Sunday, July 29, 2012

Chapter Seven

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-SAIF's POV-

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I would have never thought Yasmeen was the kind of girl to lead a guy on and then go out with another guy. 7emdelah I saw this before anything got too serious.

I went outside to wait for Jassim. Even though the heat was excruciating, seeing Yasmeen with another guy was too hard, if I stayed inside I would have punched him. Jassim finally arrived, so we went in, got a table and ordered.

Yasmeen kept BBMing me while I ignore. I was trying to focus on my conversation with Jassim but I had too much on my mind.

"Saif? Sm3t eshglt? Are you okay with the plan?" Jassim said, interrupting my thoughts.

"Ha? Umm… what plan was that exactly?" I said, baffled.

"Ya5i rakz shway" Jassim said with a laugh "Choof, youm el ym3a tgool 7g ubook enk mwa3d rfeejk Faisal, w etyeey ehny w ana bamrk awadeek bait el ahal. Okay?"

"Umm… Madry… Okay" I said.

We left Fedora, and I didn’t even look at Yasmeen. I'm not even gonna check what she BBM-ed me. Madry shlon bachoofha in school tomorrow.

-BACK TO YASMEEN'S POV-

After what happened with Saif, I didn't feel like seeing anyone or laughing about anything. I called Layal and told her to come to the table. She was so happy about Yousif, I couldn't ruin their happiness with my problems, so I excused myself and told Layal to call me when she's finished so I could tell the driver. Yousif was pretty annoyed at Saif, and asked me if anything was going on between us, but I said no, because honestly, my friendship/relationship whatever it was with Saif, was like a rollercoaster ride. I have to admit that sometimes I do love the thrill of not knowing what's gonna happen next, but honestly, sometimes I wish Saif would just be straight forward with me.

When I got home, I ran up to my room, not wanting to see or talk to anyone. I changed into my pajamas, removed "@ Fedora" from my status, snuggled up with my favorite stuffed animal and cried. I didn't even know what I was crying about. Maybe it was about what happened today, or maybe it was because I didn't know what was going on with Saif. I decided that I really needed Reem right now, so I called her.

*Phone call with Reem*
Reem: Aloo? Waynch! Mnzman makalamteny ya sa5eefa!
Yasmeen: A-Alo?
Reem: YASMEEN SHFEEEEEECH??? SHFEECH T9EE7EEN??
Yasmeen: *between sobs* Reemo – Reemo, can you – can you come over?
Reem: eeee, eee dgayg w ana 3ndch 7abeebty

The conversation ended with that. I was neglecting Reem these days, because I was so caught up in the Yousif and Layal drama and everything with Saif.

I heard a knocking and it turns out it was Reem. She ran in and hugged me, making the tears flood down my cheeks all over again. "7beebty Yasi, shfeech?!" Reem shook me, trying to make me speak. I barely got the whole salfa out, explaining how Yousif confessed his love for Layal to me, how then Layal confessed her love for Yousif to me, how we planned the whole Fedora thing and how Saif saw us there. The whole time I was telling her all of this, she was hugging me and stroking my hair like a child.  

"Inzain, what were you planning to do about the Saif thing?" Reem finally said.

"M-Madri" I said.

"Inzain ana 3ndy fkra, shraych tomorrow akalm Faisal, w agoola how Saif misunderstood the whole Yousif thing, w en5aly ekalma?" Reem said, with a smile.

"Oh my God! Reem you're a genius! Wallah I love you!" I said, wiping my tears away.

"Hahaha, I know! Yalla, I have to go home bs I love you so so much! If you need anything call!" She said, closing the door behind her.

I wiped my tears and ran downstairs to see if dinner was ready. Mama told me to tell her next time Reem was gonna come over 3shan she can clean the house, but like I told her 100 other times, Reem only cares if we have food; not a clean house. Mama laughed and told me dinner will be ready in a few minutes.

