Stay with Me

21. Scary feelings.

The lights downstairs were switched off except in the kitchen. Sitting on the counter beside the stairs was Safiyya in dark ash pajamas, sipping a mango-flavored yogurt. Besides buying food earlier, Alfred bought yogurts and ice cream. So after putting Joseph to sleep, Safiyya came downstairs to rest while enjoying the sweetest flavor, to her, that is.  

She flung her legs gently, still deep in thought. Safiyya was relatively calm compared to before in Gab’s case but she was still worried. And then, she has to prepare the best for Joseph this coming weekend. 

Lost in her thoughts, she felt the light before her dim or rather, someone covering it. Her round eyes trailed his pants to the ash t-shirt as he reached out to the cupboard probably to take out a tumbler. She stared eyes widened at how his arm muscles flexed with his movement, the cologne invading her senses, that she stopped her movement. 

Alfred closed the wardrobe and looked down at the young lady. Her ponytail lay neatly on her back with a hair band, smoothing the front hair. Her bright green eyes stared quietly at him and he got caught in its whirlpool. He sometimes wonders how someone’s appearance and movement mesmerized others. If he were to stand here and have her watch him all night like this, wouldn't it be like a dream? Her eyes brought him peace, only if she knew.

“What are you doing here?” He still asked. What else sounds better than her voice too? 

“Hmm?” Safiyya blinked in confusion. 

Typical Safiyya, he sighed inwardly. 

“In the middle of the night, instead of sleeping. What are you doing out here?” Alfred asked again. He was a man of few words but with this wife of his, he found himself speaking a lot and wanting to know what she was doing. 

“Oh,” Safiyya pursed her lips her face slightly reddened. She was caught shamelessly staring. 

“Just resting,” she said lowly. 

“Okay,” Alfred nodded and walked to the refrigerator. Safiyya followed his steps as she wondered why he was suddenly full of questions lately. He turned around and she quickly turned her gaze. Alfred returned to where she was and drank from his cup. 

“Don't get involved in whatever the outcome of Gab would be tomorrow,” he told her after dropping the glass. 

“I can't,” she frowned, showing her stubbornness. 

“Do we have to argue about this again?” he raised an eyebrow. 

“But…” she wanted to refute when he finally said, “I know what's happening and it's being taken care of. Do you think I would watch an injustice happen?” 

Safiyya was quiet as she stared at his firm blue eyes. What injustice were they talking about here? Was it about Gab or her too? But he gave his words, right? She would try to trust him tomorrow. 

“Clear?” he inquired. 

“Sure,” she shrugged with a faint smile and Alfred felt assured. He wasn't planning on letting her down also. 

“Right, sir Alfred.” she began, taking his attention again. “I have spoken with Yousef a lot and after seeing what he loves, I've planned a lot for his birthday,” 

“Okay?” he urged her to continue. 

Safiyya seemed excited to discuss this as she dropped the juice cup beside her and started explaining with her fingers.

“We are taking this opportunity to give him a beautiful holiday too even if it's for two days. There are many activities Yousef wants and after thinking of them, I decided what's best to do that can cover everything,” she said enthusiastically.