Part 12- The Day After

Previously :

"Alright, really though, we need to talk, please come sit down with me Jawa."

I sat down and looked at Abdullah. He looked like he had some really bad news, I was so scared.

"Is it your dad? Is he okay?"

"Yeah my dad is fine, don't worry about that...Umm..This is really hard to say..So uhhh..I'm just gonna say it fast...Khalid came here because he's getting married and his fiance is here visiting a friend right now so he came along."

I've never been so shocked in my life.


...I couldn't believe it.  I just sat there for a moment trying to comprehend what he just told me.


"That's impossible.  We've haven't even been broken up a year, and he's getting married?"


"Jawa, I know.  It's crazy...Are you okay?"


"Ummm..yeah actually.  I'm better than I thought I would be. I mean...I'm definitely in shock, and a little hurt.  But..I'm okay."


Abdullah hugged me tightly and stayed over for a while.  


I was surprised by my own reaction.  Khalid was getting married...Wow.  It was so weird to think.  We had planned our lives together.  I thought he would be the father of my children, the man who comes home to me each day.  It definitely hurt to think that this would be happening with another girl, but at the same time it was almost a relief.  There was finally no chance, no way, we'd ever have a chance again.  And I think knowing that will help me get over that last little bit of him I haven't been able to let go of.  I've been over him for a while now, but there's always been something in the back of my head reminding me of what happened between us.  However, all of this in no way means I'm going to like the girl, his fiance, anymore than I do now, which is negative one million.  


Me and Abdullah sat and watched t.v. and ate junk food and talked, I was so lucky to have a friend like him.  We made sure not to watch any cute chick flicks, and since my favorite movies are boyish anyways, we watched Bad Boys 2 and the Godfather.  I fell asleep on the couch trying to comprehend all the events of the day.


...The next morning I woke up with a blanket over me and Nawar and Rania were still asleep.  I got up, took a shower, and made some coffee.  Today was another day and I couldn't let yesterday ruin it for me.  There was no need. 


"Good morning beautiful" said a sleepy voice.  


"9aba7 el 5air. I'm surprised you're up"  ..as I said before, Nawar is never up!


"Haha I thought today deserved an early morning.  How are you feeling?  I can't believe it."


"I know. It's really strange.  But I'm okay. Don't worry.."


"Alright babe, let me know if you need anything" she said as she came over and hugged me and stole my coffee.


"Hey that was mine!"


"I know but I hate making it and you're just so good at it" she tried to put a puppy face on but it was too ugly, I burst out laughing. "Oh by the way, your phone wouldn't stop vibrating last night. I was gonna throw it out the window"


"Omg my phone, I haven't checked it since yesterday afternoon. Crap."


I went and looked around my room and found it. 8 Missed calls and 14 messages and a few bbms.  Wow.


3 of the missed calls were from Fawaz.  4 from a number I didn't know and 1 from Abdullah. 


I checked my messages and Fawaz had sent me 4. 


*Incoming text* Jawaaaa
*Incoming text* Can you answer your phone, I just wanna make sure everything's okay
*Incoming text* I'm really sorry about what I said yesterday, please don't be mad
*Incoming text* Morning :) , are you feeling any better? any less mad at me?


I feel so bad, he thinks I'm mad at him and I'm ignoring him! I don't really feel like talking on the phone, I'll just message him back.


*Outgoing text* Hey, I'm really sorry I'm not mad or ignoring you.  Yesterday was just really stressful so I put my phone away and left it there.  Thank you for taking me home. You were so nice about everything. How are you today?


Now, to check the rest of my messages..There were 7 from the same number that called.


*Incoming text* Jawa, it's Khalid.  Can we please talk?
*Incoming text* Please, just answer your phone
*Incoming text* This is ridiculous. Answer your phone now
*Incoming text* Sorry...
*Incoming text* It's really important, please.
*Incoming text* Jawa...I'm getting married. I wanted to be the first one to tell you.  It's really recent and our families planned it.  I can call it off at any time.  If you tell me you still love me I'll leave her right now and we can get married.  I still want you.  You're the only one I'll ever want.  I know I messed up but please, we have plans...what about Lama and Yousif and Layan and our vacations to Spain and Italy?  Our house that you're going to decorate?  We can still have all of that.
*Incoming text* Give me a chance to prove to you I can be the man you need.  Just say the word and I'll be there...


I put my phone down, took a deep breath and typed the one message that would end this for good.  Everything we had planned together would be just a distant memory. Our kids and our vacations and our house, everything would just seem like a silly idea from two kids who once thought they knew what love was.


