|85| • Amelia
As I came out of the taxi, I straightened the thigh-length gown; the oversized sweater drooping on my elbows down to where the gown reached. It was the girl's night out today — as Binta and Kaji had put it. We decided to meet at a bistro several miles from downtown.
"Thank you," I called out, closing the door to the taxi.
The elderly man offered me a tender smile followed by a nod before his car pulled out of the driveway so he wouldn't cause any traffic.
The famous 'calm' atmosphere was felt from where I stood.
The bistro was coated with light blue paint, causing it to stand out in the line of establishments.
'Julian's Bistro' it read from the outside. The sign was hard to miss.
Looking down at the chunky sneakers Everest had gotten me months ago; a smile stretched my lips as I thought of him.
He told me he'd be going to the Mechanic shop today to discuss some things with Abel.
Intrigued, I tried to get more information, but he only chuckled, saying I would know eventually.
Rolling my eyes, I looked up from the sneakers.
Fine. I'd believe him.
Tucking a braid behind my ears; I made my way into the bistro with a smile of anticipation. Kaji had messaged me a few minutes ago, saying she and Binta were already there and Binta threatened to order without me if I didn't show up after five minutes.
It was well over five minutes now.
Giggling to myself, my hands pushed against the glass door, the enticing scent of food intruding my nostrils before I could look around.
Nice tunes played from the large stereo at the back of the room, the interior indeed deserved some accolades.
It had a classy yet homey look to it, the seats arranged in a way that allowed you to move around freely.
Squinting my eyes in search of Kaji and Binta, my lips lifted in a smile when I saw the pair.
Binta was already sipping on a milkshake from what I could see while Kaji laughed at something she'd said.
Her blue streaks on her dreads were fading now, she did say she wanted to dye them another colour for a change.
Walking over with my purse, it took a few steps to be in listening range of them. "I think he's thoughtful honestly, I bet she's going to be crying all over the place at the beach-"
"Amelia! It's nice of you to finally show up!
" Kaji cut her off hastily when she locked eyes with me.
Grinning, I opened my arms to hug her. Binta stopped talking, looking over at me before getting up as well.
Kaji's hands held my shoulders as she gave me air kisses.
"It's good to see you," I said with a grin of my own, turning to Binta who was half glaring, half smirking. "You're late, sunshine."
"My bad. There was a bit of traffic today.
" I say, hugging her as well. Pulling out the third chair, I scooted into the table with a smile.
It had been a minute since I'd seen them both together.
The more I stared, the more I realized how the two shared similarities.
"I missed you guys, how've you been?" My words were accompanied by a giggle, barely able to contain my excitement.
"You look better than the last time I saw you, honestly.
I take it you and a certain someone are on good terms again.
" Binta said with a smile. The last time we saw, Everest and I weren't talking.
Waving my hands, I tried to forget about it.
That was something I didn't want to happen again. "Yeah, yeah. We are amazing now."
"I bet," Kaji uttered lowly with a smirk of her own.
"Guys! This is a no-boys zone! I want to know about you two, not men." I snarled playfully. It wasn't every day I got to see them.
"Even if Kaji met someone?" Binta's words caught me off guard, a gasp leaving my lips in shock.
Whipping my head to the culprit to see if this was true.
Kaji groaned, sinking into her seat. "Binta!
I said not to tell her yet!" What?! She didn't want to tell me?
"That's not fair! How come she gets to know but not me?
!" I sassed, glaring at the two. Binta raised her hands in surrender.
"Hey, she was the one saying it's 'not that serious' Now look at her being all flustered.
" She was right, Kaji had not removed her palms from her face.
She was blushing! Kaji was blushing. This tickled me into fits of giggles, loving how adorable she looked.
"Who's this mystery man? Do you know him Binta?
" I was curious to see who was making my girl squirm the way she was.
Was he in culinary school with us? I mean, I hadn't noticed her talk to any guy that didn't seem like a platonic relationship.
Besides Arnold and a few others, she barely spoke to anyone else!
It wasn't as though I was the social butterfly anyway, that was all Arnold.
"Stop already!" Kaji whined, grumbling with a pout.
This made me laugh. "No! Don't stop! Tell me more!
" I teased, scooting closer to the pair.
Kaji huffed grimacing at her cousin. "This is a no-boys zone, right?
" Oh, now she was using my words against me?
How funny. "Well, after this, then it can be a no-boys zone.
Oh, I know. What if he's like...older?" I said my suspicions with a smirk and Binta gasped, clasping her palms together.
