"You thought I would steal your girl?" Raphael asked.

Karim didn't dare to look at his best friend.

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Look, Raphael, I'm not proud of what I did," he mumbled.

His friend paced in front of him, "You damn well shouldn't be. Is this why you've been really weird around me? Ignoring me, whispering around me, glaring at me for no reason?"

He was silent, red-faced.

"You stood up Shaheen because you thought we'd somehow end up together? How could you think that I would do something like that to you? No," Raphael stopped him from answering, "don't answer that. Maybe you do have zero trust in me but the whole idea is stupid. I never even showed any interest of the sort in Shaheen. I haven't seen her or her videos. All I knew was that you and her were messaging each other. That was all of my connection with her."

"I know, I know, but Raphael, she loves you! Do you know how that is? To finally find someone who you like only to know that they like your best friend? I am not like you. I don't have a 'perfect smile' or 'contemplative eyes' or 'Greek God physique'-yeah, she describes you like that in front of the whole effing world-and guess what? I don't even know if she likes me back because she has only ever admired you in front of me. Its like I'm the ugly child of the family or something."

"You're not-"

"No, you listen now. I hate being like this. I hate this-this thing that is clouding my judgement and giving me a weird kind of hope dressed in pessimism. Everything is a paradox. Except the fact that she loves you. How can I ever compare to you? Worst thing is, if someone were to imagine you two together, it would look perfect. Kind of like how Cristiano and Zarine look. I am the monster in this story, the sidekick who complicates things, the-the-"

To Karim's surprise, Raphael hugged him, "Look, uh, you know I don't get all touchy-feely-" he said, stepping back, "-but you've always been the perfect person to me. You are a fantastic footballer but more than that, you are a kind and thoughtful person. I had no idea that you could be...thinking any of those things."

Karim sniffled, "See you're being the good guy again. Forgiving me and shit. I hate you, habibi."

"Yeah, you don't," Raphael smiled. "And I haven't forgiven you, yet. I trusted you and you betrayed my trust."

"I am sorry for that," he said. "I know I have probably lost it forever..."

"You could have just told me, you know?"

"Told you what? That I am jealous and insecure?"

"Told me that you didn't want me to go to Dubai with you, or just told me not to come along to the meet-up," Raphael said.

Karim looked incredulous, "How? I didn't want to hurt you. You're my best mate. I can't say no to you. I couldn't."

"That's where you're wrong. You could have and you can because I am not very perceptive in case you haven't noticed. I need to be given some clue of what's going on. I mean, look at you. I am supposed to be your closest friend and yet everyone else knew you liked Shaheen while I thought you were just having-I don't know-friendly fun with someone who claimed to be me."

Karim stared at him.

"Yeah," Raphael nodded, "we're both stupid but you kind of win because I would never let my stupidity do what yours has done. You have to apologize to her and tell her you like her."

"She's blocked me from her life. She hasn't even posted a new video yet. It's crazy, okay? It's crazy to be so close to someone through texts and pictures, so close that you know what they're up to every single day, to say good morning and good night, to joke around and have deep conversations and then all of a sudden, they just disappear from our lives. It's my fault, I admit, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."

Raphael took a breath, "You like her, right? Then, let's do this."

"Let's do what?" he asked, confused.

"She's just blocked you. You can use my phone to call her and explain."

Karim looked aghast, "Explain what? There is no logical explanation for my behaviour. I've been a dick and she's never going to forgive me."

"You got to try because otherwise you lose both your girl and your best mate."

"What?"

"Seriously, I am not forgiving you until you make it right with Shaheen." Raphael smirked, "She's my fan and I'm deeply protective of my fans."

"No, Raphael, I cannot, I just can't-"

Marcelo called out to them from where he had been happily eavesdropping their conversation, "Don't worry about it. I got it. See, I'm calling her." He grinned and showed them his phone which displayed the outgoing call.

Karim glared at him, "How did you get her number?"

"From your phone!" he laughed, proudly.

Karim patted his shorts and then looked at his teammate, "You little pickpocket! Give it back and cut the call."

"Wait, wait, its ringing," Marcelo shushed him. "Hello? Hey, uh is this Shaheen?"

He gave Karim and Raphael a thumbs-up.

"Hi, Shaheen, this is Marcelo," he continued. "No, no, Mar-ce-lo," he enunciated. "Yeah, from Real Madrid. How are you?"

Karim tried to tear away the phone from his hands but Marcelo held him back, grinning, "Thank you. That is very kind. Is my English okay?...Good, good....well, you aren't the only fan in this conversation. I have watched a few of your videos and I find them really cool...hahaha...Uh listen, I was wondering if you'd heard from Karim lately? He has been trying to contact you...oh, you're busy. Should I tell him to call later, through this number?" His smile dropped suddenly. "Oh okay, yeah, see you. Good bye."

Most of the team was looking at Marcelo now but no one as hopeful as Karim who looked as if he would pass out.

"Well, what did she say?" he asked.

Marcelo gave a sad smile, "She's very nice, Karim. I can see why you like her."

"Just tell me?" Karim asked.

The Brazilian ran a hand over his face, "She says she would prefer if I didn't tell you to try calling her."

Karim stared, the weight of this knowledge crushing his last vestiges of hope. He nodded slowly, "Thanks for trying. I deserve it. I would have probably done the same...had the positions been reversed."

Isco ran up to them, unaware of the call, looking extremely pleased with himself, "So I just got off the call with Arbeloa and the great love guru has spoken. He says, you must not try and anger her more by contacting her through texts and calls. He was adamant about that point but I told him there was no danger of that because Shaheen the Sassheart had already blocked you from everywhere possible. Now, his advice for you is that you go and apologize in person. Like go meet her and do take the red roses this time. Beg her for forgiveness. Tell her the truth and not leave her doorstep unless she forgives you or calls the police. THIS SHIP AINT SUNK YET!"

He didn't get any of the happy response, not even from Karim, that he had thought he would.

"What? Why are you all looking so glum? Arbeloa is the best love-guru in the world. W-wait you guys didn't do anything to jeopardize my ship, I hope? Oh no, you did. What did you do?" he screeched.

Marcelo laughed nervously and began to back away, "N-nothing?"

Nacho patted Isco's shoulder, "He called up Shaheen and asked whether she would talk to Karim. She refused."

"WHAT? And where are you going, Karim?"

"To wallow in my grief, stupidity and heartbreak," came the answer. "And listen to some sad Drake songs."

Isco narrowed his eyes, "Nope. You're going to pack your stuff. You're going right back to Dubai right now-"

"I volunteer to go with Karim," Jese raised his hand.

Isco straightened, "And this time, I will accompany you so that nothing goes wrong. Constant vigilance!"

[ The Love-Guru has spoken words of wisdom yet again!

ALSO OMFG #VARZEMA THOUGH <3

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