*Outgoing text* The word is no. No, never again.  Your fiance deserves someone who's going to love her and be true to her, do that for her.  We're done talking, for good.  No, Khalid.


The other 3 were from Nawar and Rania.


*Incoming text* Hey babe, we're SOOO sorry we had to go but we need this credit for class. Are you okay? We're coming home as soon as we can. I can't believe that freak! Rania says she's gonna punch him. 


*Incoming text* Okay it's almost over. This is taking forever. How much can there possibly be to say about people jumping the boarder. 


*Incoming text* Abdullah told me you fell asleep. If you wake up before we're home call me! Tell me if you want me to bring anything. Love you!


They were so sweet.  


We decided Rania had been sleeping enough so we decided to go jump on her bed and wake her up. She was nooot very happy about this but we finally got her up and out of bed.  I made the girls get changed and decided we were going to breakfast and look extremely cute and happy.


"....Annnnnd, the pancakes too! Thank you!  Oh wait, and 3 lattes..large!"


"You've only left one thing off the menu, are you sure I can't just get you that too?"


"Marcus, my exboyfriend is getting married, if I want to eat the whole menu three times I will."


"Ouchhh. Okay in that case I'll put some ice cream with those pancakes, girl." 


Marcus was our favorite waiter.  He was 24 and gay and the cutest thing ever. We came to this restaurant all the time and he had became a little part of our girl group.  However we wouldn't be just girls today.  We decided that after breakfast we'd meet up with Abdullah, Aziz and Fawaz and take my mind off of everything. 


Breakfast was delicious and we sat for so long and talked and had a great time. We made Marcus sit down with us for a bit and gossip.


"So he just randomly showed up!? O-m-g.  I'd just die!"


"I know right! I almost did, I tripped and landed flat on my face."


"Well he's one stupid guy for loosing you! And now he still wants you back? Tell this freako to get a life.  I know one person I will be refusing to serve if I ever see him.  Or better yet, I'll spill hot coffee on him" Marcus said with a wink. He always made us laugh.


Breakfast finally came to an end and it was time to go meet up with the guys.  Aziz came to the restaurant for a little while before we left though, he thought Marcus was so funny and loved to come by and give him a hard time.  Nawar rode with him and me and Rania went in her car.  We had to stop by the restaurant from yesterday and pick up mine before we met the guys.   


When I got to my car I saw Fawaz's car parked next to mine.  What's he doing here?  Rania dropped me off and I walked over to where our cars were and saw him standing against mine smoking.  


"Hey.."


"Hello there"


"You look..really beautiful"


"Thank you..You too! Well I mean not beautiful, handsome..you know"  he always made me blush.  I'm so happy he can still give me butterflies even after all of this Khalid crap.


"Hahah I know what you mean. So, are you anti phones now? Or just anti me?"


"Neither...definitely not anti you. I just couldn't deal with talking to anyone yesterday. I fell asleep."


"I understand.  Are you feeling better today?"


"I am thank you."


"Good, it really killed to see you hurt like that yesterday."


"I'm sorry.."


"Don't be"  Ommgggg his smile is so gorgeous! He's making me forget all about my crazy exboyfriend.


"So why are you here again?"


"I wanted to be able to talk to you alone.  I can't have you to myself for a little while?"


"Looks like you got what you wanted" I'm sure my face is like a thousand shades of red right now.


"Guess so. Did I tell you that you look really nice?"


"Hehe, you did."


"Oh..right, well you do. Twice isn't enough to tell you."


"You, my friend, are a little lame."


"And you, my friend, are making me try toooo hard."


"Oh well" I said grinning. Let him try even harder, he's so cute when he does. "I think we should get going, they're probably wondering where we are."


"Yeah, let's go" he said as he opened my door for me. He stayed there not closing the door for a minute after I got in, we just stared at each other. His eyes are so mesmerizing.  The door shut and he walked to his car after a moment and we were on our way.  It looked like my day wasn't totally ruined after all. 

Part 11- I Hear Wedding Bells

Classes had been going on for about a month now.  Me and Nawar and Rania were finally back into our normal schedules, Abdullah was getting used to his new school and Cali life, Aziz was working on finding the perfect way to propose, and Fawaz, well we had been running into each other more, a lot more.

