17 Oscillating Ocean

Cairo and I went to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport for Rum's send-off. We stood there for about 10 minutes. He was gone. He disappeared into the crowd promptly. The whole time he was with us, He kept staring at my bag. I wonder what is inside it. He probably wants me to open it but I deliberately didn't. Cairo drives back home and I open my bag and search into it.

I pull out an envelope with a "-.-" handwritten on it. It looks just like Nahla's envelope. I tear it open.

Hey Zy! I don't know where to start. This week was remarkable with your presence. The best part was you never used your revolver, Not even once.

* I'm laughing...

But it was adventurous nevertheless. We didn't get to spend a lot of time together but I'm looking forward to it in the future. Have a wonderful week.

With love,

Armaan

I read it only once and then stuff it back into the bag. Why do they have to leave a note compatible? I can't wrap my head around it. What is the relationship between them? I have only one way of finding the facts. I take my phone and send a text to Nahla to meet me in the Sky Room by evening. Dusk is elegant and eccentric in Finnland. I receive a text back shortly. She asks whether it is in the Clarion Hotel. I check the address and confirm it to her.

I reach home and open my wardrobe. I feel like outfitting. It's been too long ever since I dressed up for an occasion. I pull out a navy blue maxi. I usually don't step out without an abaya (lose-fitting garment) but since it is a full flowing maxi it would be alright. I match my outfit with a Tiffany shawl. I wear gold accessories. I look vibrant. I near really hang out with anyone. So, I really stand out dressed up like this.

I walk into the Sky Room after an hour. The sun is setting and the whole glass surface is getting lit up. My maxi flows like a waterfall behind me. I walk to the far off table just to get solitude. I look around and promptly find a Hijabi heading towards me. When she gets closer, I figure it is not Nahla.

"Assalmu Alaikum" greets Jazeera wearing a brown suit and a cream shawl.

"Walaikum asalam" I greet her with a smile. I didn't foresee that she would be here of all places.

"Don't worry! I won't take much of your time. I'm actually here for a business meeting. I just came to hand this over to you." She extends a suitcase in my direction.

"What's this?" I ask her, Receiving the suitcase in both my hands.

"A little present" she smiles wildly.

I click it open in a few seconds. Revolvers, Pistols, Guns of all kinds glow in black. I'm awestruck. I can't even recognize their models.

"They haven't launched it in the market yet. Exclusively designed for you. In other words, Custom made just as your preferences." Jazeera gives me an impromptu. I stare at her.

"I just can't accept this" I tell her closing the suitcase and pushing it in her direction.

"Understandable" well that was a quick reply from her end.

"I'll deliver this to your home on my way back. Have a great evening, Miss!" She walks off taking the suitcase with her.

I watch her leave. Well, That was something. Someone taps me on my shoulder and I jerk from where I sit.

"Hey! Sorry..." Nahla says standing behind me.

"Take a seat." I tell her scanning her top to bottom. She is wearing a grey skirt. She has matched it with a navy blue shirt and a trench coat in tiffany. Her grey shawl is neatly pinned.

"So, We are matching outfits." She asks excitedly. I nod at her.

"That's wonderful." She says it to herself. Her grin shines on her dark complexion. Her smile is so bright and there is an orange tint on her face.

"We will eat something and go to the rooftop to watch the dusk. What do you say?" I ask her hastily.

"Sure" she replies.

We order blueberry pies, some bread cheese, and cinnamon buns.

"You like Cheese?" Nahla asks me.

"Yeah! Well, more than I love chocolate" I tell her honestly. She laughs.

"What? Why?" She asks. I don't have an answer for that so I shrug my shoulders.

We continue dining in silence. Nahla stares at the glass behind me. She is probably watching the sunset. I turn a few times. It looks like we are sitting inside the Dusk Kingdom.

"It's beautiful" she says me spellbound.

I finish my cinnamon roll quickly and get up.

"Let's go! Let's go!" I literally sprint to the elevator.

"Cominggggg" She says shoving food in her mouth.

We reach the impressive part of the building. The wind blows and my maxi flows.

"You look like ocean oscillating." She says with a huge smile. She quickly grabs her phone and clicks a few pictures.

"Here." She says extending her phone.

"You need to see your gorgeousness too..." She continues. She was right. I look ok-ish.

"Hey! What's with the sad look?" She says shaking me violently.

"Um.. Nothing" I lie to her. Honestly, I've never watched the dusk with someone.

"You never had friends. You were locked up too?" She asks apprehensively.

Yes, For too long in my own head is what I wanted to say but I couldn't phrase that sentence.

"Leave it! You got through it. You're my ocean now. You're vast beautiful blue and you don't fear anything" she turns to me whispering "You are feared now" She laughs and her laughter resonates in my ears. I quickly move forward and wrap my arms around her. She steps back for a second and after regaining her composure she holds me even tighter.

"You're safe now" She says caressing my back.

"You make me feel safe." I tell her and bury my nose on her shoulder. I'm the Oscillating Ocean who doesn't fear but feared.