Expectations

                    Chapter 2

Nadine

When reality hits you slowly, you're more receptive to it.
 
I realized this a week before. When my boyfriend told me he was in a relationship with a close friend of mine.
 
I didn't cry or wail at the time. I did the opposite.
 
I just kept moving.
 
My best friend came regularly to check on me. Truth is, she wants to know if I'm being stupid or not.
 
Well, I'm not stupid. I'm not going to hang on to a man who betrayed me for my friend.
 
And I finally realize something today. It hurts, but not because of him. But because I considered Nadra a close friend.
 
Given her circumstances, I really connected with her. She's kind and sweet. I saw a really promising relationship with her.
 
But she still stole your boyfriend.
 
I shook the voice back in my head.
 
I don't need the negativity.
 
Instead, I focus on the task ahead.
 
I'm learning how to cook!
 
I've never really done it before because I always had someone cooking for me. From my mother, to my aunt and now my sister. Who is.... giving me the death glare to not spill flour on her carpet.

"I'm not going to spill flour on your carpet." I tell her.

"I didn't say anything." She raises her hands.

"Actions speak louder than words." I sing song.
 
She glares at me.

"Well, excuse me for being surprised that your in the kitchen. Are you sick or something?"

She rushes to check my temperature.

"Stop it!" I swat her hands away.
 
Placing the lid back on the pot, I turn to her.

"I'm fine. I just finally realize something."

I make my way out of the kitchen.

"And what is that? You finally realize that I can't cook for you forever?" She jokes.
 
I narrow my eyes at her.

"No. I realize I've been waiting for my life to start. Last week happens to be a wake up call for me." I flop down on the couch. My sister sits down next to me.

"And now what are you going to do?" She asks me.
 
Tasleem doesn't show it often but she cares about me. She might seem too busy with her life but she always finds time to listen to me.
 
I look back at her and sigh.

"I'm going to start a business. Fashion and design. I'm setting up a boutique."

I brace myself, expecting her to start laughing.
 
To my utter shock, she says.

"That's a really good idea. I have a friend who runs a small store. I'll talk to her to see if she's interested in hiring you."

"What did I just say?" I gap at her. She shakes her head.

"What?"

"I said I wanted to start a business for myself. My whole life I depended on Dad to provide for me. I eat, sleep and make wrong decisions."
 
She places a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm glad you're putting all that behind you. I never told you this before, but I always thought you and Haydar were better off as friends."

"What?" I ask.

"You've been friends for two years before you started dating. I really liked the relationship you had before."
 
I shake my head and stand up.

"Enough of that. You have to pick the children up from school." I say as I walk back to the kitchen to check on my cooking.
 
I can hear Tasleem's footsteps behind me but I don't bother looking back. I open the cupboard and bring out plates. Then proceeded to serve the dish.
 
Once I was done, I handed her a plate. She took it reluctantly and eyes me.