Welcome to the cruel world. Chapter 19.

Hi, guys! i missed you so much. i'm so so so sorry for the extremely late posts. :( Well enjoy and please give me feedback, i've missed your comments so much!

Who knew, me, the girl who was disgusted by the term "love/in love" would say those 3 magical words one day to someone who truly meant something special to her. 

"I love you" i said again, this time with a smile. Seeing his shocked face it only meant one of the two possibilities; 

1-he was shocked.

2-he was shocked. 

It took approximately 7 minutes for him to swallow his saliva and open his mouth to say something and the second he did my nanny, Mila, opened the door yelling, "Why you still outside? come come in!" while waving to get inside the house. And thats when i realised that i was still in Khaled's arms so i got out of his arms with my cheeks flushed and almost ran inside, ignoring Mila's knowingly/smirky looks. 

I didn't see Khaled the rest of the day, i was too busy looking for a flight for London but i knew that i had to tell my granny about why I'm going to London, but i really don't know how to start..

While i was laying on the bed,checking flights for London walked a pouting Abdullah. 

"Hey, shfeeik baby boo?" I asked Abdullah while getting out of bed to pick him up. 

"You forgot to read me a bed time story. Norah is bad. :(" He replied with a sad tone. 

"Awww, baby. :( I'm so sorry." I said while kissing his cheek. "Let me make it up for you?" I asked while laying him on my bed and laying down myself, facing him. 

"Okay!" He said with a cheesy grin. 

"Yaay." I said while opening my drawer from my bedside table and taking one of his favourite stories. 

"Yallah, lets start. Once upon a time….." i was almost halfway through the story when i heard his little snores. I smiled, closed the book, kissed his cheek and got out of bed but not without tucking him in first. 

It was 1am when i finally closed my laptop and went to brush my teeth and wash my face for bed. When i got out of the bathroom i got a text that said, "Can you please come outside in the backyard?" and the text was listed under Khaled's name. I got butterflies in my stomach and rushed to the mirror to see how i looked; i was in my hello kitty pants, a black tank top, my waist length hair in a messy ponytail and not a trace of makeup on my face. i decided to wear a jacket and go outside to see what he wants. I grabbed my black jacket and wore my black toms and headed out. 

It was kinda chilly out side which was strange so i wrapped the jacket over me a bit tighter. I saw a figure sitting on the swing and i knew it was Khaled, mainly cause he said that he'd be outside…

"Hey," i said making him jump. "Hey," he replied looking at me. "Sooooooo, why'd you want to see me?" I asked while sitting on the other swing which was next to him. he sighed and said, "i don't know how you do it.." "Do what?" i asked confusingly. "Make me Goddamn crazy about you." he said, looking straight into my eyes. He turned his body and swing so he'd face me and said, "I think about you 24/7, your face is printed in my mind and i can't let you out and quite frankly, i don't want you to. But this feeling scares me, i have never felt this way towards a girl before, i swear to you. It scares me because I'm so terrified of losing you and thats what makes me even more crazier. Norah, i love you, and if you let me i'll make you the happiest person on earth if you do me the honour of being mine, and only mine." He said oh, so quickly that i was afraid that he wasn't breathing.. 

"I- I don't know what to say.." i said, while pulling my hand away from his, i was so shocked with his words that i don't even remember when he held my hand. 

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know how i felt about you." he said

I opened up my mouth to say something, anything! but i closed it moments later.. i needed time to think. 

"I- I need time to think.." i said

"I.. I understand. Take all the time you need and remember that i will be waiting for you, always." He said with a sad smile. 

He took my hand in his, placed a warm kiss on it. My cheeks started flushing (as usual) and i said almost in a whisper "I have to go back inside, it's getting late", he nodded in approval and waited for me to go inside and after a few minutes he followed my trail. 

I woke up the next morning feeling a heavy weight on my chest. I opened one eye and saw the most adorable thing on the planet. I saw my brother's arms hugging my side while laying his face on my chest with his mouth open and a few  drops of his saliva were covering my shirt but i didn't seem to care. I kissed his forehead and nudged him slowly so he'd wake up. 

"C'mon, boo. Wakey, wakey." I said in a soft voice while trying to untangle his arms around me. 

"Nooooooo." He replied with his eyes still closed. 

"If you wake up now i'll make you pancakes with lots and lots of syrup!" i said in a cheery voice.

Two seconds after i said that i saw him jump out of my arms and headed to the bathroom. 

I laughed at him cause i know that pancakes are his biggest weakness. 

I freshened up in the other bathroom, combed my hair and went downstairs to the kitchen. I saw something or someone to be exact that made me drop my jaw to the ground.. 

