Hello! I have a quiz tomorrow, so naturally, I chose to type up a post instead of studying! Procrastination at its best *sigh* I love my blog. And my new layout. I hate the color pink, but I do love my layout. In fact, I dedicate this post to my layout *blush* Even Ghala's outfit is a tribute to it! Sad, I know. Kaifi!
I had to delete the thingie I posted yesterday cuz blogger is being a bitch and not posting this? Kept saying "Finale?" was my latest post! Then I found out that deleting it didn't work either -.- Don't question the logic, made sense at the time?
Enjoy! Or not..? Love you guys! ;*
And I love cherry tomatoes.
______________________
I woke up to the intrusive sun rays shining through the curtains and immediately hid back under the covers. I was hoping I could trap my sleepiness under the covers before it completely went away but it was no use, once I was awake, it was practically impossible for me to go back to bed again. I contemplated the merits of spending the whole day vegetating on the bed for a few moments before hauling my tush out of bed, showering and getting ready for the long day ahead of me. None too quietly, may I add. I grumbled enough obscenities to make a sailor blush. I couldn't help it, isn't the point of a vacation to laze around and do nothing? Not to get scared out of your wits and wake up cranky with only an hour of sleep.
I made my bed and picked up the phone and called room service. Mark, the concierge picked up.
"I can't believe your shift isn't done yet, it's been almost 24 hours now!" I exclaimed when I heard his voice.
"Haha, I don't mind! I volunteered to pick up 3 extra shifts so I have about 6 more hours to go. This way, I get to have a whole week off." He explained.
"Oh hey, that sucks. I'm not gonna get to see you anymore before I leave!" I whined. Granted I've only known the guy for a day, but he was a sweetheart. He kept me company for a while in the lobby and he did try to unsuccessfully calm me down for half an hour last night. He was in his final year of college, studying hotel management and taking an internship in the hotel as a final project. He alternates between different places for the duration of the semester, I was lucky enough to catch him while he was filling in as a concierge.
"That's what phones are for, love! You'll get to see me don't worry, I haven't had my fill of crazy stories from Kuwait just yet."
I loved his accent, I could literally listen to him talk all day. It used to make my ears bleed but it grew on me! Note to self: make 3azeez pick up the British accent.
"Yay! Okay, the day after your many shifts are up, we'll go out, you show me the real London and I'll tell you all you need to know about K-town, how's that?" I suggested.
"It's a date! My supervisor is glaring at me, did you want something specific? Or are you still having trouble with sleeping?" He asked.
"Oh oops!" I forgot he was still technically working, "Sorry! I actually managed to get in an hour, I'm calling about breakfast! I want hash browns. And bagels. And red bull!" I added.
"Red bull? Are you sure? That doesn't sound very healthy, love. Can I interest you in some grapefruit juice instead?" He offered.
"You may certainly not! I'm on vacation and I plan on getting fat and ugly." I declared huffily.
"Haha, I don't think that's possible. Alright then, there's a package that came for you this morning too, do you mind if I have them send it up with the breakfast tray?"
A package? I wonder who it's from. I crossed my fingers and hoped it was from a psychopathic secret stalker. It could make for an interesting twist for my short vacation. Get a little, "the call is coming from inside the house" action going on. It's easy for me to joke about these things when the sun is up, where was my sense of humor last night?
"Not at all, thanks Maaark!" I called out and hung up.
I rummaged through my bags for my clothes and settled on my grey leggings and light pink pullover. I towel-dried my hair, brushed it and left nature to run its course and afrosize my curls. I grabbed my laptop and jumped excitedly on the bed. Anticipation was building up as the blue and green fat msn icons danced around each other indicating that I was signing in. I shut my eyes tightly and crossed my fingers, hoping to find 3azeez online and squealed when my laptop pinged, telling me I was online and I saw his name across the screen. My excitement was short-lived when I realized his status was set to "Away". 3azeez was one of the very few people I knew who actually meant it when they set their statuses to "Away". I sighed and signed off quickly before anyone else would start talking, forcing me to make idle chatter.
I heard a knock on the door and called out for whoever it was to come in while I put my laptop neatly back in my bag smoothed out the creases I left on the bed.
"Good Morning Miss-" the bellhop stopped mid-sentence as he gazed, stunned, around the room. "I'm sorry, the room looks cleaner than it did when you checked in!" He stated sheepishly.
I laughed at his comment, "It really isn't, just more organized! I have a mild case of OCD, no biggie!"
I flashed him a smile and took the tray from him and set it down on the table. He stepped outside for a minute and came back with a box. I took it from him and waited for him to turn his back before bouncing excitedly with it in my hands. I forgot he was still in the room and proceeded to mimic the freaky throaty sound the spirit makes in "The Grudge" and shake the box simultaneously. I looked up to find him staring at me quizzically. I quickly dropped the box and grinned widely, hoping to make him forget the scene he just witnessed. He shook his head and left the room, chuckling quietly. I felt my face burning up, why do I do these things?
I opened up the box and felt my heart constricting. The amount I missed 3azeez at that particular moment was too intense for me to withstand. I picked up the stuffed penguin with the goofy grin and hugged it as tight as possible. I could smell his scent on it. I looked down to find that there were more things in the box. I picked up the DVD cases and laughed hysterically. It was too cute for words, he put in Madagascar 1 and 2, Surf's up, Happy Feet and March of the Penguins. A note fell from between the cases. "Didn't know what you were in the mood for, so pick your poison! Am I forgiven?" it read.
"Hell yeah you're forgiven!" I yelled at the note as I ran my fingers over his handwriting affectionately. I almost wanted to throw up at how sentimental and mushy he makes me, but I have to admit that I secretly enjoyed it. I was belatedly baffled at how he managed to get a package sent here all the way from kuwait in less than 4 hours. I suppose he could've ordered it all online and had it shipped but the note was handwritten.
It didn't occur to me that he may have hand delivered it until I heard a light tapping at my door. I instinctively knew it was him and felt my heart racing, trying to break through my ribcage and run into his welcoming arms. I placed both my hands over it, trying to contain its excitement. But the pumping only got louder with every step I took towards the door. I managed to free one of my hands to open the door and was greeted by the man I love leaning against the door frame and flashing me one of his devastating lopsided grins.
"Hi." I said in a barely audible whisper.
"Come here." he commanded as he pulled me closer and wrapped his arms around me.
This moment, I want to freeze this moment for all eternity. I'm mourning its loss even as I find myself engulfed in his warm embrace, but I quickly push that thought to the back of my mind as I inhale his distinct scent and surrender every entity of my being to this man.
"Aakh." He breathed out. That single sound effect caused my heartbeats to escalate even more.
"That much?" I asked, intuitively knowing what it meant.
"W akthar ba3ad." He simply stated.
"I missed you more." I said as I pulled away to look at him. "I can't believe you're actually here. Kharoof." I teased.
"Na3am?" He asked in mock-seriousness.
"Kharoof? Not familiar? The animal? Sheep? Baaa baa?" I clarified. I really needed to stop it with the sound effects.
"No, baby, I know what a kharoof is, I just can't believe you actually pronounce it "kharewf"" he shot back.
I glared at him, "No actually, I pronounce it like this!" I said while flipping him off.
He burst out laughing, "Intay w ba3dain ma3ach? Mita btit2adibain?" He asked.
I rolled my eyes at him haughtily.
"La khala9, I've appointed myself to give out some disciplinary action. How do you feel about a little spanking?" He joked while wiggling his eyebrows at me.
I laughed at his comical expression, "How do you feel about hugging me again instead and we'll call it even?" I asked
He quickly obliged and we moved our little reunion back inside my room.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Foolish Games.. (21b)
To Gutter Flower, whose comments and amazingness are both sorely missed :* And to all of my patient readers, sorry walla, I know masakht'ha! But hopefully it's worth it? And I'm already working on part 22 thanks to the incredible powers and many threats from Lost aka Stitch aka Ritaj! <3
_____________________________
I attempted to get all the touristy activities out of my system in the first few hours right after I checked in, I figured it would be wise to avoid becoming the subject of Khalood's jokes for the next two weeks. He always teases me mercilessly about my reactions to seeing anything for the first time, apparently my excitement tickles him and inspires an uncontrollable need to share it with anyone who would listen.
It felt great to unwind in a foreign city after finals, I could almost feel all the worries and stress shedding away with every step I took and quickly being replaced with the elation associated with the independence I suddenly felt. It dawned upon me that I was free to explore at my leisure, no restrictions, no limitations, just me and the city. The possibilities were infinite and yet there was still something tugging at my heartstrings, stopping me from reaching any further stages of bliss. Him.
I was stunned at the realization that he was the key component missing in making these two weeks live up to their potential of being the vacation I will ever have. My fingers itched to reach into my pocket and dial his number but I came to my senses and realized that I never was one to fall under the cliche of the clingy girlfriend and I wasn't about to begin now. I gave myself a mini pep talk, tried to sweep thoughts of him under the rug and continued with my little adventure by myself.
"I can have fun without him." I chanted to myself repeatedly. I checked the urge to roll my eyes at myself the moment after the words left my mouth and carried on. Despite my valiant efforts to conclude my adventure, exhaustion inevitably took over by 7 o'clock and I headed back to the hotel. The bed called out to me the instant I walked through the doors and I found myself bewitched under its seductive spell. I didn't even bother changing or removing my shoes, I just walked straight to it, lay down and allowed myself to be engulfed by the crisp white sheets as all the sounds around me disappeared and I drifted off to sleep.
_____________________________
I woke up two hours later to the incessant vibrations of my phone, I checked to see the cause of the nuisance and discovered 5 messages from Juju, a message and a missed call from Khalood and an unknown number. To my consternation, I had gotten nothing from 3azeez, I sighed and called Juju without reading her messages. I figured they were all something along the lines of, "Dear Ghala, I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You're the scum between my toes. Love, Ritaj." The Little Rascals was one of our favorite movies growing up and we had a falling out once in the 2nd grade because I didn't share my purple crayon with her. In my defense, she always left bite marks all over them and assumed they were edible! She found it fitting to retaliate to my refusal to share with the letter mentioned in the movie, only with our names instead. Last year, Juju was helping me pack when we were moving to our new house and we found the letter that had somehow survived 11 years and she used it as a reference whenever she was mad at me for any reason. Forgetting to let her know I arrived safely probably fell under that category.
"La walla? Look who finally decided to grace me with her call!" She admonished as soon as she picked up the phone.
"You can't see me right now but I'm working on the most adorable apologetic look in the history of the world!" I replied sheepishly.
"Uff fine, I'll take your word for it!" She said as she sighed resignedly, "How's the Big Ben treating you?" She asked excitedly.
"The big what now?" I asked
"The Big Ben! You know, like how New York is the Big Apple? London's the Big Ben!" She explained patiently. "Feels so good teaching you something!"
I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This is worse than the time she told me Kenya was in Japan.
"Honey, Big Ben is a landmark IN London, it's not a nickname." I clarified.
"No way!" She replied, "You'd think they'd teach you something like that in school!"
"Um yeah.. education systems these days!" I played along.
"OH EM GEE. Yes, I just said all the letters separately and you will not complain because what I'm about to say is going to ba-lowww your mind." She screamed into the phone.
"Juju, baby gooly ily tabeena but for the love of god and all that is holy, volume control! Have mercy on my poor disoriented state of mind. And my eardrums. And my boyfriendlessness. And my uneven eyebrows. And-"
"OKAY FINE! Oops! I mean, okay fiiiine." She whispered into the phone. "So remember when I was in the states this summer visiting my aunt in the hospital? Once, I went down to get coffee and on my way up, I passed by Mr. Johnson's room and I saw this nun with the creepiest smile ever walla the whole atmosphere changed around her! It was soooo damn eerie! Anyway, she walked by and smiled at me. Two minutes later, I heard someone call a code thingie and like I went to see and he just flatlined! So I go talk to the head nurse and ask her if there's a church in the hospital and her eyes suddenly widen by like a whole inch and she asks if I saw a nun! Spooky much? So then she told me that every time someone dies in that hospital, they see this nun passing by, the SAME one! Oh my god, goosebumps!" She exclaimed as she paused for air.
I suddenly felt chills running up and down my spine, I rubbed my arms vigorously but I couldn't shake away the goosebumps that invaded my skin. "Ya kalba, I'm staying in a hotel all by myself, w Khalood is in the other side of the town, WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME THAT?!"
I heard her laughter ring out from the other side, "Jeez Ghalooy, don't be such a baby, lemme continue! The scary part is, the other day, I was checking all these freaky ghost sites and what not and they basically have a map of everywhere in the US and they flag down areas with paranormal behavior reported and what not or anything of this sort. And guess. what. The hospital was flagged down and they mentioned something about the nun! You have my permission to freak out now!" She concluded happily.
"I hate you. I fucking hate you. I never want to speak to you again." I said as I jumped out of bed and ran over to switch on all the lights, as if they could somehow keep any killer nuns at bay. "I hope you realize the only reason you're still on the phone is cuz I'm freaked out beyond words right now!"
"Hahaha shouldn't have said that Ghalooooy," She said in a weird dracula-inspired voice. "I'm hanging up now, make sure to keep your doors locked, not that it would do you any good. Muwahahahaha." And with that she hung up and left me to listen to the dial tone.
I was officially scared. I don't usually scare easily but when you add the whole "alone in a foreign country" factor into the equation, it kinda changes everything. I called room service with nothing in mind and ended up chatting with the concierge for about half an hour. I grabbed a book and decided to go read it in the lobby. Surrounded by many people. You never know what might happen! But 5 hours and 2 books later, I was still no where near calm enough. I finally decided to grow a pair and try to go back to sleep. My eye kept wandering off to the nearby clock, 2.40.. 2.45.. 2.50... 2.55.. Screw this. I picked up my phone and punched in 3azeez's number, cliches be damned!
"Baby?" He answered confusedly.
I sighed in relief. I immediately felt better. I took a deep breath and launched into an explanation. "So you know how in The Exorcism Of Emily Rose the demons madri satan madri whoever it is comes out at 3 am? Yeah well it's 3 am ila 1 minute and 45 seconds and I know that means it's about 6 3indikum and I'm sorry, but Juju told me stupid stories earlier and I can't sleep and if something comes out to take me from under the bed or like sucks me in to a parallel universe through the bed, I want you to be on the other side of the phone listening to my screams, mmkay?" I said all in one breath.
"God, I miss you so much." He breathed deeply.
I smiled and shoved my heated face into the pillow, "Also, I want penguins." I mumbled into the phone.
I felt right at home when I heard his bark like laughter through the phone, "Mu tawwich you're scared and on the verge of tears, shyab penguins bilsalfa?"
"Kaifi!" I replied, "Besides, shako you tell me you miss me? This isn't a lovey dovey "I love you, I miss you" phone call! The purpose of this call is for you to make me feel better and to comfort me! Penguins comfort me, deal with it!" I replied. I realized I was being highly irrational but in my own retarded way, it was my way of telling him that I missed him too.
