2 weeks later..
The soft rays of the morning sun crept through my window, gently pulling me awake. I glanced at the wall clock, noting that it was still a bit early: 10:40am. I knew it wouldn't be long before my sisters barged into my room, so I sighed and decided to greet the day.
As I reached for my phone, I couldn't help but smile when I saw a good morning message waiting for me.
"Good morning, beautiful! I want to remind you that you are the most precious thing in my life. I miss you so much and can't wait to see you when I return. Have a wonderful day. You are always in my thoughts.
~ From Prince Charming ❤️"
Fareed had a way of making my mornings brighter with his sweet messages. He truly was the absolute best.
A soft knock on my door interrupted my reverie, and I looked up to see my younger brother, Mubarak, entering with a bouquet of peonies and boxes of chocolates – two of my absolute favorites.
"A delivery man said this is for you," Mubarak explained before placing the gifts on my bed.
I moved closer to the bouquet, smiling as I inhaled the nice scent of the peonies. They were always so fragrant and that's the reason why I love it. I picked up the card attached to the flowers, but I already knew who it was from. He was the only person who knew me so well.
~ The peonies may be beautiful, but you will always be the most beautiful flower in my garden. Don't eat too much chocolate.
"Stop blushing and open up the chocolates. I'm in a hurry here," Mubarak said, bringing me back to the present moment.
I looked up at my brother with an amused expression. When did I ask him to stay please?
"I never asked you to stay, Mubarak. So move away, please" I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Come on, don't be a stingy ass, Meenah. I get it, your baby bought you all these, but don't forget that sharing is caring. Be good to your brother."
I bit my lip to stifle a laugh and shook my head before opening one of the chocolate bars and taking a bite.
Hours later....
After dinner around 9:30pm, I retreated to my room catching up with my best friend, Billy, over a phone call. I found my sister Zainab, or as we call her, Zeemar, practicing a TikTok dance in my room. Eventually, we ended the call with Billy, and I hang up with a contented sigh, ready to get some much-needed rest.
However, my pending sleep was abruptly interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. Not someone's lucky day. Squinting at the screen, I frowned at the unknown number. Hesitantly, I answered.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Come out, I'm outside," came the muffled reply, instantly recognizable despite the sleepy fuzz in my head. Fareed.
"Fareed?" I croaked, surprised. "You changed your number?"
"Yeah, and I'm outside your house," he confirmed.
I inwardly groaned. I love Fareed, but I love my sleep more.
"But you didn't tell me you were coming," I whined, drawing out the vowels in a sleepy protest. "I'm not even ready."
"Just put on a hijab and meet me, Wifey, please," he sighed.
With a reluctant sigh, I ended the call and stumbled out of bed. "Ihsan, where did you put the hijab you took from my wardrobe earlier?" I asked my younger sister, feeling slightly irritated.
"I gave it to Ya Aysa's friend," she replied casually.
"What? Why didn't you ask me first? That's so annoying," I complained, feeling frustrated.
"Sorry, I didn't think it would be a big deal," Ihsan mumbled, with a shrug. "You have, like, a million hijabs anyway." She added.
A million wouldn't have mattered if none of them were the one I wanted. Rolling my eyes, I resigned myself to a wardrobe raid, finally settling on a deep maroon jilbab, paired with a simple black skirt and a loose top. As I was leaving the house, I ran into my brothers Mubarak and Aryaan, who were engrossed in a game of FIFA 21 on their PS4.
"Hey guys, I'm heading out for a bit," I announced, raising my voice to compete with the booming soundtrack of their game.
"Okay, have fun," Mubarak said, barely looking up from the screen.
"Tell Aunty Fatima I'll be back soon," I instructed Aryaan, who nodded absentmindedly.
**
The first thing my eyes landed on when I stepped out was Fareed's black Porsche GT3 parked at the front of our gate. I unhesitatingly walked towards the car, flung open the passenger door and sank into the plush leather, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne. And there he was, looking every bit the prince charming in a simple blue jallabiya, his full thick black curls in display; a trait he inherited from his maternal Arab grandmother. Remind me why I haven't cut them off and just added it to mine, right, because I can't do that.
