Beneath Guarded Hearts - 77

Previously…

Sul6an

Rashid: “I tried to keep it from reaching her, but I forgot about Sara and she told 3bdulla yesterday. I’m not sure if he’ll tell Asma or not bas I haven’t been able to reach either of them yet.”

Me: “There’s probably no ersal.”

Rashid: “Or they’re too busy.”

Me: “Doing what?”

He merely winked at me and ran for his life when he saw the look in my eyes.

Me: “You’re abusing your advantages, Rashood. You forget that I heal fast and I’ll be able to beat you up in no time.”

He laughed from afar and slowed his pace until I caught up with him. I let him help me into the car and told him where to go. It was time I had a word with 3alya’s father, once and for all.

______________

Asma

            I stared into his deep blue eyes until he looked away from me. His fingers reached up and gently took away my soft palms that were cupping his cheeks, and he sat upright. I waited.

3bdulla: “Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Well they actually come in pairs but have your pick.”

            He offered a tight smile.

Me: “3bady, just tell me. Whatever it is, I'm sure we’ll figure it out. Together.”

            I gave him a warm smile to encourage him to open up, even though we both knew that I wouldn’t give up until I found out what it was he was hiding from me. He inhaled deeply, took another sip of his hot chocolate and let his gaze fall low.

3bdulla: “I’ll start with the first issue…”

Me: “Wait, there’s more than one problem you’re hiding from me?”

3bdulla: “I’m not sure if it even IS a problem, ufff Asma just let me talk…”

            I held my tongue and let him continue.

3bdulla: “Sul6an got into a really bad car accident a week ago. He had to stay in the hospital for a couple of days because his injuries were a little deep, but nothing that couldn’t be healed. I didn’t want to worry you or anything, he’s alright now and he just got out of the hospital…”

            I barely felt the tickle of the tears as they tiptoed down the curve of my cheek. I couldn’t think properly, the shock still in place, my mind not quite registering that while I was out here skiing and having the time of my life, Sul6an was lying in a hospital bed.

3bdulla: “Asma?”

            I turned to 3bady, not knowing what to say to him.

Me: “Can I just have a moment?”

            He knelt closer, and I could feel his warm breath on the imprint of my teardrop as he spoke again.

3bdulla: “Asma… he’s okay. He left the hospital today. Did you hear me? Sul6an is fine.”

            I felt his arms encircle my trembling body, but for the first time I didn’t feel his comforting warmth. I wiped my tears away, hating when I lost my composure in public. I attempted a weak smile.

Me: “So what’s the good news?”

3bdulla stared at me in a somewhat sympathetic way. There was a certain look on his face that I couldn’t quite understand. I eyed him suspiciously.

Me: “3bdulla? What’s going on? Are you planning something?”

            He smiled at me wickedly.

3bdulla: “Nope, this one you did all on your own. Let’s just get you home, okay? And we can do something special for Sul6an, how about that?”

            3bdulla knew how to distract me, and it worked well.

Me: “Like a surprise? I love planning surprises! Okay so this is what we can do…”

3bdulla

            I sighed as I listened to my distracted wife, trying to decide whether my news was actually good or not. It all depended on how Asma felt about it. I was sure about my own feelings and I thought I knew how Asma would feel as well, but I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe… I couldn’t fathom that thought.

Me: “Asma?”

Asma: “Yes?”

            She replied so sweetly, I was so afraid of speaking another word that might shock her. And it wasn’t exactly good for her either, to be taking in so much shock in one day. I battled with my head as to whether I should just tell her or wait until we reached Dubai. I went against my better judgment.

Me: “Asma, you’re pregnant.”

Sul6an

            I stepped into the majlis the butler directed me into and sat stiffly on one of the deserted luxurious chairs. Not moments passed and Ahmad walked himself in. I kept my expression blank, careful to control my temper.

Ahmad: “Sul6an, how good of you to come. Salamat I heard you got into an accident. How was your recovery?”

            I gave him a steady, cold gaze.

Me: “We need to talk.”

            He attempted a light laugh as he sat on a couch in front of me.

Ahmad: “I'm sure it’s not of importance. It can wait a few minutes, I'm sure. Here, let me indulge you with some tea.”

            He gestured a maid who appeared out of nowhere to come forth and who was apparently standing there the whole time. She bobbed respectfully and poured me a cup of sweetened red tea. I hadn’t even noticed her. Were all his servants trained to appear invisible? I took a sip from my cup and set it down.

