late now. Have a good night rest.’
‘Wait! Daddy, I have to tell you something.’
‘Yes, what is it?’
‘I-I wanted to tell you that I’m-Misbah and I are getting married.’
There.
‘Who is Misbah? Is it that boy you have been following around?’
‘I-’ Sigh. ‘Yes, sir.’
‘So, you two have finally decided to stop fornicating?’
‘We never-’
‘Tell him to call me when next you see him.’
‘He’s here now, if you want to speak with him.’
No response.
I pass the phone to Misbah, after putting it on loudspeaker.
‘Good evening, sir. This is Misbah Malik.’ Misbah says with a relaxed smile.
I can hear my father’s voice come through clearly. ‘So you have decided to stop fornicating with Reana?’
‘No, sir,’ M’s smile turns into a grin. It’s almost as if he’s laughing silently.
‘No? You have not decided to stop?’
‘No, we have not been fornicating. However,-’
‘Rubbish. I wasn’t born yesterday.’
Misbah continues as if he hasn’t been interrupted, something I would never dream of doing. ‘-I would like to assure you that I love Reana very much, and intend to take care of her as much as I can.’
‘I am about leaving the country right now. Let my admin know when you plan to have the ceremony and he’ll take care of the details.’
That means he’s not attending. Struggling not to feel disappointed, I give M a headshake. I don’t want my father’s admin involved in this.
‘Thank you, sir. That’s not necessary. Everything is under control. We’ll send you the particulars as soon as possible.’
‘Very good. Bye.’
The call disconnects.
Misbah hands the phone to me with an amused grin. ‘That went well, wouldn’t you say?’
I burst into tears.
Misbah pulls me against himself. He holds me till the tears subside.
When I feel more composed, I wipe my face with a palm. ‘Ugh. My face must look a sight right now.’ And my nose sounds very blocked.
‘Your face looks pretty, as always.’
My face crumbles again, but I will the tears back. ‘I did not mean to cry all over you.’
‘I know, love.’
‘He’s not coming.’
Misbah sighs. ‘No, he’s not.’
‘What did I ever do to him?’
Misbah gives a sympathetic headshake, but says nothing.
‘I just wish … God! Anyway …’ I wipe my face again and lean back against the headboard of my bed where we’re seated. ‘Just promise me you won’t ever be like that with our kid.’
‘Not be cold or emotionally withholding? That’s a promise I can easily make.’
‘Good. I mean, I know you aren’t really like that, but it helps to hear it. I really don’t want to end up marrying my father, you know?’
‘That would be very inappropriate. I agree completely.’
I can’t even manage a smile at Misbah’s joke. ‘You know you didn’t have to try to reassure him by telling him how you love me and all that. He couldn’t care less.’
‘I somehow doubt that, but anyway, it’s true, isn’t it? I meant it; though he may have read it differently from how I meant it.’
‘Thanks anyway,’ I sigh. ‘I used to resent how he was never around. I thought he was distant because of the physical distance. But, whenever he was around, he’d be the same way. When I made the mistake of telling him, he asked if there was anything I needed that I was not getting.’ I pause and shake my head. ‘As if material things make up for parental neglect.’
‘And that’s why you have your aversion to rich people.’
‘They’re usually jerks, aren’t they?’
‘Easy, tiger. No judgment here.’
‘Sorry. Residual anger.’ I sigh. ‘It is almost as if he delights in being mean to me.
As if he is punishing me for killing my mum in childbirth.’
Misbah leans against the headboard too, mirroring my move. ‘You know you did not kill her though, right?’
‘Now, I do.’
‘But this was not always the case?’ Misbah interjects, gently.
I shrug. ‘Anyway, I guess, at some point I have to accept that he’s always going to be this way. I just need to learn to be like you. Make everything a joke.’
‘Are you sure that would work?’
I sigh. ‘I usually think about all what he’s done for me—you know, provisions, good education, opportunities, etc—and focus on that instead. That works but, sometimes … it just sneaks up on you. I’m not usually a whiny, poor-rich-girl …
whiner.’
‘I know.’
