manal | achraf hakimi [COMPLETE]

.5

world cup 2022 you will always be famous! congratulations argentina!
not edited

19/12/2022
[1386 words]

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a few days later

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'manal, you don't need me to fix the taps when i grow up, you can just iman's brother to get the water for you.' her younger brother, blissfully unaware of the brewing situation, added with a smile.

her eyes widened, feeling the gaze of her parents on her. she was pouring some tea for the four of them to drink after dinner.

'who's iman's brother?' her father asked, raising an eyebrow. he wasn't aware of iman abbas having a brother.

manal cleared her throat. she hadn't done anything wrong so she shouldn't be worried.

'it's her cousin. iman came to check up on me at the well and she brought her cousin with her. he helped us bring the water back because i hurt my hands.' she lightly motioned to her hands.

her mother nodded, remembering how sore her daughters hands were when she came back from the trip to the well. 'yes yes i remember. i sent iman after you. it's very kind of him to bring the water home for you.'

'yes,' her father said, looking at her strangely, 'it is very kind.' he then looked at his wife, and nodded towards the direction of iman's house. 'we should send some food over, we haven't done that in months.' it wasn't that the neighbours were hungry, it was more of a tradition that they sometimes sent a dish to the neighbours house.

for the first time, manal felt reluctant to visit her best friends house. last time she visited, achraf hadn't arrived from spain for his bi-annual visit of the year. she was more comfortable.

her mother had prepared the food and was putting it in a tray for her to carry for the 50 metres between them.

'don't you go dropping it, hayati.' my life. her mother teased, knowing how riled up her daughter got when she was told to be careful. 'besides, i've heard that boy is good looking, mashallah.'

'astaghfirullah mama.' she whined, almost alarmed. did her mother know something that should never have reached her?

'i know i know, you're not interested and you want to focus on your studies. don't worry. you're still very young.' her mother reassured her, and patted her cheek signalling her to take the food before it got cold.

she wanted to deliver the food with good intents, but she found herself dragging her feet and taking more time than necessary to walk to the house opposite hers. when she reached the metal door, she carefully adjusted the tray on one hand and used the other to knock.

she knocked again, when no reply came, a little harder. the clanging sound echoed and vibrated throughout the entirety of the metal. she heard the sound of footsteps and took a step back, looking away from the door.

the door swung open and revealed achraf's mother, who looked apologetic for making her wait.

'your mama shouldn't have troubled herself, manal.' achraf's mother sweetly countered when manal started speaking about the food.

'it really wasn't a problem, besides you are our neighbour, you have a right over us. please, accept it.' manal replied, thoughtfully. it was easy to notice that she was struggling balancing the food in her hands so his mother took the tray from her and invited her inside.

'dear, take a seat,' she offered her a glass of water, which manal graciously accepted.

'iman and her mother went into town to get some clothes from the tailor. i'll let them know you came.' the mother was cut off by her own son when he was coming down the stairs. he was unrolling the folded sleeves of his thobe.

'mama, when will iman come back? she's hidden my football shoes somewhere and i cant find them-' he shut up as soon as he saw the girl sitting in his cousins courtyard. it was strange seeing her in iman's house after so many years, her curly hair covered by the black cool fabric this time round.

'salam alaikum.' he shortly said, embarrassed by the situation.

'walaikum salam.' she replied, not meeting his eyes. as per usual, she could sense his gaze lingering on her, and willed herself not to look.

'oh good that you're here. i need you to take this for her. the poor girls hands are ruined.' his mother passed him the container with more water for the family. iman had told her that their water tank was still acting strangely and she wanted to return the favour.

'no no aunty, i insist. i can take it myself.' manal said, standing up quickly. she didn't want to be alone with achraf, even if the walk was really short. she didn't want to be caught with a boy, even if it was innocent, by her parents.

'nonsense, i would take it myself but he is on his way out anyway.' his mother was insisting and manal was founding it harder to refuse without offending her, so she let out a small huff of breath and nodded her head.

'don't talk to him. keep your distance. say thank you at the end. easy.' she gave herself a set of instructions as she smiled at his mother one more time, before walking out of the metal door.

he took the container and with too much ease, in manal's opinion, started carrying it.

'i know you're not going to speak to me, but i need you to hear me out.' he said, which had her faltering her step. she was surprised that instead of urging her to talk, he was going to do it instead.

she turned to face him slightly, indicating that she wanted him to continue. they were walking unusually slow, unbeknownst to both of them.

'look, manal, i really really like you.' it was strange to hear him say it upfront. she was a little shocked at how upfront he was about it. she looked away, not knowing what to look at, and focused on her house that was getting bigger in view.

'and i want to be with you.' her neck almost snapped from the weight of his words.

'what?' she stopped in front of him, taken back by his how forward he was.

he was nervous, unsure whether she even reciprocated. iman had told him that it was mutual, so there should be no reason to hold her back, aside from her quite obvious disdain for him.

'listen,' she didn't want to say his name. 'i understand that. this kind of stuff this dating and relationship might be allowed in spain but it won't fly here. i won't let it fly here. we are both muslim and i'm a little disappointed that you would even consider saying that to me.' her cheeks were flushed from anger by the end of her mini speech.

the disappointment in his dark brown eyes hurt to look at. she knew he was a good person, he was a relative of iman of course he was a good person.

she faced away from him, walking faster to reach her doorstep. her mother must be wondering why she took so long.

she watched him approach the rest of the way alone with a strange feeling in her chest. she quickly shut it down, telling herself that she should be firm. his head was down when he stood in front of her again. she muttered a thank you when he put the container down, and was about to leave when she called out for him.

'hey.' she didn't bother speaking loud, knowing that he would respond.

he turned around, his gaze lowered in comparison to before.

'achraf, i'm sorry.' she knew that didn't make anything better.

she looked up at him, forcing him to look straight in the eyes.

'achraf, if you're really that serious. come back in a few years when we are older and wiser. do this the right way.'

he looked at her and nodded, turning around to take his leave, the dust that rose with his footsteps hiding him as he disappeared further and further into the sun.

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lmao i'm tempted to end the story here. i don't know why.
i hope you like it !!
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