Me: “Yes, as a matter of fact it is important. We made a deal, and you couldn’t stick to your end of it. I'm out, Ahmad. I'm done with you, AND your unreasonable daughter.”

            His little masquerade dropped and he glared darkly, but he wasn’t directing it at me. Ahmad turned to the same maid and whispered something to her, and she scurried off in a hurry.

Ahmad: “I thought you would say this, so I decided to have this matter resolved before you make any foolish decisions in your anger. It will take but a moment of your time, if you will.”

            I sat with exaggerated patience as I waited, trying to figure out what Ahmad had planned out for me this time. The maid came back and cracked the door open just a slight, nodding at her master from the other side. Ahmad graciously got up from his seat, his shoulders squared, and simply left the room without another glance. I was about to leave myself, when my jaw dropped. My feet glued themselves to the floor, feeling weak yet unable to make a move, as I stared at the benign creature that stood in front of the now completely shut door. I tried to look away, but she was so beautiful, so gorgeous, that it hurt to admit that I could never allow myself to have her. I knew that an evil soul lay hidden beneath that angelic exterior.

Me: “What a shame.”

            I said with utter confidence, betraying my desire to feel her lips on mine.

Me: “To waste such genes on such an ungrateful child.”

            She was staring at the floor the whole time, for once with evident crimson cheeks and a discomfited expression. She didn’t like being paraded in front of me wearing such an exposed dress. It showed all over her body, the way she stood in front of me. She looked up now.

3alya: “Do I LOOK like a child to you?”

            She tried to sound like the fearless, defiant 3alya I have grown so accustomed to. It didn’t work. Her lips trembled as she waited for my answer. I pretended to look over her again, tilting my head slightly, secretly enjoying my inspection of her, and replied acidly.

Me: “Yep, pretty much. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting to attend to.”

            I was about to shove past her when she reluctantly yet urgently grabbed my arm.

3alya: “Please don’t do this. You have no idea what this means for me if I fail my father.”

            I didn’t even glance at her as I shrugged my arm away from her grip, as if I couldn’t fathom the touch of her.

Me: “You have already failed you father, 3alya. And I will never marry a person like you.”

            I strode off arrogantly, a posture I used one too many times when I wanted to piss people off. As I opened the main door of the house to take my leave, I snuck a glance at her, standing in the doorway of the majlis, and ignored the tears that I pretended not to see streaming down her reddened cheeks. I closed the door loudly behind me.

To be continued…

Beneath Guarded Hearts - 76

Previously…

3alya

She eyed me suspiciously, but before she could start questioning me, I slipped a thick pack of folded 500Dhs notes into her hands.

Me: “You would be doing me and Mr. Sul6an a huge favor.”

I gave her a warm smile, trying to conceal the pain that I couldn’t ignore as Sul6an’s words echoed needles into my head. I smiled at her nod.

Nurse: “Sure madam, anything for Mr. Sul6an.”

______________

Asma

            I shivered as I savored the warmth of his body. He refused to let me continue skiing and took me into a café in town and ordered some hot chocolate for the both of us. I felt so serene as his arms wrapped around me, right until he opened his mouth.

3bdulla: “We’re going home.”

Me: “What? What do you mean home? First you deprive me of skiing for 2 days, and now you’re saying we’re leaving altogether?”

3bdulla: “I can’t let you risk yourself like that again. It was stupid of me to take you here.”

            I couldn’t believe a word that was coming out of his mouth. What was wrong with him? He knew I always took risks and enjoyed trying new things, so why was he suddenly holding me back?

Me: “Are you even listening to yourself?”

3bdulla: “Just stop arguing and deal with it! Why can’t you listen to anybody? It’s not always going to be your way, Asma. Suck it up, we’re going home.”

            I just stared at him, baffled at what I was hearing. I forced myself to hold my tongue. Maybe he was just getting rid of all his negative energy. He would cool down in a while and see what a complete lunatic he looks like right now. He would. I waited for him to continue, still staring at him intently, listening carefully, but he didn’t say another word.

3bdulla: “What are you looking at?”

            I tried another approach in an attempt to calm him down. I smiled at him.

Me: “Well, aren’t you done playing the father role?”

3bdulla: “I wasn’t playing the father role.”

Me: “Good. Because I bargained for a husband, not a second dad.”

            As I said it I leaned up slightly, still looking into him, teasing him with my grin.

Me: “But we both know you’re very much my husband, don’t we?”

3bdulla: “Asma, bass. There are people here.”

