A Saturday Afternoon
A Fantasy story by Maxdallion on Inkrune. 3,623 words.
Grey clouds hung low over the apartment complex, blotting out what little warmth the late afternoon had left behind. A cold wind whistled between the buildings, tugging at his jersey as he climbed the last few steps and stopped before a dark brown metal door.
He rubbed his hands together and exhaled into the cold air before raising a fist.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The knock echoed through the apartment.
From inside came a familiar voice.
MC* - "Coming!"
Footsteps padded across the tiled floor, followed by the click of a lock.
The door cracked open—
—and a sudden gust of wind shoved it inward.
MC stumbled back a step, grabbing the handle before it could swing into the wall.
MC - "Woah, damn!"
His friend laughed.
Warm air immediately rushed out, carrying with it the comforting smell of tea... and something sweet.
MC grinned.
MC - "Hails, brother, glad you made it."
They met in the doorway, their palms slapping together before locking into a familiar dap. They gave it a quick shake before finishing with a fist bump.
FR - "Masha'allah, broski, glad I could make it too."
He stepped inside and immediately shivered as the warmth wrapped around him.
FR - "Cold out there."
MC pushed the heavy metal door shut against the wind, giving it one extra shove before locking it.
MC - "Indeed. I've got the AC on. It's warm as hell in here."
FR chuckled.
FR - "Yeah, I could feel the heat the moment you opened the door."
He slipped off his shoes and placed them neatly beside the wall near the entrance before pausing.
He sniffed the air.
FR - "Bru..."
MC looked over.
FR - "Your place smells like muffins."
MC paused before taking a curious sniff himself.
MC - "...Does it?"
FR - "Ja. Like fresh muffins."
MC laughed.
MC - "Nah, no muffins."
FR - "Really?"
MC shrugged.
MC - "Probably the scones."
The friend raised an eyebrow.
FR - "Those are scones?"
MC - "Yeah."
He breathed in once more.
FR - "Brother... whatever they are, they smell lekker."
MC smiled.
MC - "Well, they'll still be there later."
The two walked farther inside.
The apartment opened into a shared kitchen and lounge. The kitchen occupied the left side of the room. Cream-white cupboards trimmed with light wood stretched above matching wooden countertops, while an electric kettle rested near the pantry cupboard where it always sat.
To the right lay the lounge.
A large navy-blue fabric sofa—really two sofas pushed together into an L-shape—wrapped around a small coffee table sitting atop a thick, fluffy carpet that covered most of the room. Beyond it stood a broad wooden TV stand supporting the television, its shelves lined with books and a few odds and ends collected over the years.
The TV still displayed a paused YouTube video.
MC gestured towards the sofa.
MC - "Sit anywhere, broski."
The friend wandered over and practically melted into one corner of the sofa, sinking comfortably into the cushions.
He let out a long, satisfied sigh.
FR - "Yoh..."
He smiled to himself.
FR - "This sofa never disappoints."
MC chuckled as he walked into the kitchen, the rubber grips beneath his thick house slippers giving the occasional quiet squeak against the tiled floor.
MC - "Told you."
He filled the kettle, set it onto its base and flicked the switch.
A soft hum filled the apartment.
Opening one of the cupboards, he took down two large white ceramic mugs before quietly closing the cupboard door with the back of his hand.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Only the wind outside, the humming kettle and the paused YouTube video filled the room.
MC rested the mugs on the wooden countertop.
MC - "So... broski. How's life?"
The friend paused for a moment.
FR - "What?"
MC pulled a box of Five Roses tea bags from the cupboard.
MC - "You know. How've you been?"
The friend frowned in amused confusion.
FR - "Oh, I've been okay. Why are you asking?"
MC placed two tea bags beside the mugs.
MC - "Just checking in on you."
FR - "Erm... okay... but why are you asking like we haven't seen each other in months?"
MC glanced over his shoulder.
MC - "Well... it's been quite a bit since we talked, no?"
The friend stared at him for a second before breaking into a grin.
FR - "Bro..."
He laughed.
FR - "We literally talked three days ago. What are you on about?"
A laugh drifted from the kitchen.
