Beneath Guarded Hearts - 48

Previously...

Asma

I took in a deep breath.

Noufyy: "You can do this Asma..."

Me: "I know I know. I will. I must."

3wash: "Good, because all this work can't go to waste."

Me: "Okaay… Yalla lazm atlabas."

Noufyy gave me a big hug and murmured to me encouragingly before she left.

Noufyy: "Good luck 7bibty."

Me: "Thanks... I think I'll need it."

______________

Sul6an

Me: "Asma? Wain sayra?"

Asma: "Oh Sul6an you're home already? Et7araitk bat5ali9 at 5:30…"

Me: "Haaih bas I got released mn wagt elyom, 3shan ma kan shay wayed sh3'l. Wain 6al3a?"

Asma: "Oh mashay sayra DM."

I raised a brow at her.

Me: "Hal wagt? W hal yom? Wayed z7ma mno bayseer weyach?"

Asma: "Sul6ooon ana mb yahil 5ala9 et5arajt w basoog ba3d shwaya!"

Me: "Asmaa..."

I used the warning tone that always worked with her.

3wash: Yalla Asma 5alna nseer banit2a- Oh Sul6an! You're home early..."

I raised my brow again, this time in surprise.

Me: "With 3wash? Mta et9ala7to inshalla?"

Asma: "Umm gabl esboo3ain a6’anii…”

I stared at her.

Me: "W ma 5abarteeni?"

Asma: "Ummmm I didn't wanna bother you, and she's making it up to me, batwa9ilny DM I need to buy something mn Bloomingdales."

I looked back and forth from Asma to 3wash. She didn't wanna bother me? 3wash making it up to her? That doesn't sound like either of them.

Me: "What's going on?"

3wash: "Ufff geltelch we should've just told him."

Asma: "3waaash!!!"

Me: "Told me what?"

3wash: "My GOD people we're gonna be late! Both of you, in the car, now! Asma will explain on the way."

Before I could say anything further, Asma snuck a glare at 3wash as they both rushed into her car. What the hell is going on?

***

>You don't look like you're going to enjoy this

I looked at Asma until she received it and read it. She was typing something back.

--No of course not. You know how much I hate doing stuff like this. But this needs to be done.

>No Asma, I know you. You’ll feel too guilty

--No I won't. He hurt me

           

            She said it as if that was reason enough, which we both knew was far from the truth.

>Then why didn't you destroy Nada when you could have?

I looked at her troubled reaction as I brought up unwanted memories from her past.

--You know I'm not like her, and it's not the same

>Exactly. You’re not like her Asma, Ana ma bawgaf fe 6reejch this time, bas I'm telling you, you're gonna regret this. Ma batroomen

--Yes I can! I'm stronger than you think

>Maybe, but inty insanh 7noona. It’s not in your nature to hurt people, especially not in public

--Uff shut up sul6an! You're not the one who's been lied to and you're not the one stuck in a marriage you can't get out of! I don't need a psychology lesson from you, I know what I'm doing

>Inzain 3ala ra7tch. Enjoy the last minutes of your peace, because we're about to reach

            I heard her catch her breath as she looked out the window.

Asma

Peace was far from what I was feeling. All this lying was already eating at my guilt, no matter that it was to Rashid. I texted him to tell him I had my own ride and that I'd meet him jdam the waterfall area ele 3dal el ice rink, the one with the random hanging people on it.

I was starving, but I didn't eat anything on purpose because I knew my nervousness wouldn't let it stay down. How was I supposed to look normal, even playful and interested, when I felt like crawling into a black hole? He's gonna know, he'll figure it out and-

NO. I WILL do this. I have to. He lied to you, Asma, he lied. He lied to many others before you, and this is for them as well. Ya Allah then why does it feel so wrong?

***

Rashid: "Halla 7bibty, looking hot! ;) Ma5tarty ela mkan mzd7m where everyone can see you -.-"

He pretended to pout.