I saw a sleepy Khalid with his hair all messed up and his adorable sleepy face and adorable everything sitting on the bar stool drinking his daily cup or cups of coffee. He didn't notice me cause well, he is half asleep so i said good morning and headed inside the kitchen to grab the nessacary things to make pancakes. 

"Good morning, beautiful." His eyes suddenly lit up like a kid's eyes when he sees a crowd of gifts on their birthday.

I had my back to him so he couldn't see his effect on me. "How are you?" I asked while making the pancakes.

We continued chit-chatting until everyone including a very happy Abdullah came downstairs for breakfast. 

I kissed my granny's forehead and thought i'd tell her about my plans to go to London. 

"Yumma, abe agoulich shay." 

"Hala 7abeebty, go ahead."

"Umm.. Well.. Argh.." i started stuttering.

"Yumma, Norah tabu tgoulich ena ana weyaha nabi safer London since she never left the country and with our extended holiday i thought it would be nice to go." Khalid jumped in, saving me.

"Eeh khoush fekra! Rou7aw have fun. Tell me how much the tickets costs and everything and i'll transfer the money to your bank accounts." She said in happy voice.

"But.. what about me?" Asked a pouting Abdullah. His face broke my heart into tiny pieces, we were never left apart and this trip would be a challenge cause i would miss him, a lot.

"Oh, boo." i said while reaching out to him and hugging him. "It's only for a few weeks and i'll be back with lots of toys for you!" i said trying to cheer him up. 

He nodded in acceptance after a few moments. 

I let him go and went back to my granny. "Mashkoura, yumma. This means a lot to me." i said while hugging her. 

"Anything for you." She replied while holding my cheek in her wrinkled hand.

-A few days later.

"Did you take all my bags?" I asked Khalid while walking in the gate of Heathrow Airport thats in London. 

"For the billionth time, yes." He replied, annoyed cause he didn't sleep during the flight.

"Jeez, i'm just making sure."

After checking in into our rooms, i fell face forward on my bed. I heard him putting the bags on the floor. I mean, c'mon, i gotta take advantage of his muscles. 

After unloading them he sat on the sofa and faced me while saying, "So are you ready to see your mom?"

I took a big breath and said, "As ready as i'll ever be." but not really believing it, for truth to be told, i was terrified. 

I hope you liked it!

Comments?

-@Chanceinloveq8

Welcome to the cruel world. Chapter 18

As if my brain needed another shock, another thing to worry/think about. as if the things i had on my plate aren't enough, now i find out that my mom, thats if she still deserves that title, was or in London, getting treated from a disease we knew nothing about.

i took some deep breaths and told Khaled to wait for me outside, after an unsure look he left, leaving me and someone who knew stuff about my mother that even her own daughter doesn't know.

I sat down, right in front of his desk, my eyes and voice showed firmness when i said, "Dr. i want you to tell me everything about my mom, i don't care how long it takes, you tell me everything, right? she owns me that much and so do you."

After a moment of hesitation, he opened his mouth and started telling me everything from A-Z. He told me how the symptoms started showing when i was 12, and she hid the disease from us till it got worse and she told "him" about it and he didn't even care. When i turned 13, thats when she thought i was mature enough to leave me, to leave us, alone with him, the beast. She went to London for treatment, not telling anybody except for her Dr.

The whole time he was telling me this, one thought was roaming in my head; why didn't she take us with her? why did she leave me, leave us with him, when she knew he was crazy, crazy with her and even crazier without her.

He stopped and looked at me, waiting for my reaction. Every time i open up my mouth to say something, anything, i start to choke up on my own words. After 5 long minutes of me not saying anything, he said in a soft voice, "Norah, i have a very important meeting now, i'm early sorry that you had to find this out this way, i'm deeply sorry."

I opened up my mouth again and this time i spoke up, "Its fine, really. i had to find out, one way or another." i gave him a warm, reassuring smile. And it was really fine, its not like it was his fault.

i got up, and he did also. i shook his hand and turned my direction to the door. As soon as i opened the door i saw Khaled getting up from his seat and almost ran to me.

"Ha, shagal? Are you okay? Where is your mom now?" he started asking me a question after another. i wasn't even sure that we breathed between each question..

"I'll tell you everything in the car, but lets go to the reception so i'd take the blood test." i wanted this day to be over already. He nodded his head as an "ok" and we did everything; filled out the necessary forms and after waiting for 15mins for my turn we were finally done and heading to the car.

I started to get lightheaded so Khaled insisted on getting me orange juice so the dizziness would go away. On our way back i told him everything that Dr. David told me. After i finished telling him everything i turned my head to see him, waiting for his reaction. He didn't say anything until he parked outside our granny's house.

"Well, that sucks." He said, not even looking at me. "Tell me something i don't know." i said after sighing. I was just about to leave the car when he started speaking again, "Norah, we have to go to your mom. you have to hear this from her."

