Dreams and Nightmares the story of Alexis

Chapter Three

                                                         Indeed a friend

My eyes fly open to the piercing glare of mid- September sunlight streaming in through the slits on the wooden window blinds.

Oh s**t! What a dream

I uncover the duvet and I find myself clutching my stomach to check for bleeding I see nothing Still unconvinced I uncover the checkered duvet and raise up my pajama top to check some more. Still nothing.

Oh thank God!

I sit upright, my back against the headboard and I wonder what would’ve provoked that dream. My body hasn’t recovered from it and i feel so light headed.

I wonder if Jamal could actually hold and touch me that way. I’d love that! And why would Mimi want us dead? Does she also like Jamal the way I do?

I must be going insane to have such crazy thoughts. It is times like this that get me lost in thoughts.

I need to get it together; I mean a while ago I was just crushing on Jamal like every normal kid and now am having such dreams about him?

God help me!

I don’t realize how I have wasted so much time on thoughts alone. I need to shower its almost mid-morning. I am surprised mummy hasn’t called on me yet.

With the sun breaking through my window blinds I guess it’s bright enough for some good laundry. That should be after breakfast.

All right Alex, time to kick start your day

I jump down from the bed and change into my towel before dashing into the bathroom.

One would’ve guessed that I make my bed as the first thing to do after waking up. Well that’s one habit that has refused to grow on me despite mom’s incessant reminders.

The water from the shower feels so nice against my skin. I let it run from my head downwards.

Oh yeah that’s the stuff

I don’t really worry about my hair getting all frizzy and all. One of the perks of being part Scottish. My hair is really no bother at all so I seldom braid it. Most times I just comb through the curls and because of its length I hold it up into a messy bun.

Well today’s Saturday so I don’t have to worry about the hair. It can hang full and loose. After am done with washing it of course.

Just as I rinse off the last lather off my body, the water trickles down my back; I vividly remember Jamal’s hand on the small of my back form the dream. It is so keen I am almost forced to think it was not a dream. Then the whispers…

Okay that’s enough, am out of here

I get out of the bathroom and begin drying me hair. It’s creepy enough, the dream and now i am trying to relive it? No way

Some laundry should help me forget and a whole lot of chores I think

After throwing on some work clothes that comprise of a dungaree and tank top I leave to help mom downstairs.

“Mom?!”I call out “Mom”. “Where are you?”

I move from the parlor to the dinning section but mom is nowhere to be seen.

I notice that the table has been set already. Mummy has cooked and served the dish already.

“Mom” I call out again. This time she answers me.

“In the laundry room dear” “Am in the laundry room”

What?! When did she get up that she did all these things?

In the laundry room I notice mom has already started up with the laundry I look around disappointed not finding much to do.

Laundry time was fun time for both of us. We would chat and gist and gossip. She would even tell me fun stories about Dad that would usually end in tears.

And yet she started today’s laundry without me.

Why?

I try to hide my disappointment and I walk to hug her side.

“Good morning mom how was your night”.

She returns the hug “Fine Alex, hope you slept well?” “No nightmares today huh?!”

I blush in shyness and try to avoid her eyes so I go over to the spin timer that has gone off to take out the clothes. I can’t possibly tell her about the dream I had. She might start worrying

Or Should I tell her about the weird dream? I haven’t told her about Jamal so I think I should not, so I lie

“No mom no nightmares, sweet dreams all through” I reply. “Why did you start laundry without me, you know we usually do it together”

“Oh am so sorry honey” says mom “I know you enjoy doing laundry with me, but you have an appointment today and I figured if I started the laundry that way you could still come and join me and finish in time to catch up with your appointment”

“Smart huh?!” says mum smiling towards my direction

“Yes mum”. “Brilliant”

“But what appointment are you talking about?”

“Think, you said you had to help someone with an assignment or so?” replies mom picking up the laundry basket and heading out to her room.

“Right, I almost forgot”. “Thanks for the reminder mom”

“I’ll call right away to make sure he’s still interested”.

“Sure, just have something to eat first”. She shouts from her room “your food is getting cold”

“Yes, Mom”

After eating and tidying up I the kitchen I figured when will it be a better time to call Jamal than now to know if he was at home and still needed my help. So I rush back to my bedroom and retrieve Jamal’s jacket neatly hanging in the wardrobe. I remember putting the piece of paper that has the number in the pocket.

