chapter 52

-REEM-

layan got shot in front of our eyes.


all of us were in shock but the one that called all the shots was faisal,

he picked her up put her in the car and told us to get in before he left us there.


we went to almuwasat hospital and all sat in the waiting room.


her lil bro fell asleep confused.


but before that he did something unexpected.
faisal sat far from us all. lost in his thoughts -im not even gonna guess whats going on in there-
his foot was constantly moving. he looked unfocused and gazed at the wall. his lips were tightly pulled back into a grimace and his face was pale.
zaid walked over to him

zaid:"faisal ana ta3ban.... 3adi anam 3indik?" he squeked and rubbed his eye
faisals eyes came into focus and swivelled to zaid,


suddenly his leg stopped shaking. he went still
all of us held our breathe

faisal opened his arms and zaid walked into them
faisal:"akeed zaioody" he said tiredly and smiled for his sake,

i looked at fahad suprised and saw pride in his eyes as if he was saying, "this is the real faisal"

zaid slept in his arms




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 hours passed



narrator

when someone you love is by your side and happy you tend to hide things and say...... "well they dont need to know" but when you realize they could be moments away from death
you finally start to hope
that the truth might set them

-and you-
free





REEM




we all fell asleep by then until we heard feet rustling and opened our eyes to see the doctor


he told us we could go sit with layan


she was in a coma but her heart rate was stable and she was breathing ok


we all stood to go inside.

when faisal saw her


he rushed to her side and sat on the chair next to her bed.

he sat and looked at her.


faisal:"you never listen to me. i know i dont say much layan but its not my words.
i never meant for you to listen to my words, when i told you to listen i wanted you to pay attention and realize that you should judge me by my actions not my words...............but that doesnt matter right now.. all that matters is that you wake up and hate me, when that happens well be ok, ill be ok. for my sake layan wake up. "


then the door slammed open and layans dad stood there.

when he saw layan he stiffened but when he looked over at us and saw fahad his face paled

fahad stood up

faisal dropped layans hand and stood up shocked

fahad:"baba?"

chapter 51

narattor

the city will be painted red tonight..why red? no particular reason.... much.
ladies and gentleman the known cliche of the damsel in distress being saved by the knight in shining armor has stayed long past its time,
because in my story there is no damsel in distress
in my story the girl doesnt end up with the knight in shining armor
and the good guy isnt always that good
the hero isnt always the good guy
and evil is a bad that believes its good.....


(Im In Here  - Sia) this is a very special song, and it goes great with this chapter

LAYAN


i saw reem across the booths in this crazy carnival like event.

god knows what the hell is going on.
reem came over and gave me a hug
everything is just going so fast
my brothers tiny fingers are latched on to my arm
fahad and reem are laughing
patting my back
is it ok that i cant hear what there saying
that i dont get any of there jokes anymore?

im having one of those gut feelings right now
the one that tells you to bolt

a flight or flight instinct

and the hard truth is that i cant fight at the moment

fahad:"hey lay are you ok?"

i smiled and nodded

they both looked down on me worriedly

then i excused myself to go get something to eat

reem offered to come with me but i declined.

i just needed breathing space so i left my bro with fahad and left.

i started walking blindly through the masses

crowds of people

laughing

eating

selling, buying, talking.

stupid shallow people

i shook my head

what is up with me

why did my dad not want me to be his heir,

i paused

why did faisal lie to me

why why why why me

i shoved my hand through my hair roughly.

i found a booth in the corner there was something to drink! finally

the girls in the booth were super nice and asked me what i wanted to drink

ironically what i wanted they didnt have

and that was water

i thanked them kindly and turned
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"




everyone



paused





















guys with guns emerged from the crowds






gameplan?







the very people that kidnapped me
when faisal broke me out...


now i dont have faisal to break me out




this time everything was chaos


everyone screaming runnning getting into cars, but this time everything went really slowly



because i saw a face






eyes








black peircing eyes smiling white teeth frozen in place.

the smile slowly dissapeard. replaced by a look of utter horror.



because while everyone was running we were frozen in time.


people were by his side, they saw me patted him on the back and carried on





me:"faisal" i could barely breathe out his name.


before i started to feel my feet take me towards him

he stood still

like a statue

tense .

i would say he was a statue but what gave him away was the unblinking intensity  in his eyes as he stared at me


he looked strong.

but his eyes told me many things.

and he wouldnt move his eyes away from mine i was locked.


and i forgot what he did

how he lied to me

i reached him

and when i did.



 it was as if the curse finally broke.

he blinked and snapped away from me.

i wish he could set me free


faisal:"you cant be here. its dangerous." he choked out.

why was it hard for him to talk? I WAS THE ONE who was put through everything

me:"the most dangerous thing here is you faisal so i really dont think you have a say. and i am here so heres to that. and whats with you being here, your in the gameplan?since when"

he took in a deep agravated breathe

faisal:"doesnt matter, we need to get you out of here"

me:"you cant make me leave faisal you have no sa-"

and suddenly i was picked up off the ground and hauled over his shoulder

me:"FOR GODS SAKE FAISAL PUT ME DOWN"

faisal:"your problem is that you dont listen. stubborn as a mule" he said

me:"DID YOU JUST CALL ME A DONKEY?"

he ignored me and rushed  on.

thats when we heard the first bullet and faisal paused.

people dont shoot

guns are just to intimidate.

faisal put me down but kept my arm in a vice grip and ran.

faisal:"bend low"

i did and we ran.

i found his mustang in the end of the street.


then i heard a shout:"lay lay shofay shofay!!!"

my heart stopped

and faisal turned stiff next to me

we turned and saw my brother reem and fahad behind us.

we ran to get them

when i heard a shot.


i heard reem scream

i saw fahad look at her in horror

i saw faisal look at me in horror

and i started to fall to the ground.

but faisal caught me

and the last thing i heard before i closed my eyes was this

faisal:"layan if you die i will kill you"





 

chapter 50

(listen to nuclear seasons charli xcx )

NARRATOR

2 MONTHS later baby

in the city of kuwait

we dont sleep. do you?

depends..... i guess it depends on how many secrets your keeping

faisal has a bundle

and layan? ......








LAYAN:


"one venti iced caramel machiatto.. triple shot please" i asked in the starbucks at KU

im job shadowing today.. what fun

hah!

problem is that im not even here shadowing the job i want!!

i have to get a huge bundle of papers about the job i DO want from a professor that knows everything about it.

never mind that

im just greatful for the distraction

i havent talked to fahad or reem for a few days now and my mom and bro are finally back

no i havent seen him.. two months.

faisal detox

"haha" the guy waiting for his drink with me gave me a weird look

i dont blame him for thinking im crazy.

no im not talking about faisal im talking about this guy..

a guy in a suit walked by the door just then. wait is that him?

dr. saleem prof of law.


i got my drink and started running to catch up with him

me:"dictoooor saleem la7tha!!!"







narator: heeeey

its us again.


while layan is in denial running after her assignments, putting ink to loose leaf paper and hiding under her plush pink comforter, our friends are up to something else.
havent you thought, "o , well reem and fahad are just there.... being there adorable selves"
your right about the adorable part but never mind that!! someones up to something and reem and fahad are right behind them



o and incase if your wondering about faisal.....

why dont we wait and see





FAHAD


*THUMP* ildaba masdooda

kilishay mawjood!!

i guess that means i can...

*riiiiiiing*

"walain who could it be"

ahmad, i sighed and picked up

me:"na3am"

a7med:"mako laa salam mako shlonik?  ya3ni witha kint mareeeth? "

me:"5ali9ny yuba shisalfa"

a7med:"may9eer olah 3alaik?"

me:"a7med your always up to something,,, ana bil ba7ar "

a7med:"ok 3ayal so2al, mita ila5ir mara shift faisal?"

i paused and for a second i couldnt breathe

me:"2 weeks ago laish? 9ar shay?waina?"

a7med:"hes ok , its funny how i know that right?"

i balled my hand into a fist and held it to my sides

a7med:"hes back, and hes stronger than ever. thid o5oy. "


me:"when and were?"

he knew exactly what i was asking

a7med:"bachir 9 , location? me and my buds are making an event collaberation with fays school... long story, but ill text you the place. bye"

i shut the phone

and i made a call


,,,,,:"aloo"

me:"i need your help"

reem:"is there something wrong?"

me:"faisals back in the gameplan and your the only person who i can think-"

reem:"since when was he in the gameplan?and how are we going to tell layan"

me:"thats exactly it, were not. if ive learned anything from faisal, its that keeping secrets has its benefits"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

narator

ya i know.
but whats up with faisal? and layan?
missing faisal yet?
black eyes that peirce the soul, never kind, never sweet,
cruel mean and all?
you miss him?
how bout his smiles?