Mentally exhausted, I rub my face with both hands. ‘God! Here is a twenty nine-year-old, strong, independent woman, still crying for her daddy to be nice to her. Is that pathetic or what?’ I force a wistful smile out.
‘Not really.’ Misbah says gently. ‘Not at all, in fact.’ With a slight smile, Misbah drops a kiss on my bonnet-covered head. He drops another one on my cheek. The second one lingers just a moment longer than the first. When Misbah pulls back slightly, the air in the room is charged.
Our faces are so close that I can feel his warm breath fanning my skin.
Misbah stares at me for a long moment. As our gazes hold, his eyes become bigger, just as they did during that experiment.
I hold my breath in anticipation of … what?
M shuts his eyes. ‘I’m sorry. I should go.’
‘No.’ I hold fast to his arm when he tries to move off the bed. I’m not ready to be alone with my thoughts right now.
The air is slightly awkward between us, but I’m not worried. M wasn’t trying to be provocative. He kissed me on the cheek, meaning to offer comfort.
Our relationship is on new, boggy ground however, and the terrain is turning out a little dangerous.
‘Get some sleep, Ree. You’ll feel better tomorrow.’
‘A-alright.’
He shifts again.
This time, I let him go.
‘Goodnight.’ M pulls the door shut behind him without looking back.
***
I have never told M but I love this car. To be honest, I don’t know much about it. I simply love the way it looks.
It’s a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport.
I researched it. Though I’ve forgotten most of the jargon I read about it, I know I want to own it. That’s why I’ve been saving for it.
The funds are almost complete.
I can’t afford its yearly maintenance so I plan to sell it after some time.
Nonetheless, I am going to get it. This is my target, and that’s it.
M knows about my car fund savings. He just doesn’t know that my target is this car.
Though, I never take him up on his countless offers to take a car from his garage; if I ever did, I would pick this one. I know he loves this car too but he’d let me pick it because that’s just who M is. That isn’t right so I won’t let him know.
I send a discreet glance around in the car for the millionth time. The interior looks like luxury and smells like heaven. With an internal sigh, I look out my window at the passing cars while dreaming of driving my version of this car.
Just then, one black jeep swerves to avoid a pothole. It nearly collides with us but for Misbah’s quick reaction.
Benin City is full of crazy drivers.
No one says anything; we’re used to it. A headshake conveys the shared sentiment.
We decided, after yesterday’s saga with daddy, to break the news to Omar and Yesmin in person. There’s a better chance of a positive reaction from them, rather than the lukewarm reaction we received from him.
In deference to the hot, dry December afternoon, the air conditioner is on. It gives me comfort knowing that that my new pair of hand-made Italian sandals, which arrived just before we left home today, will not suffer.
They are the sexiest shoes ever, and it would be a shame if the heat spoilt them.
I can tell expensive when I see it, and this pair reeks of money. I suppose it counts for something that M knows me well enough to know I can’t resist shoes. He said he’d ordered it last night with special shipping because he’d wanted to make me feel better.
So thoughtful.
Every time I look at the shoes, I get a picture of myself planting a big, wet kiss on M—and not on his cheeks, either. It’s a little embarrassing, to be honest.
For the millionth time since I’ve put the shoes on, I raise one leg slightly, twisting it this way and that way. Hearing a light chuckle beside me, I glance at M. ‘What? I love them.’
‘The grin on your face tells me.’ Like me, Misbah is casually dressed. He has on a fitted, black sweater with his sleeves pushed up to his elbows, calling attention to his thick forearms. No matter what he puts on, he always looks elegant.
‘Do you know you have perfectly arched eyebrows and really thick eyelashes?’
‘Huh?’ M glances at me briefly.
‘You have lashes and eyebrows that women undergo torture to get.’
He gives a toothy grin, ‘and you just noticed it now?’
‘For some reason, I never noticed it before. My point is that life is unfair.’
‘So, we’ve known each other for over five years and you are only just noticing my eyelashes? What have you been seeing on my face before now, mashed Cassava?
‘It happens.’
Misbah gives a solemn nod. ‘I guess I should buy you shoes more often.’
