"How are you?" Adil asked.

"I am fine. You didn't come all the way to the USA, to ask me how I am," I told him.

"No Ahmed I did not all the way here for you. I came because our ship — The Royal Navy Of Oman made a stop here. I thought why not visit my cousin."

"I am busy as you can see," I spoke, while signing some papers.

"Seriously wld em [cousin]?"

"Okay how about at night we go out for dinner," I suggested.

"No I am tired eating from restaurants. I miss home made food," he said, and got up.

"Okay sure, come by home at night."

"Bye Ahmed," Adil said and walked out of my office.

One week after Layla's Mum died.

"Hudaa I am okay. You don't have to call me after every hour," I said.

"I know but I am just checking up on you, I am worried. You didn't cry during the funeral," she spoke, trying to reason out that I am not okay. But obviously I am not okay, I just lost my mother.

"It's okay some people don't cry," I told her.

"It's not normal Layla. Crying is letting out all your sadness your heart carries," She said.

"Okay I understand. I have to go now Imad is calling me."

"You can ask your boss for a leave. Even a so called monster would understand grief."

"I am fine Hudaa. We'll talk later."

"Okay, so you'll come by my place for dinner. Walid isn't home, he'll be staying at the hospital. He has a surgery. I am making your favorite — lasagna," she spoke in a excited tone.

"Okay Insha allah [If God wills]," I said and hang up. I love her but sometimes she can be annoying. It's 6:00 o'clock and Imad should be done with his homework, by now. I went to his room and he was playing with his iPad.

"Imad habibi, you know your supposed to be doing your home work," I told him.

"I have already done it," he said.

"Really? Without any help?"

"Yes, it was really easy," he spoke, still playing his game.

"Okay, if you say so. But let me just check the work once," I said.

"Okay. My book is on the table," he said. Imad was sad, when I came back to the mansion after two days. He didn't know what happened, so I had to explain to him. He kissed me on the cheek and told me not cry, because my parents were now with God. His words made me smile.

"Imad you got them all right, Mashallah. Dinner will be ready in a while," I told him.

"Okay," he replied. I went back down stairs and I noticed Jane making pastries. I asked her why she was making so much food, she said Mr Ahmed had called last minute and said there was a guest coming home for dinner. Ya Allah... how much food will she make? I started to help her. She was making rice, curry, chicken and some baked potatoes. Oh and she has to make dessert too. I offered on making cinnamon rolls. I started helping her making the curry after that I started mixing the ingredients for the cinnamon rolls.

Imad came downstairs saying he was hungry now. He ate some rice and curry and went back upstairs. I then went to arrange the mats, plates and glasses on the dinning table. Everything was ready by 8:00. Except my cinnamon rolls weren't ready yet they were still in the oven. Jane was so tired, she couldn't even stand. At her old age it isn't good for her to do such strenuous activities. "Jane!" A loud voice called out her name. That's Mr Ahmed. I told her I'd go instead she looked exhausted.

I went to the dinning room. His guest was eating. Mr Ahmed was busy on his phone. I am not surprised. "Yes sir," I said.

"Are you Jane?" He asked and arched his eyebrow. I wanted to speak my mind. But I better not. Not in front of a guest at least.

"No sir. I am not Jane. What can I do for you?" I spoke in a polite manner. He narrowed his eyes.

"Does this curry have chillies in it?" He asked and coughed.

"Yes it does," I replied. He stood up, grabbed my hand and dragged me away from the dinning table. I caught a glimpse of the guest's facial expression. He looked confused. I didn't see this coming either. And why is he dragging me... "What are you doing?" I asked him. But he didn't reply. "Let go of me." I tried to escape his grip and I did. "How dare you?" I asked him, infuriated.

"How dare me? How dare you put chillies in the curry. I am allergic to chillies," he spoke, his eyes watery. Tears streaming down his cheek.

"How was I supposed to know?" I asked him, my tone higher than his. "What can I do? Do you need water?"

"No! I need my eye drops," he yelled. Seeing Mr Ahmed's eyes so teary, made me worried and scared.

"Hahahah," a loud laughter came from across the living room. We both turned our heads to look at the guest, he was laughing uncontrollably.

"What's so funny Adil?" Mr Ahmed asked him.

"You guys are just, hahaha..." he started laughing even more. Mr Ahmed and I looked at each other and than looked at him again. Mr Ahmed went upstairs, he was so angry. I stood frozen not knowing what to do next. I didn't know that he was allergic to chillies. Oh it's all my fault, but I didn't mean too. It's just that at home I always put chili when I make curry. Ya Allah please make Mr Ahmed okay — my heart secretly prayed.

"He's going to be okay." I looked over to my side and see the guest — Adil.

"Ok-ay," I stammer, my thoughts uncertain.

"I am Adil. Ahmed's cousin," he said. His hands in his pockets.

"Layla," I replied and started walking away.

"You guys are funny. A cute couple for sure," he said and chuckled.

"What?" I turned to look at him. He had grey eyes. Which made me indulged in them for a moment. Until I snapped out of it.

"It's nothing like that. I work for Mr Ahmed. I take care of his nephew Imad," I said.

"I mean the way you guys act..." I cut him off.

"It's fine, your not the the first to say that. Just don't bring it up to him, he'll..."

"He'll get really mad, yeah I know my cousin. To busy to actually live. Believe it or not he used to be a funny guy, had the funniest jokes. Care free. When his brother died it changed him. Abdullah was Ahmed's roll model, father figure and best friend."

"Adil!" Mr Ahmed walked down the stairs. "Why are you talking to the Nanny?" He asked, and glared at me.

"Ya akh [brother] she has a name," Adil said.

"Adil please stay out of this." I walked away. Mr Ahmed's eyes were still teary, but it was somehow better. I helped Jane with the dishes. After washing the dishes, I was going to Hudaa's place. I told Jane to check up on Imad before she went to bed. I had to walk until the bus stop and it was pretty late. I hate walking at night. A car pulls up and the window rolls down.

"Hey there Layla," Adil said.

"Uh hi," I said. "Did you follow me?"

"La [No] Layl. I just spotted you," he said. I squinted my eyes.

"So you just spotted me in the dark?" I asked and smirked. He chuckled.

"I can drop you home if you would like," he said.

"No thank you. I'll be fine."

"Adil can we go now, she said no. Just take me to the hospital," I heard a familiar voice.

"Is that Mr Ahmed?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, the one and only. Tusbih ealaa khayr [Goodnight]," he said.

"Laylatan saeidat lak 'aydaan [Goodnight to you too]," I replied and continued walking. I took the bus to Hudaa's place, it wasn't far from my place. Hudaa had made dinner, and she didn't eat, she waited for me. I told her about Mr Ahmed and his Adil, and she started laughing. I don't get what was so funny...

I couldn't fall asleep, so I decided to pray. I remained on the prayer mat, until eventually I fall asleep.

❤