Expectations

                    Chapter 3

Asaad
 
When Nadine told me she was never in love with that idiot around four months ago, something broke free inside me.

Relief!
 
I still feel a little guilty for being in love with my best friend's girlfriend.
 
It is a secret I carried for so long. Long before they even started dating.
 
It may not seem like it but I truly love her.
 
I always kept my distance because she was dating my best friend. But before that, I couldn't figure out my reaction to her.

"Do you have this in smaller size?" I ask the shop keeper.
 
I'm currently at a jewelry store. I want to get a little gift for her for the launching of her new business.

She used to work at the university library, but she quitted two months ago.

"Yes. Let me fetch it quickly." The shop keeper rushes to the back room.
 
I glance down at the necklace in my hands. It is a shiny silver necklace. It is simple enough and I know she's going to like it.

"Here you go, sir." The shop keeper returns with an identical necklace but smaller.
 
I pay for it and he wraps it for me in a paper bag. I collect my change and exit the store.
 
My relationship with Nadine has developed into a close friendship over the past few months. We even started going out to the movies. And while I still feel guilty sometimes, I try not to.
 
She really needs someone in her life who's there for her. With her best friend Maya being away and her still poor friendship with our group, I try to be there for her.
 
Her whole break up with Haydar went sour with our friends.

Being closer to Haydar made them chose his side.

And while she tries not to show it, I know she's deeply hurt by it.
 
I pull up to her house and decide to call her.

I know she has a lot of guests since she's holding the party here.
 
She picks up on the first ring.

"Where are you? I've been waiting for you all this time."
 
I chuckle at her immediate response.

"Sorry, I went to get a special gift for you. I'm right outside."
 
She remains silence and I think she disconnected the call. Then,

"A gift?" She asks.

"Yeah." I smile.
 
There is some noise at the background and I think she closed a door.

"Be right there." She says.
 
I'm about to argue that she should stay at the party but she hangs up on me.

I chuckle and slide my phone back to my pocket.
 
Just as I raise my head, she opens the door and jogs to my car.
 
I did a double take as I look at her. She looks beautiful in her Abaya.
 
She taps twice on the door and I realize the door is locked.

I unlock it for her and she slides into the front seat.

"May I have my gift." She stretches out her hands.

"Hello to you, too." I tease and reach into the backseat and hold up the paper bag.
 
She all but snatches it away from me.
 
I close my eyes and wait for her to shriek and tell me she loves it but she remains silent.
 
I pry my eyes open and glance at her.
 
Does she not like it?
 
I open my mouth to ask but she turns back to me.
 
I realize there are tears in her eyes.

"My mom had one exactly like it. I kept it with me for a while but then I lost it." She says, clutching the necklace.
 
I knew she lost one exactly like it but I never knew it belonged to her Mom.

"I wanted to make you happy, not cry." I tell her.
 
And it's the truth. I don't like seeing her cry.
 
She shakes her head. "This is me being happy. It's stupid, but I cry when I'm happy."

"It's not stupid." I say.
 
She looks back at me and smiles. It made my heart race.

"Let's go in." I clear my throat.
 
Because, damn. Her smiles do weird things to me.
 
We walk into the house and I'm greeted by the fragrance of her absolute best perfume. Vanilla.
 
She loves it.
 
And I may or may not have bought different varieties of vanilla perfume for her.
 
What? I love the smell of it on her.

"Asaad, welcome." The best sister in the world beams at me.
 
I think she has figured out for a while that I like her sister, but she doesn't say anything. She just smiles and stares at us.

"Hello." Future sister in law
 
Where did that come from? I don't know but that's how I picture her.

"I'm glad you're here. We're going to display the clothing line now." She hands me a glass of what I think is orange juice.
 
I watch ahead as Nadine talks to someone who then turns to the stage.
 
I can feel her growing anxious and I step beside her.

"It's going to turn out fine. You'll see." I whisper.
 
She looks up and smiles at me.
 
Her expression seems transfixed but I don't know what to make of it.
 
I turn my head to the stage as the show begins.

                   

Later, I try to slip unnoticed out of the house. Everyone is busy so no one will see me leaving.

"Asaad, where are you going?"
 
Spoke too soon.
 
I slump my shoulders down and take a deep breath.

I turn to see Tasleem looking at me with her brows curved.

"You're not leaving, are you?" She asks suspiciously.

"I was, I mean, am. I am going to leave." I tell her.
 
She folds her hands across her chest and glares at me.

She might be small compared to me, but she is a little intimidating.

"So, I'll just tell your girlfriend that you're leaving without saying goodbye." She jerks her chin to where Nadine is standing.
 
She looks so confident and happy and I have the sudden urge to go stand next to her.
 
But I can't. Boundaries and all.
 
I can't really be with her.
 
Wait! Did Tasleem just refer to her as my girlfriend?
 
I look back at her finally registering what she said.

"I have nothing going on with her." I laugh it off. It's so weird that I pause afterwards.

"Then you should leave her alone." She fires.
 
I narrow my eyes. Tasleem never spoke to me in this manner.

"What do you mean?" I ask her.

"I mean you should leave her alone. Stop sending her mixed signals. She doesn't deserve the men she surrounds her self with, you included."

And with that, she turns and walks away into the house.

What do you think Asaad's reply is going to be?

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Wishing you Eid mubarak, may the season's blessings and joy be with my lovely readers.