Laughing, I look at the shoes again. ‘Don’t make a habit of it. This was a one-off thing. I might not accept the next one.’
‘Uh-huh.’ Misbah slows the car at a huge gate in front of the estate where Omar and Yesmin live.
The young, light-skinned security man in uniform stands from a wooden bench.
With a smile and a salute, he greets Misbah by name and gives him a tag. He raises the barrier for us to pass.
‘You slipped him something, didn’t you?’
M gives a low chuckle. ‘You notice everything, don’t you?’
All at once, it is as if the throaty chuckle reaches into me with tentacles and grabs my viscera.
I take deep breaths to get my sudden reaction under control. Still, I am unable to block the shiver or the thought that comes with it. Sexy!
‘Are you alright, love?’
I glance at M.
Too soon.
I glance away. ‘Yeah, fine.’
‘You don’t need me to turn off the A.C.?’
‘No, why?’ I know why he is asking.
‘It looked like you shivered a second ago.’
‘I’m okay.’ Now calm, I am able to look at Misbah again.
He stares at me for a moment with a slight frown.
‘I am fine, M.’
He returns his gaze to the road after a single nod.
I turn mine out the window.
What is happening to me?
Did Misbah do something to my mind? Before that weird experiment, I never had dreams or thoughts or reactions like the ones I just had. What does it all mean? This is really confusing.
Pushing down the fear, I focus on our surroundings.
This place screams of wealth in a silent, elegant manner.
Misbah’s neighborhood is very exclusive, very luxurious, and very similar to the neighbourhood where I grew up and where my father still lives. There are huge mansions, acres apart, lining the roads.
This place however, is designed differently. There are ornamental trees breaking the monotony of concrete on the sidewalk pavement. There are side streets branching off the main streets. Each side street has trees and ends in a single, huge house. Unlike M’s neighborhood, and my father’s, each property owner in this place owns their street. Literally. This means lots of privacy, lots of space, and lots of greenery and natural-life for these people. The houses don’t look as big as those in M’s neighborhood, but the space and privacy here are beyond wild.
Misbah turns onto Malik Court.
‘The first time you brought me here, I thought, this is like having your house in the middle of the woods.’
‘That’s what Omar was aiming for.’ Misbah gives a fond smile. ‘It’s not for me, though. Do you think you might prefer it?’
‘I don’t know. I suppose I could get used to it.’
‘Is there a type of house or environment that you prefer?’
‘I grew up in a boarding school. My holidays were spent in a large, empty, joyless house. I used to think a small house would be great, and that’s why I bought mine.
But I love your mansion and Omar and Yesmin’s. I guess as long as there’s joy in the house, I’m good.’
Misbah shakes his head. ‘Not your house, though. It is too small, and the area is highly disorganized and unsafe.’
‘You sound like a snob.’
‘I’m not-’
A computerized voice interrupts us. We are at the gate, but unlike the last time we came here, the gate does not open automatically.
Misbah lowers his window and sticks his head out to the strange-looking, metal panel hanging near the gate.
‘Please state your name and business?’ The crisp, female-sounding voice says.
‘Misbah and Reana, visiting.’ Misbah responds.
‘Welcome, Misbah and girlfriend, Reana.’
What?
The gate slides open.
With a surprised laugh, Misbah sticks his head back in and rolls up the window.
‘Yesmin’s idea of a joke, I’m sure. They must have upgraded their security yet again. Those attacks last year … things like that really do a number on your sense of security.’
‘I imagine. Would Yesmin really have added that?’ I wonder. ‘She does not seem particularly mischievous.’
‘She does not, does she? Misbah laughs again. ‘Yesmin is a quiet sweetheart, but she has a mischievous streak a mile wide. I’m pretty sure she did this.’ Misbah pauses for a moment and then laughs to himself. ‘She once shaved the back part of Omar’s head in his sleep and let him come into the office like that. When we finally told him, he looked fit to kill.’
I snort.
Misbah parks the car beside a brand-new Jaguar sitting in front of the doorstep.
‘Then what happened?’
