"Homeless, orphan, rebel, or suicidal?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Saw you during welcome briefing and lunch. Always by yourself, stony, avoiding those with parents fussing over them. Spoken to a few like you. Like us. One's a rebel. Two are on the verge of being homeless. One's bankrupt. Me? I'm an orphan who don't give a shit anymore. So, what are you?"
"…Desperate, I guess."
"Your family?"
"I ran away."
"Ha! And of course, you ran to the army. They just love types like us, don't they? Desperate fodder no one will miss. I'm Faisal, by the way. Faisal El-Kady. You?"
"…Kamilah Shadid."
"Are you even lifting, asshole?"
"I am, bitch."
"Then lift higher. It's like I'm carrying all the weight here." Ana took a careful step back up the staircase, keeping a firm grip on the couch which rested in her hands like the entire goddamned world. "Are you even trying!"
"You're short, you fucking goblin. That's why the weight's leaning on you."
"I'm not short. You're just weak."
"'Weak'?"
Ana barely had time to look up and savour the offended expression on his face, when Khalid grunted and heaved the couch from hip to chest level.
"Wait!" Ana yelled, feeling the couch push her weight off-centre. "Wait the fu–agh!" She fell backwards, her back smacking painfully against the wooden stairs. The edge of the couch hovered dangerously close to her face, held up only by her hands, which were supported by elbows propped up against the steps.
"You fuck!"
"Who's the weakling now?" Khalid panted. He lowered the couch on his end, putting less pressure on her palms.
"You stupid–"
"Hello."
The unfamiliar voice cut off what was to be a string of unflattering insults. Ana peered up from her supine position on the stairs, and was greeted with the amused face of a stranger.
"Hi," she said through a heavy breath.
"Would you like some help?" the woman asked.
"Yes." She nodded her chin at Khalid. "Help me kick his teeth in."
"Ana, my arms are about to break!"
"I'll…take that as a 'yes'," their new helper said. She lifted the couch on Ana's side with difficulty – her frame was much lighter than the sniper's. So Ana quickly rolled out from under the couch, then relieved the woman of her burden.
"Mind opening the door for us?" Ana asked when the couch was finally carried out of the stairwell. "305. It's unlocked."
"Sure."
The soldiers' tempers cooled into coordinated efficiency, carrying the last piece of furniture into the apartment. When they finally set the couch in the living room, Ana's arms could barely straighten, let alone bend to flex away the numbness. Somehow moving furniture was more taxing than lifting weights at a gym, and much more infuriating.
"You two are moving in?" the woman asked, reminding them of her presence.
"No," Khalid replied. "We're helping a friend move house, actually."
"Oh, I see." Her eyes flickered over to Ana briefly. "Er, yeah. Do you…need any more help?"
"This was the last one." Ana swung her hand limply at the couch. "But thanks for the offer. For the rescue too."
"No problem."
They followed her to the open door, where she turned around. "Do you live nearby?"
"Nah. We're in the army base up north," Khalid replied.
"Soldiers?"
"Yup."
"Ah. Well, I've to make a move. You two have a nice day now."
Ana gave her a casual salute, smiling when the gaze lingered on her a little longer before the woman disappeared down the stairs.
"That's not fair," Khalid said when he closed the door behind them. "You stole her attention from me."
"I can't steal something you never had in the first place." Ana threw herself onto the couch, grinning at his joking scowl. She kicked at Khalid's backside before he could sit as well. "Get me something to drink."
"What am I, your servant?" he grumbled, but made for the kitchen anyway.
"You dragged me out to help your friend, Issa. So get me that drink." Laying her head back, Ana ignored Khalid's mutter of 'doesn't even make sense' and melted into the couch. Then, out of habit, she pulled the phone out of her pants pocket. No new messages.
