I can't rewrite our fate

chapter 9: the blame

His~>

"You didn't tell me you were coming back for good." My dad says to me, while I'm tying my laces up.

I didn't tell my dad I was coming back for good because I was avoiding him.

He would react like this and it would end in another fight.

"You never asked Baba." I reply, my voice calm.

"Why would I need to ask? You know your place Khalil." He says, walking up to me.

"Where's my place Baba? Why should I leave home for another 5 years?" I ask, turning to look at him.

I thought he would be a little kinder if I came back, seeing as it's been 5 years.

But nothing, absolutely nothing has changed.

He still has the same cold look in his eyes, the look he has held since my mother's death.

"Khalil you know why!" He shouts.

"It's been 5 years Baba." I reply, a hint of desperation in my voice.

"It could be 50 and it still wouldn't change a thing." He says, no love in his tone.

"Baba you have to stop." Haadi calls out, coming into the kitchen looking between me and Baba.

"I don't have to do nothing. You and Noor caused your mother's death." He responds coldly, looking at me in the eyes.

I hold the tears back in my eyes and look to the floor.

How has nothing changed?

"Baba!" Haadi shouts, shocked.

"It's fine Haadi, he's stayed like this for 5 years, he'll do the same for the next." I say, grabbing my water bottle and walking out the door.

"Khalil!" My brother calls out, but I'm already out the door.

Why did he have to do that?

Me and my dad actually had a close relationship before the accident. I think to myself, before driving off to work.

Myself and Baba would often play football together.

I remember him saying once how he would want someone like Noor as a daughter-in-law.

I asked him why and he said, "You may think nobody notices Khalil, but the eyes never lie."

It stayed with me, how he was the only person who knew I had crush on Noor when we were kids.

I was more shocked that he didn't start screaming at me but I was 10, so I guess he didn't mind.

But I realised I couldn't have her.

Not after that night.

Some things would be fate, but not us.

As I'm driving, I pass by Hala's uni and am surprised to see her and Neha talking.

Where's Noor? Hmm was she in class, I wondered to myself.

As I'm looking around I see her and a white boy talking.

Huh who is he?

He's asking her something, in response she smiles at him.

I get an irritating stomach feeling as I watch this play out.

I turn away and start driving again.

Why was this bothering me?

I'm done with her, she doesn't like me.
It's how it's supposed to be.