Nine

                                    

                                          
@taakiyyaa babe this is for you. For asking me almost on a daily basis for weeks to update. Here is your update.
                          
***
When Suhana woke up the following morning, thoughts of Khalifa still swarmed her head. The man she's been brooding over for all those years and immensely praying that he changes and even a bit hopeful that he comes looking for her, is gone. He has moved on. Maybe he hasn't even changed and is still the jerk he was. She thought. She went about her daily routine but remained moody all day long.
                          
During the drive back from work, Suhana resolved that she was over brooding. She would move on with her life and would forgo the memories of her past. She would find happiness and companionship in another man as well. Zulaiha had been right all along. She needed to move on. Not all men are the same. There are many so good men out there. So when she got home, she dialed Mustapha's number. 
                          
"Hey Su, finally returned my calls huh? Are you alright?"
                          
Suhana remained mute for about a minute just to be sure what she was about to initiate is what she really wanted. She sighed into the phone and replied Mustapha U. U.
                          
"Mustapha could you stop by later?"
                          
That was the last thing he expected to hear from Suhana. Atleast not that soon. He started to panic when he thought of the possible reasons for why she would want him to stop by. They both held their phones to their ears, quiet and concentrating on the many things brewing in their heads. Suhana broke the awkward silence.
                          
"Mr Mustapha don't get ahead of yourself. If you'd rather not stop by to pick up the cupcakes, then i'd gladly give them out to some other person"
                          
"Of course not. I can come over now if you wish" 
                          
The shuffling of papers could be heard as he moved the papers he had been working on to the side. Suhana insisted on a much later hour for the pick up. When she hung up, Mustapha sighed more out of relief. After that call, he couldn't work. How could he when Suhana dominated his every thought. He could even taste the distinctive taste of her cupcakes in his mouth. He wondered if he would be able to work efficiently even when he has her. Since his encounter with her at the bistro, he couldn't seem to do anything right.
                          
Suhana went downstairs to the storeroom. She walked into the kitchen to the pantry and scanned it. She was short of supplies. Dijah must have been practicing her baking because the last time she baked, she still had cocoa powder and a stash of Oreos. She wouldn't be able to bake in time for when he comes if she sends for the missing ingredients to make a chocolate Oreo cake. A vanilla cake crossed her mind but that was just too simple. Plain! Anyone could make a good vanilla cake she thought. She randomly picked jars from the pantry and walked back to the kitchen. Placing the jars on the countertop, she opened cabinets and drawers, getting all the things she'd need to bake. Checking the time, she set out to work immediately.
                          
***
"Hey! How many times have i told you not to barge into people's room? Learn to knock and say the salam Dijah" Suhana scolded her sister.
                          
Dijah pouted before mouthing "sorry" to her sister. She informed her that she has a guest waiting downstairs. Suhana knew it was Mustapha. She rose from the vanity stool where she was sitting and threw on a veil over her head.
                          
Closing the door behind her, she descended to the kitchen where her cupcakes sat on a cooling rack. She took an already frosted filled piping bag with an attached star tip and twisted the top of the piping bag then cinched it in place. She swirled the frosting on top of each of the cupcakes. When she finished, she lined twelve cupcakes in a white cupcake box.
                          
"Asalamu alaikum" came Suhana's voice. Mustapha looked up in the direction of the door. A smile gracing his lips, he answered her salam and kept his gaze fixed on her as she walked further into the room. In a loose purple dress and a thick green veil draped carelessly around her head, she took his breath away. The most beautiful woman he's noticed in ages.