"i wish if it was that easy, Khaled.."

"IT IS EASY! its not fair for you nor for Abdullah! He deserves to know his mother, doesn't he?"

i didn't reply…. i hated yelling. it reminds me a lot of him…

i guess he knew i was scared..

"Norah, I'm sorry for yelling wallah i didn't mean to.." he said, his voice showing how sorry he was.

i gave him a small smile and said, "its fine, i know you didn't mean it."

"Good."

we kept staring into each others eyes for God knows how long till my phone started ringing, Dammit -.-

i answered without even looking at the caller's ID.

"Hello?" i said into the phone while getting out of the car. "Norah?" Said the other voice which i recognised as Dr. David's voice.

"Yes, whats up, Dr.?" i said shrugging my shoulders to Khaled's "What does he want?"

"Well, Norah, the reception were gonna call you but i wanted to personally tell you this." i was confused..

"What do you mean?"

"Well, i pulled some strings and managed to get your blood test done, so I'm happy to tell you that it turned out to be negative, you don't have cancer!" i started screaming, like literally screaming/crying on our front porch. i screamed out the words thank you into the phone so many times that i lost count, Khaled was giving me confused looks 'cause he didn't know what was happening.

Everything happened so quickly that threw my phone and ran and hugged him with all my might! "I DONT HAVE CANCER, KHALED!!!" After a few moments and hugged me back and started crying, yes, he was crying. "Oh, thank God! i thought i was gonna lose you" and in that moment i realised something…

i broke off our hug and started wiping his tears with my thumbs, leaving them to linger a bit on his moist cheeks. i stared deeply into his eyes and said 3 words that i never ever ever thought i would say..

"i love you."

-Comments?
@chanceinloveq8

Welcome to the cruel world. Chapter 17.

I apologize for being late; I've had loads of quizzes and school work and I couldn't find any free time to write. Also I'm gonna start my midterms in almost two weeks so bare with my slow posts. Without further ado, here is chapter 17:*

WARNING: short post coming up.








-Khaled's Point Of View:

I couldn't believe it, I just couldn't. the thought of that possibility isn’t going through my brain and I won't allow it! I can't bear to imagine Norah, MY NORAH, in needles and connected to all sorts of machines. I wanted to go punch the light of day out of that doctor but I knew it wasn’t his fault. I took a look at Norah's face and wish I hadn’t. she had silent tears streaming down her face, her eyes wide open and her hand clutching her chest as if she couldn’t breathe. She needed me now more than ever, Dr. David gave us one last smile and left his office to give us a few minutes alone while we register the thought of Norah having cancer.

I hesitated to go sit next to her but I do so anyway, "Norah?" I said in a soft voice, almost a whisper. No answer. "Norah? Ga3da tsm3eeny?" I asked.. still no answer. I was about to ask her again when she suddenly gasped and started crying out loud. :') "i..i..i can't.. NO. he must got it all wrong. Yes there is no way I have cancer. No, no, no, no and NO" she started mumbling to herself as if I'm not there, trying to convince herself that she was fine, and she is!

"Norah, look at me" I said, sitting on my knees in front of her. She didn’t, its like im not even there. "NORAH, look at me," I said while holding her chin with my fingers softly, making her acknowledge my existence. We locked eyes and her bottom lip started wobbling, a sign that she was going to start crying again. "hey hey," I said while wiping a stray tear with me index finger, "you're going to be okay, got it?" I said with firmness in my voice cause god knows if she started crying I'm gonna cry with her. "the doctor didn’t say it was for sure, remember? How about we ask him to come back again so we'd ask our questions?" I said while rubbing my finger against her left blushing cheek. "okay.." she said while nodding her head. I got up and went to look for the doctor.





-Norah's Point Of View:

I don’t want this. I don’t want to live my life laying in hospital beds, having my hair fall down, not being in the mood for anything that requires effort. I DON’T WANT THIS. I have seen what cancer does to its patients and that’s the thing, I don’t want to be one of cancers patients. I want to graduate from college, I want to see Abdullah go to his first day at school, I want to get married, have children, have a family of my own..

I don’t want my mind to wander off, I just want to pray that the doctors "theory" isn’t correct. Whilst taking deep breaths, Dr. David and Khaled walked inside the room, Khaled giving me a small smile whereas Dr. David is giving me a guilty one.

We began asking our questions which consisted of "how will I fight it?" "when do I take a test to check if I have cancer?" "what type of cancer?" and so they go on….



We had to wrap it up and come back another time since he has an appointment. As we're heading out he said, "I'm surprised you didn’t take a blood test sooner, since your mom was a cancer patient." Woah, what? Both Khaled and I stopped in our tracks, I turned around so fast that I got dizzy for a bit but I didn’t care. "excuse me?" I said, hoping what just came out of his mouth was un-correct. "I don’t understand.." Khaled said in the background. I could tell Dr. David was dumbfolded by my shocking face. "don’t you know?" he asked in a confused voice. "know what??" I asked, my temper getting the best of me. "your mom had breast cancer and she was in London for medical treatment…" he said.





