Kareem's POV...
2 weeks later...
Droplets of water bounced of my skin as it rained down on my aching muscles, whilst easing my stressed mind.
I'd been in the shower for 30 minutes, in counting, just letting the water cool my mind and distract me from my thoughts concerning Khadijah's birthday. I'd have to move into the mansion with Laila and stay there for a week. And then I'd have to act like I'm happily married to someone I barely know. I mean, from what I've observed these past two weeks, she's kind of mature and responsible, but for someone her age, it doesn't really count.
I let out a low sigh, " It's just for a week, and besides, everyone's going to be busy celebrating, hopefully", I thought to myself before finally turning the shower off. I grabbed a towel from the hanger and tied it around my torso before making my way out of the bathroom, my hair still dripping wet. I grabbed another towel from the hanger and used it to shuffle my hair a bit before placing it on the sink and making my way towards my dresser and grabbed my spray deodorant.
These past two weeks have mostly been a routine. Whoever wakes up first makes breakfast for the two of us. When we're ready, I drive to work and the driver drops her off at college. When I'm back from work, I get changed and ask the driver to pick up Laila from college and when she gets back, I make dinner for the two of us.
And that's how our days have been, except today might be a little different...
I sighed before dropping the spray deodorant back on my dresser and made my way to the closet. I opened the closet doors and picked a random shirt and pair of jeans. I didn't think too much about the outfit I selected before throwing them on. If time permits is, I'd be back early enough to finish packing.
I stood infront of the standing mirror and took a good look at my outfit. It wasn't that bad, I guess. I thought to myself before grabbing a comb from the dresser and combing my not-so-damp hair until it wasn't so messy anymore before proceeding to my bedside table and grabbed my watch and wallet which then made me notice something . There at the top of my drawer sat a framed photo of my mom, little means a younger version of Khadijah. Memories of seeing my mom smile and her luscious black curls flowing in the wind...
She looks so much like Khadijah, she is so much like Khadijah. But there was just one difference, there would always be a difference...
I shifted my gaze from the framed photo and let my mind wonder. A small smile began to creep into my face when I remembered the sound of my mom's melodic laughter. The truth was, even though things weren't so great now...they could've always been worse...
I decided to give the picture to Khadijah as a gift and then I'll go to the mall with Laila and buy something else to add to it.
I stuffed my wallet in my back pocket and tied my watch around my wrist before making my way downstairs. I stopped at the bottom stairs only to be greeted by an empty living room. Laila wasn't ready yet. I glanced at my watch, it was almost 12pm. I wanted to shout her name but I knew there were better ways to get her to hurry up. Maybe it would be better if I just went to her room and knocked instead, but I knew her better by now. She was probably in the library, reading, studying or doing whatever she does there, definitely none of my business. Without wasting anymore time, I made my way to the kitchen and gently opened the door leading to the library and there, sitting on one of the armchairs was Laila. It seemed as though she always knew what to wear and I always ended up leaving the house looking like someone with no fashion sense whatsoever.
As soon as she noticed my presence, she stopped reading and placed the book on the table before standing up and making her way towards me. The two of us then made our way out of the library as I walked towards the shoe rack and pulled out my socks and sneakers.
"Where are we going to?" I heard Laila ask as I slipped on my sneakers.
"The mall". Was my short and simple reply as I made my way towards the living room and grabbing my keys from the table . I really didn't want to start a conversation with her, it always ended up being awkward.
"Let's go". Were my last words before I walked out of the house, her heels clacking behind me. I threw the keys to the driver, as soon as we reached the car, before rounding it. Once the driver was settled, I opened the car door and got inside, just as Laila did the same and soon enough, we were on the road.
The mall wasn't too far from our house, which was an adventure because I couldn't bear the awkward and deafening silence anymore. I pulled out my phone as a distraction before we reached our destination. Scrolling through various apps and not really having anything in particular to do.
"What do you think I should get for Khadijah?" I heard her ask before shifting my gaze from my phone screen to her. She was too busy fiddling with her scarf to notice my gaze on her, or maybe she was just trying hard to ignore it.
"I don't know, what would you have gotten your sister if it was her birthday?" I turned my attention back to my phone while awaiting her response.
"Well my sister doesn't really like gifts that much, she's more into family gatherings".
I shifted my gaze towards her again but this time I decided to put my phone down and fully devote myself into this conversation. " Well she likes fashion and customized jewellery. You can get her anything related to that". I said before looking out the window and the car fell silent again.
...
We didn't really spend that long at the mall like I'd expected. Once we arrived, I couldn't really find anything I felt my sister would appreciate so I just spent most of the talking to Imran about work while Laila practically scavenged the whole mall looking for a gift and in the end , bought a customised bracelet with Khadijah's initial on it.
As soon as we came back, I selected the outfit I'd wear tomorrow and finished up packing. Taking one last glance at the framed photo, I put it in a small white box, that had a little bow on top, before adding it to my luggage...