Part 7.

Enjoy;* The next part is coming in really soon!

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        Dalal squeezed Faisal’s hand as he walked her to the car. Although they were both quiet, a lot was going through their minds. Faisal opened the car door for Dalal and she got in. He smiled knowing that the love of his life was finally with him. He quickly got into the car and turned the engine on.

“Dalal?” Faisal said.

“Halla?” Dalal whispered.

“You’re beautiful.” Faisal breathed out.

Dalal’s face turned into a dark shade of crimson and she looked around the car so that Faisal wouldn’t notice.

“Laish mesta7ya meni?” Faisal’s tone was beginning to be more seductive.

Dalal gulped, “la la mu mesta7ya menk, I just..” she looked deep into Faisal’s eyes and was lost for a few seconds. “I just missed you terribly.” She finally whispered.

Faisal grinned and lifted Dalal’s hand up to his mouth and kissed it slowly. He kissed her fingers slowly then slowly kissed her palm. Dalal closed her eyes and breathed out slowly trying to regain control of herself. Faisal kissed Dalal’s wrist and pulled away, ‘that should do for a little while’ he thought.

Dalal opened her eyes and her vision was blurry. It has been so long since Faisal last kissed her, so long since he slowly tortured her with his soft kisses and touch, so long since she took in his scent. It slowly hit her how much she’s been missing him that her eyes got wet. ‘No more tears,’ she thought to herself. ‘No more missing Faisal, he’s back and I’m not gonna leave him out of my sight.’ She thought to herself.

“Faisal?” Dalal called as soon as Faisal pulled out of the parking spot and out of the parking lot.

“Halla?” Faisal replied.

“Where are we going?” Dalal asked, hoping it would be somewhere secluded. Somewhere where it’s just him and her.

“Mara7 agoolich” he smiled, “just wait and see.”

“Okay,” She smiled back, “bas magdar at2akhar wayed.” Her smile slowly faded.

“Don’t worry, by 11 you’ll be home.” Faisal replied.

Dalal smiled, she loved how Faisal still remembered about her curfews. Even though Dalal was 20, she still had curfews and rules to follow. She had a very strict father and an even stricter brother. She silently watched Faisal drive with a focused look and a slight grin on his face. She couldn’t help but smile; she was deeply in love with him that nothing mattered to her anymore. She was so deeply intoxicated with his love that she forgot everything that happened to her the past year she even forgot about everyone she met. They were quiet for a very long time that it was starting to get awkward; luckily Faisal’s phone beeped a new text message.

Faisal grabbed his phone and read the text with a big bright smile that left Dalal jealous and curious. She desperately wanted to know what made Faisal smile so brightly and as if he read her mind he gave her his phone “haach.”

Dalal took the phone and chuckled, “uhh shaswe feeh?”

“Reday 3al message.” Faisal teased.

“Ana shako?” Dalal said as she turned the phone over and stared at the screen.

“Shooof tara walla etha khalait Dalal et’9ee3 menik mara thanya ya waailick ya Faisal!!  3ad I warned you!! Please bas marry her ebser3a tara I miss having her around.”  The message came from Haya.

Dalal smiled and laughed really loudly. She read the message again and paused a little on the words ‘marry her’. She looked at Faisal and pictured him in a white dishdasha smiling brightly at her. Oh how much she longed for the day that she’d be officially his. But both Faisal and Dalal knew that a marriage was impossible right now.

“Shagoolaha?” Dalal asked.

“Ely tabeena,” Faisal said as he drove into Souq Sharq’s harbor parking. Dalal didn’t notice that they arrived at their destination because she was too busy replying to Haya.

“Hey its Dalal. I miss you more, don’t worry there will be no more break up’s, no matter what I promise, xoxo.”

Dalal sent the message and looked up to see Faisal getting a key from the inside of his pockets. He turned the engine off and said,

“Khalastay?”

Dalal nodded and looked around, she knew exactly where they were and slowly old loving memories came back to her and made her heart skip a beat. This was the exact place that she wanted. It was perfect, just Faisal and her and the starry sky.

Faisal pulled out a bright pink bag from the car seat and handed it to Dalal.

“Shno hatha?” She asked puzzled.

“Fet7ee oo shofay” he winked.

She opened the bag to find a box of her favorite Fauchon truffles.

She smiled shyly, “Faisal laish chthy?”

“Shno laish chthy? I know they’re your favorite so I got them for you. Khou mu kelyoum agdar ashoof feeh your smile.” And with those words Dalal blushed really bad and got out of the car.

