I am not comfortable

''That won't do'' Inayah said and turned to Noah, ''Noah, can you send Bertha home? I would be less worried then''

''Yes. Yesterday, there was news about kidnappings lately. Is not safe for a girl to walk alone'' Clara added.

''Wait. Am I a child? What is all the fussing about?''

''I will send her home. Is on the same road to my house'' Gideon stood up.

''Yes. I brought my motor, I will go with Clara and Noah can send Ayah home'' Sandra said as she looked at Gideon and Bertha. She felt that they needed to talk.

''I won't go home with him''

''Berth, please'' Inayah touched Bertha's hand, 'that way I won't be worried about you''

''I won't eat you, don't worry'' Gideon teased her.

''Gideon, I warned you already. If you do anything to my best friend, you are dead'' Inayah warned Gideon.

''I'm too tired to even tease her'' Gideon snatched the bag from Bertha adding, ''come, I will send you home safe and sound''

''Goodnight everyone'' Bertha said and followed Gideon out.

''Goodnight''

''Goodnight''

''Bye'', let's go Sandra''

Inayah and Noah waited until they were all out of the place before she locked and followed Noah to the car.

…..

Bertha's House.

Gideon pulled over in front of Bertha's house and turned to look at her. She quickly turned her face to the window.

''We are here'' Gideon said to her.

''Mm'' Bertha picked her bag and turned to him, ''can I ask you something?''

Gideon smiled and nodded his head, 'go ahead. I am curious about what you want to ask me''

''About Peter and Damian. Why did they suddenly change schools?''

Gideon's face changed slightly but he masked it up with a smile and asked, ''why do you ask?''

''Nothing'' Bertha shook her head and turned to open the door and heard Gideon saying.

''It wasn't your fault. They probably changed schools because their parents were relocating''

Bertha sighed and nodded her head, 'good night''

''Berth, make sure you lock the door and shut the windows very well before going to bed''

''Drive safely'' Bertha said and got out of the car. Gideon waited until he heard the sound of the gate locking before he drove away.

…..

INAYAH'S HOUSE.

''The moon is exceptionally bright today'' Inayah said as she got out of the car of Noah.

''I know, right?''

''It's already 11pm but the moon is brightening everywhere. The stars are out today. This city is the most beautiful when there is no rain''

''How long have you lived in this city?''

''Well, almost all my life, I guess. If you leave the part where I left for rehab. It should be all my life. This is my home''

''There is something you don't know about me?'' Noah said and stepped closer to Inayah.

''What is that?''

''Haven't you ever wondered what kind of relationship I have with my uncle?''

''He is your uncle. So, you two must be close'' Inayah said and stepped back.

''You're so simpleminded. Did you know that?''

''The world is chaotic enough. I just try not to judge people and their actions''

''It's that why my uncle likes you?''

''Your uncle, I don't know. Maybe'' Inayah played with her bag.

''So beautiful''

''The moon?''

''No. You. I mean you are so beautiful, Inayah''

''Huh?''

''What do you think would have happened; if we had met under different circumstances. Would you have fallen in love with me?''

The moment Noah asked, Inayah busted into laughter.

''Why are you laughing? I'm asking you sincerely''

''It's because you're asking sincerely that is making me laugh. Things are not that simple, Noah. Your uncle and I… how should I put it? Our paths are destined to cross, so, please. Don't fall in love with me, it will complicate things and I hate complications. You should go now''

''Go in, I will leave after you enter the house''

'Okay. Bye then'' Inayah smiled and turned, going into her apartment.

Noah's expression turned ugly as he muttered. ''You don't want to have anything doing with me? I was right. This is getting annoying and interesting. What to do, Inayah? I am here to complicate things for you two. A man who is 10 years older than a girl?''

....

Next Day.

Inayah's House.

Inayah woke up early in the morning and started making some sandwiches for breakfast. She planned to give them out to her aunt and friends at school today. As she made the breakfast, a few thoughts came to mind.