LAYAN

"can someone please remind me again why im on my way to a ma3rath when im supposed to write a 10 paragraph essay on law?"

fahad:"because a7mad and fay took alot of time and effort to set this up.."

 i was sitting in the back while fahad and zaid my little bro sat infront

reem is meeting us at this event

fahad smiled suddenly, a first in weeks:"besides i thought you loved events with some sort of fundraing of charity in it"

i sighed:"i do!!!"

we laughed

zaid turned to both of us and said :"woooo into 3indikom nafs ilthi7ka o nafs ilsmiley face!! lay lay!!"

he laughed and we laughed with him

fahad:"ee 3ashani 7ilo"

i rolled my eyes at him:"awlad hal ayam wayid shayfeen nafshom"

fahad:"heeey at8ashmar!! may9eer?"

we got to a place that looked like marina crescent
filled with people

and i saw a familiar face in the crowd....



narator

wait and see next week or tomorrow?












 

chapter 49

-FAHAD-


I went to "the tracks"

Thats what we nicknamed it cuz the actual name was really snobbishfaisal, and i made this joke about it... The actual name is " the crossing"

It sounds like this shop in london or something

Ilmohim i came here on instinct no thanks to fa9ool since hes not picking up my calls

He hasnt picked up for two days

Since layan left

I walked in, it was a loooong walk to his corner cuz he had the whole end wall to him self

So as i made my way around the dirt towards the garage faisals friend 3azeez stopped me

He was in his yellow jumpsuit it was zipped up. Meaning he was or will race

He was holding his helmet in one hand and the other pressed to my chest

3azooz:" fhaid na9ee7a minny lik rid ilbait "

Me:" hmm im3a9ib ha?" i said to my dismay

He nodded:" you cant even imagine-"

Me:" ga3d i7athif ashya2, o yadgir, mindimij billy of eeda in this case his motor cycle"

3azeezs mouth. Fell open and nodded
I gave him a week smile and pushed past him to get into the garage

When I got in 5 people tried to stop me but i kept going

People literally run away from him

He was sitting on the ground jumpsuit unzipped to the waist

Black tshirt his miscles were tight so he looked like he wanted to hit someone

He threw somthing at the wall

Faisal:" shhal wire! Its useless, i dont know why i bother buying the fucking motorcycle when i can just make it myself!"

Yup thats faisal during one of his tantrums

But this was just the begining, the ti7il6im,

Just wait , just wait

He stood up and yanked off his gloves, then he turned and saw me , he did a double take, then he recovered his composure and walked to his wall

Faisal:" i have a feeling i know why your here, if its what i think it is then dont bother"

Me:" what happened to dropping by and getting on a motorcy-"

Faisal turned his head to me and gave me a death stare

Faisal:" you quit a year ago remember? You said it was too anti social for you, you didnt want to work on engines anymore either remember? So dont give me that crap and get on with it"

Stage two: faisal and his emotionless face with covered walls, hes hiding from me, something he does rarely

Me:" ok, layan is gone"

He turned back to his wall and pulled out a towel and started cleaning some oil off of something. I think the screw driver

Faisal:" so?"

Me:" what do you mean so? Layan is in spain and she wont come back"

Faisal:" not my problem"

I couldnt take it, i turned right and left to check if anyone was there

No one

Good

Me:"WHAT DO U MEAN NOT YOUR PROBLEM?! SHE LEFT BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOU SAY 'SO'?!"

He turned and glared, he wasnt suprised, he knew me and my ander well

Faisal:" NO ONE TOLD HER TO GO! ITS NOT LIKE I HELD THE DOOR OPEN FOR HER! ITS NOT LIKE I DID ANYTHING WRONG!!"

I went up to him

Me:" if you care about her, youll go after her"

Faisal:" not a chance in hell"

I nodded

This was not faze three

Faisal, .. I dont know whats going through his mind

Me:" but she loves u" i said quietly.

 

confused, at a loss of words

Faisal:" Are u forgetting? SHES THE ONE WHO LEFT ME! "

His pride? His confidence?

Stubborn stubborn faisal..

Me:" did you expect her to stay?"

Faisal shut his mouth and looked at me

Faisal:" she could have atleast given me a chance to explain"

Me:" explain what? That you tricked her? married her ? And then charmed yourself into her heart even when you knew full well you would be getting the hell out of here and never turning back the minute your mom dies?"

Faisal:" things could have gone different thats all" he said in a gruff voice, he turned back to his work, shoulders hunched

Me:" its not too late to fix this"

Faisal:" just leave me alone "

I looked at his back, his hunched shoulders as he wiped his forehead in silence

----

- REEM-

So, fay was in her room

When a7med came in i put a finger to my lips and ushered him in to my living room

He was just like a little kid

Clumsy!!! He tripped over his own feet

I sat him down, and stood next to the stairs infront of him

Me:" FAI!!! SOMEONES HERE TO SEE YOU"

Fai:" SHTABEEEN! JUST GO, IM COMING"

Ahmeds eyebrows furrowed in shock and confusion

As she came downstairs she saw me first and gave me that disgusted look of hers

Fai:" slut"

Then she saw a7mad and gasped

Me:" Im the slut huh? Minu hatha reem? Let me guess, hes not really here, i made him up right? Ya well karma is a bitch, and so are you"

Fai looked at me and at a7mad then burst down crying

A7mad:" can i talk now?" he whispered

I sighed and nodded

A7mad:" i dont know what happened to you.." then he noticed she was crying too loudly to hear anything

A7mad:" is this a good time?"

Me:" ya bro just keeep talking"

A7mad:" i know you hate me right now and everything but-"

Fai:" get out! Im not that kind of girl , i told you! I cant be with you because i have to set a good example for-"

A7mad:" you didnt think of setting an example when you kissed me when i flipped my rhino, isnt it too late after you lost it to me?"

I gasped :" YOU DID IT?"

She wiped off her tears and glared at him:" no"

i looked at him

Ahmad smiled:" what?! Its more romantic when i say it!"

Fai laughed theough her tears:" you always did strech the truth when we were together"

Ahmad:" hey! Its not my fault your not romantic,i was just turning a good story into a great story"

She smiled:" get out a7mad"

He smiled back:" i cant"

Fai still smiling:" why not?"

Ahmad:" cuz your holding my hand"

I looked to his hand and it was being clutched by fai

When did that happen

Ahmad:" thats what i did to tou when i taught you how to drive, at the end" he whispered

Clearly this was a conversation between then

Fai:" you wouldnt let go"

He smiled:" i will always love you"

She let go of his hand:" didnt i tell you to get a girl? Go to all those gaz places i told you about?"

Ahmad:" i went to every single one of them, i just never got a girl"

Fai:" you should have"

Ahmed smiled

Fai:" i love you too"

Ahmad:" then dont let your sister end like we did".

Fai:" no way am i going-"

Ahmad:" i know fahad, hes a great guy"

Me:" wait i thought you guys ended because of the good example thing"

Fai looked at the ground

Ahmad looked at me:" that was one of the reasons"

Me:" whats the other one?"

Fai:" lets just say i made a mistake"

Ahmad:" i forgave you for that a long time ago thats not why we ended"

Fai:"you forgave me, ive never forgiven myself"

Me:" WHAT HAPPENED?"

Ahmad:" my Bro told her i cheated on her and she believed him, so she crashed my car"

Wow

Ahmed:" bye fai"

Fai just turned and walked upstairs

Ahmad:" she hates goodbyes. That girl, she never really said goodbye to me"

Me:" then what did she say?"

Ahmad:" she said 'i will always love you' "

He smiled and walked out

---------------

Two weeks later

-LAYAN-

My phone was ringing . I was ib my room in the hotel my mom and bro were living in

I picked it up

Fahad:" hey layan"

I talk to him more often

Me:" hey!"

Fahad:" layan.. I dont know how to tell you this"

Me:" what? Whats wrong"

Fahad:" faisals mom. Shes dead"

I felt numb and cold all over

Me:" is he gone? Did he leave?"

Fahad:" he cant leave til the companies are in your name and we graduate senior year... We thought she would have more time...."

Me:" im sorry"

Fahad:" will you come back?"

Me:" fahad i dont know"

Fahad:" please, hes in a crappy place right now"

Me:" ok, but ill just make things worse"

Fahad:" at least youll be there for him"

I told him id get the first ticket out

 

 

*

*********

 

 

*

i got there i got home, got dressed called reem and fahad and went to the 3aza

( LISTEN TO dilemma by selena gomez IF YOU CAN)

 

 

 

This was a different house

Bigger than the one faisal took me to before

Me:" whose house is this?"

Should i say castle?

