Newfound Destination

~ 43 ~

I wasn't myself anymore...

This incident...it broke me. So bad that I could almost tell that Mustapha was getting tired of me.

"Babe, you're spacing out again." My poor boyfriend said sadly.

I looked at him as a crazy decision came to my mind in a flash.

He looked tired, I stressed him out. He didn't need a distraction like me in his life.

"Let's break up." I told him.

"What?"

"I'm a nuisance to you. You think you can handle me but you really can't, you have a lot on your shoulders, Mustapha. I'll only be another heavy weight for you to carry. Trust me, you won't be able to move properly with that." I stood up.

"Karimah, this really isn't necessary. I can...we can..."

"We can't work anymore. It'd only cause us both trouble and you know it. Let's make our lives easy and go our separate ways. We could still be friends, if that works."

He fell on his knees.

"Karimah, please-"

"No! Please! Don't do this! Just accept it, don't beg me...don't beg me...I...I don't want to change my mind."

I know, hate me, curse me, kill me...but I have to do this. It's not for my sake, it's for his sake.

"Karimah, you can't leave like this. This is unfair to me and you know it." He continued to plead.

I sighed and pulled him off his knees, bringing him into my embrace, "I'm sorry. I like you...I really do but we both know this can't be worked out. You run a company, I'm a university student...those two don't blend well."

I felt him nod on my shoulder.

He pulled back to look at me, "But do me a favor and be happy, with...Khalil. We were once friends and he was a good guy. The... perfect guy for you."

I smiled at his words, "Now, you just remember that this doesn't mean we can't still see each other. I'll still work in this company and we can hang out anytime."

He returned my smile, "I'm beyond satisfied with that. As long as you're not kicking me out of your life."

"Mustapha, I'll never push you away. Don't ever think like that, okay?" I told him.

He nodded.

I released a sigh, "I'll leave you to your work now, you'd need it."

He only chuckled as I walked out of his office, returning to the canteen.

I thought of calling Khalil but dismissed the thought at once. Not now, not after I just ended things with Mustapha.

As I dropped my phone, I heard it ping and lo and behold, it was a text from Khalil.

Khalil: Usual icecream spot, you up?

Me: I'll be there soon.

Wait...how did he remember that we had an icecream spot we used to go to? Has he...

I rushed into the cab as the realization hit me and I urged the driver minute after minute to increase his speed.

As I arrived, Khalil was there, seated at our usual table by the window. I could see him eating out of his favourite icecream and right opposite his own cup was another, it was filled to the brim with chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

My favourite...

He...remembers.

I went to sit with him and stared at him as he enjoyed his icecream. He still didn't look at me so I just started eating my icecream.

He finally looked up, "I'm sorry to say that I've been pretending."

What?

"Since when?" I asked, unnerved.

"Since the day you came to my house and I was informed that you were dating my greatest enemy. At that very moment, my memory of you came flooding back." He told me.

"B-but, why did you pretend?"

"I wanted to fix things. I wanted you to realize what a mistake you were making dating Mustapha." He said vaguely.

Huh?

"That's a bit selfish, considering I just ended things with Mustapha and he actually advised me to be with you." I said.

Khalil half smiled and half frowned, "I don't know what to say..."

"There's nothing you can say to me, you just need to rekindle your friendship with Mustapha."

"But...would you maybe, consider-"

I admitted with a sigh, "Yes Khalil, I'd be more than happy to start dating you. The truth is...I actually like you. I always have. I just...hesitated, but you know me, if this is going to work, I want it to feel right and the only way to do that is to make sure you and Mustapha are on good terms. Like once before."

"I'll give it a try. Besides, I must thank him for doing me such a great favour." He said.

I nodded, "That's the right thing to do."

He smiled and took hold of my hands, "Thank you, for never leaving me."

"That's what friends are for, Khalil."