*Incoming text* Goodmorning :)

*Outgoing text* Goodmorning to you too

*Incoming text* I don't understand why we can't talk on bbm you weirdo

*Outgoing text* Because! There's something so much more exciting about texts

Oh and we might have exchanged numbers one of the time's we ran into each other.  He was sitting in Starbucks, I always stop by this one on the way to school and apparently it's on his way to school as well.  He was wearing khaki shorts and a navy blue polo shirt and he looked gorgeous!  How can you resist giving your number to someone so beautiful?! You just cant!

I loved texting, there was something so much more exciting about it.  Bbm was too quick and usual, it didn't make have the suspense that used to come with talking to people before everyone had instant messaging, and I missed that.  So I decided that me and Fawaz would text, and he would just have to deal with my weirdness if he wanted to talk to me.

We decided to go get lunch together and I was in a huuuge hurry.  I was running late because I had to talk to a professor and usually I'm always on time! It really bothers me when people are late.  Back home if you tell someone 2:30 they'll show up at 3 if you're lucky.  I can't stand it.  I was trying to get to my car as fast as possible.  I was wearing a plain  light grey sweater with jeans and black flats and my hair was in a low bun with braids on the side, it was cozy cute.

I finally got to the restaurant to find him sitting down at a table.  He was so beautiful! He was wearing a zip up sweater, the hot ones where the collar is short (no hood or anything) and jeans.  I saw his face light up as I walked over to him.  We ordered right away, I felt so bad for making him wait.  As we were eating I saw him glance over at a guy walking in.  When I looked over all I could see was the back of the person, so I turned back around.

...Wait a second, that looks like...Khalid?  No way, nevermind.  We're in Cali. I guess I'm just a paranoid mess.  "Anyways, what did you say back to her?"

"Huh? Oh sorry, what were you saying?"

"You were telling me what you told your professor when she asked you 'Fawaz, what must the explanation be this time'?" I said mimicking her voice, I do a good professor voice.

"Oh right...I got distracted. I thought I knew that guy over there. He looks like one of my old friends from Kuwait."

"Why don't you go over and say hi?  Who is it?"

"He looks like a guy I knew named Khalid.  He's a really great guy.  I haven't seen him in forever though.  He started dating some girl and disappeared, I never really heard from him much after they got together.  They were together for a long time. I heard he was pretty bad to her though, used to cheat a bit and what a liar he was, the poor girl. Don't know why she stuck around. But yet he really loved her.  He's got some issues, but he's a really great friend."

I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.  This was NOT what I was expecting when I came to lunch today.  The room started to spin and I needed fresh air, now.

"Uhh excuse me. I have to go"

"Jawa wait what's wrong?"

I was already up and practically running to the door.

"Jawa?!" said a familiar voice by the door.

I couldn't stop to see him. I didn't want to look at him, even less talk to him.

"Jawa wait!" "jawa!" I heard both Fawaz and Khalid running after me.  Khalid was ahead of Fawaz and I don't think they really realized they were both running after me.

I tried to make it to my car but I tripped over a small hole in the ground. As I was getting up I saw a hand reach down to help me..The same hand that used to hold mine, that used to wipe away my tears and play with my hair.  But it was the same hand that used to throw things, that used to msg other girls, and that had pushed me that one time.  I couldn't take that hand again, even if it was just to get up.

After getting up on my own I looked up and realized my vision was quite blurry.  I had tears running down face, from the fall or from seeing both of them standing in front of me I wasn't sure.

"Jawa...I really didn't expect to see you here.  Are you okay?  Where's your car?  Let me walk you to your car, " Khalid said as he tried to touch my arm.

"Khalid, don't touch me. Ever again." I barely managed a whisper.

"Can we talk, please"

"No, there's nothing left to say."

"There's so much more to say.  After everything we've been through, we planned a life together. You're seriously going to tell me there's nothing more to say?"

I could now see clearly and the look on his face was enough to break my heart.  He looked so hurt and sad, almost lost.  However, he'd already broken my heart before and this wasn't going to make a difference.

"You ruined everything we had, I wanted a life with you Khalid! I planned my life for you! With you! My parent's even thought you would become a part of their life! But I was never enough for you.  Just never enough" And with that my vision went blurry again and I could feel the hot salty tears stream down my face.  I was honestly planning on never seeing Khalid again.  I did not expect to see him here with Fawaz...Omg, Fawaz! Where was he?

I looked up to see him standing there just waiting for us to finish.  He didn't look mad like I thought he would be, he looked concerned. He came to me and gently asked me if I was alright, and told me to sit down on one of the benches close by.  After that I saw him pull Khalid away and they begin to talk...Then argue..Then talk..Then argue. They finally finished talking and they both came over to me.  Khalid waited a bit further back while Fawaz came to me.