"Inshaalla.. Bacher ayeelich w inroo7 inshoof ilpenguins, shrayich?" He offered.
"Don't tease me, you're like a bajillion miles away!" I whined.
"True, true.. ma 3alaih. Wait, did you hear that?" He whispered suddenly.
"Did I hear what?" I asked with a worried inflection in my voice.
"Wait wait.. " he said and I held my breath while waiting for him to come back, "A3OOTHO BILLAH!" He yelled.
"WHAT WHAT?" I asked frantically.
I heard his laugh once again and realized he was only making fun of me, "You're too cute, wallah. You're making this way too easy."
"Baby.. you know what was funny about that?" I asked calmly.
"What?"
"Nothing." I answered and hung up. I felt quite satisfied with my immaturity for the day and decided I could sleep now. Right on cue, I saw his number flashing on my phone and decided to let him sweat it out for a while. 1 missed call, 2.. if he made it to 4 I decided I was going to pick up and I ended up doing so.
"Khair?" I answered coolly.
"I love you." He said with the utmost sincerity in his voice. And just like that, all was forgiven. I hated that it was that simple, but it was. 'Frailty, thy name is woman!'
"I love you too."
"Good night baby."
"Good night."
_____________________________
I attempted to get all the touristy activities out of my system in the first few hours right after I checked in, I figured it would be wise to avoid becoming the subject of Khalood's jokes for the next two weeks. He always teases me mercilessly about my reactions to seeing anything for the first time, apparently my excitement tickles him and inspires an uncontrollable need to share it with anyone who would listen.
It felt great to unwind in a foreign city after finals, I could almost feel all the worries and stress shedding away with every step I took and quickly being replaced with the elation associated with the independence I suddenly felt. It dawned upon me that I was free to explore at my leisure, no restrictions, no limitations, just me and the city. The possibilities were infinite and yet there was still something tugging at my heartstrings, stopping me from reaching any further stages of bliss. Him.
I was stunned at the realization that he was the key component missing in making these two weeks live up to their potential of being the vacation I will ever have. My fingers itched to reach into my pocket and dial his number but I came to my senses and realized that I never was one to fall under the cliche of the clingy girlfriend and I wasn't about to begin now. I gave myself a mini pep talk, tried to sweep thoughts of him under the rug and continued with my little adventure by myself.
"I can have fun without him." I chanted to myself repeatedly. I checked the urge to roll my eyes at myself the moment after the words left my mouth and carried on. Despite my valiant efforts to conclude my adventure, exhaustion inevitably took over by 7 o'clock and I headed back to the hotel. The bed called out to me the instant I walked through the doors and I found myself bewitched under its seductive spell. I didn't even bother changing or removing my shoes, I just walked straight to it, lay down and allowed myself to be engulfed by the crisp white sheets as all the sounds around me disappeared and I drifted off to sleep.
_____________________________
I woke up two hours later to the incessant vibrations of my phone, I checked to see the cause of the nuisance and discovered 5 messages from Juju, a message and a missed call from Khalood and an unknown number. To my consternation, I had gotten nothing from 3azeez, I sighed and called Juju without reading her messages. I figured they were all something along the lines of, "Dear Ghala, I hate your stinking guts. You make me vomit. You're the scum between my toes. Love, Ritaj." The Little Rascals was one of our favorite movies growing up and we had a falling out once in the 2nd grade because I didn't share my purple crayon with her. In my defense, she always left bite marks all over them and assumed they were edible! She found it fitting to retaliate to my refusal to share with the letter mentioned in the movie, only with our names instead. Last year, Juju was helping me pack when we were moving to our new house and we found the letter that had somehow survived 11 years and she used it as a reference whenever she was mad at me for any reason. Forgetting to let her know I arrived safely probably fell under that category.
"La walla? Look who finally decided to grace me with her call!" She admonished as soon as she picked up the phone.
"You can't see me right now but I'm working on the most adorable apologetic look in the history of the world!" I replied sheepishly.
"Uff fine, I'll take your word for it!" She said as she sighed resignedly, "How's the Big Ben treating you?" She asked excitedly.
"The big what now?" I asked
"The Big Ben! You know, like how New York is the Big Apple? London's the Big Ben!" She explained patiently. "Feels so good teaching you something!"
I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This is worse than the time she told me Kenya was in Japan.
"Honey, Big Ben is a landmark IN London, it's not a nickname." I clarified.
"No way!" She replied, "You'd think they'd teach you something like that in school!"
"Um yeah.. education systems these days!" I played along.
"OH EM GEE. Yes, I just said all the letters separately and you will not complain because what I'm about to say is going to ba-lowww your mind." She screamed into the phone.
"Juju, baby gooly ily tabeena but for the love of god and all that is holy, volume control! Have mercy on my poor disoriented state of mind. And my eardrums. And my boyfriendlessness. And my uneven eyebrows. And-"
"OKAY FINE! Oops! I mean, okay fiiiine." She whispered into the phone. "So remember when I was in the states this summer visiting my aunt in the hospital? Once, I went down to get coffee and on my way up, I passed by Mr. Johnson's room and I saw this nun with the creepiest smile ever walla the whole atmosphere changed around her! It was soooo damn eerie! Anyway, she walked by and smiled at me. Two minutes later, I heard someone call a code thingie and like I went to see and he just flatlined! So I go talk to the head nurse and ask her if there's a church in the hospital and her eyes suddenly widen by like a whole inch and she asks if I saw a nun! Spooky much? So then she told me that every time someone dies in that hospital, they see this nun passing by, the SAME one! Oh my god, goosebumps!" She exclaimed as she paused for air.
I suddenly felt chills running up and down my spine, I rubbed my arms vigorously but I couldn't shake away the goosebumps that invaded my skin. "Ya kalba, I'm staying in a hotel all by myself, w Khalood is in the other side of the town, WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME THAT?!"
I heard her laughter ring out from the other side, "Jeez Ghalooy, don't be such a baby, lemme continue! The scary part is, the other day, I was checking all these freaky ghost sites and what not and they basically have a map of everywhere in the US and they flag down areas with paranormal behavior reported and what not or anything of this sort. And guess. what. The hospital was flagged down and they mentioned something about the nun! You have my permission to freak out now!" She concluded happily.
"I hate you. I fucking hate you. I never want to speak to you again." I said as I jumped out of bed and ran over to switch on all the lights, as if they could somehow keep any killer nuns at bay. "I hope you realize the only reason you're still on the phone is cuz I'm freaked out beyond words right now!"
"Hahaha shouldn't have said that Ghalooooy," She said in a weird dracula-inspired voice. "I'm hanging up now, make sure to keep your doors locked, not that it would do you any good. Muwahahahaha." And with that she hung up and left me to listen to the dial tone.
I was officially scared. I don't usually scare easily but when you add the whole "alone in a foreign country" factor into the equation, it kinda changes everything. I called room service with nothing in mind and ended up chatting with the concierge for about half an hour. I grabbed a book and decided to go read it in the lobby. Surrounded by many people. You never know what might happen! But 5 hours and 2 books later, I was still no where near calm enough. I finally decided to grow a pair and try to go back to sleep. My eye kept wandering off to the nearby clock, 2.40.. 2.45.. 2.50... 2.55.. Screw this. I picked up my phone and punched in 3azeez's number, cliches be damned!
"Baby?" He answered confusedly.
I sighed in relief. I immediately felt better. I took a deep breath and launched into an explanation. "So you know how in The Exorcism Of Emily Rose the demons madri satan madri whoever it is comes out at 3 am? Yeah well it's 3 am ila 1 minute and 45 seconds and I know that means it's about 6 3indikum and I'm sorry, but Juju told me stupid stories earlier and I can't sleep and if something comes out to take me from under the bed or like sucks me in to a parallel universe through the bed, I want you to be on the other side of the phone listening to my screams, mmkay?" I said all in one breath.
"God, I miss you so much." He breathed deeply.
I smiled and shoved my heated face into the pillow, "Also, I want penguins." I mumbled into the phone.
I felt right at home when I heard his bark like laughter through the phone, "Mu tawwich you're scared and on the verge of tears, shyab penguins bilsalfa?"
"Kaifi!" I replied, "Besides, shako you tell me you miss me? This isn't a lovey dovey "I love you, I miss you" phone call! The purpose of this call is for you to make me feel better and to comfort me! Penguins comfort me, deal with it!" I replied. I realized I was being highly irrational but in my own retarded way, it was my way of telling him that I missed him too.
"Inshaalla.. Bacher ayeelich w inroo7 inshoof ilpenguins, shrayich?" He offered.
"Don't tease me, you're like a bajillion miles away!" I whined.
"True, true.. ma 3alaih. Wait, did you hear that?" He whispered suddenly.
"Did I hear what?" I asked with a worried inflection in my voice.
"Wait wait.. " he said and I held my breath while waiting for him to come back, "A3OOTHO BILLAH!" He yelled.
"WHAT WHAT?" I asked frantically.
I heard his laugh once again and realized he was only making fun of me, "You're too cute, wallah. You're making this way too easy."
"Baby.. you know what was funny about that?" I asked calmly.
"What?"
"Nothing." I answered and hung up. I felt quite satisfied with my immaturity for the day and decided I could sleep now. Right on cue, I saw his number flashing on my phone and decided to let him sweat it out for a while. 1 missed call, 2.. if he made it to 4 I decided I was going to pick up and I ended up doing so.
"Khair?" I answered coolly.
"I love you." He said with the utmost sincerity in his voice. And just like that, all was forgiven. I hated that it was that simple, but it was. 'Frailty, thy name is woman!'
"I love you too."
"Good night baby."
"Good night."
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Foolish Games.. (21a)
HI! *hides under sheets*
Sorry for taking too long :( Forgive me? *puppy eyes* Please?;*
I really thought I'd be able to post this before finals, but turns out I can't! Still working on the next part of it, so I guess I'm gonna do the whole part a and b thing? yeah. Don't say it's too short, it's only half a post :( Better than nothing, no? Sorry! Will try to post as soon as possible, I promise.. Still rusty though, it says I started working on this post on the first of June. 2 weeks and this is all I could come up with! And not even alone! Grr.
Oooh notice the addition of a fellow blogger to the story ;p
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP SLOUCHYPANTS, LOVE YOU! <3
_____________________________
"Are you sure you don't want to crash on our couch?" Khalood asked teasingly as he drove me to my hotel after dropping off his family at their appartment. "My roomate's not that bad once you get past the cape!"
I rolled my eyes exaggeratedly for his benefit, "As chivalrous as your invitation is.. I'm going to have to pass! You know I live for hotel sheets and pillows!"
"Afa! So when it comes down to it, you choose pillows ever me?"
"Hotel pillows, K, hotel pillows." I clarified.
"Ma3thoora! Actually, how do you feel about me joining you there?" He asked jokingly.
"Haha, I don't think 3azooz would like that very much!"
"Yeah, come to think about it, I don't think Mya would appreciate it either." He casually added.
I stared at him incredulously, "M-who now?!"
"Umm my girlfriend, Mya." he said as he adopted an inscrutable expression and stared blankly ahead, waiting for my reaction.
Minutes passed in total silence while I absorbed the bomb he callously dropped. I was positive that with a little more focus, I would be able to hear the sound of my eyelashes fluttering against each other. In the back of my mind, I knew my reaction was a little extreme considering my comprehension of the whole Haifa/Khalid fiasco and the odds associated with it, but I couldn't push that thought forward enough to get past the shock of him moving on after years of pining for her.
"I don't understand, last I heard, you were still into Haifa, what happened?" I said, finally breaking the silence.
"Nothing "happened".. I just realized that my feelings for Haifa might've been nothing more than a crush blown out of proportion.. I guess I just got caught up in the romanticism of unrequited love and all that bullshit." He shrugged and flashed a grin at me.
I tried to find the merest hint of bitterness in his voice, but he genuinely seemed to have let go of whatever feelings he had for her once upon a time. I was surprised to find myself admitting that he seemed content with his new found revelation. I quickly abandoned my disappointment and played the role of the encouraging best friend again.
"And? Tell me about her! Seriously Khalood, am I going to have to pry the information out of you? SPILL!" I demanded and held up my fingers to pinch him again. He quickly got the message and put his hands up in a surrendering motion.
"The thing is, you wouldn't believe me if I told you!" He exclaimed.
I raised my eyebrows threateningly, "Btitkalam wela shlon?" I asked.
He signed resignedly, "Fine. But if you don't believe me, I'm going to throw you in the street right now and leave you to fend for yourself, agreed?"
"Agreed!" I confirmed.
"So I was going up to my apartment right? And I saw this girl, couldn't be more than 14 years old, sitting in the stairwell all huddled up and playing with some action figure of some sort, I thought she was a relative of one of the neighbors, so I said hi and she barely acknowledged my existence and went back to stuffing her face with the lion bar she had.." He said before I interrupted him.
"PEDOPHILE!! Why were you trying to chat up a fourteen year old??" I exclaimed.
"Shako! I was being polite. And if you interrupt me again, I'm not finishing the story." He threatened.
I pretended to zip my mouth shut and threw away the invisible key, looked up at him pleadingly and motioned for him to finish it. He rolled his eyes at my pathetic attempt at cuteness and continued.
"I waited for a few moments for her reply but she was too busy trying to inhale her chocolate, so I gave up and went inside. Minutes later, while I was changing, I heard someone banging on the door. So I run to see who it is and as soon as I unlocked it, I was greeted by the same girl.. she came barging into the apartment with her hair pointing in every possible direction. She pointed at one of the rooms and yelled "what's that coming over the hill, is it a monster? IS IT A MONSTER?" I didn't react to that, cuz standing up and talking, it was clear that she wasn't fourteen.. and that she was quite attractive.."
I interrupted him again, "I'm sorry but can we please skip this part? Is this really essential to the story??"
He laughed and shook his head, "Guess not.. Anyway, She stared at me for a few minutes waiting for a reply but I couldn't offer her any, so then she asked me to use the bathroom.. Without even thinking, I said yes. She comes out minutes later, flashes a smile at me, calls out a "Thanks, home slice!" and leaves, banging the door behind her." He concluded in a way suggesting that was all there was to the story.
I waited, not so patiently, for the rest and he eventually gave into my pathetic squiriming and continued.
"I went back into the hall to find her, she seemed like an interesting character, to say the least, but she wasn't there anymore! Later that night, I went to the bathroom and discovered that there was water outside the door.. I opened it to find the whole floor flooded. I went inside to see the source of it and was greeted by her doll, which turned out to be a Pikachu, stuffed inside the toilet."
I had a feeling my eyebrows reached my hairline at that point. "YOU LIE!" I screamed incredulously.
He swerved the car into a bus stop and the brakes came to a screeching halt, "Barra." He calmly ordered.
"Screw you, Pinocchio, I'm not leaving!" I replied petulantly and crossed my arms. "If you touch me, I will tell your mom about the vase that mysteriously went missing. Now continue the story."