I woke up the next morning feeling so energized. I couldn’t wait to go to school and see what Reem had planned. I BBMed her to see if she had woken up yet, but as usual, she was sleeping and is gonna be late for school. I checked if Saif had read my messages, but he didn’t. I went to the bathroom, took a quick shower, prayed and got into my uniform. I left my hair open and braided my bangs to one side; Reem always said the braid made me look innocent. I went downstairs, got a sandwich from the table and ate it on my way to school.

When I arrived at school, I went and asked Jumanah and Layan if Reem had arrived. "Inty waynch! Makalmtch mnn youm my party!" Jumanah said. "Ee ana b3d! Machftch aw kalamtch mnn youm 7aflat'ha!" Layan stated. I told them I was busy with family things, which was true, and that I didn’t have time to do anything else this weekend. I apologized for not replying to their BBMs and whatsapp messages while my eyes scanned the crowd for Saif, Faisal or Reem. Suddenly, I noticed Reem walking into the building with Faisal!

I kept shifting in my seat, I wanted to get out of class and ask Reem about Faisal. It was first period, we had math so Jumanah was with me. Next period I would have English so Reem would be with me in class. "Yasmeen… Yasmeen! What is the answer to the problem on the board?" our teacher shouted, interrupting my thoughts. "Oh umm… X is equal to 5?" I said, hoping my answer was correct. "Yasmeen… we were talking about the percentage of countries that have a sufficient amount of rainfall each year… X was not involved in the problem." My teacher said, followed by laughter from the whole class. I covered my face with my hands and finally the bell rang.

I ran to English, hoping Reem was there waiting for me. She wasn't, but my teacher was. "Glad you decided to come early, I hope Reem does too." Our teacher said, signaling me to go take my seat. I kept my eyes on the door, hoping Reem would walk in, but no luck. After class we had a short recess so I went to look for Reem. I saw her walking through the corridors, giggling with Faisal. I stood behind the door, trying to listen in to the conversation. I know, wayed f'9ooleya. "Ya 7lw '9a7ktch!" Faisal said looking into Reem's eyes. "Chub Faisal! I need to go find Yasi, I'll talk to you later! Thank you for the Saif thing!" Reem said, with a smile on her face, coming my way. I was so shocked! I ran from the corridor so Reem wouldn’t catch me and went to the playground.

"Hey Yasi! I talked to Faisal, he's gonna talk to Saif now." Reem said, her face glowing.
"Reem… Fe shay baynch w bayn Faisal? I know you guys skipped class together…" I asked Reem.

"Laa Yasmeen! Wallah Laa! You know I would tell you! T3rfeen Faisal, e7b e'3azl… And we've been friends since forever w sometimes we skip class together… it's no big deal." Reem said, with a reassuring smile.

"Emballah Reem, it is a big deal, please be careful! Anyways, thank you wayed and thank Faisal for me." I said, raising my eyebrows up and down when I said Faisal. Reem laughed and walked away.

The rest of the day passed by quickly. I got home, changed and prayed then had lunch. I went upstairs and my phone kept vibrating from the pings. SAIF WAS PINGING ME!!!!!!

*BBM conversation with Saif*
Saif: I'm sorry I misunderstood, can we forget this happened?
Yasmeen: Yes we can xx
Saif: wallah you're such a good friend <3
Yasmeen: Inta b3d! x

Saif continued on by telling me what happened with Jassim and how he was excited to finally meet his family. I was so happy for him and I hope everything turns out okay.

*BBM conversation with Saif*
Saif: inzain lets do something random :D
Yasmeen: okay I'll send you funny pictures LOL

I started sending him pictures then Jumanah asked me to listen to Justin Bieber's new song 'Boyfriend'. I wasn’t a fan of Justin Bieber but I decided to listen to it anyways.