Faisal took Dalal’s hand and walked down the harbor till they finally reached Faisal’s boat and he helped her get in. He wasn’t planning on driving away they weren’t many people around; on the contrary there was no one around. Dalal sat in her usual place and Faisal sat next to her and slowly they started talking. They talked for a very long time; it wasn’t hard for them to make conversation it was like they never broke up. He asked about her studies and how her grades were. He asked about her friends and brothers and family, he knew everything about her and she him.

Throughout the conversation Dalal was staring at Faisal’s face, studying it as if she was going to be quizzed on it at any moment. She loved how Faisal’s eyes squinted when he smiled. She loved how his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes narrowed when he expressed his hate towards the closed minded society they both lived in. She loved how his lips would curl every time she laid a hand on his thigh or arm. Faisal could see that she wasn’t fully attentive; he knew she was silently thinking about something. He pulled her closer to him and held her hands. She intertwined her fingers with his and stared quietly into the dark water.

“Daloola?” Faisal whispered.

“Halla?” She looked back at him.

“Shetfakreen feeh?” He asked.

“Afeker feena,” she looked into his eyes.

“Eshfeena?” He asked.

She sighed, she knew the next thing she’d say would disappoint Faisal but she had to say it anyway. “Faisal lay meta benthl chthy?”

To her surprise, Faisal smiled and said, “Will you marry me?”

Words of Wisdom.

Wish..
wish like you never wished before.


Dream..
dream like there's no reality.


Live..
live like there's no tomorrow.


Hope..
hope with all your energy.


Laugh..
laugh as much as you cry.


Fight..
fight for everything you believe in.


Believe..
believe in what you don't see before what you see; because things are never as what they appear to be.


Enjoy..
enjoy your life before it ends.


Embrace..
embrace those who mean the most to you.


Let go..
let go of all those you put you down.


Forget..
forget everyone who walked out of your life, if they were meant to be they would have never left.


Listen..
listen more than speak, listen to voice before the word, the tone can give another meaning.


Silence..
silence can be an answer to everything.


Endure..
endure life's pain, it'll only make you stronger.


Promises..
never make promises you can't keep.


Acceptance..
accept people as they are, no one is here to please anyone else.


Express..
express your feelings clearly, some hearts get broken with feelings and words that were left unspoken.


Give..
give to get.


Forgive..
forgive everyone before you go to sleep, you have no idea how much that would relieve you.


Find..
find your purpose in life, don't follow routine.


Meaning..
find meaning in everything you do..


Love..
love can cure a thousand souls if used correctly.


Kindness..
be kind to everyone and the universe will reward you.

All better now.

Dear readers,
Sorry I'm taking a long time to post, but I will try my best to post as soon as I can.
I will keep posting the "Part (Faisal and Dalal's)" posts soon so keep waiting ;*
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It was past ten and Nora was laying in bed facing the windows. The room was very dark except for the dimmed lights coming from under the bathroom door. Musaed, Nora’s husband, was getting reading for bed as usual. For weeks, Nora went to bed with a heavy heart. For weeks she wasn’t her normal cheerful self, she was undefined.  

Musaed came out of the bathroom ready for bed with a grin on his face but that grin was washed away when he saw his wife giving him her back in the dark bedroom. Nora would usually keep the bed lamp turned on until Musaed was next to her. But that night she decided to pretend she already slept. She just gave up. Musaed took his shirt off and remained in Ralph Lauren navy boxers and a Hanes wife beaters shirt.

“Nora?” Musaed whispered as he slowly turned the bed lamp on. Nora remained silent as she studied the lace on their curtains.

Musaed’s grin slowly came back to his face when he saw his wife in a lacey baby blue nighty. He was speechless as his eyes slowly traced Nora’s bare shoulders and neck. Her dark brown hair was spilled unmercifully all over the pillows and shoulder blades, which Musaed loved the most. His eyes kept tracing all of Nora’s barely visible back until her waist then he saw the covers clutched tightly around her waist and he got jealous. ‘That’s supposed to be me tightly wrapped around her waist, not the covers’ he thought to himself.

“7abebty?” Musaed whispered again as he got in bed next to Nora.

Nora didn’t say a word; she really didn’t want to say anything anymore. She just wanted to sleep. She closed her eyes tightly so she wouldn’t cry anymore.

Musaed dimmed out the lights and pressed himself on Nora’s back as he slowly wrapped his arms around her waist. He pushed her gorgeous hair aside and slowly began kissing Nora’s shoulder tip.

