Part 10

Three months had passed. In the Masood household things had improved a little bit. Zainab was gradually getting back into working again doing a few days here and there. The awful initial shock and pain of losing the baby had passed. They were all still mourning her loss in their own way but were able to undertake day-to-day stuff again.

At the Unit Syed had found Christian to be a real strength for him during this period. Christian hadn't mentioned anything about the two of them in the past and had been a real rock to Syed and someone he could speak to about what had happened when he didn't feel able to speak to Amira or his family. They had grown closer again but as friends only. Christian was seeing someone for the last few weeks called Oliver or Ollie as he preferred to be called. Syed had been introduced to him briefly at the Unit one day. He hated thinking of Christian with someone else but knew he didn't have any right to say anything. Christian was a completely free agent and he wasn't. He had mixed feelings about it all. He was glad that Christian was moving on with his life and seemed to be happier again but at the same time he was so jealous and he wondered if Christian still had feelings for him anymore. Syed knew he still loved Christian, there was no doubt in his mind at all but he felt that maybe Christian may have fallen out of love with him.

Occasionally Christian would try and drag Syed and Amira out to clubs or events at the Vic and there was a quiz night coming up at the Vic and he was trying to get a team together. Syed was really reluctant to go but Amira was adamant they should but Syed knew that Ollie would be there as well and couldn't face an evening watching the two of them canoodling in front of him. He was wondering how he could get out of it and decided to pretend he wasn't feeling well. He and Christian were working at the Unit that morning and Syed thought he would take the chance to get out of that evening.

Christian: "Well hope you've got your brain switched on well today. Quiz night tonight and our team is you, me, Ollie, Amira, Roxy and Ronnie."

Syed: "Actually Christian I'm not sure I will be there tonight, I'm not feeling too great today. I may have to give it a miss."

Christian: "What's wrong?"

Syed: "I just feel a bit off-colour and I could really do with an early night. I start here at 6 in the morning."

Christian: "Look I can cover that early start if you want, you and Amira haven't had a night out for ages. You need to have some fun."

Syed: "Sorry I'll have to see but I don't feel great right now."

He carried on working in silence and could feel Christian's eyes scrutinising him every now and then. Why did he keep doing that? Christian for his part was curious as to why Syed didn't want to to. He could tell that Syed was lying but didn't understand why he didn't want to go. He was determined to get him there somehow.

Syed was watching telly at home when the doorbell rang. He got up and answered it. It was Christian.

Christian: "I came over to see if you're coming over tonight."

Syed: "Didn't Amira tell you? I'm still not feeling brilliant, I'm just going to stay here and have an early night."

Christian: "I know you're lying Syed, there's nothing wrong with you."

Syed: "What you're a doctor now are you? How do you know if I'm ill or not?"

Christian: "I know when you're lying and at this present moment you are lying. Why don't you want to come along tonight? It'll be fun."

Syed: "It may be your idea of fun but it's not mine. I'm sorry but I don't have to go, you can't force me."

Christian: "Tell me why you don't want to come and I'll go. It doesn't make sense you always used to enjoy evenings like this."

Syed: "That was before I was married, things are different now."

Christian: "Like you want to spend more time with Amira you mean? I don't think so. You need to loosen up and enjoy yourself occasionally, live life a bit."

Syed: "Well you certainly live life for all of us Christian. Glad to see nothing stops you having fun. Enjoy your evening." Syed made to shut the door but Christian put his foot in the way and held the door with his hand.

Christian: "Please come along, honestly I know you'll have a good time. It'll do you good to get out, all you do these days is work."

Syed: "You get back otherwise the team will be short of people. I'll come along later if I feel better."

Christian looked at him and sighed "Okay but remember we need your knowledge too. We have a good team if we are all there. The prize is a bottle of champagne and some chocolates. Sure Amira wouldn't say no to some of those."

He moved his foot and let go of the door so Syed said "bye Christian" and he closed the door. He leaned against the door and breathed out. Why did Christian think he would enjoy a quiz night sitting around with Amira and watching Christian and Ollie kissing all night long? Perhaps it was Christian's way of deliberately hurting him but Christian had seemed really keen for him to go and concerned that he come out and have a good time. He decided he would go and make his excuses if it all got too much.

Half an hour later and the quiz night was well under way. Syed had turned up 10 minutes ago much to Christian's pleasure. He had thought Syed wouldn't turn up after he had visited his house and was pleased to see him walk into the Vic. Ollie was sat next to Amira and the two of them were very friendly together so Syed had to sit next to Christian. He found he really enjoyed himself and Christian went out of his way to make sure he had a good time. Later on when the questions were finished and the totals being added up, Ollie went to get another round of drinks and Amira got Syed to sit next to her. This meant that when Ollie came back he then was next to Christian. Ollie passed the drinks around and then he leaned into Christian and kissed him and then sat holding his hand. Syed couldn't help seeing all this and felt awkward and all the jealous feelings came flooding back again. He knew he couldn't just go off now it would be too obvious so he would have to sit it out until the results came in. Amira was chatting with Roxy and Ronnie so he just looked around the room anywhere rather than watch Christian and Ollie. Finally the results were out and Peggy announced them to the pub. Their team came second in the end which was really good and they were all pleased with that. Syed decided this was a good time to go and he and Amira said their goodbyes and left.

Next day in the Unit he and Christian were working together again. Christian asked him if he had enjoyed the evening and he said he had.

Christian: "It's Ollie's birthday week after next, we're just going to have a few people round at my place. We wondered if you and Amira would like to come."

Syed: "I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

Christian: "Why not?"

Syed: "Going to your flat like that I mean it's probably best we don't really."

Christian: "Ollie wanted to invite you both. He knows you're a good friend of mine and he likes Amira a lot."

Syed: "I don't feel comfortable going to your flat. If it was somewhere else maybe but ……"

Christian butted in "you don't feel comfortable coming to my place. Why the hell not?"

Syed: "I would have thought that was obvious."

Christian: "All that was a long time ago, water under the bridge and all that. I don't have a problem with that so nor should you."

Syed carried on with chopping the onions. He was glad of the distraction and they were making his eyes water which was handy as he was feeling emotional again. How come Christian could be so laidback about what had happened in the past? Well he was right, Christian obviously didn't love him anymore otherwise he couldn't possibly be as casual as this. A sadness came over him again.

Christian: "Well what do you think then?"

Syed: "I think Amira could go and I may have to work that night."

Christian: "That's ridiculous."

Syed: "Only as ridiculous as you expecting me to come round yours like nothing has ever happened there between us and watch you two loved-up all evening. No thank you."

He slammed down the knife he had been using and started tipping the onions into the wok to cook. He distracted himself with the cooking and an uneasy silence fell between the two men. Christian was really cross with Syed too. Of course he knew what had happened in the past between them, why did Syed think he didn't? It sounded like Syed was jealous of him and Ollie but truth be told he didn't need to be. Ollie was just a useful distraction and a bit of fun. Syed was still slamming things around and Christian decided to keep quiet on this subject for now. He would try and speak to Syed again later when he had calmed down a bit.