MC leaned against the countertop, shaking his head.
MC - "Lol, I was just playing."
He smiled.
MC - "For real though... how've you been?"
The friend settled back into the sofa once again.
FR - "I've been alright."
He shrugged.
FR - "School and shit."
MC rolled his eyes.
MC - "Tell me about it."
The kettle clicked loudly as it switched itself off.
MC poured the steaming water into both mugs before dropping a tea bag into each.
Steam curled gently upwards.
MC - "We're almost done with the exams though, so I'll be free in about a week. What about you?"
He looked towards the lounge.
MC - "How far are you with yours?"
The friend groaned dramatically, throwing his head back against the sofa.
FR - "A week? Damn..."
One hand slid down over his face.
FR - "I'll only be done in three weeks."
MC winced sympathetically.
FR - "Life Science Paper One was a nightmare, broski."
He rubbed both hands over his face before letting them fall into his lap.
FR - "You have no idea how anxious I was before the exam even started."
He laughed awkwardly.
FR - "I was sweating so much I practically ruined the paper and had to rewrite the whole page."
A laugh escaped the kitchen.
MC - "Based as hell, broski."
The tea continued to steep.
MC - "I was dying in Pure Maths and Language."
His hand rested on the little glass sugar container.
MC - "Also... how many spoons of sugar?"
The friend looked over.
FR - "Oh... um..."
He thought for a second.
FR - "Two..."
Another pause.
FR - "...Nah, three."
MC nodded.
MC - "Three it is."
He measured three spoonfuls into his friend's mug.
A few grains landed on the wooden countertop.
"Tsk."
Without thinking, he swept them into his palm with two fingers before brushing them into the sink.
The sugar container found its place on the wooden tray beside the small milk jug.
He left the mugs alone for another few moments.
FR - "Language?"
MC looked over.
FR - "You mean English?"
MC laughed quietly.
MC - "You really think I'd struggle at English?"
The friend shrugged innocently.
FR - "Well..."
MC shook his head.
MC - "No, bro. Fricken Arabic."
The friend burst out laughing.
FR - "Wallahi... you're definitely failing."
MC let out a short laugh through his nose.
MC - "Nah."
He gently stirred both mugs.
MC - "I've actually been practising."
The friend looked over with genuine curiosity.
FR - "Practising?"
MC nodded.
MC - "Yeah."
He smiled a little.
MC - "My mom's been helping me... and so has my grandma."
The friend nodded thoughtfully.
FR - "At reading?"
MC froze.
Slowly...
He looked towards the lounge.
"...Yes."
The friend couldn't hold it anymore.
FR - "Skill issue."
MC rubbed his forehead.
MC - "Tsek."
Both of them laughed.
He gave the tea one final stir before lifting his own mug.
A careful sip.
He thought about it for a second.
"...Hmm."
One more teaspoon of sugar.
Another stir.
This time he nodded to himself.
Picking up both mugs, he placed them carefully onto the tray beside the sugar container, the little milk jug and the teaspoons.
Balancing the tray with both hands, he walked into the lounge.
His slippers squeaked faintly on the tiles before falling silent against the thick carpet.
Using the side of his hand, he nudged the TV remote and the air-conditioner remote closer together before lowering the tray onto the coffee table.
The mugs clinked softly as he lifted them from the tray.
He handed one to his friend.
FR - "Shukran."
MC smiled.
MC - "Afwan."
The friend wrapped both hands around the warm mug instead of drinking from it immediately.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment.
FR - "Yoh..."
A small smile spread across his face.
FR - "This feels nice."
MC picked up his own mug and settled into his usual spot on the sofa.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The wind rattled gently against the sliding doors.
Steam drifted lazily from the mugs.
The paused YouTube video still waited patiently on the television.
The friend finally lifted the mug towards his lips.
He blew gently across the surface before taking a careful sip.
"...Tss."
He pulled the mug away with a slight wince.
FR - "Still hot."
MC chuckled into his own mug.
MC - "Give it a minute."
The friend nodded, cradling the mug between both hands again. The warmth seeped into his fingers as he leaned farther back into the sofa, letting himself sink into the cushions.