*BBM with Saif*
Yasmeen: LOL Juju 9j mtfar'3a!!
Saif: hahahaha tawch tadreen? Shsawat a7een?
Yasmeen: Tgooly sm3i '3neyat JB LOOOL
Saif: hahahahaha arjooch gooleli el lyrics wnty tsm3een =))
Yasmeen: Inzain dgeega bafta7 lyrics video =))
Saif: Tyt bs la6awleen O:)
Yasmeen: Okay, eggoolk el a5 justin "If I was your boyfriend, I'd never let you go,"
Saif: Inzain w b3dayn? =))
Yasmeen: I can take you places you ain't never been before B)
Saif: LOOL Yalla wadeeeni
Yasmeen: chub 5alny akamel :$
Saif: inshallah O:)
Yasmeen: inzain I'll skip to the chorus =))
Saif: Yalla
Yasmeen: I’d like to be everything you want, Hey girl, let me talk to you
Saif: ee Yalla let me talk to you. Yasmeen, can I be your boyfriend? :$

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Chapter Six


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-Previously- 
I ran upstairs and walked into the living room until my jaw dropped. 
"Yousif shga3d tsawy eb telephony?!" 

 "Shh! Skty w dshy!" Yousif replied, ushering me to come in and close the door behind me. "Na3am?! Ta5th telephony w tabeny askt?" I gave him a 'wth' is that look and was about to walk away. "Yasmeen dshy bsr3a w close the door! Hay mb telephonch, hay telephone Layal!" He said, in a low voice. Why did Yousif have Layal's phone?! Now this was getting weird.

"Yousif shtsawy eb telephone Layal?!" I slightly shouted at Yousif. "Yasmeen, please ga9ry 9otch w dshy." Yousif said with a sigh. I went back into the room and closed the door behind me. I gave Yousif a look that indicated he should continue talking. "Choofi, when you told me about Saif, I was annoyed because… because ana a7b Layal w the way she reacted when you told her… Chna shay 7da 3ady… 5ft ena ehya tkalm w chthy! I just had to make sure… I had to make sure enha mb nafsch…" Yousif said, his head down the whole time. "Na3am? Mb nafsy? Yousif e7trm nafsk shway ha. Ana wayd skat 3ank bs fe 7dood. You could've just talked to me about Layal instead of lashing out on me and saying rude things. I could’ve helped you." I said, looking Yousif straight in the eyes. "9j Yasmeen?! Tra mn9jy I didn't mean anything I said! Honestly, I'm sorry. Tra me and you are like siblings… sometimes I won't like the things you do because I feel the need to protect you…" Yousif said, feeling ashamed of what he did.

I forgave Yousif because Yousif IS like my brother and we do always fight. Saif was worth it but still family will always come first. I told Yousif that I would handle Layal and took our phones and my purse down stairs. "kel thy tyeben 2 phones??" Layal asked curiously. I forgot that I had left Layal alone down stairs and I was probably gone for atleast 10 minutes. "umm, yousif kan ygoly shay. Sorry Layal!!" I said, giving her an angelic look.

On our way home, we stopped at the supermarket to get candy, chips and drinks for our girls night, as usual. We stopped by the DVD shop too and got ourselves a few romantic comedies. We got home, changed into our pajamas, set up the movie in the TV room and got our snacks ready. "inzain agoolch Layal, have you ever thought of Yousif in a different way?" I said, trying to hint to Layal what Yousif told me. "What do you mean? Romantic way?" Layal replied, confused. "Ee, y3ny he's kind and funny, not to mention he his kinda hot..." I said, with a wink. "Yasmeen, sh8a9dch? You like Yousif?! Mb kfaya Saif!!" Layal was shouting. I couldn't believe my ears. How could I love Yousif? Why would I love Yousif?

Layal stormed out of the room and I was pretty annoyed at her so I didn't go after her. I decided to BBM Saif. I feel like I haven't spoken to him in ages; even though it's only been a few hours. Before I could BBM Saif, I got like five pings from Reem.

*BBM conversation with Reem*
Yasmeen:way3a! Shfeech!! -.- 
Reem: Shraych ts2leen 3ani?? :)
Yasmeen: shlonch 7abebti? :* happy??
Reem: lonii pink =))
Yasmeen: agool, chub shway aby a7achy Saif :$
Reem: A55 3la elayam ely knty tkrheen Saif :(
Yasmeen: I love you too O:) Yalla brb

*BBM conversation with Saif* 
Yasmeen: Hello<3
Saif: Ahlain x
Yasmeen: How was your Friday? :D
Saif: umm, you can say it was like every Friday :D, and yours? Xx
Yasmeen: AMAZING, except I had a fight with my cousin :/

"Yasmeen?" Layal interrupted my conversation with Saif, oh well I’ll talk to him later! "Yes Layal?" I said, trying to swallow my laughter. We both burst into laughter because we just couldn’t stay mad at each other! Layal came and sat next to me on the couch. "Yasmeen a7tajagoolch shay…" Layal said, nervously. "Weeh shfeech Layal? Spit it out!" I said, anxiously.

