Melisa POV
My heart buzzed with excitement as I finally reached my turf. Rich people might consider this part of the city a ghetto, but I liked to think of myself as a middle-class individual.
I breathed in the vibrant mix of smells from the market, making my way through the bustling crowds while greeting the familiar faces. I was well-known here, and it felt good. It was refreshing, especially after spending the day working for Harita—aka Mrs. Green. Though the pay was enough to support me and my Bibi, it required a lot of patience.
"Look who the universe brought here!" Teddy, my all-time favorite person, greeted me with his shy smile, instantly lifting my mood.
"Why? Miss me much?" I flashed him my best smile, watching as he blushed and stumbled over his words—adorable.
"How's the business doing?" I asked, eyeing the sausages sizzling on the grill.
"Inanipeleka na rieng," he replied, which roughly translated to "it's going steadily." I shook my head, amused. Slang had taken over the streets in ways I never imagined, making me wonder where the world would be ten years from now.
"I'll take one with a hotdog and a smocha," I said, reaching for my purse. Just as I was about to pull out some money, Teddy stopped me, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. His shy smile made my heart flutter.
"No need, take it as a welcoming gift from me." he offered him a weak smile, knowing full well that arguing would only make him more determined.
"Alright then, big boy!" I teased, and his cheeks flushed a deeper shade. Seriously, this guy was just too cute.
"But only if you let me pay for one. This one is for Bibi, so I can't be the only one getting a welcoming gift, right?" I quirked an eyebrow, an amused smile dancing on my lips.
"Alright then, you win." He let out a nervous laugh as I handed him the money, feeling a mix of joy and exhaustion.
"I'll be taking my leave now. Damn, I am so tired." I waved goodbye, starting my way back, a warm glow lingering from our brief exchange. It was moments like these that reminded me of the simple joys of life, even amidst the chaos.
And there it was, home sweet home. Oh, how I had missed this place. As small as it may be—just a one-bedroom—it was beautiful in its own right—spacious and affordable.
Sure, it didn't have tiles, but at least it had a ceiling. Something to brag about, right? Still, I absolutely hated the toilets.
"My Habibi!" And just like that, my reason for living was there. Bibi's smile was so wide, her arms stretched open. This is what truly makes a home, right?
"Bibi!" I exclaimed, mirroring her gesture as we engulfed each other in a bear hug. Oh, how I had missed this woman.
"Finally, you are home. It has not been the same without you here," she said, pulling away to look at me. My throat dried as I imagined her alone in this house for the past two weeks.
How lonely she must have been.
"You promised not to miss me much," I pouted as we headed inside the house.
"I guess I lost the bet then," she grinned as I settled my bag on the table.
"Does that mean my favorite porridge is ready?" I asked, my eyes twinkling with anticipation. She had promised me this if she missed me too much.
"I wouldn't be Bibi without my special porridge, would I?" she replied, placing her hands on her hips with a playful defiance that reminded me of a much younger woman.
Bibi was my grandmother, but she was more like a mother to me ever since I could remember. It had always been the two of us against the world. Unlike most grandmothers who preferred short hair, my Bibi had long, flowing locks that cascaded over her shoulders.
Her hair was as white as cotton, a testament to her years of wisdom and warmth. I loved her with all my being.
"So, how was your journey? Anything interesting?" she called from the kitchen as I took off my shoes, wincing at the dirt I had tracked onto the floor.
"It's funny you mention that. Mrs. Green asked me the same thing," I replied, grabbing a mop to clean up the mess.
"Your snob of a boss?" She stepped into the room, a huge cup of steaming golden porridge in her hands. It was freezing now compared to during the day.
"Yeah, surprisingly, she was really cheerful today and even complimented me on a job well done."
"Really?" She leaned forward, a teasing glint in her eyes. "You sure she's not planning on firing you?"
"Bibi? Come on, bad words equal bad omens," I lightly chided her, only to see her roll her eyes.
"I'm just saying, it's not easy for people to change all of a sudden."
"Oh, trust me, she was still a prick as always. It was just weird that she asked about something interesting," I said.
"Speaking of interesting, you have no idea what you missed." Just like that, Bibi's demeanor shifted. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and a grin spread across her face. I loved how she could go from casual conversation to full-on gossip mode in an instant.
"What? What happened? Tell me quick!" I set my mug down on the table and leaned forward, my curiosity piqued. Her excitement was infectious, and I felt the thrill of anticipation building.
"Oh, you won't believe it!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together as if she could hardly contain herself.
"Jessica was caught by her parents with a man," she dropped the bomb, and my eyes widened in disbelief.
"You don't say!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide in disbelief. Jessica with a man—and her parents finding out—was a recipe for disaster.
"I do, my darling, and right in her own home!" The thrill of the gossip was electric; this was just too juicy.
"Oh no!" I gasped, leaning in closer, captivated by the unfolding drama.