I pick up my cell and punch in the numbers…then again I stop to think if this is a good idea.

What’s he worse that could happen

So I dial the number and hold on while the phone rings. I am feeling indifferent at this point and I think I shouldn’t have called just then at the last sound of the dialing tone he picks

His husky voice comes through the receiver “Hello?!” “Who Is this?”

I almost end the call out of fright but then I manage to pull out some words

“Hi Jamal it’s me Alex, we had an appointment today are you still interested?” “Is it okay for me to come now?”

“ Oh hi Alex, I have been expecting your call, actually at some point I thought you won’t call” he replies “sure it’s okay for you to come, I’ll send you the house address and if you have any trouble locating the place just let me know”

With that he ends the call without saying another word

He’s just so rude, how can he end the call when it is I that called

A text message beeps in and I open it and read it; its Jamal’s house address. I guess I better start getting dressed.

I put on some skinny jeans and a hoody and some sneakers. I intend to look as casual as ever.

I put on some cologne and I am good to go. Hold up I think to take my backpack too I could use some help with some assignments too… after all it was meant to be a general study session.

“Mom?” “Am ready” I call from my bedroom

“Am downstairs sweetie” she answers “I was out warming the car”

“So where are we headed?” asks mom

I hand out the phone over to her to read the address

“Well I know the place right, I just hope I don’t forget where exactly. “That reminds me, can you remind me to get cupcakes on the way?”

“Sure mom”. I reply “But why, you want some cupcakes?”

“Not for me, for your friend” she continues “you don’t go to see someone especially for the first time without bringing them something”. “It’s not compulsory though, it’s just courtesy”

“Okay Mom” I reply “I hear you”

It was barely a 30 minutes’ drive to Jamal’s house and like Mom wanted we stopped for some cupcakes although she said it would’ve been better if we had baked them. Well no harm done there. It’s the intentions that count.

Mommy and I are standing in front of the House, she must have things to say about the place but she’s reserved her comments. I knock on the door but there’s no answer

Are we in the right house? I knock again and this time louder.

“I think someone’s coming” I tell Mom who is telling me to call Jamal on my phone. The door opens and a woman in her mid-forties comes out. She is dressed in velvet tunic and a black overcoat. She must be Jamal’s mother

“Good day Ma’am, my name is Alexis, I am here to see Jamal, and we were supposed to do some studying together today” I continue “This is my Mom Mrs. Canton Regina”

Mom has very good people skills; at this point she extends her hand in greeting and introduces herself afresh. “Regina, Regina Canton” she says “But you can call me Regina”

“I am Ayesha Hussein”. She continues “Jamal’s mother”

The woman seems to be quite pleasant and happy, I can tell from her warm reception

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both”. “Please come in” she then raises her voice to call Jamal

“Jamal, you have guests”

“Ehm, just Alex will be going in, I need to get going right away”. Says Mom “See you Alex, call me when you’re done”. “It was nice meeting you Ma’am”

Mom gives me a pat and with that she heads to the car and drives out of the gate.

I enter the living room and sit on the Sofa with the Box of cupcakes on my lap. Just then Jamal strides in. He is dressed in ripped Jeans and a black t shirt.

“Alexis, Hi”. “Thanks for coming”. He says “shall we?”

“Sure why not”. I reply “I brought cupcakes” with that I hand over the box to him

“Wow! “Thanks, you didn’t have to”. He takes the box of cupcakes from me none the less and goes into the kitchen to drop them. The little time he’s gone I use the opportunity to look round. The house is pretty much what I expected, with the antique furniture and that Arabian dash it feels like a scene from Arabian Nights. Exquisite and yet culture inclined, so am guessing Jamal has some Arabian heritage then. Either that or his folks are just so obsessed with them.

Jamal is back and leads the way into the study “we’ll be using the study if you don’t mind”, he whispers then “Mum’s Idea”

I smile at the way he seems embarrassed saying it and yet follow him as he leads the way to the study just then, the dream from this morning flashes in my head. What if he has such things in his head? Nah, he wouldn’t dare with his Mother around, seems like he’s even scared of his mom. They seem like a pretty decent family. But where is his Dad?

