Beneath Guarded Hearts - 71

Previously…

3bdulla

Asma: “Chaih when are we leaving?”

Me: “Monday.”

She didn’t even answer me, she only widened her eyes, and I could tell from her expression that she was doing some ‘calculations’ in her head. She dug out her phone and dialed the keys vigorously.

Asma: “Alo?! NOUFYY! We need to go emergency shopping!”

______________

Sul6an

            I looked at her glowing face one last time before 3bdulla took her in his arms and dragged her away.

Asma: “BYEE SUL6AAN!”

            I smiled back and waved at her. She finally had the life she deserved. I turned around and headed back to the car.

I groaned. Just a couple more months, I told myself, and this will all be over.

3alya: “Laish et2a5art?”

            I clenched my fists.

Me: “Chaih maroom awade3 e5ty? Enchuby yalla, mb gaylinch la tirmiseen? You’re seriously asking for it, tbain tin6’irbain inshalla?!”

            She widened her eyes in shock and her jaw dropped. I had clenched my fists one too many times, and I was tired of tolerating her. Enough was enough.

Me: “Put on your seatbelt.”

            She gave me a ridiculous look and waited for an explanation.

Me: “Uff just do it. Asma 7shratny elain mat3awadt, so just suck it up and deal with it.”

            She raised one brow and turned away, finally obeying me.

Me: “W next time yom agoolch tsaween shay, you better shut your mouth and do it; I don’t owe you any explanation.”

3alya: “La? You think you own me now just because of your deal with Ahmad? Ha! E7lim zyadh.”

            I looked at her awkwardly. Since when did a daughter call her father by his first name?

Me: “Ti89ideen obooch?”

            She faced away and stared out the window.

3alya: “He’s not my father anymore.”

            I felt a sudden urge to ask her why, but it was none of my business. She would probably scold me or insult me in return. Why did I have so much concern for her? It bothered me severely; here was the woman who helped cause a lot of problems for my sister, and I felt nothing but curious about her. What was her background? How had she grown up as a child? What were her hopes and fears? Why did she live alone?

            I blinked away my unpleasant thoughts and drove away, and the ride was filled with an uncomfortable silence until we reached her house. I sat waiting for her to leave, until I realized that she had accidentally fallen asleep.

Me: “3alya, Goomy wi9alna..”

            She didn’t respond.

Me: “3alya.. Get up..”

            I didn’t want to touch her, but I reluctantly held up a finger and nudged her shoulder lightly. She was so tiny.

3alya: “Hmm?”

Me: “Goomy wi9al-”

            When she opened her eyes, all I saw were red contours hiding beneath a watery blur, and tears slowly slid down her face. She quickly wiped away her eyes and left the car. I remained still in my seat, staring at her back as she hurried into her house. And that was the first time I had ever seen 3alya in such a vulnerable position. I don’t know what it was that made me get out of my car and walk towards her door, but I found myself standing on top of her porch and ringing the doorbell impatiently. Her mysterious maid answered and frowned at me, saying that it was a very bad time. I shoved through her and ran up the stairs until I was standing idly in front of her bedroom door. I didn’t know what I was doing, or why I was doing it for the matter, but before I could gather up my sanity and turn back around, she opened the door and I heard her gasp under her breath. I stared into her puffy eyes as I stood face to face with a completely different 3alya.

Me: “Can I come in?”

3alya

            I heard quick, harsh footsteps on the wooden parquet of the hallway that gradually curved and lead to my room. I stood by the door and listened. Could it be him? I shook my head at myself. He hated me; how could he even give me the slightest hint of care? And how could I hope for it? I didn’t really hope for it, but he was the first guy who looked at me with so much hate in his eyes, with so much bitterness in his biting words. I wanted to make him fall in love with me and break him inside out. I hated the fact that he won his way with ba- I mean Ahmad. And he was just such a ridiculous person to deal with that I couldn’t control my temper around him. He made me so angry, but I had to admit; I wanted him when we first met all those months ago in my majlis. I had never seen someone with such fine bone structure, such a well-built body… and such a beautiful smile. A smile he had never once directed at me, unless he was being bitterly sarcastic. I know I could only avenge my pride if I swallowed it in the beginning and tried to be nice, but even trying to have a normal conversation with him was impossible! He was so arrogant to the point that I couldn’t stand it.

            I opened the door.

I told myself to breathe, but my lungs wouldn’t function. How could I let him see me like this? I didn’t realize that I wasn’t breathing until I had to gasp for some air. I couldn’t take my eyes off of his. He gave me a look I had never seen before. Was it… was it concern? His voice broke into my thoughts.

Sul6an: “Can I come in?”

            Was this really happening? I wanted to shut the door in his face, but an idea held me back from doing so. I could use this opportunity to work my magic on him. He wasn’t being disagreeable at the moment, which was to my advantage. But I honestly didn’t feel like putting up an act when I felt so depressed. How could baba be okay with me being placed in such a situation? How is it that Sul6an, of all people, is at my door, asking me if he could come in? And why was I so speechless?

            I frowned, angered at myself. How could I let him come this far, or even see this much? What happened to the strong-willed 3alya who had a response for everything and didn’t take no for an answer? I looked up and directed my frown at him.

Me: “Gom 3an wayhy.”

            I shut the door in his face, and with it I shut away what was probably my last opportunity to seduce him. I couldn’t do it, not like this, and certainly not in this state. How could my father abandon me like that? I fell on my bed and wept silently, and after a minute or two, I heard Sul6an’s footsteps descending away from the door.

Me: “Don’t pretend that you care!”

            I hissed fiercely under my snuffle. I had no one left. My only family remaining had abandoned me.

To be continued…