Misbah turns to me. ‘Omar went into his private office, not knowing I followed him in—he was that angry—and put in a video call to Yesmin. I thought he was going to let her have it.’
‘Did he?’
‘She must have known he knew what she’d done. As soon as she came on, her smile changed into this seductive type smile I never see.’ M chuckles. ‘Omar didn’t say anything. He just sighed and called her name. Then, she said “sorry” and promised to do stuff to him when he returned home. Omar melted. It was rather shocking to see.’ Misbah frowns in recollection.
‘Okay, Omar melting, I believe. He’s a sweetheart under the bluster. Yesmin doing all that stuff; that, I can hardly believe. She seems so gentle.’
‘Exactly. That’s how she does it.’
We walk to the metal door with ornate designs on it.
Before we raise our hands to knock, the door opens to reveal Yesmin barefoot. It always amazes me how lovely she manages to look with her petite stature. She’s gotten only lovelier with this pregnancy, now showing in the bulging belly.
‘Hey!’ Yesmin throws her arms open with a wide smile. She has on a long-sleeved, flimsy, flowered sundress similar to mine. Her hair is in a Million-braid style tied in a ponytail.
An automatic smile comes to my face. I bend slightly and we embrace.
‘Hello, beautiful. We heard your handiwork back there.’ Misbah comments casually, as we walk through the small foyer with framed photos covering the walls.
Yesmin lifts an eyebrow. ‘Which handiwork?’
‘“Misbah and girlfriend”.’
Because I am watching Yesmin’s eyes closely, I notice the light accompanied by an impish smile. ‘Did you like it?’
‘It’s certainly naughty.’ Misbah inclines his head with a smile. ‘As a matter of fact, we’re here concerning that.’
Yesmin’s eyes widen. She looks as if she is tamping down excitement.
‘Where’s Omar?’ With a sigh, I take a seat in the living room. The sofas are butter-soft, butt-receiving, leather sofas. The entire living room screams of muted wealth.
It is elegant, but welcoming in a way that many homes cannot manage. I suppose it counts for a lot when the woman of the house is a professional interior decorator.
‘Hang on, let me go and get him.’ Yesmin hurries in the direction of the kitchen.
Soon after, she comes in bearing a large tray with Omar beside her.
Misbah and I get up and reach out to collect the tray from her hands.
‘I’m good, thanks.’
‘She’s good, thanks. Omar says without inflection. ‘No help accepted here.’
Did he just make a joke? You can’t always tell with Omar.
I always marvel at the huge difference between Omar and Yesmin. One is huge and forbidding, unless you can see beneath the surface, in which case you’ll find pure goo.
The second looks like she can be easily dominated, with her looks and naïve, sunny outlook, but with mischief hidden beneath.
Omar looks like he can break Yesmin in half with one hand but they seem very happy together.
I would swear that they never argue, let alone fight, if not for these stories M tells me from time to time.
‘Brother.’ With a smile at Omar, Misbah inclines his head in greeting.
Omar returns the gesture with a straight face, and if you look closer, smiling eyes.
He turns to me, ‘Reana, looking lovely as ever.’
I smile at him. ‘Hello, Omar, looking scary as ever.’
A wide grin appears, transforming his entire face, like magic.
‘Thank you for that. You have the most beautiful smile.’
‘He does,’ Yesmin agrees with me. ‘I say things just to see him smile, and it is so rewarding when he does. You know, Reana, you’re the only person I know who can easily make Omar smile. I don’t suppose I should be jealous?’
This time, Omar laughs. ‘Maybe. Reana, you don’t mind becoming my second wife, do you?’
I giggle and glance at Misbah.
Misbah’s face looks as if he’s constipated. He shoots Omar a look.
Yesmin places the tray on the large table in the centre of the living room. She straightens slowly, ‘a very funny joke, babe.’
‘Who says it’s a joke?’ Omar asks in a casual tone, glancing at Yesmin.
Yesmin narrows her eyes at Omar for a long moment. Then suddenly, her face dissolves into a strange, crooked smile.
I know a subtle message has just been passed, but I know not what.