“Here we are” says Jamal “The study”. He continues and holds the door open for me “come in”

“Thank you” I reply while stepping in. the study is a miniature version of a library. I would’ve sworn it was a library if not for the size. Tall shelves stacked up with books of different sizes and volumes. Cool

“So where do we start from” I ask while dropping my bag on the floor “you said you had assignments you needed help with?” “Notes to update?” “What do we do first?”

“What help would you probably need from an 8th grader by the way, I should be the one asking for your help” “you’re older in Age and class”

Jamal isn’t saying anything at this point and seems to be engrossed in his work so I keep quiet and concentrate on my work too. So typical of him, a times I wonder why I try to converse with him.

Thirty minutes have passed and he manages to say “Done with this one”. “How’s yours coming on?” he asks “Need help?”

“Am fine, thanks” I reply “That reminds me, thanks for your jacket the other day, I brought It back for you” I open my zipper and hand over the jacket to him.

“Thanks” with that he collects the Jacket and puts it by his side on the table. A few minutes later he raises his head from his work he seemed so deeply engrossed in.“I need to tell you something”.

Oh my! I may be reliving my dream; I think I remember what comes next so I tense up.

“you are a beautiful girl and I can tell you’re intelligent too”, but you need to be careful, not everyone is a nice person”. He continues “I heard you overtly in the bus when you said you thought I was cute, I know you somewhat like me or maybe you don’t anymore”. “But my point is what if you told the wrong person the same thing you said to me”. “I mean not everyone is Mr. Nice guy”. “Some people would act on that information in a different way, some way you wouldn’t in your wildest imagination think they would”.

“I admire your confidence though” he says finally says chuckling “that’s actually what made me look for you the second time at the pool”. “look I can tell you’re a nice person, I had to pretend as though I didn’t hear you say those things you said because I didn’t want you having the wrong idea” he continues “you know, once I reply out of courtesy or maybe smile in response you might’ve got the idea that I am interested in you and all”. “So I decided its best I remain quiet or better still pretend like I heard nothing”

“So are you?” I ask having listened intently to all he had explained

“Am I what?” he responds while brushing a loose strand from my temple. I Blush at his touch considering the fact we are discussing such things now.

I am a bit tense and my mouth is dry as I open my mouth to speak I am almost whispering so I clear up my throat and speak up

“Are you interested in me?” I ask

“Of course I am” he replies me with sparkles in his eyes

My heart leaps for Joy. I cannot believe he finally admitted to that

He continues “I love your charisma, your personality and your confidence”. “Yes, I am interested I you”

I cannot believe my ears this is like a dream. I am blushing with so much excitement right now I could explode.

“Hey”, “Hey, Alexis” “Are you okay?” “Why do you look lost?”

“You were trying to ask me something”. “Am I what?”

I return from my trance. I can’t believe he didn’t actually say all those things in reality, so disappointing

“I am parched, would you like something to drink? Am going to the kitchen” says Jamal rising to his feet. He looks so tall, it’s like he’s added height from the last time we met.

“I’ll have anything” I reply disappointed in myself for not getting an answer from him.

I turn to my note to finish solving the math equation that I have been trying to solve for the past 15 minutes.

Jamal returns with a jug of orange juice and two glasses his mother tailing behind him with a tray of the snacks comprising of some of the cupcakes I had brought. Wow! I didn’t even know they were that beautiful.

“I Figured you guys might be hungry so I brought some snacks” she continues “The main meal is still cooking”

I get up to help her with the tray and thank her “Thank you Mrs. Hussein” She smiles at me and pats my back

“You can call me Ayesha” she replies and then leaves us.

I love the name Ayesha but there’s no way I’ll refer to her casually like that. One for the fact that she could pass as my Mom and two she’s Jamal’s Mom

“Are you still on that equation?” Asks Jamal standing above me, he then bends low beside me to look into my note book his cheek so close to mine they almost touch ; I cringe a bit. He continues “I thought you were done with this one”. “What seems to be the problem?”

“I don’t understand why I can’t find x.” I reply

“Well have you tried Quadratic equation for it? He Asks “Although that will be like taking a far leap altogether”

“Leave that for now let’s have something to eat” he says

We leave the table and decide to sit on the floor round the coffee table. Jamal pours some juice in a glass and hands it to me first then pours another glass for himself. “Would you like a cupcake?”