Khalid returned to the living room surprisingly quick, and clicked his tongue when he saw what Ana was doing. "Checking your phone every other minute won't make her come back faster, you know,"
Of course she knew that. Spending an entire day staring at the stagnant chat, restraining the urge to tap on the name, and falling asleep with the phone beside her pillow was enough to drill it in. But vain hope was an infuriatingly stubborn creature.
Ana waited until the screen turned dark before shoving it back into her pocket. "Whatever." She accepted the can of soda, popping it open and taking a large gulp.
"Are you sure you didn't piss her off?"
"Yes. Will you stop trying to make me doubt myself?"
"I'm not! Just trying to make sure." Khalid spread his arms as if to display his innocence. He took a long draught from his can and sighed in contentment. "You know, I still can't believe you held out on me for an entire. Fucking. Month."
"Get over it," Ana said, taking another mouthful of soda.
"You've been getting laid for an entire month and you never told me."
"I– Get over it," she repeated, giving Khalid a sidelong glance when he leaned in conspiratorially.
"So. How is it?"
"How is what." She bit into the rim of the can, steadfastly ignoring his grin.
"Hot or not? On a scale of 1 to 10?"
"I don't know."
"Right. Still playing dumb." Khalid snorted. "Like nothing happened. Like you haven't been getting your–"
"We haven't," Ana said quietly into her can.
"Yeah right." He took another swig, then yanked it away at the look on the sniper's face. "Wait. You're not being serious?" His brows rose when she rolled her eyes and tilted the can up. "You mean, for the entire month–"
"No."
Khalid stared at her, his face scrunching up in a cross between disbelief and humour. "Are you sure? I mean, it has been a month. Over a–"
"What's your point?" Ana sighed.
"Ana, who's the last person you didn't fuck on the same day you met them?"
She narrowed her eyes, playing along with his little game. After racking her brain a while – a long while – she said, "Lamis."
"Right. Lamis. Your ex. From the academy. Two years ago."
"What's your point, Khalid?"
The man stared at her incredulously for a moment, before laughing quietly. "Shit. You're serious? About her?"
Ana rotated the can in her hand slowly, fingers leaving long trails in the condensation. "Yes. Yes, I am."
"God." Khalid fell back into the couch beside her. "I thought you were just after her because she's unattainable."
"Then what's with all the shit you've been giving me?"
"Because she'll be the first you can't get?" he said like it was as obvious as the midday sun. Turning to look at her, Khalid shook his head slowly, his mouth still curved. "I didn't think you're even capable of waiting, let alone wait for this long." He snickered. "Honestly, I don't know what I'm more surprised at. You being attached, or that you haven't been walking with your legs crossed."
"That's because I don't have a dick to get boners with," Ana said flatly.
"Right," Khalid drawled for the umpteenth time. He laughed to himself again. "Shit. You've really got it bad this time."
"You don't have to keep reminding me."
"No wonder you've been so tame in the club lately–"
"Will you stop–"
His phone rang at the right moment, sparing Ana's request from being ignored again. Khalid listened to his friend speak, then turned towards her.
"Pizza?"
"Get two."
"Making up for something, eh?"
Ana kicked him in the shin.
Hard.
She woke up on Sunday morning with her phone on her face. No new messages.
Had a run, shower, and a breakfast bar. No new messages.
Lay in bed reading the same line of a mystery novel repeatedly until Khalid dragged her out. No new messages.
Went to a casual French restaurant with some of the squad for a little pampering. No new messages.
Strolled around the mega mall. No new messages.
Picked up two magazines at the bookstore. No new messages.
Sat down in a café for a short break. No new mes–
"Will you stop!" Khalid exclaimed, yanking the phone out of her grasp.
"Give it back!" Ana half-stood from the chair, reaching for the device that Khalid stretched beyond her range. She slapped at his arm and face when he pushed her back by the forehead.
"You're getting obsessive with the checking, alright? You're going to break the home button at this rate." He pressed on the button despite his warning. "Oh. She's back."
"Yeah yeah, give it back."