            His voice was low as he hissed the words out, but even I couldn’t miss the desire building in his eyes.

Me: “So what? We don’t know them, they don’t know us… that makes it awfully convenient, don’t you think?”

3bdulla: “Ya Allah, I can’t do this.”

            He shut his eyes, but there was a guilty look on his face. I knew that look all too well. I straightened up and held his face in my palms. My voice turned serious, the playful tone banished completely.

Me: “3bdulla, what are you hiding from me?”

Sul6an

            I hadn’t heard from 3alya, and I was released a day after her last visit. I was still so bitter, so angry, not at her picture but her attitude as a whole. I was sick of her. It was like dealing with a child whose second nature was manipulation. I found out about her hidden cameras, had been so enraged that the nurse who had mistakenly planted them had probably been fired. I felt bad about it now – after all, it wasn’t her fault that 3alya was probably mentally ill – but I didn’t know what her name was or whether she was fired or simply transferred to another sector. I sighed as I was limping on my right leg.

Rashid: “Sul6oon, chan tba baneeblik wheelchair…”

            I glared at him. He smiled back. He knew me too well.

Rashid: “Chill man, I was just playing.”

            He covered his face with his arms, laughing as he pretended to protect himself from an expectant blow. I gave him a light punch on his shoulder.

Me: “Does Asma know anything?”

            I was suddenly concerned whether someone had told her. I didn’t want to ruin her honeymoon, and knowing Asma, she would rush on the first plane back to Dubai and volunteer in her outrageous tactics to take a break from college and nurse me. And probably hunt 3alya down with her friend Nouf. That is, if I chose to tell her.

Rashid: “I tried to keep it from reaching her, but I forgot about Sara and she told 3bdulla yesterday. I’m not sure if he’ll tell Asma or not bas I haven’t been able to reach either of them yet.”

Me: “There’s probably no ersal.”

Rashid: “Or they’re too busy.”

Me: “Doing what?”

            He merely winked at me and ran for his life when he saw the look in my eyes.

Me: “You’re abusing your advantages, Rashood. You forget that I heal fast and I’ll be able to beat you up in no time.”

             He laughed from afar and slowed his pace until I caught up with him. I let him help me into the car and told him where to go. It was time I had a word with 3alya’s father, once and for all.

To be continued…

Beneath Guarded Hearts - 75

Previously…

Asma

The ruthless winds blew harder. I could almost feel its piercing ends slashing right through my clothes, and to my horror, my skis started to move, the whirlwind too strong and my weight too light to keep me in place. I was being shoved towards the end of the cliff. I threw my whole body onto the fine, fresh snow that fell nonstop on the steep slope, and I tucked my head between my arms and started praying. I was lost in the middle of a snowstorm, and I had no idea where I was or what to do about it.

_________________

3bdulla

            I panicked, the fear eating at me faster than the seconds passed. There was no sign of her. I screamed out her name, but my only response was a harsher blow of the biting edges of the fierce wind. I couldn’t loose her, I couldn’t even think about loosing her, the thought too dreadful to consider. Not on our honeymoon. I took long turns to make sure I didn’t miss her or pass her by, when I saw something move in the white blurriness of the chaotic blizzard. I skied faster.

Me: “Asma!”

            I heard a faint sound, but I couldn’t make out what it was. My heart lurched when I skied forward and I finally found her, laying on the fresh snow, her head tucked between her arms and her knees pulled up. She shook a little as she rocked back and forth, and I realized that she was praying.

She looked up. I couldn’t see her eyes, masked beneath the mirror of her goggles. I fell to my knees and took her into my arms, hugging her tight, never wanting to let go. The mere thought of having lost her… I couldn’t bare it.

Me: “Yalla, 7bibty. I’ll take you home.”

2 days later…

3alya

            Sul6an hadn’t woken up since the last time I had seen him, had not even flickered his lashes when his eyes were shut. Rashid warned me to stay away, threatened me actually, but I couldn’t stay away for much longer. I sighed.

Rashid: “He just went back to sleep. Get out.”

            I clenched my fists after recovering from my jolt of his sudden appearance. So Sul6an was fine?

Me: “He woke up? Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Rashid: “I think I made that very clear during our last conversation.”

Me: “It’s not for you to decide, yal 7mar!”

Rashid: “He doesn’t want you here, when will you get that?”

            I hated how calm his voice was, how I let my emotions, yet again, destroy the usual composed face I masked everyday.