“Yes please” Jamal reaches for a cupcake and passes it to me. “Thank you”

“Ohhhh! These cupcakes are soooo good; I think I’ve fallen in love”

“Hahaha, you love them that much huh?”

“Are you kidding me? This is like my newly found love” I reply with my mouth full am almost spitting cupcakes on Jamal

“Alexis you have a little something on your mouth” Jamal says pointing at my mouth to indicate

“Here?” I ask while wiping what seems to be the spot “Is it gone?”

“Here hold on let me get it for you” with that he shifts closer, close enough to reach me and then with his thumb he gently wipes off the frosting from my mouth and licks it off his finger, a gesture I find alluring yet it makes me uncomfortable so I recline in position.

“Alexis, I know you like me, you feel some kind of way about me and I like you too; I can’t begin to explain everything I find fascinating in you. But my Liking for you is as a friend.

“You are still young and quite naive to be having such ideas,”

“Let’s be friends instead”. “That okay by you?” “Friends?” says Jamal as he extends his hand to shake mine

“Friends” I reply while returning the handshake. Although am a little disappointed, I wanted more. But I guess we could take this first step” am more glad to be right here with him. Guess I could savor this moment while it lasts. I smile

“Since we’re on the topic of friends, my birthday is on the 15th of this month, next week Saturday; I am hoping you’ll come”

“Oh…am sorry I have something doing that day so I won’t be able to make it”

“Wow, that’s disappointing, it’s okay” I reply gloomily

“Just kidding, hahaha! So serious” he continues while giving me a nudge “Cheer up I’ll be there”

“Hey that’s not funny” I playfully throw a pillow at him but instead it hits the glass and knocks it down. The contents spill out and pour on me.

“Ha! Missed me” mocks Jamal

“Oh s**t!” “My hoodie”. “It’s all ruined”

“Which ways the bathroom?” I ask while rising up.

“It’s straight ahead to the right” replies Jamal “let me show you”

He leads me to the bathroom and stops at the door. “Let me know if you need anything” With that he leaves.

“Thank you” I manage to say before he leaves. Great! I just made a mess of myself, classic Alex. Now how do I fix this mess?

I stand over the sink and hold up where my hoodie is soiled under the running water. It’s not working out as planned and I end up making a bigger mess of the hoodie. No this won’t do, this is when I need Jamal’s Jacket and I’ve returned it. What should I do? I feel so uncomfortable. I wish Jamal would bring the Jacket; I could be wearing it while my hoodie dries.

Just then as though Jamal read my mind, he calls me from outside the bathroom door while knocking.

“Alexis, I brought a clean shirt for you”, “I think it’ll be best to dry clean the hoodie” “you can in the meantime wear it while it’s washing”

I open the door slightly, just wide enough to receive the shirt “Thanks, you’re a lifesaver, you came just in time, I was wondering how I’d manage this” “Thank you”

“You’re welcome, Mum said I should call you for lunch, food is ready” “That’s also why I came”. “When you’re ready let me know, I’ll wait for you”

“Okay”. “I’ll be out in a jiffy” Awwww! So thoughtful Jamal, see why I really like you

I change out of the hoodie into the oversized shirt. It may be oversized but at least it’s dry and clean. I take one last look at the bathroom mirror before I leave the bathroom back into the study. Jamal is there waiting just as he said he would. I stand by the oak wood door frame and watch him as he’s working. I am smitten by him. How I love everything about him, how did I reach this point, when did I reach this stage where all I can think about is you Jamal. A few months ago all I could think of was how to be the perfect daughter; the perfect student and now all I can think about is being perfect around you.

Jamal turns around and sees me standing by the door frame.

“Oh you’re out already; the shirt’s not so bad on you”. “I thought it’ll be extremely large for you, but I guess we could manage this; right?”

“uhm, yeah, sure” I reply stepping into the study

“You can fold the hands if you want to and don’t have to worry about returning this one”. “Let’s eat shall we?”

He leads the way to the dinning section of the house where Mrs. Hussein has prepared a banquet for us she really outdid herself, wow

“Hope you kids are hungry because there’s plenty to eat” she says

I take my seat across Jamal’s while Mrs. Hussein sits Adjacent. She serves herself and passes it to me. I dish out a helping and help myself out with other side dishes.

