Part 17
999 Words
Mirza grabs the outfit as she changes back into her old outfit. She exits the dressing room.
Mirza’s already paying for the dress. When he’s done, he grabs the garment bag and grins at her.
“ So. Frozen yogurt next? “
“ Um. Why? “
“ Because I’m hungry “
He’s hiding something. “ Mirza, is this a date? “
“ Kirania, if this was a date, you would know “
“ Then what is it? “
“ It’s just you and me, shopping “ she looked down, realizing that Mirza is holding her hand again. Mirza notices her looking.
“ It isn’t, Kirania. Just trust me “
“ Then why are we getting frozen yogurt? “ he just smiles, refusing to answer.
***
Kirania walks into the open-area food court, right up to the frozen yogurt stall.
“ What flavor do you want? “
“ I want vanilla “
“ Boring, but safe “
“ Speak for yourself. I find it exciting and delicious “
She approaches the dispenser, frowning at the contraption. She notices the little red lever to the right. “ So do I just pull on one of these thingies? “
“ Well, I prefer the word stroke :
Suddenly, she feels Mirza’s breath on her neck. The flush creeps into her cheeks.
“ Go on, Kirania. Stroke the dispenser until it squirts “ Mirza leans forward. He whispers into her ear…
“ I’m waiting, farm girl “
“ Um, could you just get it for me, please? “ his face falls in momentary disappointment. He nods quickly, taking the cup from her.
“ Your wish is my command, farm girl? “
“ Right. Well. Should we pay for the food? “
“ I got it “
Mirza approaches the cashier, handing over his ID and a wad of cash. The cashier’s eyes go wide at the ID. He quickly hands the cashback to Mirza, shaking his head.
“ What the hell, Mirza? Are you like the Godfather or something? “
Mirza turns away with both of her frozen yogurts, leading her to a table. “ Let’s just say, he doesn’t want to upset me “
“ Um… let’s just eat “
“ Happily “
He smiles wide, even though his smile is tinged with a bit of worry. He sits at a sticky red table. She takes a seat opposite him, his guards still hovering in the distance. He slides her yogurt across the table, handing her a small wooden spoon.
“ How do you like to eat your frozen yogurt? “
“ Well, I’ve never eaten it before, so I will… drink it like a smoothie “ she wait a few moments for the frozen goo to melt, and then drink it down.
“ What you just did is utter blasphemy to all lovers of frozen yogurt. You know that, don’t you? “
“ It’s just yogurt. Calm down “ she offers the remnants of the yogurt to him “
“ Want a sample? “
“ Only if you feed me “
“ I don’t think that's a good idea “
“ No. You’re right. I’d get too excited “
“ We should finish up. Your guards have already been waiting a long time “
Mirza nods. There’s a strange, far-away look in his eyes. “ What's wrong? “
“ I was just thinking of a memory I had, from when I was young “
“ Is it a bad memory? “
“ Not at all. It’s from when I was six years old. My best friend and I, we used to feed each other food “ she gazes at him in surprise.
“ Mirza… that’s really strange. I used to do with my best friend, too “
“ That is strange. Anyway. If you’re done, we should go. We just have one more stop”
“ Another stop? I thought we were done shopping “
“ Oh, it’s not shopping “
***
She follows Mirza into the Escalade. A few minutes later, she pulls up to a bank.
“ Um… what are we doing here? “
“ We’re getting you cash, silly “
“ I have cash from my grandpa “
“ Kirania, this isn’t up for negotiation. Let’s go “ ignoring her protests, Mirza leads her into the bank, past the tellers, and straight to the basement.
***
The basement houses row after row of safety security boxes. There’s a man guarding them. When he sees Mirza, his face breaks into a broad grin.
“ Mirza! “
“ Kirania, this is my uncle Taky. Taky, we need to open an account “
“ We? “
“ Well, technically I need to open the account. But it’s for Kirania here “
“ Ah, right. Sounds pretty normal for the life of Mirza. Welcome to the family, Kirania”
“ Also, what family? “
“ Our family “
“ Yeah. Um. Not sure we’re quite there yet “
“ Yeah, Uncle Taky. Talk about jumping the gun
Taky raises his hands in a mea culpa. “ All right, relax. I’m just saying, I’ve never seen you like this before, Mirza “
“ Maybe you weren’t looking hard enough “
“ Oh, trust me. I was “ Taky winks at Kirania
“ You’ve really done a number on my nephew here, Kirania “ she blushes, sneaking a glance at Mirza. His red cheeks, surprisingly, match hers.
“ Alright, let’s get this going. Do you have your social security number, Kirania? “
“ Grandpa said it was lost in the move “
- Writer