"No, I'm serious." Khalid had barely stretched the phone halfway towards her when it was snatched out of his grasp. Sure enough, there was a single message from Kamilah.
Kamilah: [I'm back.]
A little underwhelming, but still. Ana shot a reply at light speed: [Welcom–]
No…wait. That's so…formal?
[I'm out]
She regretted it the moment it was sent. Was that too informal? Terse? Dismissive? Indifferent?
Kamilah: [Ok. Have fun.]
'Fun'? How was she supposed to have fun while fighting the impulse to ditch her friends and break the speed limit on the way back to base? How was she supposed to have fun when the look on Khalid's face broadcasted the intention to fuck with her?
"What."
"Too bad we took only one car out, huh?" Khalid said, grin growing slowly but surely. "And it's my car too…"
"Don't," Ana warned.
"Don't what?" Layla joined in, setting the tray on the table.
"Nothing," the sniper muttered. She took the latte handed to her.
"Ana's feeling a little restless," Khalid said, ignoring the pointed glance shot in his direction.
"Oh?" Layla laughed. "All that walking's not enough for you?"
"Yeah," Khalid continued before Ana could open her mouth. "We're just talking about visiting the museum."
Oh.
"Which one?"
My.
"The one that just got renovated."
Fucking.
"Oh, the one with three floors?"
God.
"Yup. Heard they have new exhibits now."
"Cool! Then let's go."
"What about Mesi?" Ana asked.
"Eh, she'll go if we're all going." Layla waved a hand, unaware of the plot that she had been dragged into.
Ana fell into a staring contest with her nemesis, watching the self-satisfied smirk hold fast under her sickly sweet one. She brought the cup of latte to her mouth, taking a long sip. Two could play at this game. Even though only one would be in pain.
The museum had three floors. Each of which held a sprawling gallery that might as well be a labyrinth without an exit. Ana managed to calm herself down out of sheer spite, taking her time to appreciate the art pieces – though she did not understand most of them – and met Khalid at the end of each exhibit with an aggressively friendly smile. The man had better start planning his closed casket funeral. She was going to rip him from stem to stern.
It took them almost two hours to finish sweeping through the entire building. Ana let a little bit of excitement mix with her calm when they climbed into Khalid's car. Just a little though. In case that ass decided to make a detour out of the blue. He did not – fortunately for him – and they soon made it past the base's guarded entrance, reaching their barracks' parking lot by mid-afternoon.
Ana walked behind her two other squad mates on purpose, and stuck a leg out to trip Khalid when he mentioned that the rooms were not fully sound-proofed. She strode quickly up the stairs, heading straight for Kamilah's door. Her feet started tapping impatiently after the knock, then promptly flew forward when the door opened. Kamilah gasped in surprise when Ana crashed into her, arms clamping around Kamilah's waist and lifting her from the ground in a firm embrace. She laughed when haphazard kisses rained all over the side of her face and neck, and stretched out a hand to push the door shut. Turning her head, she caught Ana's roaming lips with her own. Brief, but deep.
"Aren't you tired?" Kamilah asked when she was kept in the air.
"'Tired'? Sweetheart." Ana snaked an arm under Kamilah, hitching her up onto her hip. She flexed her free arm. "These can carry you all the way from Cairo to Damietta."
"And I took my bike instead," Kamilah said with a smile, running an appreciative hand over the contours of her muscles. "How silly of me."
"Now you know." Ana stole another peck, then let the medic down. Now that her euphoric rush had subsided, she noticed Kamilah's tousled hair and clothes. Pulling down the hem of Kamilah's t-shirt that had hiked up over the waistband of her shorts, Ana asked, "Were you asleep?"
"Mm. Took a nap."
"I woke you."
"It's alright. I didn't mean to sleep this long anyway." Kamilah patted her arm, then moved to the duffle bag sitting on the floor beside her bed.
"That tired, huh?"
"I left Damietta rather early this morning. But there were two accidents on the way here," Kamilah sighed, setting the bag on her bed and unzipping it. "And traffic was heavy. It was horrible."