"Yasmeen a7b Yousif!" Layal confessed, covering her face with a pillow to mask her embarrassment. "Awwwww! Tra ehwa e7bch!!!!! That’s why I was complimenting him to you!!!" I said, kind of shouting. "Shhh! F'9a7teni!! And aww 9ijj??" Layal said, her smile covering her whole face. I told her not to tell Yousif anything. 

We made a plan to go to Fedora and I would sit and talk to Yousif alone, then Layal could join us. I BBMed Yousif and told him to meet me at Fedora at 4 tomorrow. Before I could go back to BBMing Saif, Layal took my phone and said I should respect girl's night. We watched three romantic comedies, stuffed our faces with junk food and fell asleep at 4 AM. 

"Yalla Yasmeen, Layal, wake up!! What this, it is 1 PM and you still sleep??" Julie my maid shouted, trying to wake us up. "Uff Yasmeen a5r mara anam baitkum! Kela t5aleny as'har!" Layal said, trying to cover her ears with her pillow. "You say that every week." I said, with a yawn. "Enzain Yalla goomyy!!! Aby ajahaz!!" Layal said, trying to make me move. "Layal… Tawha 1… you have 3 hours…" I said, looking at Layal like a crazy person. "Ee Yalla! That’s not even enough time! We need to find me something cute to wear!" Layal said, pulling me upstairs to my room. 

We washed our faces and prayed. Layal started trying on all of my clothes, since we were the same size. Half of my closet was on my bed because, one, my style was VERY different from Layal's style and two, because Layal couldn't decide on one thing to wear. She finally decided to wear navy jeans, a simple top and a blazer. I wore jeans and very light sweater (Bahrain's heat is too unbearable for a heavy sweater) and we were off to Fedora. 

When we arrived, I changed my bbm status to '@ Fedora' and asked Yousif where he was sitting. I told Layal to stay in the car until I finished talking to Yousif. When I went to the door of the coffee shop, Yousif ushered me to his table. 

-SAIF'S POINT OF VIEW- 
I checked my recent updates and noticed Yasmeen had changed her status to '@ Fedora' so I took this as an opportunity to ask Jassim if he wanted to meet up. 

*BBM conversation with Jassim*
Saif: halla Jassim 
Jassim: halla walla 
Saif: ha taby we meet up? 
Jassim: Ee, halla wayn? 
Saif: Shrayk enroo7 Fedora ely fel Reem Centre? 
Jassim: enzain achoofk in 20 minutes zain? 
Saif: Ee yalla, twakal 3la Allah 

 I wanted to see Yasmeen, so I left the house right away. 

-BACK TO YASMEEN'S POV-
 I walked in and sat at the table with Yousif. He wanted to know everything right away, so I didn't keep him waiting. I told him about my conversation with Layal last night, and how she confessed her love for him to me. He was so happy, I couldn't help but smile! "Wallah you guys are gonna be so cute together!" I blurted out with a laugh. "shda3wa ana makint adry ena e7na bunkoon cute together?" Yousif said, sarcastically. I couldn't help but laugh. 

"Yasmeen?! Mn thy?!" an angry Saif said, standing in front of me. "Saif! It's not what it looks like! He's my cousin!" I tried to tell him that but he stormed out of the cafe before he could hear me. I seriously didn't know what to do.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Chapter Five

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**This chapter is written from Saif's point of view. Enjoy!**

Wa3. Fridays. I hate this day! My step mom drags me to her family's house with my half sister Noorah and I get weird stares from the family. While my dad, step mom and half sister get to play the role of the happy family.