Me: “You don’t know that!”

Rashid: “You don’t believe me? Then why don’t you ask him yourself?”

            To my unexpectedness, he turned his back towards me and walked out of the room. I was confused until I turned around, and my eyes met a flaring glare from a very conscious Sul6an.

Sul6an

            How dare she show her face? How could she sit there, pretending like she gave a damn about me, when she didn’t? But I knew how. Her father made her. What made me even more furious was that deep down I still wanted her. Even in my anger, my heart raced when I opened my eyes. I noticed the dark circles under her eyes, the delicate curve of her hands resting on top of each other on her lap, her glaring eyes as she faced Rashid. I could have almost believed that she was genuinely concerned about my well being with the act she just put up, but given the circumstances, I couldn’t bring myself to believe a word that escaped her mouth. I blinked my thoughts away. I wished I could get rid of her as easily.

Rashid: “You don’t believe me? Then why don’t you ask him yourself?”

            She turned around and looked at me, and for the first time I saw a new softness in her eyes. But I ignored it. I would not be deceived this time, or any other time for the matter. Before she could even say anything, I blurted out the words that battled in my head.

Me: “What the hell are you doing here?”

            Her eyes darkened and she stiffened.

3alya: “I was actually here to check on you. How are you fee-”

Me: “Just shut up! I don’t want to hear any more lies coming out of you, do you hear me?”

3alya: “Sul6an, just calm down and let me explain..”

Me: “Explain what? There is nothing that you can say that will justify your actions. I did your father a damn favor taking the trouble of babysitting you, and this is how you repay me? This is how you honor your father’s word?”

            I barely heard Rashid rush in.

Rashid: “Sul6an, I can kick her out if you-”

Me: “Get out. Both of you just get out. Get her out of my face.”

            I didn’t realize how angry I was until I felt dizzy from the heated argument, and my eyes started to roll in a blur. I snapped them back to focus and forced myself to watch her leave.

Me: “Don’t ever come back.”

            I hissed through my teeth right before she walked out of the door.

3alya

            Rashid seemed inclined to follow me. He didn’t trust me to respect their privacy? I knew I wasn’t wanted there, Sul6an made that very clear. I forced the tears that strained beneath the surface of my eyes not to fall. My heart was beating so fast, the hurt from his words so shockingly deep. Rashid was still walking silently behind me and my anger rose. But as I turned to glance at him and retort a remark, I saw that he was just as shocked as I was at Sul6an’s reaction. He ran his fingers through his hair, his expression aggravated.

Me: “I know where the exit is. You don’t need to walk me to the door.”

            He blinked and looked me, as if he was unaware that he was following me. He turned around and strode away, and I made sure that I was out of his sight before I turned to one of the nurses.

Me: “Excuse me? My friend is in room 364 and he’s just had an operation. He asked me to observe his actions before and after the surgery, but the visiting hours are very limited and his research depends on this. Could you please record what he says and does on tape? Without his knowledge of course, that would just ruin his project.”

            She eyed me suspiciously, but before she could start questioning me, I slipped a thick pack of folded 500Dhs notes into her hands.

Me: “You would be doing me and Mr. Sul6an a huge favor.”

            I gave her a warm smile, trying to conceal the pain that I couldn’t ignore as Sul6an’s words echoed needles into my head. I smiled at her nod.

Nurse: “Sure madam, anything for Mr. Sul6an.”

To be continued…

Beneath Guarded Hearts - 74

Previously…

3alya

I strode off with purposeful steps, enraged as I rushed to my car. I had to get to Sul6an. I had to see him and make sure he was okay. I don’t know why my eyes started to water, but I blinked my tears away and hit the gas. No time for tears or regrets; Sul6an needed me.

_________________

Sul6an

            I heard vague noises, a melodic chattering ringing into my consciousness. It was still dark, but my mind was awakening. Who was behind that sweet voice? I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn’t find the strength to do it. If I could stare at myself right now, I’d spit in my own face. How could I be so weak? Flashes of red haunted me, and her poisonous lips kept fading in and out of the darkness, playing hide and seek, teasing my anger. I wanted to burn that image out of my head, but there was no one there to help me light the match. My eyes suddenly opened.

I was awake. There was a white light. It blinded me at first, and I stared into nothingness. But slowly I started to form the shapes around me. Now, the melodious chatter turned into an agonizing riot. Why couldn’t they just stop talking? My eyes lost focus again, and my eyelids started to coat my sight, when a voice made me pause.