He sighed resignedly and drove off.
"Nothing for a while, I looked for her for the longest time ever! I was dying to know the story behind the flushed doll but no such luck! Then one day I was in kinky little sex store, the one in front of vue cinemas, getting some stuff on a dare and surprisingly enough there she was!" He concluded with a huge smile.
I was clutching my sides and laughing hysterically. I always thought how I met 3azeez was unconventional but their story danced circles around ours. "Please tell me she had a part time job there or something!"
He shook his head fondly in memory, "I wish I could, but to quote her, she was there for "research". That's all I ever got out of her, but I will admit that I'm more than just a little bit scared. Scared enough not to stupidly ask and get any information I would've been better off not knowing! We talked a little, flirted inappropriately and I asked to see under circumstances that were a little less crazy, she agreed and that's pretty much it."
"I aww now?" I said while beaming.
"If you must." He said, knowing the inevitable conclusion to his story. "But first, nizlay!"
"You can't kick me out, I didn't say anything!" I yelled.
"I know, but we're at your hotel. I'd help you check in but I have to get to class babe." He clarified as he stepped outside to get the bags out.
I sighed theatrically, "Fiiiine! Wait for my aww though!"
"Ma 6alabty shay!" He agreed as he got in the car and drove off. I silently cursed the back his car as it disappeared into the traffic. I sighed, flashed a smile at the concierge and followed him inside.
Sorry for taking too long :( Forgive me? *puppy eyes* Please?;*
I really thought I'd be able to post this before finals, but turns out I can't! Still working on the next part of it, so I guess I'm gonna do the whole part a and b thing? yeah. Don't say it's too short, it's only half a post :( Better than nothing, no? Sorry! Will try to post as soon as possible, I promise.. Still rusty though, it says I started working on this post on the first of June. 2 weeks and this is all I could come up with! And not even alone! Grr.
Oooh notice the addition of a fellow blogger to the story ;p
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP SLOUCHYPANTS, LOVE YOU! <3
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"Are you sure you don't want to crash on our couch?" Khalood asked teasingly as he drove me to my hotel after dropping off his family at their appartment. "My roomate's not that bad once you get past the cape!"
I rolled my eyes exaggeratedly for his benefit, "As chivalrous as your invitation is.. I'm going to have to pass! You know I live for hotel sheets and pillows!"
"Afa! So when it comes down to it, you choose pillows ever me?"
"Hotel pillows, K, hotel pillows." I clarified.
"Ma3thoora! Actually, how do you feel about me joining you there?" He asked jokingly.
"Haha, I don't think 3azooz would like that very much!"
"Yeah, come to think about it, I don't think Mya would appreciate it either." He casually added.
I stared at him incredulously, "M-who now?!"
"Umm my girlfriend, Mya." he said as he adopted an inscrutable expression and stared blankly ahead, waiting for my reaction.
Minutes passed in total silence while I absorbed the bomb he callously dropped. I was positive that with a little more focus, I would be able to hear the sound of my eyelashes fluttering against each other. In the back of my mind, I knew my reaction was a little extreme considering my comprehension of the whole Haifa/Khalid fiasco and the odds associated with it, but I couldn't push that thought forward enough to get past the shock of him moving on after years of pining for her.
"I don't understand, last I heard, you were still into Haifa, what happened?" I said, finally breaking the silence.
"Nothing "happened".. I just realized that my feelings for Haifa might've been nothing more than a crush blown out of proportion.. I guess I just got caught up in the romanticism of unrequited love and all that bullshit." He shrugged and flashed a grin at me.
I tried to find the merest hint of bitterness in his voice, but he genuinely seemed to have let go of whatever feelings he had for her once upon a time. I was surprised to find myself admitting that he seemed content with his new found revelation. I quickly abandoned my disappointment and played the role of the encouraging best friend again.
"And? Tell me about her! Seriously Khalood, am I going to have to pry the information out of you? SPILL!" I demanded and held up my fingers to pinch him again. He quickly got the message and put his hands up in a surrendering motion.
"The thing is, you wouldn't believe me if I told you!" He exclaimed.
I raised my eyebrows threateningly, "Btitkalam wela shlon?" I asked.
He signed resignedly, "Fine. But if you don't believe me, I'm going to throw you in the street right now and leave you to fend for yourself, agreed?"
"Agreed!" I confirmed.
"So I was going up to my apartment right? And I saw this girl, couldn't be more than 14 years old, sitting in the stairwell all huddled up and playing with some action figure of some sort, I thought she was a relative of one of the neighbors, so I said hi and she barely acknowledged my existence and went back to stuffing her face with the lion bar she had.." He said before I interrupted him.
"PEDOPHILE!! Why were you trying to chat up a fourteen year old??" I exclaimed.
"Shako! I was being polite. And if you interrupt me again, I'm not finishing the story." He threatened.
I pretended to zip my mouth shut and threw away the invisible key, looked up at him pleadingly and motioned for him to finish it. He rolled his eyes at my pathetic attempt at cuteness and continued.
"I waited for a few moments for her reply but she was too busy trying to inhale her chocolate, so I gave up and went inside. Minutes later, while I was changing, I heard someone banging on the door. So I run to see who it is and as soon as I unlocked it, I was greeted by the same girl.. she came barging into the apartment with her hair pointing in every possible direction. She pointed at one of the rooms and yelled "what's that coming over the hill, is it a monster? IS IT A MONSTER?" I didn't react to that, cuz standing up and talking, it was clear that she wasn't fourteen.. and that she was quite attractive.."
I interrupted him again, "I'm sorry but can we please skip this part? Is this really essential to the story??"
He laughed and shook his head, "Guess not.. Anyway, She stared at me for a few minutes waiting for a reply but I couldn't offer her any, so then she asked me to use the bathroom.. Without even thinking, I said yes. She comes out minutes later, flashes a smile at me, calls out a "Thanks, home slice!" and leaves, banging the door behind her." He concluded in a way suggesting that was all there was to the story.
I waited, not so patiently, for the rest and he eventually gave into my pathetic squiriming and continued.
"I went back into the hall to find her, she seemed like an interesting character, to say the least, but she wasn't there anymore! Later that night, I went to the bathroom and discovered that there was water outside the door.. I opened it to find the whole floor flooded. I went inside to see the source of it and was greeted by her doll, which turned out to be a Pikachu, stuffed inside the toilet."
I had a feeling my eyebrows reached my hairline at that point. "YOU LIE!" I screamed incredulously.
He swerved the car into a bus stop and the brakes came to a screeching halt, "Barra." He calmly ordered.
"Screw you, Pinocchio, I'm not leaving!" I replied petulantly and crossed my arms. "If you touch me, I will tell your mom about the vase that mysteriously went missing. Now continue the story."
He sighed resignedly and drove off.
"Nothing for a while, I looked for her for the longest time ever! I was dying to know the story behind the flushed doll but no such luck! Then one day I was in kinky little sex store, the one in front of vue cinemas, getting some stuff on a dare and surprisingly enough there she was!" He concluded with a huge smile.
I was clutching my sides and laughing hysterically. I always thought how I met 3azeez was unconventional but their story danced circles around ours. "Please tell me she had a part time job there or something!"
He shook his head fondly in memory, "I wish I could, but to quote her, she was there for "research". That's all I ever got out of her, but I will admit that I'm more than just a little bit scared. Scared enough not to stupidly ask and get any information I would've been better off not knowing! We talked a little, flirted inappropriately and I asked to see under circumstances that were a little less crazy, she agreed and that's pretty much it."
"I aww now?" I said while beaming.
"If you must." He said, knowing the inevitable conclusion to his story. "But first, nizlay!"
"You can't kick me out, I didn't say anything!" I yelled.
"I know, but we're at your hotel. I'd help you check in but I have to get to class babe." He clarified as he stepped outside to get the bags out.
I sighed theatrically, "Fiiiine! Wait for my aww though!"
"Ma 6alabty shay!" He agreed as he got in the car and drove off. I silently cursed the back his car as it disappeared into the traffic. I sighed, flashed a smile at the concierge and followed him inside.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Foolish Games.. (20)
Alright, as I mentioned on my other blog, I'm going through a slightly wai3 time right now? I'm saving up all the adjectives for the story so "wai3" will have to suffice for now *rolls eyes* anyway yeah, I'm not really up to writing Ghala&3azeez's story right now.. unless you guys don't mind me killing off all the male characters ;p so I'm leaving you all with one final long post for now. I admit it's not my best work so if a lot of you guys don't like it, let me know and I'll rewrite perhaps? I love you guys, I'll be back soonish inshalla :*
________________________
I sat on 3azeez's bed shivering, covered up in his sister's oversized bathrobe. I silently envied the beautiful giant for her looks and physique as I waited for my clothes to dry. To my consternation, I kept seeing Noor's laughing face and 3azeez's shocked one and blushed in mortification all over again. I was relieved for the option of hiding up in here away from everyone. My relief proved to be short-lived a few moments later when I heard a light tapping on the door.
"Ghalooy.. are you decent?" 3azeez's voice called out.
"No." I snapped as I hid my face in his pillow. I wasn't quite ready to face him yet.
He ignored me and came striding into the room, smiling as he nodded at my attire.
"3azeez! What the hell?!" I exclaimed, outraged. "What if I was naked ya3ni?? Ha?"
He raised his eyebrows and lifter a corner of his mouth in a crooked smile. "Then I'd be considered one lucky bastard." he replied with a wink.
I grabbed my bag and threw the contents at him individually as he laughed. I finally hurled my bag at him and hid under the covers and repositioned my face into the pillow. I couldn't help but catch a whiff of his lingering scent on it and breathed it in.
"Aw, come on baby, 3adi!! We've all been pushed by 3baid in the pool at one point or another!" He said as he attempted to lift the covers.
I tightened my grip around the corners of it but my attempts were unnecessary and ineffective, given the inevitable outcome. He threw away the covers and hugged me tightly. I hid my face in his chest the instant he let go.
I felt his chuckle vibrate through his chest as he attempted to push me away. "Wareeni wayhich!" He demanded.
"Mabi!" I mumbled, my response was muffled by his clothes.
"7abeebti we both know you're no match for me, I'm about three times your size! I will resort to tickling if I have to." He threatened.
I immediately lifted my head and looked at him. He burst out laughing again and I attempted to hide my face in my hands. He intertwined his fingers in between mine, taking away that option.
"Uff! Kil hatha mista7ya?" he asked teasingly. "I haven't seen that shade of red anywhere outside the tomato family!"
"Fashlaaaaaa!!" I whined, "Broo7'ha your sister seems to hate me and now this!"
He looked caught of guard as he replied sheepishly, "Oh, you noticed."
I looked at him disbelievingly, "Seriously? I would've had to be blind NOT to notice. You know what, 3abdulla probably noticed and pushed me purposely into the pool to amuse her!" I concluded.
"Yeah! I totally witnessed them communicating that by blinking!" He played along.
The door opened and I immediately jumped off his lap and landed awkwardly on the floor. I got up quick and sat down on the bed away from him as he shook his head and chuckled quietly. Noor came in closely followed by an apologetic looking 3abdulla.
She put down my clothes on the bed and nudged 3abdulla forward. He stared at his hands as he came up to me and shyly whispered an apology.
I smiled at him and bent down to his level, "I'll forgive you if you give me a kiss!" I offered and he readily accepted, giving me a big sloppy kiss on my cheek. He immediately giggled and ran away the second he was done, leaving me alone with 3azeez and his sister. We sat in awkward silence for a few moments before Noor cleared her throat and spoke up.
"Um.. Ghala, I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior earlier. I was quick to judge you based on what I've heard from other people.." She admitted, ashamed. I instinctively knew she was talking about S3oud's brother, he never liked me and had no problems making his feelings clear every chance he got. "I'm extremely protective of my baby brother but I can see that you have genuine feelings for him and if you don't mind, I'd love a chance to get to know you when you come back."
I had a feeling 3azeez had something to do with his sister's change in attitude but I didn't question his part in all of it. I smiled at her and replied, "I would love that too."
She beamed back at me and 3azeez, "I was hoping you would! Alright then, I'll leave you two alone now.. behave." She added as she gave 3azeez a warning look and she left.
I grabbed my clothes and ran to his bathroom to change as soon as she left. "Finally!" I exclaimed as soon as I came out, "Allaaah, my clothes are so warm and toasty!" I said as I hugged myself.
"Umm.. Would you like me to leave so you can feel yourself up in private? Or do you mind if I sat and watched?" he asked teasingly.
I laughed and smacked him playfully. "Ghala, you're really starting to worry me. Hair pulling, choking, pathetic attempts at beating me up.. are you into S&M?" He asked in mock seriousness.
I burst out laughing and fell back on the bed. I tried to contain it but failed miserably time and again. It wasn't that funny, but the expression on his face was hilarious. I finally managed to pull myself together and stared at the ceiling, smiling,
3azeez broke the silence, "I love the way you laugh." He said
I hooked one of my fingers between his buttons and pulled him down on top of me, "I love the way you make me laugh." I whispered back.
"I love the way you blush."
"I love the way you smell."
"I love how your voice drops a few decibels when we're all alone."
"I love how you always manage to notice the little things."
"I love all the little things there are for me to notice."
"I love you."
My eyes widened the minute the words left my mouth. I seemed even more shocked than he was by the words I had spoken, which was saying something considering the disbelieving look etched on his face. I immediately got up and pushed him away.
"What?"
"What?" I replied stupidly.
"Shgiltay?" He asked again.
"I said, "what"!"
He rolled his eyes, "Before that!!"
"Something about you noticing the little things?"
He glared at me impatiently, "After that?"
I gave up. He obviously wasn't going to budge no matter how dumb I played, I opened my mouth to utter the three words I never thought I'd be able to say back to him, "I love you."
I saw his face stretching into a huge smile and he leaned in closer to kiss me. I pushed his face away from me and got up.
"No! Wai3, stop smiling!! You better not have changed your mind and you better still feel the same way, you can't take it back! Also, don't think this changes anything or expect me to suddenly turn into the perfect girlfriend or anything or that you can control me in any way or dictate anything, 'cause I won't let you, inzain?" I said as I glared at him.
"You done yet?" he asked with a bored expression on his face. "I love you, too."
"Yeah well.. good." I finished lamely.
He laughed and pulled me into his arms, "Inzain, laish m3a9ba?" he asked, amused.
"Madri!" I replied honestly, "I never have appropriate reactions!"
"Really? You don't say?" he said sarcastically, "Is it alright if I kissed you now?"
"I love how you ask even though you're going to end up doing whatever you want anyway, you know, this is really starting to-"
He clamped my lips together and I tried to mumble protests. "Baby, sweetie, honey.. chub."
He leaned in closer and covered my lips with his. Every kiss with 3azeez was a new experience, the only similarity was the result of having me breathless and weak in the knees during its aftermath. This kiss was slow and sensual, he wordlessly conveyed to me the depth of his feelings and I savored every sensation as I responded and allowed his mouth to wreak havoc in every fiber of my being.