Nora flinched at Musaed’s warm touch. Her heart melted as she felt his deep breaths on her shoulder and back neck. Musaed knew immediately that his wife wasn’t sleeping so he began again, “anadeech tawa laish matrdeen 3alay?”

He used his stern voice now; it was no longer sweet and gentle.

“Bas la2na abe anam.” She replied briskly.

“Feech shay?” He asked.

She shook her head.

“3ayal laish mane6arteny?” He asked again.

“Musaed eshfeek et7aqiq weyay? Bas khalas I want to sleep” she replied as she slowly pushed Musaed away.

He was blown-away by what she just did so he turned her to face him.

He looked at her face and studied it to see what Nora was exactly feeling.

“What the hell? Ent eshfeek?” Nora said.

His face was drained out, ‘why the hell is she talking to me like that’ he thought.

“Entay ely eshfeech?” anger filled his voice.

“Oh now you want to know eshfeeni?” she replied with great sarcasm.

“What does that supposed to mean?” Musaed asked.

“Nevermind Musaed, lets just go to sleep.” She said quietly.

He let her go and moved away. She gave him her back as she shed her tears on her soft white pillows. If only she could speak the words on her mind. If she could only tell him she’s hurting deeply inside. If she could only tell him she couldn’t feel him no more. If only she could find the right words to say, she wouldn’t be so far away. She could hear him huff and puff as he lay quietly on his back thinking of what he did.

She felt sorry for him because he would never figure out what’s upsetting her and she didn’t want to tell him.

Nora wept silently and Musaed knew she was crying and he felt helpless. She pushed him away when he was the person she needed the most. He didn’t know what she’d do if he touched her again. He slightly turned his head and faced her. She was shaking from the tears. Musaed frowned, he didn’t know what was wrong with the love of his life and it killed him; but he didn’t give up.

Musaed crawled back next to Nora and whispered in his torn apart tone, “7ayate laish tabcheen?”

Nora couldn’t say a word; she was suffocated with tears and pain. She wanted the love her husband gave her. She desperately wanted to crawl in Musaed’s arms and let him cradle her all night, but she couldn’t get over all the silly fights they’ve been having for weeks on end. She knew Musaed was off lately because he’s been overloaded with work and family matters but she wanted to overlook that and over-analyze it and make her self believe that Musaed no longer loved her.

It was true, Musaed was overloaded with work but he signed for a vacation soon so he could take his wife and travel and just forget all about his work. Unfortunately Nora couldn’t stand her husband’s mood swings and bitter and cold moments so she freaked out and made pointless drama about how he stopped caring about her.

Musaed wanted a hint so he’d make his wife feel better, but Nora gave him nothing.

He closed his eyes and begged Nora again, “Please bas goleeli, shno emthaygech?”

Nora silently whispered, “Musaed et7ibny?”

Musaed smiled because he knew what his wife was thinking of now. He knew that what Nora needed was reassurance.

He slowly turned Nora around and looked deep into her eyes. She looked back at him with tearful eyes and wept, “Please gouly el9j! Latgi9 3alaay!”

He pressed his finger on her lips as he slowly shushed her.

“Ana ma7ibch, ana maaayet feech.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her into his arms again.

“Walla?” Nora began sobbing.

“Bas sshhh 3an elbachee mala da3ee.. Walla 7abebty entay. Amout feech ana.” Musaed rocked Nora back and forth.

Nora stuffed her face in Musaed’s chest as she breathed out intensely. She clutched on to his shirt as he slowly kissed her face.

Her heart started beating again. She could feel the love now. It was all better now.

Update...

To my fellow readers,
Sorry I haven't been posting recently, I just need to get everything in order.
I promise to post soon.

Sincerely,
Bella.

Part 6.

     Dalal’s heart started racing as she read the message again. She didn’t know what to feel or what to do. She was speechless. She wanted to run back to Faisal with open arms. But she didn’t know if she should let her guard down again. Should she open up her fragile heart again and give him her all? Should she love him back again with all her soul? She just didn’t want to be disappointed again.

Dalal breathed out as she replied to his text.

“Welcome back Faisal. I missed you so much more and there’s so much you should know. 7:30 it is like always xoxo."

She reread her message and felt it was too cold. She never sent a single message without ending it with ‘I love you’. She typed those three words and erased them. A voice inside of her told her to slow down and miraculously she listened to it and sent her message. She waited for a few minutes for a reply from Faisal but she didn’t get one. So she immediately messaged Mariam and told her that things are okay and she kept the details to a minimum.