“Alex dear feel at home, eat as much as you want to eat, we don’t judge here” says Mrs. Hussein reassuringly.

“But we bite” says Jamal chuckling

“Huh?”

“Don’t mind him dear he’s just pulling your legs”. “Eat your food”

“Jamal you too, eat”

After the meal, I help clear the dishes off the table into the kitchen where I meet Jamal’s mother.

“Thank you for the food Mrs. Hussein”. I say to her while stacking the dishes in the sink “I enjoyed it”

“I am glad you liked it dear, you’re welcome” she replies me with a pat in my back

“Jamal told me that you lost your Dad in the crash of 3 months ago, I am really sorry”. She continues “I too lost my dad at a young age”. “I was way younger than you, I was so confused at my feelings and I didn’t understand much then”. “but I understood that I wasn’t going to see my father ever again so it hurt” she smiles but painfully “For a whole week I refused food, all I would do was cry, fall asleep, cry some more and fall asleep some more”. “Then it struck me one day that doing all these isn’t going to bring him back; harboring pain isn’t either, so I took up a hobby; something that made me happy and with time I forgot everything”

I paused for a minute to ask “You forgot about your Father?”

She laughs “No dear, I didn’t forget about my father”. “I forgot about the pain”, “I replaced the sadness with happy memories we both shared and today when I remember him I laugh more than cry”. She continues “I know you may still be hurting or harboring some pain but you have to let it go okay?!”

“Okay Ayesha” I reply with a smile

“That’s more like it” she concurs

“Now tell me, what do you think about this lemonade?” she asks giving me a sip of the sour drink “Too sour?

“I Feel it’s too sour, but then I have a sweet tooth, so what may be too sour for me may be Just right for you” I reply her while taking yet another sip

“Jamal!” “Jamal!” she calls “come in here will you?”

Jamal strides in looks at me then at her “Uhm, what’s going on?”, “Mom you called me?”

“Yes I did”. “Tell me, what do you think of this lemonade” she repeats the same gesture and hands Jamal a glass and Jamal takes a sip while I watch in amusement.

“I think it’s okay”, “you know I’ll drink it no matter how you make it. You’re the chef” he replies her with a twinkle in his eyes

“Awwwww so sweet of you son but I think I’ll go with Alex and add some more sugar”. “Thanks both of you”. “You guys can go back to your studying now”

We are back in the study and the air is very much lighter. I take my seat and so does Jamal

“Your Mom is really cool”. I say “And very funny too”

“Yeah she is” he replies engrossed in his work

“Hey what of your dad”. “Haven’t seen him since I got here”

“He Travelled”. He replies “He’s seldom around, always travelling”

“Oh Okay”.

“It’s getting Late, I should get going”. I say “I better call my Mom now”

He raises his head from his work as though what I said upset him

“You’re leaving?” He asks “So soon?”

“Yeah, I have overstayed my welcome” I reply

“What do you mean”? “My mom likes you”. “You’re always welcome here; there’s no way on earth you can overstay your welcome here” he continues “If you wish to sleep over you’re welcome to, so don’t ever say you’ve overstayed your welcome”

I smile

“Are you done with your work?” I ask him while packing up my books lying scattered on the table and on the floor.

“uhm, Nope but I’ll do that after you’ve left”. He replies

“In the meantime here” he hands me my notebook “That’s your math’s question solved”

“Oh Jamal thank you!” I light up in excitement “I could hug you right now”.

“So you found x?” I ask while moving over to his side “How”

“Well it’s easy once you use quadratic equation like I told you earlier”. He replies “Although your teacher will know someone helped you out because I don’t think you have been taught that level of quadratic equation yet”

“So all this while you were trying to solve my math problem” I smile “Thanks Jamal”

With that just like a reflex I wrap my hands around him without thinking. When I come back to my senses I slowly break the embrace and gently slide my hands away when suddenly Jamal returns the gesture and holds it there.

“You’re welcome, anytime” he responds

If for a moment I thought Jamal wasn’t in the least interested in me then this gesture of his has proven me wrong. Jamal is interested in me, I know it; I feel it now…

But we’re just friends?! What could be holding him back?