Who's your favorite character in the story so far? Asnwer in the comments!
Happy reading,
Cashmere
***
Wednesday, September 28th, 2016...
"خل نقعد شوي ترى في وقت"
Jana said as she sat down on one of the couches in Starbucks Nuzha.
I looked at the time on my phone. 7:06 AM.
"امبيه حدي تعبانة تخيلي نمت على ال٤"
I told her. I'd only had two hours of sleep.
"شكنتي تسوين؟"
Jana said as she wiggled her brows at me. She took a sip of her vanilla ice shaken while I took a sip of my cold brew. I'd lost five kilos so far, making my face sharper and my clothes a bit baggy. It was actually a good thing as I was starting to become more confident, especially with Fahad texting me now.
"جب جب"
I said, feeling a blush creep up on my face.
"جذابة! كنتي تكلمينه؟"
She asked me, surprised. She looked at the people behind me walking through the doors of the coffee shop.
"ايي"
I said with a grin.
"امبيه منّور كلبة"
She said, looking proud of me and I smiled.
"بس قال ما راح يداوم اليوم، مريض"
I told her.
"من قرقتج طبعا"
She said and I rolled my eyes and kicked her leg.
"تعالي انتي شلونج مع خالد؟"
I asked her and she sighed.
"اخخخخ بس اخخخ"
She said in a dreamy voice, laying her chin on her hand.
"جم عمره اصلا؟ جنه كبير؟"
I said, taking another sip. I hoped the coffee would kick in soon.
"٢٧"
She said and I felt my jaw drop.
"!جنوي هو اكبر منّج ب١١ سنة"
I exclaimed and she shrugged.
"Shenu ya3ny? Ilmuhim we connected 7ail lay darajat we had our first kiss ams," she said.
Like kiss kiss?
"3ala..." I said and pointed to my lips.
"اكيد عيل وين؟"
She said, looking at me like I was an idiot.
"Oh," I only managed to say. My stomach twisted in shock, did she actually do those things like they were normal?
"حسبالج بس تسولفون يعني؟ ،soon ترى حتى اكيد فهد يتوقعه منج"
She said with a chuckle.
"ترى حده عادي، اتوقع الكل سواها"
She said.
My mind went back to Danah with that guy in our house when they suddenly became silent.
Jana was right...
"بس ماعرف"
I told her and she laughed.
"راح تعرفين"
She said as she stood up and I did the same. We were so close to being late to school.
We left Starbucks with the drinks still in hand and got into my car. I went on the last message Fahad had sent me.
Goodnight o sorry sahartech
I replied with a picture of my drink.
Looool good morning and don't worry allah y3afy starbucks. Inshallah you're feeling better?
I hit send.
"شرايج؟"
She said as she showed me her phone. She posed with her Starbucks drink while the first three buttons of her shirt were unbuttoned, exposing the V of her chest. She looked pretty still.
"حق خالد؟"
I asked her.
"عيل منو؟"
She said as she took her phone back.
"تينن"
I said. My phone buzzed, was Fahad still awake?
haha bel3afyaa. la wallah many gader anam 3adel
He replied.
Me: weeeh laaa 3ad akrah shay lama you can't sleep!!
Fahad: wallah law age6 telifony bedal la achayek kel 5 degayeg itha 6arashtay shay ykoun wayed arya7ly
He sent and I smiled
Me: haha khalaas lazem ensawy rule no texting min 12 AM lay 6 AM!!
I sent.
Fahad: Deal...yallah good night ba7awel anam
Me: sweet dreams
I couldn't wait until he would text me again.
*
Later that day.
I exhaled as I stood by the door of Rawan's house with a box of Confectioner's chocolate-covered strawberries in my arms. I was dressed in a black skirt and a white shirt with bright pink shoes.
"Good evening," Jade, my cousin's maid said as she took the box from me.
"Hi," I said with a smile, God only knows what she had to endure from Rawan.
"They're upstairs," she said before she walked away.
I cleared my throat and walked up the stairs, where I heard laughter and yells.
"!جذابة والله وقسما بالله جذابة"
I heard someone say. Oh, so the fun started without me, as usual.
