Cursed With Beauty (54)

Previously:

Amal: I thought of Mai, and I wondered if she was going to do the same to me.

Joojoo: Be my secret, just for a while..
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Amal:

After english class I walked out, but Salma wasn't beside me, so I waited by the door.

7amad came up to me just asking how I was doing when she suddenly came out from the class.

Salma: WHAT IS THIS STUPID TEACHER, DOES SHE KNOW HOW HARD IT WAS TO WRITE THIS ESSAY!?

I was surprised to hear her talk this loud, I looked back at 7amad and his eyes wear glistening, his eyebrows were up in surprise and his smile went from ear to ear.

When she stormed off, I hit his arm.

7amad: Whaat!?

Me: What was that!? It's the first time I saw that face you just made!

7amad: That was the cutest thing I've ever seen! She was about to cry!

He laughed tears out of his eyes, and walked away as well.

S3eed:

I headed to my locker and when I unlocked it, a note fell in my palms..

"I love you.."

It said. I thought Joojoo was going to keep it a secret!

I threw my books in, & took my notebooks out. I leaned on my locker staring at the note again.

Before I knew it, the bell rang. My class was at the other end of the school, I just had to make a run for it.

I'd learned that the best short cut was through the library, suddenly I was pulled into one of the aisles.

Joojoo held my face close as she stared at my lips, I knew what she was going for.

I dropped my notebooks and gave in..

Khalid:

I got out of work early to take Mai to the hospital. We were going through the 5th month's check up.

Me: Mai, when do they tell you if it's a girl or boy?

Mai: I don't know.

Me: If it's a boy, when does it play football?

Mai: Do you have any idea how small they are?

Me: Well, I remember 3osha, but I was busy then..

Mai: What're we going to name it?

Me: I don't know. What if we traveled? How are we going to carry it?

Mai: I don't know.

We were young, with absolutely no idea of what was coming next. We found bliss in ignorance, when somethings we just didn't even want to know.

Amal:

Joojoo had missed out on Algebra, Reem and I really got worried.

We headed to the nurse in case we'd find her there, but she wasn't.

We grouped up with Dalal and Salma, we got really close during that time, and sat down at our usual lunch table. Assuming she would come when she wasn't busy.

As we chatted, Kovu, 7amad, and some guys sat down on the table in front of us.

Salma, Reem, and I were facing both 7amad & Kovu, while their friends faced them.

Reem: See that guy with 7amad?

Me: Yeah, what's up with him?

Reem: He's a player. He broke the poor hearts of every single girl in our school.

She whispered his name to me and said that he was such a disgrace to his family.

I made eye contact with him, wishing I could ask him of what I was hearing. Was I the next victim in his game?

Me: It couldn't possibly be! He has such a good reputation here.

Reem: Because he doesn't dare mess around with the girls from this school. So what do you know about him?

Me: No, you don't know him, that's surely not the case.

I looked at Salma, since she already knew about my admiration, but she was rewriting that essay she was mad about.

Reem: I'm sorry, I'm just trying to tell you, just to be cautious.

Me: Cautious? Of what?

Reem: I hear he's dating a girl from this school, but no one knows who..

She kneeled back and subtly pointed at Salma..

Was that the case? Was that why Salma's been quiet all along? But she knew how I felt! I trusted her!

Cursed With Beauty (53)

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-----------------------
Previously:

7amad: Keep your head up, and seriously now, cheer up. You're free now.
---------------------
Amal:

I went back home to all the family sitting in the living room. Their laughs were heart warming, the mood they were in was comforting and relaxing.

Yadoh was sitting on her arm chair with 3osha on her lap, father was on the floor leaning on a pillow, and then there was Mai & Khalid sitting beside each other.

Me: What's going on?

Father: Come join us, when was the last time we all sat together!?

I put my school bag beside the door and sat down.

Yadoh: Khalid, tell Amal the great news!

Khalid: That's right! Amal I want you to know that Mai's pregnant!

I last time this happened a life was lost, and I was left a baby to raise on my own.