Outside, another gust of wind swept through the apartment complex, softly rattling the sliding doors.
The room felt even warmer because of it.
The friend glanced towards the television.
The paused YouTube video was still waiting exactly where MC had left it.
FR - "What were you watching?"
MC looked over.
MC - "Just YouTube."
FR - "Watching what?"
MC shrugged.
MC - "Random stuff."
FR - "As always."
MC laughed.
MC - "Pretty much."
The friend took another sip.
This time it was cool enough.
He nodded to himself in approval before setting the mug back onto the coffee table with a soft clink.
Silence settled between them again.
Neither was bothered by it.
MC absent-mindedly scrolled through the thumbnails frozen on the television with his eyes before blinking.
"...Oh."
The friend looked over.
FR - "What?"
MC sat forward slightly.
MC - "I completely forgot about the scones."
The friend laughed.
FR - "Brother."
MC set his mug onto the tray.
MC - "Wait here."
The friend looked around the apartment.
FR - "Where am I gonna go?"
MC grinned.
He stood, his slippers brushing softly over the carpet before meeting the tiled floor once more.
A faint squeak followed each step as he crossed into the kitchen.
He opened the pantry cupboard.
The small hinge gave its familiar squeak.
Reaching inside, he pulled out a clear plastic container.
The moment he lifted the lid, the sweet smell drifted into the apartment once again.
From the lounge—
FR - "So that is what I smelt?"
MC smiled without turning around.
MC - "Told you."
The friend breathed in dramatically.
FR - "Still smells like muffins."
MC laughed.
MC - "They're scones."
FR - "Muffins pretending to be scones."
MC - "Sure, Muffin scones, Scone muffins."
FR - “You understand.”
Carrying the container into the lounge, he placed it beside the tray.
The friend leaned forward almost immediately.
Inside sat a neat stack of homemade scones, their tops lightly browned, each one just a little different from the next.
The friend smiled.
FR - "Yoh..."
He reached inside and picked one up, turning it over in his hands.
FR - "These actually look good."
MC - "Hopefully they taste good too."
The friend laughed.
FR - "Didn't you make them?"
MC shrugged.
MC - "Yeah."
FR - "Then shouldn't you know?"
MC - "I know they're edible."
The friend burst out laughing.
FR - "Edible?"
MC - "That's already a good sign."
Before they could eat the scone, MC suddenly paused.
The smile on his face softened.
He looked over at his friend.
MC - "Wait."
The friend stopped, his hand resting on the coffee table.
FR - "Hm?"
MC nodded towards the food.
MC - "Let's pray first."
Without hesitation, the friend smiled and nodded.
FR - "Lead us in prayer, brother."
MC smiled.
MC - "Alright."
They both set their mugs down on the tray.
The teaspoons gave a quiet clink against the ceramic as the mugs settled.
The room fell still.
Only the low hum of the air conditioner and the wind brushing against the sliding doors could be heard.
Steam continued to curl from the mugs as both men bowed their heads.
MC took a slow breath.
For the first time, he was about to pray entirely in Levantine Arabic in front of someone else.
He'd practised with his mother.
He'd practised with his grandmother.
Now...
He prayed.
MC - "Yā Abānā, bism Yasūʿ, jāy il-yōm ʾuddāmak maʿ akhūy. Jāy aṭlub minnak ḥimāye. Yā Abānā, bishʾalak tiḥmīna ana wa-akhūy bi-hāl-laḥẓa.
"Bishʾalak tiḥmi ʿaylti, illi mish maʿi, w-tkūn maʿhun.
"Wa-bishʾalak ʿa ḥimāyet ṣaḥābi, il-ʾarībīn w-il-baʿīdīn, w-tkūn maʿhun.
"Bishkurak ʿal-maḥabbe w-ir-raḥme illi ʿaṭaytnāhā, maʿ innana mā binistaʾhil.
"Wa-bishʾalak ʿa ikhwāni w-khawāti ḍ-ḍāyʿīn, laʿallhun ylāʾūk, w-yisabbiḥūk, w-ykūnu maʿak.