We eventually came up for air and he rested his forehead against mine as he tried to catch his breath, "How gay is it of me to be having the urge to beg you not to go?"
"Just about as gay as it is for me to actually be considering not going to stay with you." I answered. "I'm really going to miss you."
He sighed deeply, "Two weeks."
"Two weeks.." I echoed as he pulled me in for another kiss.
_______________________
"Are you sure I can't tempt you to come spend your last night with me?" He asked as he pulled up to my house.
"Honey, you can tempt me to do A LOT more than that, which is precisely why I should spend the night in my own home, as far away from you as possible." I replied.
"Really?" He asked intrigued, "I'll be sure to remember that when you come back." He teased. I shot him a look and he threw his hands up in the air, "Kidding, kidding!! Do you need a ride to the airport tomorrow?"
"No, Juju's spending the night and she's dropping me off tomorrow before she goes home.. besides, I'm meeting Khalood's mother and brother 6alal there so it'd be best if I didn't show up with you, don't you think?" I asked.
"Definitely, I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea of you.. So, I guess this is goodbye?"
I cringed at the finality that word represented, "Not goodbye.. just see you later! Don't scare me!" I exclaimed.
He laughed and kissed my forehead, "See you later, tro7een witrideen bilsalama 7abeebti."
I couldn't help myself, I threw my arms around him and gave him a final hug, "Allah isalmik." I promised to call him before I got on the plane and I made my way to the front door. He refused to leave til he saw me go inside, I unlocked the door and looked back to find him still waiting. I walked backwards into the house so I can memorize his face one more time before he left. He waved to me and I blew him a kiss.
"THERE YOU ARE!" Ritaj screamed as she slammed the door shut after me and leaned against it. "I've been waiting since forever!!"
"Juju, 3azeez is outside, wakhrayyy!" I said as I tried to move her.
"Mako! You're obviously not going to close the door 'til he drives off and he won't drive off 'til you close the door, so I took matters into my own hands. Now march before me young lady, up you go!" She said, pointing at the stairs.
I pouted and sulked all the way upstairs, I kept trying to go back to the door and Ritaj would stop me and threaten to decapitate me if I disobeyed her again. I sighed resignedly and walked into my room.
"Hach, this is my list." She announced.
"List? List of what?" I asked as I looked down at the piece of paper she handed me.
"The list of things I want you to bring back from England, duh!" She answered.
I quickly scanned the contents and looked back at her, "Juju, I can't bring you back Orlando Bloom." I said as I rolled my eyes.
"Why the hell not!" She screeched.
"Ouch, Juju, volume control! Lana awalan, wai3. Thaniyan, Haifa already asked and I said no!" I replied.
"Hffft, fine! You never do anything I ask you to!" She whined.
"Yes, I'm the worst friend ever." I added.
"Woy, no 7abeebti laaa2! You're the bestest best friend ever! I'm going to miss you wayid!!" She said as she pulled me in for a hug.
"I'm going to throw up hugs walla, I've been squeezed way too much these two days!" I said as I hugged her back.
"Oooo.." She said as she wiggled her eyebrows, "Do share!"
I laughed and filled her in on the details of the day, she inserted appropriately timed "aww"s and gasps and made threats when needed.
"Bitch. I don't care if she apologized, I still don't like her!" She announced when I was done.
"Well lucky for her, you don't have to! She's 3azooz's favorite sibling, I'm going to have to try to find away to get along with her and I could use your help, so be nice!"
She sighed theatrically, "Fiiiine! Let's go make brownies and eat them with cookie dough ice cream!" she suggested enthusiastically.
"You're trying to make me throw up bilplane, aren't you?" I asked suspiciously.
"Nooo, you're going to sleep bilplane which is specifically why I'm going to keep you up all night. We're eating that cuz I won't get another chance to pig out 'til you come back, so come on!"
She ended up sleeping half an hour after we baked the brownies but I took her advice anyway and stayed up all night. I took a nap at one point and she woke me up by throwing a water bottle at me.
"Goomay! It's 9, I can't believe you let me fall asleep! I only have two hours left with you!" She yelled.
"Juju, I'm going for two weeks and coming back, it's not like I'm going to drop off the face of the earth, enough with the drama!" I replied crankily.
She pouted, "Whatever, if I was 3azeez you'd probably be all "awww babyy, la tiz3al, ta3al let me flash you!" bas ana I get told I'm being dramatic!" She said huffily.
I laughed and threw a pillow at her, "First of all, ew? Second of all, 3azeez doesn't throw cold objects at me while I'm sleeping!"
"Fine, go take a shower, I'll get breakfast started and we can watch Finding Nemo, I already sent your driver to the airport with your bags so you don't have to worry about that, yalla bsir3a we're running out of time!"
I didn't dare disobey her. When Juju had a plan, she meant business. I ran to the bathroom and took a quick shower, I went back down 20 minutes later in a pair of jeans, a red hoodie and my kelly green converses. I saw Juju's face light up when she saw me.
"You wore them! You finally wore them! Aww you look like christmas, I LOVE YOU! Look at all the colors!!"
I rolled my eyes, poured some coffee and sat down to watch the movie. She french braided my hair while we watched because she insisted a bun would be too much of a hassle during the flight and before we knew it, the two hours were up and she drove me to the airport. Khaled's mother and older brother, 6alal, got there earlier than we expected so I didn't get a chance to call 3azeez.
"Deeraw baalkum 3alaiha!" Ritaj unnecessary asked them before she left.
"Shda3wa Ritaj, she's family, mala da3i twa9eenna 3alaiha!" 6alal replied defensively. 6alal was convinced we were lesbians and Juju's overprotective act wasn't helping him in forgetting that theory.
"I knoww but she's my baby! Akhaf 3alaiha!" She replied. "Call me as soon as you land, take care of yourself and if you come back with an accent, so help me god, I WILL murder you!" She hugged me one final time and left before she unleashed the waterworks.
I texted 3azeez explaining why I didn't call but he didn't reply, I guess he was still asleep. We boarded the plane and surely enough I was asleep minutes after takeoff. The events of the flight were a blur to me, I distinctly remember being woken up a couple of times by the flight attendants. And I remember being force-fed a stale croissant by khalti Sara at one point, but that was pretty much it.
I stumbled out of Heathrow Airport half an hour later to find Khaled leaning against a car, smoking a cigarette. I couldn't believe he was standing there in front of me, even as I saw his mother and brother greeting him and getting into the car, a part of me still thought there was a possibility I was dreaming all this up. He came up to me and snapped his fingers in front of my face.
"Ghalooy?" he asked. I took his hand and pinched it as hard as I could using my nails.
He yelped and snatched it away, "What the hell, Ghala! Laish??" he asked, surprised by my action.
"I was just checking if this was just a dream!" I defended.
"You pinch YOURSELF to check that, not other people!" he shot back.
"Oops?" I offered.
He shook his head and pulled me into his arms and twirled me around. Just like he always did. I squealed and demanded he put me down. Just like I always did. We pulled back and stared at each other and laughed for no apparent reason. I smiled at the familiarity of the picture we painted and snuggled back into his arms. He apparently had other ideas. He carried me like a football under his arm and walked towards the car.
"Mi'lady, your carriage awaits!" He announced.
"Yes, cuz nothing screams royalty like being manhandled at the airport." I retorted.
"Well Ghalooy, you know me, I always go the extra mile!" he said and threw me into the back seat of the car and grinned. "7emdellah 3ala ilsalama!"
________________________
I sat on 3azeez's bed shivering, covered up in his sister's oversized bathrobe. I silently envied the beautiful giant for her looks and physique as I waited for my clothes to dry. To my consternation, I kept seeing Noor's laughing face and 3azeez's shocked one and blushed in mortification all over again. I was relieved for the option of hiding up in here away from everyone. My relief proved to be short-lived a few moments later when I heard a light tapping on the door.
"Ghalooy.. are you decent?" 3azeez's voice called out.
"No." I snapped as I hid my face in his pillow. I wasn't quite ready to face him yet.
He ignored me and came striding into the room, smiling as he nodded at my attire.
"3azeez! What the hell?!" I exclaimed, outraged. "What if I was naked ya3ni?? Ha?"
He raised his eyebrows and lifter a corner of his mouth in a crooked smile. "Then I'd be considered one lucky bastard." he replied with a wink.
I grabbed my bag and threw the contents at him individually as he laughed. I finally hurled my bag at him and hid under the covers and repositioned my face into the pillow. I couldn't help but catch a whiff of his lingering scent on it and breathed it in.
"Aw, come on baby, 3adi!! We've all been pushed by 3baid in the pool at one point or another!" He said as he attempted to lift the covers.
I tightened my grip around the corners of it but my attempts were unnecessary and ineffective, given the inevitable outcome. He threw away the covers and hugged me tightly. I hid my face in his chest the instant he let go.
I felt his chuckle vibrate through his chest as he attempted to push me away. "Wareeni wayhich!" He demanded.
"Mabi!" I mumbled, my response was muffled by his clothes.
"7abeebti we both know you're no match for me, I'm about three times your size! I will resort to tickling if I have to." He threatened.
I immediately lifted my head and looked at him. He burst out laughing again and I attempted to hide my face in my hands. He intertwined his fingers in between mine, taking away that option.
"Uff! Kil hatha mista7ya?" he asked teasingly. "I haven't seen that shade of red anywhere outside the tomato family!"
"Fashlaaaaaa!!" I whined, "Broo7'ha your sister seems to hate me and now this!"
He looked caught of guard as he replied sheepishly, "Oh, you noticed."
I looked at him disbelievingly, "Seriously? I would've had to be blind NOT to notice. You know what, 3abdulla probably noticed and pushed me purposely into the pool to amuse her!" I concluded.
"Yeah! I totally witnessed them communicating that by blinking!" He played along.
The door opened and I immediately jumped off his lap and landed awkwardly on the floor. I got up quick and sat down on the bed away from him as he shook his head and chuckled quietly. Noor came in closely followed by an apologetic looking 3abdulla.
She put down my clothes on the bed and nudged 3abdulla forward. He stared at his hands as he came up to me and shyly whispered an apology.
I smiled at him and bent down to his level, "I'll forgive you if you give me a kiss!" I offered and he readily accepted, giving me a big sloppy kiss on my cheek. He immediately giggled and ran away the second he was done, leaving me alone with 3azeez and his sister. We sat in awkward silence for a few moments before Noor cleared her throat and spoke up.
"Um.. Ghala, I wanted to apologize for my rude behavior earlier. I was quick to judge you based on what I've heard from other people.." She admitted, ashamed. I instinctively knew she was talking about S3oud's brother, he never liked me and had no problems making his feelings clear every chance he got. "I'm extremely protective of my baby brother but I can see that you have genuine feelings for him and if you don't mind, I'd love a chance to get to know you when you come back."
I had a feeling 3azeez had something to do with his sister's change in attitude but I didn't question his part in all of it. I smiled at her and replied, "I would love that too."
She beamed back at me and 3azeez, "I was hoping you would! Alright then, I'll leave you two alone now.. behave." She added as she gave 3azeez a warning look and she left.
I grabbed my clothes and ran to his bathroom to change as soon as she left. "Finally!" I exclaimed as soon as I came out, "Allaaah, my clothes are so warm and toasty!" I said as I hugged myself.
"Umm.. Would you like me to leave so you can feel yourself up in private? Or do you mind if I sat and watched?" he asked teasingly.
I laughed and smacked him playfully. "Ghala, you're really starting to worry me. Hair pulling, choking, pathetic attempts at beating me up.. are you into S&M?" He asked in mock seriousness.
I burst out laughing and fell back on the bed. I tried to contain it but failed miserably time and again. It wasn't that funny, but the expression on his face was hilarious. I finally managed to pull myself together and stared at the ceiling, smiling,
3azeez broke the silence, "I love the way you laugh." He said
I hooked one of my fingers between his buttons and pulled him down on top of me, "I love the way you make me laugh." I whispered back.
"I love the way you blush."
"I love the way you smell."
"I love how your voice drops a few decibels when we're all alone."
"I love how you always manage to notice the little things."
"I love all the little things there are for me to notice."
"I love you."
My eyes widened the minute the words left my mouth. I seemed even more shocked than he was by the words I had spoken, which was saying something considering the disbelieving look etched on his face. I immediately got up and pushed him away.
"What?"
"What?" I replied stupidly.
"Shgiltay?" He asked again.
"I said, "what"!"
He rolled his eyes, "Before that!!"
"Something about you noticing the little things?"
He glared at me impatiently, "After that?"
I gave up. He obviously wasn't going to budge no matter how dumb I played, I opened my mouth to utter the three words I never thought I'd be able to say back to him, "I love you."
I saw his face stretching into a huge smile and he leaned in closer to kiss me. I pushed his face away from me and got up.
"No! Wai3, stop smiling!! You better not have changed your mind and you better still feel the same way, you can't take it back! Also, don't think this changes anything or expect me to suddenly turn into the perfect girlfriend or anything or that you can control me in any way or dictate anything, 'cause I won't let you, inzain?" I said as I glared at him.
"You done yet?" he asked with a bored expression on his face. "I love you, too."
"Yeah well.. good." I finished lamely.
He laughed and pulled me into his arms, "Inzain, laish m3a9ba?" he asked, amused.
"Madri!" I replied honestly, "I never have appropriate reactions!"
"Really? You don't say?" he said sarcastically, "Is it alright if I kissed you now?"
"I love how you ask even though you're going to end up doing whatever you want anyway, you know, this is really starting to-"
He clamped my lips together and I tried to mumble protests. "Baby, sweetie, honey.. chub."
He leaned in closer and covered my lips with his. Every kiss with 3azeez was a new experience, the only similarity was the result of having me breathless and weak in the knees during its aftermath. This kiss was slow and sensual, he wordlessly conveyed to me the depth of his feelings and I savored every sensation as I responded and allowed his mouth to wreak havoc in every fiber of my being.
We eventually came up for air and he rested his forehead against mine as he tried to catch his breath, "How gay is it of me to be having the urge to beg you not to go?"
"Just about as gay as it is for me to actually be considering not going to stay with you." I answered. "I'm really going to miss you."
He sighed deeply, "Two weeks."
"Two weeks.." I echoed as he pulled me in for another kiss.
_______________________
"Are you sure I can't tempt you to come spend your last night with me?" He asked as he pulled up to my house.
"Honey, you can tempt me to do A LOT more than that, which is precisely why I should spend the night in my own home, as far away from you as possible." I replied.
"Really?" He asked intrigued, "I'll be sure to remember that when you come back." He teased. I shot him a look and he threw his hands up in the air, "Kidding, kidding!! Do you need a ride to the airport tomorrow?"