As I approached the lounge that was built specifically for Rawan, I cleared my throat and knocked on the door before opening it. My heart was racing against my chest, as I hated the first couple of seconds in which people stared at me and studied my whole look. I just felt so naked under their stares.
"Hi," I said with a soft smile and Rawan just looked at me before continuing to listen to our friend, Lama.
"Hi Manour," Rawan's cousins said as they kissed my cheeks, and I went around the room, greeting around seven girls including Rawan. I only knew five of the nine girls, Rawan, her two cousins, Lama, and Farah, our other friend.
"Yibtay Confectioner's?" Rawan asked me and I nodded. I quickly scanned what she was wearing; a black skirt with very light tights and sneakers and a Chanel t-shirt that cost her probably two of my allowances. I hated to admit it, but she looked gorgeous especially with her flawless makeup and luscious hair.
"الله عاد احبه! خوش ذوق"
Reema, Rawan's cousin said and I smiled.
"اي مبيين عندها خوش ذوق"
Rawan said with a smile she failed to hide and I heard two girls chuckle in disbelief.
Just when I'd thought I lost weight...
"امبيه كلش مو قصدي!"
Rawan said with a laugh and I chuckled just so this wouldn't be uncomfortable. Oh, she was going to regret this.
"ويهج مو غريب علي"
One of the girls with a top bun said to me.
"انا بنت خالة روان"
I said, hoping that would clear things up.
"....دانة الن designerاختها ال"
Rawan said.
"بينهم in common ادري كلش ماكو شي"
Rawan 'teased' again. I felt my stomach churn, I felt so uncomfortable.
"Ahaa," the girl simply said.
"!عاد ما شاء الله اختج حيل شاطرة"
The other girl said and I smiled, chuckling almost.
Everyone knew Danah. Everyone loved Danah, and everyone was surprised I was her sister.
"اي ما شاء الله"
I could only say.
"عاد خلصت قعدتها ببيتكم؟"
Rawan asked, taking a sip of water.
"امم اي جنه"
I said as I looked at my hands in my lap. Would they stop asking me about my sister?
"وراها ما عزمتنا؟ انزين خلاص العشا الياي عندكم الا اقعد فيها، ولا دانة ما تخليج؟"
Rawan said. Did she really say that in front of everyone?
What was wrong with her?
"لا عادي ترضى"
I lied, obviously I didn't want to let strangers think my relationship with my sister was a weird one...
"خوش عيل"
Rawan said with a smile that only I could interpret as challenging. I only prayed she would forget about it later.
"في احد بالحمام؟"
I asked her and she shook her head. Good, that would give them time to talk about something, or someone else.
I walked to the bathroom next to her bedroom and washed my hands before I tip-toed out of the bathroom and to her bedroom. I went through her shelves, checking the door every five seconds, until I found her makeup drawer. I took a lipstick, Teddy from Mac and applied it carefully on my lips. It was a perfect color, so subtle and nice at the same time.
I bit my lip as I quickly hid it in the pocket of my skirt and wiped the lipstick off my lips. I slowly opened the door and peeked before leaving to go back to the girls, placing Rawan's lipstick in my purse quickly as if I was getting my phone out.
It was so easy and I bet she had spares too.
Apparently Kadi had arrived right when I was "busy" in the bathroom. She looked so nice in a plain white dress with a black corset belt and black wedge heels.
"Oh hi," she said as she half-hugged me, getting up again.
"منيرة انتي بأي مدرسة الحين قلتي؟"
Farah asked me, running a hand through her short brown hair.
"**S" I said, and she raised her brows, almost impressed.
"مع كادي"
Rawan said, making sure to include herself in everything.
"اي معاي"
Kadi said.
"عاد تقعدون مع بعض؟"
Rawan asked us.
"اي والله قعدنا مرة مع بعض"
Kadi said as she looked at me awkwardly and chuckled.
"مع منو تقعدين اصلا؟"
Rawan asked me. I saw Kadi's eyes grow wider at Rawan.
"...مع جنى الب"
I told her.
"كادي هذي اللي قلتيلي عنها صح؟"
Rawan said.
"Eeh," Kadi said, looking uncomfortable.
"كلمتيها عنها؟"
Rawan said, glancing at me.
"لا"
Kadi said.
"شالسالفة؟"
I said with an awkward chuckle as I looked at both Rawan and Kadi. I looked at the other girls too but they seemed to be interested in their own conversations, fortunately.