My step mom is the opposite of my real mom; from what I see in the pictures. She would wear a pound of makeup every day, even if we weren't going anywhere. While my mom, who I saw as beautiful, didn't even need lipstick because of how pink her lips already were. My mother was always laughing; from what I see in the few home videos we still own. Whereas my step mom preferred to give people dirty looks because she thought she was better than everyone.

"Saif! Yalla bnroo7!" my step mom called out in an annoyed tone. Why doesn't she understand that if I don't answer it means I don't want to go? *Knock! Knock!* "Umm, Saif?" Noorah said, hesitant to open the door. "Na3am Noorah?" I called her in with a sigh. "Umm... Umy tgoolk ena bnroo7..." Noorah replied. Noorah was a very sweet girl, she was innocent. She never tried rubbing in her relationship with my father in my face. She never called me bad names or treated me poorly, even though her mother belittled me in front of her multiple times. My relationship with Noorah was like the relationship between mere strangers crossing paths. We never warmed up to each other because she knows we could never have a "brother/sister" relationship if my father kept treating me the way he does.

"Saif!! Yalla 3ad 3n eldala3, roo7 el sayara!!!" my step mother said, while barging into my room.
"Uff Ana glt lch mala da3y aroo7 azoor ahlch!!!" I replied, a bit too loud.
"na3aam? Agoolk emsh a7een jdamy lanady ubook e3almk shlon trd 3la umk"
"na3am na3am na3am?! Umy?! HAH '9a7akteny!! Youm ely it rains sheep b3dayn t9eren Umy"
"Ana umk 8a9ban 3ank! 3ayal thech ely madfoona umk?"

I was about to slap her when my dad came in. He simply took my stepmom and Noorah and they left me all alone as usual. He didn't even look my way, let alone talk to me.

"Saif, don't worry about lunch, I have some machboos from yesterday lunch I heat up for you" my housemaid Sally said with a reassuring smile from beside my door.
"No thank you Sally, I'm not hungry and today's your day off! Go see your family!"
"No Saif, I raise you like my son, I bring for you machboos now."

Sally was hired to raise me after my mother passed away while giving birth to me. My father didn't want to have to raise me. Sally's the only family I have thanks to my father. He cut off his family and my mother's family after her passing and I don't even know any of my cousins, aunts or uncles. I don't even know IF I have cousins or aunts or uncles.

Sally came in with a plate of rice and chicken, some salad and a glass of water on a tray. I told her I was fine and that she should go see her children now. I was officially alone after that.

After having lunch, I took my dishes to the kitchen and I decided to check my phone. Yasmeen had her status as "with my family<3" so I decided I wasn't going to bother her. I didnt want to tell Yasmeen about my relationship with my family, or how my dad didnt even acknowledge my existence. I wanted Yasmeen to know me for me, not for my family. I went through my twitter and my timeline was filled with tweets about how good baryani yadat'hum w how crazy little cousins can be. I longed for the feeling of being loved by a whole crazy, dysfunctional family. I decided I'd check my followers and I noticed I had a new one. His name was JassimAlX. I decided I'd follow him back and I locked my phone.

Four hours later, my so called family came home. No one bothered checking if I was home or if I had eaten lunch. They had gotten take out and were eating in the living room laughing about something one of Noorah's cousin's did. After they finished eating, Noorah knocked on my door lightly.

"na3am?" I replied to the knocking.
"Saif Ana Noorah, can I come in?" Noorah said, her kind voice killed me with guilt. She came in and gave me a plate with two slices of pizzas and left.

I hated the fact that Noorah had to grow up seeing my dad act the way he does with me. I didn't want her to see that side of him because it wasn't her fault. And I didn't want her to see her mother treat me the way she does, because she deserved to only see her mother's kind, affectionate side. No, I didn't hate Noorah. And yes, under different circumstances I would have treated her as my sister. But I just couldn't. She couldn't. She knows it wouldn't be fair to me to treat her like I was her brother if I felt like a stranger with my own father and she was his little princess. It isn't fair for her to get to loving parents when all I had was a nanny. It wasn't fair.