Faisal smiled when he got Dalal’s message. ‘Ya7lailha,’ he thought, ‘trying to protect herself from everything.’ He put his phone away and he got back into his car. He knew it was only 6:30 and that their date was an hour away but he was too excited to wait so he drove off to Caribou, stopping at a small shop on the way.

Dalal put her phone away and went to look for clothes in her closet. She stood in her big dressing room staring at all her clothes. She silently waited for an outfit to appear but she couldn’t make up one. She didn’t know what she wanted to look like. Should she be causal for him? Should she dress up like she usually does? Should she care what he thinks of her? She didn’t know why she doubted Faisal now. She sat on the floor and stared at the mirror. ‘ Why am I scared?’ she thought. ‘Why am I hesitating? I do want Faisal. I do miss him. I do right?’ she asked herself. But there were no answers to her questions. She put her head in her hands and breathed out slowly to calm herself. “I can’t and will not live without Faisal. Ana a7ba.” She whispered to herself. Anyone looking at Dalal would think she’s a deranged person, but the love she has for Faisal has made her crazy for him.

‘I can do this,’ she thought as she stood up and picked out her outfit for the evening. She wore a black high-waist skinny with a silk blouse that she tucked in. She put on her gold studs and her gold locket hung down her neck and fell playfully on her tummy. She wore her black gold studded ballerinas and wore very light make up. She looked at her self in the mirror and pulled her hair into a high ponytail and observed her look. She liked the ponytail but she knew Faisal liked it when her hair was all over her shoulders so she pulled down her hair and tucked her long bangs behind her right ear. She knew Faisal didn’t notice the bangs this morning because if he did he would’ve thrown a fit because he hated bangs. She breathed out as she reapplied her lipstick and left her room.

As she made her way downstairs she found her mother sitting in the living room enjoying tea with her elder brother Nasser.

“Mama ana 6al3a okay?” She stood in front of her mother.

“Wayen betro7een?” Nasser asked.

“Caribou Salheya” Dalal answered Nasser and looked straight at her mother who knew what that meant.

Dalal’s mother sat quietly sipping on her hot tea and contemplating the idea of letting Dalal go or not. She knew that Dalal would go no matter what she said but she appreciated the fact that Dalal told her mother. She liked the trust they had between them.

“Okay mama?” Dalal gave her mother a pleading look.

Nasser looked at the time and said “Dalal mala da3ay etro7een Salheya, ro7ay eljam3eya agrab wela bas degay khal ewa9loonlech ely tabeena.”

Dalal ignored Nasser’s remark and frowned she hoped her mother’s answer was different than Nasser’s.

“Ro7ay 7abebty, bas lat6awleen.” Dalal’s mother said.

“Bas youma, mala da3ai?” Nasser said.

“Nasser khalas mama galat okay.” Dalal snapped.

“Malich sh’3l feeh youma, yala ro7ay lata2akhrayn. Oo ekhthay shawl weyach tara el hawa shaad.” Dalal’s mother said.

Nasser sighed as Dalal smiled and kissed her mother’s forehead. All her brothers know that Dalal gets what she wants and when she wants it because she’s the only girl. Dalal turned to face Nasser and smiled, “Tabe ayeeblk shay weyay?”

“Laa mashkoora, bas nafs ely galeta omy, don’t be late.” Nasser said as he got up and left the living room.

As Dalal turned and was aiming to the door, her mother spoke, “Faisal rad mu chthy?”

Dalal turned around and smiled shyly, “Eeh, shdarach?”

“Ashoofch kashkhtla.”

“Laish feeha shay?” Dalal asked.

Her mother sighed, “la bas ya3ne deray balich.”

“7ather mama. Etha baba sa2al shbtgoleen?” Dalal asked.

“Bagoola 6al3a weya refejatha.”

Dalal smiled, she loved that her mother was always covering for her and watching out for her.

“Thank you mama,” Dalal said as she ran out the door before her mother got the chance to ask more questions.

Dalal got in her car and speeded off to Salheya. It was almost 7:30 as she drove into the parking. She found her usual parking space empty and as she parked her heart stared racing as she saw Faisal’s black jaguar parked two lanes away. She turned off her car and regained all her focus. She grabbed her maroon Chanel tote and got down.

Faisal watched Dalal slowly approaching him and he couldn’t help but smile. ‘ God she’s so beautiful’ he thought.

He got down and stood in front of his car waiting for her.

