Exiting the building was like entering a different world. The sun was shining and birds were singing. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. Everything was so…calm, peaceful even. After the last 24 hours of hectic work I guess I thought the world would look a little different.
When I got in my car I checked the messages from my personal cell phone. The robotic voice announced I had three new voicemails.
"Hey, Nadia—it's Milo. Listen, I know you probably won't get this message until after work, but I just wanted you to—uh, to know that if you ever want to get together…sometime…that'd be cool. Just to talk, you know? Anyway, if you get this message after work I'll see you tomorrow."
I snapped my phone shut. I didn't want to listen to any more messages. It was bad enough to hear his voice…but to hear him say 'I'll see you tomorrow'? I suddenly felt angry. I was angry at him for leaving this message, for having to be the hero. I chucked the phone back to the passenger seat and drove home. I didn't want to deal with this, not now.
I rummaged through my fridge and found my leftover Chinese from the two nights ago. Feeling tired and defeated, I collapsed onto the couch and turned on the TV.
"Nadia?" My little sister's voice called out from my guest room bedroom.
"Yeah?" I said flatly, half hoping she wouldn't hear.
She stormed out wearing pajamas. "Where have you been? I called you and left messages." She stood between me and the TV with arms crossed.
"Work, Nijah, you should try it sometime."
"Oh, you're real funny, Nadia." She rolled her eyes and sat next to me. "So what happened? At work I mean."
I shook my head and she sneered at me. "Oh that's right. You can't talk about your super secret government job. Well guess what?" She glared at me as her cheeks reddened. "I've been here by myself for almost two days! You weren't here to drive me to school…I'll probably get behind on my homework and I was suppose to go to the mall yesterday to get my Jonas Brothers CD signed and—"
"Enough!" I yelled, jumping to my feet. "I don't need a lecture right now, especially from a twelve year old! If living with me if so awful you can go back with aunt Parveen to Pakistan."
Nijah looked at me blankly for a second, as if in complete shock. Then her face crumpled and she covered her face with her hands.
"Nijah," I said softly, suddenly feeling guilty for my outburst.
Without looking back at me, she ran to the bathroom and locked the door. I shook my head and followed her. I knocked. "Nijah?" She didn't answer. I sighed and leaned against the door. 'She needs space, that's all' I told myself.
"Listen, Nijah, I can give you twenty minutes to get ready, then I can give you a ride over to the mall. I've got a…friend to visit near there…at the hospital. Would that be okay?"
I listened intently for a reply. Finally I heard a muffled "Okay."
"Okay, I'll be waiting in the car."
She joined me in the car close to half an hour later. We drove in silence for a few minutes.
"So," Nijah said awkwardly, trying to break the silence. "Who's this 'friend' at the hospital you're visiting? Someone you work with?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say that." I said. "His name is Mike."
"Oh?" She said, raising an eyebrow. "Is he…a good friend?"
"No. Well, I don't know—maybe. It's hard to explain." Seeing Nijah's confused expression I decided to try to explain. "I just met him today…And we're not friends, he's kind of a jerk actually."
"Then why visit him if he's a jerk?"
I paused. She did have a point. Why was I visiting him? "Because I care about him." I surprised myself with my own answer. As soon as I said it I knew it was true. I did care, and I had been worried about him.
"Why's he in the hospital?"
"He got hurt."
"How?"
I forgot how curious my little sister could be. Five years apart can make you forget things like that.
"He's a field agent—someone that goes out and gets the terrorists. There was an explosion…and he was injured pretty badly…mostly his eyes."
"Is he going to be alright?" She asked, sounding alarmed.
"I don't know. That's what I'll found out, I guess."
The rest of the trip was silent again. I dropped her off at the mall entrance promising to call and pick her up when I was done.
"I hope Mike is okay." She said quietly before slamming the passenger door shut.
"Me too." I said out loud to myself.