Laila's POV...
I avoided Kareem's gaze as I took the last sip of tea from my teacup. I was still annoyed with him for what he said yesterday.
'okay, since you barely know him. I want you to stop talking to him or seeing him'.
The words rang in my head once again. What does he mean by ' I want you'? Like as if he can control my every move.
I rolled my eyes before standing up with my dirty dishes in hand and making my way towards the kitchen. I heard him stand up too but didn't bother looking back as I grabbed the dish soap and squirted some on the sponge. I felt his presence next to me and noticed his arm stretch to grab the soap, blocking me from washing my dishes.
Other than the sudden burst of energy my heart gained as it started beating faster, I couldn't explain the feeling I got from him obstructing my personal space. I shook those thoughts away before reaching out for the soap and handing it to him. I quickly finished washing the dishes and putting them in the dish rack before making my way back to the dining room.
*Phew* At least now I won't feel so nervous around him.
"Okay", I heard Kareem say as he made his way towards the living room, grabbed his keys, before heading towards the front door. I grabbed my handbag from the dining table before also heading towards the front door. "Shall we?" I didn't look up to face him and just nodded.
Since the night before, the two of us haven't had a proper conversation, and I'm pretty sure Kareem realized that already.
He didn't say anything and just pushed open the door. The two of us made our way to the car and got in.
"Why do I feel like you're angry with me?" He said before starting the car.
"Angry? Why would I be angry with you?" I said sounding all clueless as I looked out the window. The exterior of the house slowly drifting away as the car began moving.
"Now I'm sure you're angry with me. What did I do this time?" He said in a bored tone. I felt a bit annoyed at how calm he was, but of course, why would he know my reasons for being upset with him.
"Oh nothing, just the fact that you politely asked me to stop seeing this certain person that I already told you, I barely know, and now you want to start dropping me off at college because you don't trust me?" I said as I turned to look at his reflection from the rearview mirror just as he also looked up at the rearview.
"I never said I didn't trust, and besides, I'm only dropping you off this one time because the driver is on leave". He said as we turned a corner.
I rolled my eyes before diverting my gaze back to the window, watching as the blurry trees and buildings began slowly diminishing.
"Look, I only told you to stay away from him because I don't trust him-"
"I don't care whether you trust him or not. I just don't like you controlling what I do, and besides, I never liked hanging around him anyways". I said as I folded my arms, my eyes still focused on the blurry buildings.
"Fine, I'm sorry, you can do whatever you want, hang out with him if that's what you want, but I still don't think it's a good idea".
"You still don't get it do you?" I said in a lower tone this time.
"I'm trying to get it!" He said in a louder tone.
"No you aren't, you're just trying fuel your ego with the thought, ' oh, she probably just doesn't want to listen to me because she in fact actually wants to keep seeing this mysterious guy', while the truth is just that you're jealous. You're jealous and you don't want me hanging around any other guy." I said as I finally looked away from the window. He didn't say anything for a while and I could see the university building coming closer into view.
"Well I -"
" It's too late for that now", I said not too long before the car came to a halt. "Bye". I said before I opened the car door and stepped out, not giving Kareem a chance to respond as I made my way towards the entrance of the building.
...
Joanne scribbled down a few more notes before slouching back on the bench and closing her notebook.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I too closed my notebook.
"I don't think we'd be able to finish before my brother comes", she threw her head back for a minute before jolting back up and pushing her books to the side. "On second thought, I think I need to use the bathroom, I'd be right back". She said before jumping up and rushing back into the building.
I sighed before opening my notebook once more just to hear the honking of a car. I could tell by the car that it was noone other than Jason.
I rolled my eyes, now he'd probably approach me and try to start a conversation. Why did Joanne have to leave now?
And just like I said, he stepped out of the car not long after and began walking towards me. I wanted to disappear right then and there. Because of him I had an argument with Kareem this morning and now I feel bad because he was just trying to advice me.
"Hey there, is this seat taken?" He asked once he was just a couple centimetres away from me.
"Yeah. By Joanne". I said as I moved closer to the edge, knowing he would still go ahead and sit down.
"Well, doesn't matter anyway right?" He said as he pushed all the books aside and sat down next to me. I closed my eyes and let out a sigh, trying hard to focus on anything else except his really strong perfume, when I felt something slowly take hold of my hand. I didn't waste a second before removing my hand from his grasp and moving further away from him.
"What's wrong with you?" I said as abruptly stood up.
"I just wanted to hold your hand, and besides, I don't understand why you're always acting this way around me!" His tone grew higher as he began marching closer towards me.
""Acting this way!? To be honest I don't even want to be around you! And for your information, I'm married. Happily married, in fact". I said . I as his expression grew angrier as he began walking away from me, his hands in his hair as he began walking towards me again.
"Married!? You think I can't get what I want even if you're married?" He said as he took hold of my arm.
"Let go of me", I said, my heart rate rising. Not many people were outside, and the people that were, were far away and won't notice anything going on here. " I said let go of me!" I shouted this time as I tried breaking free .
"You would regret rejecting me, just wait and see". He whispered, loud enough for me to hear, before he let go of my arm and pushed me. I closed my eyes with the thought that I would land on the floor and hit my head or something, but instead, I felt someone's strong arms take hold of me. I slowly opened my arms to see Kareem. His green orbs staring back at me made me want to melt right then and there.
After a couple seconds, I stood back up . I made sure to avoid Jason's strong glare as I walked back to the bench to get my bag and notebooks.
"Let's get going". Was all I heard Kareem say just as we began making our way towards the car.