I received a bbm from Faisal. Every Friday, Faisal would bbm me asking me if I wanted some of their lunch and telling me I should take his offer and go to his family's house on Fridays because they all love and know me. And every Friday I reply "Mashkoor, bs tadry I won't be comfortable weya ahlk." Faisal was like a brother to me. Kan yt'hawash ma3ay, esbny, ekaf5ny, bs he always had my back no matter what. I didn't want Faisal to think of me as a charity case just because my family was like this. Some people didn't even have houses to live in. Al7mdlah 3la kel 7al.

*Dling!* I received a DM. I switched to twitter and open up my DM's. It was a DM from my new follower, JassimAlX.

*DM's with Jassim*
JassimAlX: Hey Saif, enta mat3arfny bs ana a3arfk, w I need to talk to you '9aroori.

I was confused. I tried recalling all of the Jassim's I knew, but I'm in touch with all of them and I don't recall knowing anyone from that family.

*Back to DM's with Jassim*

SaifAlX: Hey, umm shlon t3arfny? W shnw taby tkalmny feh?

JassimAlX: Saif, ana wld 3amtk Sameera. We've never met and the family yabon e3arfoonk. I know you didn't even know you had 3amat w 3mam bs yabon e3arfoonk.

SaifAlX: How do I know ena you're not lying?

JassimAlX: Add me on bbm, I'll show you something. Pin:2XXXXXXX

I was shocked. Did I actually have a family? Was this guy actually my cousin? Or was it some kind of cruel joke? I added him on bbm and he sent me a picture straight away.

He sent me two pictures, one of him and the whole family and an older one that had my mother and father in it.

*BBM Chat with Jassim*

Saif: Okay 9adagtk a7een. How did you find me? Shlon 3raftw ena samany Saif? Why now?

Jassim: I know ena 3ndk wayed as2la w I will answer all of them lat5af bs aham shay enk 9adagtny.

Saif: 9adgtk bs aby answers, please.

Jassim: before you were born, your mother and father were determined to call you Saif, so I just assumed ena samok Saif. 3gb ma wldok, we didn't hear from your father ever again. He changed all of his numbers and changed houses so it was impossible to find him. Now that I'm older and you're older, I decided I'd take the the chance to look you up on twitter because most of the population has twitter.

Saif: Mb em9adg ena the family is still looking for me after all these years. Bagoolk, Cham 3mrk int?

Jassim: I'm 18 years old. W 3ndy 2 sisters, Noor and Manal a9'3ar mny. You have 3 aunts, Umy Sameera, Sarah and Seham. W 3ndk 2 uncles, Bader and Ahmed. Etha taby, you can meet the family next Friday.

Saif: I would love to meet the family bs I still have to think about it. Ya3ny this is a lot to take in in one day.

Jassim: ee I know, I would love to meet up with you b3d 3shan I tell you about everything. I'm so glad ena 6la3 hay int.

Saif: el7mdelah. Sure we'll plan something soon.

I was so overwhelmed. I wasn't even sure that I wasn't dreaming. This was too much. I wanted to tell Faisal about what happened but in my heart I really just wanted to talk to Yasmeen after this long day. I needed HER to help me with my decision. I knew I liked her, but I don't want to ask her to be with me ela after ma I show her that I'm serious about her.

I had to make sure my father and step mom didn't find out about Jassim or the family. This had to be top secret.


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Chapter Four

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@BHconfessions: @YasmeenAlX someone says I've liked you ever since you helped me in the sandbox and gave me your juice box; I'm sorry if I hurt you.

I just stared at my phone and smiled like an idiot. I felt my cheeks getting hot and I was blushing like crazy. I added the tweets to my favorites and quickly switched to bbm.

