“It’s nice to find someone who loves me for who I am.” Zara adds, coming to the surface as he kisses her on the cheeks.

“Likewise. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way before about someone.” Marco admits, fixing the sheets aroud his waist. “You’re special.”

“No, you are. You’re the first guy in a long time that my Baba hasn’t tried to scare away.”

“For real?”

She nods, leaning in to his chest and kissing it. “Maybe he sees something in you that he sees in himself.”

Marco scoffs. “I wonder if he’ll feel the same way when he finds out about us.”

“Maybe, maybe not. He seems to accept you reliigon, though.”

“That’s probably because your Mama’s Catholic. And she comes from England. Your Dad seems to like the culture as well.”

“Maybe. Or else he actually wants to help you, who knows?” She puts her hands on his lips. “He’s unpredictable sometimes. Don’t say a word about us until he accepts you more okay?”

Marco nods. “Can I have some coffee? I need a caffiene kick.”

“Sure, only if you stay here okay?”

“Okay.”

Just as Zara begins to get up, she hears heavy footsteps thunder down the hallway and her name being called. Marco gets up and goes into the ensuiite, locking the door behind him.

She sighs as she hears the door next to her open. “Dad? I’m in here.”

Mahmoud swings the door open. “What where you doing in there?”

Zara yawns. “I went to the toilet.  The other one wasn’t free.”

“Okay, where’s that Marco kid?”

“He must have went home. Or else he’s hanging around with Adnan, why?”

“Just wondering. Come down the stairs as soon as you’re finished. We’re leaving.”

Zara smiles. “I’m going to get Adnan to being me back home again because I’m still enjoying the celebrations and the moon’s nice.  I was going to have some tea and chill for a bit longer.”

“We have to go to see your Mama’s Sister tomorrow and do some errands for her. I want you and your brother to help.”

“I know and understand that, but do you not trust me? I’ll tell Adnan to bring me home for two. No later. I’ll have seven hours of sleep. You said we’re leaving at half ten, yes?”

Mahmoud nods. “i’m glad you’re responsible. Unlike your brother.” he reaches in to hug her. “Stay safe, okay? I’ll see you in an hour or so.”

“Thank you, Baba.”

“No problem.” Mahmoud adds, walking back down the hallway and outside into the gardens once again.

She lets out a sigh of relief as she hears the car engine start up. Marco flushes the toilet and opens the door. A stinky aroma floats arouns the room as she holds he nose and bursts out laughing:

“Maybe we should go downstairs and get the coffee. Uncle Amir can make you a good, strong cup. He’s good at that.”

Marco nods, fixing his shirt. “Yeah, sounds great. Does he have some pastries as well?”

“Probably let’s see the leftovers.” She yawns, taking him by the hand. They walk into an empty kitchen. Uncle Amir and Adnan are there. “Could you get Marco something to drink?”

Amir smiles. “Of course. What would you like?”

“Coffee and a snack.”

“What kinda snack?”

“We have churros or some Sellou, Ktefa or M’hanncha.”

“What’s the last one?”

“M’hanncha? It’s a snake cake. It has almonds a pastry in it. Half of it’s gone. Wanna try it with some churros?”

Marco’s eyes light up “Of course. Thanks. You’re too nice, Amir.”

Amir laughs. “Thank my wife, she made it. I’m just a mere servant, hosting the wonderful guests.”

Marco nods. “You’re all nice. No need to be so nice to a kid like me.”

“Why wouldn’t we be? You seem like a good friend to Adam and a decent guy.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem. I’ll be back in a moment okay?”

Marco nods. “Sure.”

Adnan sits between Zara and Marco, wearing a pair of lounge shorts, t-shirt and slippers. She looks at him innocently.

“Adnan, I need a favour. It’s one that will help me a lot. And Marco as well.”

“What do you need?”

“Would you mind bringing me and Marco back into town again? I told my Baba that you’d bring us.” Zara smiles. “I’ll pay for any fuel—“

“—No need to Zara. I’ll bring you both for free.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” Adnan smiles. “You’re family. Family doesn’t get charged. Only friends and drunks.”

“I should start doing that.” Marco smirks. “I’d make a lot of money off Adam.”

Adnan laughs. “Of course. He likes to drink. He likes to push boundaries and kiss himself in mirrors.”

Marco’s in stitches, laughing. “Is the last one true?”

Zara nods and shows him a picture of a prepubescent Adam kissing the mirror and flexing his ‘muscles’. “He’s so vain and weird.”

“What’s even weirder is the fact that you have that saved on your phone.”

“Mostly to annoy Adam and remind him to be humble when he brags on.”

“I see. That makes sense. Does it annoy him?”

“Kinda. I need a new photo. I think it’s starting to lose its effect. Adnan, do you have any?”

“I’ll ask my parents if they do.” Adnan winks as the coffee and food comes in. “That looks nice.”

Amir sets it down in front of Marco, who grabs the coffee and takes a sip. “These tastes like weak sauce.”

“There’s no real coffee left. We only have decaf, Marco. Sorry.”

“Oh okay that’s fine.” Marco blushes, munching on some food. “This snake cake’s delicious.”