Me: "But don't you want to show me off? Latgooly ink t3'ar because I'll know it's bull :)"

So I panicked for nothing. As always. It was like presenting a play; right before you step on stage, you feel like barfing, but as soon as you get into character, all that energy gets transformed to help enhance your role, to give you that boost. I was doing this much better than I thought, and my nervousness slowly subsided, but vaguely lingered still, waiting to release itself again when the time came.

He suddenly interrupted my thoughts.

Rashid: "Is that my family?!"

Me: "Ohh haaih ashoof you saw them! I made sure each and every one of them came 3shan I know you never get to see them and- What's wrong?"

Rashid: "Laish che swaity Asma, you can't just assume things when it comes to me. There's a REASON why I don't see them often. Every single person came?!"

            I narrowed my eyes at him. 3wash told me to expect this, even though I refused to believe that someone would purposely avoid his or her own family, the only people on earth who truly cared about you. And of course, I was wrong. Again. This world is such a sad place.

Me: "Yalla 3ad they’re you’re family! 7abeeby trust me, just come and say hi."

I gave him a flirtatious wink that him promised something, and he eventually smiled and held my hand as he lead me towards them.

I was good at this.

As he was saying hi to his large family of two parents and 8 siblings, I quickly bbm'ed the joined conversation of me, Noufyy and 3wash.

Asma

-Guys yalis ysalim 3alaihm right now

Noufyy

-Awesome, good job asoomty I'm so proud of you!

3wash

-Can everyone view the big screen mal el ice rink?

Asma

-Yes it’s clear, we're in the perfect position

Noufyy

-You have the link right?

Asma

-Yaa 3ndy eyaah

3wash

-Okaay, yalla ma bagy shay

Asma

-Haaih.. 

-Shit he's coming gtg!

Noufyy

-Ok ok byee hun!! 

-Good luck :*

3wash

-We're right here with you

Rashid: "So what do you have in store for me, ya Asma?"

Suddenly a thought popped into my head as he smiled at me. I could tell him before I publish the video and enjoy a little begging...

Me: "I know what you did last Friday in Mercato."

I blurted it out before giving it a second thought, and I regretted it the moment I said it. What if he did something to me? What if he kidnapped me again like before? Omg shit shit shit Asma you blew it! He’s not-

I saw his self-possession slowly break down as he took in what I said. I tightened my grip on my phone, and he glanced back at his family who were happily conversing with each other. He then looked at the ice rink, following my gaze to the big screen that was currently showing movie trailers, then slowly back at me and my hands clasping my blackberry.

I didn't have to say anything. His smile turned from sweet to bitter and fake, betraying his low, angry tone of voice.

Rashid: "You bitch! Do you know how much you'll suffer if you do this?!"

Me: "Not as much as you will."

Where did this boldness come from?

Rashid: "Hahah no wonder my whole family showed up! What did you tell them? That you found proof on something that I did? Well guess what, I'm not planning on pleasing them after all these years just because you're selfish and want attention! Batshoofen asma wallah el 3a6'eem..."

I was surprised at how calm I was. His body was completely tensed as he continued to threaten me several times, but he saw that it wasn't working. I firmly held my stand. He turned desperate.

Rashid: "Uff sho ely tbainh bel 6’abt?!"

Me: "ANA sho aba? You sent me home with BRUISES that night, Rashid! For a whole day I couldn’t get out of bed, and I was walking chany 3yooz m5arfa for the rest of the week! On top of all your outrageous past actions, you LIED to me! You stole 3bdulla's set-up and you had the face to lie about it!"

Rashid: "I didn't lie. I never said I actually made it, w a9lan what does it matter! Wain 7abeebch a7eena ha?!"

I paused.

Me: "He’s in New York, but that's not the point."

Rashid: "Yes it is. This is about me lying, and you're getting upset for nothing because face it asma, he doesn't want you. W 7ata lo kan ybach, ho mb rayal l2ana mat-himeh m9la7atch wala msha3rich. Did you know he didn't even bother to protest when you brother told him that he couldn't take you there? Hatha ba3adeh yahil yl3ab fe m5ich, w I'm right here and willing, Allah a3lam laish, dealing with your crap and picking up after him, what more do you want?!"

Me: "What more do I want? I never asked you to do anything for me! I don’t even want you! I want to live my life in peace. I don't want you, I don't want 3bdulla, I just want my life back!"