"Jawa, I had no idea you knew Khalid.  Or that you were his girlfriend.  I'm so sorry I said what I did. He wants to talk to you, would you like to talk to him?  I can tell him to leave if you want.  It's up to you."

I had no idea if I wanted to talk to him or not.  There was so much to say and it would take so long for me to be able to tell him everything I wanted to tell him, for me to have complete closure after everything that had happened.  But I thought of the next best thing.

"I just want to talk to him for a second, then I never want to see him again." I said as I got up and walked over towards Khalid.

"Jawa, I'm so glad you wanted to talk.  I know it means something we were both here today and.."

"Khalid, stop. I just came over here to tell you the last thing you'll ever hear from me."

"But..ugh, what is that?"

"Fuck you."

I heard a small laugh from behind me, then I turned around to see Fawaz try to put the most serious look he could manage on.  I don't think he was expecting that.  And obviously Khalid wasn't either.  He was definitely mad but I didn't stick around to see what he had to say.  I turned and walked over to Fawaz and asked him if he could please drive me home and I'd get my car tomorrow.

During the car ride I explained to him what happened with me and Khalid and he seemed to really understand.  I was so scared that it would change what he thought of me, that he'd think I'm one of those girls that just dates anyone and doesn't care.

"Jawa, I have so much respect for you and that's not going to change.  We all have a past and I can't expect you to not have had a life before you met me. You're such a strong woman for going through what you did and I just hate that you got hurt like that."

Isn't he just the cutest?

He eventually dropped me home and I, of course, told Nawar and Rania what happened. They were in shock but I was too exhausted from the day to continue discussing this.  I decided to go to my room and take a nap.  Usually I never take naps, but today called for one.  As I was getting into bed I got four messages, one message from Fawaz and three from Aziz.

*Incoming text*  I just wanted to make sure you're okay. Let me know if you need anything, and I really do mean anything okay?

*Incoming text* I think I've got it! We can go to the beach and I can have "Will you marry me" written in the sand!

*Incoming text* Oh wait, maybe the water will wash it away. Didn't think of that.

*Incoming text* Okay what about something involving a roller coaster?

...This guy's got a lot to learn.

I woke up from my nap and went into the living room to find my friends being the sweetest friends they could possibly be.  Nawar and Rania had a function for school I completely forgot I was supposed to go to with them. They left junk food on the table for me and a note, along with a cute little Abdullah sitting on my couch waiting for me to wake up.

"So, I heard today was an interesting day."

"It was AWFUL! Abdullah, why is he even here?! I just want to punch him."

"Sit down sweetie we need to talk."

"What could be worse to talk about after today? I think I've seen it all! Psycho exboyfriend shows up to California while I'm at lunch with Mr.Hottie, I fall on my face, yell at Khalid and Mr.Hottie has to drive me home!"

"Okay first of all, Mr. Hottie? Really?"

"Oh I forgot it's you. Well that's what he's called by the residents of this apartment, so he remains Mr.Hottie."

"Alright, really though, we need to talk, please come sit down with me Jawa."

I sat down and looked at Abdullah. He looked like he had some really bad news, I was so scared.

"Is it your dad? Is he okay?"

"Yeah my dad is fine, don't worry about that...Umm..This is really hard to say..So uhhh..I'm just gonna say it fast...Khalid came here because he's getting married and his fiance is here visiting a friend right now so he came along."

I've never been so shocked in my life.

Part 10- A lot going on

The next few days were spent getting ready for classes and catching up with Rania who had just gotten back.  We updated her on everything, and I mean every little detail.

"Wow.  What was she wearing?" Her eyes popped out of her head at the end of the story of Madison and Fawaz.  Rania was pretty quiet and wasn't as exaggerated as me and Nawar, we were the loud crazy ones, she was the shy calm one.

"An ugly ugly ugly dress with wedges and a ponytail."

"Umm Jawa, you have a dress almost exactly like it." Nawar reminded me.

"Yeah but when I wear it it's adorable.  With her..it's a different story."

"Now tell us more about Stefano!"

"Eee tell us!"

Rania has been having a "thing" with a very, very cute boy named Stefano.  They met when she was visiting her family in Italy and they've been together (sort of) ever since, and that was about a year ago.  Rania's dad is half Italian, half Kuwaiti and her mom is Jordanian.  Her parent's are very open minded, probably the most open minded out of the three of us. And her Dad knows Stefano and knows that they like each other, but he know's his daughter very well and knows she wouldn't just date anyone.  He's right to trust her.

"And thennnnn....he..."

