Chapter 24 Caziya
Zakai:
Hey, Ziya. Do you have any plans this evening?
My glass hovers in front of my lips as I read the text from Zakai.
It’s been two weeks since Zakiyah went home from the hospital.
I thought I was gonna have to make a secret call to RPD, because Zakai didn’t want me to leave his house.
Zakiyah didn’t help with her crocodile tears and cute pout.
But I had to get to my apartment to clean, do laundry, and give my man the time he doesn’t realize he needs.
Zakai:
I can see that you read my message. What’s good, Caziya?
The double text has a smirk sliding into place as I respond to his inquiry.
Me:
Not that I’m aware of. I've cleaned my apartment, finished my second load of laundry, and am now enjoying an adult beverage. You can’t possibly be missing me already.
Zakai:
I missed you the minute the door closed behind you. But since you have nothing planned, my parents have invited you to dinner tonight.
Dinner with Zakai’s parents. My brain reels, and I drink the contents in my glass while silently analyzing the meaning of such an invitation. I get lost in my thoughts so long that I don’t realize how much time has passed when another text comes through from Zakai.
Zakai:
If it’ll make you less anxious and ready to decline, bring your aunt. It’s our normal family dinner, and if having your family with you will make it more bearable, then invite her. Although I want you there, I also want you to be comfortable.
I sigh, and the tension I didn’t realize in my shoulders eases as I reply.
Me:
Okay. Could you please provide me with their address and the time we should arrive? I’m going to call Aunt Emmy now.
Zakai:
51528 Cherry Bottom Circle. Dinner is at six-thirty.
Me:
Okay. I’ll see you then. I love you. Kiss Kiki for me.
Zakai:
Say less. I love you more, and I will.
Once I exit the thread, I dial Aunt Emmy’s number and hope she’s free for the evening, as I need her to join me for dinner.
“Hello, Bunny. How’s my favorite girl?” Aunt Emmy greets.
Her voice is the warm, cheery greeting that instantly wraps me in a tight embrace as the feeling of home surrounds me. It’s the feeling I never want to let go and the one I cherish more than anything.
“I’m good. I was wondering if you’re free this evening. I need a favor.”
“I don’t do favors, Bunny. If it’s within my ability, I will always do it for you. What’s going on?"
Aunt Emmy has always been the person I can count on no matter what the circumstances are. For that and her unyielding love for me, I’m grateful.
“I just got an invitation to have dinner with Zakai and his parents.”
“Ooh, this sounds promising. It’s also why I encouraged you to see Rosetta.
It’s time you take a sip from the fountain of peace.
The things that you take in and push out have to be peaceful in order for love to come in.
You had to be in a healed place to reach the places in love that God is gonna take you to. ”
My lip trembles as I set my glass on the table in front of me so I can process Aunt Emmy’s words of encouragement. I value her advice and ability to speak life into me, because it’s how I have survived my whole life.
“Thank you, Auntie. They also invited you which is the favor I need. Will you go with me?”
“Oh, hush that praise. Only God deserves it. You don’t need to ask; I will always be wherever you need me to be. Now, what time do I need to be ready? You’re picking me up, right?”
I smirk at the subtle rebuke of my gratitude because Aunt Emmy never allows me to give it to her.
“Yes, ma’am. Dinner is at six-thirty. I’ll be there at about five forty-five. Is that okay?”
“It sure is. I’ll see you soon. Love you, Bunny.”
I return my expression of love, and the call ends a second later.
I stand when my dryer buzzes, to pull the clothes out to fold and put away.
My mind is on autopilot as I try to determine what to wear.
It’s just a family dinner and doesn’t merit much thought, but consideration has to be given.
Even though I've met Zakai’s parents already, I don’t want to go over there looking like I grew up in the twenties.
With that thought, I return to the living room and grab my phone to call Zakai.
“You better not be trying to back out on me, Ziya.” A fluttery feeling settles in my stomach when Zakai’s words take shape.
“I, uh, don’t know what to wear.” I stumble over the first part of my words as tingles enter my fingers.
Low laughter that warms my chest like the finest cognac pierces the line, and I bite my bottom lip.
“Don’t sweat the small shit, Ziya. Be comfortable. But most of all, be fucking you. If something happens to shift your comfort, I’m still not above slapping fire out of Naomi or Walter. Remember that.”
A series of giggles escapes my mouth and gives me the ability to relax so I can stop overthinking whatever this dinner will be about. I also realize that Zakai is the calm I’ve always needed in a relationship. Things with Zakai are uncomplicated, and for the first time, I find myself dreaming.
Is he the one, God? I can do this with him for the rest of my life.
“Are you still there, Caziya?” The playful tone from a minute ago is gone as Zakai’s tone turns serious.
“I am. I appreciate the offer. But stow your hand. I’m good, and I can’t wait to see you.”
“Aw, you got me over here cheesing and shit, woman. Until later, I love you.”
“I love you too, Zakai.”
The day went by faster than I anticipated, and before long, it was time for me to leave to pick up Aunt Emmy.
A shot of laughter falls from my mouth when Aunt Emmy walks out wearing a mahogany jogging set and a pair of white tennis shoes.
Aunt Emmy rarely dresses this comfortably, so seeing her like this has me giddy.