"No, Juju's spending the night and she's dropping me off tomorrow before she goes home.. besides, I'm meeting Khalood's mother and brother 6alal there so it'd be best if I didn't show up with you, don't you think?" I asked.
"Definitely, I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea of you.. So, I guess this is goodbye?"
I cringed at the finality that word represented, "Not goodbye.. just see you later! Don't scare me!" I exclaimed.
He laughed and kissed my forehead, "See you later, tro7een witrideen bilsalama 7abeebti."
I couldn't help myself, I threw my arms around him and gave him a final hug, "Allah isalmik." I promised to call him before I got on the plane and I made my way to the front door. He refused to leave til he saw me go inside, I unlocked the door and looked back to find him still waiting. I walked backwards into the house so I can memorize his face one more time before he left. He waved to me and I blew him a kiss.
"THERE YOU ARE!" Ritaj screamed as she slammed the door shut after me and leaned against it. "I've been waiting since forever!!"
"Juju, 3azeez is outside, wakhrayyy!" I said as I tried to move her.
"Mako! You're obviously not going to close the door 'til he drives off and he won't drive off 'til you close the door, so I took matters into my own hands. Now march before me young lady, up you go!" She said, pointing at the stairs.
I pouted and sulked all the way upstairs, I kept trying to go back to the door and Ritaj would stop me and threaten to decapitate me if I disobeyed her again. I sighed resignedly and walked into my room.
"Hach, this is my list." She announced.
"List? List of what?" I asked as I looked down at the piece of paper she handed me.
"The list of things I want you to bring back from England, duh!" She answered.
I quickly scanned the contents and looked back at her, "Juju, I can't bring you back Orlando Bloom." I said as I rolled my eyes.
"Why the hell not!" She screeched.
"Ouch, Juju, volume control! Lana awalan, wai3. Thaniyan, Haifa already asked and I said no!" I replied.
"Hffft, fine! You never do anything I ask you to!" She whined.
"Yes, I'm the worst friend ever." I added.
"Woy, no 7abeebti laaa2! You're the bestest best friend ever! I'm going to miss you wayid!!" She said as she pulled me in for a hug.
"I'm going to throw up hugs walla, I've been squeezed way too much these two days!" I said as I hugged her back.
"Oooo.." She said as she wiggled her eyebrows, "Do share!"
I laughed and filled her in on the details of the day, she inserted appropriately timed "aww"s and gasps and made threats when needed.
"Bitch. I don't care if she apologized, I still don't like her!" She announced when I was done.
"Well lucky for her, you don't have to! She's 3azooz's favorite sibling, I'm going to have to try to find away to get along with her and I could use your help, so be nice!"
She sighed theatrically, "Fiiiine! Let's go make brownies and eat them with cookie dough ice cream!" she suggested enthusiastically.
"You're trying to make me throw up bilplane, aren't you?" I asked suspiciously.
"Nooo, you're going to sleep bilplane which is specifically why I'm going to keep you up all night. We're eating that cuz I won't get another chance to pig out 'til you come back, so come on!"
She ended up sleeping half an hour after we baked the brownies but I took her advice anyway and stayed up all night. I took a nap at one point and she woke me up by throwing a water bottle at me.
"Goomay! It's 9, I can't believe you let me fall asleep! I only have two hours left with you!" She yelled.
"Juju, I'm going for two weeks and coming back, it's not like I'm going to drop off the face of the earth, enough with the drama!" I replied crankily.
She pouted, "Whatever, if I was 3azeez you'd probably be all "awww babyy, la tiz3al, ta3al let me flash you!" bas ana I get told I'm being dramatic!" She said huffily.
I laughed and threw a pillow at her, "First of all, ew? Second of all, 3azeez doesn't throw cold objects at me while I'm sleeping!"
"Fine, go take a shower, I'll get breakfast started and we can watch Finding Nemo, I already sent your driver to the airport with your bags so you don't have to worry about that, yalla bsir3a we're running out of time!"
I didn't dare disobey her. When Juju had a plan, she meant business. I ran to the bathroom and took a quick shower, I went back down 20 minutes later in a pair of jeans, a red hoodie and my kelly green converses. I saw Juju's face light up when she saw me.
"You wore them! You finally wore them! Aww you look like christmas, I LOVE YOU! Look at all the colors!!"
I rolled my eyes, poured some coffee and sat down to watch the movie. She french braided my hair while we watched because she insisted a bun would be too much of a hassle during the flight and before we knew it, the two hours were up and she drove me to the airport. Khaled's mother and older brother, 6alal, got there earlier than we expected so I didn't get a chance to call 3azeez.
"Deeraw baalkum 3alaiha!" Ritaj unnecessary asked them before she left.
"Shda3wa Ritaj, she's family, mala da3i twa9eenna 3alaiha!" 6alal replied defensively. 6alal was convinced we were lesbians and Juju's overprotective act wasn't helping him in forgetting that theory.
"I knoww but she's my baby! Akhaf 3alaiha!" She replied. "Call me as soon as you land, take care of yourself and if you come back with an accent, so help me god, I WILL murder you!" She hugged me one final time and left before she unleashed the waterworks.
I texted 3azeez explaining why I didn't call but he didn't reply, I guess he was still asleep. We boarded the plane and surely enough I was asleep minutes after takeoff. The events of the flight were a blur to me, I distinctly remember being woken up a couple of times by the flight attendants. And I remember being force-fed a stale croissant by khalti Sara at one point, but that was pretty much it.
I stumbled out of Heathrow Airport half an hour later to find Khaled leaning against a car, smoking a cigarette. I couldn't believe he was standing there in front of me, even as I saw his mother and brother greeting him and getting into the car, a part of me still thought there was a possibility I was dreaming all this up. He came up to me and snapped his fingers in front of my face.
"Ghalooy?" he asked. I took his hand and pinched it as hard as I could using my nails.
He yelped and snatched it away, "What the hell, Ghala! Laish??" he asked, surprised by my action.
"I was just checking if this was just a dream!" I defended.
"You pinch YOURSELF to check that, not other people!" he shot back.
"Oops?" I offered.
He shook his head and pulled me into his arms and twirled me around. Just like he always did. I squealed and demanded he put me down. Just like I always did. We pulled back and stared at each other and laughed for no apparent reason. I smiled at the familiarity of the picture we painted and snuggled back into his arms. He apparently had other ideas. He carried me like a football under his arm and walked towards the car.
"Mi'lady, your carriage awaits!" He announced.
"Yes, cuz nothing screams royalty like being manhandled at the airport." I retorted.
"Well Ghalooy, you know me, I always go the extra mile!" he said and threw me into the back seat of the car and grinned. "7emdellah 3ala ilsalama!"
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Foolish Games.. (19)
Khalas. I'm dropping out of jam3a. Kil youm? Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Hfft. Wija3. I don't care that it's awal youm of the fucking week, I'M DROPPING OUT, who's with me? Anyone? No? Okay :(
Inzain, I need to say a few things before ilstory, mu lazim you read bas yeah, here goes :
1. Stitch/Lost- I love you wayid and I've been where you are right now and it majorly sucks, hang in there *hugs*
2. Jam3iiya(L)- are you still alive? I miss you like... wayid :( Do you hate my story now? Is that it? *sobs hysterically* I love you *sniff*
3. Gutter Flower- I miss you wayid :( Please come back to us? *holds up razor to wrist* please?
4. SlouchyPants- LOL kaifi, I just wanted to mention you again ;p I love that girl -.-
5. My friend just started blogging ilyouuum.. she's telling "her story" fa if you're interested.. http://bsquared44.blogspot.com/ commentaw!
W ba3ad? I want to mention wayid things but I have to write now or I'm going to forget my ideas and leave you postless! Oh you guys, I'm loving all the stories walla, you guys have no idea how much, but right now.. let's all stand up w give a round of applause to Cupid;*! w 3ashat cupiiid, 3ashat cupiiid *giggles* so talented mashalla and incredibly sweeet! love youu :* bas khalas, time for the post!
A7ibkum! Thank you for all your comments walla, couldn't kamil if it weren't for you peopless :*
____________________________
"You have 2 hours, keep your eyes on your papers, good luck." The professor announced and sat behind his desk.
He signaled for his watchdog, the TA, to go make her rounds around the room to ensure nobody was cheating. Yeah right, like that was going to help. If there's one thing most college students learn how to perfect before their time is up, it's cheating. Everyone excluding the small majority of people like me who can help others expertly, but are too chicken to as much as glimpse at somebody else's paper. Can you say pathetic?
For 30 minutes, I sat down quietly taking in the atmosphere of the silent room. I saw students attempting to copy off each other's papers and shifting their eyes guiltily. I saw others staring at their papers with horrified expressions plastered on their faces and I saw Joori, seated two chairs down from me shooting me worried looks. I tried smiling reassuringly at her but it did nothing to lessen her uneasiness. I decided to put her out of her misery and opened the question booklet.
Half an hour later
Ah, the joys of being prepared. And by prepared, I mean tutored relentlessly by a sadistic but hot boyfriend. I smiled at the thought of him and took out my phone to text him. Naturally, fate had another plan in store for me, my lack of attention brought me face to face with yet another embarrassing encounter; I ended up walking right into a pole. I felt a pair of hands holding me up, I wobbled a little on my feet as I regained my balance.
"Are you okay? A frantic voice asked. I looked up to find Yousef's bewildered face staring back at mine. I couldn't resist the urge to laugh at his concern.
I met Yousef during the first month at university in our TA's office. We had been given assignments straight away by our math teacher and being oblivious to this, he had rewarded himself with an extra week of vacation before starting classes. He had missed the homework and asked me if I could give him mine as the professor had ran out of copies. To his misfortune, I had forgotten to bring mine that day. He asked me if I could possibly e-mail it to him. I immediately sympathized with him and agreed, us newbies had to stick together after all. He e-mailed me back a thank you and struck up a random conversation, eventually he added me on his buddly list and we became fast friends. He was now one of the very few people in university I felt like I could trust and felt comfortable around.
"Yasoof! I've known you for almost two years now, how can you still manage to be surprised every time something like this happens?!" I asked, amused.
"Shasawee ba3ad, allah hidach, you should be surrounded by orange cones at all times, you're a disaster waiting to happen!" He exclaimed
I pouted exaggeratedly. "Shda3wa! I have my guardian angels, they're just taking a break most of the time!"
He flashed his winning smile at me, "Hey! I'm done with finals, how about I volunteer my services as one?" He asked. "Free of charge ba3ad and I'm willing to work into the wee hours of the morning if needed!" He concluded his statement with a wink.
I laughed at his attempt, "I won't be needing them anymore thank you very much, but good try!" I replied encouragingly, "Keep working on it, you just might fool some poor girl into accepting your advances 3ala youm." I teased.
"Afa! Are you trying to tell me that you're off the market?" He asked, surprised. "Laa shino hatha? 7a6amty amaaly!"
I loved his dramatic streak and found myself laughing at his theatrics, "We both know that's not the case Ywaisef, it's always about the chase ma3ak a9lan!"
"You know me too well Ghalooy." He replied as he chuckled, "So tell me, mino sa3eed il7ath?" He asked as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
My face broke into a huge grin. "3azeeeeeeeeeez!" I exclaimed. Just saying his name made me happy, I resisted the urge to throw up at my sudden mushiness.
He laughed at my excitement and waited expectantly for the rest of the details, "Aaand..?"
I blushed and looked down at my feet as I answered, "And he is heart! Walla Yousef he's so sweet and caring and tall and umm.. right there." I concluded in surprise as I looked up to find 3azeez walking through the gates.
"Huh?" Yousef asked with confusion written all over his face.
"He's right there!" I repeated excitedly as I walked over to him.
"You don't have "final-face"!" He announced.
I burst out laughing, "I told you, I never do!" I said with a smile.
The night before during our conversation, I told him the best part of exams is finishing early and seeing people's faces when they leave the exam rooms. Most of them manage to acquire "final-face", which is very similar to the face one would have after being anally raped. Then there's the few who can't manage to have an appropriate reaction, namely me, who leave the exam room smiling and cheerful, regardless of how they did.
"I can't believe you're here! Stalking? Really? Is that what we've come to?" I teased.
"You really do think the world of yourself, don't you?" He asked sardonically, "I'm here to pick up my cousin Joori? Skinny? Pouty? Lots of eyelashes?"
My face burned up at my misplaced presumptuousness.
"Ya chathab! You just texted me asking if Ghala khali9at imti7anha!" Joori came out of nowhere and announced. I laughed and raised my eyebrows inquisitively and opened my mouth to blurt out "I told you so!"
Joori interrupted my victory dance in its tracks, "Wintay 3ala6ool t9adgeen?? Are you forgetting that I picked you up this morning?" she asked incredulously.
"Ooops?" I offered lamely. She rolled her eyes and asked how the exam was.
"Piece of cake!"I replied as I shot 3azeez a grateful smile and motioned for Yousef to come over.
I made the hasty introductions, they exchanged pleasantries and Yousef excused himself to go to a family gathering.
"Tro7een witrideen bilsalama, stay out of trouble!" He called out as he walked away.
"Allah isalmik, I always do!" I replied defensively.
He rolled his eyes disbelievingly at me and made his way to his car.
"So what really brings you here?" I asked 3azeez as we all walked to the parking lot.
"I wanted to spend time with my girlfriend before she travelled, mamnoo3?" He asked.
I smiled widely, "What did you have in mind?"
3azeez rudely stared at Joori and motioned for her to leave. Joori remained oblivious and stood there waiting for him to answer. He cleared his throat. She pretended not to notice. He looked at his watch, she informed him that it was 12.35.
Finally after 5 minutes of 3azeez dropping hints that Joori purposely pretended not to understand, he gave up. "Shrayich t'thlfeen baitkum?" He asked in a polite tone.
"Was that so hard? All you had to do was ask!" She replied teasingly as she got into her car and drove away.
"Do you wanna go back to my place? My sister took 3abood and his cousins out for the day so it should be empty, we can watch a movie or something?" He suggested.
"Yeah.. or something sounds great." I replied as I winked at him.
"Don't start." He warned.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" I replied innocently and pretended to adjust my invisible halo.
He shook his head and laughed at me, 10 minutes later we arrived at the house. To our utter dismay, his sister's car was parked out front. We went inside to find her lounging on one of the chairs and the children playing in the pool with their little floaties.
I hesistated a little at the door, 3azooz reached out to hold my hand and reassured me I had nothing to worry about. I instinctively trusted him and followed him inside. "Insalim w ni6la3 bas." he whispered.
"Isn't that a bit rude?" I asked worriedly.
"It's my last day with you and I'm not in the sharing mood." He clipped.
I smiled, strangely satasfied with his sudden possessiveness. I gave his hand a quick squeeze and I let go to straighten out the creases in my top and make sure there wasn't any dirt or dust on my jeans.
"Nooro? I thought you were going to be out all day ma3a your sister in law w 3abood?" He asked.
