Inayah walked out of the bathroom after taking her bath and saw her phone ringing.
''Clara'' Inayah answered and kept it on loudspeaker as she applied her skin lotion.
''What happened? Did you see his face?''
''No, he just told me to move out if I know what's best for me''
''What?''
''Yes. Clara, the way he looked at me; it was so creepy''
''Ayah, sell the house and move in with us''
''No, I can't do that. Hey, hang up, I'm tired. I have to go to work tomorrow''
''Anyway, just be careful and don't go near that window''
''Stop nagging already and go to bed'' Inayah hung up and heard splatter of rain. She walked to the window and tightened the towel around her body. ''Oh, when did it start raining? I didn't even notice''
Inayah went back to the closet and soon came out wearing her night pyjamas and went to the hall to eat.
''I can't believe I forgot to even eat. Is all that stalker's fault? Now that I think about, he was really scary. I should stay away from him and anything that has to do with him. Telling me to move out of my own house; what guts he has''
####
Early the next morning, Inayah woke up and got ready for her work at Hanna's diner. She was for morning duty so she had to hurry up and not get there late.
When she finished dressing, she picked her bag from the couch and went out of the house and locked it, putting the keys inside her bag pockets.
Inayah stepped back by the entrance when she saw a group of four cars coming out of the mansion and she frowned. This time she didn't run away or hide. She stood in front of her gateway and watched them curiously as they passed by.
When the third car passed by she instantly locked eyes with the man. They both looked at each other before he looked away and Inayah also started walking away, using the other side of the road.
.....
Hanna's diner.
Bertha finished serving a customer and turned to Inayah and asked, ''so, school starts on Monday''
''I know, right?'' Inayah smirked.
''Are you prepared?''
''Why? Are you worried about me?''
''Why would I be worried about you?''
''I thought as much''
''I'm just asking, if you're ready because everyone knows you're coming back''
''Who do I have to thank for that? I saw everything in the group page''
''Yes, I did it''
The door opened and a familiar figure walked in and went to the counter.
''But, I should really thank you. I don't have to be worried about surprising people anymore'' when she looked up to the next customer and saw the boy she asked, 'you?''
''We must really be fated; I didn't know you worked her?''
''What do you know about me?''
''You're right, I don't know anything about you. In that case; can we start by me getting your number?'' he took out his phone and Bertha whispered into Inayah's ear.
''You little vixen, I can't believe you managed to seduce him on your second day''
''Are you kidding me? He is not my type'' Inayah glared at Bertha.
''I would like to order now'' Noah said to them.
''I will deal with you later'' Inayah said to Bertha before turning to Noah. ''What can I get you?
''Your favourite''
''Listen to me, sir. You are not the only one here, please make your order and get lost''
''Manners, where are your manners, silly girl?'' Mrs. Hanna said as she walked out of the kitchen.
''Mrs. Hanna, he is not a customer'' Inayah replied.
Mrs. Hanna turned to look at Noah. ''Is that true, young man?''
''No, I come here every other day. Don't you remember me, ma'am?''
''Oh, now that I look at you; your face is familiar. Ayah, go and check the food in the kitchen. I will serve the handsome young man here''
''Alright''
Inayah went to the sink and started washing the dishes while murmuring to herself. ''What is wrong with him?''
Images flashed in her head and her face turned dizzy. Inayah quickly held the wall and frowned, ''what was that? Why do I get all flustered anytime I see this guy? Am I sick?''
''Inayah, are you alright?'' Gloria asked when she saw Inayah's paled face.
''I'm sorry to bother you Gloria but could you please handle the dishes for me? I'm suddenly feeling dizzy''
''No problem, go and get some rest in the rest room.
''Thanks, I owe you one.
''Don't worry''
A few hours later, Clara arrived at the diner with a small white bag from the pharmacy. She waved at Bertha before going to sit down. It didn't take long before Inayah walked out of the inner room to her.