*BBM chat with Saif*

Yasmeen: AWWWWW Saif!!! That was soooo sweet!! Bs shnw ga9dik by liked? ;p
Saif: Just wanted to tell you how I felt O:) x
Yasmeen: hahahaha okay, I like you too then xx
Saif: hahaha a5jalteni!
Yasmeen: shouldn't I be saying that? ;p
Saif: Hahahaha yeah :$

The conversation went on with us flirting and me smiling like an idiot. I knew my feelings towards Saif were wrong, but it felt so right talking to him. He gave me a feeling of comfort I couldn’t even explain! We would talk for hours about the simplest and most random things ever! And he would throw in a cheesy pick up line every now and then and I'd just laugh. What we had was perfect. We weren't exactly together officially, so that’s what scared me the most when I thought about what would happen if I'd ever lose Saif. But I try to not think about it that much because I want to focus on how happy I am now with him now.

-Friday morning-

I woke up to the sound of Julie shouting at my brothers to stop running in the hallway. I tried to cover up my ears with a pillow; and failed. My mom came in and told me I should start getting ready for the family gathering. I was so excited that I actually jumped out of bed! I missed my cousins so much! Last week I couldn’t see them because 3amity had the family lunch at her place so I couldn’t go to bait yadity. I wasn’t very close with my dad's side of the family but I do love them like crazy. All of the girls and guys my age didn’t share any of my interests and vise versa so we just decided we'd stick to polite small talk every time we saw each other. But my relationship with my mom's side of the family is completely different. Layal, bint 5alty Sharifa, has been one of my best friends since birth! And so was Yousif, wild 5aly Salman. Me, Layal and Yousif have been inseparable ever since we were babies; even though Yousif and Layal were a year older.

 I ran to my bathroom and took a refreshing shower. I slightly dried my hair with my blow dryer, prayed and got dressed. I wore black, leather leggings with a long, light, beige sweater on top, black flats and I wore my black Chanel shoulder bag across my chest. I added a chunky necklace and a few bracelets, some mascara and light red lip gloss and I quickly fishtail braided my hair on the side but left my bangs out. I ran downstairs and heard my dad honking. I quickly ran outside and jumped in the car. "Chan mayeti b3d?" 3essa said with an annoyed look on his face. "chub." I replied pushing him lightly. "yallah 3ad 3an el kalam elfa'9y. Yalla twakalna 3l Allah?" My dad said, giving us the "don't fight" look. We all gave him our "shsawayna?" angel faces and laughed. Baba laughed too and we were off to my grandparent's house.

We pulled into my grandparent's villa, a 3 story house with a big, beautiful garden that held most of our barbeques. It had a huge swimming pool that my cousins and I learned to swim in. I ran into the house, and made my way to the living room. I kissed my grandparent's foreheads and went to each of my aunts and uncles and salamt 3layhum. I was running upstairs to our private "kids" living room when I was interrupted by Fatimah. Fatimah has always wanted to join our group, and we have tried letting her in, but she always just tells us swalifna bay5a and tells our parents she doesn't want to sit with us because all we do is talk about flirting. And then the next Friday comes along and she asks us if she could sit with us AGAIN. We stopped letting her in after she made fun of a big problem Layal was having. So, now we hate her. "Hi Yasi!!" Fatimah said with a fake smile. "It's Yasmeen." I said under my breath. "Shnw??" Fatimah said, overly excited. "La wala shay, Hi!" I gave her a fake smile back and walked away.

I ran into the living room and gave Layal a huge hug. I awkwardly shook Yousif's hand and we burst into laughter. After exchanging "hello's", "sha5bar's" and "I've missed you's", I remembered that I didn't check my phone at all today. I skipped all of the broadcasts and jumped to Saif's conversation.

*BBM Chat with Saif*

Saif: Good morning Gorgeous x
Saif: You're still asleep?
Saif: PING!!! PING!!! PING!!!
Saif: Yasi, feech shay?!
Saif: Yasmeen!!!

I was smiling like crazy.