Dun dun dunnnnnn^.^

-Comments?

@chanceinloveq8

Welcome to the cruel world. Chapter 16

we both had our eyes wide open in fear,staring at the blood on my hands. my blood.
"Norah.." he started to say but i cut him off saying, "its nothing, i probably bit my tongue or something and thats the result. i'm fine. i'm fine." i started babbling trying to convince myself rather than Khaled. His eyes were still wide but this time they were looking at me with fear. i knew in the back of my head that something was wrong with me but i kept it in. i don't need to burden people with my problems more than i have done the past year. "Okay, whatever you say. at least let me tuck you in bed and we'll deal with this tomorrow." he said, putting his hand on my back, guiding me out of the bathroom. he helped me sit down on my bed and went back to the bathroom to grab a wet towel to wash away the blood. my b l o o d. My mind was thinking a million thoughts per second. Khaled came back and started to clean my hands but i wasn't paying any attention cause my eyes were focused on Abdullah's face, fearing that one day, he'll be all alone. no mother. no father. no siblings. i started to get teary eyes but i held them back, not wanting to be venerable in front of Khaled.

"Noraahhh" Khaled said while waving his hand in front of my face. apparently, my mind and i were drifting apart.
"Yeaah?"i said, trying not to show any trace of sadness. doing what i'm best at: pretending.
"you okay, beautiful?" he said with utter care that i alms blushed at hearing that last word but then i remembered the "incident" earlier today at the avenues and i kept a straight face.
"hmm, yeah.. just peachy" i said, while fake smiling.
"oh, okay. then i'll let you sleep.." he said, feeling that he wasn't welcome anymore but before he left he tucked me into bed, said the m3wthat then he snuck a kiss to my forehead and left. of course i started blushing at that BUT, when he left.

i kept tossing ad turning in my sleep for quite some time and i was getting sick of not being able to go bak to sleep so i got up and twthait and started reading Quran till it was time for alFajer prayer. El7mdellah, i felt much better.

after i prayed it was a quarter to 6-ish so i decided to go downstairs to cook breakfast for everyone since my grandma always insists on waking us up pretty early on every Friday morning so we'd spend some family time with each other. it was our housekeepers day off so thats more of a reason to cook. i made some eggs and pancakes and whilst making french toast my nana and Abdullah came down and shortly after, Nawal came down with her messy hair and she almost ran to the coffee machine. i think i'm the only one in this family, Abdullah is an exception, who doesn't like coffee -shudders- i cant stand the smell of it. after Nawal came Dana and was followed by Khaled. now the whole family were here -minus the parents who are out of town for business-

"I smell some goodies hereeee" Dana said while sniffing the air. i think the only thing she likes about me is my cooking. "Haha, yes. dig in guys." before i even finished that sentence everyone was stuffing their food inside their mouths as if they were starving for weeks.

"GOD BLESS YOU." Nawal yelled while putting the last bite inside her mouth.

everyone was complimenting my cooking and i was smiling, ready to reply but my ringing phone interrupted me, i checked the caller i.d and it had DR. David written on my screen. "excuse me, guys."i said, going to the other room so i'd take the call.

"hello, DR David?" i said.
"yes, if this Norah Al-x?" a deep voice replied.
"yes, are we still up for today?" i said, being all professional "not really"
"yeah, at 4."
"good, see you at 4." i said then we exchanged our goodbyes then hung up. i turned around since i was giving the door my back and when i did i found an angry Khaled.

"men hatha?" he said, looking at me with accusing eyes. i was going to tease him and say that that was none of his business but i didn't want any trouble so i simply replied with, " that was the family doctor, David in case you forgot. "oh.." he said. "yeah.." i said, looking anywhere but him. he was leaning on the door so if i wanted to get out i had to pass him. ughhh. i started walking to the door and just as i was inches away from it, he grabbed my arm, oh so softly and said in a caring but dominate voice, "i'm coming with you." i was lost for words, i don't know why but i was. i was dumb-folded. i could only reply with "okay" since the heat of his hand on my arm wasn't helping m brain function and form words other than that one. he gave me his million dollar smile and released my arm so id pass.


it was 11:30am now and all the girls have changed and the guys "Khaled & Adbullah" were wearing their dishdasha's so they'd pray the friday prayer at the mosque. i was wearing a pencil skirt and a peplum lace shirt, my hair in waves and my makeup was simple yet noticeable. Nawal was wearing a beautiful green dress that hugged her curves but in a modest way, her hair was straight and her makeup was daring with her smoky eyeshadow, blood red lipstick and her bronze yet pink cheeks. Dana was wearing something that didn't appeal to her age but i'm not her parent so i can't say anything. she had her long brown hair into a messy yet perfect bun. her eyeliner so thick that you can barely see the whiteness in her eyes, her bright red lips and her extra tight jeans and shirt.