''Hey, are you alright? I brought what you asked me for'' Clara pushed the bag towards Inayah. It contained her medicine which the doctor prescribed for hot flashes.
''Thanks, I will bring you pizza to eat''
''Alright'' Clara smiled and relaxed on the chair as Inayah went away.
Inayah soon returned and placed a two slices of pizza in a plate in front of Clara, ''eat''
''Thank you for the food. Are you not eating?''
''I had brunch''
''How are you preparing for school tomorrow?''
''Do I ever? I will just go with the flow''
''Leave school for a while and tell me, what happened with the mystery man yesterday''
''Before that, Clara. Something has been happening to me lately''
''What is it?''
''There is this boy that I met here the first day I arrived''
''You have a boyfriend, already?'' Clara asked with pizza in her mouth.
''Can you shut up and listen without interrupting me?''
''Sorry, go on''
''I was sitting over there and when he entered; some images came to my mind, like I've seen it somewhere before. I just had the feeling that, we've met somewhere; like I've lived a certain life before. Do you understand what I'm saying?''
Clara shook her head confused. ''Ayah, I don't understand what you're talking about''
''Right, I don't understand it myself. Just forget I said anything''
''Let's go to the hospital, maybe you're sick'' Clara suggested.
''Clara, you're here?'' Mrs. Hanna asked after entering the diner. Clara glared at the older woman and she knocked her head and she screamed.
''It hurts, Mrs. Hanna''
''I did it because it hurts. Don't glare at elders like that, silly girl''
''Mrs. Hanna, do you know that you're being biased?''
''Really?''
''How could you give Ayah, her job back but refused to hire me when I came looking for work?''
''Because I hate you, and because I am the boss here''
''Tsk!!! I knew you would say something like that''
''Then why did you bother asking?''
''Because I wanted to hear it from your mouth''
''How is your mum?''
''She is fine.
''Mrs. Hanna, can I take the rest of the night off? I need to buy some stuff for school on Monday'' Inayah asked.
''Of course''
''You see why I always say you're biased?'' Clara said and they all laughed.
...
Inayah saw an old woman struggling to pick something from a top shelf and she walked to her and asked, ''can I help you with that?''
The old woman looked at her and smiled, nodding her head. Inayah picked what she needed for her. ''Here, you wanted to pick this, right?''
''Yes. Thank you''
''Is that all? Do you need me to help you with something else?''
The woman smiled and shook her head. ''Have you met him, yet?''
''Huh? Who?'' Inayah felt crept by the woman's smile.
''The owner of the initials on your shoulder?''
''How did you know I have initials on my shoulder?'' Inayah held the cart to steady herself as she looked at the woman and asked. ''Who are you?''
''If you don't remember, then forget of it. Maybe is for the best'' the woman said and disappeared in front of her.
Inayah's legs felt weak and she suddenly fell to the floor. Her mind became hazy and she tried to shake her head and clear her eyes.
''Hey, are you alright?'' Noah who was at that place asked as he squatted in front of her. "Oh... you?" he smiled after recognizing her.
Outside the shopping mall, Noah walked to Inayah as she sat on a bench. He handed her a bottle of water.
''Drink this''
''Thanks'' Inayah took the bottle but her hands kept shaking. She couldn't shake off what she saw.
''What happened to you? You looked flustered; like you saw a ghost?'' Noah sat beside her.
''I think I did''
''What?'' he chuckled.
''I'm serious. She was definitely there with me, but, suddenly, I didn't see her again''
''Who?''
''An old woman''
''I didn't see anyone there''
''What were you even doing there?''
''I was running away from someone''
''Who?''
''Someone, you don't need to know''
''Okay'' Inayah stood up and said to him, ''I have to go''
''I already asked my driver to put your things in the car, let's go. I will send you home''
''Your driver? You have a car?''
''What is this doubtful look you are giving me? Yes, I do have a car'' Noah stood up.
Purplebride's corner: Hi everyone. Thanks for reading. if you enjoyed this and would like to read more, drop me a review. Support me with votes, comments and reviews.