The moment Faisal stepped out of the car Dalal quickened her pace. She wanted to run into him but she controlled herself. He was still in the same clothes that she saw him in that morning. ‘7abeby marad elbait,’ Dalal thought as she stood smiling in front of Faisal.

They stood there for a few seconds staring into each other’s eyes. No one said anything at first, but then Faisal moved closer to Dalal and the first thing he did was kiss her right cheek and whispered into Dalal’s ear, “I hope that made up for this morning.”

Dalal blushed and her face became hot. She looked at the floor shyly as Faisal took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.

Four Days.

      When they woke up the sky was raining. It wasn’t a few drops of rain; it was a shower, as if the sky was crying and didn’t want them to go back.  They decided to take a four-day vacation and just escape the city. The moment they were miles away both of them relaxed and came to peace. But now, their vacation must end. They must return back to the city, back to life.

She didn’t want to go back, she wanted to recline in bed and be held by him all day long. She didn’t want to leave the room. She enjoyed his presence, his voice, his touch and his muscular scent. She’d miss him when he was inches away, and she’d yearn for him when he was near.

A month ago she was under emotional stress. He too was burdened with the duties of life. She hated to see him stressed and it killed him to see her suffer the pain and agony that she went through. He promised that the four-days away would be her medicine.

He was right.

They spent the four days loving each other endlessly. They couldn’t have enough of each other. Her smile and loving words made him forget all his problems. His voice and touch brought her happiness and pleasure. They took their vacation day by day. They didn’t rush or leave anything out. She did everything she wanted, and he did everything he wanted. They were equally satisfied.

On their second morning, they had breakfast out surrounded by nature. Her hair danced in the wind. The movement of the flowers and grass were synched with the chirping of the birds.  As if they were in a move and everything was perfect.

She was perfect in his eyes. She was perfect for him. He fitted her like a glove. Like the Ying and Yang, they completed each other.

She stood near the windowpane looking out on the pouring rain. She wanted to cry herself. She didn’t want to go back, she didn’t want to wake up without him. Or go to bed without him.

He too was heartbroken. He wished there was a way that he could stop time and live with her forever.

For four days, all he could see was her. For four days all she could breath in was his air.

As if they were attached by a chemical bond but now they must separate.  He went and scooped her off of the ground. She buried her face in his chest.

“I don’t want to go back.” She whispered softly.

“I promise, it will happen again.” He said boldly. He had to be strong for her. He was her backbone. He was her safety net.

“You really think so?” She looked at him without a doubt in her mind.

He nodded and kissed her forehead.

She smiled knowing he never let her down and let him embrace her for the longest time before they went back home.

Part 5.

      Dalal ended the phone call and sat quietly in her cold car. She stared at her phone and hoped that Faisal would call, but he didn’t call back. She sat in her car refusing to give up and go back in.

‘Faisal please call’ Dalal whispered to herself. ‘Please Faisal call me,” she looked at her phone screen and begged to see Faisal’s incoming call. But there weren’t any calls. He stopped calling, but she didn’t stop begging and pleading. She breathed out and reminded herself to stay positive.

She grabbed her half empty coffee cup and sipped her cold coffee while listening to some of her favorite songs. Most of the songs she listened to were dedications from Faisal. They had a whole play list, over a hundred love songs that held feelings for each other. With every song she listened to her eyes got teary, and she remembered her days with Faisal. She wanted to go back to him. She hated being far away from him. She wanted him even if it means she has to compromise and go against her family.

After a whole hour of waiting and hoping in her car, she went back in and to her luck no one was at home. She ran up to her room and took a long warm shower. Dalal’s morning optimism slowly faded away. ‘Why didn’t he call yet?’ Dalal thought as tears chocked her. She didn’t want to cry again so she decided to sleep the pain and confusion off, hoping that when she’d wake up it’ll all get better.

Mariam knew her cousin very well and she knew that if Faisal didn’t call, Dalal wouldn’t call either. Mariam had to take action; she didn’t want her cousin to suffer any longer so Mariam called Haya.

“Hayoo!” Mariam yelled as soon as Haya picked up.

Haya remained silent as she slowly left her brother Khalid and Sarah to continue watching Brave Heart. She ran up to her room, double locked the door and yelled, “Sh9aar?”

Mariam explained to Haya what Dalal told her and in exchange for that she got a few gasps and awe’s from Haya.

“Enzain al7een shaswe?” Haya asked.