"Wa-bishkurak ʿal-akal illi razaqtnā yāh ana wa-akhūy.
"Bism Yasūʿ, āmīn."
The apartment was quiet again.
The friend slowly lifted his head.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He hadn't expected MC to pray the whole thing in Levantine.
Every sentence came naturally.
For someone who'd only started learning years after childhood...
He'd come a long way.
He kept the thought to himself.
Instead, he answered the prayer.
FR - "Āmīn yā Rabb. Rabbīna yesmaʿ minnak, wi-yebārek fīk, wi-yeḥfazak wi-ikhwātak kulluhum. Āmīn."
Both of them made the sign of the cross.
Another quiet moment passed.
MC smiled.
MC - "Alhamdulillah."
The friend smiled back.
FR - "Alhamdulillah."
A brief pause.
Then—
FR - "El-magd lel-Masīḥ!"
MC's smile widened.
MC - "Al-hamd li-Yasūʿ!"
The friend nodded.
FR - "Āmīn."
MC reached for his mug and took a sip.
The tea had cooled to exactly the right temperature.
He smiled to himself.
MC - "Lekker."
He picked up the remote and pointed it at the television.
MC - "Let's watch something now."
FR - “Wait!”
MC turned to look at the Friend.
MC - “Hm?”
FR - "Brother, the scones, let’s focus on the scones first; they smell amazing.”
The Friend grabbed a scone and took a good look at it.
The MC took the first bite.
He took a bite.
Chewed thoughtfully.
Swallowed.
A small nod.
MC - "...Yeah."
FR - "Yeah?"
MC - "They're good."
The friend finally brought his own scone up—
—but stopped halfway.
He frowned.
Looked at the scone.
Then at MC.
FR - "You got butter?"
MC nodded.
MC - "Yeah... hang on."
He stood up once again and headed back into the kitchen.
The fridge opened with a dull pop as the seal gave way.
Cool air spilt out.
He looked inside.
One shelf held milk, eggs and a few leftovers.
On another sat a small block of butter.
Beside it was a tub of Rama.
MC reached for the Rama.
From the lounge came a confused voice.
FR - "Brother..."
MC looked over his shoulder.
MC - "What?"
The friend pointed towards the yellow tub.
FR - "Where's the butter?"
MC held it up.
MC - "This."
The friend stared.
A long silence followed.
"...No."
MC frowned.
MC - "What?"
FR - "That's Rama."
MC - "Yeah."
FR - "That's not butter."
MC shrugged.
MC - "I know."
Another silence.
The friend blinked twice.
FR - "Then why'd you say you had butter?"
MC smiled to himself as he closed the fridge with his hip.
MC - "...Because I knew this conversation was gonna happen."
The friend slowly leaned back into the sofa.
He covered his face with one hand.
FR - "Bro..."
MC couldn't help laughing.
Carrying the tub over, he sat back down in his usual spot and peeled the lid open.
The friend watched him carefully.
FR - "Please tell me that's not what you put on your scones."
MC looked up.
MC - "It is."
The friend looked genuinely confused now.
FR - "You don't eat butter?"
MC shook his head.
MC - "Not really."
FR - "...Why?"
MC scooped a little Rama onto the knife.
MC - "I've just never liked the taste."
The friend stared as if trying to decide whether MC was joking.
He wasn't.
FR - "Bro..."
He pointed towards the kitchen.
FR - "There's actual butter in your fridge."
MC - "Yeah."
FR - "So why are you eating that?"
MC spread the Rama across the warm scone.
MC - "Because I like it more."
The friend looked genuinely offended.
FR - "Butter tastes amazing."
MC shrugged.
MC - "People keep telling me that."
The friend laughed.
FR - "There's no way."
MC took another bite.
Chewed.
Swallowed.
Then nodded matter-of-factly.
MC - "Never liked butter."
FR - "Since when?"
MC - "Since always."
FR - "Nah."
He pointed the scone at him.
FR - "You just haven't had good butter."
MC smiled.
MC - "That's exactly what everyone says."
The friend looked towards the kitchen again.
Then back at MC.
He thought of the untouched block of butter still sitting inside the fridge.