"لا ولا شي، بس كادي كانت مسولفتلي عن رفيجتج قلت نقولج يمكن توخرين عنها شوي"
Rawan said nonchalantly.
What?
"ليش؟ شفيها؟"
I said defensively.
"حدها صايعة حبيبتي دايرة على كل شباب المدرسة"
Rawan said.
My heart raced so fast and my breath caught up.
"شكو؟"
I could only say.
"قاعدة اقولج يعني عشان ما يطلعون حجي عنّج بعد"
Rawan said.
"ماتشوفينها لصقت فيج؟ ترى ما عندها ربع كلهم وخرو"
Kadi finally added.
It did make sense...but I was sure Jana needed a friend. I didn't know much about her home life but I did know she wasn't home that much. Even if what Rawan and Kadi had told me were true she probably was just acting out.
I couldn't leave her either.
"سمعت ان ابوها متزوج على امها بعد واخوها مدمن مخدرات"
Kadi muttered mostly to Rawan.
"امبيه واااي"
Rawan said, placing a hand on her chest.
I couldn't hear any of it so I texted Fahad.
Me: ana ma3a Rawan and Kadi now o wayed emnarfezeeny!!
Fahad: laish?
Me: ga3deen yefthe7oun bent a3arefhaa
Fahad: typical
Me: eeeh! elsharha 3alaay anaa elly yayaa
Fahad: et9adgeen a7med raby enyy mareeth. chethy wayed a7san
Me: looool jaaadd
"يالله يا جماعة تفضلو على العشا"
Rawan said as she got up from the couches to lead us to the dining area by the living room.
My phone vibrated on my lap.
Jana: haaa how is it??
I felt bad for not defending her...
Me: aby a6la3 loool malaqa. wainich??
Jana: cruising with K!!
She sent me a picture and I almost gasped when I opened it. It was a picture of her lap but with his hand gripping her thigh.
Maybe what Rawan and Kadi had said was true...but even so Jana was nicer to me than both of them combined.
Happy reading,
Cashmere
***
Wednesday, September 28th, 2016...
"خل نقعد شوي ترى في وقت"
Jana said as she sat down on one of the couches in Starbucks Nuzha.
I looked at the time on my phone. 7:06 AM.
"امبيه حدي تعبانة تخيلي نمت على ال٤"
I told her. I'd only had two hours of sleep.
"شكنتي تسوين؟"
Jana said as she wiggled her brows at me. She took a sip of her vanilla ice shaken while I took a sip of my cold brew. I'd lost five kilos so far, making my face sharper and my clothes a bit baggy. It was actually a good thing as I was starting to become more confident, especially with Fahad texting me now.
"جب جب"
I said, feeling a blush creep up on my face.
"جذابة! كنتي تكلمينه؟"
She asked me, surprised. She looked at the people behind me walking through the doors of the coffee shop.
"ايي"
I said with a grin.
"امبيه منّور كلبة"
She said, looking proud of me and I smiled.
"بس قال ما راح يداوم اليوم، مريض"
I told her.
"من قرقتج طبعا"
She said and I rolled my eyes and kicked her leg.
"تعالي انتي شلونج مع خالد؟"
I asked her and she sighed.
"اخخخخ بس اخخخ"
She said in a dreamy voice, laying her chin on her hand.
"جم عمره اصلا؟ جنه كبير؟"
I said, taking another sip. I hoped the coffee would kick in soon.
"٢٧"
She said and I felt my jaw drop.
"!جنوي هو اكبر منّج ب١١ سنة"
I exclaimed and she shrugged.
"Shenu ya3ny? Ilmuhim we connected 7ail lay darajat we had our first kiss ams," she said.
Like kiss kiss?
"3ala..." I said and pointed to my lips.
"اكيد عيل وين؟"
She said, looking at me like I was an idiot.
"Oh," I only managed to say. My stomach twisted in shock, did she actually do those things like they were normal?
"حسبالج بس تسولفون يعني؟ ،soon ترى حتى اكيد فهد يتوقعه منج"
She said with a chuckle.
"ترى حده عادي، اتوقع الكل سواها"
She said.
My mind went back to Danah with that guy in our house when they suddenly became silent.