His eyes, dark and deep locked onto mine. A playful smile crept across his face, and he winked, causing a blush to color my cheeks.
He reached for my hand, and gently intertwined our hands, "So, when did you return from your trip?" I asked, curiously.
"Just earlier today," he confessed, in his thick American accent.
I feigned hurt, my lips forming into a slight pout. "And you didn't think to let me know?" I pretended to be hurt.
With a mischievous grin, he exclaimed, "Surprise!" and a chuckle escaped from both of us. I facepalmed myself. Dummy.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes playfully, "So now, where are we headed?" I asked.
"I'm craving some Suya," he replied, starting the ignition.
"Am I the one making the suya, though?" I joked teasingly.
"Ah, na me mess up. You're even lucky I want to share my blessings with you, but you're acting all high and mighty, huh? No problem, I messed up," he responded, playfully sulking.
Fareed is quite the dramatic one. But you haven't seen anything yet. He and I are always like this.
"I'm just joking, habiby," I pouted, trying to appease him but he just ignored me and began speeding on the road as usual. If not for Allah's endless miracle, we would have been six feet under due to Fareed's reckless driving.
I rolled my eyes, pretending to sulk too and kept silent. I was checking my feed on Instagram when he said; "Babe, have I ever mentioned how much you look like my grand aunt when you sulk?" Fareed teased.
"How dare you, Fareed," I shot him a playful glare.
"You know, you get this adorable pout, cross your arms –and suddenly you're channeling Gertrude Von Schnitzel herself." He laughed. Rude!
I sighed and facepalmed myself, "I don't look like any Gertrude Von whatever the hell you said Fareed. By the way, speaking of aunts, is yours the one who once locked you in a room and gave you a good flogging because you chased her cat out of the house in a fit of stubbornness?" I asked, feigning innocence.
"Yeah, that's the one. But, you know, I was only five," he defended himself.
"Fareed, mischievous at five? Bursting your dad's car tires and smashing your birthday cake on your sixth? You actually deserve way more than just beating. What even were your reasons for God's sake?" I questioned, with a raised brows, while he just smiled, shaking his head. Childhood mischievousness, we all have them.
"Wait, wait, wait, who the hell spilled the beans about my childhood shenanigans?" he demanded.
"Ameera, of course. She even sent me pictures of little mischievous you. You were adorable but quite the troublemaker. Nice birthday costumes by the way," I added, still laughing at him.
"Of course, I've always been a fine boy," he declared, striking a pose pose that threatened to send the car into a ditch.
He was right, but I snorted before saying, "Hmm Rjay, you wish."
"Jealousy," he mumbled, as he reached to pull my cheeks meanwhile I dodged, glaring at him.
"Would you stop looking for trouble and focus on your driving? Before you murder us." I warned, swatting his hand lightly, while he kept his other hand on the steering wheel.
"I can never do that to you, babe," he said, and I rolled my eyes for the umpteenth time.
"With you, anything is possible." I said before my eyes caught a glimpse of Fareed's new phone case, a navy leather masterpiece. "Omg Fareed! When did you buy this phone case? I love it." I grinned, knowing I had won a prize. Hehe. It's mine now.
Before he could blink, I'd snatched the case from his iPhone 15.. He lunged for it, but I his one and only phone case bandit, was too quick. "Don't worry just two days," I announced, a devilish grin on my face. "Maybe three. Just testing how it looks on this beauty." Deep down I knew that he wouldn't get this pouch anytime soon.
"What phonecase should I use then?" He asked, with a sigh. He loves me.
"You have tons of phone pouches besides you can use mine." I suggested.
Fareed raised an eyebrow, his nose scrunching. "Yours is all Girly."
"And?" I challenged.
"And I want my case back."
"Why didn't you get a matching phone case for both of us then?" I questioned.