“Sul6an?”

            Who was the person behind this beguiling voice?

“Sul6an, wake up…”

            Her words drifted away, but I hadn’t had enough of this mysterious person. I was still hungry for her soothing harmony as darkness raided my pounding cranium, having shown me a piece of heaven I could never have. And then there was nothing.

3alya

Me: “Sul6an?”

            His eyes hung low, his long lashes shadowing his focus. I was loosing him again.

Me: “Sul6an, wake up…”

            He was gone again. I sighed deeply. This was his third day in the hospital, and he only woke up twice, including today. Did he know that I was here with him? Did he hear my voice when I talked to him at night, when I whispered goodnight and kissed his forehead? Yet in a way, I didn’t want him to know. I didn’t want him to know that he had won my heart over, because then I would loose. And 3alya never lost.

            My eyes watered as I looked at him, his chest bare with all kinds of wires attached to him.

Me: “What on earth happened to you?”

            I whispered into the air. I felt a shift of movements behind me, but I ignored it.

“You did.”

            I spun my head with abrupt swiftness, startled by the condemning tone, and looked into the scrutiny of Rashid’s eyes. I glowered at him in confusion. He merely shook his head and held up his phone, the picture of my kissing pose popping out of the screen. I stared. So it had reached to him.

Me: “I was getting revenge. He insulted me.”

            His eyebrows pressed together as he looked at me, his expression blank with eyes of gleaming fire.

Rashid: “I see you went for the kill.”

Me: “What are you talking about?”

Rashid: “He was looking at this picture right before the truck hit him.”

            I stared at him in shock. Was I going to be the center of their lies again?

Me: “I can’t believe you’d make up such a thing.”

Rashid: “I didn’t make it up.”

Me: “And how would you know what he was looking at?”

            His expression changed, and although he maintained a stiff composure, he clenched his fists silently and stared at me. He glanced at Sul6an and then looked back at me. His fingers relaxed and fell lazily, and his eyes watered a slight before he blinked them dry.

Rashid: “Because I’m the one who sent it to him.”

Asma

            I stood in the midst of a hill of white crystals, my body half drowned in the snow as I laughed at my accidental turn out of the main slope.

3bdulla: “What in the world are you doing?”

            I rambled out my reply between each laugh, and I fell sideways and found my whole body buried under a coat of powdered slush. I was still laughing when his arms reached down and pulled me up gently, lowering my facemask and planting a kiss on my lips.

3bdulla: “You’re crazy.”

Me: “Ah, but don’t look at me. I warned you it wouldn’t be easy being married to me.”

3bdulla: “And I married you anyway.”

            He smiled and brushed off the snow that rested on my clothes and helmet.

Damion: “You two okay?”

3bdulla: “Yeah, we’re cool Domino, my wife just seems to love her falls.”

Damion: “Haha! I’ve noticed that, now let’s get going! I think a blizzard is about to hit soon.”

3bdulla: “We’re right behind you.”

            As he left, I whispered to 3bady.

Me: “His name is Damion, not Domino!”

            He shrugged.

3bdulla: “Domino sounds better, so I’ll call him Domino.”

            I rolled my eyes at him and shoved him aside gently as I pushed my skis forward.

Me: “3bady, stop slacking off and get moving!”

            I shouted from behind me, feeling his challenging smile on my back as I heard deep slashes of ski on snow coming after me.

Damion: “Be careful you two! Looks like there’s a little wind, we’ll just have to be a little more careful!”

3bdulla: “What?”

Me: “I didn’t hear him either, let’s try to get within hearing distance.”

            My words were silenced by the biting wind that followed, slapping needles of snow onto my face. I quickly covered my mouth and nose with my facemask and turned to look for 3bdulla, but all I saw was an endless riot of pure white. I screamed out his name, but my words were soundless whispers hushed by the wind. I couldn’t see anything, and my skis suddenly picked up speed, unaware of the slope’s steep transition. I pushed deep into the snow with a hard, parallel break. I searched frantically for any sign of 3bdulla or Damion, but saw none.

The ruthless winds blew harder. I could almost feel its piercing ends slashing right through my clothes, and to my horror, my skis started to move, the whirlwind too strong and my weight too light to keep me in place. I was being shoved towards the end of the cliff. I threw my whole body onto the fine, fresh snow that fell nonstop on the steep slope, and I tucked my head between my arms and started praying. I was lost in the middle of a snowstorm, and I had no idea where I was or what to do about it.