Khaled was waiting downstairs by the door for Abdullah so they'd both go to 9alat elym3a together. so cute:') i was walking downstairs my eyes focused on my feet so i wouldn't fall down and while doing so i heard a gasp coming from someone who was downstairs, when i lifted my head up i saw Khaled and his jaw was wide open, his eyes almost bulging out. i became insecure and started to fix my hair hoping i didn't embarrass myself yet, he was still staring.

"What?"i asked.
no answer..
"hello, earth to Khaled?" i said again
still no answer.
i walked down and stood in front of him with one of my hands on my hips and the other i used so i'd snap my fingers in front of his face.
"wha- what?" he said, snapping out of his daze. FINALLY.
"shfeeik faj'a tana7t?" i said with my eyebrows raised
"Um, cause you look so bea-" Abdullah interrupted him by jumping into his arms and announcing that he was ready. -.- not nowwww

"yala lets go 7abeebi" he said while kissing his cheek. he threw me one of his gorgeous smiles and left the house with Abdullah.

-sigh-

it was now 3:30pm and we just got back from our weekly family lunch that was located at 360 this week. Khaled told me to change into something comfy so we'd both go to my doctors appointment. DR David was more a friend rather than a doctor to this family. he had known our family for more than 10 years and we trust him with our lives (we kinda have too.) he is a fantastic surgeon and many people would kill so he'd have their cases.

I was waiting down at our living room, my shaking legs showing how impatient and nervous i am. i was wearing a navy tracksuit by Juicy, my hair in a messy bun and my face makeup-less. i was scrolling down my twitter timeline but not really reading any tweets due to my busy mind. A tiny figure jumped onto my lap making me drop my phone out of fright and my heart skipped a beat. "Noraahhh why are you sad?:(" he said while poking one of my cheeks cause me smile from both the outside and the inside. "i'm not sad, boo. i'm just thinking" i said while hugging him. "are you sure? cause if someone made you sad then i will hit them!" he said while showing me his non-existence biceps. God, i love that kid. " yes, baby. i'm sure" as i was talking to him i noticed someone coming down the stairs. finally, Khaled graced us with his presence. "you ready, Norah?" he said. "yeah" i replied while kissing Abdullah's forehead and putting him on the ground and standing up. "bye norahh, i luff "love" you" he said while throwing me a kiss then skipping his way out of the room. i giggled at the sight of him skipping which caused Khaled to smile..

we arrived at the hospital and rushed inside cause we were 15 minutes late due to the massive traffic jam. we gave the receptionist my name and she guided us inside dr. David's room. we found him sitting on his chair, his wrinkly face still wrinkly from the last time i saw him which was like 2 years ago but he had a heart of an angel.

"Hello, Norah and Norah's friend." he said while stretching his hand so we would both shake it. He looked at Khaled with a weird look cause he almost knows everyone of our family but since Khaled was living in the states (America) with his dad he was an "outsider". We started talking about random stuff and thats one of the many reasons why i love him, he was a funny old man but serious when it was needed.
"Okay, Norah. Not that i don't want you here but can you tell me whats wrong with you?" He said, all traces of joking left his face and was replaced with seriousness. i got lost for words, literally. it was like i forgot how to form words. he raised one of his eyebrows, an indication that he was still waiting for my answer. i looked at Khaled for help and thankfully, he didn't let me down. "Umm, doctor, i'm her cousin and i've been noticing her being all sick and stuff for some time now." he said, with sadness in his voice. i'm afraid of talking about what happened yesterday in the bathroom cause i'm scared that what i'm thinking of might be true. "how sick are we talking about?" Dr David said while reaching to get a notepad from his drawer to start writing the symptoms. "Like sick, sick. she was coughing up blood yesterday." Khaled said. "Well, coughing blood isn't something serious if there isn't any other symptoms. i knew i was going to regret this but i had to confess, it might help us reach something that'll finally tell me whats happening to me. "umm, doc (short for doctor) i have been feeling dizzy for a couple of weeks now. i've been waking up in the middle of the night sweating and when i get up to go to the bathroom i'd always faint then wake up in the morning. i've been throwing up pretty much lately and i think thats all.." i said while taking a breather. i knew Khaled was looking at me with his why-didn't-you-tell-me look. i was waiting for Dr. David's answer or comment but all i could hear was the clock ticking and the voices from outside the room. i took a look at him and i wish i didn't for what i saw was a very, very surprised look and his pen paused mid-air, it wasn't in a good way. "Doctor, you're scaring me.." still no comment. "Doc, you alright?" Khaled said with a hint of worry in his voice. "Norah, i don't know how to tell you this but.." "BUT WHAT?!" Khaled suddenly yelled making me jump out of fright. "um, Norah, you might have cancer." -cue the dramatic gasps-

Welcome to the cruel world. Chapter 15.