‘Okay, I was joking.’
‘Were you?’ Her smile widens.
‘It was a joke.’ Omar repeats.
Yesmin just stares at him with that sweet smile.
M holds a tall glass in his hand, smiling like an idiot staring at a show.
I return my glance to Omar.
He has his hands on Yesmin’s shoulders. He pushes her onto a sofa and leans over her.
Saying nothing, they stare into each others’ eyes.
At once, as if a switch has been flicked, Yesmin relents. With an eye roll, she slumps in the chair, ‘fine.’
Omar lowers himself into a squat until his head is near hers. He whispers into her ears. Whatever he says must be really nice because Yesmin’s eyes widen.
She nods over and over. ‘I won’t. I promise.’
Omar nods, ‘good girl.’ He winks at her, all with a straight face.
Her eyes do a flirtatious flutter at him, and her gaze sweeps down and away.
‘I don’t know what just happened, but that was beautiful.’
Both of them stare at me as if only remembering I’m present.
M laughs like a loon.
Omar sits on the edge of the sofa where Yesmin is seated, draping his arm over the back. ‘So, I hear my brother has finally decided to use his head.’
‘As well as other body parts,’ Yesmin mutters.
Omar snorts.
What? ‘Excuse me?’ I’m sure my face is in a slight frown.
Omar turns to Misbah. ‘Misbah, I hear you’ve finally gotten Reana pregnant.’
What?
Yesmin sends him a horrified look. ‘Omar,’ she says softly.
‘What? I wasn’t supposed to say it?’
‘You weren’t.’ She sends me an amused but sympathetic look. ‘You were supposed to allow them tell us first.’
‘Sorry for ruining the surprise.’ Omar does not look sorry at all.
‘No, you’re not sorry, Omar.’ Misbah says.
‘Okay, I’m not.’ He grins fully now. ‘Why should I be? Babies are a blessing.’
Yesmin grins too, clapping her hands. ‘Congratulations. Our babies are going to be best friends.’
What is going on?
Omar laughs. ‘Yes, although,’ Omar pauses with a pointed look at Misbah and me,
‘you two should have gotten married first.’ Then, as if unable to hold back any longer, he grins again. ‘Congratulations. This is great news.’
I catch Misbah grinning. When he glances at me, I shoot him a look.
He raises a hand. ‘Hold on. You guys know we are only friends, right?’
‘Yeah, we know.’ Yesmin says.
‘Friends who do more than I do with my friends, that’s for sure.’ Omar puts in.
Misbah and Yesmin laugh.
Okay, enough of this. ‘I’m not pregnant!’ That probably came out louder than I meant it to.
‘Sorry?’ Omar frowns in confusion.
‘You’re not?’ Yesmin asks softly.
‘No, I’m not. That’s not what we came to say.’
‘Oh. I’m sorry. I simply assumed … you guys looked so happy when you came in.
I thought it must be ...’ Yesmin’s smile drops.
‘A natural enough assumption,’ Misbah nods.
Irritated with Misbah, I turn to him. ‘Oh, stuff it!’
‘What? I wasn’t the one who started the rumour.’ M raises his hands in a completely innocent gesture.
‘Yet you did nothing to dispel it.’
‘But ...’
‘Save it.’
Omar and Yesmin watch us with obvious interest.
‘Just friends, obviously.’
‘They even bicker exactly like an old married couple.’ Yesmin replies to Omar.
Ignoring their implications, I interject, ‘actually, that’s what we came to tell you guys.’
They both lean forward.
I glance at Misbah.
‘So, it looks like you guys weren’t far off the mark. We are getting married.’
Yesmin looks confused. ‘I thought you said you were just friends.’
‘We are.’ Misbah replies.
She turns to me. ‘And you are not pregnant?’
I shake my head. ‘No.’
‘But you want to get married.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Why?’
Omar watches the exchange silently.
‘We plan to have a baby together.’ Misbah puts in.
‘Let me get this straight. You are friends who want to get married and have a baby together?’ It is nearly comical how Yesmin is so intent on getting the story straight.