"I figured you wouldn't like it."
"Who told you that?" I huffed. "It's handsome! Leather, sleek, and lovely," I admitted, admiring it.
"See!" he exclaimed. "It's not meant to be lovely; it's meant to be cool dude. Come on, you know that."
"Whatever," I muttered, but the corners of my lips betrayed me with a pout. "I'm keeping it."
He chuckled, "Fine fine. You win. I'm just going to pity you to spare you from sulking of phone-case deprivation. Because I know you,"
I snorted. "Pity, my foot. I'll still use it," I declared, sticking to my decision.
"Baby," he drawled.
"What?" I tried to play it cool, but my smile was winning.
"I have a surprise for you, but first, open that dashboard," he motioned.
I did as he told, and the first thing I saw was a gift bag. I was curious about its contents until I checked inside and pulled out a phone case, the same navy green one we had just been arguing about.
"Do you love it?" he asked, dimple making an appearance on his cheek.
"I thought you only bought one?" I countered, curiosity tugging at my smile.
His laugh, a melody I adored more than any sound filled the car. "And you believed me? Have I ever, Meenah darling, bought myself anything without getting you one too? What do you take me for?"
I swatted his arm playfully, knowing he wouldn't feel anything on his muscled biceps. "Liar! New car? Powerbike? Do I see yours parked next to mine? Why don't I have them too if I may ask?" I teased, giving him a playful side-eye. "Besides, I'm still keeping this one. Yours."
"They're the same, baby," he protested, calmly.
"Yeah, I know, but I want yours, and don't even think I'm giving it back to you," I said.
"I know you won't return it back," he chuckled.
"I'm glad you do know that," I mumbled, letting my lips curve into a satisfied smile.
"I love you," I heard him say, but chose to ignore him. "Babe," he tried to get a hold of my hand, but I snatched it away. "Ouch," he winced, "That stings, baby. But hey, love you still."
My lips quivered, battling the laughter wanting to erupt. His expression told the whole story – Fareed despised my silent treatment. The amusing fact? I wasn't truly angry; I just wanted to playfully subject him to the silent treatment.
"Meenah Abdallah Turaki," he called my full name, his voice filled with affection.
"Yes, Fareed Jarma?" I responded, turning to face him with seriousness.
"I love you," he repeated, his tone a touch of plea this time.
"Naji Fareed, nasan kana sona" i smirked.
He let out a chuckle, shaking his head in amusement. "Won't you say it back then?" He asked.
"Ice-cream first," I declared, crossing my arms like a stubborn child.
His brows shot up. "Suya first, Meenah." Spicy grilled meat instead of a cold, sweet treat? Bribery at its finest."
"Ice-cream!" I countered.
"Suya." He stood firm.
"Ice-cream!"
He threw his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright, you win. Ice-cream first, then the world's best suya for the queen of stubbornness."
"Yeyyy!" I whooped, a squeal escaping my lips. He chuckled, shaking his head at me.
"You're such a baby, Meenah Turaki," he teased.
"Yeah, of course dude, I'm your baby," I chirped, flipping my imaginary hair with a cheeky grin.
Fareed's grin turned sheepish under my unwavering gaze. "Alright, alright. You win, beautiful. You deserve all the princess treatment in the world." Then, before I could melt completely, he leaned in and whispered, "And I love you, my stubborn queen."
Minutes later, we arrived at the ice cream palace. Stepping out of the car, we walked hand in hand inside. We chose our favorite flavors of the heart-melting ice cream. Mine was the irresistible combination of Oreo and chocolate, my all-time favorite, while Fareed opted for the Banana Foster. Fareed always enjoyed trying different flavors, whether they were sweet or not.
Our next destination was his favorite suya spot in Kaduna. After he purchased his well-seasoned suya and refreshing drinks, we found a quiet spot near our home to park the car. We decided to enjoy our supper inside the car, savoring each bite together. This was a routine we were used to doing, but it never lost its charm.
***
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