The day has come

 

She sent for a car for her, Duniya didn't drive at least not here. Not in  this land that seemed lawless to her or at least with laws she did not understand.

Why was she here? In this space that scared the life out of her. 

But she was still going.  To see her. The woman she had been thinking of, pining for, consumed by. 

In the back seat of the car she remembered their first time. As her eyes lingered on the bosom of the only other passenger in the car. 

She felt a finger brush her brow, Duniya looked up embarrassed, fearful. 

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare she mumbled. 

Did you not? 

Kyakyawa did not seem angry or repulsed which was a relief. She didn't seem particularly excited or pleased either. 

Did you enjoy looking she asked Duniya. 

Her head was spinning again, this was a trick questions was it not? Duniya chose to say nothing. She may not have been able to even if she wished to. 

Oh now you are shy?

 You weren't shy when you were staring at me. Why do you look at me like a ... 

Like a what? Duniya said, angry and defensive. How am I looking at you?

Sshh! This is not the place for this conversation Kyakyawa said looking at the driver's vanity mirror. 

Of course the driver could hear everything. See everything. Report everything. And this was salacious enough to be worth reporting. Maybe worth getting paid for. 

Duniya sat up embarrassed again. This was 2021 how could this still be a thing. But it was. It was a thing that could cause harm.

It was the same driver. It didn't matter today she was going to see her. Not unfulfilling phone calls or carefully worded texts. 

The car slowed down, as the security guard walked to the car Duniya started to wind her window down.  The driver honked the horn twice and the security receded, the huge gates slowly slid open. 

The driveway was vast, and green especially for the city. The car drove away from the palatial looking main house and swerve towards a leafy, bungalow at away from the main buildings it seemed. 

She smelt the incense first, sandalwood and musk. Yellow lights and floaty jewelled coloured curtains. She heard the faint strains of music she couldn't identify it didn't sound "western". 

Was this a party, Duniya felt disappointed she had been looking forward to time alone. Finally. 

She got out of the car and walked towards the orange light. The ceiling was surprisingly high, with large windows and it seemed everywhere was covered with plants and incense. There were a few women chatting on the cushions on the floor. 

A male in a jallabiya and tray serving drinks and traditional treats. 

She guessed it made sense to meet in public. Was this some sort of spa day for her friends? 

As she was offered the tray she asked where is Hajiya? 

The beautiful man smiled and said, which one? 

Of course polygamy there must be loads of Hajiya's here even their children and nieces were Hajiya's. Going to hajj in private planes was like going to Dubai for shopping sprees.

Hajiya Kyakyawa, Duniya mumbled quietly. Did she catch a look in his eyes or was she being paranoid. Again.

She's not yet here, he replied. Please have drink and something to eat. She did not want to eat. She was so disappointed. What was the point of all this? Maybe she should just ask for a car to take her home.

She walked into the parlour, nodded to the women chatting and walked around the sitting room fidgety. She should not be here. She should call Kyakyawa and find out what was going on. 

She had only had a text telling her a car was coming to pick her at a given time. She was so excited she hadn't thought to ask for details. She hadn't wanted to seem needy.

Why did she try so hard to not accept what she felt. It was cloying in here, she walked out through the side door to the courtyard and decided to explore. What did it matter. 

She heard a peacock's scream. It reminded her of her childhood and how she used to collect the peacock's feathers and how her step-mother used to take it from her to decorate the parlour for her father's visits.

She felt sad and was consumed with her memories when she heard the voice that had been haunting her. The woman who seemed not to exist in her real world. 

Are you hiding in the outside? 

Duniya felt alive and shock and breathlessness. I was looking for you she replied. 

You were? Someone told you I was here, outside? 

No. 

I just. 

Why are there people here? 

I mean.. I thought I was meeting only you. 

Kyakyawa smiled. You wanted to meet only me? Are you not meeting only me right now?

I thought, Duniya felt flustered. You know what I mean. 

I do. 

Duniya tried not to be tense or rude. But she was feeling played. 

I really wanted to see you. Duniya said again. Not caring how she sounded. 

And you are seeing me, Kyakyawa replied maddeningly. 

Duniya wanted to walked towards the woman and grab her in her arms and just kiss her hard and hold her. Hold her so tightly she wasn't sure she would ever let her go. 

She thought it, she felt it. But she didn't do a thing. She just stood there with longing eyes staring at the woman who she had allowed to torture her waking hours. 

Come and meet my friends Kyakyawa said. As she walked towards her. They are nice people. You will like them.