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-