To be continued…

Beneath Guarded Hearts - 73

Previously…

3alya

He wants a battle? Well he’ll get one. I fished out my bronzer and red lipstick, adding the final touches to my make-up, and not to merely cheer myself up anymore. It was time I took this unjust correlation to another level. It was time for payback.

____________

Sul6an

            A whole day had passed since I sent the text, and no reply. No sign of 3alya. I sighed heavily. Images of her deep eyes sneaked into my head, her pink cheeks, the thick locks of her fringe that curved in a messy crescent just beneath her shaila… that one rare moment when she actually smiled…

           

“Sul6an… Sul6aaan!”

I blinked. Why couldn’t I get her out of my head?

Me: “Haa sho?”

3wash: “What is up with you today? The least you could do is pretend like you actually care about your family.”

            And here we go again, typical 3wash. Always seizing the moment to embarrass me or prove me wrong whenever she could. I flashed a smile at her.

Me: “Of course I care, just not about you.”

            She knew I was teasing her of course. Our little rivalry might have settled down, but that didn’t mean that I still didn’t have fun mocking her. I got up and excused myself, slipping my phone into the pocket of my kandoora. As was expected, she followed my tracks.

3wash: “Yalla spill. Who is she?”

            My shoulders stiffened for a mere second before I forced myself to relax. I took in one breath, a long pause, and I finally replied.

Me: “There was and always will be only one ‘she’ in my life, and we both well know that she’s long gone.”

            I continued all the way through the hallway without looking back, and I picked up my car keys and drove off.

            Just when I was about to check my phone, it buzzed and started blinking. I had a message from Rashid, for some reason. After I found out what he had done for my sister, I had thanked him for being the brother I always knew him to be. And then of course, I beat him for not telling me about it. I smiled and opened his chat.

            He sent me a picture and wrote in the comment: I’m so sorry.

            I opened it. I was mesmerized. She was posing, her eyes shut and her red lips rounded into a kiss as she blew into the camera. A figure stood next to her, his white clothing contrasting with her opaque, black 3abaya. His face didn’t show, but there was a strong arm curled around her lower back, resting on her waist. I stared at her for a long time before I took it all in, and I blinked into reality. I hit a sudden break in the middle of the highway, and not moments later I felt the door crush into me, cracking the bones in my left arm. My head was spinning as the deformed body parts of my car blended into a new shape. I only saw a flash of a robust truck as sparks of firelight ignited beneath the friction of its tires, and then I saw nothing. I only saw her face, the bright red of her full lips curving into a smile, fading into the blackness. My brain was numbed as unconsciousness won me over.

3 days later…

3alya

            Baba received me in my old bedroom, a place that reeked with my childhood memories. No matter how much I was determined to put my past behind me, my room was bold reminder that it had all happened and would never go away. My tears were embedded into these walls, my hopes and fears floating in the air about us, and traces of my mother’s compassion lingered in the corners. He finally spoke, breaking me free of these chains of locked memories that roamed freely in this room.

Baba: “Inte mafeech 5air?”

            I stared at him, confused. I was used to his demeaning comments, but his face seemed anxious, almost worried.

Me: “Sho?”

            He sighed heavily as the features of his face slackened, making him appear older.

Baba: “Sul6an got into an accident, and your only response was to continue partying night after night? You didn’t even bother visiting him, you selfish, ungrateful girl! I’m trying to help you regain your status, and this is what you do to me?!”

Me: “P- Party?”

Baba: “Your pictures have reached me, 3alya. This is the last straw. I-”

            My brain processed all his information. I gasped, automatically standing up.

Me: “Sul6an? Accident?!”

Baba: “PLEASE, drop the act. 9idg mafeeni. E7mdy rabch he even considered taking you in the beginning. Now all your chances are ruined! You were supposed to seduce him! What use are you making of your mother’s beauty? It’s all gone to waste!”

            The mention of my mother grabbed my attention again, stealing away my worried thoughts as my hand loosened its grip on my car keys.

Me: “Don’t you ever speak about mama like that again. She was never your item to show off to everyone, never your right to boss around as you willed. Look what has become of us! It’s all your doing, not mine! And my status is perfectly fine, I don’t need YOU to tell me what my worth is!”

            I strode off with purposeful steps, enraged as I rushed to my car. I had to get to Sul6an. I had to see him and make sure he was okay. I don’t know why my eyes started to water, but I blinked my tears away and hit the gas. There was no time for tears; Sul6an needed me.

To be continued…