UMAR'S POV.
    "Mummy. I can come now if you want me to" I said pouting as if she could see me.  We've been on the phone for hours and she's been complaining about me not visiting her frequently.
  "I'm not complaining baby. I know it's Jiddah right?" she said and I could imagine the smirk on her face.
  "Mummy there's nothing between Jiddah and I " I cried. "Mmm! Did I mention anything? Guilty Conscience " she replied.  Now this is my mum.  We always talk just like best friends do.  The teasing and everything excluding the insults.
  "Mummy did you hear that?" I asked removing the phone from my ears and placed it on my stomach.  "What? " she asked sounding confused.
  "My stomach" I said childishly. "And what happened to it?" she asked sounding more confused. "It just made a sound" I said laughing. 
   "What sound " she asked causing me to roll my  eyes. She still doesn't understand what I mean. "It just grumbled!" I exclaimed and she chuckled .
  "You are not serious. You better go and find something to eat before.. " she said finishing the sentence with a chuckle.
   "Before what" I asked heading to dining room. "I don't know.  Go and eat " she said trying to sound as strict as possible. "Nope. I will only if you tell me." I replied pouting.
  "Hey Mister!  I'm your mother and not your younger sibling or friend.  So Just do as I say " she said sternly and I could imagine the smile on her face as she said that.
"Fine!" I said "I'll eat." I said taking a spoonful of Milo. "Good" she said and hung up.
  Wow!  She just hung up without the normals?  I dialed her number again and waited patiently as it rang.
"Mummy you hung up on me!" I said pouting 😡. "You know talking while eating isn't a good table manner right? "  she asked.
   "Yeah. You've been telling me that since I was 2" I replied. "Fine.  Now go and eat. Well talk later baby. " she said softly.
  "Mummy! You didn't say I love you" I said pouting. "I love you baby" she said . These I the words I want her to keep repeating every single second.
  "I love you more." I replied.  "Stay safe " I added and hung up.  "Ina Kwana (Good morning)"  she said looking down.
   Dressed in a simple black gown and with a simple makeup, she looks gorgeous. Masha Allah.
  "Ya kike Minal (how are you Minal? " I asked smiling at her but she wasn't smiling back. She muttered something under her breath and left for the kitchen.
   "Are friends meant to be ignoring each other and also frowning at them? " I asked placing my plate in the sink.  She froze and I made use of that opportunity. I walked towards her and kept on staring down at her.
   "Are we fighting? " I asked and she shook her head. "So why the sudden change of mood?  Anyways, Al-Amin said he's coming to take you out on a date later in the evening so get ready. " I said turning to leave the kitchen.
  I paused and looked back at her.  She was still in the position I left her.  "By the way,  you look stunning " I said and left the kitchen. 
  I sat on my bed with my hands supporting my chin.  Why is Minal acting this way?  What have I done to make her angry.  I can clearly remember how we chatted continuously on our way to Nabila's house.  "And how your mood changed when her husband to be called her" my inner voice reminded me.
"Ya Allah!  What's wrong wrong with me?  Why can't I just accept the fact that minal is going to be married to someone in few months and?"
  I groaned as I noisily dropped the fork suddenly losing my appetite. I sat still staring at the barely touched chips.  What is happening to me?  Why am I do bothered about this stranger.
  A knock at the door brought me back to the present as I groaned and headed towards the door. I wasn't surprised when my eyes landed on Al-Amin because I expected him sooner or later but it was what he did that surprised me. He smiled at me and then hugged me tightly.  I was beyond shocked. I felt tears stream down my cheeks.
    The last time something of this nature happened was 8 years ago.  That was after our secondary school education and we were both traveling to different countries. "I'm going to miss you Umar" I remember him say between sobs.  We were still in each others arms not wanting to let go.  I remember the smile on his parent's face and also that on my mother's face.  I remember how long it took them to separate us.
   "Thank you Umar. Thank you for everything. And I'm sorry for yelling at you.  I really didn't mean it.  It's just that I was.. " he said softly with his chin on my shoulder.
   "..shh!" I said cutting him off. "It's alright Al-Amin. You didn't do anything to me but instead,  I was the one who offended you.  I'm sorry for not understanding you. "
   The moment went on and I don't think I've felt happy in years. He narrated how Nabila called him the other day immediately we left apologizing and how everything went back to normal.
   "Where's Jiddah? " he asked. "I need to thank her and show my gratitude."
  "Her name is Minal and not Jiddah" I said telling him all that I know. "Wow! Minal!  What a nice name. Where is she?" he asked.  "We could possibly go out and have some fun." he suggested. 
   I dialed her number but she wasn't picking so I went to check on her. "I knocked on the door thrice but there wasn't any response so I decided to check in. She wasn't in her room so I went out and checked everywhere but she was nowhere to be found.
   "Ummi!  Where's  Minal? " I asked Ummi. "She left for Nana's house" she replied wiping the tears from her eyes.  I looked at the onion she was chopping then back at her before leaving the kitchen.
   "She's already out" I said turning on the t.v. "Is that the reason for the sudden change of mood? " he asked . I groaned diverting my attention to the t.v. Not again Al-Amin.  He's always looking for a way to bring up Jiddah's topic. Sorry I mean Minal.
  "You know one thing Umar?" he asked and then continued without waiting for my reply.  "It's so obvious you are in love with this girl but you just don't want to admit it."
  "For goodness sake Al-Amin.  Let's not talk about this.  I've told you severally that I don't have any feelings for her but you seem not to believe. I don't like her" I said almost loosing my temper.  I don't like her but whenever I tell him so,  it's as if I'm lying.  Well,  that's how he sees it.
   "You love her Umar. I've known you for twenty years,  six months and thirteen days and when you cough or sigh,  I know what it means. The way you look at her says everything Umar. The way you speak of her and also the way you deny it.  I'm not a child Umar. I know what it takes to be in love so don't underestimate me. Well,  sooner or later,  you'll realize it and remember my words. "
   I watched as he stood up and headed towards the door. "I might come back later in the evening or possibly tomorrow.  I have to run an errand for Hajiya" he said and left.  I kept on staring at his back till I can no longer see him.
   Ya Salam! Ya Rabb!!
   What's wrong with me?  Should I believe what Al-Amin said.  The way he spoke doesn't sound as if he was lying.  He just wasn't sure of what he was saying.  I don't love Minal.  I have no feelings for her. And moreover,  she's going to be someone's wife sooner. I don't love her and I don't look at her in any special way.  She's not special to me. "Then who is she to you" the inner me asked.
   "Just a stranger whom I feel pity for" I replied shutting my eyes.
 

Stranger indeed 😁.  Now I'm starting to dislike Umar for not wanting to admit the truth.  Tell me what you think.  I'll be extremely glad to hear from you 😍😍
  Enjoy 🍷 🍿