The Emir and The Ordinary Girl
The Story of Izzy and Betty Early Meet

Duncan Blair Glasgow Scottish Shelter House

Izzy held Damian's arm tightly because it was true the man said that the road was slippery and uneven.

"I think I'm wearing the wrong shoes" he said. "Should wear Crocs instead of Converse."

"Indeed Converse's soles are a little slippery" Damian smiled. "You want to replace it with house slippers? I have a flip flop."

Izzy looked at Damian. "Your house is complete? It's all there."

"Well can be said this house is very complete and full of preparation like Scouts."

Izzy laughs. "Where is Dam, a house full of Scouts?"

"This is the proof" Damian Kalem replied. They both arrived at the house. "So, Izzy, what kind of plants are suitable to add to this vibrant home?"

"How long are you going to stay here?" Izzy turned towards Damian, ignoring the man's question while picking up the iPad in his bag.

"It could be about two or three months away. I haven't taken my big leave yet."

Izzy nodded. "Can we talk at the dinner table?"

"Why Izzy? Your leg hurts, right?" ask Damian.

"Little but it's okay that it's important I have to sit on Dam if it's too long standing or walking. And all day I've been sitting around waiting for you to work..." Izzy sat down in the dining chair.

"Would you have surgery again, get your legs back to normal?" damian asked who was sitting in front of him.

"The doctor said so. Because my bones used to be too badly damaged and the doctor tried to put them all together. At least I can walk first. This operation was to justify my patella. Because the last operation is still not perfect."

"When is the plan for the operation?"

"Still collecting money first. Because the cost is also not cheap plus I'm also a little worried about surgery because after that I can not work for six months to recover completely." Izzy smile. "It's Damian, let's talk about something else. Here I have some examples of plants that you can easily take care of and make this house very beautiful."

Damian looks at Izzy's iPad screen and sees the many plants the girl has to offer. The two were busy discussing but Damian kept thinking about Izzy's words.

After the surgery, I couldn't work for six months.

Somehow Damian felt like helping Izzy but didn't know what. Plus he and Izzy have only known each other for two weeks. Patience Dam. Your gentleman's soul is being held back first.

Damian and Izzy finally decided to choose three types of monstera, siltepecana, andansonii and variegata whose leaves are striped between green and white.

Variegata Monster

"Wouldn't you like to add more flowers, Dam?" ask Izzy.

"Nope. Look, your roses still look pretty, don't they?" Damian pointed at the orange rose in a well-kept-looking pot.

"So want a green feel huh Dam" Izzy smiled as he sipped his lemon tea ice.

"Yup..."

"I got banyaaakkk!!!"

The two turned to look at Betty's happy face showing off the Trout she caught.

"How much did you get Betty?" ask Izzy.

Damian laughing. "Then help me clean the fish. Some we keep in the fridge, some we cook here."

"Yes Chef!" betty exclaimed excitedly.

Izzy saw how Damian and Betty worked together to clean up the three-cooked Trout while the three brought Betty home to eat with her family. Izzy refused to bring the remaining fish because he would not have time to process it.

"Then, I can make lunch tomorrow, Izzy. I took the potted monster plants I ordered" Damian said, pulling out thorns in the trout.

"Are you going to cook the garlic again Dam?" god Izzy watches Damian and Betty working together.

"No, I'll do it with a different menu!"

Izzy smiled broadly. "I can't wait to taste the cuisine of chef Damian Azzam."

Damian smiled to see Izzy's face.

***

The third is engrossed in eating fish Trout garlic butter lemon sauce made by Damian with the help of Betty.

Damian, as usual, listened to Betty and Izzy's story about how they first met and became working partners.

"So I was in the position of losing a child, losing a husband due to a bad divorce, making me slump. And when I was in a DUI battery accident (Driving Under the Influence - driving drunk with alcohol or drugs), I had to be hospitalized and there I met Izzy." Betty stared at Izzy softly.

"Izzy was a victim of a DUI driver like me. The difference is I had a single accident because of my own carelessness but Izzy became the victim of a careless person. We talked a lot in one room and since then I've stayed away from alcohol because it's not impossible that someday I could take people's lives if I didn't stop drinking" Betty continued.

"True. Only we can stop our bad habits! Only our willpower and self-awareness can mindset 'I can stop'. I learned from my sister who studied psychology" Damian said.

"Are you drinking Damian's alcohol?" ask Izzy.

"No. I don't like alcohol any more than my belief doesn't allow" Damian's smile that makes Izzy and Betty look at each other.

It's worth saying Wa'alaikum greetings.

"Then you started working with Izzy out of the hospital?" ask Damian.

"Not directly because Izzy still has to recover. I decided to join an alcoholic rehabilitation program. Actually I'm not an alcoholic but the tendency there is already there. I follow detox, rehabilitation and anonymous counseling with AA (Alcoholic Anonymous ) communities. After I sober (alcohol free) for about 60 days, I ventured to come to Izzy. And since then I've worked with Izzy until now." Betty finished her story.

"I'm so proud of you Betty (i'm so proud of you). I salute your awareness that you can escape alcohol." Damian looked at Betty with a look of admiration.

"Thank you Mr. Azzam. Actually seeing Izzy in the hospital made me realize that I was still given a chance to live and make this gift given by God meaningful because I believe God has his own reasons to give long life. I could have died when I hit a tree."

"Betty, you're a good man. If there were no you, I wouldn't be strong to deal with my condition after the accident either" Izzy smiled.

"You are destined to meet in order to be a encouragement to each other. Your friendship is more than that because what I see, you're like brothers" Damian smiled.

"You're right Dam, sometimes others can outweigh brothers" Izzy replied.

***

Yuhuuuu Up Siang Yaaaa

Thank you for reading and support author

Don't forget to like vote and give

Tararengkyu & ________________________________________________________