A taste to remember

Chapter three

Ahmad pov

I wake up every morning, gazing at my watch, waiting for her to open that door. The mornings I cherish most are those I wake up to the sound of her voice, her beautiful face being the first thing I see. Those days never turn out bad for me.

"Al Kerry, Ooww, Al Kerry," I whisper to myself, my eyes still fixed on the watch. It's already 9:30, and she's normally punctual, arriving by 9 am. I hope everything is alright.

The door creaks open, but it's not her. Another nurse enters, and I can't help but ask, "Please, have you seen Munira? Did she come today?"

The nurse replies, "No, I haven't seen her since I arrived. She's normally never late. Maybe she won't come today."

My mind races with concern. What does she mean? Why didn't she tell me? Al Kerry wouldn't do that to me. She comes every day, including weekends, even if it's just for a short visit.

I reach for my phone to call her, only to realize I don't have her number. It's already 11:30. Maybe something happened to her? Should I go to the doctor's office and ask? Fear and mystification grip me. What should I do?

Just then, I hear a voice mumbling my name. I lift my head, and it's her, standing in the doorway, unnoticed until now.

"Al Kerry!!!" I exclaim, relieved. "You got me worried," I add, letting out a sigh of relief.

She smiles, her teeth gleaming, wearing a black abaya with a touch of gold that fits her tall, model-like body. Pure definition of black beauty.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Something came up," she says, avoiding eye contact.

I study her facial expression, sensing something is amiss. She looks down, as if something bad has happened.

"Are you okay?" I whisper, my voice low.

"Yeah," she answers without lifting her head.

"You're lying. What's going on with you?" I press, my eyes fixed on her face, waiting for an excuse.

When she finishes repairing my cannula, she drags a chair and sits in front of me. After taking a deep breath, she speaks, "My friend was gossiping about me behind my back."

I chuckle, teasing her, "And is this a new thing? Don't you girls do that often?"

She eyed me, her expression serious. "We girls? Seriously, Ahmad? If some girls do that, it doesn't mean all of us do. Plus, she was supposed to be my best friend."

I continue to tease her, "Best friend? You guys still do that? Are you kids?"

She gets up to leave, annoyed, but I catch her hand, understanding her frustration.

"I'm sorry, please sit down," I say, presenting a stiff face, willing to listen this time.

"What happened?" I ask, my voice soft.

She explains, her tone hurt, "I went to her hostel and overheard her telling her roommate something I confided in her. Something personal. I never expected this from her after all these years."

I offer her words of encouragement, "Always expect the unexpected, Al Kerry. People will disappoint, but don't let that get to you. Years don't determine the strength of a friendship. Just because you've known someone for a long time doesn't mean they're a true friend."

I move closer, my voice gentle. "Your friend doesn't deserve the name. A true friend wouldn't do that. Don't allow this to change your mood. Give me a smile, Alkerrrrryyy."

She smiles back, and we share a moment of connection.

Later, I ask her if she'll be free that weekend, as I'll be discharged soon and want to go out and have fun. She mentions a club meeting, and I learn it's a humanitarian organization focused on charity work and community service.

As our conversation comes to a close, I ask, "Will you miss me?"

Her tone doesn't match her words, and I sense a hint of sadness. "No, why would I miss you? You're a pain in the ass. I can't wait for you to leave."

I call her out on it, my eyes locked on hers. "You don't sound like it."

She finally admits, "I will miss you, Al Kerry. I will miss you a lot. Especially your big head."

We share a laugh, and as she leaves, I realize I'll miss her too. She's a friend I don't want to lose.

---

I see her sitting close to me, wearing my white T-shirt, her face glowing. She's rubbing my head with her soft palm, her smile shining brighter like a star. Her scent consumes the room.

"Munira," I call out, my voice filled with longing.

But as I open my eyes, I realize it was just a dream. I'm lying in bed, surrounded by the familiar walls of my room.

Small Mommy enters, arranging my clothes in the wardrobe. "You really like that girl, don't you?" she says with a knowing smile.

I stretch my body, feeling a mix of emotions. "Yeah, I do."

She finishes her task and heads to the kitchen, returning with a tray. "Little bee, I have something important to discuss with you," she says, her expression serious.

I sit up, my heart racing. "What is it, Small Mommy?"

She hesitates, choosing her words carefully. "I have to travel to Lagos for an official trip. I'm not comfortable leaving you alone right now, but it's urgent. I think I'll hire that nurse to check on you every weekend. What do you think?"

I sense there's something she's not telling me, something hidden behind her eyes.

"Everything okay, Small Mommy? What's the trip about?" I press, my voice firm.

She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Everything's fine, Ahmad. Just an official trip. I'll make sure you're taken care of while I'm away."

I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. But as she leaves the room, I can't shake off the feeling that she's hiding something from me.

The days pass slowly, and I'm discharged from the hospital. Small Mommy plans on hiring Munira to check on me every weekend.

As I settle into my new routine, I realize that my feelings for Munira goes beyond gratitude. I'm drawn to her kindness, her compassion, and her beautiful smile.

But as I navigate these new emotions, I'm aware of the challenges ahead. Small Mommy's trip to Lagos, the secrets she's keeping from me, and the uncertainty of my own future all weigh heavily on my mind.

One thing is certain, though - my life will never be the same again, thanks to Munira's presence in it. And as I look forward to her next visit, I know that I'll do everything in my power to make her stay a part of my life forever.