Khalil went to the hostel that he was allocated and I left for mine after I helped him settle down. I got to our apartment but Amira wasn't there yet. I still have no idea why she has been unreachable. I picked up my phone to dial her number one more time but before I could, she came in and gave me a tight hug.
"Oh my goodness, I missed you so much" Amira said
"I missed you too babe, tried to reach you several times but it kept going to voicemail" I answered
"Oh, sorry about that. I went on a trip with my parents" she said sitting on her bed. I helped her with her luggage and sat beside her.
"Aww, I hope you had a great time?" I asked
"Yes, yes I did. It was so entertaining and educational, I learnt many things there" she replied.
"That's great, I'm glad you feel that way" I said
"So, how have you been? How is Khalil? Your mom and sister? Did you go anywhere fun? She asked with excitement.
"Relax" I answered jokingly
"I've been good and Khalil is good, I think we are a thing now, sort of. My mom and sis are both doing good but I didn't go anywhere fun, except the naming ceremony of my niece an...." I managed to say before Amira interrupted
"Hold up, you and Khalil? A thing?" She asked with surprise
"Yes, I think" I said sheepishly not knowing what she was going to think of it. She is my second best friend after all.
"Aww, that is so sweet, but wait, what about Christopher?" She asked with uncertainty
"Girl, it is a long story" I answered
"I'm not going anywhere soon, are you?" She asked waiting impatiently. One of the things I like about her is how she doesn't hesitate to speak her mind and defend her friends. She is my friend but that doesn't stop her from calling me out.
"Well, the short version is we broke up" I said vaguely as possible wanting to build up the suspense.
"Oh come on, just tell me already" she said almost immediately, knowing what I was doing.
"He's dating Kate now, he even sent me a picture of them together in bed" I answered
"What? That doesn't sound like something Christopher will do, it must be a mis..." she said but I cut her off.
"Look, I know he is your friend and all but I don't need you defending him right now. He's hurt me over and over and never again will I allow him to do that" I retorted with a bit of sadness.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Zee" she said as she pulled me closer to rest on her shoulder and pat my back. After we got over the Christopher topic, we talked more about things that happened while we were away and laughed some more.
Three days after, I had a class and bumped into Christopher when he was leaving school. I had told Amira not to tell him I was around if he asked or to ask him about what happened when they hung out. I just wasn't ready for the drama Christopher and his group of friends bring. June was the only one always minding her business but after getting pregnant, she and her boyfriend moved in together and relocated to New York. I was told once that the most gentle one is always the first to snap.
"Zee!" Christopher said shockingly as he looked up at the clumsy girl that had just bumped into him. I was late for class and wanted to get there as soon as possible. I stayed up watching the Originals, I'm now obsessed. I looked at him and hurriedly left to meet up with the class. I heard him call after me but I didn't acknowledge him and he stopped calling.
After class, I was exhausted and headed home but I saw Christopher waiting for me by the ice cream truck on my usual route home. I mixed into the crowd hoping to avoid him but I met his gaze and he followed me. I walked faster hoping he would get the hint and just go away but he ran after me.
"Zee, please wait" he said with his ever-soothing voice. I couldn't resist and ended up giving in.
"What do you want Chris? I said impatiently
"Why are you doing this? You blocked my number and now you won't even let me see you or talk to you. I didn't even know you were back, I asked Amira but she told me she didn't know when you were coming. What is going on babe?" He asked with frustration.
"Babe? I think you're mistaking me for Kate" I retorted.
"Wait, what? Kate? What does she have to do with this?" He asked with confusion.
"Oh please spare me all that. Do not even stand there and pretend to not know what I'm talking about. Listen very carefully, stay away from me and don't you ever ambush me!" I snapped at him and left almost immediately. This time he didn't run after me but watched as I left angrily. I smiled at what seemed like an accomplishment, he hurt me and I did the same. Although, I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it.
I got home and after freshening up I face timed with Khalil. We are dating now, although technically we haven't been on a date. Aside from having fun, there is nothing I'd ask on a date I don't already know about him. He respected my boundaries and decision on taking things slow. I still have to get through school and I don't want to rush things in case things don't work out because I don't want to ruin our friendship.
"Hi love" he said smiling brightly on my phone screen.
"How are you doing babe?" I asked focusing on his handsome face.
"I'm doing great, you?" He replied. I noticed the background was different and it wasn't his room.
"Where are you?" I asked
"I'm at a friend's place, we have a group assignment to work on. We agreed to facetime when you were done with class and I didn't want to keep you waiting" he said.
"Aww, that's so sweet of you. Thanks, hon" I said blushing hopelessly.
"Anything for you" he said but he was distracted.
He had things to do so I should leave him to it.
"Don't let me keep you. Stay safe and send my regards to him" I said yawning loudly.
"Ok love will send your regards to her. Bye" he said and hung up immediately. Her? He has only been here for less than a week and he had a friend already. A female friend. A part of me was jealous and wondered if they were just friends but I knew Khalil and know that I can trust him not to hurt me. I scrolled through our old-time pictures when we were still just friends and smiled at how we liked each other but neither of us could admit it to the other. I fell asleep shortly and cuddled with my big teddy bear, a gift from Christopher.