"Proposed?!"

"Punched you?!?"

"Ran away?!"

"Picked you up and gave you the most romantic kiss ever?!"

..This is how a lot of our story telling goes.

"He...gave me this!" And Rania showed us one of the prettiest necklaces ever.  It was so simple but beautiful, it was gold with tiny diamonds around an emerald.  "And look there's an R engraved on the back of it. Isn't it gorgeous?  And Jawa, did you really guess he punched me?"

We all burst into laughter realizing what I said, "Okay okay, I was just taking a guess!"

"Ouff it look's so expensive! It's sooooo classy." said Nawar.

"Hehe yeah, but his family owns a small jewelry store on the side and so he can a few things every once in a while."

We were so happy for them.  We'd met him a couple of times, he came to California to visit one time and we all met him in New York for Thanksgiving one year.  You can tell he really loves Rania.  They're such a sweet couple.

"Speaking of jewelry, I was looking around Tifanny's the other day and they had such cute engagement rings. Look at this one!" I help up a magazine ad of Tiffany's "Ohh and look at this! Aren't these cute?"  I held up the Tacori ad I had saved.  "I'm planning ahead, you know, so my future husband will know exactly what I want"

"Hahah you psycho, let me see them."

I handed the ad's over to Nawar.  Rania already knew Aziz wants to propose, I filled her in when Nawar was out one day.  This was the perfect opportunity to find a good engagement ring for Aziz to get!

"Ohhhh look at this one! If I ever got to pick out my engagement ring it would be this one!" Nawar held up one of the Tiffany ad's, it was simple with a large diamond in the middle then two smaller ones on either side of it. It was very...well, Nawar.

"It's soo cute!"

The rest of the day was spent hanging around the apartment while we made lunch and gossiped about old Kuwait stories.  As I was doing homework later my phone rang and it was Abdullah.

"Bonjour, may I ask who's calling please?"

"Hello little girl, is your mommy home?"

"Ew Abood."

"What? You started it!"

"Hahaha I know, whatsup babe?"

"I'm hungry."

"Okay, well when most people are hungry they eat."

"Really? Wow...Hahah come eat with me, you're supposed to be showing me around!"

"I could definitely use a break from the work I have to do before classes start. Yalla pick me up in 20."

I quickly threw on a big white tshirt that hangs off the shoulder with black tights and pink flats.  My hair was up in a cute messy bun.  I looked okay, definitely like I just ran out of the house, that's for sure.

"Okay turn here, now left...okay here we are."

"Burgers?"

"Yep!"

"Hahah I should have known you'd bring us to get burgers, your favorite food."

"It's part of a healthy diet!"

"Okaaaay"

We walked in and ordered our burgers and sat down to wait for them.  I didn't realize how hungry I was until the waitress brought out our food.  I started to attack the food, it was probably a horrible site for every one around me, but when you're hungry you're hungry!

"Wooow, try not to eat the plate too," came a voice from behind me.  Oh no....pleeeeease don't be...

"Fawaz! Hey man, what are you doing here?"

OH MY GOD. I look like crap and I literally started to eat my burger as if I've never seen food before. Whyyyy does this happen to me?!

"Just picking up some food then heading home, taking a break from the fast life you know ;)"
...Umm, annoying much?

"For the record, I was not going to eat my plate thank you very much!" I blurted out.  What is wrong with me? Ughhhh

"Hahah, okay, I'll try to believe that."

"Nahhh get used to it man, she eat's like a guy....A7777 OUCH"  said Abdullah.  I just smiled at him. Don't think you can tell Mr. Hottie over here I eat like a guy and not get kicked extremely hard under the table.

"Doesn't look to bad to me" said Fawaz quietly. Abdullah just raised his eye brows and I sat there like an idiot.

"Sit down! Eat with us yalla"Abdullah offered.

"Okay, let me just place my order." Fawaz walked over to the counter. Meanwhile..

"I EAT LIKE A GUY?! ARE YOU STUPID?!" I said throwing fries at Abdullah.

"Hahahaha I was just warning the guy! And he know's its a joke!"

"Whatever" I ate my burger with one hand and continued throwing fries at him with the other.  Of course I stopped as soon as Fawaz walked back over.

"Wow what happened here in the last 5 minutes?"

"Abdullah over here seems to have forgotten how to eat his french fries, it's sad how his memory is going so fast and he's only 23. We have to keep an eye on him" I said.

"Hahaha I'll remember that."

Abdullah sat there staring at me trying not to laugh.

