“Hey, Zara. Evening Miss Sandra,” Nicki calls from the kitchen and I glance up.
Oh, she’s here.
“Hey,” I reply with a small smile.
“How yuh do?” Mama asks, moving toward the babies, eyes softening the minute she sees them.
“Mi alright enuh,” Nicki responds warmly.
“You a cook curry chicken?” I ask, the smell now fully curling into my senses.
“Yeh… Curry chicken and shrimp,” she answers, and I celebrate inside.You nuh just eat?
“Just did eat shrimp still,” I tell her with a grin.
“Eeeh?” Nicki raises her brows, laughing.
“I’ll take the chicken though,” I say, then glance at the twins. They’re giggling now, Zahira reaching her arms toward me. I scoop her up and Zahir stares at me, eyes wide. Jealous already. Mama laughs. I lean over and kiss his lips gently. He giggles, flashing those perfect dimples.
“You’re so tuteee,” I whisper, then glance down at Zahira, who’s fully fascinated with my earrings now, trying to pull them. The front door opens. I know that sound. Nickoi. Perfect timing.
“Mama?” he greets as he steps in.
She chuckles. “You just a reach in?”
“Yah, mi just a fawud from ova’ mi G yard,” he tells her, his voice relaxed. Zahir coos and I look down. He’s crawling across the floor now, distracted by his toy. Nothing too serious. Then Nickoi leans in close, his lips brushing my ear.
“Mami,” he murmurs. Just like that, my whole body reacts. Why him always do this when people deh roun’? I smile at Zahira, pretending to focus, but mi brain mash up.
“How was the food?” he asks softly.
“Um… good,” I answer, flustered. He bends down and picks up Zahir.
“Member mi wah talk to yuh later enuh,” he reminds me. I nod, still smiling like a fool.
“Da,” Zahir says suddenly, catching us all off guard. Wait—excuuuuuuse me? My heart stops. Nickoi freezes too.
Nicki’s eyes widen. “A him first word dat?” Mama walks closer, smiling from ear to ear. Pure joy in her face. Everybody’s lit up. It’s pure happiness in the room. Iscramble for my phone and hit record.
“Yes,” I say, grinning so hard my face hurts.
“Say it again,” Nickoi tells him.
Zahir watches him, then says it louder. “Da-da.” It comes out perfectly this time.
***
It’s a little after ten; the twins are finally asleep, Mama’s door is closed, and the house settles into quiet. Nickoi works in his office. I sit cross-legged on the bed, finishing the last line of tomorrow’s lesson plan. As soon as my pen lifts, a yawn sneaks out. Sleep is calling meee. I snap the notebook shut and slide off the mattress just as Nickoi steps in. He doesn’t say a word, only sits at the edge of the bed, eyes locked on mine. The silence pulls tight.
“Yuh sleepy?” I ask, just to break it.
“Nah, sah.”
“I am,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes. I still get butterflies in my belly. I still have a crush on him even though he’s already mine.Crazy right?I still catch butterflies when he looks at me likethat. Foolish, maybe, but sweet. I pull the blanket to my chin and tell him what’s been weighing on me.
“Mama fainted this morning… and no one was there. So she’s staying here from now on.” His brows draw together.
“Wah cause that?”