Rashid: "What the hell asma this is not a game mara far7ana w ra6’ya mn kilshay w the next thing I know tkonen m3’ayra raych! Mta batikbareen?"

Me: "What game? YOU’RE the one playing a very dangerous game Rashid w trust me you seriously don’t want to see what I can do. A9lan everything changed and you're a fake! Everything about you is a lie, and THAT's why I'm doing this."

I took a step back. He took another one forward.

Rashid: "You ungrateful piece of- You know how many girls would die to be in your place?!"

Me: "Well then you should've known by now that I'm not like other girls. You should have chosen a bride who's stupid enough to drool all over your good-for-nothing pretty face."

Rashid: "I knew you were trouble mn el bdaya. You’re such a pain in the ass asma, and incredibly stupid! Do you know what you'll gain from being married to me?!"

Me: "Oh my GOD bas shut up! You and your excuses! You're unbelievable! Don’t try to turn this on me l2any maswait wala shay, bas YOU on the other hand have been sneaking around with God-knows-who behind my back!"

Rashid: "Yal 7mara wa6y 9ootech! Kil7ad yalis yit6ala3!"

I glared at him.

Me: "Answer me this then: Why did you make up our marriage? W kaif a8na3t Sul6an y9adegk?"

            He stared at me in bewilderment.

Rashid: "Wha- I told you Asma, uhh y-your mom-"

Me: "Don't give me bullshit. The truth, Rashid."

My tone warned him dangerously as I lifted my phone slightly. He stared back at the slowly questioning eyes of his family. He whispered urgently under his breath.

Rashid: "Ufff inzain! I needed a wife to please my father. He wouldn't give me any of the company shares lo ma 7a9altly 7erma."

Me: "So you were using me all this time and took advantage of Sul6an's friendship to slip it through without your father's knowledge?"

He just stared at me.

Me: “My God, that’s genius. Sul6an would never dare to question your father, and since he trusted you back then… and you didn't have time... and others would have been a huger risk...”

            He nodded unsurely, stealing small glances of his surroundings. He finally gave me his attention.

Rashid: "Now stop all this nonsense w 5alna nseer nakil fe ma63am, w MAYBE I'll manage to forget about it if you please me enough."

I raised my brow at him.

Me: "Esma3 ya Rashid, you need to shove your words into your mouth and stop being such an arrogant ass, tfhamny?"

He just stared at me as I smiled at him coldly. My heart thumped really hard as I took twp steps back and abruptly lifted my phone and started clicking, fishing for the link that I couldn’t seem to find, my mind a nervous mess of clamored thoughts. He made an attempt to grab it from me, but I suddenly screamed in reflex before he reached me.

Everyone stared at us. His family was starting to approach. Shit I made a scene!

Rashid’s Dad: "Rashid?! Shotsawy ya 7eywan? Tba tif6'a7na jdam kil el 3alam? Mafeek e7tram?!"

Out of nowhere his father appeared behind him, and I'll be honest, he was the scariest creature I had ever seen. He seemed pretty normal when I met him, but now as he glared at Rashid, he looked like... like a monster.

I don't know what changed my mind, whether it was the murderous look Rashid's father was giving him, or the helplessness of the slumped shoulders of my fake fiancé as he shrank back from his gaze. I looked at a completely different person. I finally saw the real Rashid, for everything that he was, and I saw the memories of childhood abuse, neglect and isolation come alive in front of me. He looked miserable.

I couldn't do it.

As I quickly weighed down different possibilities, I came up with an interesting alternative that I haven’t thought of before. But it was risky, and I didn’t know if it would work or… His father stepped forward and raised his hand in a familiar pose that I only saw in movies. He was going to give him a blow. I panicked. I had to do something. Uffff I was so going to regret this...

Me: "Laa2 3amy! Ma sawa shay. Esma7ly ana wayed azee3' mn 7sharat w t7arait chft shay 3dal ryooleh."

He dropped his clenched fist and looked at me and Rashid skeptically as I attempted a sheepish smile. Man was I a good actor!