It was covered in greenery right before the walls, the tan walls. And even behind it there were trees

We got to the gate and security check, but as soon as they saw fahad they opened the gates and let us in

Me:" fahad! Whose house is this"

He looked unconfortable as if he shouldnt tell

Fahad:" its faisals house"

I gasped and looked outside

Reem:" 9IJ beauty and the beast"

Fahad gave her a look

Reem:" what?! Hes got the castle down.. And the eyes"

Fahad cleared his throat,

Fahad:" you guys go in through that door , thats the womens place, im going through this one to the right"

There were two huge doors side by side in the round car entry, we got out if the car and gave the valet the keys to the ferarri

We said our c u soons and went in

We got in and were swarmed by black abayas,

We said hi to everyone there

Everyone was crying and sad

Iljaw ma2sat

We didnt see faisals gramma

When suddenly she was right there hugging me and she slipped a paper in ny hand and left but before she went she told me that the note was from faisals mon

I opened the note and it said in four words

ما اوصيج على ولدي

I quickly closed the note and handed it to reem

This was too much so i just left reem and got the hell out

I started shoving past 3abayat

And tried to find the exit when i did i barreled into the door and slammed to shut

I tried to breathe

And when i got my breathe i realized

This door wasnt familiar.. It wasnt the same door we got through.

Someone behind me cleared there throat

I turned to find myself staring into his eyes

He was alone

In his living room

 

 

 

 

He was wearing a plane white dishasha with the 3gal and 8itra off and He was on the couch ,

 

 and he was staring at me

And and and.. I was supposed to say sonething instead of staring at him like some sort of idiot

I remembered then that i was mad.

 

And that i was at his moms funeral and that i was supposed to say allah yi3athim ajrik

But as i looked into his eyes

My back pressed to the door

I forgot everything

Everything i was trying to fix in spain was useless

Forgetting faisal was impossible

I looked into those eyes

Then

i fainted

Everything happened fast after that

He got up shocked and started walking towards me then another door opened and fahad walked in and saw everything .

 

 He got out his phone and called someone.

 

 A7mad appeared behind him.

 

 

 

 Faisal stopped in his tracks then turned around and walked to fahad

" she shouldnt be here, not now"

Fahad:" she wanted to-"

Faisal:" who told her then?"

Then he left

Fahad and ahmad helped me up and asked me if i wanted water

I didnt want anything

Not As much as i wanted to see if faisal was ok

 

that made me realize that i still cared

and i hated him for that

Chapter 48

- REEM-

Two days later


I held my phone between both my hands and had it on speaker between me and fahad
Me:" layan were are you"
Layan: " im ok"
Fahad:"thats good to know layan, but how can we be sure unless we know where you are"
Layan:" im in spain, with my little brother zaid"

i could only dm my very best friend, and she wouldnt give me more than a sentence or two at the time

Even here now on the phone, layan wouldnt talk, as if someone is straining her

Fahad: " we were wondering if faisal happened to be-"

Layan:" no"

She knew

WHAT IF SHES MAD AT US TOO

The hysteria showed on My face and fahad patted my shoulder, we were in the back living room waiting for ahmed to show up. He rescheduled to today cuz he said he was busy

We all know he chickened out

Fahad:"why are you in spain"

Layan" i want to get away"

Fahad:"layan your running away "

Layan:" no im not! That asshole made it impossible for me to live my life! He made loving him impossible!"

Fahad:"reem can i have a moment ?"

Fahad and layan bonded over faisal all the time, they were his two closest people

But now i felt useless

The only person who could fix this is allah thuma faisal

But since hes not here fahad will do

I left the room but kept the door open so the voices drifted out towards me

Fahad: " layan why did you go?"

Layan:" because of what he did"

Fahad:" thats not why you left, we both know that. We both know faisal hurts everyone around them, and we both know its to protect us, thats not why you left"

Pause

Fahad:" now tell me why you really left"

Layan:" because i love someone who doesnt love me back"

Fahad:" i dont know about love but i do know that what he did was for your benifit, that he did this to protect you, remember the creepy nerd? How bout that jassim guy that faisal keeps going on about. The one for the project! "

Layan:" i cant believe he still remembers... But what he did was still wrong"

Fahad:" everything he did was right, the WAY he did it was wrong. Can we atleast agree on that?"

Layan:" yes we can"

Fahad:" ok then come back"

Layan:"no i actually want to move to london, get a job and stuff"

Fahad:" bala dala3 come home and face him, make him regret he ever lived"

Layan laughed

Layan:" this being said by his best friend. Speaking of, did you both know"

Fahad:" both ?"

Layan:" reem and you"

Fahad:" know what"

Layan:" you do dont know"

Fahad:" we can explain-"

But the line went dead


Thats when a7medo decided to make an appearance

And thats also when fahad decided to leave and go to faisal


--

- fahad -

I had to get to the end of this

So i left reeem and went to faisal

I knew what i had to do

I got into my cherry red ferarri

I was always flashy, all the time

Im the student body president

I am the guy everyone wants to be friends with

Everyone believes im it

Then why cant i believe in myself

Because in reality they dont want to be my friends

They want to use me

They dont believe in me for my pros

They believe in my power

I dont have any

Thats faisal

Faisal is the only friend ive got

Or the only friend ive had for a very long time

But now i have reem and layan

They care, they never tried to use us

I cant let it end this way

I cant let layan hide under that rock of hers, theyre crazy about eachother


I know this because Faisals never given any girl the time of day. Hes never had a girlfriend, never had a crush
Never took a girl to the sadie hawkins dance
Or the winter formal back in boarding school
And thats not because they didnt like him


Girls notice faisal

Oh they do

They dont even care about his attitude
They just see him and float around him, and he doesnt even notice

But that changed with layan

He knew her since they were kids but he never really brought her up

But theres something going on

Something wrong

chapter 47

(listen to stronger by kelly clarkson)
-LAYAN-

i just read it.

that last line

my signature

i had a flashback of the day he made me sign a paper.....

"what... " i just, i couldnt believe it.

what happened next wasnt me.

i was blinded by my rage.

i ran into faisals room he was asleep, i just left him 5 minutes ago

but 5 minutes felt like 5 thousand.

i ran to his bed and thrashed

i hid his headboard

i threw of his blanket

i kicked the bed

i punched his pillow.

i pushed him and shook him

he freaked :"layan are you ok? HADAY LAYAN WHATS WRONGG?"

i couldnt answer i just kept hitting him.

i dont know how he got hold of my hand and then he gently slipped the paper out of my trembing fingers and as soon as he saw that i had indeed read that peice of paper.
realization dawned on his face.

i was crying so hard.

my hands were bleeding.

i couldnt think straight.

"please tell me it isnt true....." i whispered.

his eyes looked sad and he gently pushed the paper aside.

he kissed each and everyone of my fingers before nodding :"its true"

i shook with the tears.

"WAS IT ALL A LIE????" i shouted.

he looked at me wide eyed.

he started to shake his head.

faisal:"no no it wasnt, no-" he said in a low hurt voice. he was still restricting my hands

me:"then what was it?!!! if not a lie, then what?"

something passed in his eyes.

faisal let go of my hands

and as i looked in his eyes.

i could almost see his walls come up.

he hid his emotions.

a blank face

faisal looked at me:"it was for your own good. my dad had to do what was right-" he said more steadily.

then he told me. he told me my dad didnt write that i would enherit any of the bussinesses he had world wide and that it was all going to faisal.

faisals dad didnt think this was right. he thought htat i should get my share but there was no other way at the time except for a secret marriage with me and faisal

he said he had two options

1. fool me into falling inlove with him and romantically and WILLINGLY marry him in secret

2. stay away, keep distance, make me sign in secret.

but what i saw was that he didnt choose either of the two.

we were somewhere in the middle.

i never knew where i stood with faisal

i always wanted to know.

now i would, and i regret ever wishing that in the first place.

i sat there quietly in the armchair as he explained.

i gave him the death stare but he just kept on going

i never heard faisal talk so fast and so much at once.

i then asked my first question

:"why wouldnt my dad want me to inherit the company?"

faisal sat straighter

faisal:"im afraid i cant tell you that"

"which option did you choose? because it sure seems far from both"

faisal:"layan, please just this once trust that ill-"

me:"TRUST? after what you did YOUR talking to ME ABOUT TRUST?!!!!!"\

faisal just sat there patiently looking at me.

faisal:"i did this for you" he said in a really low voice.

it broke my heart.

