I left Amira's house and took an uber back to school. I went directly to Khalil's apartment and it was locked and he didn't let me in. After a long while of waiting, Cole came home and he used his key to unlock the door and let me in. I saw Khalil sitting in his chair and he was heartbroken. Cole sensed the tension and excused us to have a moment alone to talk.
"Khalil it's not what you think" I finally said after thinking so long about what to say and what to start with.
"I heard your conversation with him Zeenat so don't even dare" he said with lots of anger and sadness.
"Oh" I answered sadly
"How could I be so stupid and couldn't see the signs? It was right there in front of me" he said
"What signs?" I asked without meaning to
"Is it the fact that you always, always introduce me as your best friend or the fact that you light up at the sound of his name? Even this sleepover I saw the way you looked at him, longing for him and you never paid attention to me. When I kissed you today your heart was somewhere else and immediately Christopher pulled you away I knew just then that you not only love him but you'd rather be with him" he answered
"Khalil" I said with pleading eyes while trying to move closer to him but he moved away.
"Do you even love me at all? I don't understand you, Zeenat. When it's just us you make me believe all is right with the world but as soon as he enters the picture, poof, you're gone" he said as he snapped his fingers
"Of course I do. Khalil, please don't be like this'' I answered. I know now that it's not him who I want to be with but I don't want to lose him. He has always been a part of my life and I don't want that to stop.
"Of course, you what? You can't even say it" he said sadly as he sat on the chair facing me.
"I...I love...I love you, Khalil. I know I do" I replied as I sat on the edge of his bed.
"If you do Zeenat, it wouldn't be this hard" he said
"I know and I'm sorry it took me a while to say it" I answered
"If you love me then how about Christopher? You love him too" Khalil said impatiently
"Let's not talk about that right now" I replied
"No Zee now is the perfect time to talk about it. What's the difference between us?" he asked
"Look Khalil, before I came here for the first time I had feelings for you and I wasn't sure you felt the same way. Christopher caught me by surprise, I didn't even think we'd ever be friends not to speak of loving him. What I'm trying to say is I never thought I had a chance with you and after meeting Christopher my feelings for you subsided" I answered with sincerity
"Look how easy it was, saying you love him and it took you what, months to say that to me" he replied
"I don't want to hurt you Khalil and I want to always be a part of your life" I answered sadly
"Too late Zee" Khalil said as he stood from the chair and paced slowly around the room.
"Have I lost you?" I asked whilst dreading the answer.
"I don't know Zee but what I do know is that I need space" he answered
"Space?" I asked
"Yes space, I need you to just let me be" he answered
"Will you be okay thou?" I asked
"Yeah" he answered vaguely and I stood to leave.
"I'm sorry I hurt you, Khalil. That was never my intention" I said before finally exiting the room.
I got back to my place and thankfully Amira was there. I know I was the one who hurt Khalil and it was my fault that our friendship is in turmoil but I still feel sad about it and I need a friendly face to tell me everything was going to be fine.
"Amira, thank God you're here but why are you here?" I said as I closed the door behind me.
"I went to Greg's after you left and I just came back" she replied
"Oh okay" I answered
"Yeah, what's up? Did you talk to Khalil?" she asked
"Yes I did and I think I've lost my best friend" I said as I collapsed on her bed.
"I'm sorry about that Zee. Everything will be alright Okay?" she said but even I could sense that something was up with her.
"Are you good?" I asked
"No" she answered before breaking into tears.
"Oh my goodness, what happened?" I asked fearfully
"Greg dumped me" she said amidst her sobbing
"What? Did he tell you why?" I asked
"He said he's ready to settle down and he doesn't see our relationship being long-term. He's been going out with this lady at his law firm. I went through his phone and confronted him about it but instead of apologizing or anything, he broke up with me instead. He dumped me for some corporate bitch" Amira said
"I am so sorry about this okay? Boys are stupid" I told her hoping to assure her.
"I loved him Zee" Amira said sadly. I have never seen her like this and it was scary. Amira is always the life of the party but right now she looks like a sober alcoholic. I don't know what to do to get her to cheer up a bit.
After I managed to persuade her to sleep I called the only person who I thought could help me help her get over Greg.
"Hi, Christopher" I said to him over the phone.
"Babe, what's up? It's the middle of the night. Are you good?" he asked
"I am but Amira, not so much" I answered
"What happened?" he asked
"Greg broke up with her" I answered
"That jerk!" he said
"Chris, you've known her the longest, do you have any idea what I can do to help her feel better?" I asked
"Urm, have you tried binging the Originals with her?" he asked
"Oh yes! How didn't I think of that? Thanks, Chris" I answered
"You're welcome, Zee. Can I talk to her?" he asked
"Not yet, she's asleep" I answered
"Okay. Zee have you talked to him?" he asked
"Yes I have" I replied
"Well?" he asked impatiently
"We'll talk later okay?" I answered but Christopher wanted more.
"Can you just tell me something? This suspense is frustrating. Are you two over?" he asked bluntly
"Yes" I said as I smiled
"Thank goodness. I can't survive another moment of you being loved up with him" he said happily.
"Goodnight boyfriend" I said amidst yawning.
"Love you girlfriend" he answered with a sleepy yawn too.
"I love you too Christoper" I replied
Even with my friendship with Khalil jeopardized I still had one thing to be grateful for, my relationship with Christoper. It might be selfish of me but I'm glad my relationship with Khalil has ended. Khalil now has a chance to find someone that loves him just as much and I can pursue a relationship with Christoper without the fear of hurting him anymore.