Me: "Lazm tft5r fe weldk, 3amy, l2any ma shft mthla. Ma ybalh ella 9abr."

            He relaxed his hard knuckles, but his expression was far from pleasant.

Rashid's Dad: "Haaih haih kam 9bart 3alaih w wala sawa shay zain fe 7yateh. INTEH, E7mid rabk 7a9altlek 7rma 9aboora, tara ma batlagy mthlha. Lo he tista7milk akthar 3any ma3rf mno 3'airha bayihtam feek hal gad. Yalla obooy basskm 7arakat 5alna nt3asha, 3ndy sh3'l ba3dain w lazm arid..."

He said it as he trailed off and assured everyone that everything was fine. After what felt like ages, Rashid finally turned to meet my gaze.

Rashid: "Laish?"

His whisper was so low, his eyes deceiving the amount of emotion he was trying to hide.

Me: "Uff w ana sho 3rafny, ana 3'abeya. You owe me SO big, and unless you're willing to discuss my requests, I'm clicking on this link right now!"

Rashid: "Inzain inzain I'll do ay shay just please act like I'm irresistible and an awesome husband, I mean 5a6eeb, ufff whatever mayhm, at least through dinner?"

Me: "Do we have a deal?"

Rashid: "Walla asma anything you ask just please latif6'a7eeni..."

Me: "ANA af6'a7k? Inteh walla... Ufff 3wash is gonna kill me for this..."

Rashid: "3wash?"

Me: "Nothing nothing. Yalla let's just get this over with."

He paused for a minute.

Rashid: "Thank you Asma."

I smiled at him mockingly. He waited for another long minute and spoke again. Out of nowhere he surprised me with a question.

Rashid: "I really bruised you?"

Me: “Huh?”

Rashid: “Inty gelty inh… Umm… 5ala9 wala shay.”

            Ugggh I must have babbled again. I wasn't meaning to let him know about that.

Me: “Well what did you think happened when you manhandled me like a piece of trash and gripped me so damn tight when I desperately tried to knock some sense into you?”

Rashid: "I..."

Me: "Uggh, nevermind, you probably don’t feel sorry anyway, so don’t bother. I said I’d play nice through dinner, w I keep my promises, fa you don't need to prove anything. Don't worry about a thing 7ABEEBY.”

He remained quiet, not knowing how to react to my false emphasis of the last word, having no excuse at all. He probably had a dozen of them actually, but didn't dare answer me back when I still had the upper hand.

Me: "Now see how acceptable you can be when you simply don't speak?"

He responded with the same sarcasm.

Rashid: "Yes, it's done me WHOLE lot of good so far."

Me: "Oh don't you worry sweety, it'll get even better."

He looked away from my forged smile. This time, my tone promised something that he wasn't looking forward to.

To be continued...

Beneath Guarded Hearts - 47

Previously...

Asma

Noufyy: “He is going down.”

Me: “How?”

Noufyy: “Why 7bibty, have you already forgotten about my hidden blackmail files? And I’d already done some digging on Rashid when you first told me you two were engaged… juuuust incase something like this happened. Hehehe I knew it was going to be of good use. Don’t you just love me?”

Me: “Oh my God noufyy you’re the best!”

Noufyy: “I also have another idea, a little extra cherry on top, if you know what I mean. But we’re going to need someone to help us trick him.”

Me: “Who?”

She looked at me hesitantly.

Noufyy: “A player.”

She didn’t have to say more. We both knew exactly whom she had in mind.

________________

Asma

*knock knock*

I waited patiently as I knocked on my sister's door for the first time in ages.

3wash: "Haaa mnoo?"

Me: "Umm Asma fichy el bab..."

3wash: "Asma?"

I heard quick footsteps and the door was flung open sharply.

Me: "3wash?!"

She had no make up on! I can't believe I forgot how her face looked like. She looked... normal!

3wash: "Efff sho tbain?"

Me: "You know what la ta36eeni hal 7rakat inzain even though inty wayed mtkabra w mat3arfeen tit2asifain le e5tch, I don't really care I forgave u mn zman bas inty a7eena mat-himeeny, l2anch ma tst7een 3a wayhch! You know I could have ratted you out to mama and baba? Bas I didn't w they know I wouldn't lie about something like this inzain? So you owe me and now I need to ask you for a favor."