"At least it's over," Ana said, getting an affirmative hum. "So…the getaway 'clear your head'?"
"It was–" Kamilah paused with a bundle of clothes in her hands. "Not really." She tossed them onto the bed in a messy pile. "I–," she said quietly, glancing at Ana. She took a breath, and turned her attention back to the bag. "You…never really left my mind."
She would give Ana heart palpitations at this rate. Blood racing through an oddly calm body, Ana moved slowly towards her, affectionate smile growing as she neared her back. Kamilah was still fishing her belongings out of the duffle bag, acting as though she hadn't noticed the movement. Hands landing on Kamilah's hips, she slid them across her front, closing her arms fully around the woman. Gently, Ana pulled Kamilah flush against her, putting a halt to the unpacking.
"You know something, Milah?" Ana murmured next to her ear. "I couldn't stop thinking about you either."
Moving her hands up Kamilah's sides at a leisurely pace, Ana laid a kiss beside her ear, moving slowly down the edge of her jaw. Kamilah clasped onto her arms as the touches roamed over her ribs, brushing tantalisingly under her breasts. Ana's lips pressed a little harder at a spot on her neck, eliciting a slow, shuddering breath. Kamilah tilted her head upwards – just a little, giving Ana access to her pulse point. Claiming the spot with a kiss, Ana nipped at her skin. The soft noise from Kamilah's throat ignited the core of her being, searing through the last threads of patience and self-control.
Ana took a step back, turning Kamilah around roughly. She wasted no time, bringing their lips together with bruising intensity. Kamilah gripped tightly onto the back of her shirt with one hand, the other buried deep in dark locks, pulling her impossibly close. She kept her arms locked around Kamilah, every sense of self lost in their heated exchange, keeping pace with each advance Kamilah made. Ana groaned hungrily at the tongue delving into her mouth, moving with a deftness absent from the woman's drunken fervour. She met it with her own, pride swelling at the drawn-out moan from their first pass. They barely parted for breath, so desperate to make up for lost time that they were unaware of moving, until Kamilah's back hit the wall.
Teeth clashed against each other, and Ana felt a sharp sting on her bottom lip that flared when Kamilah's tongue brushed past it. With a pained grunt, Ana set a hand on the wall and tried to pull away. Each kiss Kamilah lavished upon her threatened to break her self-awareness, but the sting kept her grounded until finally, they parted. The thin wet thread between their lips broke as Ana took the time to calm herself, panting heavily while returning Kamilah's gaze. Desire reigned in dark brown irises until they flickered downwards.
Ana's eyes lowered as well, and she spotted a light smear of red on Kamilah's lip. She raised a hand to wipe it off, but Kamilah was faster. Her finger touched Ana's bottom lip lightly, bringing back to her awareness the pain she had forgotten.
"I'm so sorry."
She smiled at the concern in the medic's face, and held onto her hand. "Just a little scratch. I'll be fine." Ana sucked at her lip, noting how Kamilah's gaze lingered on the motion. She reached out with a finger, gently wiping away where her blood stained Kamilah's lip.
"Is it still bleeding?" Ana asked after licking at the wound.
"I don't think so," Kamilah replied, pulling at her lip for a better look. "Er, maybe a little."
"Kiss it better?" she asked, corner of her mouth quirking in a playful smirk.
"You know that doesn't work."
"Please?"
Kamilah's lips twitched. She leaned forward, placing a soft kiss over the cut. The care she took in not aggravating the pain – however slight – was for naught when Ana caught her in another kiss before she could withdraw. There was a dull throb at the pressure on her lip, but it was practically non-existent as far as Ana was concerned.
"I think it worked," she said, resting her hands on Kamilah's lower back.
"Oh really?" Kamilah quirked a brow and closed the distance between them. Ana stayed still, enjoying the attention – until she felt teeth closing in on broken skin. Eyes snapping open, she jerked away from the experimental bite.