The rest of dinner was fun, we all talked and hung out until Abdullah got a phone call.

"Ha yuma?  Ee...Inshallah. .. I'll be right back." He said and walked outside.

"And then there were two."

"I wasn't aware you were a narrator as well. Very talented I see."

"Jawa you're funny."

"I know." I said and kept eating my burger...yes, it was a big burger.

"Inzain, listen..about the other day..."

I  really wanted to know what happened with Blondey but I just didn't want to seem too interested, or like I care..I shouldn't care, especially not now.  We barely even know each other..

"What about it?"

"Look me and Madison, the girl you saw, dated for a while. We broke up but she keeps wanting to get back together."

"You really don't have to tell me this, we've talked...twice?"

"I know, but I'd like to talk to you more than twice and I'd like you to know I'm not the type of guy who would want to talk to a girl if he had another, despite what people think."

"Alright."

"Alright?"

"There's not much more to be said is there. Except..you looked really cozy with her on the balcony, so let's not act like there was nothing going on okay?"

"She was trying to get back together with me.  She was drunk and I didn't want to make her mad, she'd throw a fit and cause a scene, so I just let her talk then I walked away. That's it."

"Alright"

"...Umm, alright then." He looked confused, I don't think he could tell what I wanted.

I didn't even know what I wanted to do now but I wasn't about to tell him that.  "Seem uninterested, seem uninterested, seem uninterested" was what I kept telling myself in my head.

We continued to talk and everything was completely normal, Abdullah was taking a long time on the phone and I didn't see him outside.  I decided to go look for him to make sure everything was okay. I walked out to find him sitting on the curb with his head in his hands.  Something was obviously very wrong.

"Abdullah what's wrong 7abeeby?"

"My dad is sick.  He's in the hospital.  They say he'll be fine, but...I feel so helpless, being here.  My mom needs me and I can't be there for her, or any of my family." He looked so exhausted, just in the last 10 minutes all the energy had drained from his face.

"Salamat. It will be okay, don't worry.  You're family knows that you need to be here and that it's important for you, and your dad would hate the fact you come back to Kuwait and leave your studies for him.  We'll support your family from here as much as we can.  And I'll be with you all the way.  You've got me, Aziz, Fawaz, even Nawar and Rania.  I promise you won't deal with this alone.  Look at me, you're gonna make it through this."

We hugged and I made sure he was okay before we went back inside.  I decided to go to the restroom to let him tell Fawaz and give them some guy time.  I came back to find them laughing and having a good time, I was so relieved. I hate seeing Abdullah sad, it breaks my heart.

"Babe listen, I need to go take care of some stuff so is it okay if Fawaz takes you home?"

"Uhhh.."

"Come on, I don't bite."

"Okay, only if you stop using weird lines like that."

"Haha you have yourself a deal."

We parted ways with Abdullah and began the drive home. I plugged my iPod in and decided to DJ.

"Waaaait, no one touches my music in my car!"

"Waaaait," I said mimicking his voice, "when I'm in a car, I DJ!"

We bickered a bit and he finally realized that there is nooo arguing with me.  Needless to say, I picked the music.

"Oula, such a nigga"

"Hhaha I have a good taste in music Fawaz"

He suddenly started grinning.

"..What?"

"Say that again."

"I have a good taste in music?"

"No after that.."

"What?"

"No before that"

"Fawaz?"

"You sound so cute when you say my name" he said smiling.

"And you sound so lame saying that!"

The rest of the car ride was fun, we got along great and it wasn't awkward at all.  He really didn't seem like a bad guy.  He dropped me off and I went up to the apartment with a lot on my mind.  Classes were starting tomorrow, Abdullah's dad, Fawaz, Fawaz's girl issue, Nawar's engagement..there was a lot to figure out.

Part 9- It's Party Time

"Ha beauitful, ready yet?"

"Abdullah I am no where near being ready.  I'm not sure why you and Aziz showed up right now, you know there is no way we'd be ready.  It's your fault so you can sit and wait."

"Why do I have the feeling if Fawaz was here you'd quickly run out the apartment and be ready and waiting downstairs in 2 seconds?"

"Why do I have the feeling you are SO annoying. Ew"

Suddenly Aziz popped his head in, "Man leave her alone so she can get ready or they're gonna take even longer. ..If that's even possible."

"Sometimes I don't know why I let my best friend date you!"

"Oulllaaaa grumpy much, we'll be waiting outside"

"You know I love youuuu!" I yelled after Aziz as he pulled Abdullah out of the room.

