Newfound Destination

~ 34 ~

I had been trying for the past few days to get Khalil's attention but it was like he now hated me as much as he hated Mustapha.

I decided to meet him at lunch.

"Khalil, please hear me out." I pleaded as I arrived at his table.

Amir was there too.

"What can you say, Karimah? What do you want to say? Let me guess, anything, just anything that would make me smile again right? How long do you think that smile would last?" He spoke with such coldness, my throat went dry.

"Khalil, I want to fix things but I can't if you keep acting like this-"

"Why? Does it feel bad to be ignored? Is it painful? I want to know if I'm the only person who feels pain when I'm being ignored by someone I love!" He growled.

Someone he loves...

Amir jumped into the matter then, "Khalil, you need to calm down. We're in public and you're drawing everyone's attention."

"Yes, let's talk outside." I persuaded him calmly.

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

His words pinched my heart and I literally winced in pain.

"Okay, then we'll talk here-"

He angrily sprang out of his seat and stormed out of the place.

I went after him without a second thought.

"Khalil, stop walking away!" I yelled at him at once.

He stopped and turned to me.

"This is a test and you're failing woefully! I know you're hurt but you'd only keep hurting if you walk away. Stop making me chase you because I might stop and you and I know you don't want me to stop. I finally understand that you have feelings for me and I'm trying to feel the same but you're making it hard!" I yelled.

In a lower voice, I continue, "How do I know who you are when you're changing everyday? You think by becoming aggressive and growing distant from me, you're drawing me in but the bitter truth is that you're kicking me out."

"You don't want me out of your life. I want to give this friendship a chance but you need to help me do it." I said looking into his eyes with sincerity.

His once tensed up shoulders slouched and he looked down clearly ashamed of himself.

"Karimah, I'm-"

I shook my head and just hugged him, "You don't have to be sorry for anything. It's my fault for causing you so much pain."

He exhaled, "What would I do without you in my life? Please, just...stay. Don't leave me. Ever."

I pulled away to smile at him, "I'll never leave you, Khalil."

A smile crept onto his lips as well and he started leaning in.

I brought my face closer to his and our lips finally made contact. I melted as his lips brought sweet warmth to mine.

He wasn't my first kiss but it was the very first time I was kissing him and it felt so new and...serene.

Then we pulled away for breath.

He stared at me for what felt like eternity and I chuckled as I saw his right eye twitch from staring so long.

"That was weird. Don't stare at me again if you'll just do that."  I warned.

He laughed, "It was actually a wink."

I glared at him playfully, "Who are you fooling? Okay, if it was a wink then it was a really weird one. That's even worse than a twitch."

He laughed again, "Okay, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, I hear you." I mumbled.

He grabbed my wrist, "Let's go out."

"I know an arcade." He answered the question I was just about to ask.

"Seriously? An arcade?" I giggled.

"Yes, it's called 'FUN WORLD'. You'll love it." He assured me.

I nodded and we went into his car.

He drove to this so-called 'arcade'.

This was childish but a part of me was excited.

The amusement park is even more childish. I subconsciously thought.

That's actually true though.

I was glad Khalil was finally cool with me again. At least now I know that if we happen to end up as 'just friends', we won't have any bad blood.

I hope.