''I believe in God and I have faith in him. We're all not perfect. Now, I am not saying I am a good Christian, I pray once in a while. I pray for my dead family, my missing sister. I pray for my friends. I pray and I ask God to bless and protect them for me. Is amazing to wake up to the morning, the songs of birds and the buzzing of city life. How do I put it? Ever since I was reborn, I learnt to be grateful. I learnt to be less judgemental. What is life? I appreciate life more. We don't know who God is, but maybe because I experienced death once; I have come to know that I need him. I am going to do my best today, love the people who love me today. That way, I won't leave regrets when I die''

Inayah finished packing the lunchboxes that she made and smiled. She removed the apron revealing her uniform. She picked her bag and the lunchboxes and hurried out of the house.

''Aunt, you've not eaten breakfast yet, right?'' Inayah asked and her aunt looked at her surprised.

''Yes?''

''Here, I made you breakfast'' Inayah removed one of the lunchboxes for her.

'What is wrong with you? Even preparing breakfast?'' Clara commented.

''Ayah, not to discredit you but, is it edible?'' Miss Gladys asked.

''Don't worry, you won't gain weight or get diarrhoea. Clara, this is called heartfelt gratitude. Aunt, thanks for your love'' Inayah said and got into the backseat. Clara and her mother looked at each other and smiled.

''Thanks, Ayah. You're better than my own daughter''

''Mother, are you attacking me personally?''

''Why? I can't?''

''This is why I don't like rivalry''

….

At school during their first break, Inayah shared the lunchboxes to all of her friends and they ate while chatting.

''Ayah, did you take cooking lessons?'' Sandra asked.

''She has improved a lot'' Bertha added.

''Is edible'' Clara nodded her head.

''Berth, would you cook something like this for me after we graduate?'' Gideon asked.

''Why would I do that? When I have Geneva to think about?''

''That is sad. I thought we grew closer after I sent you home''

''Yes, you did… in your dreams''

''This is nice, Ayah.'' Noah said with a smile.

…..

That Night.

Inayah's House.

Inayah walked towards her house holding her bag after closing from the diner. She saw Jasper standing in front of her apartment and she ran to him.

''Wow! Is like almost a year since I last saw you'' Inayah said and smiled.

Jasper looked at her from head to toe with a clear disapproving gaze. Inayah frowned and asked.

''Why are you looking at me like that?''

''Did you go out like this?''

''Yes, I am just from the diner'' Inayah replied before asking, ''why do you ask?''

''You're becoming more brazen by the day. Aren't you?'' Jasper asked and stepped closer to her.

''Huh? What do you mean?'' Inayah stepped back.

''Who said you could dress this way? Do you know the number of perverts that are out there?'' Jasper asked in an annoyed tone. Inayah looked at herself. She didn't find anything wrong with her dressing. It was a short ripped jeans and a tan top.

Jasper stepped closer to her again and she tried to move backwards but he pulled her back, circling his arm around her waist. Jasper pulled her closer to himself and asked.

''How dare you expose yourself like this? How many men looked at you? Tell me!''

''No… no one looked at me. This is the trend these days. No one cares even if you're naked on the road, besides, this is comfortable''

''I am not comfortable with it'' Jasper said flatly.

''Oh, then, can you let go of me so that I will go and change?'' Inayah carefully removed his arm around her waist and stepped back. 'I will be busy for two days. You might not see me for those days. There is something I am working on with my friends. Let's talk when I'm done. Good night'' Inayah finished saying and ran into her house.

''Why does she keep running away from me? Did I lose my charm?'' Jasper asked himself and frowned. He looked at the house and walked to his building.

Inayah shut the door after entering her bedroom. She placed her hand on her beating heart and murmured, ''whoa, I almost jumped on him. Why do always want to kiss him? It's not your fault, Inayah. Who wouldn't want to kiss him? You did well by even holding it in''

Inayah patted her head and smiled.