Cursed With Beauty (61)

A Note to the readers. 

Dear N, 

Your patience and kind words are my energy. Love, C.B. 

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previously:

Khalid: I missed her. A lot. 

7amad: Hmm? Yeah.. I mean, no! It.. Doesn't matter, she hates me.

Amal: He knew I was hurt, but I forgot all the pain while writing them down to him.

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Amal: 

So, who was he? God knew. I had blindly trusted him on the terms that he was an anonymous, but to him, so was I. We never shared the names, but the stories we shared were beyond that. What were the chances of meeting a stranger online who wasn't up to hurting me? 

There were definitely some things that were off limits. It was a dangerous act I was committing, but I didn't regret it. I had fallen in love with a mind that was so intelligent and patient with my own impatience. Though he was a character I was dying to meet, our conversations remained online.

S3eed: 

We were at the farm, just Salma and I while father had work to do, he always did. The thing with Salma was that she didn't mind spending hours alone, not just that, but she would sit ever so calmly, and wouldn't even bother to move.

She used to be just that, but always up to no good. It used to worry me, but not anymore. I sat in front of her, and she already knew what I was thinking. 

Salma: There's space in my head to think now. 

I wondered what she meant, but not for long as she continued. 

Salma: I have my peace of mind. I'm not glued to my phone. nor am I anticipating someone's arrival. I'm not keeping secrets anymore. I feel free, I feel focused. 

We weren't the kind of family to hug or show affection, I've seen Khalid hug Amal or kiss her forehead, so I thought about it. I sat next to her and wrapped my arms around her gently. She hugged me back tightly, and suddenly I heard wailing. It was her. It was as if she saved all those hugs over the years and she was giving them to me at once, letting it all out at once. Fairly new to this I hesitated whether or not to keep her near or push her off. I patted her shoulders awkwardly giving her the choice to stay.

Khalid: 

I was feeling a bit light headed one morning, so I decided to skip a lecture, I also finally got the chance to just call Mai and it was as if it was my first time to call a girl. I stared at my phone looking at her number, fixed my voice and cleared my throat. So, I called. 

Mai: Hello?

Me: Mai! Hi!

Mai: Khalid! How are you?!

Her voice raised in surprise.

Me: I'm doing well, I've missed you..

Mai's voice lowered. 

Mai: I did too..

Me: What're you up to? How've you been?!

Mai: I'm currently shopping, 3asha and Amal are with me. 

Me: I was calling Amal next actually, how're they ?

Mai: Everyone's doing well. Shouldn't you be studying right now? 

The second my vision blurred, I knew. 

Me: Could you pass the phone to Amal? 

Amal: Hello? 

Amal: 

the second I heard his voice, I knew something was wrong. 

Khalid: Stand far. Remember how you never told about that accident at JBR?

Me: Yeah? What about that?

Khalid: I'm sick, but dare you say a word to Mai.

Me: But- 

Khalid: SHUT UP! Don't let her hear you.

Me: What are you going to do?

Khalid: Visit a doctor obviously. I'll update you. 

Me: Are you okay?

Khalid: I am, I'm sorry. Just take care of her for me..

He hung up. In my head I thought, what about me? Am I no longer significant to him? I wished I continued and argued about that, but I knew it wasn't the right time at all.

Yes, he did text to keep me updated, but no, I wasn't a concern to him anymore.I was just a passive a messenger, and a secret keeper. 

S3eed: 

Walking around school with 7amad and Amal's whatever, we came across the girls. Salma, Amal, and Joojoo by the lockers with Dalal, the new girl. 

Salma: S3eed can I talk to you?

" Sure" I said as 7amad and the other guy walked a few steps ahead, but stopped to wait for me. 

Salma: Have you seen Reem around school? 

Me: Nope, why?

I noticed Amal making intense eye contact with her.. Crush? 

Salma: Doesn't matter. 

I pulled Amal's crush away, and right before Salma walked away, I flipped her books over.

Salma: Middle school move S3eed!

 

I walked away with Amal's crush as I laughed mockingly, looking back as 7amad helped her with the books.