Mariam Abdul:
Saad and his family recently moved out, but nothing happened because he was already in love with someone else. He told me he was afraid to offend his parents because they had already looked for a girl for him, but I advised him to try and tell them the truth now before it is too late and that I can not stand in the way of their relationship. With an exhale of relief, he expressed his gratitude to me multiple times and invited me to his wedding.

He told his parents and mine everything, and everyone was happy he had the guts to do it. However, he gave me credit, and all the while Khalid was silently watching, it felt really awkward.

It was undoubtedly not meant to be, and perhaps there is someone else for me, but I am relieved to be stress-free at last.

As my brother and he enjoyed their reunion, we sat there and chatted.

"What was Khalid not saying?"I looked away, realizing that we were still with my parents.

***
"You guys can enjoy but be careful and we trust you so we heading to sleep its already 11pm" My dad spoke while he stood up and extended his hand to help mum. Awww these two are such amazing and cute.

"Sure dad don't worry," my brother  Imad said with smile on his lips and they bid us goodnight.

"So how are you sister?" Imad asked me curiously but with concern in his voice and I smiled .

"Alhamdulillah never been better it wasn't meant to happen ," I stated and looked anywhere but at Khalid. I knew he was listening every word.

"May be someone special is meant for you," he said and hugged me to comfort me and I hugged him back while my eyes landed on Khalid and he looked away immediately .

The guy hardly speaks more than two sentences when am in same room.

"I will make coffee for us," I said as I went into the kitchen, but I could not help but think about how the guy told the truth rather than lying to me, whereas some people can not even express their feelings.

"Was it not meant to happen?" My attention was diverted by a voice, and I unintentionally burned my hand on a hot pan.

"Ouch," I said, taking my finger off right away and turning off the gas.

"Put some water and be careful," he said quietly, as if he suddenly cared.

I turned my head away, turned on the gas once more, and carried on brewing the coffee.

"You should not be here," I told him after pouring the glass and taking some bites.

"Where should I have gone then?" He questioned me, asking why he was suddenly interested in talking to me.

This closeness is not helping me. Astagfirullah.

"With my brother," I said quickly, placing some snacks on plates.

I just wanted to tell him how much I liked him and if he would reject me. He explained to me that "your brother has some work and he told me he will be back in ten minutes so I thought why not give you company since tomorrow is Sunday and me and your brother are having sleepover at friends place in an hour."My brother once slipped up and avoided the subject, so I knew he liked me. I believe the time has come.

I told myself to "be brave, Mariam," and I stood a little distance away from him before getting cups.

Though I know you never gave me a second glance, my heart still fell for you and only you. "Khalid, I really really liked you ever since you were coming to our house and ever since you started spending time with my brother," I whispered, but he heard because it was intended only for him to hear.

He has been avoiding me since he returned, so I waited and waited for him to say something, but I had a gut feeling that I was endangering us both.

I turned to look at him, but he was staring back at me first. He was grinning, wanting to sit down, and had a strange battle in his eyes. I knew I had told my mother that I would forget him and that it was against the rules, but she promised to talk to my father because Imad was fine with it.

I looked at my brother as we sat on the balcony enjoying our coffee and waited for him to finish working in the adjacent room. I noticed that he was tightly closing his eyes, so I wondered what was going on with him.Why was he acting so depressed and withdrawn? He supported himself by touching his forehead and the sofa next to him, and the next minute I heard myself scream.

Are you alright, Khalid? I kept yelling and he just nodded.

"Imad, Imad," I began calling my brother in the loudest voice I could.

I have never seen Khalid in such a weak, fragile state.

"Khalid, please say something about what is happening to you." I asked him as he sat down on the floor, slowly touching his head.

Even in this state, he said coldly, "Call your brother."

****
To be continued