FATE

Chapter 8

Badriyyah

Ammi thinks it's high time Bassam and I meet to get familiar and know more about each other.

It's not that I think i'm complicated or anything, not compared to anyone else, anyway. But if there's one thing i've learned after twenty two years on this planet called earth, it's that nobody, and I mean nobody can be figured out in a short period of time. There's a certain dosage of time and circumstance spent with someone before you start to get familiar. And even then, whether you really know them is anybody's guess.

I'm getting worked up for no reason, "it's just Bassam" I keep whispering to myself. But seriously, that's it, it's why i'm nervous. Once upon a time we get along well. We were not really friends, acquaintances maybe. But we stopped being that a long time ago.

I don't recall the details but I remember him ignoring me at a wedding. It was Fu'ad's wedding, the F twins eldest brother whom I had a massive crush on. I got pissed because I was already heartbroken. Like that wasn't enough, Fa'iza ditched me too. I was glad I saw Bassam, a familiar face but then, he gave me an attitude.

Ammi told me Bassam would come visit today and it totally skipped my mind. I was informed two days ago. Guess I wasn't really paying attention. That, or I don't care at all.

It's few minutes after seven and I was told I have a visitor down stairs.

Perfect, just what I need now. Note the sarcasm.

I took my time finding a decent Abaya to wear. I couldn't help the jitters. I mean I'm new to all this. I'm not experienced in the whole dating and courtship thing.

I descend downstairs with alot going on my mind. What do I say? What do I do? I keep asking nobody in particular.

"Hey, you look awful, your face could really use some powder, a little gloss and maybe an eyeliner." Deejah blurted.

"Khadija not now please"

"I'm just saying"

"Do I look that bad?"

"Yes!" She answered without hesitation.

"Well that might just make he who shall not be named change his mind and call this whole thing off."

"Or maybe not"

"Yeah, whatever. Where is he anyway?"

"Oh, I let him in." Deejah said pointing toward the glass door adjacent to the living room where I could make a silhouette of a person.

I sighed and grabbed the door handle of the parlor we use primarily for conversation or the reception of guests.

I entered saying salam and he answered not looking up fully engrossed in his phone.

"Great!" I mumbled quietly taking a seat on the davenport next to the L-shaped couch he sat on.

Few seconds passed by and not a word was exchanged between us.

Our moment of silence was cut short by Deejah coming in without knocking of course not that she needs to, but still.

She placed a tray she was holding on the center table. She went out and came back with an even larger tray.

"Don't be a stranger Bassam, help yourself" that was Deejah of course.

"Sure, Thank you Khadijah." He said with a smile actually looking up from his phone. His voice was deep and assertive yet smooth and gentle. He locked the phone and kept it on the center table as well.