it really did

me:"your father made you do it, you did this to get out"

faisal:"no one could make me stay not my dad, not my mom, no one. i was leaving anyways.... i was going to live my life... but i had things in my closet. you know the saying. skeletons in my closet...... i owed it to fahad.... but then my dad told me that it was you...... so i thought... fahad could wait for a year... "

me:"tasliya. you wanted to use me for a while... get me to fall in love with you-"

faisal:"I NEVER made you do anything you didnt want to d-"

me:"then play with my heart for a while"

faisal:"i didnt think you would care"

me:"ï cared from the moment i laid eyes on you in your filthy track jumpsuit and grey tshirt. with the mud and dirt and dust and oil all over you... even when you looked disgusting and revolting and untidy, messy, grose, dirty.... you were still the most beautiful thing id seen in my life... your eyes. your smile. your power walk when your angry, that look in your eyes when you look at me 3 seconds too long then catch yourself and turn away, when you blush, when you shout at me. i loved every bit of it... and it was all a lie, and all a big game... and in the end the greasy boy in the dusty jumpsuit was going to leave me in a year. just like he was never there in the first place"

faisal stared at me shocked

faisal:"layan.... i ......im sorry "

those werent the words i wanted to hear.

i stood up

fiasal stood up at the exact same time.

me:"you should go."

faisal:"layan please-"

me:"leave the keys on the dining table."

faisal:"-dont do this"

as i reached his door i turned to him standing there looking at me

me:"just tell me one thing faisal"

he looked at me with inteligent eyes

me:"tell me you dont love me"

he looked as if id just slammed him in the face. he jolted backwards

faisal:"layan mala da3y hal kalam. wain ray7a?"

me:"as far away as i can get from you"

then i walked out of the house in my sweats and ringed the driver.

faisal stormed out after me:"we need to fix this.. get over it"

me:"ITS NOT A FENCE, ITS NOT SOMETHING I CANE JUST CLIMB"

I turned, and gave my back to faisal

faisal:"YA JUST RUN AWAY LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO!! "

i wipped around and smiled.

his anger was tinted with wariness.
layan:"im not running away this time faisal, im walking away, from you"

his face drained from all the anger and was replaced with a look of horror

faisal whispered:"dont go"

me:"why... tell me why"

he knew what i wanted him to say

faisal:"i"

we stood there

"i will never say those words to you"
'
i nodded
me:"goodbye then"

i got into the car and as it drove away i saw faisal staring at the back of my head.

and in the back of my mind

i knew he stood there looking for a long time

after the car had left
 

chapter 46

(listened to with me- by sum 41 on repeat while writing this.you guys will feel more in the moment if you listen too)

-LAYAN-

(one day later)

when faisal dropped me home last night he went off doing what he does best i recieved a text

it was from fahad:"heads up lay, tommorows his bday"

i laughed at that.

i sent him a quick thanks and ordered a bunch of cakes .

so now today when i woke up . i checked faisals room and found him a tangle under his covers sound asleep.

sabi3 nouma ya7laila,

bas even when asleep he looked dangerous. ready to pounce at any intrusion

i recieved the cakes and food and everything then i got out some dvds since , weellll he never really ever has a say in what we watch on fridays, maybe today he could choose, you know since its his birthday.

at 5 pm i closed the living room lights and went to his room.

i got in and found him still asleep.

so i tiptoed next to him on the side of the bed and squeked a "faisal?"

i repeated but in a louder voice,

then i poked his arm

then i lost my temper and sat on the bed and started shaking him

"FAISAL WAKE UP"

he grunted and cracked open a black irised eye and then he closed it , falling back asleep

thats when he did something unexpected

he pulled me into his arms and squezed me as if i was a teddy bear.

as if he forgot this wasnt a dream

then he smelled my hair and sighed.

i realized he was wearing a white shirt and black boxers.

and my body was smushed up against his,

i tried to wriggle out but his grip was like steal and his arms were unbreakably strong.

i gave up and looked up at him but my face was on his neck so the highest i could see was his chin

me:"faisal"

faisal:"hmm?"  he smelled like cinnamon, mint, and a faint smell of aftershave and cigars

he burried his face in my hair

me:"i think theres a roach nest in the living room, i need you to go call the-"

he backed up enough to look at me

faisal:"ill go see for myself" he said tiredly,

i thought hed let me go so i wriggled.

and he did reluctantly.
when i got up he pulled me back down and before i knew it all i could see was his eyes

faisal:"i thought you were scared of cockroaches"

me:"nnot that much" i lied



he gave me one of his tired smiles

he got up tiredly and rubbed his eyes.

he yawned.

faisal:"take me to the cockroaches" he said.

i had to grab hold of his arm from how slow he was gowing and i had to fight with all my strength not to jump up and down with glee and excitement

faisal:"ya baba shwayshway, if we dont catch it well call an exterminator"

this man walked at a slugs pace.

when we got to the living room the lights were out

i asked him to open the lights when he did

he froze, his eyes grew wide.

me:"HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAISALLLL"


he was staring at the huge birthday cake that said happy 18th birthday and the chocolate foundant and cookies and cupcakes, and croissants, and fruit dipped in chocolate, pinkpasta to pesto.


then he turned to me

faisal:"why?" he asked in shock

i was taken aback

me:"cuz its your birthday"

faisal:"you didnt have to do this" he whispered

me:"i wanted to!! you only turn 18 once in your life!! now you can finally drive!!! legally"

all he did was look at me

and we had one of those silent exhanges.

then suddenly i was being swept off my feet and into his arms.

he hugged me, one of those huge bearhugs that warm your heart

when he put me down i rushed over to the cake and pulled him along.

he laughed "shwayshway its not going anywhere"

i laughed

when we got there i got out a single candle.

i placed it in the center and lit it.

i didnt sing

me:"make a wish"

he looked at me:"wishing to a cake is over rated, id rather ask you to get me my wish"

i smiled and nodded.

he gave me a half smile and blew the candle.

faisal:"i wish......" then he smushed a cupcake on my face.

i opened my mouth in shock and let out an angered noise

me:"this is the last time i buy you red velvet cupcake! or any cupcake at all!!"

he laughed

a very new sound to me.

it was a sound that seemed to come from deep inside him, making his whole body shake.

he held his stomach. as he laughed.

faisal:"la la 5ala9 ana asif"

i smushed a chocolate cupcake in his face.

and then he held both my hands and plastered them to the wall behind me

then he said.

:"i wish you would forget me"

i was taken aback

"why?"

faisal smiled a ruefull smile:"because your better off"

me:"why would you say that?! your a good person-"

faisal:"make no mistake, im not. i have never been a good person, and i never will be, i wont try to hide that from you, bad men can do good things and good men can do bad..... which do you think i am? the truth"

me:"your good. you just dont see it"

he shook his head.:"no im not, and i never will be.....lets just- eat the cupcakes"

i took out the dvds and told him he could choose

he eyes me suspiciously

faisal:"you never let me choose"

me:"ya but its your birthday"

he raised and eyebrow and i showed him the dvds he smiled

i picked.

the oc season 4, vampire diaries season 3, or gossip girl season 1

he didnt know what to choose and i didnt want him to choose gossip girl for obvious reasons so i tried to hide it.

but you cant hide things from faisal

even when half asleep hes still sharp and alarm

he picked gossip girl, because he wanted to find out why i was trying to hide it.

personally? my favorite show in the world is gossip girl and my two favorites were chuck and blair.

i loved episode seven and actually cry over how awesome it is to start the EPIC ROMANCE OF CHUCK AND BLAIR.

so i tried to avoid that disk but sadly it was the cleanest one,

so i picked it. we went to his room to watch it cuz for some reason his dvd was better than the one in my room. he got an eye roll for that

he watched my face as he chose which episode to pick

ana kint 3ala a39aby.

when he pressed ok on the sixth episode i let out a breathe

faisal:"i change my mind"

he went and chose episode seven... it was all ok til you get to the last minute plus blair stripping.

when she stripped and chuck got up faisal asked me if he was her boyfriend.

i shook my head

then they got in the limo and my body tensed.

this was my favorite part in history.

it was like sharing a peace of my sould with faisal.

i wasnt ready to show him this.

so i got up as chuck said she was amazing and pressed pause.

i looked at faisal but he was already staring at me

faisal:"why dont you want me to watch this part?i mean there are other parts we saw.." he asked in a calm voice

me:"i know....i just dont like it"

faisal:"why do i think its the opposite?"

i let out a breath.

faisal:"layan, come on why dont you want me to watch it?"

me:"nothing, ill watch it with you ok?"

he looked at me for a moment longer. i was sitting on his armchair as he sat on the bed.

he pulled me next to him on the bed.

then pressed play.

and the song came on

(i dont want this moment to ever end when everythings nothing without you)


chuck told her she was amazing
she kissed him

he asked her if she was sure

and she kissed him in answer.

and then it suddenly turned into one of the old fashioned cameras trying to capture the moment that chuck and blairs romance began

and gave him everything

(i want you to know, with everything i wont let this go, these words are my heart and soul, ill hold on to this moment you know, cuz i bleed my heart out to show and i wont let go)


considering there were other scenes in this episode that were somewhat like this.

this one was the one that got to me

so i just sat there and looked.

and when it was over i looked at faisal to see him staring at me.