"You're evil," Ana said, breaking away from Kamilah to worry at her injured lip.
"If you say so." With a crooked smile, Kamilah turned back to the bag that lay forgotten on her bed.
The sniper flopped down onto the mattress, lying on her back as she picked up a t-shirt Kamilah had dug out. She held it up between her hands, examining the stylised wolf print on light grey cotton. Now this was so much easier to appreciate than the abstract pieces in the museum earlier. Maybe she was just a caveman who did not appreciate the finer arts.
Ana started when something landed on her stomach. She dropped the t-shirt on the bed, looking down to find a small white package sitting on her stomach.
"You wanted a present," Kamilah said, picking up her now-empty bag.
Ooh. Ana took the packet as Kamilah went to her wardrobe, and held it up to see– Wait. She recognised the little blue brand logos covering the white packet. Ana sat up, tearing the package open and…yup.
"Animal biscuits," Ana said, popping a monkey-shaped one into her mouth. "Really? You went all the way to Damietta and got me animal biscuits?"
"Actually, the apartment owner's daughter gave it to me. I just kept it for you."
"Mm." Ana ate a giraffe. "You sure know how to make a girl feel special." She watched Kamilah gather the used clothes in her arms and dump them into the hamper. "You rented an apartment there?"
"Yup. With a sea view."
"How luxurious."
Kamilah lay on the bed beside her. "Compared to this shoebox," she said, waving a hand at the cozy but small room. "It was like a palace."
"I'm sure Your Highness will readapt quickly," Ana cooed, resting on her elbows by the woman. Picking out a bear-shaped biscuit, she dropped it into the medic's mouth.
"So…you didn't get anything for me, huh?"
"No. Would you settle for a night out instead?"
"Only if we're taking your bike."
"My bike it is."
Ana smiled, bending down for a lazy kiss. "Then we're settled." She rolled onto her back and rested her head on Kamilah's stomach. Tossing another biscuit into her mouth, she said, "Now, tell me all about the exciting things you did in Damietta."
Her makeshift cushion shook underneath her head when Kamilah laughed softly. Ana closed her eyes while fingers combed through her hair, listening to the lilts and dips in Kamilah's voice, feeling her life fall back into place.
How she ever survived without this woman, she did not know.
"This…feels a little strange," Ana said.
"Strange?"
She nodded at the riverfront they were strolling down. Adjusting her fingers between Kamilah's, Ana explained, "I've never really paid this place much attention before. Feels like I'm here for the first time."
"Never stopped to take in the sights?"
"Nope. Unless you count the pubs and nightclubs." For her, nightlife along the Nile was always a rush of activity through dimly lit hangouts interspersed with flashes of light – a routine that hardly left an imprint on her memory anymore.
Ana recognised the stretch of brightly-lit establishments, sure. She had ventured into most of them with the usual rowdy gang. But the moment Kamilah steered her away from the heart of the excitement, walking into quieter stretches with late night cafes, indie art galleries, and the occasional tourist shop, it was as if they had entered another world altogether. Many couples and families were on the boardwalk as well, either sitting on benches and enjoying the view, or wandering leisurely down the riverside.
The calm was unfamiliar, but refreshing. Now that she had slowed down, she could actually feel the breeze in her hair and enjoy watching the ships cruising down the river, brilliant lights marking their trails across dark waters. They were walking close enough to the guard rails to hear the faint sounds of water lapping against the concrete foundation.
"Let me guess," Ana said. "You've been here many times before."
"Only a couple."
"And never with company."
"Mm."
"No one's ever approached you before? And no," Ana intoned, drawing out the last syllable when Kamilah raised a brow at her. "I mean, outside of base. Outside the army."
"Never gave them the time of day."
"You must have crushed a few hundred hearts."
"More like libidos," Kamilah replied. "But 'hearts' does have a nicer ring to it." She turned towards Ana. "What about you?"