She sighed.

3wash: "Ta3aly da5l."

I blinked in surprise. I didn't think she would give in because she knew I would never tell mama and baba. But she let me in anyway.

3wash: "I'm guessing this is about Rashid?"

Me: "Haaih kaif 3rafty?"

3wash: "7abeebty, I knew him way before you were even a teenager, and I knew a guy like him would eventually make you turn to me, or Nouf first I guess, but I know him better."

Me: "What? What are you talking about was he your ex?"

3wash: "Choofy, I'll just tell you that Rashid is only an angel when he wants something, and I’m telling you, he wouldn’t half bother with someone like you, and would've found a way out of this 'fake marriage' he created unless he wanted something."

Me: "What? What do you mean fake marriage?"

3wash: "You don't seriously believe the crap that he's told you right? Bas of course ma7ad baygoolhm shay their family is gom Al-X ya3ni come on it would be extremely rude to call them liars and they could destroy you with the click of their fingers. Baba is worried about you bas ma gal shay because he doesn't want to upset you."

Me: "Bas 3wash... He lied to me."

3wash: "I know hunn, get used to it if you plan to sit on your butt and do nothing about it."

Me: “Bas you know I hate liars! And wait how do you know?”

3wash: "Sul6an."

Me: "Ohh..."

3wash: "You don't need to hide the shock 7abeebty, if it's anything that concerns you he will do whatever it takes, including getting information from me."

She sounded so bitter that I almost felt guilty for ignoring her and leaving her alone all this time. I said hi w che 6ab3an, ma ga6a3t-ha completely, bas you know ya3ni masawaitliha salfa. She really had no one.

Me: "I'm sorry."

She sighed again. I saw a flash of a gleaming glitter in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared as she blinked.

Me: "And of course I plan to do something about it, I want to end this thing once and for all. Me and Noufyy came up with a plan, bas we need your help..."

3wash: "And what's in it for me?"

Me: "You're my sister... I need you."

We stared at each other intently as she weighed down different possibilities in her mind.

3wash: "Damn it, even if I tried I could never hate you."

She suddenly came up and hugged me, and gave me the relief that I didn't know I'd been longing to release.

3wash: "Sorry siso. I won't bring any more guys in your life, I swear. I'll be a better sister."

Me: "I know… You just needed that snap to make you realize it."

            She smiled at me.

3wash: "Now about Rashid, I have a few ideas of my own..."

Me: “Noufyy suggested you tempt him to go out with you and we ‘accidentally’ catch him, or video tape him or something. She says she has stuff from his past bas it won't do because he'll claim that he's changed w hal 5arabee6. Anyway, you’ll do what you do, bas 6ab3an you won’t reveal who you are and… wait this isn’t going to work if he was your ex… Damn it.”

3wash: “Don’t worry he doesn’t know what I look like, fa he won’t know that I’m your sister. I know what I need to do, bas you need to be very careful about this, l2ana one mistake w 5ala9 you’ll loose all your chances. I can play my part right. Can you?”

Me: “Yes of course, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

3wash: “Okaay, we’re going to have to make it public, incase he tries to do something to you if he figures it out.”

Me: “Public?”

            I choked on the words. It was one thing of threatening him with something I’d never really show anyone, but show it to the public?

3wash: “Yes Asma, if you were thinking you could just threaten him when you two are alone, tmy ti7limeen. Rashid wayed 7sas about public embarrassments for reasons he never really tells anyone. El mhm, you get my point. If it isn’t public where people will talk, then we might as well just forget this.”

            I hesitated for a moment. I didn’t want to do this, but what choice did I have?

Me: “Okay. Let’s do it. What’s your plan?”

She stretched a familiar evil grin on her face as she looked at me, and all I could think about was how on earth I would be able to pull it off.

***

2 weeks later...

To: Rashid (Mobile)

Heyy, I'm bored u wanna go out?