"You're right sunshine! Maybe that's why she's so hesitant to tell us. We won't judge. Look at Amelia over here. People think Everest's her sugar daddy."
I gasped.
"Hey! No one thinks that."
"Maybe a few..." Kaji snickered, making me dart my head towards her.
"Oh, now she speaks." I sassed, crossing my hands.
Kaji giggled. "It's not bad though, who cares what people think?
You're a snack and so is he." Binta supported me after jabbing me with her initial words.
I rolled my eyes playfully at her attempt to console me.
"Whatever. Who cares? He's my sugar daddy."
"Oh really now?" Kaji teased making me blush.
"That's beside the point!"
"Can I take your order, ladies?" Our light hater was interrupted by a waiter.
He smiled at us, holding his pen attentively.
"Oh, right. I'll have your special burger with extra large fries and a lemonade.
" Binta said, turning towards me. "You should try their milkshake.
It's amazing." That was what she'd just had so I believed her.
"Okay, sure. I'll have the milkshake she just had and uh.
..the dirty fires and spicy barbecue wings.
" I ordered as well. It's been a while since I'd eaten dirty fries.
Abel often teased me for not using my hands to properly enjoy it.
Kaji ordered the same thing I did and the waiter left with the menu.
"Don't think I've forgotten just yet," I uttered when he was out of ear range and Kaji laughed. "Fine, fine. I met him when I went to the grocery store. He's...he has a kid. And...he's wife is no longer in the picture."
"They divorced?" I asked and Kaji shook her head.
"She passed, giving birth."
"Oh wow. How sad...does he seem like he's moved on?
" Binta questioned cautiously and Kaji sighed, leaning into the table.
"Yes, his kid is 2 now. But it's not like anything is going on.
He's just quite the gentleman and...he listens to me, you know?
I just don't know if I want to get involved in all of that.
" She gesticulated a circle before rubbing her temple.
"It's just a tiny crush."
The smile on my lips hadn't dropped. It was a big step if he decided to make a move and she agreed. He had a child already and I didn't know her stand on being a mother figure so fast. Binta hummed, "Do the two of you talk often?"
"He's a busy guy, juggling work and a kid...but somehow he makes time to still call me and ask about my day, or to send messages that are just too thoughtful. Ugh! See why I didn't want to talk about it? I can feel my heart thudding so fast." Kaji huffed, putting her head down.
"It's okay to have a crush, you know?" I told her, caressing her shoulder. "Not when he has a kid. He's probably looking for a wife, a mother! Not some petty crush or some giggles."
I understood her point. I guess there was nothing to say. She had to figure this out on her own. Glancing over at Binta; I saw that she was smiling softly at her cousin. "One step at a time, cuz. It's alright." Nodding, I let go of her shoulder.
"She's right, it'll be just fine."
Kaji let out a breath. "Thanks guys, we'll see how it goes."
"How do you feel about kids, sunshine?" Binta sled me. Kids? I was still getting over the fact that I had a serious relationship I was no longer a kid. Now imagine me having one, yikes! I mean, I loved babies...but could I be a good mother? It was a hard thought so I responded with a shrug.
"They're cute."
Binta snorted out a laugh. "More like they're mini monsters."
"They're not so bad, they just...feed off attention," Kaji said as well making me laugh. "I heard women lose sleep for months because of them," Binta said, shuddering. It took a lot to raise a kid, I knew that much. I guess I need more to prepare for that mentally.
"Someday though...I'd love to have one of my own." I say, smiling to myself. Binta smirked, looking my way. "Who knows? Maybe the someday is closer than you think." My smile reached my ears as she said this. "Stop it!" I groaned, looking away.
Having a kid with Evie?
I was sure he'd be an amazing father. I was the one curious about what kind of mother I'd be.
Having a child with Evie didn't seem so bad.
But...I wasn't going to have a child without getting married.
I guess that was one rule I'd lived by for a while and would continue to live by.
Being a parent was hard enough, I couldn't imagine doing so alone.
"Look at us, already talking about kids when only one of us is in a relationship," Kaji said with a snicker.
"Soon to be two." Binta teased, poking Kaji's sides. The two were like mice and cats, bickering at each other. Watching them made me smile. Whoever the man Kaji met was, I hoped he was a solid one.
"Ladies." The waiter called out, coming back with three trays skillfully balanced on his arm. Excited, I leaned back, clapping my hands.
"Thank you." We said in unison. "Enjoy." The waiter responded with a wide-toothed smile. The food looked too good not to drool over. The scent made my nostrils dance.
"We will!" Binta called out, laughing.
"Now, who's saying grace?"