faisal:"you want your first time to be like that? in the back of a limo? do you know how uncomfortabke that would be?"

i looked at him blushing.

he got it then his face turned red,

then he picked episode one and we just sat there quietly, no comments or anything.

faisal:"you want your first time to be with someone special, your prince charming, you know what i wish?"

i looked into his black eyes in the dark, and he talked in his tired heavy with sleep voice.

faisal:"i wish you wont ever settle for someone less then you deserve."

i nodded:"will do"

i smiled .

his eyes fluttered shut

as he slept i shut off the dvd player and started to get a cupcake on his desk when i saw something

my signature.

i pulled the paper out

i read the fine print

i 

i
didnt feel my legs could carry me
 i was married

Chapter 45

reem-
>
> I woke up to the sound of my alarm, i got out of bed checked my phone like it was a daily newspaper, went to the bathroom.
>
> I got out, put on my sweats and went downstairs to have breakfast.
>
> " goodmorning" -Fay, she was sitting alone having eggs and chay 7aleeb.
>
> "goodmorning.." I looked confused, I looked around .." illa wain omy o obooy? ilsa3a 10 il3ada ygoomoon abchar"
>
> " They're at the airport by now" -Fay
>
> " o laish ma7ad gally inna ilyom bysafroon?"
>
> Fay:" we did tell you, today is the 20th. Akeed btnsain, its not like we're your first priority anymore"
>
> Shit, I lost track of time. I didn't even say goodbye. Fay gamat tkhoura and i'm starting to get mad.
>
> Me:" Fay shta89ideeen? Akeed my Family comes first, i just forgot .. its not like they're going for long its just for 4 days, mala da3ee negitive energy min il9ib7"
>
> I sat down and focused on my food.
>
> Fay-" Reem ana agoolch shnu a89id, entay al7een bas illy hamich other people, your friends and guys. Ya3ne agi6ha bilwayh? illy hamich al7en Fahad"
>
> me:- " Oooh okkk now you think Fahad is my boyfriend ?? haahaaaa. 9ij th7kteny o entay tadreen ma3ndna halswalif"
>
> She can't just say that about me and its as if she knows whats going on in my life! the last thing i need here is a big sister that is just saying things to my face that are supposed to get me to lose my temper.
>
> Fay-" Ana ma3ndy halswalif i'm just not sure about you"
>
> Me-" la tlfeen o tdoreen, is there something you want to tell me?"
>
> Fay -" I do have proof. i'm not trying to be the bad guy here, i just want this family's reputation to be clean. I saw Fahad's car parked outside of our house and you got inside ni9 ilayl, you cant deny anything i have pictures. I'm not sure who changed you and how.."
>
> I lost my temper and started to yell.
>
> " Fay intay laish neyitich shayna?? laish ma t7snen ilthan fe ikhtch il9ghera?!?! You seriously thought i would ' run away with my boyfriend in the middle of the night' laa o FAHAD Is supposed to be that boy friend? shal kharabee6?!?! YOU watch TOO many movies!! And why the hell would you take pictures?? you're gonna tell who?? mama o baba?? You know they're gonna freak! You dont even know whats going on in my life you're supposed to stay away from me"
>
> Fay -" walllah yimkin telling mama o baba is the only way to get you to think streight! we live in Kuwait you're not in the U,S i dont care who that guy is unless hes your bro or cousin your not supposed to be in his car and go to god knows where with god knows who!!"
>
> I looked herin the eye, and didn't move.
>
> Me :" I have a perfectly good reason why I got with Fahad that day, it was an emergency . its a long story and you will never get it . you know what? khala9 I dont care if you tell them, allah yhdech o yhadena ajma3een, i know i did nothing wrong, I'm not regretting anything"
>
> I quickly got up to my room, closed the door and got emotional.
>
> To think, no, to KNOW one of your family members think your 'one of those girls '
> makes you feel worthless. For a second Fay made me feel like shit, for her point that i'm not supposed to be with him in his car at a time where everyones asleep. But I dont regret it, she would've done the same if she was put in the same situation.
>
> I don't feel bad about it. I know my parents well enough, they will hear my side of the story plus they see me as the responsible mature one. They really trust my decisions. I tried to make myself feel better and started to eat chocolate bars.
>
> I layed in my bed and started to smile, I remember that day very well
>
> -FLASHBACK-
>
> Faisal left..
>
> "Can you believe your friend?" I told Fahad.
>
> " My friend mu hayin kilish sh3abalich?" he winked revealing his flirty side.
>
> " you're winking ? seriously wallah jad?!Are you trying to makeme feel uncomfortable?!"
>
> He laughed, he usually raps his arms around his stomach when he does that.
>
> we started walking to the car.
>
> " I sure did! you were blushingg" Fahad said raising his eyebrows, smiling showing of his dimples.
>
> " la2 i wasnt , you were trying to act like you're chuck bass-Fail-! " I said
>
> Fahad: " Your blushing now!!! "
>
> I did feel so uncomfortable, cause this time i really did blush. I just looked at the ground and avoided eye contact.
>
> Fahad:" Reem bas kint ga3ad a6afrech, was just joking around wallah" he explained.
>
> Me :" great!" I felt relieved, he made me feel like I had power over him when he said that.
>
> We got in the car
> Fahad wore his glasses, fixed his hair and started the engine.
>
> I didn't feel like talking about Faisal, now that I've faced him, I'm ok. All I want now is to go back to sleep after this long night.
>
> Fahad realized how tired I was and tried to lighten up the mood.
>
> Fahad-" 3ad al7een starbucks on me"
>
> Me-" Sure"
>
> Fahad paused and looked at me.
>
> Me-" what? I can't say no to starbucks, I need a drink"
> Fahad-" yalla mekhalif testahlaiin" he joked
>
> Fahad's phone started ringing and he picked up
>
> Fahad-"alo? .. Halla, hallaaa wallah Ahmed! No i'm not around Faisal
> You called to ask me this? ok ok lat3a9ib... theres this place near your favorite chocolate place.. il3fw ma sawaina shay 7beeby, bye"
>
> Me:" i'm guessing thats ahmed? Random. "
>
> Fahad-" ydig 3alay hal 7za m3a9ib ygooly aby mokannfee gaz o banat 7ilween!! Hal walad fa9il!!"
> We both started laughing!
>
> me:" Wallah Ahmed is helarious!"
>
> Fahad:" e wallah, yzef ygool I was in the gameplan I was almost trapped. Zain ana shthanby"
>
> We got to starbucks illy yam baitna, I had my caramel frap. and Fahad got his triple shot,
>
> Me-" thanks alot you never let me down, matga9er!"
>
> Fahad-" 3la shnu? masawait shay, a9lan itifa8na next starbucks on you"
>
> Me -" la matfag8na! oo i meant thanks for waking up and picking me up, bainy o bainik i still cant believe Faisal approached Layan. now that he knows its 7alal, ma asteb3id ysawy aswa2 min just kissing, and that he's only here for a temporary time"
>
Fahad parked outside the house and turned serious:
" latgolen chithy, the guy can control himself. latnsain they live together alone, o ma ijtima3 ithnain illa itha kan ilshe6an bainhum... "

-FLASHBACK OVER-


my phone vibrated, it was an unknown number.

i pickked it up

me:"aloo?"

...:"halla reem, miss me??"

?? it was a guys voice, it was deep but held a note of laughter and humour

me:"um who is this?"

...:"ITS ME!!!!" he said in a loud voice

i sighed

me:"im sorry, but i dont know a me"

...:"you dont even know yourself?? tragic..... well.. IM AHMAD!! remember? the insider on layans kidnap? im the one who got her out? who let faisal in???"

me:"ya!! how r u? "

ahmad:"im awesome, as hot as ever, thank you. u?"

wow did this guy have an ego or what, how did he even get my number... well he is a part of the gameplan

me:"fine thank you, can i help yu with something?? "

ahmed:"i know what your thinking, why is he calling me???"

me:"considering your closer to layan and faisal, can you blame me?"

ahmed:"actually no, but i did try to call them, both of them, but they wouldnt pick up, then i remembered that faisal was at his race, so i thought she might be with you"

me:"no shes not with me... is there something i can do?"

ahmed:"i shouldve guessed they were together from the moment they hugged but i know faisal and hes not the type of guy to talk to girls, hell i dont see him look at anything other than his motorcycle or car. he thinks girls are a waste of time.... but i guess weve got one of those keepers....am i right? am i right?"

i sighed

ahmed:"dude are you ok?"


i was in such a bad mood that i needed to tell anyone

me:"NO, no im not ok! my sister is bitching on and on about me, shes threatening me, and she disrespects me. shes hated me for a long time because i lived up to my parents hopes and dreamsa, and she would never listen to anyone about anything...."