I faked a smile, when in fact I was actually terrified. I loved 3osha, & I'd never want to change history even if I could, but I really was afraid.

Me: That's great news..

The only words I was able to say before I broke down. I ran out of the room and into mine quickly, before they saw my tears.

I know mother's intentions weren't to leave me lost with a child at hand, the choice to death was not in her hands.
I thought of Mai, and I wondered if she was going to do the same to me.
I was scared.

S3eed:

The papers were a done deal, Joojoo was officially mine.

I sat beside Joojoo after our families left us alone, that's when the smile she had on got wiped away.

Joojoo: In school, the more you know the more dangerous you are. I think I hold this power that I'd like to have intact.

I had no idea what she was talking about, so she held my hands.

Joojoo: I don't want anyone to know about us. I think Amal & Salma are enough, no one else has to know.

Honestly, I was offended.

Me: Are you ashamed of me?

Joojoo: I hope you understand, I'm only afraid of what the people have to say about us.

Me: I don't know about that..

Joojoo: Be my secret, just for a while..

Cursed With Beauty (52)

Previously:

Amal: The world paused, just for us..
------------

Amal:

As I sat down to have lunch with Salma, Joojoo joined us with Reem and Dalal.

Reem: Amal, did you see 7amad today?

Me: Umm, no.. Why?

Reem: I hear he hangs out with a weirdo! You should tell him not to..

Me: Weirdo? What does he have to do with me anyways?

Reem: Aren't you two..

Before she continued, I had to speak up.

Me: No! Nooo, no.. He's just a pain, you know how boys are.. Eww.

Reem: Well, yeah, but 7amad isn't just any guy! You know he's the most charming..

Me: Ewww! Why'd you say that!?

Reem: I was just.. Saying..

She stared down at her food, and stopped talking.

Me: Umm, I think we're too alike to ever think of him the way you do. I mean, yeah he's good looking.. But still, ew..

She laughed, and the tension was gone. I got to know Reem a lot better over the weeks, she's sweet and funny, but there was something about Dalal that threw me off.

Dalal was thin, and tall. She was smart in class, although I never saw her study.
When she walked, every step she took conveyed confidence.
Her table manners as she sat with us were just as lady-like as what Salama and I were taught by grandmother.
Even though we were somehow the same, I always wondered what she was up to..

When I noticed each girl was busy with a chat of her own, I whispered to Salma: Hey, I need to tell you something..

Salma: Hmm?

Me: I hope you don't mind.. S3eed and I are..

Suddenly the buzz stopped.. Joojoo, Dalal, and Reem were ready to listen.

Me: S3eed.. S3eed and I have the same.. Umm, Math teacher.

Salma: And..?

Me: Nothing, I was just surprised Mr. M taught seniors.

Salma: Oh.

Joojoo later pulled me to the side..

Joojoo: Did you hear?

Me: Hear..?

Joojoo: S3eed proposed to me!

Me: What!?

Joojoo: I know, I know we're young! His parents and mine agreed that it'll be a secret for now.

Me: Until when?

Joojoo: We'll wait until we graduate and figure the rest out later!

I wondered if I should be honest or not, I couldn't even fake a smile, I simply left..

I called him to the library..

Me: What have I done?

S3eed held my hands, and kissed me on my forehead..
I looked away.

Me: You really are getting married..

S3eed: Not anymore.

Me: And Joojoo doesn't know you've canceled the entire thing?

S3eed: Not yet..

I looked into his eyes that for the first time got to me. I thought I was ready to know S3eed like I never did before.

Me: You're not canceling..

S3eed: I am! I really am, and I'll tell my parents today.

Me: This was a huge mistake..

S3eed: Why am I the mistake?

Me: This is your mistake not mine. You've already claimed someone yours, how could you not tell me?

S3eed: I'll fix it!

Me: You chose Joojoo.. You can't hurt her!

S3eed: I don't want Joojoo!

Me: I can't want you..

