A taste to remember

Chapter 15

Munnira pov

The cheerful and delightful environment always made me forget about my worries. This group of friends arefilled with unique characters, and one thing they had in common was teasing each other, especially when Farah was around. Ahmed is alway her number one target, and he makes sure he didn't keep his mouth shut when it came to that.

The room was filled with laughter at Khalid's joke. "Guys, guys, is it me, or do I think I'm going to be an uncle soon? Is there something you need to tell us?" Ahmed asked, sparking a flurry of teasing.

Khalid turned to Farah and said, "Yeah, I also noticed you're looking a bit fat, Farah. It's been how long now since you got married?" He brought out his hands, counting his fingers. "Want to count? Four months, one week, two days."

The group responded in unison, "Hey!!!"

Yesmin added, "So you've been keeping track. Please allow our couple to rest."

The attention turned to Zaid and Farah.

Farah spoke up, "Look, Ahmed and Khalid, I think it's time you got a job. So that you can get busy and won't mind coming about people's business. So a person can't get fat in peace without you misinterpreting them. Well, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but your assumptions are wrong. I'm not pregnant. Happy?"

Ahmed raised his eyebrow playfully, looking at Farah, and asked, "Are you sure?"

Farah looked back at him, moving closer to his bed, and replied, "Yes, I am sure. Better start worrying about what you will do when they discharge you this Friday and not me."

She went back to where she stood, folding her arms. The expressions on Ahmed's and Khalid's faces showed they weren't fully convinced, but they decided to change the topic.

While they were chatting, Ahmed asked, "Guys, don't you have places to be by this time?" I looked at my watch, and it was just 11:00 a.m.

"Yeah, I almost forgot. Let's go," Farah replied, and they all left the room in unison, which was quite unusual. I got up to follow them, but Ahmed stopped me. "No, not you, Munira. Can we take a walk, just the two of us?"

We strolled quietly for a while, passing by the hospital wards, patients, and doctors. Then, we headed towards the path leading to the back entrance. Once outside, we found some benches facing the field and sat down.

"You know, before my sister passed away, she always talked about two things: going on a wonderful and peaceful vacation in the Maldives and my wedding," Ahmed said, and we both laughed. "Your wedding, for real?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah," he replied, gazing at the dry and empty field. "She really liked you, Munira. She said you would make a beautiful bride."

Ahmed looked at me for a while, and his smile gradually faded.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, he was trying to conceal his concern. "Ahmed," I asked again, noticing his worried expression.

He lowered his head, cleaning his face with his palm, then raised it back, gazing deep into my eyes. His beautiful, sleepy brown eyes, framed by long black lashes, seemed to hold a deep sadness. He was going back to being my old Ahmed, the one I knew and loved.

"Do you know what I wish for?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"What?" He held my hands, and I felt the warmth of his soft palm.

"I wish to be on an island with just you and me. Sitting on the warm, dry sand, with the ocean washing underneath our feet. The birds chirping, enjoying the nice natural breeze. No internet, no phone, no television, just you and me." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "We could start a life there, a beautiful life, a peaceful one."

Ahmed tightened his hold and was quiet for a while. "I know what happened. I was told."

"Yusuf told you, didn't he?" I cut in, trying to process the situation.

"Yeah, but I looked for him first because I wanted to know where you guys stand. I found out about your wedding. I discovered that your dad doesn't approve of our relationship from Yesmin because she knew it would be hard for you to tell me."

ad thought over it, and I think we have to end this. No matter how hard we try, we won't win. I know you won't like this, but there's nothing we can do," he said, trying to hold back his tears.

"We can fight for what we want," I spoke, my voice shaking with emotion.

"Let me ask you a question. Supposing we don't give up, do you think your parents will give their blessings?" Ahmed asked, his eyes searching for answers.

I was weak, no matter how hard I fought. The truth is, what he said is true. I know Baba, and if he makes up his mind, he doesn't back up.

I quickly turned, amazed by his words. "Look, I'm sorry, Munira, but if we won't work, I wouldn't want you to marry someone I don't trust. I believe he will take care of you, like I said, if we are meant to be, we will be. No matter who you will meet or get engaged to, we will end up being with each other. No one can fight destiny. And another thing is, I'm going with my brother to Washington. He said he is not leaving me behind. I will go to rehab there and then continue studying."

"You are going?" I asked, trying to fight back my tears from falling.

"Yeah, I can't stay and see you with another," Ahmed replied, his voice filled with sadness.

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The morning was bleak and dry, filled with an air of inevitability. I had tried to avoid this day, but it had finally arrived. As I went about my routine, trying to mask the turmoil within, I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread.

Upon arriving at the hospital, I was greeted by Ahmed's friends, all gathered to bid him farewell. His flight to Washington D.C. was scheduled for the following day, and he had to be in Abuja by 7:00 p.m. that evening. As I entered, I noticed that his belongings were already packed and ready to go.

Yesmin approached me with a warm embrace, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay, Munnira?" she asked, offering me a seat. Ahmed, engrossed in conversation with Khalid, didn't notice my arrival at first.

"Hey Ahmed, your girlfriend is here," Yesmin announced, drawing his attention to me.

"Munnira, you're here," Farah said, hugging me tightly and inquiring about my well-being. Ahmed turned to me, his eyes locking onto mine, and I could sense the empathy in his gaze. He looked dashing in his black jacket, dark blue jeans, and white top.

"I've been asking Khalid for this jacket for ages, and now he thinks I deserve to wear it," Ahmed said with a chuckle, waiting for Khalid's response.

"Let me collect my thing if you don't want it," Khalid retorted, playfully teasing Ahmed.

"Let's give Ahmed and Munnira some space, shall we?" Farah suggested, nodding towards us.

"Farah you're practicing your motherly skills," Khalid said with a grin, as Farah playfully hit his head and chased him out of the room. The rest followed suit.

Ahmad chimed in, "I'm going to miss you guys so much. But I will miss you more, my angel," his voice filled with emotion.

"What's next?" I asked.

"I'll be going to rehab for two to three months, and my brother will be working on my transfer," Ahmed explained, his eyes locked onto mine. "Thank you for coming into my life and making it brighter than ever. I'll miss you like crazy."

He held my hands so tight not wanting to let go. I had so much to say, didn't know where to start from. I felt so much pain concealing my heart, my eyes to heavy to carry my emotion.

He brought a tissue, helping me wipe the tears off my face.

I wish we could stay this forever. I wish I could close my eyes and realize all this is nothing but a dream. I have so many unrealistic dream that will forever be dreams.

As we escorted him out of the hospital, the car waited, ready to take him away. Ahmed stood before us, his smile a mix of sadness and gratitude. I stood still like a statue, lifeless.

"Looks like we're ending where we started," I said, trying to hold back my tears. My hands were shaking.

"Yeah, it looks like it," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I wish it wouldn't" he added. Kept stirring

at as if intended on giving a hug.

In that moment, I wish to him tightly, unsure if it would be the last time I'd ever hold him again. As we parted ways, Celine Dion's haunting melody echoed in my mind: "Goodbye is the saddest word I will ever hear... Goodbye is the last time I will hold you near." The pain of that moment would stay with me forever.

I LOVE YOU and I will forever will.