by Dyanne Davis
Twenty minutes later, her buzzer sounded. She would have ignored that as she had the phone, but the person wouldn’t stop. When she finally went to the intercom, it was Ongela. There was no way to pretend now that she wasn’t at home. Heaven braced herself and buzzed her friend in, surprised when Peaches and Latanya showed up as well.
“What’s up?” Heaven asked, moving away from the door to allow them in.
“You. You’re tripping because Ongela went out with Hamid. And you’re pretending that you’re okay with it. We’re not going to allow you to close the door on our friendship; we’ve been friends way too long for this nonsense.”
“Yeah,” Latanya chided in, “you should have just told this stank heffa to get her hands off your man.”
Heaven laughed and agreed, then caught herself. “Hamid is not my man, and he had a right to go out with anyone he wanted, even a stank heffa,” she added, looking at Ongela.
“Do you want to know what we talked about the whole evening?”
“Me, right?” Heaven snickered, “Like I’m going to believe that.”
“Believe it or not, we did. He’s fallen for you big time.”
“Did he say that?” Heaven sat on the arm of the sofa, trying to pretend that she didn’t care.
“Of course he didn’t. He’s as bad as you are. But he kept asking about you. I was so sick of him that I was glad when he took me home.”
“Really?”
“Not really, he’s fun, but he’s too into you and I don’t want your dirty seconds.”
“I haven’t had him,” Heaven corrected.
“It’s not because you can’t. Hamid wants you, and judging from the way you’ve been avoiding all of us, you want him too. If you had admitted it in the first place, none of this mess would have happened.” Peaches splayed her hand on her hips. “Now you two get over it, hug and make up.”
Heaven hopped from the arm of the chair, met Ongela halfway, and flung her arms around her friend.
For the next two hours, her friends stayed with her, talking and laughing over ill-fated relationships and men. When they were gone, Heaven felt more relaxed. She hadn’t known she’d been stressed, but apparently she had been, because she felt comfortable now that she knew Ongela wasn’t interested in Hamid. And more importantly, that Hamid wasn’t interested in Ongela.
* * *
Hamid had been answering Sassa’s questions for over an hour. He’d grown weary of defending his relationship with Heaven. “Enough,” he finally admonished.
“That woman has you acting crazy. You don’t attend family parties; you spend every free minute of your time with her.”
“She’s helping me understand American culture.”
“Why, Hamid? We get along just fine. I have many American friends but I am content to learn about Americans from the things we do together. I don’t require a tutor. You’re giving her most of the money you make and you’re refusing to take more from your father. Maybe you are crazy. You need money, Hamid, to go out and have a good time, to get a woman.” Sassa smiled.
“It takes money to take care of your physical needs. How are you going to do that if you keep giving Heaven all of your cash? Does she know she’s leaving you destitute?”
“It isn’t her concern. I offered to pay her and she accepted. Besides, we both know I’m far from destitute. It’s a business arrangement, Sassa.”
“A business arrangement? Lately you can’t afford to do anything else since you’re refusing to accept even the interest from what’s rightfully yours. And I don’t see that you’re getting anything useful out of your money.”
“I’m getting to know American people.”
“One person, Hamid, you’re getting to know one person and she doesn’t appear to be melting in your direction. You forget you were angry when you called. You weren’t so happy with her then.”
Hamid sighed loudly and groaned. “If I needed a mother, Sassa, I would return home.”
“You might mot need me to be a mother, but you do need me to tell you that you had better have your father wire money into your account, or stop blowing all your funds on this woman. Either that, or work more. You’re not working as much because you’re trying to spend time with her, and every time you do, you have to pay her.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Have you seen her even once when you didn’t have to pay her?”
Hamid didn’t have to think about it. Yes, he had. They’d had dinner. When he told this to his cousin, Sassa wasn’t convinced.
“Who paid for dinner?” Sassa asked.
“I invited her.”
“Do you think the two of you are friends, Hamid? Has she ever invited you to her home to cook dinner for you?” Sassa smirked. “Do you think she’s invited her girlfriends over?”
“I have never cooked for her either. Thank you. I think I will do that. Besides, I am trying to introduce her to our dishes.”
Sassa looked at Hamid and laughed. “How do you plan to buy the food to prepare? You’re broke.”
“If she comes I will find the money.” He put a finger up. “And I will not call home for money.” Hamid saw the gleam in Sassa’s eyes. “And I will not borrow it from you.”
“There will probably be no need, because if she’s not getting paid, she’s not coming.”
Hamid wanted to make a bet with Sassa, to tell him he was wrong. But the truth was he didn’t know what Heaven would do. He doubted that even Heaven knew.
* * *
Heaven finished her yoga exercise feeling better, more focused. She wasn’t working for the next two days because it was time to put her plan into action. She was going to strike out on her own and open up her own health care registry. For the past year, she’d been saving every dime, talking with nurses, X-ray technicians, phlebotomists, and doctors. She now had a contact list and could start putting her plans into motion. She was meeting with a lawyer and accountant in the next few days, and then she would find an office to rent.
