“Luna! Luna!! Luna!!!”
“Aaaarh!!!” She sprang up in disgust, “ok, ok, I am up mum, I am up, aah!” She scuffed upset with her mum, checking the time she got even more upset when she realised it was just seven thirty “but it’s a Saturday” she moaned, falling back and pressing the pillow to her face. “Mum is just like a drill master” she thought getting to her feet slowly.
“Luna are you up?” Mother called standing outside her door.
“No mummy, I am down” she said with a bad mouth, “really, really down.”
She heard her mother laugh heartily, “throw all the tantrums you want, as long as you are down in 15 minutes.” Mother said smiling.
Everyone knew Luna, she was her worst in the morning, no one but Mum could get her to crawl out of bed and everyone avoided her in the early hours of the day, after mischief, it seemed sleep was her second-best friend, it was almost like she dreamed of what she would do and say when she woke up. Although she always got over her bad mood after a healthy hot breakfast, her mischievous and cheerful jovial nature usually took over, she had the sharpest mouth in the house and no one, not even mum and dad where spared the dread of its cut, she would tease her little ones, argue mum and dad to silence and occasionally when she was in the mood a little harmless prank here there was in order. All in all, Nusaybah Hassan aka Luna bear was a persistent pleasurable torment for her family. Yet none was loved more, all these were the down side to her character, she also had her good sides and lucky for her, they were many. She was such a care free soul, lively and spirited. The one thing everybody loved about her was she never held a grudge, almost like she didn’t know how to, insult her, cheat her, spank her, prank her, nothing got this lively girl down, other than her morning bouts of bad temper, she was always cheerful every other hour of the day. Another of her admirable character was her selfless nature and sense of responsibility. Being the first born, you will never find her lacking in her chores nor in her desire to help others with theirs. She loved helping others so much, it gave her so much joy and contentment. She would do her chores, help her little ones with theirs, help mum in the kitchen and if she wasn’t too busy even their neighbours.
10 minutes later she was down and eagerly waiting for breakfast, grumpily she walked to the dining table where daddy and her sibling sat.
“Good morning daddy” she greeted without cheerfulness.
“Ah, good morning darling, how was your night?” Mr Hassan responded cheerfully, putting the paper he was reading on the table.
“It was fine until mum woke me up” she complained.
“It always is until somebody wakes you.” He said smiling.
“Come now, don’t I even get a morning peck?” he inquired teasing.
“You will get your peck after I have eaten, two even, if you can get mummy to let me sleep till 10am every Saturday.”
Mr Hassan laughed at the funny face she made. “You really love your morning sleeps don’t you? Ok, I will see what I can do, make it five pecks and you got a deal.”
“four” Luna said.
“Deal” Mr Hassan smiled.
“Better save your pecks honey, daddy isn’t going to change my mind,” Mrs Hassan cut in as she stepped out of the kitchen, putting the tray on the table. “Now up you go, bring down the kettle from the cooker and set for tea.”
Grumbling, she stood and went into the kitchen, leaving mummy and daddy to smile at each other.
“She is rather grumpier than usual today.” Mr Hassan observed.
“She went to bed really late.” Usman Luna’s little brother answered.
“Why?” dad inquired.
“She was at Layla’s helping them clear and clean-up.” Usman replied.
“Clean Up? Is anything happening there?”
“Didn’t I tell you that Farhan is returning from his studies abroad?” Mummy asked unimpressed. “You forget everything” she teased.
“Except how beautiful you are” he teased back. “So, he already arrived?”
“No,” Khadijah cheeped in; “he is coming today.”
“Oh, I see” dad said smiling, “I am happy for them, we should go over and welcome him.”
“Yes, Mrs………. already invited us for dinner.”
“That’s good, will you be going to help out with the preparations?” Dad asked.
“No, I will be going,” Luna answered as she set the tray with cups of teas down.
“You seem excited,” Mr Hassan commented smiling at her.
“Yea, I really am,” Luna smiled for the first time, “he used to be my best friend when we were little; the boy was so gullible” she said laughing.
“Well, that boy is now a young man,” Mum cautioned her “…and your senior may I add, show proper respects, you understand me?”