She turned around and eyed me curiously while she answered, "That was the original plan.. but Hind got called in for a meeting and I volunteered to bring the kids back here instead, the weather's warm enough for swimming today."
I was taken aback by how gorgeous his sister was. I expected her to be, but nothing could've possibly prepared me for this. I took in her neatly swept up hair, her sharp features, her perfectly applied makeup and manicured nails and felt incredibly frumpy. I could've been wearing rags for the level of self-consciousness I was suddenly in. Out of nervousness, I started biting my nails. There was something in the calculating look in her eyes that made me feel like she thought I wasn't good enough for him. Where's my fairy godmother when I need her? 3azeez smiled at me and motioned for me to come forward.
"Come closer, I won't bite.. Ghala, is it?" She called out nonchalantly.
I nodded and laughed nervously, "I didn't think you would. I'm just not sure what the appropriate way of saying hello is under the circumstances.." I said with a smile.
She smiled coldly, "Well, you can't go wrong with a handshake."
"I guess not." I replied as I stuck out my hand. She shook my hands and I quickly let go.
"KIDS! ta3alaw, there's someone I want you to meet." 3azooz called out.
They immediately made their way out of the pool with the help of their nannies and came running over.
"3abdulla, Nadia.. this is my friend Ghala." He said and pushed them forward.
Nadia leaned up on her toes to try and kiss me, I bent down to pick her up and bring her closer to me.
She leaned in closer to me and cupped her hands around my ears, "You're pretty." She whispered.
"Awww! You're prettier, you have very nice eyes." I whispered back and she blushed and hid her face in my chest. I laughed, hugged her and put her down.
3abdulla stared fixatedly at my hand the entire time. He pointed at them and I understood later that he was pointing at my red nail polish.
"FIRE!" He screamed and pushed me in the pool.
Inzain, I need to say a few things before ilstory, mu lazim you read bas yeah, here goes :
1. Stitch/Lost- I love you wayid and I've been where you are right now and it majorly sucks, hang in there *hugs*
2. Jam3iiya(L)- are you still alive? I miss you like... wayid :( Do you hate my story now? Is that it? *sobs hysterically* I love you *sniff*
3. Gutter Flower- I miss you wayid :( Please come back to us? *holds up razor to wrist* please?
4. SlouchyPants- LOL kaifi, I just wanted to mention you again ;p I love that girl -.-
5. My friend just started blogging ilyouuum.. she's telling "her story" fa if you're interested.. http://bsquared44.blogspot.com/ commentaw!
W ba3ad? I want to mention wayid things but I have to write now or I'm going to forget my ideas and leave you postless! Oh you guys, I'm loving all the stories walla, you guys have no idea how much, but right now.. let's all stand up w give a round of applause to Cupid;*! w 3ashat cupiiid, 3ashat cupiiid *giggles* so talented mashalla and incredibly sweeet! love youu :* bas khalas, time for the post!
A7ibkum! Thank you for all your comments walla, couldn't kamil if it weren't for you peopless :*
____________________________
"You have 2 hours, keep your eyes on your papers, good luck." The professor announced and sat behind his desk.
He signaled for his watchdog, the TA, to go make her rounds around the room to ensure nobody was cheating. Yeah right, like that was going to help. If there's one thing most college students learn how to perfect before their time is up, it's cheating. Everyone excluding the small majority of people like me who can help others expertly, but are too chicken to as much as glimpse at somebody else's paper. Can you say pathetic?
For 30 minutes, I sat down quietly taking in the atmosphere of the silent room. I saw students attempting to copy off each other's papers and shifting their eyes guiltily. I saw others staring at their papers with horrified expressions plastered on their faces and I saw Joori, seated two chairs down from me shooting me worried looks. I tried smiling reassuringly at her but it did nothing to lessen her uneasiness. I decided to put her out of her misery and opened the question booklet.
Half an hour later
Ah, the joys of being prepared. And by prepared, I mean tutored relentlessly by a sadistic but hot boyfriend. I smiled at the thought of him and took out my phone to text him. Naturally, fate had another plan in store for me, my lack of attention brought me face to face with yet another embarrassing encounter; I ended up walking right into a pole. I felt a pair of hands holding me up, I wobbled a little on my feet as I regained my balance.
"Are you okay? A frantic voice asked. I looked up to find Yousef's bewildered face staring back at mine. I couldn't resist the urge to laugh at his concern.
I met Yousef during the first month at university in our TA's office. We had been given assignments straight away by our math teacher and being oblivious to this, he had rewarded himself with an extra week of vacation before starting classes. He had missed the homework and asked me if I could give him mine as the professor had ran out of copies. To his misfortune, I had forgotten to bring mine that day. He asked me if I could possibly e-mail it to him. I immediately sympathized with him and agreed, us newbies had to stick together after all. He e-mailed me back a thank you and struck up a random conversation, eventually he added me on his buddly list and we became fast friends. He was now one of the very few people in university I felt like I could trust and felt comfortable around.
"Yasoof! I've known you for almost two years now, how can you still manage to be surprised every time something like this happens?!" I asked, amused.
"Shasawee ba3ad, allah hidach, you should be surrounded by orange cones at all times, you're a disaster waiting to happen!" He exclaimed
I pouted exaggeratedly. "Shda3wa! I have my guardian angels, they're just taking a break most of the time!"
He flashed his winning smile at me, "Hey! I'm done with finals, how about I volunteer my services as one?" He asked. "Free of charge ba3ad and I'm willing to work into the wee hours of the morning if needed!" He concluded his statement with a wink.
I laughed at his attempt, "I won't be needing them anymore thank you very much, but good try!" I replied encouragingly, "Keep working on it, you just might fool some poor girl into accepting your advances 3ala youm." I teased.
"Afa! Are you trying to tell me that you're off the market?" He asked, surprised. "Laa shino hatha? 7a6amty amaaly!"
I loved his dramatic streak and found myself laughing at his theatrics, "We both know that's not the case Ywaisef, it's always about the chase ma3ak a9lan!"
"You know me too well Ghalooy." He replied as he chuckled, "So tell me, mino sa3eed il7ath?" He asked as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
My face broke into a huge grin. "3azeeeeeeeeeez!" I exclaimed. Just saying his name made me happy, I resisted the urge to throw up at my sudden mushiness.
He laughed at my excitement and waited expectantly for the rest of the details, "Aaand..?"
I blushed and looked down at my feet as I answered, "And he is heart! Walla Yousef he's so sweet and caring and tall and umm.. right there." I concluded in surprise as I looked up to find 3azeez walking through the gates.
"Huh?" Yousef asked with confusion written all over his face.
"He's right there!" I repeated excitedly as I walked over to him.
"You don't have "final-face"!" He announced.
I burst out laughing, "I told you, I never do!" I said with a smile.
The night before during our conversation, I told him the best part of exams is finishing early and seeing people's faces when they leave the exam rooms. Most of them manage to acquire "final-face", which is very similar to the face one would have after being anally raped. Then there's the few who can't manage to have an appropriate reaction, namely me, who leave the exam room smiling and cheerful, regardless of how they did.
"I can't believe you're here! Stalking? Really? Is that what we've come to?" I teased.
"You really do think the world of yourself, don't you?" He asked sardonically, "I'm here to pick up my cousin Joori? Skinny? Pouty? Lots of eyelashes?"
My face burned up at my misplaced presumptuousness.
"Ya chathab! You just texted me asking if Ghala khali9at imti7anha!" Joori came out of nowhere and announced. I laughed and raised my eyebrows inquisitively and opened my mouth to blurt out "I told you so!"
Joori interrupted my victory dance in its tracks, "Wintay 3ala6ool t9adgeen?? Are you forgetting that I picked you up this morning?" she asked incredulously.
"Ooops?" I offered lamely. She rolled her eyes and asked how the exam was.
"Piece of cake!"I replied as I shot 3azeez a grateful smile and motioned for Yousef to come over.
I made the hasty introductions, they exchanged pleasantries and Yousef excused himself to go to a family gathering.
"Tro7een witrideen bilsalama, stay out of trouble!" He called out as he walked away.
"Allah isalmik, I always do!" I replied defensively.
He rolled his eyes disbelievingly at me and made his way to his car.
"So what really brings you here?" I asked 3azeez as we all walked to the parking lot.
"I wanted to spend time with my girlfriend before she travelled, mamnoo3?" He asked.
I smiled widely, "What did you have in mind?"
3azeez rudely stared at Joori and motioned for her to leave. Joori remained oblivious and stood there waiting for him to answer. He cleared his throat. She pretended not to notice. He looked at his watch, she informed him that it was 12.35.
Finally after 5 minutes of 3azeez dropping hints that Joori purposely pretended not to understand, he gave up. "Shrayich t'thlfeen baitkum?" He asked in a polite tone.
"Was that so hard? All you had to do was ask!" She replied teasingly as she got into her car and drove away.
"Do you wanna go back to my place? My sister took 3abood and his cousins out for the day so it should be empty, we can watch a movie or something?" He suggested.
"Yeah.. or something sounds great." I replied as I winked at him.
"Don't start." He warned.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" I replied innocently and pretended to adjust my invisible halo.
He shook his head and laughed at me, 10 minutes later we arrived at the house. To our utter dismay, his sister's car was parked out front. We went inside to find her lounging on one of the chairs and the children playing in the pool with their little floaties.
I hesistated a little at the door, 3azooz reached out to hold my hand and reassured me I had nothing to worry about. I instinctively trusted him and followed him inside. "Insalim w ni6la3 bas." he whispered.
"Isn't that a bit rude?" I asked worriedly.
"It's my last day with you and I'm not in the sharing mood." He clipped.
I smiled, strangely satasfied with his sudden possessiveness. I gave his hand a quick squeeze and I let go to straighten out the creases in my top and make sure there wasn't any dirt or dust on my jeans.
"Nooro? I thought you were going to be out all day ma3a your sister in law w 3abood?" He asked.
She turned around and eyed me curiously while she answered, "That was the original plan.. but Hind got called in for a meeting and I volunteered to bring the kids back here instead, the weather's warm enough for swimming today."
I was taken aback by how gorgeous his sister was. I expected her to be, but nothing could've possibly prepared me for this. I took in her neatly swept up hair, her sharp features, her perfectly applied makeup and manicured nails and felt incredibly frumpy. I could've been wearing rags for the level of self-consciousness I was suddenly in. Out of nervousness, I started biting my nails. There was something in the calculating look in her eyes that made me feel like she thought I wasn't good enough for him. Where's my fairy godmother when I need her? 3azeez smiled at me and motioned for me to come forward.
"Come closer, I won't bite.. Ghala, is it?" She called out nonchalantly.
I nodded and laughed nervously, "I didn't think you would. I'm just not sure what the appropriate way of saying hello is under the circumstances.." I said with a smile.
She smiled coldly, "Well, you can't go wrong with a handshake."
"I guess not." I replied as I stuck out my hand. She shook my hands and I quickly let go.
"KIDS! ta3alaw, there's someone I want you to meet." 3azooz called out.
They immediately made their way out of the pool with the help of their nannies and came running over.
"3abdulla, Nadia.. this is my friend Ghala." He said and pushed them forward.
Nadia leaned up on her toes to try and kiss me, I bent down to pick her up and bring her closer to me.
She leaned in closer to me and cupped her hands around my ears, "You're pretty." She whispered.
"Awww! You're prettier, you have very nice eyes." I whispered back and she blushed and hid her face in my chest. I laughed, hugged her and put her down.
3abdulla stared fixatedly at my hand the entire time. He pointed at them and I understood later that he was pointing at my red nail polish.
"FIRE!" He screamed and pushed me in the pool.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Foolish Games.. (18)
Alrighty! So, this was supposed to be posted like.. 2 days ago? But I totally got sidetracked and stuff! *slaps self* bad Lilo! But there wouldn't have been anything to post anyway since I just started working on it, so yeah -.- I'm sorryy, I'll askit now and start typing. You know, there's this purple ribbon thingie I wear around my wrist everyday and I took it off yesterday before going to "sleep" and by sleep I mean reading in bed, anyway I couldn't find it this morning! I just found it wrapped around one of the porcelain dolls' heads, bandana style, and now I can never get it back! :( They creep me out, akhaf I reach out to untie it and it suddenly comes to life and bites me or decapitates me or something along those lines *shudders* creepy! I hate those dolls wai3 wai3 -.- Someone come untie it for me? Please? *sniff*
But I digress! Next post now? Yes? Alright! Mm this post is very blah? Inshalla next one will be better, I just really don't know where things are going now so I'm buying time shwaya until I do! Love you guys! :*
Ma7ad proof-read this, itha fee mistakes, let me know!:(
___________________________
Ritaj's procrastination ranged from constant coffee/chocolate breaks, to removing her nail polish and suddenly acquiring the memory of an elephant and telling me stories she conveniently "forgot" until she had to answer a question or recite a formula. Even through her exercising every method available to deter us from studying, we miraculously managed to finish the previously agreed on chapters with time to spare.
"That's it?" She asked disbelievingly with widened eyes. "No way!"
"Yup and we would've finished about an hour ago if you would've paid attention for more than 10 minutes at a time!" I admonished.
She rolled her eyes and threw an empty water bottle at me, "Shasawee?! It's boring! Kila numbers w formulas w tables w definitions and YUCK!" She defended.
"Well nobody forced you to take it, you're majoring in English Lit. and you insisted on wasting a free elective on it! What possessed you to do so, seriously?!" I asked incredulously for the millionth time that semester.
"Madri, I thought it'd be a piece of cake! I figured a-ccounting.. counting! Who can't count, right?" She asked as she got up and stretched.
I stared at her blankly for minutes in silence.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing, your logic just knocked the wind right out of me, that's all." I replied.
"What-e-verrr, I'm gonna go take a shower, 1o minutes I promise, I feel like my hair stinks of numbers!" She exclaimed as she walked away shuddering.
Instinctively, I knew there was no way Juju would be done in less than 20 minutes and I debated the merits of calling 3azeez for about a split second before I picked up the phone and punched in his number. It rang once.. twice.. three times... I felt like I was being too pushy and was about to hang up when I heard his groggy voice through the phone.
"Hello?" he barely whispered.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! Khalas go back to sleep!" I whispered back.
"Hmm bossy, I like it." He teased. "Hala bilGhala kila."
I giggled involuntarily and ignored his comment, "Did you know that there isn't a word in the english language that rhymes with month?"
"La walla?" He asked surprisedly, "Wait.. Bonth, conth, donth, fonth, sonth, tonth.. ee walla, chena mako? How'd you know?"
"I have a lot of free time on my hands, I read it somewhere online I think?" I replied.
"Hmm interesting, but I doubt you called to share random facts with me, what's up?"
"Nothing.. I figured I'd play the part of the dutiful girlfriend and let you know I'm going out.. and there might be a slight chance that I'm using that as an excuse to talk to you 'cause there might be an even SLIGHTER chance that I might be missing you. Bas shway. Stop smiling."
I heard his contagious laughter through the phone and resisted the urge to slap myself for my uneccessary confession.