"I've crushed hearts, yes. But I do satisfy libidos."
A wry smile. "I meant, have you ever kept company for more than one night?"
"Do multiple nights count?"
"Outside the bedroom."
"Er, then technically…no. At least, not for quite a while."
"Never found anyone interesting?"
"Hm." Ana chewed over her answer. "That, partly. And I wasn't really looking. It's just…" She shrugged. "Tiring, you know? It's much simpler if it's…just confined to the bedroom." The last few words came out slowly, her mind catching up to what just left her mouth.
Oh. Oh…no. No wait.
She looked over in time to see Kamilah nod, her gaze now pointed towards the river. Her expression was still placid, which only made Ana panic even more because she didn't know how to remedy the situation when she had no bloody idea what Kamilah was thinking when she was giving nothing away for her to–
Kamilah stopped in her tracks, bringing Ana's runaway thoughts to a halt as well. She tugged on Ana's hand and brought her closer towards the railing.
"There," she said, pointing towards the cluster of ships further down the river. "That's the biggest cruise terminal in this area. It's–" Kamilah paused when she glanced back at Ana, who was staring at her instead of the terminal. She cocked her head curiously.
"Have I told you how much I missed you?" Ana said suddenly. Kamilah's smile, which should have soothed her nerves, did just the opposite.
"I think your welcome said it all."
"No, it didn't."
Ana felt her own body tense as she stepped forward, circling her arms around Kamilah. Her partner blinked, eyes flickering briefly over Ana's shoulder.
"Ana?"
"Kamilah–" Ana swallowed, feeling her throat squeeze almost painfully. She tightened her hold on Kamilah's waist.
"I love you."
Three simple words that knocked the air out of her lungs, snatched away her defenses and left her vulnerable. So vulnerable. A lump rose in her throat as Kamilah held her gaze in silence. Ana's fingers trembled slightly on her partner's body, hope and fear clashing in an internal war that paralysed her.
God, she loved this woman, this part of her soul that she never knew was missing. She would give anything, do anything to be with her. She would endure the bite of a thousand bullets, crawl through a sea of hot coals, fight the entire world to stay by her side, to hold her close, to keep her safe. When? When did she fall, and fall this hard?
"Ana," Kamilah said softly, and Ana's heart leapt in response. The sniper watched her lips slowly twitch into a gentle smile as she ran a fingertip down Ana's cheek. "You're adorable when you're nervous."
Now that was…unexpected. Seconds passed while Ana settled down from her sudden upheaval, realising that Kamilah was still in her arms, caressing her face, leaning in to place a kiss on her lips. Eyes fluttering shut, Ana met each light peck with a familiar rhythm, cupping Kamilah's cheek as she tilted her head, deepening their kisses until Ana snorted.
She tried to hold it in at first, meeting Kamilah's lips again. But she quickly pulled away when she gave another snort, giggles finally spilling over as she clung onto a confused Kamilah.
"You think I'm adorable?" Ana asked through the giggles.
"When you're being ridiculously serious, yes."
She grinned, tugging Kamilah close so they stood chest-to-chest. "Normally I'd punch anyone who calls me adorable in the teeth. But for you, I'll make an exception."
"I do like my teeth."
"Me too." Ana closed the distance again, catching her in a firm kiss.
Kamilah slid her hands up Ana's arms to rest on her shoulders, indulging in the lip lock before she broke away. "We're in public."
"I don't care." She scrunched up her face when Kamilah tweaked her nose.
"I do."
"Tough." Ana flew in before Kamilah could react, stealing another kiss. She smiled when her partner followed up with yet another. "I thought you cared?"
"You make me do strange things," Kamilah murmured, giving her one last peck before laying her head on Ana's shoulder.
Ana knew she was grinning like an idiot, but she did not give a damn. Wrapping her arms tighter around the medic, she pressed her lips atop black tresses.
"I love you, Kamilah." The words came much easier now, and she relished the way they rolled off her tongue. "I love you so much."