ahmed:"fay? " he said in a faint voice

what? he knows my sister?
me:"how do you know my sister?"

ahmed in a wistful voice:"me and her used to go out.. i taught her how to drive, we used to be so close.... i was her first love"

i was shockeed out of my mind

me:"WHAT? how??? she went out with you?!!"

ahmed:"not many girls can resist my charm and good looks, lets not forget my inteligence and winning personality, my hair flip, my hazel eyes. my white toothed smile-"

me:"i get it! but what happened?"

ahmed:"we met when our shoocl went on a feildtrip 2 years ago, her school and my school happened to go at the same time..... they said she might not be able to go because she had bad grades. well a bad grade in math.... so i volunteered to tutor her-"

me:"wait what???!! you tutoring fay?"

ahmed:"mumkin akamil??? ya, so she got a good grade when she remade her test in the airport, our field trip was to paris.. the city of love.... she and i went everytwhere together, sometimes we left the tour to go get icecream... we would stroll down the shanzileze hand in hand... then when we came back to kuwait she told me to teach her how to drive... we came down everyday for a week, until she got it right... we went to every burger joint in kuwait, every pizza place, every where...i remember when she told me she loved me.....we were at elevation burger bil 7amra skipping school"


i could not believe my ears.

me:"what happened?? how did you break up?"

ahmed:""she told me she didnt want to lie to her oarents anymore... that she needed to set a good example for you... she said she would miss me, but she couldnt be with me anymore..... she asked me to leave, to never call her, to forget she ever existed and to live my life. because - and i hate this quote- you only friggin live once... "

me:"when did you break up?"

ahmed:"she was only ever with me for two years. pretty longterm i know. she broke up with me last year... reem she only wants whats best for you.. she may be mean but its only for your benifit" he sounded miserable

me:"you still love her dont you??"

there was a sharp intake of breath on the other line

ahmed:"i dont.. i dont know"

me:"come over. NOW!! do you know where my house is???"

i know its dark and everything and its night but come on

------------------------


-LAYAN-

when we left, the tracks faisal went to change. he gave me the keyes to his stang and gave me a look.

me:"yalla go change" i smiled. and gestured towards the door

he crossed his arms over his chest

faisal:"ban6irich troo7een ilsayara, when you safely get inside and lock the car aroo7 inshallah"


i was about to object but he gave me a pointed look and bent his head
looking at me from down.
me:"fine ok"

i turned and made my way to the car.. when i got to the car i turned and saw faisal still watching me.

i got into the car. he left.


i decided to do something i never thought id do.

i got into the drivers seat but just as i got the belt on i saw faisal walking towards me..

when he came i honked the car and opened the window. i whistled to faisal.

he shook his head and tried not to smile.

he opened the door and without a word pointed towards the passenger seat.

i got out and walked over but as i walked, faisal bent to tie his shoes and a guy - who looked like he didnt see faisal- whisteled to me

guy:"ya 7ilwa, sh3indich hnee bil tracks?tabeen tistansain ta3alay ma3ay-"

faisal shot up and looked at him.

the guy saw faisal,

faisal:"lo feek 5air 3eed illy tawik gilta. LAYAN DISHAY ILSAYARA "

i got in

the guy freaked out.

faisal walked over to him and punched him

guy:"ana asif-"

he punched him again

faisal:"zain bas ma kasart throosik, in ashoof waihik hnee marathanya, matloom illa nafsik"

he got into the car quietly

me:"mishtahya starbucks"

faisal let out a breath

faisal:"me too"

we were on our way to starbucks in si;ence


when we got there.

we made our orders.

faisal got out his wallet. but i slipped the guy the money

faisal looked shocked.

faisal:"layan-"

me:"you need chearing up, plus you gave me your trophy the least i could do is get you a drink"

faisal:"la2 ana ilrayal-"

me:"WHATS that supposed to mean that women are sheep??"

faisal:"la mo 3an-"

me:"3ayal 5ala9"

he smiled.

and put his hand in mine, i felt money.

i looked and it was a ten

me:"faisal its not even 4 kd. " i tried to put it in his pocket but he blocked them and then i realized he was wearing jeans so her had a back pocket and without thinking i put my hand in his back pocket.

faisal looked shocked out of his mind and as soon as i slipped the money in i realized he was giving me a wolf smile

faisal:"layan you do realize you just touched my butt right?"

layan:"LETS never talk about this again.....like it never happened"

he was quietly smiling but as we got the drink he said

faisal:"im never going to shut up about this you know.... if you wanted to touch my butt you couldve asked."

my face turned red and he roared a laugh.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HEARD FAISAL LAUGH

chapter 44

(listen to mr hudson and the library white lies)












-LAYAN-

i fell asleep and woke up the other day to a knock on my door,

it started out as a knock and a whispered "layan?"

but then the door started knocking louder

i guess i was soooo out of it that i didnt wake up.

i mean could you blame me, i was kidnapped yesterday.

thats when my door opened sligtly.

and i heard footsteps.

my eyes were half closed. i had a habit of sleeping with half open half closed eyes.

but this time i wasnt sleeping.

i saw faisal walk in and look at me with worried eyes.

his footsteps were light its as if he wasnt even there.

he lay a hand on my forehead checking for a fever.

then he pulled up a chair and sat next to me.

he took something out annd surprisingly it was a book. he just sat there and started reading.

i was amazed at how patient he was.

he looked so at peace reading his book.

thats when he looked at me and i realized i was staring. eyes wide open

he shut his book. and gave me one of his charming white toothed smiles

faisal:"good morning sleeping beauty, i almost thought youd never wake up"

i smiled tiredly

me:"you cant blame me can you" i said it and meant it as a joke

but his smile vanished

faisal:"no but you can blame me, if it werent for me-"

i put my hand up

(it was awkward since i was laying down, so it was sideways)

me:"i dont blame you, and you shouldnt bllame yourself. please. "

he nodded.

then stood up.

faisal:"i was waiting for you to wake up...... cuz i wanted to tell you that im having a race tonight.. "

he looked at me expectantly

me:"o thats awesome!! ive never seen you race before" i sat up.

faisal:"ya its my first race this season"

he stood there and waited as if i was supposed to say something

i just looked at him

he sighed

faisal:"for gods sake layan, dont make me have to ask you"

my eyebrows shot up

me:"you want me to come?"

faisal:"do YOU want to come?" he asked and emphasized the you.

me:"only if you want me to"

he sighed again.

faisal:"its hard enough that.... layan.. forget about what i want. i want to know what you want" he looked at me in exasperation

me:"but i dont know how this goes!! i wont go unless you want me to" i said in exasperation.

he hysterically brushed a hand through his hair

faisal:"LAYAN!!! I WANT YOU TO COME TO MY RACE, I REAALY WANT YOU TO COME. NOW, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME?"

he yelled in exasperation

i jumped up and stood straight

me:"YA IWANT TO GO! NOW WAS THAT SO HARD?? "

I yelled back at him

we were both staring at eachother hysterically.and we were breathing hard

faisal:"god layan your impossible" he said.

but then he smiled

faisal:"6ala3tay roo7y. why couldnt you save me the trouble of asking?!"

me:"min9ijik? its your first race this season,its supoosed to be special, imnot just gonna force you to take me with you, witha ma kint tabeeny aroo7-"

faisal:"la yuba abeech tyeen, now since we got through that.. layan please never put me through that ever again " he said.

i smiled.

he shook his head and tried to fight back a smile.

half an hour later

faisal and i were on our way to the race.

in the car we listened to one of my favorite songs.

white lies, by mr hudson and the library.