“Yes, mum” she answered amidst mouth full, but it was obvious she wasn’t listening any more.
“This child” mum commented shaking her head.
“When did he arrive?” Luna asked Farida excitedly.
“Around 10am” Farida replied, equally excited, “he has grown so tall and thin too” she added laughing.
“He has always been thin” Luna replied, “remember how we used to tease him about not going out when it was windy or the wind might tow him away?” She was laughing.
“Yea, hahah”
“Young ladies, the meat won’t wash and cut itself,” Mrs Nazeer scolded coming into the kitchen in a haste. “Luna leave that to Farida, come and help me with the vegetables.”
“Yes ma’am” Luna said in a quirky voice, mimicking a soldier, “reporting for duty ma!!!” She saluted coming to stand in front of Mrs Nazeer.
Mrs Nazeer laughed, “sorry girls, I know I am a little spicy, but I am so excited, it’s been so long since I cooked for my son, I want his first meal back home to be perfect.”
“Just a little spicy?” Farida asked chucking, “if you say so mum.”
They all laughed.
It was almost before 7pm, before everything was ready, the giant dining table was decorated with many delicious looking delicacies.
“When would your parents be joining us?” Mrs Nazeer asked.
“I told them 7pm sharp, they will be here soon.” Luna replied.
Luna sat feeling restless and excited, he had not come down till now Farida said he was resting from the fatigue of the journey. Luna was really excited, although it was such a long time ago, he had been her best friend back then, her partner in crime. She was so eager to see him, she kept looking towards the stairs hoping he would come down.
“Faizah, go call your brother, I think we are all set here,” Mrs Nazeer said giving everything a detailed look.
“Just a minute mum, I need to get the drinks from the fridge”. Faizah called from the kitchen.
“Don’t worry, I will go,” Luna sprang to feet and dashed toward the stairs.
“Luna, you don’t have to go,” Mrs Nazeer was saying, but Luna was already half way up the stairs. Smiling and shaking her head, Mrs Nazeer went back to what she was doing. Luna was practically a daughter to this family; she went around freely.
She dashed up the stairs two at a time, her heart beating fast, without even bothering to knock, she bashed the door open and barged into the room.
Farhan raised his head startled, their eyes met, they both froze. She was still panting from running up the stairs, his mouth slightly parted as he looked at her, as if to speak but no words came out, “who was this?” He wondered, she looked strangely familiar but he couldn’t quite place her face, she didn’t move, she just stood there frozen to the spot, staring at him, “God what a face” he thought, unable to look away, from the human perfection that just barged into his room.
And it was true, Luna was no miss world, but she was damn close, she had long yet shapely face, pretty curvy lips, small and pink, crisp fair complexion. Although it was hard to place, most just place her between fair and chocolate. Slim for her average height with a shape and figure any man would find appealing. The most striking feature about Luna were her eyes, lively yet almost sleepy at the same time. There was a certain brightness about them, they shun with live and warmth and a certain cheerfulness that was hard to miss, when she stared, it was almost like their green depths emitted peace and tranquillity. She could soften the hardest of hearts with those eyes, as if not enough, she had a natural smiling face, it was even hard to tell when she frowned and she hardly ever did, except in the morning of cause. In all, a perfect creature, she reminded an observer of beauty and innocence in its natural form. It was to such a beauty that Farhan was greeted, hard as he tried his eyes remained glued to hers. She was dressed casually in loose three-quarter trousers and a stylish lady t-shirt, her hair was plaited behind her back, he couldn’t see how long it was, but it went below her shoulders, she had an apron on making her even more feminine.
And Luna? she didn’t know why but she couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, couldn’t look away from those eyes, he was sitting on the rug, his legs crossed in front of him, there was an open Quran in front of him, he had a white cape cap on, a white long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans. She felt so strange, so silly, her heart raced as she felt something creep down her spine, then to her stomach, it was suddenly hard to breathe. He looked so different from what she remembered, yea he still had that gentle face, piercing gaze, but still, something was different, really different. She always used to run into his room like this in the past. Why did it feel so strange now? Luna wondered. Going into her brother’s room never felt like this either. A certain kind of awareness nudged at her senses. Getting her breath to normal she smiled, natural and pure. It was a breath-taking sight.