I'm so sorry for not posting but I've had so much on my plate! These few weeks have been nothing but hectic to me but bare with me:**



You know that feeling when you can literally hear your heart breaking inside your chest? When you suddenly stop breathing but not in a good way? When your tears disobey you and starts falling down one by one? Yeah, that's what I'm feeling right now.


"Khaloudiiiii ampeeh I MISSED YOUUU." The "anonymous" girl said. I could tell that Khaled was surprised by her cause he can't stop looking from me to "her".

"Uhh haha shlonich Sara." He said while scratching the back of his neck, a sign that he's nervous. Nawal was looking at Khaled with so much anger in her eyes that I was actually scared. Yes, she knows about Khaled's "confession"

"I'm gooood oo enta? Laish ma gemt ts'al 3ane?" Sara said while pouting. Ugh her fake lips are annoying me.

"Umm I'm good b3d t3rfeen college and stuff..." He said.

I couldn't take any more of her flirting and him just standing as if none of us were there.

"Ana an6erkum dakhel." I said almost running to the restaurant. Nawal followed me after giving Khaled a few dirty looks and so did Dana.

When we sat down Nawal was gonna begin with her lecture, "please don't." I said, my voice cracking up.

A waiter came and gave us the menus and shortly after that Khaled graced us with his existence. And he just haaaaad to sit right in front of me. Just my luck.

You could a pin fall on the floor from the awkwardness. I kept my self busy with my phone cause I don't want to face him.

After we ordered, Nawal and Dana went to the bathroom and left me alone with Khaled:')

And the awkwardness continues......

He was punching his Samsung S3's screen with his fingers, texting Sara no doubt.

After a short while he placed his phone on the table and the girls still didn't come.

Khaled started coughing as if he's preparing to read a speech and I looked at him with careless eyes and one of my eyebrows raised.

"Look Norah, I'm sor-" I cut him off before he could continue and said, "you don't have to explain anything to me I'm not your girlfriend or anything, I'm just your cousin. You can hang out, hug, kiss or so whatever with whoever you want. It's none of my business."

I could tell that he was surprised cause he said in almost a whisper that it was a miracle that I heard him, "but I want you."

"I beg your pardon?" I said pretending that I didn't hear him.

"Nothing." He replied with his eyes glued to the table. Shortly after that the girls finally came.

I wish that I could say that the night ended perfectly cause I would be lying.


I could almost walk to my room due to how tired I was but when I turned my doorknob and opened my room I found Abdullah sleeping on my bed:') I missed him so much. He's 6 now and has been going to daycare. My baby is growing up❤

I kissed his forehead and tip toed to my bathroom with my spongebob pj's so I'd change. I washed my face, brushed my teeth and headed to bed. The second I got under the duvet Abdullah scooted next to me, putting his head on my chest. A force of habit I guess but I ain't complaining.

I slept peacefully for two hours then woke up around 1 o'clock with a killer headache and my stomach doing flips and turns.

I rushed to the bathroom with my head facing the sink ready to throw up but I didn't. In stead I started coughing up so badly that I woke up the person who his room is next to me. Khaled's. he rushed to where I was and held my hair up afraid that I'll vomit and started rubbing my back. But like I said, I didn't throw up but I wished I did. Cause when I took my hand away from my mouth I found blood. My blood.

No.....



Hehe, gonna leave you hanging cause mwahahaha.

-Comments?
@chanceinloveq8

Welcome to the cruel world. Chapter 14.

We were in the car now, me in the back seat with Dana, Khaled is driving and Nawal is sitting in the front seat. After me accidentally hearing the phone call between Khaled and an anonymous girl I practically ran down the stairs when I felt him approaching the door and I haven't said a word since, I don't think he suspects anything.

But I'm trying to not jump to conclusions, it's hard but I won't.

Dana was wearing extra tight clothes which is like a habit of hers when we all go out especially with Khaled. And dare I say, it kinda made me jealous. She's this carefree, spoiled and extremely beautiful for a girl her age. She doesn't have scars both on the in and out side. She doesn't have to worry about anything but me? -sigh-

I stopped thinking about it when we got to the avenues parking. It was crowded (no surprise there)

While trying to look for a parking space Khaled said, "girls shraykum tanzloun till I park?" The parking lot was full.

"Khla9 me and Dana will go and wait for you inside." Nawal said with a big evil smile on her face. She was up to something, again.

