Tissue Hearts (Episode Eighteen)

                                                           Rasheed’s Point of View

Yasmin and Waliyah giggled seriously as I get to the living room and rolled my eyes at them.

I knew what she gossiped Waliyah about. It would be the awkward incident that happened when she visited the jewelry shop.

Not really my fault. I was deeply pressed and needed to visit the convenience. All because of mom’s beans I ate for dinner. I was just on my way outta the place when I broke the wind.

The ugly stares I got from people almost made me wish to be swallowed by the ground.

“It wasn’t that bad”. I groaned.

“Oh it was. If not that I love you, I would have denied you instantly”. She laughed widely.

I watched her as she laugh. There was a fold that appears at the back of her eyes when she laughs. It was an amazing sight. I wondered how completely ignorant I’d been for the past years, how a precious person had visited my sister every single day and I never cared to notice her, how much love she had for me. I had been rude and unfriendly but she never gave up.

“Ouch, Touché”. Waliyah winked at me.

“Whatever. You can just sit here and gossip about me. It shows how special I am…”

“You really are…that I’ve been under the sun for the past hours, looking for the perfect material for your aso ebi”. My mom lamented as she entered, deep in sweat.

“Asalamu ‘alaykum ma. I’m sorry for stressing you this much. It’s because you know how special your son is to you”. I gave her a hug as I stuck my tongue at Waliyah.

She scoffed at me in return.

“Wa’alaykumu salam. I hope you guys like this colour. This is the best I’ve seen so far”. She pulled out the material as Yasmin sat beside her.

She gave my mom a brief hug that lightened her face. "It’s lovely mom. Anything chosen by you is amazing”. She chuckled.

My mom blushed. “Well, thanks. I was even thinking of shopping for your babies wear”.

“Babies?!” We both screamed.

“Yes, babies. You two will be getting married in a few weeks time, and you’ll start to bear children.

I swallowed deeply my saliva. “Let’s get to that time first. You should be famished. Let me serve you lunch”. I held as hands as I took her inside, leaving Yasmin and Waliyah to chuckle.

*                                                            *                                                                             *

“Are you happy being with me?” Yasmin asked as I drove her home.

“Of course. I can never be happier”. I reassured her.

“So you’re eager to spend the rest of your life with me?”

“Yes I am. If it could be even now…”

She laughed a kind that sent butterflies to my stomach.

“I’m sorry to bring this up…what about Nadia?”

“What about her?”

“You once loved her. Can you truly let her off your mind completely?”

Yasmin was right. I once loved her, but what I feel now is pain, hurt and regret.

“Yes I have”. I turned to Yasmin but what I saw was Nadia’s brightened face. Her lovely smile and flashy eyes.

Why had I thought of her that way?

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I think I’ve been stressed. I should rest after dropping you”.

“That’s better. I don’t want you being too affected by the pre-wedding planning stress”. She said.

“Yeah” Was all I said.

I drove silently and what I couldn’t understand was why I still had thoughts of Nadia. The reason I still think of her before sleeping and why I still see her in my dreams.

A/N: So sorry for the late update. I'll try to post another to make up for last week. XOXO.