Have seen that promise?
That promises other promises?
That give surety of a glorious beginning?
Of friendship and understanding?
Of companionship and trust?
And respect that will last?
Have seen that promise?
That assures the heart, and gladdens the soul?
That proposes peace, which is given at ease?
And is easy to believe?
That cannot be doubted?
And is more than a simple vow?
Of happiness and a lot more to come?
Well, that is exactly what I saw, the first time you smiled.
After what seemed like an hour, he looked away briefly, it gave her the chance to recover a little, Farhan kept trying to place the face, she looked so very familiar.
“Um…hi, good evening, welcome…” she tripped upon words, her composure a bit rattled.
“Hi,” he responded smiling.
It was the most seductive voice she had ever heard, soft and deep, just that one syllabus word had a musical touch to it, nothing like what she remembered.
“Uhm, mummy said to tell you dinner is ready.” Her own trembling voice surprised her. She looked down as soon as their eyes met. Her heart had done a jump once more. Immediately, her cheeks red with embarrassment and something new for her.
“Ok,” he said closing the Quran, “I will be down in a minute, thanks”.
Nodding quickly, she turned to leave, unable to stay there any longer.
“May I know who you are?” Words left his mouth before he could stop them.
Turing to face him, she gasped unable to conceal her shock, “you don’t remember me?” She asked in a tone full of disbelief.
“You look very familiar,” he said feeling a little guilty, “it’s just that I have been away a long time, I know I know you, but I just can’t place your face,” he smiled an apologetic look on his face.
“But I never forgot you,” she whispered barely audible even to herself,” she had never felt so disappointed in her entire life. Turning to shield her disappointment from him, she took a deep breath to stop her from crying, “everyone is waiting.” She announced as boldly as she could and walked out with her head held high.
Farhan sat there transfixed to where he sat, “what just happened?” he thought rubbing his hand over his face to break the spell, he thought such beauty only existed in peoples’ imaginations, “who is she?” He wondered trying his best to remember, “she certainly knew me,” he thought recalling how she looked at him and the shock on her face when he asked her who she was. “Well, I guess I will find out at dinner,” he said getting up. “Hmmn, my first meal with family after such a long time, I can’t wait…”
Dinner was superb, there were about 10 people all together, Mum had invited their long-time neighbours the Hassans over, everyone was so happy, just he as remembered, the Hassans were so lively and cheerful, making everyone laugh to their fullest, “but where is Luna?” He kept wondering, she hadn’t come with her family. He wanted to ask but thought better of it. The strange girl sat facing him on the other side of the table eating silently, or more appropriately, tossing her food around the plate. Since he came down, he had tried to no avail in establishing eye contact, she kept avoiding his gaze.
“So how was London son?” Mr Hassan asked conversationally.
“It was fine uncle, being away from home is never easy but Alhamdulillah, I am back now.”
“Yes, Alhamdulillah, you look so mature now and look how tall you have become” Mrs Hassan commented beaming with pride.
“I heard you were the best graduating student, law is such a tedious course, we are really proud of you son.”
“Thank you uncle,” he responded shyly.
“Luna” Mum called, “are you ok? You haven’t touched your food, aren’t you hungry?”
“No aunty, I am not hungry” she answered forcing a smile, “I already ate while we were cooking,” she lied.
“Such bad habit” Mrs Hassan commented with disapproval, “you ladies these days will nearly finish the whole food while cooking all in the name of tasting.”
Everyone laughed, someone choked.
“Hey son, are you alright? Have some water, here you go”, mum handed him a glass.
Farhan couldn’t believe his ears, nor his eyes, “Luna? This lady is Luna? Little Luna bear?” His shock was so evident that mum had to ask. “Are you ok Farry? Take some more water if the food hasn’t gone down well.”
“I am ok Mum,” he managed to say, all the time his gaze never leaving her face, she still refused to look at him. No wonder she looked so shocked when he asked who she was, Farhan thought cursing himself inwardly, but it all made sense now, looking at her like this, those eyes, the brows, the little curvy lips, yes this is Luna, bigger Luna, more beautiful out of earth gorgeous Luna, but yes, still Luna, “God, how she had changed,” he thought still in shock.