(Lying, I still cant find the truth.
So I spin another line on you
You cant blame a fella for trying
Im hoping, you eat my every word)


i sang along, the corners of faisals lips were strained, and his lips formed a line.

he gripped the stearing wheel harder

(But deep inside Im dying
Oh! I wanna word with you
If theres never a perfect time
Its time for another white lie
White lies, just another white lie
I did it to get close to you
And I will tell a million more)

suddenly faisal turned off the radio

me:"but its not fin-"

faisal cut me off without looking at me

i checked to look at him and was shocked by how like the old him he looked

his eyes were slitted like a snakes, and his hair hung low just enough to cover his eye from me.

his jaw was strained and i could see a vein showing from his neck

faisal:"layan how do you feel about lying" he asked in a gruff voice

like the old faisal

me:"why are you-"

faisal:"just answer the question" then he thought and added a please

me:"lying is unfrogivable"

faisal took in a sharp breathe

faisal:"how about white lies"

i gave a laugh,

me:"oh, now i know what brought this on! the song." i laughed but the i saw faisals grave silent expression

i sighed

me:"white lies, is just something a liar would say to make himself feel better"

faisal:"what if he didnt have a CHOICE" our voices rose

me:"there are NO excuses to lying"

faisal:"what if it was to help someone"

me:"lying has a price"

faisal almost whispered:"whats your price"


i dindt like where this conversation was going.

faisal was taking this too seriously
me:"can we please change the subject lets talk about something fun, like whos against you in the race, or where im supposed to cheer you on-"


faisal finally looked at me for the first time in what felt like a year

his eyes peirced my soul

faisal:"layan, whats your price"

me:"me, the price is losing me" i said.

faisal:"even if it was to help-"

me:"theres no relationship without trust"

faisal:"yes but everyone has secrets"

me:"secrets and lying are the same. there an insult. IT MEANS you dont trust the person your so close to enough to tell them. sharing secrets gets you closer to someone, it means you trust somone, and lying is a slap in the face. NO its a stab in the hearT."

faisal:"YOU WOULD RATHER GET STABBED???" he laughed in disbelief. "ARENT YOU OVER REACTING A LITTLE LAYAN?!"

me:"ONLY COWARDS LIE. ATLEAST STABBING ME IN THE BACK MEANS THAT HE HAS THE GUTS TO DO IT."

faisal:"YOUR FUCKING UNBELIEVABLE" he slapped the stearing wheel

me:"where is all this coming from!!!!!! is there something you want to tell me faisal?!!"

faisal looked at me again:"EVERYONE in your life, has atleast lied to you once, are you telling me, youll erase all of them from your life? you would forget them all just like that?"

i looked at him hard in the eye and we had a staring competition

me:"have you ever lied to me faisal?""

we arrived and entered a garage, i guess the race was being held someplace other than faisals usual crossing

it was dark except for a few lights.

faisal turned off his car

i repeated my question:"faisal-"

he put a finger under my chin and bent towards me.

he looked me in the eye. with evil emotionless black pits

he kissed me then

he held my face betweenn both his hands and kissed me.

despite how he talked and how he looked.

the kiss was sweet and fragile. he held my face as if i was going to break

then as he pulled back first and ended our kiss he looked me in the eye and said

faisal:"more than you can imagine"

when the words came out i didnt understand.

til i remembered that he was answering my question and i felt cold all over.

i was shocked

shocked to say the least

you know that moment when your heart stops and you cant breathe?

and as soon as he saw realization dawn on my face he got out of the car and walked away waiting for me to join.

we walked to the tracks in silence his hand slipped through mine.

but i was too numb to even remember when it even happened.

it was filled with people.

and i saw guys in colored jumpsuits zipped to the top with matching bikes. they were behind the railing to which faisal led me.

they all came out from a garagelike building from behind.

they all looked at faisal and waved.

he whispered something in my ear.

i think he was excusing himself to change but i was too busy thinking

was all of this a lie?

when faisal came out he emerged from behind the lines

with them

and he was breathetaking,, in his royal jumpsuit. and his motorcycle.

when he came out he said hi to all his friends and they gave him a warm welcome.

then his eyes found me.

his eyes fell into mine.

he smiled and waved.

then he winked

thats when everyone put on there helmets and climbed the dirt bikes

when everyone was on the engines revved.

and i heard a gunshot above

thats when they rode.

they swerved and bumped eachother some of them - all of them- tried to cheat by attempting someone to fall or slow down.

faisal ofcourse was always in the top two, i forgot my surprise in that moment.

i forgot everything, and when he passed me i couldnt help but shout :"WOOOOHOOOOOO FAAAAAIIIIIISSSSSSSAAAAAAALLLL"

i didnt think he would hear me but he did and turned his head towards me a little.

when he reached his last lap, he was neck in neck with an orange jumpsuit.

the orange jumpsuit bumped faisal.

faisal ofcourse took that as an opertunity to bump him right back.

faisal won.

when he did everyone screamed even me.

but i didnt know whether i should go look for him or not but i saw everyone running towards the end looking for him.

i could only see his bike.

i decided to wait here

no one was here actually i think everyone was looking for faisal

thats when i felt strong arms wrap around me from behind and i peaked back to see faisal above me.

i smiled but it wavered with uncertainty.

me:"congrats you were great"

faisal looked into my eyes searchingly and sighed

faisal looked at me:"lets make a deal..... after today i wont lie to you... as long as you forgive me if you find out about any lies ive kept before"




i didnt know what to do but he looked at me with those slitted eyes and i remembered one of the rare wise things my mom once told me
(love is about sacrifce)

i looked at faisal and we both stopped walking

i nodded

he looked at me with disbelief and surprise as if he never thought id agree.

then he held both my hand bent down and kissed me again.

a fast butterfly kiss. he gave me a trophy. a beautiful large trophy.

faisal:"i want you to keep it." he smiled

what?!

me:"i cant possibly take this, its your first race and you won-"

faisal smiled:""there will be plenty other races to win and plenty of trophies i keep but i want you to take it"

i nodded...

but as we walked hand in hand fingers intertwined.

i couldnt help but ask "what kind of lies?"

he smiled

"White lies...."

chapter 43

(long chapter for you guys, 3asakum min il3awada, and happy ramadan to you all!!!)

-REEM-

I woke up to a phone call from Layan, ilsa3a al7een 3 AM.

Layan: “ REEM WAKE UP “

Me : “ You think I didn’t ya3ne? “

Layan: “ You won’t believe what happened.. ”

Me: “Layaan you’re stuttering and your voice is high.. What happened? You finally lost your virginity?” I said sarcastically.

Layan paused.

Me:”alooo?”

Layan:” Noo. But…… uuuuhhm. What happened, actually, was…But don’t get mad and don’t yell..”

Me : “ Layan. sh9ayer?”

I know now there’s something serious. You know that moment when your heart beats fast when someone wants to tell you something and ask you not to freak? Makes me freak before I know what’s going on.

Layan: “Reem! Faisal kissed me, like a real kiss…”

I got so angry, my eyes twitched, and I felt like I want to punch him in the face RIGHT now. Wainik ya Faisal a3almik shloone tgarb 9ob Layan!!

Me :” What THE F&#@?!!!!!!!! LAYAN!!”

How did Faisal just decide to go with the flow and kiss her? We all know he’s going to leave her. Who does he think he is? I warned him. I told him to back off.

I don’t know why but suddenly my eyes started to tear, not from sadness, but from the anger that I held. My eyes looked like they are about to pop out.

I hate Faisal now for many reasons. Now? I really hate him for making this hard for me to tell Layan that I warned him to backoff.

Layan: “ Reem !! I know your mad and confused at the same time and I know what I’m asking you now is kind of hard but please TRY NOT to judge this until I tell you what happened exactly! “

So, Layan explained to me what exactly happened with the devil and I know how she’s taking this seriously and how much this is a big deal so I tried controlling my temper and actually listened to what exactly happened.

Layan: “… & that was it. Reem I don’t know if I’m supposed to be happy or mad. The kiss was fairytale-like, perfect! I didn’t expect this coming, he surprised me.”

Layan, you trust him and you don’t even know he’s capable of many things, you’re married to him now for petes sake and YOU –the wife- don’t even know it.

Layan:” So I don’t know is this ok? I mean, he made the move its not like I intended on doing anything like that.. “

Well, Layan, he is your husband. You guys aretechnically married, it’s not 7aram, but still……

Shlone bafahim Layan inna it wasn’t disrespectful, and he wasn’t just playing since it’s 7alal.

Me:“ It’s not your fault. All you did was absolutely –nothing-. La tloumeny itha giltlch I hate Faisal. I’ll talk with you tomorrow I’ll see you @ lunch, bye.”

Just needed any excuse to close my phone and start going to my bed and scream at my pillow.

Faisal. Where could he be, I don’t care if its 3 AM , I bet he left the house as soon as he kissed Layan. Where else to find Faisal then at motorcross? J

To motorcross.

I quickly wore sweats and a T-shirt; I brushed my teeth, briefly brushed my hair, and picked up my phone.

Wait, wait, I can’t wake my driver up. He’ll tell my parents on me. I can’t ask Fay, cause well, it’s Fay!

So I called Fahad.

Fahad:“ Aloo? Halla Reem? Fee shay? Feech shay?”

Me:“ Halla Fahad, I’m so sorry I woke you up ! Wallah mu qa9dee … But I kind of need you right now, come pick me up ! it has to do with Faisal”

Fahad:“ Ana al7een yaylech, nizlay ba3ad 5 minutes tlgainy 3nd babkom”

Fahad finally arrived, after waiting for exactly 6 minutes.

I got in the car. The car smelled amazing, it was really neat and I like how he takes good care of it. Fahad was waiting for me to close the door and he looked great for someone who just got out of bed, flawless *mashalah*.

Me : “ilsalaam 3laikom,”

Fahad started to drive.. :” wa3alaykom ilsalam Reem, shlonech? Shlone nomtch? Momkeen a3arf sh9ayer oo wayn bnrooo7?”

