For a moment, I could only stare.
It was him.
Someone I had practically grown up with. Our families had been close for as long as I could remember, and he had once been one of the people I spent nearly every day with. We had shared countless childhood memories, until somewhere along the years, life pulled us onto different paths.
We had lost contact sometime during middle school, and I had never imagined I would simply find him standing here again after all these years.
"You...?"
A grin slowly spread across my face as disbelief gave way to recognition.
"Where have you been all this time?"
He laughed, looking just as surprised to see me.
And somehow, despite the years between us, the familiarity returned almost effortlessly.
He laughed- the same way I remembered. His tongue would rest between his teeth on the right, his mouth open as his laughter displayed them.
"Ariya! Look who it is. Seems like you guys still remember each other."
My mother came between us, making her presence known as she clasped both our shoulders.
"Saleh and his family have moved back to our previous neighbourhood. I found this boy during a visit to your aunt, and he came up to me. Obviously, I didn't remember him, but once I saw him laugh, it was clear that it was our little mischievous Saleh!"
My mother uttered everything in one breath while Saleh simply nodded along with every sentence.
He had grown taller than me, although he was a year younger. His build was larger now, but compared to Haider, he was still on the smaller side.
He was always a smiley boy, his mischievous antics often earning him scoldings and beatings from our ustad. Thanks to him, I got my fair share of scolding as well.
"I'll leave you two to catch up. Let me arrange the table for you."
"Thanks, Mom."
My eyes returned to Saleh, and his radiant smile welcomed me as soon as I did.
As I guided him through the living room, Haider stepped into our path.
He fixed his glasses before smiling in a way I had never seen before and asked in a rough voice,
"Who is this? I've never seen him before."
My surprise caused me to pause for a moment before awkwardly introducing them.
"This is Saleh."
I extended my hand towards him.
"He used to be my childhood friend. And Saleh, this is Haider, my husband."
I gestured towards Haider, and he extended his hand for a handshake.
They both shook hands, and I watched as Haider's grip around Saleh's hand tightened progressively.
Even Saleh coughed twice and tried to retrieve his hand back.
Haider finally released him.
"Pleasure meeting you," he said, his voice carrying the same politeness as his smile.
Something about it felt strange.
I glanced at him, but his expression had already returned to its usual calm.
Saleh rubbed his hand subtly before looking at me with an amused smile.
"So, you really got married?"
I laughed. "You sound surprised."
"I am. The Ariya I remember used to say she would never-"
"Never what?"
Haider's voice interrupted him. I turned towards him. He was looking at Saleh, one hand resting casually in his pocket.
Saleh blinked before chuckling. "Nothing serious. Just something from when we were kids."
"I see."
Haider nodded once.
Yet somehow, the words sounded less like a response and more like an ending.
I frowned slightly.
What was wrong with him?
Usually, Haider would have welcomed any guest without a second thought. He was reserved, yes, but never quite this... attentive. And then Saleh laughed again.
Haider's gaze shifted towards him.
Only for a moment.
But I noticed.
His jaw had tightened.
"Come," I said, glancing between them. "Mom should be waiting for us with dinner."
I reached for Saleh's arm to guide him forward. Before I could, Haider stepped beside me.
"I'll show him."
I looked at him.
"You?"
"Yes."
There was no hesitation in his answer. I stared at him for a second before stepping aside.
Perhaps he was simply trying to be a good host.
Or perhaps...
I glanced at the faint crease between his brows.
Perhaps Haider simply didn't like Saleh.
Although I couldn't find any readon as to why that may have happened and before I could think twice about me....
"Ariya! Come quick. Sarah is insisting that she will sit with you."
Joyah yelled from across the room while being repeatedly punched by Sarah, unable to handle her tantrums.
"Mom, Idrak?"
I hugged her from behind and enquired.
She shook her head for a no and began serving the other guests.
Disappointment settled over me but that was soon removed by another scream.
"Sister Arwa! Please help! Sarah is pulling on my hijab! Ariya where are you!!??"
I quickly ran to save Joyah from the little menace, completely forgetting that I have placed two polarising men together to entertain themselves.