“Where do you think you’re going, Auntie?”
“I figured that I would dress for whatever. I have oil in my purse, but the outfit is in case I need to take it old-school. I can revive slap a ho season at any time if something goes haywire,” Aunt Emmy tells me before she closes the door and buckles her seat belt.
“Lord, have mercy.” I giggle.
“Mhm. He’s the only one who does. But I’m going with an open mind because these folks could end up being our in-laws.”
My breath hitches, and I grip the steering wheel tightly when her words settle in my mind.
“I-in-laws?”
“Mhm. This is the first time you’ve taken me on this type of dinner. I’m looking forward to meeting the new man in your life, though. He must be something special.”
“He is.” The dreamy two-word response collides with the goofy grin I can’t help at the thought of Zakai.
“Good. Now tell me some things about your honey. I want to appreciate his greatness too.”
For the rest of the drive, I tell Aunt Emmy about Zakai and all the reasons why I’m in love with him.
I also tell her about how hard he works for his daughter which is another reason why he holds my heart.
Aunt Emmy didn’t know until now that Zakai is a single father.
But by the time we arrive at Zakai’s parents’ house, Aunt Emmy has a warm smile in place.
“Mm. It sounds like I could have left Buzz at home. Oh well. Come on, Bunny. I’m hungry, and I hope these folks can cook.” With that, Aunt Emmy exits the car, and I hurry to catch up with her.
When we’re at the front door, my mouth dries, my heart palpitates, and my muscles quiver.
Nevertheless, I ring the doorbell before I adjust my purse strap that’s on my shoulder.
I fight the urge to bite a hole in my lip when I hear the locks disengaging.
My shoulders sag, and sudden giddiness fills me upon seeing Zakai as the door opens.
“I have never seen a more beautiful woman in my life. Zakai Tillman,” he says and extends his hand toward Aunt Emmy, who blushes before she swats his hand.
“Oh no, we won’t have any of that. I hug, handsome.” Aunt Emmy pulls Zakai into her arms as a panty-melting grin forms.
My God! I don’t know who’s charming who.
My eyes become misty the longer Aunt Emmy and Zakai embrace, as I watch the exchange. Zakai’s head bobs, which tells me that Aunt Emmy shares something with him that’s between the two of them.
“I got you, Auntie. No worries,” Zakai says before he steps out of Aunt Emmy’s arms and curls his finger toward me.
My heart leaps, and I walk toward him without hesitation as my lips upturn. The minute I’m in his space, peace surges through not only my body but my bloodstream.
“I missed you, Ziya,” Zakai whispers before he places a feather-like kiss on the top of my head.
“Aw.” Aunt Emmy gushes.
“I hate to interrupt, but can we take this love fest inside?” a male voice says, and my eyes shift from Zakai to his father, who stands at the door.
The next five minutes go by in a blur as introductions happen, and we settle in at the Tillmans’ dining room table.
In addition to Mrs. Naomi and Mr. Walter, Zakai’s sister, Asia, and Zakiyah are in attendance.
My thoughts scatter, and I’m too excited to think straight when Zakiyah requests to sit by me instead of Zakai.
There is no greater feeling than Zakiyah’s affections.
“Before we dig into this food, I want to take a minute to thank Caziya and Emmy for joining us. I hope this marks the beginning of many more dinners like this one. Would you like to say grace, Emmy?” Mrs. Naomi asks. The warm smile on her lips matches the brightness of her eyes.
“Only if you agree to calling me Aunt Emmy. If we’re to do this moving forward, Emmy sounds informal, and I can’t have that.”
“I sure can.” Mrs. Naomi winks.
“Oh, my wife is the only one pretending to be polite. You were already Aunt Emmy to me,” Mr. Walter tells Aunt Emmy as everyone laughs.
“Perfect. Everybody, bow your heads for a word of prayer,” Aunt Emmy says before she takes a few minutes to pray over the food and everyone under the sound of her voice.
“I hungry, Pwitty,” Zakiyah tells me with a pout.
I chuckle before I go through the steps of adding small portions of food to her plate. I even add a dollop of mashed potatoes before I wink at Zakai, whose eyes watch me intently.
“This shit is crazy.” Zakai grumbles when I hand Zakiyah her plate, and she digs into the mashed potatoes first.
“Don’t hate, boo. I have the magic touch,” I tell Zakai.
“You sure do, because my niece turns her nose up every time I try to feed her mashed potatoes.” Asia cuts in with a playful roll of her eyes.
A sheepish grin forms because I have no response to that comment, or why Zakiyah lets me feed her the potato without rebuttal.
“Don’t be looking shy now, girl. I see my big brother isn’t the only one who’s succumbed to your wiles. We’re gonna have to hook up so I can see if that magic will extend to me,” Asia adds.
“Only after she and I go to lunch and the spa,” Mrs. Naomi says.
The statement causes my eyes to bulge when her suggestion and warmth flood my body.
Of all the things I thought would happen during this dinner, the invitation to outings with Zakai’s sister and mother wasn’t on my bingo card.
If nothing else happens before I leave here, my night has already been made.
The easy flow of conversation around the room makes it feel like we’re all anything but strangers.
In fact, it’s the most comfortable I have felt with anyone other than Aunt Emmy.
I love everything about it and didn’t mind doing this again.