He sighed dramatically.
FR - "You're beyond saving."
MC took another bite of the scone as though nothing unusual had just been said.
The friend watched him chew.
He looked down at his own scone.
Then back at MC.
He thought of the unopened block of butter that was still sitting on the kitchen counter, where MC had left it after grabbing the Rama.
He shook his head.
FR - "Nah."
MC swallowed.
MC - "What?"
FR - "I refuse to believe you've gone your whole life without liking butter."
MC laughed.
MC - "I didn't say I've never eaten it."
FR - "Then how do you not like it?"
MC shrugged.
MC - "I don't know."
He spread another little bit of Rama across the broken half of his scone.
MC - "It just doesn't taste as good."
The friend stared at him.
FR - "As good as... Rama?"
MC - "Yeah."
Another pause.
The friend looked up at the ceiling.
FR - "Ya Allah..."
MC burst into laughter.
MC - "What?"
FR - "I'm actually trying to understand your thought process."
MC - "There isn't much to understand."
He took another bite.
MC - "I like Rama."
FR - "That's margarine."
MC - "Okay."
FR - "Not butter."
MC - "I know."
FR - "Then stop calling it butter."
MC grinned.
MC - "Fine."
He raised the tub slightly.
MC - "I prefer Rama."
The friend pointed at him.
FR - "See? That sounds much less criminal."
MC laughed so hard he nearly choked on the bite he was chewing.
He covered his mouth, coughed once, then reached for his mug.
A sip of tea later, he was fine again.
MC - "Criminal?"
FR - "Yes."
He nodded confidently.
FR - "That's at least five years."
MC snorted.
MC - "Five years for liking Rama?"
FR - "Minimum sentence."
MC shook his head, smiling.
MC - "You're dramatic."
The friend ignored him.
Instead, he finally reached for the butter.
He peeled back the wrapper before running the knife across the top.
The butter was firm from the fridge.
He scraped off a generous amount and spread it over the warm scone until it began melting into the crumb.
He held it up.
FR - "Now this..."
He pointed at it with the knife.
FR - "...this is how you're supposed to eat a scone."
MC watched with mild curiosity.
MC - "That's a lot."
FR - "Exactly."
He took a large bite.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then he slowly nodded.
FR - "Mm."
Another bite.
FR - "Perfect."
MC smiled.
MC - "Happy?"
FR - "Very."
MC looked at the butter-covered scone.
Then at his own.
He shrugged.
MC - "Still prefer mine."
The friend closed his eyes.
A long, disappointed sigh escaped him.
FR - "Brother..."
He pointed the knife towards MC.
FR - "One day."
MC tilted his head.
MC - "One day what?"
FR - "One day..."
He nodded solemnly.
FR - "...I'm buying you proper butter."
MC laughed.
MC - "Go ahead."
FR - "I'm serious."
MC - "So am I."
The friend narrowed his eyes.
FR - "We're having a blind taste test."
MC smiled.
MC - "I'll still choose Rama."
The friend immediately shook his head.
FR - "No."
MC - "Yes."
FR - "No."
MC - "Yes."
The friend pointed accusingly.
FR - "You've brainwashed yourself."
MC shrugged.
MC - "Or..."
He took another bite.
"...maybe I just have better taste."
The friend gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest.
FR - "Better taste?"
He laughed in disbelief.
FR - "Brother, you're eating margarine and telling me about taste?"
MC couldn't keep a straight face anymore.
The two dissolved into laughter, the argument forgotten almost as quickly as it had started.
For the next minute, the only sounds in the apartment were chuckles, mugs touching the coffee table, and the wind murmuring against the windows outside.
MC took another sip of his tea.
The warmth had settled perfectly now.
Not too hot.
Not too cold.
Just right.
The friend brushed a few crumbs from the front of his jersey before reaching for his mug again.
A quiet clink sounded as he set it back onto the coffee table.
His eyes drifted towards the television.
The paused YouTube video still sat there, waiting.
He looked back at MC.
FR - "So..."
He pointed towards the TV with the half-eaten scone.
FR - "...are we actually gonna watch something..."