Then she looked up slowly, very slowly, their gaze held each other’s and both once again experienced that sensation, that chemistry neither could deny, his heart did a tumble, his breath quickened, he felt strange, something he had never experienced before. Dispassionately and without interest she looked away pretending nothing had happened.
“You two haven’t spoken” mum observed looking at Farhan then Luna. “Farhan, you do remember Luna don’t you?”
Feeling totally ashamed of himself, he replied. “Of cause mum, how could I forget her, my best friend,” he said smiling at Luna. “She was so little when I left,” he added, hoping that would plead his case.
“Well, she isn’t little Luna bear anymore as you can see” mum smiled winking at him. He blushed instantly, much to his embarrassment.
Throughout dinner, he tried to get her to even look at him, but she ignored him totally.
After dinner, Mr and Mrs Hassan thanked mum for the wonderful meal and got up to leave, Farhan and mum escorted them to the door. All the time, he tried to pass a word over to her but couldn’t find the right time as he was the centre of attention, everyone was still welcoming him, wishing a bright future and all that. So, it ended with him not being able to talk to her and it didn’t help that she ignored him totally also.
Farhan paced up and down the garden, he had been waiting here for about 30 minutes, it had been three days since his return and still he hadn’t seen her again, she had refused all his request to see her, claiming she was busy. Today however, with Farida’s help, she reluctantly agreed to speak to him. Just when he was about to give up and leave, he heard footsteps and she appeared, he forgot the air was meant to breath in, she was wearing a green gown that went just below her knees, her long hair was plaited into a pony tail. He couldn’t decide which suited her better, the pony tail or when she wore it loose, she had no makeup on but her natural pink lips didn’t need any lipstick.
“Hi,” he said in a friendly tone.
Folding her arms and raising her jaw in the typical Luna way she always did when she wasn’t happy with him, she didn’t even bother replying.
Coming closer, he continued, “how have you been? I haven’t spoken to you since that night at dinner.”
Still she said nothing, not even bothering to look at him.
“You have grown so big, I didn’t even recognise you the other day,” he said jovially, trying to make it sound trivial.
Turning to look at him “if that is all you have to say, I am leaving.” with that she turned and was started walking away.
Signing deeply, “Luna I am sorry,” he said. She stopped but didn’t turn, “I know what I did was unforgivable, I have no excuse, I am really sorry, you know how foolish I can be sometimes.”
Turning to face him, “I am really disappointed in you Farry, how could you forget me of all people?” She sounded hurt.
“I know” he said feeling really ashamed, “believe me, it’s not that I forgot you Luna, you are my best friend, when I came back, I couldn’t wait to see you.”
“Yea right,” she scuffed “and when you finally saw me, you didn’t even know who I was.”
“I am so, so, so sorry Luna, haba mana, don’t be like this now, it’s just you look so…so…so...” he stammered.
“So what?” She snapped.
“Well, sooo...” he could find the right words. “Different” he concluded.
“Different?” She repeated, “Hmmn, you are joking right?! How different, what different huh? What is so different about me now huh, huh?” She asked challengingly
“Well now, you are uhm, well…”
“What?” She demanded.
“Beautiful!!!” he exclaimed finally.
“What?” She asked in surprise.
“Yes, you look much more beautiful than I remember, I still had my little Luna bear’s face embedded in my heart, I mean, I still find it hard to believe this is you,” he confessed.
Trying her best not to blush, “what are you trying to say? I was ugly before?”
“No, no, what I mean is, well…” he stammered “you know…”
At that moment she busted out laughing “If only you can see you face right now” she laughed, “you are not going to cry, are you?” She was still laughing.
“Phew!” He breath relaxing a little, “you got me there.”
“Hahah, sure did” she smiled turning to face him fully, “just so you know, if you ever do something this crazy again, I will never talk to you again.”
“Deal” he smiled.
Then unexpectedly, she closed the gap between them and hugged him. Farhan’s little eyes flew wide open as she pressed her body to his. “I missed you so much,” she whispered.
Smiling, he held her closer, his whole world spinning around, then slowly, very slowly she stepped back, looking down to hide the heavy blush on her face.
