Chapter 15 XV

I am so happy today is Saturday. I work five days a week, so weekends are my free days. I am waking up for the third time today. I woke up earlier to pray Fajr and Dhuhr thanks to Ismail, who is still surprising me with his kind gestures. I forgot to charge my phone last night, and that s what always calls the Athan for me. I was so lucky Ismail guessed I would be sleeping through and came to wake me up. After praying Fajr I still forgot to plug my phone in, which ended in him waking me up again for Dhuhr. I am so thankful to him for remembering to wake me up for prayers. I don t know if he thinks I am sick, and that is why he is kind to me. I am not ill. I am just tired from the workload I am getting at the office. I wonder if he will go back to being his usual self when he finds out I m okay. I guess I will have to get my strength back and see. After taking a bath I go downstairs to eat something. I am making Salmon Cobb salad when Ismail walks in. "Good morning. How was your night, sleeping beauty?" "I am pretty sure it s not morning, mister, and my name is not sleeping beauty. Do I look like a cartoon?" I say, shaking my head. I can t believe I thought he changed. Maybe he just thought I was sick and now that he knows I m not, he has gone back to his normal self. "How would I know the difference if you look like a cartoon or not?" he says typing something on his phone while laughing at me. "You are not serious! I don t have time for your foolishness this afternoon. I will just let this slide." "Ennhmm," he says. "What is that supposed to mean?" I ask knowing he has something on his mind. "Nothing… and why are you wearing my sweater?" "Why would I wear your sweater?" I say looking down at the Nike sweater I am wearing, noticing it s a bit bigger on me than usual. "I think you are right because it feels a bit bigger, but how come I am wearing your Nike sweater?" Not understanding how I could be wearing Ismail s sweater. "It probably got mixed up during laundry." "Yeah, I will have it washed and give it back to you," "No, it s fine you can have it." he shrugs. "Really?" I say not sure if he is serious. "Yeah." "Wow! Shukran Jazeelan (Thanks a lot)," I say smiling. "You are welcome," he says, walking out of the kitchen. But I call him back as I forgot to tell him something important. "I forgot to tell you, Fatima and Emma are coming over. I don t know if you want to go out, so they won t see you or you could just stay out of sight." "Or you could simply tell them we live together. I don t mind anymore," Ismail says. "Really? And we don t live together. We live in the same house." "Whatever, I trust Fatima and it seems your friend Emma is a good lady, so I don t mind anymore." "Wow, please, where is Ismail? What have you done with him?" I say chuckling. I am astonished he does not mind them finding out, any more. Maybe something changed his mind. "He is here," he chuckles while walking out of the kitchen. "I hope so," I say before he disappears into the hallway. Fatima and Emma arrived a few minutes ago, we are all sitting by the poolside. I made a few snacks before they got here. I made mocktails and doughnuts. "I can t believe Ismail took you home last night. I didn t know you guys are getting along that well these days," Fatima says taking a sip of her drink. "Even I am still surprised," I say. "I don t understand why you guys are making it sound like a big deal, he just took her home," Emma says. "Do you want to know why it s a big deal?" Fatima asks. "Yes please," Emma says. "It's a big deal because Umit and Ismail can t spend an hour without fighting. But now that I think about it, they don t fight like that anymore. Maybe that explains why he would be kind enough to take her home," Fatima says. "Wow that s bad. But I hardly see them fight, so maybe you are right," Emma says. "I think so too, but it still feels weird. But not in a bad way if you know what I mean," I say. "Yeah," they both reply. "I spoke to Austin last night," Emma says. "That s good, how did it go?" I ask. "He said he was calling because his grandma is sick, and she would like to see me," Emma says looking sad. "Oh, I wish her a quick recovery," I say. "Me too," Fatima says. "Thank you," Emma replies. "You are welcome, and did he say anything about getting back together?" Fatima asks. "Why would you think that?" I say, suspecting Fatima knows something I don t. "I may have overheard him telling Udar about it," Fatima tells us. "What did you hear?" Emma asks, curious to know more. "I was passing by Udar s office when I heard him say he planned something to get you back," Fatima says. "Really! Did you hear more? Like what he has planned or anything?" Emma asks. "No, I was walking by and not listening to what they were talking about, so I don t know what they said after that." "Oh, alright and I think you are right because he said after we see his grandma, he wants to take me somewhere to talk about something. He was not specific about what he wanted to talk about, so it might be about getting back together," Emma says. "Maybe he doesn t want you to say no, before he gets a chance to really talk to you," I suggest. "Yeah, you might be right," Fatima agrees with me. "I hope so, but I don t know what to say or what to do if he wants us to get back together," Emma says. "Maybe you can start by asking yourself if you are ready to forgive him and take him back, if he wants you to get together again," Fatima says. "Yes, and when you know your answer, you will know what to tell him if he brings it up," I say. "And also, we will support you in whatever decision you make," Fatima says giving her a warm smile. "Yes, we will," I say affectionately. "I don t know what to say. This is the best advice I have ever gotten. Mostly, everyone judges him on the fact that he cheated, but not you two. You both are so amazing. I am so happy I finally have friends. I love you both," Emma says tearing up while pulling us in for a hug. "We love you too," Fatima and I say, smiling while hugging her back.