‘Err . . .’ I stalled, trying to fabricate a believable story quickly enough for her to buy it. The twins didn’t know about the dynamics of my relationship with Zakariya and I intended to keep it that way. The last thing I wanted, or needed, was my aunt and uncle finding out that we sometimes hung out. They’d be on the phone to my parents before I could say ‘astaghifirullah’ – I seek forgiveness from Allah.
I decided to keep my answer as close to the truth as possible. ‘It’s just some guy. He’s texted me out of the blue when I haven’t heard from him in weeks.’
‘What’s wrong with that?’
‘Well . . .’ I took a sip of my mocktail while I figured out how to phrase it. ‘We sort of shared a special moment a long time ago. I thought we did, anyway. But then I never heard from him again . . . until now.’
‘What’s he saying now then? Has he explained his disappearance?’
‘No.’
‘Is it a booty call?’
‘Pinky!’ I spluttered, spilling a bit of my expensive drink in shock. ‘He’s asking how Dubai’s going!’
‘How does he know you’re here?’ Pinky continued, ignoring my reaction to her previous question.
‘He’s on my socials,’ I replied. ‘What do I do? Shall I reply? Ask him why he ghosted me? Ignore him?’
‘Definitely don’t ask him!’ Pretty interjected suddenly. I guess she was paying attention after all. ‘You don’t want to look desperate.’
‘I think you should ask him,’ Pinky disagreed. ‘He needs to know he can’t treat you like rubbish and then expect a booty call.’
‘Asking her about her holiday over text is hardly a booty call,’ Pretty rolled her eyes. ‘You’re so dramatic, Pinks.’
‘Oh and you’re not? What about the time that guy asked you for your number and you spent the whole evening looking at wedding lenghas?’
‘Piss off, I didn’t!’
‘You did! I bet while you’ve been touching up that business card, you’ve been wondering how much money that Salah guy has and if he’ll buy you an Elie Saab dress for your wedding.’
‘I haven’t!’ Pretty protested, her flushed cheeks suggesting otherwise.
‘Liar. You’ve bought half of Van Cleef in your head already!’
As the twins continued to quarrel, I took out my phone and typed an aloof message:
MAYA: How do you know I’m in Dubai anyway?
His response came immediately:
ZAKARIYA: I saw it on Pretty’s Snap.
My stomach plummeted faster than when I fell from the plane. WHAT. THE. HELL. DID. HE. SEE. ON. PRETTY’S. SNAP?
MAYA: What did you see exactly?
ZAKARIYA: You guys went skydiving? It looked incredible. Was that on your list?
MAYA: It was indeed. And it was pretty amazing. Did you see anything else?
ZAKARIYA: Where?
MAYA: On Pretty’s Snap?
ZAKARIYA: Bits and pieces. Are you having a good time?
