If You Only Knew Me (20 ◇ Muneera)

Happy reading, 

Cashmere
***

Sunday, October 16th, 2016...

My phone buzzed in my hand.

Rawan: hi I'm going to vol 1 weya the girls ilyom itha you want to join

I chuckled at my phone. I knew she only wanted the ride and couldn't find one.

Me: ee sure, what time?

Rawan: benrou7 at 7. tmureeny?

Okay now that was why she asked me.

Me: ee okk

Typical. I looked up from my phone to see Fajer sitting at the lounge of the gym. She was wearing a cute pair of yoga pants which were sheer in certain patterns, flattering her thin and long legs, and a short-sleeved gray v-neck shirt.
VCA.

I gulped as I pat my chest for the necklace, which was still on me and I could feel my heart beating loudly against my chest.
What if Danah was looking for it? I couldn't believe I still hadn't returned it.

I walked to the locker room where I gathered my gym bag to leave, passing by the lounge where Fajer was still sitting. I could feel her look at me.

Her eyes were a beautiful almond shape, her eyes were a dark brown but even so they felt special.
 A friendly smile played her plump lips but other than that it was the only form of contact she had with me. Was she fearing for me if Danah somehow knew we were talking to each other? Or was she too scared of Danah and she couldn't leave because Danah knew too much about her?

I just wanted to know her side of the story.

I looked at the time on my phone.
5:45 PM. I was meeting him at 7.

The elevator arrived and I could hear some laughter right before the elevator door opened, only to open to Danah and three of her friends, who quieted down once they realized they reached the gym floor.

I gulped. I felt color drain from my face when my sister's eyes met mine. She was still pissed at me for ruining the lounge and I knew she wouldn't forgive me any time soon.

My heart raced faster when I realized I still had her necklace on me, did she notice it? She had to. Before she could say anything I awkwardly dashed for the elevator and pressed on the ground floor button.

"يالله"
I muttered to myself as I pressed on the close button. I saw her turn around to see me, and her eyes were furious and confused all at once.

I sighed in relief when the doors closed, that was close.

I went to the parking lot where my driver and nanny were waiting for me and I rubbed on the pendant again on the way home. Did Danah notice it? I was dead if she did.

I showered and got dressed how Jana would for her first "date" and I knew I had to look good. Too bad she was busy with Khalid to help me pick an outfit.

I wore a pair of skinny jeans that were now a bit loose since I'd lost weight and a fitted long sleeved black shirt that I would normally wear something on top of. I wrapped a plaid jacket around my waist and pulled on my white Golden Goose sneakers. The shirt really brought out my curves as did my jeans. I hoped he found me attractive.

As I was applying my makeup my phone pinged on the vanity.

Rawan: heey its 6:30, mta betmureeny?

I snickered as I picked up my phone to text her back. I couldn't stop smiling.

Me: omg rawooun so sorry i can't make it:( yatnii takhayilay 7adi ta3banaaa

I lied as I texted her. She was online and probably waiting for my message.

Rawan: jad?

Before I could reply, she called me. I gulped, this wasn't funny anymore.

"الو"
I said, trying to sound weak through the phone.

"تستعبطين صح؟"
She said, sounding furious.

"لا؟"
I said, trying to sound brave but my voice was failing me.

"امبيه وشكو ما تقولينلي يعني لي متى ناوية تنَطريني"
She said through the phone.

"بس فجأة تعبت. محد يقدر يمرج؟ sorry"
I asked her.

"خلاص اقولهم يردون من الديرة لي اليرموك عشان ياخذوني، كلّش مو فشلة"
She said, annoyed.

"Sorry,"
I said again and she hung up.

I smiled and continued applying my makeup until I got the look I wanted. Winged liner, well-blended eyeshadow and of course, Rawan's red lipstick.

"Freddy?" I called to my driver.

I texted my mother that I was going out with Jana as I got into the car.

"Souq Sharq please," I said.

Me: bel6ereeej

Fahad: yallah ana basfe6

The traffic was unexpected and I arrived at Souq Sharq at 7:10, fashla!

"What time I come?" Freddy asked me.

"I will call you" I said.

I almost ran to Debenhams to get to Starbucks, upstairs, where he was.

I smiled as I saw him outside at the balcony on his phone, looking handsome in a white shirt and a pair of jeans.

I pulled open the door and walked out to the balcony.
I looked around. There was only one person besides us and he was busy on his laptop.

"Sorry ta2akhart," I said as I walked to Fahad and he smiled, standing up. He looked incredible and I could sense the smell of his cologne surround me now, his thick dark hair brushed lightly against the wind as his lips went up in a smile. I smiled back before realizing my surroundings.

"لا عادي المهم يتي، شتشربين؟"
He asked me as I followed him inside.