From: Rashid (Mobile)

Halla 7abeebty I missed you, suure banseer wain ma tbain :D

To: Rashid (Mobile)

5alna nseer DM, w take me to the ice rink shwaya :)

From: Rashid (Mobile)

Ice rink? Chaih estwaina yhal ? xD

To: Rashid (Mobile)

Hahaha laaa2 bas shay surprise 7agk ehnak :* You wouldn't wanna miss my surprise would you?

From: Rashid (Mobile)

Not for the world ;) I'll pick you up at 5 inzain? W ba3dain nroom nit3asha somewhere :D

To: Rashid (Mobile)

Okaay hun see ya ! I can't wait <3

            I sighed.

Me: "It's done."

3wash: "Good, his whole family is there too."

Noufyy: "And all you need to do is press on the link I sent you, w the video will play."

I took in a deep breath.

Noufyy: "You can do this Asma..."

Me: "I know I know. I will. I must."

3wash: "Good, because all this work can't go to waste."

Me: "Okaay… Yalla lazm atlabas."

Noufyy gave me a big hug and murmured to me encouragingly before she left.

Noufyy: "Good luck 7bibty."

Me: "Thanks... I think I'll need it."

To be continued...

Beneath Guarded Hearts - 46

Previously…

Asma

3bdulla- I’ll tell you how it’s possible, Asma. It’s because he’s a damn LIAR!

Me- What?! Don’t accuse him like that, you’re wrong

3bdulla- Asma you don’t even love him and he barely knows you!

Me- Inzain so what’s your point?

3bdulla- My POINT is that the only people who could have possibly thought about that were your family… and maybe someone else…

Me- Laa w who might that person be?

3bdulla- Me

I literally had to pause before I answered.

Me- YOU? You couldn’t have set it up because you were in… But no…

3bdulla- Yes Asma, It was me. It was all me.

_____________

3bdulla

            I waited for her to take in what I had just said. I expected some sort of reaction, rage for thinking me a liar, hurt for playing with her emotions, regret… shock… anything. But… nothing. I could only hear her rough breathing.

*6ooooo6* *6ooooo6*

Me- A- Aloo?

*6ooooo6* *6ooooo6*

            Did she just close the phone on my face? Now that I wasn’t expecting! I wonder what she’ll do now…

Asma

            That… Manipulative… LIAR!!!

            How DARE he?! This is beyond sinking low. Stealing 3bdulla’s surprise? AND claiming it was his? It was all 3bdulla… Mskeen and I blamed him that night for abandoning me…

            ‘Well, he DID abandon you…’

But that’s not the point! The point is that all this, that Rashid, it’s all a lie! Wala mara ehtam feya I bet he was just playing around and trying to prove that he can get any girl, including me. I, who never took a second glance at guys like him, almost fell right into his trap.

            And I hate liars.

            I am going to make his life hell. He’s gonna regret the day he brought those damned marriage papers to my family. Bayshoof hal 7mar… walla bayshoof.

The Next Day…

>NOUFYY?!

>YAL ZAGA ANSWER !!

>WAKE UP !!

>MY GOD YOU’RE STILL SLEEPING?!

>THIS IS AN EMERGENCYYYYY!!!!!!!!

>PING!!!

>PING!!!

            --SHOOOOO!!!!!

            --Seriously asma WHAT THE HELL!

            --Sho salfatch?!

>SORRY

>UFFF JUST LISTEN!!!

            --Why are you writing in capital?

            --Oh no…

            --Don’t tell me…

>WE’RE TAKING RASHID DOWN!!

            --Somehow I knew you were gonna say something like that…

>AND!!

            --Oh shay AND ba3ad? -.-

>WE ARE BREAKING THIS MARRIAGE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER!

            --Oooooo are we scheming?!

            --I love making plots!

            --Oh my God I already have a dozen ideas!

>Hahaha that’s why I came to you ;)

>You’re the expert at this

            --So WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?

>MOE in 20 minutes! DON’T BE LATE!!!

            --Wain banitlaga?

>Mmmm

>Get extra clothes

>We’re meeting fe Ski Dubai

            --Ooo good idea mashay 7ad hal wagt :D

            --Fel café malhm la?