"But what about me?" I said while raising my hand like a student wanting to answer in class.

"You'll stay with Khaled cause we can't leave him alone" Nawal said while getting out of the car.

"Hey, I can stay with Khaled." Dana said while grinning.

"NO." Khaled and Nawal both yelled at the same time and I had to stifle my laugh.

"Uh ah I mean no you should go 3lashan this week is yours to pick where we'll eat!" Khaled said to Dana.

"Ugh fine." She said while getting out of the car, her evil eyes looking straight into mine -shivers- man, that girl is cray cray.

"Ma tabeen tyeen jdam?" Khaled said looking at me from the mirror.

"Hmm sure." I said trying not to show that i wanted too so bad.

I got out of the car and opened the front door but since my skirt was too long I had to lift it up a bit so I'd get in. When I got in I took a peak at Khaled's face and I saw a pained look on it. When I saw what he was looking I found one of my scars that was on my ankle just sitting there, not willing to go away.

I knew I had to break him free from his thoughts so I said in a soft, low voice, "umm, we should get going.."

"Huh? Oh right right." He said after snapping out of it.

After 20 minutes we finally parked. He got out of the car and I was looking at myself in the mirror and when I was done I found him holding my door open and his hand extended so he'll help me down. *his car is a range rover and it's pretty high*

"Shall we?" He said, still holding my hand.

I giggled, "we shall." I said raising my head so I'd look at him. He was pretty tall.

But then I remembered the phone call and I ripped my hand away from his and started walking. Ughhhh the nerve of him!

I could tell that he was confused cause he caught up with me and said, "heyyy what's wrong? What did I do?" While holding my arm, his eyes asking for an explanation.

It was on the tip of my tongue but I thought that it was none of my business so I said, "nothing, we should get going" while looking at anything or anyone but him cause he's like a lie detector.

As soon as we entered the avenues I was hit by the smell of smoke and perfume. Not a good combination. Khaled called Nawal and asked them where they were and they said they're next to the cinema. Since it neither time for lunch not dinner we decided to go to a movie. So Nawal and Dana were booking the tickets, Khaled was in the bathroom and I was getting the snacks (popcorn, candy, beverages.. etc).

"BOO" a voice said behind me making me jump from my place. I turned around with my hand over my chest and saw a grinning Khaled. I gave him my "death stare" and turned around again. Everyone knew how easily scared I was. "P.S 3aboud is not with us, we dropped him at my aunts place."

Finally, it was our turn. After getting everything we or shall I say I started looking for the girls whereas Khaled was too busy punching his iPhones screen with his fingers. Talking to his girlfriend , I assume. Pffft, I don't care so why should I think about him?

I finally found them and we started walking towards our screen room. I was busy talking to Nawal to ask what movie we were in.

The room was flooding with teenagers and adults. We finally sat down and I was the settings were (Nawal-me-Khaled-Dana) I swear, I could almost feel Dana's heart beating at a fast pace when we found out that we was sitting next to Khaled. -.-

We started taking pictures using my iPhone's front camera till the advertisements started.

Now the movie started. I was expecting a hot guy appearing on the screen but instead I was surprised when I heard creepy music in the background. I was confused, like really confused. So, I slightly turned my head to Nawals side and asked her, "hey, which movie is this?".

She had this look on her face that she always had when she did something wrong, Allah yaster....

"Um, promise you won't kill me.." She whispered, her eyes glued to the screen.

"I ain't promising you anything." I whispered back.

"Umm...... We'rewatchingmama." She said so quickly that I didn't understand anything at all.

"Mara thanya and slowly this time, please."

"We're watching mama...."

"NA3AM???" I said in a loud voice. Everyone around me were "hushing" me

I said in a lower voice, "are you guys being serious?"

"Shhhhh watch the movie" Nawal said, her eyes glued to the screen.

Ugh, I hate scary movies.

"Hey shfeeich?" Khaled asked me while leaning slightly to my side.

"You know damn well shfeene" I said with anger in my voice.

"Look it was Dana's choice and it's not that scary" He whispered while grabbing a fistful of popcorn and stuffing it inside his mouth.

Of course it was Dana's choice. I bet she'd love to see me humiliate myself.

I decided to get over my fear and watch the stinking movie.

Not 20 minutes into it and I'm already hiding my face in Khaled's shoulder. I could feel his shoulders vibrating from his laughter. -.-

"You're so cute when you're scared" he whispered in my ear while grinning.

"Chub" I whispered back trying to hold in my screams of terror.

After an hour it finished and I breathed out like I was running a marathon.

That was the last time I'll ever watch a scary movie.

Literally everyone was laughing at me-.-

When we got out of the theatre room they were still laughing..

"Uff ma a7ebkum" I said while pouting.

"You know i -cough- I mean, we love you" Khaled said with a hint of redness on his cheeks.