"Oh yes, and that too on her bed!" Bibi's eyes sparkled with excitement as she delivered the news.
I covered my mouth in sheer shock, the weight of it sinking in. Now I was genuinely worried for Jessica. Was she still alive?
"How did that even happen? Jessica wouldn't be that stupid to bring a man home when she knows her parents are always around," I said, trying to process the outrageous news.
"Well, I couldn't find out, you know, because me and gossip don't exactly go hand in hand." At Bibi's innocent words, I shot her a ridiculous look, and we both burst into fits of laughter. Me, Bibi, and gossip were practically inseparable.
"You know, I would never get angry if you came home with a man, right?" she said, a sly grin spreading across her face. It was like a classic trickery move, a grandmother laying a trap. Of course, she wouldn't get angry—she was the one always pushing me to find a boyfriend.
"Bibi," I called her calmly.
"Yesh, Habibi?" she replied, turning to me with an expectant look.
"I'm eighteen."
"Meaning what?"
"I'm too young to get a boyfriend."
"I had a boyfriend when I was eight and lost my chastity at sixteen," she declared, and I nearly choked on my porridge.
"Bibi!"
Seriously? How was I raised by this woman and turned out so...normal?
"What? And don't give me that 'I'm an independent woman' excuse." She gestured with her fingers, emphasizing the word "independent."
Did she even realize how old she was?
"Bibi, you didn't even pray for me when I arrived! I've been away for so long." I pouted, holding her hands in an attempt to steer her away from the boyfriend talk.
But who was I kidding? Instead, she playfully hit my hand, and it stung.
"Ouch, Bibi!" I cried, rubbing the spot with my other hand, a mix of love and exasperation swelling in my heart.
"If you came with bad shadows, I'm sure they've taken over this house. Don't stray from the topic," she warned, her voice firm.
I knew I'd failed to deflect her.
"As much as I'm proud of you for taking care of yourself, you still need someone to look after you. We all do."
"I have you," I pointed out, clinging to that truth. Ever since I could remember, she was the only family I had known.
"I'm a woman, Habibi. I'm talking about the opposite gender," she said, giving me a pointed look.
I sighed.
"You're eighteen, turning nineteen in a couple of months, and still have no experience in relationships. We're in the twenty-first century, where sixteen is practically the norm for dating. It might even be acceptable for a mature fifteen-year-old to go out. But you? At eighteen? Don't you find that abnormal?"
"Yes, everything you're saying sounds abnormal and unreasonable," I replied, walking past her toward the couch.
"Oh! Don't give me that. Why is it so hard for you to find someone—unless..." Her eyes narrowed. "Unless you have a boyfriend you're not telling me about."
She shot me a suspicious look, and I was baffled. How did a woman in her sixties seem to know everything about dating—and why did she make me feel like I was committing a crime for being single?
"Do you have a boyfriend that you're not telling me about?" Bibi's voice snapped me back to reality. I sighed, seeing her narrowed eyebrows.
I tried to speak, opening my mouth a couple of times, but nothing came out. If there was one person who could always leave me dumbfounded, it was Bibi.
Her quirky personality, mixed with her bubbly and cocky attitude, would make outsiders think there was something off about her.
I'm a chatterbox by nature, so when I found myself speechless, it was a sign that I was truly in awe of what she'd just said.
Now, looking into her faded black eyes, which had taken on a shade of grey, I wondered why she kept insisting on my love life. What exactly was she hoping to hear? Yes?
"Yes?" I was startled out of my thoughts by her voice.
"What?" I asked, frowning slightly at her.
"You said yes! That means you do have a boyfriend!"
"What? No...no, I mean yes...Bibi..."
"Oh no! No need to explain!" Her excitement lit up her face, the sparkle in her eyes radiating joy. Did she really want me to have a boyfriend that badly?
"I've been waiting for this moment, you know." She held my face and kissed my cheeks. "I'm so proud of you, Habibi! You're finally a grown woman!" She raised her hands in praise, thanking God once more.
"Easy, Bibi. I—" I mumbled, feeling a headache forming. I could have told her that she misunderstood, but then...
"So when am I going to meet him?" Her excitement danced in her eyes.
"No, no! You can't meet him," I quickly objected.
"Why not? Am I not allowed to meet the first boy who snuggled you?" She sighed in disappointment.
"The reason I didn't tell you earlier is that I knew you'd want to meet him."
"I don't see anything wrong with me meeting your boyfriend. I'm the most understanding parent one can ever hope for," she reasoned. She had a point—but still, no.
Did I even have a choice? I was lying to begin with, and it was only getting more complicated.
"When, Habibi?" Her tugging on my sleeve brought me back to the moment.
"Bibi, sorry, but I just remembered I need to see Jessica, lady must be terrified. Don't worry, I won't be long. Kisses, love you!" I gave her a quick peck, set my mug on the table, and hurried out before I got emotionally blackmailed.
"But... hey!" I heard her call after me, but there was no turning back.
It was now or never.