A grin spread across his face.
FR - "...or are we just gonna spend the whole afternoon arguing about butter?"
MC laughed.
MC - "We can do both."
FR - "Multitasking."
MC - "Exactly."
The friend shook his head.
FR - "Nah, put something on."
MC reached over the coffee table and picked up the TV remote.
The familiar plastic creaked faintly in his hand as he pressed a button.
The paused YouTube video resumed.
For a few seconds, the room filled with the voice of someone enthusiastically explaining whatever random topic MC had been watching earlier.
The friend listened for all of five seconds.
Then looked over.
FR - "What... is this?"
MC looked at the screen.
MC - "Huh, I don't even remember."
FR - "You don't remember what you were watching?"
MC shrugged.
MC - "I clicked it because it looked interesting."
FR - "Does it still look interesting?"
MC watched another few seconds.
"...Not anymore."
The friend laughed.
FR - "Bruh..."
MC smiled before muting the television.
MC - "Movie?"
The friend didn't even hesitate.
FR - "Movie."
MC nodded.
He exited YouTube and opened the movie library.
Rows of colourful posters filled the screen.
The friend leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
FR - "Anything in mind?"
MC scrolled slowly.
MC - "Not really."
Poster after poster slid across the screen.
Action.
Comedy.
Horror.
Animated films.
Neither of them said anything for a while.
Every few seconds, one of them would quietly reject a movie.
FR - "Seen it."
Click.
MC - "Not feeling that."
Click.
FR - "Definitely not."
Click.
MC - "Too long."
Click.
The friend suddenly pointed.
FR - "Wait."
MC stopped scrolling.
MC - "That one?"
The friend leaned closer.
"...Nah."
MC sighed dramatically.
MC - "Bruh."
The friend laughed.
FR - "It looked familiar."
MC continued scrolling.
Another minute passed.
Then...
MC - "Ayo."
The friend looked over.
MC pointed at one of the posters.
MC - "What about this?"
The friend studied it.
He rubbed his chin dramatically.
FR - "Hmm..."
A few more seconds passed.
Then he nodded.
FR - "Could work."
MC smiled.
MC - "Could?"
FR - "Depends."
MC - "On?"
The friend looked at him completely seriously.
FR - "Do you have blankets?"
MC stopped.
"...What?"
FR - "Blankets."
He gestured towards the sliding doors where another gust of wind rattled the glass.
FR - "It's freezing outside."
MC looked towards the windows.
The trees beyond the balcony swayed in the wind.
He looked back at his friend.
Then down at the mug warming his hands.
"...Fair."
He stood up.
MC - "I've got blankets."
The friend smiled victoriously.
FR - "I knew you would."
MC looked back while walking towards the hallway.
MC - "Why'd you say it like that?"
FR - "You seem like the type."
MC frowned.
MC - "The type?"
FR - "The type to have emergency blankets."
MC laughed.
MC - "Emergency blankets?"
FR - "Yeah."
He counted on his fingers.
FR - "Emergency tea."
One finger.
FR - "Emergency scones."
Second finger.
FR - "Emergency blankets."
Third finger.
FR - "You probably have emergency candles somewhere too."
MC's footsteps stopped.
There was a brief silence.
He slowly looked back around the corner.
The friend immediately noticed.
"...You do, don't you?"
MC couldn't hold back a grin.
MC - "...Loadshedding."
The friend burst into laughter.
He leaned back into the sofa, clutching his stomach.
FR - "I knew it!"
MC shook his head, laughing to himself as he disappeared down the hallway.
His slippers squeaked faintly against the tiles before the sound faded.
Cupboard doors opened somewhere in the apartment.
Something heavy shifted.
Then another cupboard.
The friend looked curiously down the hallway.
FR - "You alive?"
MC's voice echoed back.
MC - "Yeah."
Another thump.
MC - "They're just... somewhere."
The friend smiled to himself and reached for another scone.
FR - "Take your time."
A few seconds later came another muffled voice.
MC - "...Found them."
FR - "Alhamdulillah."
MC - "Shush."
The friend laughed quietly, taking another bite of his scone while waiting.