"Cold brew," I said and he raised a brow. God his eyes just reeled me into him...

"مو سهلة"
He said with a smirk and I laughed.

A woman with her daughter began to glare at us. Shtaby hathy?

"Two tall cold brews please," he ordered and paid.

"Thank you," I said with a smile and he smiled back. I couldn't help but look at his lips and I remembered Jana saying that physical affection was inevitable. I was scared, what if I messed that up?

We walked back outside where he placed the drinks on the table in front of us. I looked out the balcony to see the view of the city in front of me with its gleaming lights and boats docked at the marina. It was the perfect spot for us to meet up.

"ما رحتي الشاليه هالويكند؟"
He asked and I shook my head as I took a sip of my drink.

"لا ولا جان قلتلك"
I said.

"اشوفج استانستي عليّ"
He teased, wiggling his brows and I felt myself heat up on the inside but I pretended not to be swayed by him.

"لا والله اعتقد انت استانست عليّ"
I teased back and he laughed, like genuinely laughed and I smiled.

"ما ينفع المغازل معاج"
He joked and I blushed again.

"اها اخيرا استحت؟"
He said, resting his arms on his elbows.

"جب جب جب"
I said and he laughed again.

He sighed and looked at me like he was looking at art when art was right next to him; the view in front of us was incredible but he didn't seem to think so.

"امشي خل نتمشى داخل"
He finally said as he stood up and I followed him. I was worried I would run into someone I knew now but I just hoped for the best.

We went down the escalator to the main area of Souq Sharq where the shops were.

"اوله من زمان مو يايله"
He said.

"تذكر لما كنا نروحله واحنا صغار كان جنه الافنيوز"
I told him and he smiled.

"ايي والله كان وناسة وجنه كان فيه مكان العاب؟"
He said.

"تبي تشوفه؟"
I teased.

"!لا"
He replied and I laughed.

"امشي خل نفتر"
He said as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. We were walking next to the water clock now and I couldn't help but look around to see if there was anyone I recognized. How was Jana not nervous when she went out with Khalid? Maybe she didn't really care anymore.
I relaxed a bit.

"لا تخافين"
He said, as though reading my mind. He took one step to the right so our shoulders were almost touching and I chuckled.

"ترى اول مرة اطلع جذي"
I said with a chuckle.

"وان شاء الله مو اخر مرة معاي"
He said and I blushed.

We were walking close to Mac now and he must've sensed me looking at it because before I knew it he was walking towards the store.

"فهد؟"
I said.

He picked up a tester.

"راويني ايدج"
He said and I lifted my hand to him, where he drew a line with the lipstick.

"لا وايد فاتحة، احس هذي حلوة عليج"
He said and I felt myself heat up at his comment.

"شرايج فيها؟"
He said, his eyes were burning with lust now and I was sinking into them. I nodded. I forced myself to look away from him to the saleswoman.

"وجربي هذي بعد"
He said, drawing another line with a maroon-shade lipstick.

"اللون حلو"
I said with a smile.

"لو سمحتي نبي هالأثنين وهذا بعد لايق حق عروس"
He said.

"!فهد لا"
I exclaimed and he chuckled.

"ما احب احد يقول لي لا"
He said.

"!فهد عندي وايد"
I lied.

"مالي شغل"
He said as he took out his wallet to pay. I felt so embarrassed, but it felt good too.

"thank you امبيه"
I said as I blushed.

"حيّاج، "
He said with a smile, handing me my bag of lipstick.s

"وين تبين نتعشى؟"
He asked me.

"؟Chili's جنه اكو"
I told him, no way we were going to Baker & Spice where I guaranteed one of us would see someone they knew.

"صج؟ يالله"
He said. I smiled, this was going so so well.

We walked up to Chili's, which was definitely the least romantic please we could go to second to McDonald's. I knew it was those small moments that added up eventually.

"Good evening, table for two?" the waiter asked us as we stepped inside. We nodded and I placed my bags on the third chair next to us.

"Texas fries?" Fahad said as soon as we sat down.

"ايييي"
I said excitedly.

"والله شكلج من زمان مشتهيته"
He said and I chuckled.

"جد مادري متى اخر مرة رحتله"
I said.

"عيل متى ما تبين تروحينله قوليلي"
He said and I smiled.

"جد مشكور وايد على اليوم حدي استانست"
I said.

"حتى انا"
He said with a smile that was bracketed by his deep dimples. It was getting really hot now.

I watched his hand inch closer towards mine before he pulled his arm back, almost like he was controlling himself and I bit my lip to trap in a smile.

Jana was wrong, maybe he wasn't like Khalid. Maybe physical affection wasn't his thing and because of this I felt way more comfortable with him now.

I smiled at him and he smiled back at me. Whatever it was I was feeling I was more than sure he was feeling it too.