‘Yes.’ Misbah says with a nod and a bright smile. ‘That’s it exactly.’
Yesmin looks like she has something to say but does not know how.
‘It’s obvious what’s going on.’
‘Everyone, including me, turns to Omar for his explanation.
Omar now looks at Misbah and me. ‘You two have finally discovered you are in love, but are so deep in the friend zone that you can’t figure out how to get out.
This is your creative way of handling it.’
I don’t think so.
‘My brother’s an idiot-’
‘Hey!’ M’s face scrunches up.
‘-but, welcome to the family, Reana, officially.’
‘Thank you. But you’re wrong. We aren’t in love.’
Omar’s smile is enigmatic. ‘We’ll see, won’t we?’
Yesmin gets up from her sofa and pulls me into an embrace. The height difference is not so ridiculous now that I’ve taken off my shoes, but I still have to bend.
‘Congrats, dear.’
‘Thank you.’ The knowing smiles bother me so—I don’t know why—that I feel the need to explain again. ‘You guys, we are not in love. We simply want a child together since neither of us wants to wait for the perfect love. We even agreed to leave the door open for either of us who meets someone later on. Right, M?’
After a slight hesitation, M answers. ‘Right.’
‘See? I mean, M is great, don’t get me wrong. I wish I were in love with him. It would make everything so easy. Like, I wouldn’t even care if he felt the same way before I claimed him forever.’
Strangely, no one laughs, not even when I laugh at my silly joke. They just keep staring at me.
So, I explain further, ‘but, we just don’t feel that way about each other. In fact, with this baby, we originally wanted to ado-’
‘Ree, darling? I think that’s enough.’ M shoots me a look that says I need to shut up.
***
‘Are you ashamed?’
I send M a confused look.
‘Of us,’ he explains. ‘Of what we are trying to do here, are you ashamed?’
‘Why would you even ask me that?’
He gives a casual shrug. ‘When people over-explain their actions, you know … I just thought you might not be too proud of it … or me.’
I recall the moment M is referring to. What I did back there could indeed be called
‘over-explaining’. I don’t know why I did that. When it comes to Misbah, I don’t understand what’s going on with me, but shame isn’t a part of it. Of this, I’m certain.
‘I could never be ashamed of anything to do with you, M. No one could ever be ashamed of a man like you.’
Misbah sends me a quick glance. He stays silent for a moment before speaking again. ‘Did you mean what you said back there?’
‘Which part?’
M’s lips quirk in an imitation of a smile. ‘Do you wish you were in love with me?’
He downshifts, makes a turn, and then sends me a glance.
Our gazes clash.
‘Do you really feel that way?’
I nod.
‘Hm. Question—if I were in love with you and you didn’t feel the same way?
What would you do then?’
‘Are you?’
He smiles. ‘I could be.’
That’s what I thought.
‘Let me know when you know.’ I keep my tone casual, despite the hitch in my breath.
‘Hm. What if I said I don’t want you seeing other men? After we got married, that is.’
‘Don’t you?’ My head is pounding. I am not sure why I’m having these reactions.
Misbah releases a sigh. ‘Ree, could you give me a real answer?’
‘Sure,’ I return, ‘when you ask a real question and not the what-if kinds.’ I release a heavy breath. It’s time to change the topic. ‘Can we go by my house? I need to pick up more clothes and stuff.
11
misbah
When we arrive at Reana’s place, she presses the light switch by the door.
The poorly lit corridor reminds me of what happened the last time we were here. A little worried about how Reana might react to being here once again, I look at her face.
Reana’s eyes are shut. She is taking deep breaths.
‘Are you okay?’
She shakes her head. ‘I’m good. I just need a minute.’ Taking another deep breath, Reana opens her eyes.
Satisfied with the clear look in her eyes, I nod and take a step after her.
‘Wait. What’s this?’ Squatting, Reana picks up several white papers from the floor.
‘Bastard!’
My blood runs cold. ‘Eric.’ I knew he was going to return. Thinking Reana is being threatened by him, I hold out my hand and she hands me the papers.
To my surprise, the papers are filled with apologies.