Jana was right...
"بس ماعرف"
I told her and she laughed.
"راح تعرفين"
She said as she stood up and I did the same. We were so close to being late to school.
We left Starbucks with the drinks still in hand and got into my car. I went on the last message Fahad had sent me.
Goodnight o sorry sahartech
I replied with a picture of my drink.
Looool good morning and don't worry allah y3afy starbucks. Inshallah you're feeling better?
I hit send.
"شرايج؟"
She said as she showed me her phone. She posed with her Starbucks drink while the first three buttons of her shirt were unbuttoned, exposing the V of her chest. She looked pretty still.
"حق خالد؟"
I asked her.
"عيل منو؟"
She said as she took her phone back.
"تينن"
I said. My phone buzzed, was Fahad still awake?
haha bel3afyaa. la wallah many gader anam 3adel
He replied.
Me: weeeh laaa 3ad akrah shay lama you can't sleep!!
Fahad: wallah law age6 telifony bedal la achayek kel 5 degayeg itha 6arashtay shay ykoun wayed arya7ly
He sent and I smiled
Me: haha khalaas lazem ensawy rule no texting min 12 AM lay 6 AM!!
I sent.
Fahad: Deal...yallah good night ba7awel anam
Me: sweet dreams
I couldn't wait until he would text me again.
*
Later that day.
I exhaled as I stood by the door of Rawan's house with a box of Confectioner's chocolate-covered strawberries in my arms. I was dressed in a black skirt and a white shirt with bright pink shoes.
"Good evening," Jade, my cousin's maid said as she took the box from me.
"Hi," I said with a smile, God only knows what she had to endure from Rawan.
"They're upstairs," she said before she walked away.
I cleared my throat and walked up the stairs, where I heard laughter and yells.
"!جذابة والله وقسما بالله جذابة"
I heard someone say. Oh, so the fun started without me, as usual.
As I approached the lounge that was built specifically for Rawan, I cleared my throat and knocked on the door before opening it. My heart was racing against my chest, as I hated the first couple of seconds in which people stared at me and studied my whole look. I just felt so naked under their stares.
"Hi," I said with a soft smile and Rawan just looked at me before continuing to listen to our friend, Lama.
"Hi Manour," Rawan's cousins said as they kissed my cheeks, and I went around the room, greeting around seven girls including Rawan. I only knew five of the nine girls, Rawan, her two cousins, Lama, and Farah, our other friend.
"Yibtay Confectioner's?" Rawan asked me and I nodded. I quickly scanned what she was wearing; a black skirt with very light tights and sneakers and a Chanel t-shirt that cost her probably two of my allowances. I hated to admit it, but she looked gorgeous especially with her flawless makeup and luscious hair.
"الله عاد احبه! خوش ذوق"
Reema, Rawan's cousin said and I smiled.
"اي مبيين عندها خوش ذوق"
Rawan said with a smile she failed to hide and I heard two girls chuckle in disbelief.
Just when I'd thought I lost weight...
"امبيه كلش مو قصدي!"
Rawan said with a laugh and I chuckled just so this wouldn't be uncomfortable. Oh, she was going to regret this.
"ويهج مو غريب علي"
One of the girls with a top bun said to me.
"انا بنت خالة روان"
I said, hoping that would clear things up.
"....دانة الن designerاختها ال"
Rawan said.
"بينهم in common ادري كلش ماكو شي"
Rawan 'teased' again. I felt my stomach churn, I felt so uncomfortable.
"Ahaa," the girl simply said.
"!عاد ما شاء الله اختج حيل شاطرة"
The other girl said and I smiled, chuckling almost.
Everyone knew Danah. Everyone loved Danah, and everyone was surprised I was her sister.
"اي ما شاء الله"
I could only say.
"عاد خلصت قعدتها ببيتكم؟"
Rawan asked, taking a sip of water.
"امم اي جنه"
I said as I looked at my hands in my lap. Would they stop asking me about my sister?
"وراها ما عزمتنا؟ انزين خلاص العشا الياي عندكم الا اقعد فيها، ولا دانة ما تخليج؟"
Rawan said. Did she really say that in front of everyone?
What was wrong with her?
