"Your bill is twenty dollars ma'am" said the cashier man.
I pulled out the credit card and watched him patiently as he did the payment and gave me back the credit card with a smile.
"Thank you, please come again some other time" he said and I smiled back.
"I sure will" I said and turned around to go but crashed into someone.
"I am so sorry..." The blonde lady started to apology but stopped as soon as our eyes meet and I just stared back at her.
"Long time no see my dear" she chirped excitedly and embraced me in a hug and I smiled.
"Yes, hello dear. How have you been?"
"I'm doing great. Dear, the last time we met you said you were moving to Dubai with your hot husband" she said with a wink and I laughed.
I don't really remember her but I really like her warm personality and I don't wanna hurt her by telling her that I don't remember her.
"You're standing in the line ma'am"
The cashier said from behind me and I apologized for it.
"Come let's have a sit over there, a have a lot to tell you" the lady said pulling me along with her. I have a feeling this would be awkward because I won't have any idea what she's talking about and if she asks me a question about something I don't remember, I would have to reveal to her that I've lost my memories.
I held both of her hand and tried to make the conversation stop.
"You know what, let's catch up tomorrow if you have time. I really need to go now, mum is waiting for the things I bought"
"Awwn. Always so concerned about your mother. Okay..." She started, pulling a white paper out of her bag. She wrote something on it and handed it over to me.
"Here is my number, you call me when you're ready tomorrow. I'll come Pick you up at your house. The girls will be so excited to see you" she said and I just smiled in amusement.
"I cant wait to see them too. Okay then. Tomorrow it is." We exchanged some hugs and kisses and I left for my house.
Once I opened the car door, I read the name she wrote beside the number. "Willow"
***
Lunch is cooked, dad is back from work and we're eating together. Including my two bundles of joy. They keep playing and spilling food on the table.
"Okay, you two should eat quietly. Your grandpa insisted we should put you both on the table, now don't make him regret it okay" I told them and they laughed at me.
" I almost forgot. I met with a friend at the mall. Her name's willow" I said and swallowed the food in my mouth. I was going to say more when I heard mum's spoon fall on her plate.
"Sorry, the spoon is slippery. So, do you remember her?" She asked and shared a look with my dad.
I shook my head and replied "No. But she was very nice to me. She even asked about my husband, I didn't know what to tell her so I told her we can meet tomorrow and have a chat.
" Hmm. You did the right thing my dear" Dad smiled and stood up.
"I'm meeting with some clients in thirty minutes. I have to go back to work" dad said.
"You're working so hard these day habibi. Take care if yourself okay" mum's face was laced with concern for her husband. I wonder if I'd ever felt the same way for my deceased husband.
" bye dad"
"Bye"
***
We cleaned the table and did the dishes together while mum told me about Willow.
" Willow was your closest friend back in college. You were still together at the university before you got married"
" oh. But who are the girls she was talking about earlier. She said they'll be excited to see me" I asked her while drying the glass cups.
"You had a group of friends back then. I think I have your pictures from college, I'll tell you their names and all the things I know about them okay." Mum explained.
"Okay"
She went upstairs and came back with a giant album.
It will be a long discussion.
***
Sunday!
I usually wake up early, but it was Sunday. A work free day. I just had to take advantage of that. Gerard promised to come over and take the kids to the park. It was a big relief for me. The house was quite and mum finally got some time to rest too.
Speaking of mum, I thought I heard her talking to someone in the living room. "It must be willow" I thought and looked up at the wall clock. It was 12:45 PM
I woke up very late and I haven't even prayed zuhr.
I rolled out of bed and got ready for the day.
" thank you very much Willow, this means a lot to me." I heard mum say as I made my way downstairs.
"I'll do anything for my friend to recover and be back on her own two feet ma'am." Willow said. She was sitting right next to my mum on the couch. They both looked up as soon as they heard my heels click.
" Hey sunshine " Willow stood up and embraced me. I hugged her back with the same warmth.
"Good afternoon Willow. I'm sorry, I woke up late but I didn't forget about you I swear" I told her and she laughed and pulled me to the door.
"Have fun you two." Mum said with approval and went straight to the kitchen meanwhile, Willow practically dragged me to her car.
***
It was a very long day, I had to look for a nearby mosque from the eatery we went to so I wouldn't miss any of my payers.
Me and the five of my friends including Willow departed to our houses at 5:00 PM. Willow dropped me at home.
Surprisingly, she never asked me about my marriage again. Actually, none of them did. We only talked about those days in college, politics and sports. I found out one of them who's name is Tessa is the daughter of the minister of education here in London.
Jade is a dentist.Catherine works in the state library with Vanessa. And Willow is a weather lady and she was going straight to their station right after dropping me at home.
I told mum all about my day and she was relieved that everything went smoothly.
"So mum, I wanted to ask. I heard you thanking Willow earlier today. I was just wandering why."
" Oh its nothing important my child. I was just thankful that the two of you met again after a long time" mum replied shrugging both of her shoulders and I only smiled.
***