An hour later we were finally ready to go and in the car.  We took 2 cars in case anyone wanted to leave or anything at different times.

We pulled up to Fawaz's house and it was really nice.  Very big and modern, and apparently a lot of people were here.  We walked inside and it looked even nicer than the outside.  There were people everywhere but it wasn't overly crowded.  Apparently he's quite the popular guy.

I saw a few friends from school and was walking over to say hi to them when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"You made it."

"Hello to you too."

"Haha hey.  I wasn't sure if you'd actually come."

"And why not?"

"Madry, I wasn't sure what kind of girl you were."

"Excuse me?  And going to a party makes me what type?"  Wai3 for a guy that gets a lot of girls he's really bad with words.  I saw his face suddenly change and look like he made a big mistake.

"Noo Jawa that's not what I meant.  I..uhh..wait..I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that.  I wasn't sure if you were open minded and I'm happy to find out you are."

"..Yes, I am."

"Hahah do you always make people this nervous?"

"I don't regularly ask people how nervous I make them so I wouldn't know.  I'll make sure to do that for your sake though"  I said with a smirk.

"Why thank you.  It would be nice to know I'm not the only you keep on their toes."

"Well, don't expect to be off your toes anytime soon"

"Hahah fine, I can work with that."

Suddenly a blonde girl who seemed a little tipsy came over to Fawaz, put her arms around him and looked up "Baaaaaby, where'd you go?"

Baby?  Wow.  ...He started to take her arms off of him and pulled her aside "One second Jawa." He looked sorry, but well, he should be.  Wait why?  He really didn't do anything.  Ugh he's messing up my head.

I could see them arguing then she stomped off and that was that.

"Sorry about that."

"3ady, no need to be sorry."  He looked surprised, I think he was expecting me to ask questions or seem upset, I liked surprising him.

"Oh uh, okay. She's not my girlfriend or anything."

"I didn't ask, you can be dating the whole room for all I care, hahah"

"Hahah okay well I just might do that.  But you realize you're in the room too? ;)"  Ahhh..so he wasn't horrible with words after all.

"I do yes, however I was just heading outside.  So how about you wait til I'm gone?"

"Hahah no way, I'd make sure you were still here."

"Here for what?"  said Abdullah as he popped up out of nowhere.

"Uhh here to have a goodtime at the party, whatsup man?"  said Fawaz, he looked a little embarrassed.  It was cute.

"Speaking of having a good time, I'm going to leave you boring old woman now and have myself a good time."

"You do realize this boring old woman is the one throwing the party?"  Fawaz said laughing at me. It's so bad how my stomach has flipped a million and one times every time he smiles at me.

"Yes, I do.  However do I care? I don't think so. Hahah"

"Ouch, yalla go have fun and leave us to knit and read."

"I just might do that" I said as I was already walking off. It was fun talking to Fawaz, he had the same sense of humor as me, not too many people do.

About an hour later me and Nawar we're sitting talking to friends from uni when I saw the same blonde girl that had came up and talked to Fawaz.  I told Nawar what happened and she said she knew the girl from one of her classes, so she got up to talk to her.

"Nooo Nawar don't don't!"

"3adyyyy. It's fine, look she seems out of it anyways, she'll be honest hehe"

"Um...okay fine, I do want to know what that was about." Nawar was gone before I could even finish my sentence.

"Hey sweetie whatsup? Having a good time?"

"Nawarrrrr, yes I am! Are you?" said Blondy.

"Yep of course.  So how do you know Fawaz?"

"Oh you know ;)"

"Hehe nooo, tell me!" Nawar said trying to sound all girly and gossipy, it was funny to watch.

"Well remember a while ago I liked this guy that was a player and he was confusing me and not making up his mind?"

"That was Fawaz?"

"Hehe yessss, and guess who he made up his mind about?" she said grinning, she seemed so proud.

"So you guys are still together?" Nawar quickly put on another fake smile, trying to keep up the charade.

"Well not really.  We've been together for almost a year but we broke up like a month ago, and we've been on and off sense."

"Ohhh I see. Hehe cool!"

"Babe my friends are calling, I'll see you at school! Byeeee!"

"...So, they're together?" I asked after she walked away.

"Well not technically, but they've been together for almost a year and on and off for the last month."

"Hmmm. So what do I think now?"

"Haha I don't know love, what do you think?"

"I'm going to go with the flow, even if Fawaz is not in my flow.  Although I must say, that it's a bit disappointing.  I thought we really got along.."

"I know, I'm sorry.  Madison tends to exaggerate, maybe it's not true. Who knows."

