Bittersweet

9

Sometimes you felt like home,

And sometimes all I wanted

was to run from you.

*******

"Do you want another cupcake?" Kaif asked me as we all sat lounging around. Malak had overdid herself (as per usual) and filled a table with so many kinds of pastries and chocolate. I didn't know who was going to eat it all.

"No thank you." I shook my head. "I think I've had enough."

Wazeriah laughed next to me. "I feel woozy from all the sugar." She gripped my shoulder as she stood up. "I need to get a glass of water."

Kaif nodded and then turned towards me. "Do you want a glass of water?" He smiled. "I can go get it for you."

Suddenly Malak caught my eye. That snake was watching every interaction I was having. I felt heat creep up my face. "Um no Kaif, I can get it." Amir was staring at us with a weird smirk on his face which made me question everything. But that wasn't all. Sameer too was now staring at me and Kaif. He was standing next to Elina near the balcony. Each of them had a glass of flavored sparkling water.

Kaif stood up. "I was just going to get myself a glass." He touched my shoulder lightly and that's when I saw the twitch in Sameer's jaw. It was miniscule but it was there and it made my stomach lurch. "I'll get you one too." Kaif added, completely unaware that we were being watched by the whole room.

My mouth felt dry but before I could speak or do much Sameer turned casually and slipped outside to the balcony. Elina followed closely behind him and now they were both out there.

How I wished I had never stepped foot in this building.

*******

I tried to avoid Kaif for the rest of the week especially after Wazeriah swore that Kaif liked me. I couldn't fathom the thought of Kaif liking me romantically. I had really trusted him as more of a family member. I had only thought of him as Amir's younger brother for God's sake.

I held my head in my hands and I dreaded the more days to come. "Should I just move out of the county?" I mumbled out loud. Wafa was over at my house and she decided she would stay the night.

Wazeriah stifled a laugh. "I'll kill you if you leave me alone." She sighed then. "I still have to figure out how to tell the guy I'm getting to know no." She grabbed a brush and started to brush her hair.

My head snapped up. "No way! Another fallen soldier."

Wazeriah waved me away. "They are all after my father's money anyways." She laughed. "At least I can have a little fun before I really have to pick a husband."

"I guess that's better than being in love with a guy since your teens." I sighed. "Power to you."

Wazeriah rubbed my back. "It's going to be okay Diana." She smiled. "Now lets get some sleep before Kaif rings you up."

I groaned and threw the bed covers over my head.

******

The next morning Malak decided to pay me a little visit at the cafe. I knew she wanted something because she brought me a few of my favorite donuts.

"If you don't come you are banned from ever coming to my events." Malak begged as she held up an invitation to a party she was going to attend later this evening. She had told me that everyone was going and that she had helped plan this event. Malak wants me to go so that I could help her decide on who hire for Amir's company.

I crossed my arms across my chest. "I can't. I have so many assignments due this weekend." I lied. I didn't have anything, just a bit of crippling anxiety.