Yasmeen: Hello xx
Yasmeen: Sorry, I wasn’t able to check my phone :( sorry!
Saif: 5ara3teeny! Knt bayee baitkum a6aman 3laych :$
Yasmeen: ee ana b3d agool ;p
Saif: Chub! Mn 9jj knt 5ayf 3laych!
Yasmeen: awww :*

I was so wrapped up in my conversation with Saif that I didn’t notice Layal and Yousif staring at me. "Spill it." Layal said, with a devilish smile on her face. I looked at them with an innocent face on and said "spill what?" Layal gave Yousif a look and grabbed my phone. Yousif was holding me down and we were both laughing so hard! After layal finished reading the conversation, she told Yousif he could let go of me and she handed me my phone. "Mta knty nawya t5abrena inshallah yal bay5a?" Layal said, pouting. "Wallah I was just gonna tell you guys ela inty bgty my phone." I gave her an annoyed look. "Hahahaha e9eer tda5lony fel salfa?" Yousif said, confused. "Ee, ana b3d!!" Fatimah interrupted, ever so enthusiastically. "5air? Come on, let's go somewhere else." Layal indicated that we should get up. "La 5alkum, I know when I'm not wanted. 5alkum, 5al el em'3azal ynfa3kum." Fatimah said, with hints of jealousy in her voice. "Uff ta8hr!! Shlon thy t9eer 7g nas awesome nafsna?" Yousif said, exaggerating of course. I laughed and slapped Yousif's arm. Yousif has always been like a brother to me. I have to admit there is a bit of chemistry between us but I've always felt like there was something between him and Layal. 

 "Inzain yalla shsalfa?" Yousif blurted out. I told them about the school site, how Saif followed me on twitter, how we talked at the party and about the confessions tweet. "Madry, a7s eny I'm falling for him bs I know it's wrong! W I don’t even know if he feels the same was..." I confessed. "Awwwwww!!" Layal squealed and gave me a hug, while Yousif was just giving me a "look".

"Youthif sfeek?" I said in a baby voice that always makes him laugh.
"Madry wallah, achoofch mt'3ayra." He said, in a very serious tone.
"What the? Yousif mn9jk?"
"Ee mn9jy! Never mind."
"Yousif!" I called out to him but he had stormed out of the room.

Tears started to form in my eyes and Layal came and held me while I sobbed.
"7bebti Yasi don’t cry! Yousif is just being a drama queen! 5ly ewaly marada byhda2 w beye!" Layal said, trying to comfort me. "But he's making me feel so guilty! K2na – k2na I'm – doing something wrong." I said between sobs. Layal kept trying to make me feel better and started to wipe my smeared mascara off my face. How could Yousif be so mean?

Fatimah came into the living room to call us down for lunch and she saw Layal wiping my tears. "Weeh, shfech tabchen Yasmeno?" she said ever so fakely. "Mafeha shay. Kana nazleen. You can leave now." Layal said, indicating ina klsh mb 7azat'ha. Fatimah gave her a look and left us. Layal wiped my final tears with her thumbs and dragged me downstairs.

I wasn’t in the mood at ALL to see Yousif or eat lunch. Layal and I sat at the far end of the table instead of our usual seats next to Yousif, which gave Fatimah a chance to sit next to him. Fatimah has always liked Yousif and that was partly why she wanted to be in our group. She never admitted it but we always knew by the way she looked at him and how she acted around him.

"Yasmeen, Layal, shfekum g3adtaw hnak? W shfech Yasmeen matakleen? Sh9ayer?" My Aunt Sharifa asked curiously.
"Ee, madry shsalfat'hum, 7ta Yasmeen kanat tabchy gabel shway." Fatimah said, with a fake concerned look on her face.

I was seconds away from strangling Fatimah.

"Yasmeen 7abebti knty tabcheen?!" My mother asked in caring voice.

Yousif was looking at the floor. Ashamed of what he did.

"Laa 5alaty, mafy shay tra! Yasmeen kanat tgra 89a w t2thrat bel nhaya! T3rfen bntch shlon 7asasa." Layal blurted out, giggling at the end.

I was so thankful that I had Layal! She always knew how to react.

Yousif went upstairs before us because he couldn’t stand seeing me. And I couldn’t stand seeing him. I told Layal I was gonna go get my purse and my phone and we could go back to my place. It was tradition that one of us would sleep at the others house each week. Each week it was her house or my house. Fatimah would get so jealous and this week I was happy to rub it in.

I ran upstairs and walked into the living room until my jaw dropped.

"Yousif shga3d tsawy eb telephony?!"