“I really missed you too Luna, you don’t know how much.”
She smiled, “come tell me everything about your stay abroad” she said excitedly, pulling him to a sit in the chair near the rose flowers.
“Everything? Wow, that will take me approximately 8 years.” He said jokingly.
“Hahaha, you haven’t changed at all, well, I have time, schools are on holiday, I am totally bored”
They spoke about so many things; it was so much fun catching up on old times. It was beginning to get dark before they decided to path for the day.
“Wow,” Farhan said feeling at ease, “you haven’t changed one bit. you crazy girl.”
“Look who is talking, as if you are any better.”
They both laughed.
“So, good night?” She said standing up.
“Yes, good night” he said standing up too, “I enjoyed myself.”
“Me too,” she smiled looking deep into his eyes, her heart stirred, she felt wonderful and touchy, the wind blew gently, it smelled of fragrance from the flowers in the garden. “Good night,” she whispered one more time as she brought her pony tail to fiddle with her fingers.
“Here,” he said handing her a rose flower.
“Thanks,” she breathes totally taken by surprise, “when did he get that?” She wondered smiling at him.
“Good night” he said on last time.
He watched her as she walked away, such beauty such grace, then she looked back and smiled before walking out of sight.
Farhan breathe deeply, he felt like falling down on the grass, he felt like shouting, running widely, singing, oh such a feeling…sleep didn’t come easy that night, he kept thinking about her, her voice, her smile, her eyes, the feeling was strange for him, Luna was like a sister, but this feeling was unique, special, he didn’t know what it was, but all that he knew was that he liked it.
And Luna? She wasn’t feeling much different, if this was a virus, she was infected through and through. She found herself smiling at nothing in particular as she walked back home, occasionally, she brought the rose to caress her cheek, she couldn’t remember the last time she was so delighted about anything, yet, she couldn’t quite decide what it was that delighted her so.
God, how she missed him, she didn’t realise how much until they spoke, until she hugged him, her heart did a flip as she recalled how she tingled all over, her cheeks felt hot and her legs, weak. It was such a strange experience for her. After they had first met and he had failed to recognise her, she had struggled with the urge to run over and give him a piece of her mind and get the whole thing over with. But oh! How beautiful it sounded to hear him apologise like that, even more beautiful was his calling her beautiful, “So I am now beautiful?” she smiled naughtily whispering to herself, then laughed at her own childishness.
She marvelled at how at ease she felt around him, it was like he never left, he still seemed like the same Farhan, except now he seemed a more composed, matured and a little bit quieter, or was it calm? She didn’t know, all she knew was that whatever it was, it made that personality of his more impressive. He seemed so familiar, yet strangely, the feeling was different, different not in that it lacked any of the beauty she remembered, but because it was accompanied with something she couldn’t explain. And if he thought she was beautiful, or was it more beautiful than before? Then, he was no less more handsome than she was more beautiful. His long lashes had grown longer, forming a covering for his deep white and jet-black eyes, it seemed to make it easy for him to hide his expressions and emotions, his pink lips now looked kind of red instead, somehow, they were smaller than she remembered, his complexion was much fairer than before thanks to his stay abroad. He was much taller than she was despite her average height, she was just a bit above his shoulders. He wasn’t as slim as he looked from afar, his height made him look slimer than he actually was, when she hugged him, she was surprised at how built he was. “And his voice,” she thought inhaling deeply from the rose, trying to remember how it sounded, deep and gentle, slow and fluent, he had a hint of British accent when he spoke English and a certain elegant natural touch when he spoke Hausa their native tongue, definitely poshed, she smiled.
But despite all these, he was still Farry, her very own Farry, her friend, her brother, her partner in crime, there was no pride nor arrogance in his manner, if anything, he was much more humbled than she remembered, more sober and down to earth. He laughed easily, teased and joked just as much.
Luna smiled realising she had reached their front yard without her even noticing it.
Now that he was back, she didn’t know what the future held, but whatever it was, it promised to be fun judging from the way she was feeling right now. Hiding the rose behind her to escape the teasing she would undoubtedly receive from her littles ones if any saw it, “especially that Usman,” she thought smiling as she went in.