>Laa 3al chairlift -.-

>6ab3an fel café wain ba3ad ya habla! :p

            --Inzain inzain just checking -.-

            --Yalla see you in 30 minutes!

>I said 20!!

            --Inzain inzain 20 got it :D

            I sighed. She’s going to be late.

***

Me: “One hot choc… no actually, make that two hot chocolates with marshmallows and M&M’s on top… Thank you!”

            I sat at the table waiting, not sure whether for Noufyy or for the drinks. My mind was making up new ideas by the second, although not all of them were very good. But still, the excitement roared in my blood as vengeance took over my body. I didn’t want to just play a prank on him; I wanted to destroy him. And I would be the one to do it. Not Sul6an, not 3bdulla, just me. Well, and Noufyy as well ya3ni but as in I’m not asking someone else to defend my honor just because I’m a girl. I’m gonna show him who’s boss. He picked the wrong game to play. And he messed with the wrong girl.

            I spotted Noufyy dragging herself up the stairs. She could pull off any size of any kind of heels, but never ski boots :p I always found that hilarious. Wayed r8ee8a zyada 3an el lzoom! Hehehehe…

Noufyy: “I KNOW what you were just thinking! And it’s not funny.”

            I looked up at her frowning face, and suppressed a smile.

Me: “6ilabtlch hot chocolate! With M&M’s and marshmallows!”

            I said it cheerfully as I poked her to sit down.

Noufyy: “Seriously asoom, ymkin inty ma tmtaneen bas other normal people like me do! Are you trying to make me fat? Do you know how much sugar is in that drink? La w ba3ad zidty toppings?”

Me: “Aaaih 6ab3an ana amtan! I just move a lot…”

Noufyy: “Yaa no WONDER Sul6oon used to call you a monkey…”

Me: “What?”

Noufyy: “Huh?”

Me: “Did you just call Sul6an ‘Sul6oon’?

            I smiled at her flushed face, and her expression looked like that of a child’s who was just caught in the act of doing something naughty.

Me: “HAHAHAHA atma95ar looool! So you DO like him!”

Noufyy: “Aaaaih chub walla ana gelt inh 5ala9 ma3ndy swalef awlaad…”

Me: “Mhmmm yaaa of course…”

            She scowled at my sarcasm.

Noufyy: “Can we please talk about YOUR problem?”

Me: “Ohh so this is a problem for you now? You’re in denial noufyy admit it! Hehehehe aaaaih laa walla don’t leave please I need you for this!”

Noufyy: “3yal bassch weya hal 7rakat!”

Me: “Inzain inzain…”

            She suddenly grinned, a source of evilness lurking around the corners of her wide smile.

Noufyy: “I know EXACTLY what we need to do.”

Me: “Good! Because I got nothing so far… well, nothing good enough anyway xD!”

Noufyy: “Hhhh, inzain, awal shay I need to know what happened!”

Me: “Shoo? Chaaih ma5abartch?”

Noufyy: “Nope. Completely forgot to mention it.”

Me: “So for my graduation…”

Noufyy: “Haaih inty where did you disappear? And I heard you had a kick-ass party last night w I wasn’t invited?! How could you do this to me asoomyy I’m your best friend! W I kept calling you bas you didn’t ans-”

            She stared at my half amused, half annoyed face.

Me: “Who’s babbling now?”

Noufyy: “SORRY. Kamly…”

Me: “Rashid texted me to meet him outside. I ignored him at first and told him to get lost, bas then he sent another message, and he threatened to come inside the building in front of everyone and drag me out and make a huge scene… El mhm I headed out to the parking lot, and he started babbling some crap about telling everyone that we’re engaged, which of course I refused, and then he threatened to announce it himself right there right then jdam all my friends and family. Anyway after 3bdulla left he started-”

Noufyy: “La76’a la76’aa… 3BDULLA was there?”

Me: “Yaa apparently he followed me out but I was too nervous slash angry to notice. Did I tell you he completely left when I bumped into him?”

Noufyy: “No waay!”

Me: “Walla I swear it wasn’t like him at all!”