I am about to dismiss it as a coward’s attempt to gain redemption, when I recall what Omar and Yesmin went through in the hands of their obsessed stalker a few months ago.
They nearly died.
This looks like the work of an obsessed stalker.
Messages like ‘I am sorry, doll,’ ‘forgive me,’ ‘talk to me, please,’ and other variations are written in giant letters.
‘Did he try calling you?’
Reana gives a headshake. ‘I wouldn’t know if he did. I blocked his number since that day.’
‘That’s probably why he has been coming here. This man won’t stop coming and someone still wants me to leave him alone.’
Ree ignores my not-so-subtle dig.
I sigh. ‘Get your stuff and let’s leave.’
Ree hurries into the room without another word.
I go with her just to be safe.
Reana pulls out an overnight bag from her wardrobe and stuffs it with clothes and underwears. ‘Let’s go. I have taken enough for now.’
I grab the bag and we step out of the room.
Ree shakes her head as we leave. ‘I can’t believe Eric is making me uncomfortable in my house. I was so proud of myself when I first bought this place.’ There is sad regret in Ree’s eyes as she takes a final look around.
I would do anything to wipe it. ‘If you want, I will buy you another one just like this.’
With a smile, Reana gives my free hand a gentle squeeze. ‘You’re sweet. But I won’t let him win.’ A determined look enters her eyes.
I don’t understand the funny feeling in my chest. It came when she gave her little speech back at Omar’s house, and it has returned now. I push it aside for later reevaluation.
‘So, M, what was that about when they did the eye thing?’ Reana turns to me as soon as I start the car.
I smile, recalling the moment she is referring to. ‘The eye-talk. They do it all the time. Sometimes you understand, sometimes you don’t.’
‘In this case, did you?’ Reana leans closer with interest.
‘I believe so.’
‘Great.’ Grinning, Ree claps excitedly. ‘Give me the full story. Leave nothing out.’
Seeing an opportunity to be playful, I wink at her. ‘What are you willing to pay for this information?
‘Don’t be a perv!’
I say nothing.
‘Come on, M. Not now.’ Ree whines.
I remain silent.
‘Okay, okay. What do you want?’
Gotcha! ‘Good question.’ I grin at her, feeling rather reckless. ‘You could show me what you’re wearing … underneath.’
She opens her mouth, wordless, for a full minute. ‘You must be high.’
Oops. ‘Second option: you can tell me about it.’
‘About what I’m wearing under my clothes?’ Ree sounds astonished.
I shrug carelessly. ‘It’s no longer a secret that I think about you. It should not be a surprise that I wonder quite a bit about what your underwear looks like.’
‘I don’t know when you became such a pervert, Misbah.’
Her prim voice makes me chuckle. ‘Come on, love, you know you want to.’
‘Please. Do I look like an exhibitionist?’ Reana twists her mouth as if she’s just tasted something distasteful. ‘Soon, you’ll tell me you want to sniff my underpants like those creepy … creeps.’
The tug returns to my belly. I send her a wink. ‘I really don’t see the problem with that scenario. You smell nice down there, don’t you?’ Did I just say that?
Reana’s mouth falls open.
I quickly amend . ‘That was a joke, Ree.’
Ree nods with obvious relief. ‘Ha-ha.’ Still, she gives me an unsure look, ‘black lace.’
Ah.
‘Very nice,’ I keep my voice casual. ‘Would you ever consider selling it?’
‘Misbah!’ Reana sounds truly aghast.
Okay, I should stop now.
‘So, that’s a no to selling. You can just think about showing it to me sometime, okay?’
Nose flaring, Ree shuts her eyes. ‘Misbah, so help me God …’
‘Gosh, you’re so easy to tease.’
This time, Reana says nothing.
I release a sigh. ‘When Omar made the joke about marrying you, Yesmin wanted him to admit he was joking, but he refused.’
‘I got that part.’
‘Yesmin got irritated and started planning to get him back. That was the thuggish smile she had. Omar realised it and was begging her so she wouldn’t mess with him in any way.’
‘Like the head shave?’