Heaven had thought of operating out of her apartment, but knew perception was everything. If clients thought she was a small timer they might not come to her. If they thought she had an exclusive client list, they would beg for the services of her and her staff. She’d worked long and hard for this. Before, the money had been earmarked for Brandon’s office; now it was all going to be for her business.
* * *
Hamid was about to enter the fourth karate school in the neighborhood when a strange sensation came over him. This was the one. This place smelled of musk with a faint lingering aroma of lemons. Stepping inside the door, he felt her energy. He looked around for the instructor and spotted a man in uniform coming toward him.
Hamid stuck his hand out and smiled before beginning the same story he’d given to the last three instructors.
“Hello, I was thinking of starting karate lessons and wanted to ask about your classes and prices.”
“Have you ever taken lessons before?” the instructor asked.
“No,” Hamid replied and looked innocently around the room before bringing his eyes to rest on the teacher. “I have a friend that takes lessons, Heaven.”
He saw a slight flicker in the man’s eyes but he did not acknowledge knowing Heaven. He made no comment. Hamid smiled. “I like the energy here. I think I would like to try a few lessons.”
In an hour’s time, Hamid had paid the fee and ordered a uniform from the instructor. He wanted badly to ask what days Heaven practiced but didn’t, his instincts telling him that if he so much as mentioned Heaven’s name again the man would kick him out and return his check. There was one more thing Hamid needed to do.
* * *
Hamid ran to his class out of breath. In less than a month he would be done. School would be over and he only had to wait a few months until the next scheduled licensing exams to become a doctor and get his license, then he would return home. Having an American license wasn’t necessary to practice back home, just as an American edu
cation wasn’t, but it was highly honored. Most important of all, it was what Hamid’s father wanted for him, and the one gift Hamid was able to provide.
The thought of returning home brought mixed emotions. The thought of seeing his homeland and his family and friends filled him with joy, but the thought of never seeing Heaven again filled him with an undeniable pain. Sassa was right; he was falling in love with her.
Forcing himself to focus on the lecture, Hamid pushed thoughts of Heaven away. He needed the information being given. He didn’t want there to come a time he needed to know what was being taught and he’d not heard because of his daydreaming. When his class was over, he slipped his cell phone from his pocket and took a deep breath, hoping Sassa was wrong in his assessment of his relationship with Heaven.
“Heaven, where are you?” Hamid asked the moment she answered, not mentioning their last fight. There was no need. They were always fighting. Besides, if he mentioned it he would have to say something about the fact that he had joined her school.
“I’m at Rush. I was just getting ready to go to lunch. Why?”
Hamid smiled to himself. Fate was once again putting things in order.
“I’m only ten minutes from there. If you’ll save a place for me at your table, I’ll join you.” Before she could say no Hamid clicked the phone off and made a mad dash for his car. He made the ten minute drive in seven and was walking toward Heaven within another ten seconds.
“Hi,” he said sitting down, ignoring the way she was looking at him. “I want to make dinner for you. Will you come?”
Heaven’s lips slid apart and she reached for the fruit on her tray and handed it to him. “Here, I bought this for you.”
She’d not answered his question. As Hamid took the fruit, he touched her hand and lingered there for a moment. “Will you come?”
“When?”
“When are you available?” Hamid asked, holding her gaze.
“I don’t work tonight and tomorrow I’m off.”
“How about tomorrow?” Hamid bit into the apple Heaven had given him in order to hide his nervousness.
She shrugged, “Sure.”
“Heaven, you do understand that I’m inviting you as a guest…I’m not paying you?”
Sparks flashed from her eyes. She was insulted. “Don’t be angry,” he said quickly. “It’s just that I wanted to make sure you were aware what I was asking, that’s all.”
“Hamid, in case you didn’t know, I do have an understanding of an invitation and what it means.” She shook her head. “You know, I think I might be busy tomorrow night.”
“Please, Heaven.” He rolled her name on his tongue, loving the way it sounded in his mouth. “I didn’t intend to offend you. Please come and I will make you a fantastic meal. We’ll have fun, I promise.”
She was studying him, making him wonder if she would still rescind her yes.
“Heaven.”
She didn’t answer, just continued to stare at him. “Heaven,” Hamid said softly and reached his hand to touch her. He saw her tremble and pulled back. “I just want to cook you dinner and maybe play some new Marvin Gaye CDs that I bought.”
“Marvin Gaye is dead, he’s not making music.” Heaven shrugged her shoulders. “At least as far as I know he’s not making music. So what you bought must be old.”
Hamid grinned. She was teasing him. “Next week I have a cousin who’s getting married at the mosque in Villa Park. Would you like to go?”
“As your date?”
“Yes.”
“Sure, I’ll go,” Heaven said, then laughed, “but I’ll go as your friend.”
Hamid would take that. Friend or date, it didn’t matter at the moment. She would be there. Three months ago, she would have sworn she’d never go. They were making progress.
He wrote down his address and watched as her eyebrows drew together. But she didn’t say a word, leaving Hamid to wonder if her silence was a good thing or a bad thing.
* * *
Hamid ignored Sassa laughing at him as he stirred the rice and added onions, garlic and peas, then carefully washed the tomatoes for the salad.
