“Why didn't you come down for the dessert?” A soft voice startled Kabir, who had just zipped his pants after tinkling at the corner of the rooftop.
Kabir whirls around on his heels and gapes at the woman standing in front of her. A black Abaya covers her entire voluptuous frame, and even her face is under a traditional Niqab. Kabir could only see a silhouette because of how dimly lit the terrace was.
“Um, Ah… I, I ah, don't like sweets as much Asma, Aunty.” Kabir stutters, wondering if she'd been watching her while he pissed her terrace.
“You don't need to have a mouthful, but you should have a little bit,” Asma said in a softly spoken voice. She can smell the scent of cigarettes. Kabir was smoking but, she couldn't see it in his hands.
Asma is a forty-seven-year-old woman. She is the mother of Ayaz, who happens to be the friend of Kabir. Ayaz had invited Kabir to his birthday meal. Ayaz and Kabir are very close friends. Asma knows that Ayaz is an introvert and doesn't make any friends easily.
“I would have certainly tasted it. But I had too much of the meal. It was very delicious, and I was distracted during the meal. I had too much.” Kabir responds.
“Distracted?” Asma exclaims.
'Distracted by your beauty.' Kabir speaks out loud in his head.
“Nothing, just my mobile. Too many messages.” He chuckles.
The pungent scent of Kabir's urine pervades the olfactory senses of Asma. Her nostrils flare and, she glares at Kabir in disbelief without uttering a single word. Fortunately, Kabir couldn't see her eyes.
“What? What were you doing here?” Asma asked in a stern voice.
“Nothing, ah, nothing. Just getting some fresh air. Why did you ask?” Kabir reacts promptly in defense, wondering about her suspicion.
“Don't lie. I can smell it in the air.” Asma persists.
“Um, ah. Sorry. Aunty.” Kabir panicked.
“You shouldn't smoke cigarettes, Kabir. It's not good for your health.” Asma chooses not to bring up the latest subject into the limelight.
“Oh… that, I… I am trying to quit,” Kabir fibs, “Do you wear this Niqab on your face all the time, even at home?” He asked a question out of the blue.
The question struck Asma as a surprise.
“No, only when guests are here.” She responds curtly, feeling attacked.
“You must have a pretty beautiful face down there,” Kabir flirts with Asma.
“What? How? How could you tell?” It's Asma who was in a panic now.
“See, you said it yourself. I knew it. I can tell,” Kabir said cocking his head.
Asma couldn't control her giggle and, Kabir chuckles as well. No one had flirted with her in a very long time. It felt good to her.
“Can I call you Mom?” Kabir blurts out, throwing another curveball in Asma's direction. She was not ready for this, “Ammi.” He mumbles.
Asma was awestruck by Kabir's strange proposal. It was too much.
“No, no. Why would you ever think of something like that?” Asma stutters, thinking whether she is doing the right thing or not.
“OK, fine.” Kabir stomped past her making his way down the terrace.
“Thanks for the meal.” Kabir stopped by the exit and said last words to Asma. He leaves the house without saying goodbye to Ayaz.
Asma stands on the terrace awestruck as the emotion of guilt washes over her staring at the terrace's exit. Her nostrils flare once again.
Open for discussion and continuity in private.