“Glad you like it.” Amir nods and yawns. “I’m going to bed. Adnan, make sure everything’s turned off okay?”

“Sure.” Adnan adds, waving to his Dad as leaves to go upstairs. “So are we ready to rock and roll?”

”In a moment.” Marco mumbles, wiping the last of the crumbs from his face, nodding as Zara pulls him up.

Adnan laughs. “I guess we are now.”
---
Adam’s lounging across his bed in his boxers. Rehan’s sitting beside him on the floor, topless with nothing but her shorts and a compression bra.

Reaching his hand down, he strokes her freshly cut head of hair several times. “Sorry, this is satisfying.”

She laughs. “You can stroke it all you want. I like to keep it fresh.”

“I’d keep mine like that but it’s a pain trying to save up for a fresh cut every few weeks.”

“Come over to mine and I’ll give you a line up. And I can do your beard too.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You know how to trim stubble too?”

“Yeah. I have Polycystic Ovaries. That and the fact I’m dark haired makes me look like a teenage boy starting puberty.”

Adam laughs and ruffles her short, fine hairs. “Nothing’s changed then?”

“If I let it grow long enough, I look like a cholo. That takes a few weeks. I just shave it because it looks weird, you know?”

“Yeah I get it. A woman with a beard’s weird because a lot of people associate it with freak shows.”

She nods. “I was just glad to be out of that house and not take any medication any longer. I explained things to my doctor and she was pretty chill about it.”

“I’m glad—“

“—Adam, you don’t know how amazing it is to finally be free. To be your own person and live your own life. To thrive in the face of adversity—“

“—I wouldn’t exactly call living here and working in the supermercado thriving but I understand your point.”

He smirks at her as she playfully hits him on the chest and bursts out laughing. Adam pulls her up onto his bed and smiles as she lays her head on his chest.

“People think it’s easy to be an adult, but in reality, it’s not. You’re just a kid with a big body with more money, more problems and slightly more wisdom. No-one has it all figured out,” she adds, “it takes a lifetime to figure out how to become one, and by that time, it’s too late. You’ve already passed on.”

He laughs. “That’s it. My Baba’s just an old child in an experienced man’s body then. He likes cartoons still but he’d never admit that publicly. I caught him watching some English show once when I was younger He pretended that he’d put in on for Zara.”

“I thought you hated your Baba?”

“No. That was just teenage angst. We argue a lot more now and disagree with each other, but he means well. And he also has to understand that I’m becoming a man now. I’m not the same little kid that I used to be. I need more freedom and time to find myself.”

“I get that. My Mama needs to understand that as well. No one has it all figured out. Not even Jaleel, and especially not me.”

“Yeah. My Baba thinks that Zara’s going to be fine but I still worry about her. She’s smart, feisty and independent enough but I worry about her passion taking over. And people taking advantage of her generosity.”

“It’s normal to worry about your little sister. It’s engrained inside every older brother, I think. Jaleel worries about me a lot and it gets annoying but I know he can’t help himself.”

Adam nods, tucking another cigarette behind his  right ear as he hums to himself. Absorbed in the moment, his eyes begin to close over.

Before he can start to think, his phone vibrates. Opening it up, he sees a blurred message from Adnan:

ADNAN: Do you wanna come out with us tomorrow night? We’re going to the new club in town.

ME: Sure. What time at?

ADNAN: I’ll call at eight. Told my Dad and he’s fine with it.

ME: Sounds good. See you then.

ADNAN: Also, Zara’s hanging out with me for another while. I’m bringing her home later. Want anything from the store?

ME: Just tobacco and papers. Thanks.

ADNAN: Ok, Primo. Hasta mañana.

ME: 👍

READ: 00:30

Yawning, he lets his eyes close over again. Listening to his heart beat, Rehan gets caught up in the hypnotic rhythm and lets it sedate her mind. The hairs tickle the back of her neck.

“Can I have the last cigarette?” she whispers, reaching over to grab the packet. He nods. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Adam wraps his arms around her waist as she moulds into him. Excitement brews in the air as their hearts beat together in sync. It’s been a long time since they were able to share a special moment like this.

Enjoying the silence. The escapism surrounding them. Something they can claim as their own. Two amigos, one moment. Relaxed and letting the music take over.

Everything seems cool.

Except for one thing.

The Saids have arrived home and the kitchen is a mess. Empty Taki packets, kebab boxes and cigarette butts cover the coffee table.

A faint aroma of smoke lingers in the air. As does the aftershave and last can of beer.

Thudding baselines overtake Mahmoud’s sighing as he swings open the bedroom door to find them both in the zone.

Turning on the light, Mahmoud’s horrified at what he sees. Adam squints back at him as he charges into the room:

“Boy, what the hell are you doing?!” he yells.

Adam jumps up as he walls vibrate. Rehan gets up too.

“Mahmoud, I can explain. It’s not what you think it is,” she adds in a calm voice, sighing as a box of chalk goes flying Adam’s way, “please calm down.”

“GET OUT!”

She backs off to the side. “Mahmoud, it’s Rahel.”

“Rahel?” He asks through heavy breaths. “Rahel Al Habib?”

She nods, trying not to shake. “I’m back.”