Noufyy: “Anyway we’ll deal with him later. Kamly…”

Me: “So Rashid bda y6ali3 7rakat sa5eefa again w you know el 8i9a I got really scared because 3a8adny for the rest of my life, as if that wasn’t enough damage, and el mhm 3bdulla came back out of nowhere to tell me that everyone was looking for me w ba3dain 7araj when he saw us, BUT before he could do anything about it Rashid kidnapped me.”

Noufyy: “WHAT? What do you mean he KIDNAPPED you?”

Me: “I mean he literally picked me up, farany on his shoulder w RIKA6’! W yom 7a6any fel sayara he TIED MY HANDS with his 3’i6ra!”

Noufyy: “Laaa… SERIOUSLY?! That bastard!! Walla bayshoof I can’t believe-”

Me: “Wait wait ma5ala9t!”

Noufyy: “5aaibh BA3AD?! What else could he do?”

Me: “Well in the car he put on this stupid act that I bought of a concerned, even jealous fiancé w how he cares about me bla bla bla elmhm he started babbling 5arabee6 w in the moment I fell for it, ana el 3’abeya, w he took me awanh 3nda ‘surprise’ 7ag my graduation. Laa2 traya. He told Sul6an that he had dinner reservations at the burj, w-”

Noufyy: “Sul6an KNEW? And he LET HIM? Oh my God that traitor! We’ll deal with him later as well…”

            I raised a brow at her.

Noufyy: “I meant YOU, you’ll deal with him later ufff yalla 3ad whatever, kamly!”

Me: “Aaaaanywaay, instead, he takes me to the beach.”

Noufyy: “What? This story keeps getting weirder and weirder! How did he know you liked the beach anyway?”

Me: “I asked him that. He said awanh he ‘asked around’ w I assumed it was Sul6an. Bas when I asked sul6an later last night, oh and by the way the party was a surprise mn Rashid as well I didn’t know about it fa that’s why you didn’t either, anyway, sul6an gal he never told him anything. And when I said he took me to the beach not the burj, he got so mad and he just left. And I think he called someone. And THEN, one thing led to the other and I found myself talking to 3bdulla in the middle of the night, when HE also gets mad when he finds out Rashid took me to the beach!”

Noufyy: “Laish chaih sho el salfa what’s wrong with the beach?”

            My eyes suddenly started to tear up.

Me: “Nothing. It was beautiful. Aw noufyy you should’ve seen it! It was an actual little shaft! I don’t how they made it or how it got there, bas I have never seen anything like it! There were velvet curtains, there were tiny fans with mini rashash’s 3alaihm 3shan maykon wayed 7ar, w the meal was my favourite; Italian dishes, w there was even a giant hershey’s bar wrapped up in a ribbon! And guess what my picture was on it! You know how ma7alhm fe dm y9awroonch w y7i6oonch 3al wrapper? Yaa he did that for me too! Although ma3rf mn wain yab el 9oora…”

Noufyy: “So I don’t get it. That sounds really sweet why are you upset with Rashid? And why were sul6an and 3bdulla pissed?”

Me: “Because…”

Noufyy: “Because?”

Me: “Rashid wasn’t the one who did it for me… It was supposed to be 3bdulla’s surprise. And I don’t know how noufyy I honestly don’t! But he somehow found out and took me there. He lied to me. He said that it was because… because… uffff noufyy I hate him ! I hate him so SO much ! Laish che sawa feya?!”

            She suddenly got up and hugged me, and I let a few tears slip until I forced myself to calm down.

Noufyy: “He is going down.”

Me: “How?”

Noufyy: “Why 7bibty, have you already forgotten about my hidden blackmail files? And I’d already done some digging on Rashid when you first told me you two were engaged… juuuust incase something like this happened. Hehehe I knew it was going to be of good use. Don’t you just love me?”

Me: “Oh my God noufyy you’re the best!”

Noufyy: “I also have another idea, a little extra cherry on top, if you know what I mean. But we’re going to need someone to help us trick him.”

Me: “Who?”

            She looked at me hesitantly.

Noufyy: “A player.”

            She didn’t have to say more. We both knew exactly whom she had in mind.

To be continued…