"Baby, I miss you more, trust me." I smiled a little smugly at his insistence, "Wain ray7a?"
"Chocolate bar.. It's Juju's reward for finishing the first 3 chapters of the final! Joori's picking us up in about 10 minutes or so." I added.
"La walla? How'd she get out of the family gathering?!" he asked.
I laughed at his irritation, "Madri but I'm so glad she did! I love that girl, she's such a sweetheart!"
"I'm beginning to think maybe you hooked up with the wrong cousin.." He trailed off teasingly.
"Me too!" I joined in and laughed, "Wait, she's calling me, this is my cue to ditch you!"
"Khalas 3ayal 7abeebti, go have fun. I love you."
My heartbeat accelerated to a frantic pace, I don't think I'm ever gonna get used to hearing him say that.
"I.. uh.. love your dimples." I replied awkwardly.
He burst out laughing, "WHAT?"
I blushed and berated myself for my lame response, "I gotta go, take care, bye!" I said quickly and hung up. I covered my face with my hands while I waited for my heartbeats to return to normal. I looked up to find Ritaj looking at me questioningly.
"You love his dimples?" She asked, amused.
"Chub. Joori barra, yalla!"
I applied concealer and blush in record timing, threw on a grey cardigan over my white top, pulled a pair of grey boots over my jeans and ran to the car.
"Call waiting, haa?" She asked as she wiggled her eyebrows, "Who were you talking to?"
"Who else?!" I asked exasperatedly and attempted to pull my hair out.
She laughed, "Laish?? Shimsawee!"
"Nothing, he's just so.. madri!!" I replied and proceeded to communicate in sound effects and "aww"s
"Umm.. ee 7adda!" She replied confused.
"Nevermind me, how's you?" I asked enthusiastically, it felt weird talking to Joori about her cousin so I seized the opportunity to change the subject.
"I'm great! One more week left til freedom, any plans?" She asked.
"EE! Baroo7 London 3ind Khalood for 2 weeks!" I exclaimed as I drew hearts in the air.
"Aww yaay! Allah i3een 3azooz!" She said teasingly.
I laughed and replied, "I'm sure he'll do just fine. I told him to come with, don't think he's going to though."
Ritaj finally decided to join us and we made our way to chocolate bar with Joori providing entertainment in the form of lame jokes.
At the table..
Joori was acting strangely jumpy the whole time. She kept checking her face in the mirror or looking around the place expectantly.
"That's what's different!" Ritaj exclaimed suddenly, "I've never seen you with that much makeup on before!"
"Is it too much?" Joori asked worriedly as she checked her face again.
"Noo killish!" I reassured her, "It's just different than usual, you look really good."
"Aww thanks!" She replied and turned around to scan the room again.
I exchanged confused looks with Juju, "Are you expecting someone?" I asked curiously.
She hesitated a little before answering, "Ha?" She asked and giggled nervously, "Why would you think that? I'm not."
Ritaj shot me a knowing look and turned to give Joori her undivided attention, "What's his name? Spill!"
She still seemed a little hesitant to share any details about whoever she was waiting for. I forgot that she might be put in an awkward position considering that I'm her cousin's girlfriend.
"You don't have to worry hun, whatever it is, it's not my story to tell!" I reassured her.
She smiled understandingly, "Wahab." She said as she turned 7 shades of red.
"Awwwwww!" We exclaimed in unison.
"What are you awwwing about! I still didn't say anything!" She said as she mock-glared at us.
We burst into a fit of giggles and composed ourselves before waiting patiently as she filled us in on the details. Apparently they had met 2 years ago and have been together ever since. They were both attending the same lecture and he encountered her on the stairs where he told her, and I quote, "Tara intay 7ilwa." Joori was caught off guard by his random statement followed by his laughter, missed a step and fell on the stairs. She ended up breaking one of her heels so she stayed put and he sat down next to her. She kept on ignoring him but it didn't stop him from talking to her, she eventually gave in and they spend the hour in the quiet stairway talking about everything and nothing.
"Aww are you clumsy ba3ad? I think I'm falling in love with you more and more!" I said.
"Haha, sorry but no! I was just shocked, I mean, who says that!! You know?" She explained.
I laughed, "Yeah, we get it." Ritaj replied smilingly.
Joori's eyes were staring at something by the door, we followed her gaze to find a guy standing there smiling lovingly at her. We silently whispered awws to eachother as she motioned for him to come to the table. He didn't as much as look in our direction, it was clear that he only had eyes for her. He belatedly realized she wasn't alone and took a step back, she told him it was okay and he came over. She blushed as he kissed her forehead and sat down.
"Wahab, this is Ritaj and this is Ghala.." She made the hasty introductions.
"It's nice to finally put faces to the names! Wait.." He said as he turned to face Joori, "THE Ghala? 3azooz's girlfriend?" He asked and she nodded.
"Wow, I'm famous!" I joked lamely to hide the surprise that he knew about me.
"I grew up with 3azooz, we're good friends, it's not like the whole world knows 3annich, bas ana, I didn't even know your name ila min Joori." He clarified.
I sighed in relief and smiled. Juju managed to work her magic and break the ice between us and Wahab very quick and we got to know him a little better. He was funny, easygoing and very down to earth. Most importantly, he seemed to worship the ground Joori walked on, and she told him with every look she gave and every secret smile she hid that she felt the exact same way. It didn't take a genius to see that they were a match made in heaven.
"You know what would be funny?" Juju asked out of the blue, "If 3azeez was to come in here to surprise G and find his close friend sitting with his cousin all lovey dovey and what not.. okay maybe not funny as much as OH EM GEE but yeah!"
"He wouldn't..would he?" I asked Joori
She exchanged a secret smile with Wahab and told him she'd call him when she got home, we said our goodbyes and he left. The moment he left Joori let out a big contented sigh. She remained that way for most of the day, she was on her little happy cloud, barely acknowledging anyone's existence, lost in her own thoughts of Wahab.
I waited expectantly for 3azeez to "surprise me" but he never showed up. I didn't even go to sleep early in hopes of him coming through my window at any moment. No such luck. I was just about to call it a night when my phone vibrating.
1 New Message
Remember Me?
Outgoing message
I should be asking you that, I was beginning to think you gave up on me ;p
1 New Message
Not in a million years :*
Outgoing Message
You expect me to believe that you'll always be waiting for me?
1 New Message
For as long as it takes, yes.
Outgoing Message
Why?
My phone vibrated again. Incoming call. I took a deep breath and answered.
"Hi." I whispered.
"Because your eyes disappear when you smile."
"Huh?" I asked confusedly.
"Your eyes, they disappear. And your smile takes over your face, and for those few moments, nothing in the world matters as much as keeping that smile plastered on your face." He paused to take a breath, "You're worth the wait. Goodnight."
But I digress! Next post now? Yes? Alright! Mm this post is very blah? Inshalla next one will be better, I just really don't know where things are going now so I'm buying time shwaya until I do! Love you guys! :*
Ma7ad proof-read this, itha fee mistakes, let me know!:(
___________________________
Ritaj's procrastination ranged from constant coffee/chocolate breaks, to removing her nail polish and suddenly acquiring the memory of an elephant and telling me stories she conveniently "forgot" until she had to answer a question or recite a formula. Even through her exercising every method available to deter us from studying, we miraculously managed to finish the previously agreed on chapters with time to spare.
"That's it?" She asked disbelievingly with widened eyes. "No way!"
"Yup and we would've finished about an hour ago if you would've paid attention for more than 10 minutes at a time!" I admonished.
She rolled her eyes and threw an empty water bottle at me, "Shasawee?! It's boring! Kila numbers w formulas w tables w definitions and YUCK!" She defended.
"Well nobody forced you to take it, you're majoring in English Lit. and you insisted on wasting a free elective on it! What possessed you to do so, seriously?!" I asked incredulously for the millionth time that semester.
"Madri, I thought it'd be a piece of cake! I figured a-ccounting.. counting! Who can't count, right?" She asked as she got up and stretched.
I stared at her blankly for minutes in silence.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing, your logic just knocked the wind right out of me, that's all." I replied.
"What-e-verrr, I'm gonna go take a shower, 1o minutes I promise, I feel like my hair stinks of numbers!" She exclaimed as she walked away shuddering.
Instinctively, I knew there was no way Juju would be done in less than 20 minutes and I debated the merits of calling 3azeez for about a split second before I picked up the phone and punched in his number. It rang once.. twice.. three times... I felt like I was being too pushy and was about to hang up when I heard his groggy voice through the phone.
"Hello?" he barely whispered.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! Khalas go back to sleep!" I whispered back.
"Hmm bossy, I like it." He teased. "Hala bilGhala kila."
I giggled involuntarily and ignored his comment, "Did you know that there isn't a word in the english language that rhymes with month?"
"La walla?" He asked surprisedly, "Wait.. Bonth, conth, donth, fonth, sonth, tonth.. ee walla, chena mako? How'd you know?"
"I have a lot of free time on my hands, I read it somewhere online I think?" I replied.
"Hmm interesting, but I doubt you called to share random facts with me, what's up?"
"Nothing.. I figured I'd play the part of the dutiful girlfriend and let you know I'm going out.. and there might be a slight chance that I'm using that as an excuse to talk to you 'cause there might be an even SLIGHTER chance that I might be missing you. Bas shway. Stop smiling."
I heard his contagious laughter through the phone and resisted the urge to slap myself for my uneccessary confession.
"Baby, I miss you more, trust me." I smiled a little smugly at his insistence, "Wain ray7a?"
"Chocolate bar.. It's Juju's reward for finishing the first 3 chapters of the final! Joori's picking us up in about 10 minutes or so." I added.
"La walla? How'd she get out of the family gathering?!" he asked.
I laughed at his irritation, "Madri but I'm so glad she did! I love that girl, she's such a sweetheart!"
"I'm beginning to think maybe you hooked up with the wrong cousin.." He trailed off teasingly.
"Me too!" I joined in and laughed, "Wait, she's calling me, this is my cue to ditch you!"
"Khalas 3ayal 7abeebti, go have fun. I love you."
My heartbeat accelerated to a frantic pace, I don't think I'm ever gonna get used to hearing him say that.
"I.. uh.. love your dimples." I replied awkwardly.
He burst out laughing, "WHAT?"
I blushed and berated myself for my lame response, "I gotta go, take care, bye!" I said quickly and hung up. I covered my face with my hands while I waited for my heartbeats to return to normal. I looked up to find Ritaj looking at me questioningly.
"You love his dimples?" She asked, amused.
"Chub. Joori barra, yalla!"
I applied concealer and blush in record timing, threw on a grey cardigan over my white top, pulled a pair of grey boots over my jeans and ran to the car.
"Call waiting, haa?" She asked as she wiggled her eyebrows, "Who were you talking to?"
"Who else?!" I asked exasperatedly and attempted to pull my hair out.
She laughed, "Laish?? Shimsawee!"
"Nothing, he's just so.. madri!!" I replied and proceeded to communicate in sound effects and "aww"s
"Umm.. ee 7adda!" She replied confused.
"Nevermind me, how's you?" I asked enthusiastically, it felt weird talking to Joori about her cousin so I seized the opportunity to change the subject.
"I'm great! One more week left til freedom, any plans?" She asked.
"EE! Baroo7 London 3ind Khalood for 2 weeks!" I exclaimed as I drew hearts in the air.
"Aww yaay! Allah i3een 3azooz!" She said teasingly.
I laughed and replied, "I'm sure he'll do just fine. I told him to come with, don't think he's going to though."
Ritaj finally decided to join us and we made our way to chocolate bar with Joori providing entertainment in the form of lame jokes.
At the table..
Joori was acting strangely jumpy the whole time. She kept checking her face in the mirror or looking around the place expectantly.
"That's what's different!" Ritaj exclaimed suddenly, "I've never seen you with that much makeup on before!"
"Is it too much?" Joori asked worriedly as she checked her face again.
"Noo killish!" I reassured her, "It's just different than usual, you look really good."
"Aww thanks!" She replied and turned around to scan the room again.
I exchanged confused looks with Juju, "Are you expecting someone?" I asked curiously.
She hesitated a little before answering, "Ha?" She asked and giggled nervously, "Why would you think that? I'm not."
Ritaj shot me a knowing look and turned to give Joori her undivided attention, "What's his name? Spill!"
She still seemed a little hesitant to share any details about whoever she was waiting for. I forgot that she might be put in an awkward position considering that I'm her cousin's girlfriend.
"You don't have to worry hun, whatever it is, it's not my story to tell!" I reassured her.
She smiled understandingly, "Wahab." She said as she turned 7 shades of red.
"Awwwwww!" We exclaimed in unison.
"What are you awwwing about! I still didn't say anything!" She said as she mock-glared at us.
We burst into a fit of giggles and composed ourselves before waiting patiently as she filled us in on the details. Apparently they had met 2 years ago and have been together ever since. They were both attending the same lecture and he encountered her on the stairs where he told her, and I quote, "Tara intay 7ilwa." Joori was caught off guard by his random statement followed by his laughter, missed a step and fell on the stairs. She ended up breaking one of her heels so she stayed put and he sat down next to her. She kept on ignoring him but it didn't stop him from talking to her, she eventually gave in and they spend the hour in the quiet stairway talking about everything and nothing.
"Aww are you clumsy ba3ad? I think I'm falling in love with you more and more!" I said.
"Haha, sorry but no! I was just shocked, I mean, who says that!! You know?" She explained.
I laughed, "Yeah, we get it." Ritaj replied smilingly.
Joori's eyes were staring at something by the door, we followed her gaze to find a guy standing there smiling lovingly at her. We silently whispered awws to eachother as she motioned for him to come to the table. He didn't as much as look in our direction, it was clear that he only had eyes for her. He belatedly realized she wasn't alone and took a step back, she told him it was okay and he came over. She blushed as he kissed her forehead and sat down.
"Wahab, this is Ritaj and this is Ghala.." She made the hasty introductions.
"It's nice to finally put faces to the names! Wait.." He said as he turned to face Joori, "THE Ghala? 3azooz's girlfriend?" He asked and she nodded.
"Wow, I'm famous!" I joked lamely to hide the surprise that he knew about me.
"I grew up with 3azooz, we're good friends, it's not like the whole world knows 3annich, bas ana, I didn't even know your name ila min Joori." He clarified.
I sighed in relief and smiled. Juju managed to work her magic and break the ice between us and Wahab very quick and we got to know him a little better. He was funny, easygoing and very down to earth. Most importantly, he seemed to worship the ground Joori walked on, and she told him with every look she gave and every secret smile she hid that she felt the exact same way. It didn't take a genius to see that they were a match made in heaven.
"You know what would be funny?" Juju asked out of the blue, "If 3azeez was to come in here to surprise G and find his close friend sitting with his cousin all lovey dovey and what not.. okay maybe not funny as much as OH EM GEE but yeah!"