“I thought you were tired of cooking for yourself? Now you’re cooking for a woman.”
“But you’re forgetting the woman is Heaven, and that I want to cook for her.” Sassa smacked Hamid on the right side of his head. “Sassa, you’re the one who said she wouldn’t see me if there wasn’t money involved.”
“Then she must want something else.”
“She does, she wants dinner.” Hamid opened the oven and basted the chicken with olive oil. He stirred fresh cream and chives into the shrimp he had waiting on the back burner. He wouldn’t cook those until Heaven was there.
“You’re acting like a school boy.”
“I feel like a school boy,” Hamid laughed. “Stop trying to spoil it.”
“You said you weren’t going to pursue her.”
“Perhaps I changed my mind.”
“Shouldn’t you make sure she changed hers? Are you thinking of a future with her? Because I can tell you she isn’t thinking of one with you. You heard her, she only dates black guys, and you will need to marry a woman who believes in the same things that you do.”
“Sassa, you’ve dated many American women. What’s the big deal?”
“I never fell in love with any of them.”
“Were you looking to fall in love?” Hamid noticed that his cousin suddenly looked wistful.
“I guess for a time I was, but it didn’t happen. I don’t think it will. I called my father and asked him to pick out a bride for me. I’m ready to get married.”
“I thought you said you would never allow that to happen, that you would chose your own bride.”
“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think it’s such a bad thing to know that the woman I get will be faithful and keep a good home. Besides, I want to be a father.”
Hamid gave his cousin a long look before delivering his diagnosis. “Stop going to so many weddings. You’re becoming envious, that’s all.”
“Maybe, but I still plan on going through with it. And I’ve decided I want to get married in Pakistan. If you don’t come I will never speak to you again.”
Hamid turned from the stove to face his cousin. “Sassa, if you get married, I will be there. I have not changed my plans to return home.”
“With Heaven?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“It will never work. Take this meal, for instance. You’ve made it for her taste buds, but will you enjoy it?”
“That’s called compromise and being hospitable to my guest. As for the rest of it, sitting across from Heaven, in my home, there will be no way I will not enjoy the meal. Now, why don’t you leave?” he said, shoving Sassa toward the door.
“I’m staying to say hello.”
“Why?”
“I like Heaven.”
Hamid glared at him. “Is that why you’re discouraging me?”
“I said like, not love. I’m not interested in her. Didn’t you hear me? I’m going to get married. You’re welcome to Heaven.”
“Thank you,” Hamid said, annoyed at his cousin and not exactly sure why. He didn’t want him to want Heaven, but then again he didn’t like that he didn’t. “Listen, you’re leaving five minutes after you speak to her.”
Hamid had to have a way to bring control back to his side of the table.Within a short time, the bell was ringing and he was fighting Sassa to get to it. For some strange reason Sassa had appointed himself as a know-it-all. He thought Hamid should make Heaven wait, that he shouldn’t appear overeager.
“Heaven.” Hamid met her at the door. “Welcome to my home.” He opened the door wider and allowed her to enter. “You remember my cousin Sassa,” he said by way of acknowledgement.
“Of course.”
Heaven smiled at Sassa and a burst of jealousy hit Hamid squarely in the chest. He wanted to snatch Sassa’s hand from Heaven but didn’t. “Would you like
something to drink?” he asked instead.
“Water would be fine,” Heaven answered.
Hamid turned toward Sassa. “Would you like something?” He gave a warning glare and Sassa laughed.
“No, thanks,” Sassa said after a long pause. “Heaven, it was nice seeing you again, but I’m not staying for dinner.”
Heaven moved about nervously after Sassa left. She didn’t know why she was feeling so nervous. She’d been alone with Hamid dozens of times, but there was something in his manner, something in the way his cousin had snickered.
She found a chair in his living room and sat down. She took the water from Hamid’s hand and took a sip. She needed it. “What did you cook?” she asked, more to make conversation than because she cared. Heaven took in a breath, trying to tell what it was by the aroma. But all she could smell was a delicious blend of garlic and onions.
Hamid turned on the CD player and Marvin Gaye’s voice began singing as Hamid brought Heaven a platter of appetizers, bruschetta, cucumber on pita bread, and feta cheese sprinkled over fish. She took one of each, surprised that Hamid could cook. The food was delicious.
“What were you expecting?”
“Just dinner,” Heaven replied, “no expectations.” Hamid sat opposite her, not eating himself but watching her. “You’re making me nervous.” Heaven looked into Hamid’s eyes as the feeling got stronger.
“I don’t understand,” Hamid answered. “I’m doing nothing but sitting here.”
“It’s the way you’re looking at me. Stop.”
“How am I looking at you?”
“We’re friends, Hamid. I want us to remain friends.”
“And something about the way I look is making you think we can’t be friends?”
“I know that you have certain ideas that I don’t like concerning American women.”
“You think I’m judging you, Heaven?”
“You’ve judged every woman in this country. You call us whores.” She waited for Hamid to deny it but he didn’t. He shrugged his shoulder.
“That was one of the reasons I wanted to learn firsthand about your culture. I have heard stories about American women, but from my time with you I can see that some of the things I was told may not have been true.”