Fahad was curious, I would say freaking inside since he has no idea whats going on, but he acted calm. When you’re with Fahad you feel safe, you don’t worry anymore about anything, all you have to do is trust him and tell him what’s keeping you worried. He’s the strong one that can make a disaster look like something he can handle, or at least that’s the impression I got from him, especially the way he acts calm, it makes you believe that.

For a second my mind was of off how much I am angry about what Faisal did to Layan, its because I felt like Fahad was the perfect guy I wanted to see and talk to about all of this.

Me: “Motorcross. I want to talk to Faisal. “

Fahad made a turn and started driving the other way;

Fahad: “ W shdarach inna Faisal yroo7 motorcross hal 7aza?”

Me: “ I know he’s awake, Fahad I can’t trust Faisal I know he’s your friend, and he’s a great friend to YOU. Shno yathmin inna he’s not a .. well..”

I was going to say psycho path .. But no, I couldn’t. Fahad is someone I really respect I can’t say that about his friend that cares SO MUCH about him. Plus, Fahad already told me how much Faisal mattered to him, he risked his life, so I can’t say anything.

Me : “ What I’m trying to say is that, mithil ma Faisal ykhaf 3alaik o enta tkhaf 3alaih? Ana akhaf 3ala layan. Fahad, he made me hide something huge about my best friend that I can’t tell her. I told him to back off, you know what he did? 9adag 3omra, played the role of Chris Hemsworth in the movie ‘ Snow White and The Hunstsman ‘ and kissed her.”

Fahad: “ He kissed her? Faisal? The same Faisal we know? Kissed her?”

I took a deep breath. I am still not accepting the fact one bit.

Fahad : “Reem, I know your mad. Oo halshay yathbit inch intay 5osh wa7da, o tihtamain b layan. Al7een bnrou7 inkalim Faisal, tell him whatever you want! Laa mu bas chithy, I’ll be on your side if you want ba3ad! What he did was wrong. But don’t forget its 7alal. If Faisal wanted to play with Layan and religion he would kiss her as a stranger. Reem, they’re technically married”

Me:” Ok bas Layan does not know that, doesn’t anyone care about her feelings? How she doesn’t have a say in any of this? Wallah 9ij!”

Fahad laughed,

Fahad: “Your right, your right, ka garabna no9al , we’ll tell Faisal about this”

I felt like I just poured my heart out and a weight has been lifted off my chest. Now that Fahad agrees with me, and I’m on my way to see Faisal.

- AT MOTORCROSS -

We got out of the car, and started to walk inside, the place was huge and scary. It’s dark outside and I’m alone with Fahad.

Fahad walked infront of me since he knows exactly where he’s going, I followed.

As we walked closer and closer, and away from the car (where its safe) I started to freak. I constantly was looking left to right, right to left, and walk quickly so I could get close to Fahad.

I suddenly hear barking.

A big scary bulky german dog was chasing me !

MYYY GOOODDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!! I yelled and grabbed Fahad’s arms.

Fahad turned and ordered the dog to stop : “ Chuck ! Sit!”

I didn’t let go of him I’m too afraid something else starts coming in my way.

Me : “Chuck?”

Fahad:” waiih Reem, lail7een khayfa? Hatha Chuck our puppy”

Me : “ Hatha puppy? A6wal minik”

Fahad: “ I come here all the time for Faisal, he used to freak me out too, but the guards taught me how to deal with him. He’s supposed to guard this place instead of the lazy night shifts who are sleeping at the moment.”

We walked in, and saw Faisal covered in dirt, playing with engines or whatever he’s doing that guys do here.

Fahad: “ F9aaaaail!” Fahad yelled. Faisal was at the end of the garage, he had a huge corner and wall all tto himself, he was currently fixing a dirty blue motorcycle, he was covered in greese, oil, and dirt. He was wearing the motorcross blue jumpsuit that seemed to match the bike, and a white tshirt that is now covered in Greece, oil, and dirt.

Faisal stopped what he was doing and his eyes followed the sound, Faisal looked at us with a surprised expression of shock and confusion

We went up to Faisal and cornered him. He put his towel on his shoulder

Faisal: “fhaid,reem what brings you to the garage” He said that looking at Fahad, squinting his eyes ,na8za: laish inta wya REEM IHNY o matgooly?

Me:” I called Fahad and asked him to bring me here”

Faisal : “Great. & How do you know I’m here? I don’t remember making a foursquare account”

I ignored the jab

Me: “ We know you kissed Layan.” I told him giving him a I-will-kill-you- look.

Faisal: “You’re here to discuss something with me about Layan, shda5al Fahad?”

Me: “doesn’t matter… nisait? We had a deal you would back off, you promised you would stay away, now explain to me, how exactly does kissing her have anything to do with pushing her away”

He looked at me with cold eyes.

Faisal:”I don’t have to explain anything to you” he said but then he looked at the ground and turned to his bike, he took the towel off his shoulder then asked in a quiet voice

Faisal:”what did she tell you?” he asked .

Fahad looked as shocked as I did.

Fahad:”fa9ool is there a reason why you kissed her?”

Faisal slapped the towel to his shoulder and swiveled to us.

Faisal:”its not like its 7aram, im her husband.. if she doesn’t want me to kiss her than that’s between me and HER. It has nothing to do with the both of you.”

Me:”im her best friend, of course it has to do with me”

Faisal:”no it doesn’t, reem, it doesn’t. ”

I blew up

Me:”YES IT DOES, I KNOW YOUR GOING TO LEAVE HER IN A YEAR, SHE DOESN’T.. how do you think shes going to feel in a year”

Faisals face paled

And fahad did something unexpected

Fahad:”faisal, you don’t have to go with me-”

Faisal shook his head :”what are you saying, im not letting you-”

Fahad:”no im not letting YOU, give up something you care about for me”

Faisal:”and how would you guys know, how I felt, I thought you (he looked at me) said I didn’t have feelings. I don’t get attached”

Fahad:”maybe she doesn’t know you but I do, and I know you never NEVER cared so much about a girl that you kissed her.and you wouldn’t have went after her if theyd have stolen her And don’t give me that bullshit about taking care of her because of her dad”

Faisal:”I would have saved anyone if they were taken because of me-”

Fahad.:”you can go on and deny deny deny, but I was there when you finally got her back. I saw that look on your face when you held her in your arms. YOU cant give her up just for the sake of leaving Kuwait with me”

Faisal stood there shocked.

Fahad said one more thing:”I have nothing more to say about this, reem ill be in the car”

And with that he left.

Faisal just looked at me :”r u happy? You’ve finally got your point across, now im the bad guy”

me:”im VERY HAPPY, but do you know what will make me happier?? If you told her the truth”

Faisal:”I cant do that now can i”

Me:”in seven or eight months you can”

We stared eachother down

Me:”I don’t know what your doing, or if your in your right mind, but youll never be prince charming, youll never be the one for her”

Faisal made a sound like a growl:”im no prince charming, I know im not, she knows im not…and im not trying to me”

Me:”well it sure seems like it”

Faisal:”im being myself”

Me:”no your not, your full of lies and secrets and no I don’t think you have feelings”

Faisal:”white lies” he put his towel down on the bike and made his way somewhere I started to follow him

Me:”would you like to test the theory”

And before I knew it he rounded on me and I banged against his chest. It was as hard as stone

He bent down over me and loomed his eyes turned to slits

Faisal:”listen I f I go down, im taking you with me”

I scowled

Me:”you know what faisal? She will forgive me eventually, if not now then next week. But you? No way, you wont stand a chance”

Faisal looked like hed blow up and walked away.

-LAYAN-

The phone rang next to me as I was watching two weeks notice, with hugh grant and Sandra bullock.

Even though its in the a.ms I still refuse to pass Friday without the Friday night movie, even if it meant watching it alone. Its 5 am

I also Couldn’t sleep because I kept thinking about faisal

I looked at the phone and it was him

Me:”hi”

Faisal:”layan.”He said breathelessly

Me:”ya?” his voice still took my breath away

Faisal:”why are you awake?”

Me:”I couldn’t sleep” I said, I didn’t know whether to be mad or happy… I just settled for awkard.

Faisal:”listen, im sorry, I shouldn’t have done what I did. i was stupid and I acted on impulse. You didn’t even know I was going to until I carried you off the ground. Im sorry for that”

Silence

Me:”you know how I feel about you, why are you apoligizing”

Faisal nervously:”because I never asked ”

Me:”well thank you for apologizing for the kiss but-”

Faisal:”oh no im not sorry for the kiss, im not sorry at all, im apologizing because I never asked you for permission. I don’t regret kissing you. And if I could go back in time id do it again”

I just took the phone away from my ear and stared at it.

Faisal:”I have to go though, but I had to get it out of my system”

And with that he shut the phone