"He wouldn't..would he?" I asked Joori
She exchanged a secret smile with Wahab and told him she'd call him when she got home, we said our goodbyes and he left. The moment he left Joori let out a big contented sigh. She remained that way for most of the day, she was on her little happy cloud, barely acknowledging anyone's existence, lost in her own thoughts of Wahab.
I waited expectantly for 3azeez to "surprise me" but he never showed up. I didn't even go to sleep early in hopes of him coming through my window at any moment. No such luck. I was just about to call it a night when my phone vibrating.
1 New Message
Remember Me?
Outgoing message
I should be asking you that, I was beginning to think you gave up on me ;p
1 New Message
Not in a million years :*
Outgoing Message
You expect me to believe that you'll always be waiting for me?
1 New Message
For as long as it takes, yes.
Outgoing Message
Why?
My phone vibrated again. Incoming call. I took a deep breath and answered.
"Hi." I whispered.
"Because your eyes disappear when you smile."
"Huh?" I asked confusedly.
"Your eyes, they disappear. And your smile takes over your face, and for those few moments, nothing in the world matters as much as keeping that smile plastered on your face." He paused to take a breath, "You're worth the wait. Goodnight."
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Foolish Games.. (17)
As promised! :* Feedback is encouraged! Midterms were major rapeage and I'm not allowing myself to care lana I'm SO glad they're over! This post is 7ag my very special study buddy Noodles aka Joori ;p Anyway yeah, story time? Yes? Ok :D It's a little shorter than usual but I promise another one within the next 2 days, love you guys :*
________________________
"OH. MY. GOD!" Ritaj exclaimed as she jumped excitedly on my bed. "What did you say?!"
I muffled my response through a pillow as I filled her in on my reply to his confession.
"Ha? Speak up I can't hear you!" She ordered as she smacked me with a pillow.
I lifted my head from pillow and repeated, "I said, 'Am I being punk'd?'"
Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth after she let a horrified giggle escape, "You didn't!"
"Don't start, please! I already feel like a big enough idiot, I think I've filled my requirements for the millenium!" I pleaded.
"Awwww baby laiiish?" She asked as she hugged me.
"Madri! Lana I wanted to say it back?" I confessed.
Ritaj's eyes widened even more and I instinctively knew what was coming next. I shot her a warning look to prevent her from saying her inevitable response, needless to say, my warning was completely ineffective.
"AWWWWWWWW!!!!!" She screamed and hugged me tighter, "You're in love with him? How did that happen? WHEN did that happen? How did I not know!"
I tuned her out while I let her come to her own conclusions as she fired one question after another and escaped into my own thoughts. I hated that I couldn't trust his words and let myself bask in the warmth of his quiet, confidently spoken statement. I hated that I had to bottle up my feelings and leave him waiting for me to form a coherent response. Most of all, I hated that I couldn't allow myself to be vulnerable for a millisecond and tell him what was in my heart.
*****************
The Day Before..
"I love you."
I froze. I didn't know what to say. I looked away and stopped breathing and waited for the punchline, for him to take it back, anything! No such luck. The silence stretched out between us, I could feel his gaze burning holes into my head as he patiently anticipated my response. I looked up into his expectant face and offered a lame attempt at lightening the atmosphere.
"Am I being punk'd?" I asked.
He looked at my quizically.
"Punk'd? The tv show thingie? Ashton Kutcher? That 70's Show? Dude, Where's My Car? No? Nothing?"
"I know what punk'd is, I'm just confused about why you'd think I was joking." He clarified. "I meant what I said Ghala. I don't expect you to say it back or anything and I understand if you're not ready, I just.. had to say it."
I bit back a smile. "La walla? Was someone holding up a gun to your head ya3ni?" I asked teasingly.
He smiled at me. A smile filled with tenderness, love and promises. "Actually yeah, you did. Your words, your actions, your character, all the little things that make you who you are. You've had your finger on the trigger since the beginning and I've finally found the common sense to let things be."
His response tugged on my heartstrings and unleashed the sissy within. I felt involuntary tears stinging my eyes and belatedly attempted to blink them back. The attempt proved to be futile and I settled on smacking his arm instead.
"You need to stop saying things like that!" I exclaimed.
He laughed and pulled me closer to him. I rested my head on his shoulders while he spoke.
"I don't mean to scare you, I really don't even though I know you're thinking of escaping this very moment. And I want you to believe me when I tell you that I don't want you to feel pressured into saying it back. I'd rather it came from you when you felt the time was right rather than you saying it for the sake of doing so."
"I really got lucky with you, didn't I?" I asked as I stared at the tiles on the floor.
I could almost feel the presence of his smile. "Yeah, you did. You better sink your claws into me baby, from what I've been hearing lately, I'm considered a catch!" He teased.
I laughed and playfully smacked him again, "Laygi9oon 3alaik! You should be thankful you have me, madri who else would have the patience to deal with you!" I teased back and faced him, "Besides, you're not going anywhere. You love me, remember?" I asked as I put my arms around his neck.
He smiled and leaned in closer. "It's kinda hard to forget." He whispered as he kissed me. It was a different kiss than our earlier ones. It wasn't passionate, just infinitely sweet. More than anything, it was his way of reassuring me that everything was going to be okay.
"I really have to go now.." He said.
I nodded my understanding and he kissed my forehead before getting up. "Take care of you." I called out.
"You too 7abeebti, I'll call you later tonight if you're still up." He replied.
And just like that he was gone. I sat on that floor for the better part of an hour contemplating how it could've gone differently. What the outcome would've been if I confessed that I did indeed love him back, but I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact I was lucky enough to be loved by him and that stopped me from being capable of doing anything other than smile at the memory of his words.
*****************
"So how long are you going to make him wait?" Ritaj asked curiously as she was stirring the melted ice cream in her bowl.
"I'm not MAKING him wait!" I defended, "I honestly don't know if I can say it back."
"May I make a suggestion?" She asked and continued before she got my permission, "Tell him how you feel! I know you can't help but make comparisons between him and Assface, but they're completely different. Besides you and 3azeez.. you just make sense! I don't know how to explain it! And I've never seen you this happy before, I don't know why you insist on punishing yourself like this!"
"I'm not punishing myself Juju, shako? I want to tell him I really do, I mean I look at him and I just know this is where I'm supposed to be. With him. He smiles and I automatically melt. He speaks and I die a little more everytime." I said as I twisted 3 strands of my hair into a braid, "Everything about him seems to have this gravitational pull on me and I find myself inexorably drawn to him and responding to him, the outcome was inevitable. I love him, I know I do, I feel the words on the tip of my tongue when I'm talking to him! But I open my mouth to say them and I choke everytime." I sighed in despair and fell back against the matress.
Juju mimicked my movement and turned to face me, "I don't know hun, I hope you figure whatever is holding you back from saying it soon. This amazing guy who you're crazy about just told you that he loves you! You shouldn't be feeling this way."
I smiled at how Juju always seemed to dictate the way I should and shouldn't feel/do. I sighed and got out of bed and forced her to do the same.
"Enough procrastination!" I exclaimed and threw a pillow at her, "We've dished, we've ice-creamed and we've self-therapized ourselves, studying time?" I asked.
Ritaj rolled her eyes, "Only cuz you asked SO nicely!" She said as she threw one back at me.
"You're not going to suck me into another pillow fight to avoid studying! Not again!"
"Am I that transparent?" She said as she pouted.
I laughed as I picked up all the pillows and stashed them into my closet, "No, I just know you too well. Yalla let's at least get 3 chapters done 3ashan we meet up with Joori for chocolate shots!"
And just like that I grabbed her full attention, she immediately sat down and opened her books. I felt bad for my white lie and decided to make it happen, I knew there would be hell to pay if I didn't deliver on my promise. Joori confirmed my plan and said she'd pick us up at 6.
I beamed at the sight of Juju reading the accounting book and punching numbers into her calculator. I went to get my book from my stand and turned around to face her. Her face was transformed from the serious mask she had on to a giggling one.
"Since when do you find accounting amusing?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow.
More laughter.
"Since I remembered that if you punch in 8008, it looks like boob!" She said and disolved into another fit of giggles. "And 55318008 upside down looks like boobless! Remember, G? Remember?"
I sighed, tied my hair up and took 2 tylenols. This was going to be the longest 3 hours ever.
________________________
"OH. MY. GOD!" Ritaj exclaimed as she jumped excitedly on my bed. "What did you say?!"
I muffled my response through a pillow as I filled her in on my reply to his confession.
"Ha? Speak up I can't hear you!" She ordered as she smacked me with a pillow.
I lifted my head from pillow and repeated, "I said, 'Am I being punk'd?'"
Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth after she let a horrified giggle escape, "You didn't!"
"Don't start, please! I already feel like a big enough idiot, I think I've filled my requirements for the millenium!" I pleaded.
"Awwww baby laiiish?" She asked as she hugged me.
"Madri! Lana I wanted to say it back?" I confessed.
Ritaj's eyes widened even more and I instinctively knew what was coming next. I shot her a warning look to prevent her from saying her inevitable response, needless to say, my warning was completely ineffective.
"AWWWWWWWW!!!!!" She screamed and hugged me tighter, "You're in love with him? How did that happen? WHEN did that happen? How did I not know!"
I tuned her out while I let her come to her own conclusions as she fired one question after another and escaped into my own thoughts. I hated that I couldn't trust his words and let myself bask in the warmth of his quiet, confidently spoken statement. I hated that I had to bottle up my feelings and leave him waiting for me to form a coherent response. Most of all, I hated that I couldn't allow myself to be vulnerable for a millisecond and tell him what was in my heart.
*****************
The Day Before..
"I love you."
I froze. I didn't know what to say. I looked away and stopped breathing and waited for the punchline, for him to take it back, anything! No such luck. The silence stretched out between us, I could feel his gaze burning holes into my head as he patiently anticipated my response. I looked up into his expectant face and offered a lame attempt at lightening the atmosphere.
"Am I being punk'd?" I asked.
He looked at my quizically.
"Punk'd? The tv show thingie? Ashton Kutcher? That 70's Show? Dude, Where's My Car? No? Nothing?"
"I know what punk'd is, I'm just confused about why you'd think I was joking." He clarified. "I meant what I said Ghala. I don't expect you to say it back or anything and I understand if you're not ready, I just.. had to say it."
I bit back a smile. "La walla? Was someone holding up a gun to your head ya3ni?" I asked teasingly.
He smiled at me. A smile filled with tenderness, love and promises. "Actually yeah, you did. Your words, your actions, your character, all the little things that make you who you are. You've had your finger on the trigger since the beginning and I've finally found the common sense to let things be."
His response tugged on my heartstrings and unleashed the sissy within. I felt involuntary tears stinging my eyes and belatedly attempted to blink them back. The attempt proved to be futile and I settled on smacking his arm instead.
"You need to stop saying things like that!" I exclaimed.
He laughed and pulled me closer to him. I rested my head on his shoulders while he spoke.
"I don't mean to scare you, I really don't even though I know you're thinking of escaping this very moment. And I want you to believe me when I tell you that I don't want you to feel pressured into saying it back. I'd rather it came from you when you felt the time was right rather than you saying it for the sake of doing so."
"I really got lucky with you, didn't I?" I asked as I stared at the tiles on the floor.
I could almost feel the presence of his smile. "Yeah, you did. You better sink your claws into me baby, from what I've been hearing lately, I'm considered a catch!" He teased.
I laughed and playfully smacked him again, "Laygi9oon 3alaik! You should be thankful you have me, madri who else would have the patience to deal with you!" I teased back and faced him, "Besides, you're not going anywhere. You love me, remember?" I asked as I put my arms around his neck.
He smiled and leaned in closer. "It's kinda hard to forget." He whispered as he kissed me. It was a different kiss than our earlier ones. It wasn't passionate, just infinitely sweet. More than anything, it was his way of reassuring me that everything was going to be okay.
"I really have to go now.." He said.
I nodded my understanding and he kissed my forehead before getting up. "Take care of you." I called out.
"You too 7abeebti, I'll call you later tonight if you're still up." He replied.
And just like that he was gone. I sat on that floor for the better part of an hour contemplating how it could've gone differently. What the outcome would've been if I confessed that I did indeed love him back, but I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact I was lucky enough to be loved by him and that stopped me from being capable of doing anything other than smile at the memory of his words.
*****************
"So how long are you going to make him wait?" Ritaj asked curiously as she was stirring the melted ice cream in her bowl.
"I'm not MAKING him wait!" I defended, "I honestly don't know if I can say it back."
"May I make a suggestion?" She asked and continued before she got my permission, "Tell him how you feel! I know you can't help but make comparisons between him and Assface, but they're completely different. Besides you and 3azeez.. you just make sense! I don't know how to explain it! And I've never seen you this happy before, I don't know why you insist on punishing yourself like this!"
"I'm not punishing myself Juju, shako? I want to tell him I really do, I mean I look at him and I just know this is where I'm supposed to be. With him. He smiles and I automatically melt. He speaks and I die a little more everytime." I said as I twisted 3 strands of my hair into a braid, "Everything about him seems to have this gravitational pull on me and I find myself inexorably drawn to him and responding to him, the outcome was inevitable. I love him, I know I do, I feel the words on the tip of my tongue when I'm talking to him! But I open my mouth to say them and I choke everytime." I sighed in despair and fell back against the matress.
Juju mimicked my movement and turned to face me, "I don't know hun, I hope you figure whatever is holding you back from saying it soon. This amazing guy who you're crazy about just told you that he loves you! You shouldn't be feeling this way."
I smiled at how Juju always seemed to dictate the way I should and shouldn't feel/do. I sighed and got out of bed and forced her to do the same.
"Enough procrastination!" I exclaimed and threw a pillow at her, "We've dished, we've ice-creamed and we've self-therapized ourselves, studying time?" I asked.
Ritaj rolled her eyes, "Only cuz you asked SO nicely!" She said as she threw one back at me.
"You're not going to suck me into another pillow fight to avoid studying! Not again!"
"Am I that transparent?" She said as she pouted.
I laughed as I picked up all the pillows and stashed them into my closet, "No, I just know you too well. Yalla let's at least get 3 chapters done 3ashan we meet up with Joori for chocolate shots!"
And just like that I grabbed her full attention, she immediately sat down and opened her books. I felt bad for my white lie and decided to make it happen, I knew there would be hell to pay if I didn't deliver on my promise. Joori confirmed my plan and said she'd pick us up at 6.
I beamed at the sight of Juju reading the accounting book and punching numbers into her calculator. I went to get my book from my stand and turned around to face her. Her face was transformed from the serious mask she had on to a giggling one.
"Since when do you find accounting amusing?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow.
More laughter.
"Since I remembered that if you punch in 8008, it looks like boob!" She said and disolved into another fit of giggles. "And 55318008 upside down looks like boobless! Remember, G? Remember?"
I sighed, tied my hair up and took 2 tylenols. This was going to be the longest 3 hours ever.
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