Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Amina

"Well done, at last, you finished mining the coffee right?" I said sarcastically in return she offered me a grin.

"Yaya Ahmad put me to some work that is why" upon all the events that occurred, she still utter out his name. Trying not to show my disdain about it, I reached for the coffee mug finding three cups instead of two. I thought she was supposed to make for only two of us. Much to my surprise, she answered my question.

"I made one just in case one of us needs more. And I think it will be of use now. Sadiq might want to have a sip right?" she passed the other cup to him whose mind was already occupied with some other thoughts. I wonder what is going on inside his mind. I know I wasn't supposed to get curious in other people's matters but the man sitting in front of us is making it an exemption for me.

"No, it's okay"

"I insist. Besides you need it to keep you awake so that you will work smoothly" At first he hesitated but the pleading look Abida gave him has left him with no choice.

"Ehem... keep mine for me. I'm not yet done with Yaya Ahmad's errand" she started again. Before I could get the chance to reply to her, she sprinted away. I have a feeling she did it intentionally. Even after explaining to her that nothing is going on between me and Sadiq she still went ahead with her weird thoughts. Placing the tray consisting of the hot coffee on the center table set in front of us, I cupped both my palms on mine enjoying the warmness penetrating through my hands. The air suddenly felt thick around with us sipping our coffee every now and then.

"So.." Our mouth uttered out at the same time. "Go on" I ushered. Maybe he has something to say. Moreover, I don't know what made me blurt out the word. He readjusts his seating position, plopping his foot on the other.

"She's fine now," he said slightly shaking the mug. My brows were knitted in confusion not grabbing his statement. Who is fine?

"My sister. She's okay now" My mouth forms an 'O' when I finally grab his words.

I curved up my lips in a smiling form. "I'm glad she's okay now. I'm not trying to be nosy. The thought just graced through my mind" A chuckle escapes his lips. For some unknown reason, I find myself staring at him once again. His face was held in a comfortable smile. He must love his sister so much.

"Bestowing this smile tells me you love your sister so much" All of a sudden the urge to know more about him strike through me.

"Yes, you're right. She's the most important person in my life and my papa..." His words came to a halt as if he said something that he wasn't supposed to say.

"That's good then," I said to ease the small tension. I understand if he doesn't want to tell me. We are not that close enough for us to tell each other so much about ourselves. Much to my surprise, he started again.

"My sister is the exact copy of stubbornness just like Abida. I have a feeling if they meet, then they will turn the whole house upside down." He also knew about Abida being a stubborn girl.

"How old is she? I mean, are you the eldest or youngest?"

Another fit of laughter erupt from his mouth and he turned to me. This time around we are facing each other with a few inches of space between us. "She's my baby sister but believe me when I say she's the exact copy of trouble. She even tried to hook me up with her friend's friend. Someone she doesn't even know. Can you believe it?" His eyes glisten as he spoke.

"Wow. She must be eager to get her brother married or should I say date" I took a sip of my almost turned cold coffee.

"Just wanted to tangle me up in women's problem. And I'm not ready to get myself an earful from a woman's wrath"

"I think you've forgotten the fact that I'm a woman sitting in front of you right?" His eyes widened for a split second before he masked it up with a smile.

"My bad. But I'm saying the truth. There's this side of women that scare the shit out of a man. If I'm to date a girl, I will have to consider her temper first. Just in case" The way his body relaxes tells me he's getting comfortable and I also cannot deny the fact that I felt comfortable with him at the moment.

"I can understand. But you need that type of woman to protect you from other prying eyes. I mean, whoever wants to snatch you away from her, she'd how to handle the matter" He gave me one kind of look which I couldn't decipher. I couldn't read the expression on his face. Is it because of what I said or something else?

"I can't believe we're having this conversation. Man to woman" A chuckle escapes us both.

"I know right? then let's talk about something else"

"Like what?" he asked. My eyes stare in thinking.

"You said your sister and your papa are the most important people in your life. So tell me about your papa" I mentally scold myself for asking too many questions. I don't know why the hell I'm interrogating him about his family.

"Sorry," I said adjusting myself to a straight position.

"It's okay. We are trying to know each other since we're both workers here and not to talk of how our boss snapped at us earlier" I have practically forgotten about the events. Well, he should do whatever he feels like. My mind is at ease at least for giving him a piece of my mind and I hope he won't try to accuse me of such again. I hope so.

"Don't even bring his topic. Since he made it clear to us that we are still strangers to him then so be it. We just have to work hard for ourselves and our family" Plopping my leg in my flip flop, I rose up to a standing position, carrying the tray of empty cups. I didn't even know when I consumed the other coffee. I knew Abida did that on purpose. I will deal with her later.

"I think I will call it a night Sadiq. Though tomorrow is Saturday, I don't know if our boss will still go to the office considering how workaholic he is" He also rose up standing beside me, a bit taller than me.

"I will depart too. Thank you for your time. Have a pleasant night. See you tomorrow"

"Thank you. And you too" I watched his disappearing figure with an unnoticeable smile on my face.