"Yeah you're right."

"Okay you have to make sure I don't end up caring too....Oh, wow."

"What?"

"Look behind you."

There was Madison and Fawaz with her arms around his neck on the balcony, apparently talking about something very intense and looking a little too cozy to be "off" at the moment.

Part 8 - Event Planning

"Halla walllaaaaa ya Fwaiz!" said Abdullah as he got up to greet his gorgeous friend.

"Halla feek o5oy! oo Salam 3alaikum." he said to the table.

"wa 3alaikum asalam" we all replied.

He took a seat next to Abdullah, diagonally across from me.  I tried not to stare at him, but it was SO hard not to, he was just so hot.  Aziz and Nawar helped me to stay occupied and talking.

"So Fawaz, how long have you been in California?"

"I'm doing my masters right now. So I'd say about 5 years.  What about you? I heard this great restaurant was your choice, so you must have been here for a while now?"

He was making me blush! Dammit. "Hehe yeah, it's my third year here."

"What are you studying, and why in California?"

"Well I'm studying Economics and International Relations.  And I chose California because of my brother 7amood. And well, its california!  From the looks of it, I'd say you're planning on a future involving interrogations?"

"Hahah sorry, a lot of questions at once huh?"

"La2 3ady, just giving you a hard time," I said as my face got extremely red. I'm really hoping he doesn't know I'm blushing...Omg wait, what if he thinks my face is always like a tomato? Oh no. Whatever. Relax Jawa.

The rest of lunch went on very well and everyone got along great.  I could see how Fawaz could be a womanizer, but he was just such a gentleman and so sweet and so hot I didn't want it to be true.

"I'm having a small party, well not really a party, I'm having people over tomorrow night if you'd like to come...I'd like you to come"

I managed to laugh awkwardly, I didn't know what to say.  "Well I'd love to accept your invitation, but I can only accept on the condition that I can bring Abdullah with me. I barely know you, for all I know you could be a serial killer."

"Hahahah okay well Abdullah is actually coming anyways and I promise I'll try not to kill you and throw your body away this time at least."

"So reassuring. Okay well I guess we'll be seeing you tomorrow. It was nice to meet you."

"You too Jawa, very nice to meet you.  Bye!"



....The next day

I woke up early because I was so excited for the day.  I ran into Nawars room and opened the currtains and pulled the covers off of her.

"RISE AND SHINE SUNSHINEEEEE" Nawar was not a happy person in the morning if you wake her up.  She sleep's a looot.

"Wai3 Jawa go away..NOW"

"Nooooo come on! The party is today."

"You're acting like we've never been to a party in our lives you freak."

"Ahhhh but we've never been to Fawaz's parties in our lives" I said mimicking her voice.

"Okay okay I'm up, but I'm not getting out of bed for 20 minutes."

"Fine I'll go shower."

45 minutes later we were both wide awake sitting at the kitchen table drinking our morning coffee. Or at least I was.  Nawar is not usually a coffee person.

"Oh I forgot to tell you, Fawaz told Aziz we should come as well. So it look's like you'll have wingwoman tonight ;)"

"YESSS, I was so worried it would just be me.  Okay outfit time starts now."

"It's only 11. Please explain why it starts now."

"Because I want to get my nails done and swim and have time to actually make myself presentable before tonight."

Nawar just rolled her eyes got up and went to my walk in closet to help me decide what I will wear for the night.

"It has to be HOT but not slutty.  Cute but not babyish.  And well it has to make Fawaz's eye's pop out of his head and propose to me so we can make beautiful children and live happily ever after."

"Wow I wasn't aware an outfit could do that." ...Ew, Nawar was so grumpy in the morning.

We finally settled on a pair of high wasted red/coral shorts, with a white and tan off the shoulder top, and tan heels.  I have to say, I looked pretty hot.

After outfits were picked out, Nawar decided on a dress (it was too long if you ask me) and heels, we headed to the salon.

The ladies in the salon were SO cute.  We've been going to this salon since freshman year, they're like our moms away from home.

"HIII...JAWA AND NAWAR ARE HEREEEE..." said one of them, suddenly all the heads turned up from their work "Hiiii...We miss you....Helloooo"

"What color you want to do todaaaay?"

"Something that will make a guy's head turn. What do you think? Hahaha"

"Ohhh who is this boy? ;)"

"Just a certain someone I met, not anyone special...just yet."

"Okay I have perfect color.  Wild night red. Just in. It's red but with pink in it, so it not too red for you."

"I love it. Wild night red."

And what a wild night it would be...