"لا عادي ترضى"
I lied, obviously I didn't want to let strangers think my relationship with my sister was a weird one...
"خوش عيل"
Rawan said with a smile that only I could interpret as challenging. I only prayed she would forget about it later.
"في احد بالحمام؟"
I asked her and she shook her head. Good, that would give them time to talk about something, or someone else.
I walked to the bathroom next to her bedroom and washed my hands before I tip-toed out of the bathroom and to her bedroom. I went through her shelves, checking the door every five seconds, until I found her makeup drawer. I took a lipstick, Teddy from Mac and applied it carefully on my lips. It was a perfect color, so subtle and nice at the same time.
I bit my lip as I quickly hid it in the pocket of my skirt and wiped the lipstick off my lips. I slowly opened the door and peeked before leaving to go back to the girls, placing Rawan's lipstick in my purse quickly as if I was getting my phone out.
It was so easy and I bet she had spares too.
Apparently Kadi had arrived right when I was "busy" in the bathroom. She looked so nice in a plain white dress with a black corset belt and black wedge heels.
"Oh hi," she said as she half-hugged me, getting up again.
"شخبارج؟"
I asked her.
"تمام والله"
She said as I sat in front of her.
Farah asked me, running a hand through her short brown hair.
"**S" I said, and she raised her brows, almost impressed.
"مع كادي"
Rawan said, making sure to include herself in everything.
"اي معاي"
Kadi said.
"عاد تقعدون مع بعض؟"
Rawan asked us.
"اي والله قعدنا مرة مع بعض"
Kadi said as she looked at me awkwardly and chuckled.
"مع منو تقعدين اصلا؟"
Rawan asked me. I saw Kadi's eyes grow wider at Rawan.
"...مع جنى الب"
I told her.
"كادي هذي اللي قلتيلي عنها صح؟"
Rawan said.
"Eeh," Kadi said, looking uncomfortable.
"كلمتيها عنها؟"
Rawan said, glancing at me.
"لا"
Kadi said.
"شالسالفة؟"
I said with an awkward chuckle as I looked at both Rawan and Kadi. I looked at the other girls too but they seemed to be interested in their own conversations, fortunately.
"لا ولا شي، بس كادي كانت مسولفتلي عن رفيجتج قلت نقولج يمكن توخرين عنها شوي"
Rawan said nonchalantly.
What?
"ليش؟ شفيها؟"
I said defensively.
"حدها صايعة حبيبتي دايرة على كل شباب المدرسة"
Rawan said.
My heart raced so fast and my breath caught up.
"شكو؟"
I could only say.
"قاعدة اقولج يعني عشان ما يطلعون حجي عنّج بعد"
Rawan said.
"ماتشوفينها لصقت فيج؟ ترى ما عندها ربع كلهم وخرو"
Kadi finally added.
It did make sense...but I was sure Jana needed a friend. I didn't know much about her home life but I did know she wasn't home that much. Even if what Rawan and Kadi had told me were true she probably was just acting out.
I couldn't leave her either.
"سمعت ان ابوها متزوج على امها بعد واخوها مدمن مخدرات"
Kadi muttered mostly to Rawan.
"امبيه واااي"
Rawan said, placing a hand on her chest.
I couldn't hear any of it so I texted Fahad.
Me: ana ma3a Rawan and Kadi now o wayed emnarfezeeny!!
Fahad: laish?
Me: ga3deen yefthe7oun bent a3arefhaa
Fahad: typical
Me: eeeh! elsharha 3alaay anaa elly yayaa
Fahad: et9adgeen a7med raby enyy mareeth. chethy wayed a7san
Me: looool jaaadd
"يالله يا جماعة تفضلو على العشا"
Rawan said as she got up from the couches to lead us to the dining area by the living room.
My phone vibrated on my lap.
Jana: haaa how is it??
I felt bad for not defending her...
Me: aby a6la3 loool malaqa. wainich??
Jana: cruising with K!!
She sent me a picture and I almost gasped when I opened it. It was a picture of her lap but with his hand gripping her thigh.
Maybe what Rawan and Kadi had said was true...but even so Jana was nicer to me than both of them combined.
Shittt
ReplyDeletetaksir 5a6ri all the people in her life are toxic like mskeena abi mara trta7
ReplyDeleteEeeh...
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