One word; CUTE.


We were walking towards Texas Roadhouse that was located in grand avenue when a blonde girl wearing a really tight and short dress, tons of makeup on her face started walking towards us with her stilettos.

Please say it isn't so. Please please please.

When she was five feet away from us she said in an awfully loud voice, "KHALOUDIII" and she ran and hugged him.

He had his eyes wide open in surprise but then he looked at me with sorry filled eyes.

Well, there goes my heart.


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@chanceinloveq8

Welcome to the cruel world. Chapter 13.

I grabbed the card from Nawal and reread it over and over again, trying to understand what was happening. Tears started welling up in my eyes but I couldn't let them down. I will not let this ruin my day or any other day.

Nawal's face was terrified when she said, "Norrah, shra7 nsawe?" With a shaky voice.

I wiped the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand and said, "Nothing, absolutely nothing."

Her eyes were wide like two flying saucers.

"Are you crazy? What do you mean nothing? Yabe ythb7ich, don't you understand??" She yelled at me.

And I did understand but I was growing tired of this.

"Nawal, you have to promise me that you will not tell a soul about this." I said with pleading eyes.

"Not even Khaled?" She asked

"Specially Khaled! Please promise me and let me handle this" I said while holding her hand.

She sighed and said, "I pro----"

Khaled walked in before she could finish and I quickly crumbled the card and put it under my pillow.

"Oh ou mn mnu elward?" He said while leaning in to smell the roses.

Nawal and I were looking at each other waiting for the other one to speak but my tongue was tied as if I forgot how to form words.

So Nawal went in for the rescue.

"Uhh mni ana! Kent 6albat'hum ou twa yo9loun hehe" she said in one breath

Thankfully, Khaled bought it.

"3shtaw! So, Norah yala badlay 3lashan nrou7 ou tara all your stuff and Abdullah's are there and I talked to Mila "our housekeeper" so she wouldn't worry" he said with a broad smile.

Nawal handed me a bag of clothes so I'd change in the bathroom and left after giving me a hug cause she had a class in 30 minutes (she has a summer course)
So it was just Khaled and I.

Cue the awkwardness....

"So...... Um, yeah I better go change..." I said while giggling in shy way.

"Um, yeah you should.." He said

I hopped out of my bed and silly me, I lost my balance so I closed my eyes and prepared myself to fall face-first on the floor.

Waiting..

Still waiting...

What the hell?

I opened one eye and I was expecting to see the floor but instead I was in his arms, Khaled's warm arms.


He was looking down at me with a small smile.

I laid in his arms for 10 seconds still trapped in his gaze, refusing to look away.

"Wow" he whispered so lowly that I almost didn't hear him, but I did.

His ringing phone snapped us out of it and brought us back to the world.

Hallelujah! Saved by the bell.

I got out of his arms and limped my way into the bathroom with my clothes. Once I got in I locked the door behind me and started to comprehend what the hell just happened.

I could feel my cheeks were on fire so I splashed some cold water on my face to cool them down.




It's been a year. A year free of the beast. A year filled with laughter. A year of pure happiness.

My wound and bruises took a long time but they were finally healed.

It was a Thursday which meant it was a family day out!

Well not really, just us "kids" will go out.

It was about 4pm when Nawal knocked on my door, "me and 3aboud are living with them remember?"

She told me that we're going out in a couple of hours.

"Mnu bye weyana?" I asked her while painting my nails blood red.

"Ummm Ana akeed, entay, Khaloud, 3aboud and Dana" she answered.

Dana is my 14 year old cousin, she's nice but she has this crazy crush on Khaled that's kinda annoying.

"Mm okay babe" I said to Nawal.

She gave me a flying kiss then went to her room.

I looked at myself in the mirror and I was happy with what I was seeing.

A girl with a big smile on her face, her face was bruises-free, her hair was healthy.

If someone told me a year ago that that would be me I'd totally laugh and ask somebody to put you in a mental's hospital.

But that was me! I don't know what I'll do if Khaled didn't come for me that day.

Oh, and Khaled? He's gotten even hotter if that was possible. But I don't know where we stand, I remember him telling me the L word but now? It's almost as if he's avoiding me. He has been working part-time at his fathers company so I don't get to see him pretty often not even at university.

But we're going out tonight so yuppie!

-outfit in the end but without the hat-

I finished getting dressed and went down stairs to make sure 3aboud was done and we all were but we're waiting for Mr. Khaled -.-

15 minutes later I got up and headed to his room so I could see what was keeping him so long.

I raised my knuckles to knock on the door but stopped them in midair when I heard him talking on the phone. I couldn't hear the entire conversation but I did hear him say something before he hung up which was, "okay, bye 7yati"


Dun dun dunnnnn


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@chanceinloveq8