He was frustrated, and so was I.. I wrapped my arms around him, and I cried. Silent tears that he never noticed. He just held me tight, tight enough that our souls almost touched.

Me: You have to let go of me, I have to let go of you..

S3eed: I'll stay with Joojoo, but know that I can never love her the way I love you..

It hurt, the fact that I'm the cause of misery to S3eed, and the misery that Joojoo didn't know about.

When he let go, I spotted 7amad standing by the library doors, with his hands crossed.
S3eed didn't pay attention, he just left.

7amad: Unbelievable, what was that?

Me: A game over.

7amad: I thought he'd hurt you.

Me: No, I hurt him..

7amad: Why are there tears in your eyes?

We sat down for a talk..

7amad: Woah, married?

Me: Joojoo's been there for him, I don't think there'd be anyone better for him.

7amad: And you're sad because?

Me: I thought I was ready to give him a chance..

7amad: This proves you're not ready, doesn't it? Now that he's off your back, and your head can be cleared, can you tell me who you want?

Me: What do you mean?

7amad: I know that even if it worked out between you and S3eed, you wouldn't forget about..

Me: That's true.

7amad: Nothing complicated, right? Everything just fell into place.

Me: What about "I'll never love her like I love you"..

7amad: Don't take it to heart, if she was the right one she'll make him forget about you..

Me: Uugh what a stupid mistake..

I rest my forehead on the table..

7amad: Don't think of giving in, and don't blame yourself for their feelings! You don't have to feel sorry for anyone.

Something in me felt released, and my guards fell down. He understood me.

Me: You've been here before, right?

7amad: Been where?

Me: This situation!

7amad: Well, not this exactly..

Me: Hah! Let me guess, a married woman fell for you! Hahaha!

7amad: Amal, what are you talking about?

Me: I don't even know.

I sighed and wiped the smile off my face.

7amad: Hahaha! You're crazy!

As we were walking away, he lifted my chin up.

7amad: Keep your head up. I know S3eed's not really the one who's on your mind, I know it's someone else.. Just wait.

Cursed With Beauty (51)

Previously:
Mai: I'm pregnant.
Salma: S3eed's getting married.
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Amal:
I woke up early on a Saturday, dressed up, then headed to school.
Thought it was a day off, the football club had a match that day.
Salma didn't know who S3eed wanted to propose to. In my head it seemed that he was too young to commit.
As a teenager, the child we have in ourselves collides with the adult we must be, we get confused.
I wasn't sure S3eed was sure of what he was doing.
I headed to the nursery building first to confirm 3osha's registration. After that, I went to the soccer stadium and watched S3eed practice.
It was awkward how his team didn't mind staring. Their passes were horrible, in fact they kept grouping up, staring at me, and talking.
I got up the bench and walked towards S3eed after they were done.
He was sweaty, perhaps the only one out of all the other players. The others were just messing around.
I took out a tissue and wiped his forehead gently, but he pulled it from me and continued on his own.
S3eed: What do you want?
Me: We need to talk.
He raised an eyebrow..
Me: Getting married? This soon?
S3eed: Listen, I.. I don't want to mess it up.
Me: Mess what up?
S3eed: I don't want to play any games anymore. Not that you care, but your existence is enough to depress me.
Me: Marrying someone to get over someone else sounds messed up enough.
S3eed: You never gave me a chance. You'd rather shut me out instead.
Every bit of sadness I've brought upon him turned into guilt and was kept in me.
I always wished I was in control of who my heart chose. If only it was that easy, I would voluntarily give myself up for him. Unfortunately, it wasn't so easy.
What was hard was remembering the names of every single person I rejected.
So many who had my good intentions became something of my enemies, all because of rejection.
As I was being blamed for all of his miseries, I gave up trying to fight it. Whatever would make him a sane person again, I'd do.
Me: Fine, I'm giving you a chance. Impress me.
That's when he held me close to him. My face close to his neck, my hands on his chest. For a second, I closed my eyes and felt peace inside of me. Peace I haven't felt before. It was as if the world paused, just for us..

