Cursed With Beauty (52)

Previously:

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