‘Exactly.’
Ree chuckles. ‘What about the whisper? Do you know what he said?’
‘Well now, such things are to be kept only between the concerned parties.’
‘Yes, they should. Now do you know or not?’
‘I am sure he promised her something special in bed … or wherever they like doing it. That was why she was flustered afterwards. I have to tell you, my brother must be into freaky stuff. Yesmin looks like she might be into-’
‘Into what?’ Reana prompts gently when I halt.
I clear my throat awkwardly. ‘Nothing. I was simply thinking aloud.’
‘Uh-huh. I hope you aren’t thinking about your brother and your sister-in-law in bed, because that would be just gross.’
‘Like you haven’t done it before.’
‘Never!’ Reana explodes.
‘Tsk. Protesting too much, my dear. So you have done it before.’
‘No! Well … but it just happened. I didn’t even mean to. I was so disgusted that I never did it again.’
‘Yeah, yeah, who was it?’
‘That is my business.’
My smile is slow. ‘You sound very formal. Now, I really want to know. Who was it, Ree?’
‘I am not telling you.’
‘Was it me?’ Joking, I glance at her with a grin.
The look on her face shocks me for a second. ‘Oh, my God. Reana!’
‘No, it was a mistake. I swear.’ She looks away guiltily.
I am not sure of how to feel about this. ‘How was it a mistake?’
‘It was when you were with that stick-thin witch with the thin voice.’
‘Stella? Why would you even-’
‘I told you it was a mistake. One day, we met in town. I greeted her, and she just looked at me as if I was sharing her boyfriend or some such-’
‘You were sort of sharing her boyfriend.’
Ree pins me with a look. ‘Will you let me finish or not?’
‘Sorry, finish.’
‘I was angry. I kept thinking about her stupid eyes and her stupid voice and her stupid manners. Then, I started wondering what you saw in her when there were so many prettier, well-mannered women out there looking for your attention. Back then, you hadn’t told me about how you weren’t sleeping with them. So, I thought
she must do some stunts in bed, and that was why you were still with her. My mind conjured a picture for a second … the vision traumatized me.’
I still don’t know how to feel about this. ‘I hope you imagined me … well …
accurately.’
‘Oh, God!’
‘I’m just saying.’
Her phone rings. Ree checks the screen with a slight frown, which turns into a grin.
‘Priyé!’
Why do girls scream like that around one another?
‘Yeah, I’m not around now. It is so funny, I was just thinking about you today. We must hang while you’re in town.’
‘Sure, go ahead. The key is under that pot near the front carpet.’
‘No problem. Just … don’t open the door for anyone you do not know. Oh, and keep the place clean when you leave.’ She laughs.
‘Of course. Let me know when you get there, okay?’
‘Alright, I will say hi to him.’ She chuckles. ‘Yes, he’s here.’
She chuckles again. ‘I wouldn’t know. Bye.’
Ree turns to me. ‘Priyé says hi.’
I swerve smoothly around a broken-down bus in the middle of the road. ‘So I gathered.’
‘She’s coming into town next week and needs a place to stay. She hates hotels.’
‘And?’ I glance her way.
Ree smiles, ‘and she wanted to know if you’re still “delicious”.’
We arrive at my house.
The gate opens and closes silently.
I say nothing until I find my way to the garage and park the car. ‘She wants to know if my money is available to her. That’s what makes me delicious.’
Ree turns to me. ‘You keep saying that. How do you know?’
‘I saw her staring at my car when you introduced us. She had that look in her eyes.
I know the look. I’ve seen it in the eyes of many women before. She may not be a gold digger, but she definitely mostly cares about my money.’
‘I don’t see what’s wrong with being financially aware.’
‘Says the girl who hates rich men.’
‘I don’t hate them.’ Reana shrugs. ‘I just don’t care for them. That doesn’t mean it’s bad for others to like them.’ Grinning, she wiggles her eyebrows playfully.
‘What do I tell Priyé? Are you delicious or not?’
I give Ree the most lascivious look I can manage. ‘You could taste me and find out.’
‘Ewww.’