Cursed With Beauty (50)

Previously:

"What's wrong?"

"None of your business"

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Khalid:

There were conflicts, lots of them. It seemed that every time we found a solution, a thousand problems came out of it.

Sometimes, right before we would give up, one of us would say just the right words that give us hope.

Even though she tried not to, Mai was slipping away from me. There was something I lacked that she was looking for, I didn't know how to please her.

I sat in front of her silently. The waiter placed our plates right before I was about to talk.

"Here are the menus." He said before he left.

Me: Mai, I..

Mai: Khalid, I..

I apologized, then gestured that she should go first.

Mai: Umm, no talk..

Me: Umm..

I pulled out a bouquet of red roses, and placed it in her arms.

Mai: They're beautiful!

She stared at them for a short while, sighed, then looked at me.

Mai: I have to tell you something..

Her smile faded away, she held her hands together as if she was gathering all her strength.

Me: Listen, I know I haven't been that perfect, I'm sorry..

Mai: No.. It's not that, I..

Me: But I'm trying, I hope you know that.

Mai: Khalid, I'm pregnant..


Amal:

It was no longer just in my head, I actually knew that I had some kind of chance with Kovu.

7amad: If I'll ever let him make a move, it's going to be legit.

Me: He can't possibly wait so long.

7amad: How would you know?

Me: I don't, I assume. I mean, we are talking about a boy..

7amad: We're graduating soon. Does that make a difference to you?

I thought about that for a while. When I thought of Kovu, he was a mystery a had gravitational force for. He has affected me somehow in my life, but only subtly.

Me: I feel like giving in.. My patience is running out.

7amad: Don't get me wrong but, you're a girl.. You can't afford to make a mistake such as giving in to what you want.

Me: Am I letting this chance slip away from me? What would it mean if I make a mistake for once?

7amad: You're letting go of this chance to save yourself for something better. Someone who is proud to announce you his wife, rather than someone who wants you to stoop low for him.

Me: He never did that..

7amad: And I won't let him. If he wants you, he'll get you, but in the right way.

As we sat in silence, My math teacher called out to me.

Mr. M: You spend a lot of time in the library?

Me: Err.. Yeah?

Good, let's sit down. He gave extra work, and when I struggled, he helped me out by explaining. I wasn't in the mood at first, but when I got a hold of my lessons it got somehow exciting.

The next day in class, he passed me 5 quizzes and timed 30 minutes in which I was to solve all of them, if I wanted to save myself from failing.

Me: Damn, Damn, Damn! I know this equation!

I looked at him hopelessly.

Mr. M: You studied this, try to remember.

I was staring at the last paper that was solved perfectly, with just one equation I vaguely remembered missing.

Me: How much time do I have left?

Mr. M: 5 minutes. Quickly.

In the middle of the war I was having in my head, the door opened.

Mr. M: You're late. Didn't I tell you to come earlier?

He came a sat next to me, given only one paper.

Me: One? Really? And I get 5? How's that fair?

Mr. M: You're looking at the highest graded boy in his class. It was just one mark he missed that he wants to get back.

"Nerd" I said as I realized the boy beside me was kovu.

Mr. M: Three minutes, I have to go to the printing room. Dare you cheat.

My heart raced, and the room started spinning. I tried to act calmed down.

He looked into my paper.

Kovu: Easy, they just want the opposite equation to the first one.

I stuttered..

Kovu: Give me the pen.

He wrote down the answer. I looked at him in surprise.

Mr. M: Ok Ok! Time up! Amal, show me.

I stood up and gave him the papers..

Mr. M: You're a genius! I didn't even know it was possible to do this!

I smiled while I looked at Kovu, who was grinning at his own paper.

Mr. M: What's wrong?

Me: Hmm? Nothing!

He paused, looked at us both, then let me go.

Salma was waiting outside for me.

Salma: How'd you do?

Me: Full marks!

Salma: So much great news today!!

Me: Why, what's going on?

Salma: S3eed's getting married!

Me: Woah.. What!?