“Madree, bas kel ely a3arfa ena Dalool mara7 etdg 3ala Faisal. You know how stubborn she is, and I’m sure Faisal knows too. So Faisal has to call and I’m sure he did, bas ya3ne et3arfeen Dalool wayed 3asra, fa ya3ne khal edg mara thanya. Hal mara I’m sure betrd 3alaih.” Mariam suggested.

Haya sighed, she loved Dalal so much and she loved how Dalal treats Faisal, but she hated the fact that Dalal was very stubborn. “Khalas, khalay hatha 3alay. Bas entay golay 7ag Dalal etred 3alaih etha dag! Lata7ger, tara wayed yetnarfaz men ely ya7groon and it can all backfire.”

“Eeh lat7ateen, I already told her to answer.” Mariam smiled. She loved the fact that she has a lot of influence over Dalal.

“Yalah I’ll call him al7een washoofa.” Haya ended the phone call and immediately dialed Faisal’s.

“Hala Haya,” Faisal’s tone was stern and annoyed.

“Hey, waynck?” Haya asked.

“Ga3ed a7oos bel sayara.” Fasial replied and was trying to avoid Haya’s questions, while Haya directly jumped to her point. “Enzain dagait?”

“Eeh, wayed marat. Akher shay 7awaltney voice mail.” Faisal gritted his teeth, he was very angry now.

“Call again?” Haya asked.

“La.” Faisal replied coldly.

“Faisal, yala 3ad it’s Dalal.” Haya slowly tried to persuade her brother to call. She reminded Faisal of his days with Dalal and everything they’ve been through together. Faisal sighed and promised his sister to call again as soon as he felt better.

Since they broke up, Faisal started smoking. He knew it was a bad habit and he was against smoking, but he found that cigarettes numbed the emptiness in his life, the emptiness that was once filled with Dalal. He wasn’t going to apologize to Dalal, he was just going to explain the kiss and that it meant nothing to him. He wanted to show Dalal that he wants her back as his everything. But he was never good with words. He’s more of an action man.

He drove to the nearest Starbux and got his usual dose of coffee. He sat by himself and drank his steaming coffee. All he kept thinking of were ways to make Dalal happy again. He knew she cried a lot today and he wanted to make it up to her. He wanted to make up a year to her. He kept thinking of ways to have her back in his life because to him, the moment she was gone, his joy, happiness and faith were gone too.

His grades dropped dramatically and he changed from being the loud outgoing funny guy to the quiet and serious guy. Faisal wanted his self back, but in order for him to be one hundred percent him, he needed Dalal in the equation.

Faisal finally planned out what he was going to do, so he first messaged Dalal but he got no reply. He decided to wait a bit longer. He was very patient and he didn’t want to rush. He waited a whole year to be back to Dalal so he got the strength to wait a bit more. After a whole hour of waiting he called. But she didn’t pick up. He waited a bit more then he took a deep breath and called again. On the third ring, Dalal picked up.

No one spoke at first, and then Faisal broke the dreaded silence.

“Dalal?” Faisal spoke quietly.

‘E3yoon Dalal?’ She thought to herself. “Hala?” Dalal replied with a soft sleepy voice.

“Asf, nayma?” Faisal apologized.

Dalal turned over in bed and laid back on her headboard. She cleared her throat and began, “la 3ade, I’m supposed to be up a9lan.”

“Warach shay?” Faisal asked but then he remembered he wanted to play it cool and not scare Dalal off.

“La,” Dalal breathed out but she silently hoped he would offer something.

But he didn’t, “hmm, 3ayal asf 3al ez3aj,” Faisal said. “Akhaleech 3ayal.”

‘No don’t go yet.’ Dalal thought to herself.

She tried to hide her disappointment and said, “Mashe, Allah weyak,” and then she paused; so many sweet words and names were about to escape her lips but she bit her lip to hold them in. As much as Faisal loved Dalal’s sweet soft voice he wanted to end the call and wanted her to read his message. He was dying to see Dalal’s pretty face again. He was dying to hold her and take in her scent. He wanted his baby girl back.

They fell in the awkward silence again, but this time Dalal quickly bounced back and lied and said she had another call on waiting and that she had to go. They ended the phone call and Dalal breathed out. She looked at her screen and found two messages. One was a miss you message, she had three missed calls and one was from Faisal.

She took a deep breath and with all her hope and energy, she opened the message.

“Lets pretend this morning never happened. Lets pretened I just came back. Dalal I just came back and I miss you so much. Abe ashoofich, please Dalal. 7 o’clock? 9ef6ay 3end Caribou Salhiya. I’ll be waiting like always.

- Faisal. xoxo”