~Just What If...~

2. For so long

(POV: Zayyan)

It would be an understatement to say that I am happy. I received a call from Naina's father saying that she would like to meet me this weekend. I am soo excited for the weekend to come. I will get to see Naina and tell her about my feelings. But I am quite nervous.

I and Naina together with my younger sister, Yesmin, grew up together. We did nearly everything together as best friends. I thought I just admired her since we were friends and we grew up together. But I was wrong. I only got to know of my feelings for her when she called me that day and told me about Sa'id. I remember the day as if it was yesterday.

It was in the afternoon when I was planning to start studying for a test when I received her call. "Assalamualaikum Naina, what's up?". "Zayyan, I have something to tell you. At least you won't keep on teasing me for being a book worm.". I laughed in reply and said "Ooh Naina, I will always call you that because that is the truth. Tell me, what is this 'great' news you have?". Then it came. "I have a boyfriend.". "What?". I was shocked beyond measure. This got to be a joke.. a nightmare even.

"Why, are you surprised?", Naina asked. She sounded happy. "Are you kidding me, I am just a bit shocked that a book worm like you finally fell in love. So tell me, who is the lucky guy?". "His name is Sa'id Abubakar. Botany department". "Oh you mean their first class student?". I asked because he was the only Sa'id Abubakar I knew of in the university. "Yep, it is him.", she said. "That's good then. I am so happy for you. Congratulations. We will meet later. I am a bit busy now.", I said. "Ok. Thanks. Bye.", and the call ended.

I have had feelings for her, and for so long I hid it away all because I wanted her to be happy with her boyfriend. I didn't expect that Sa'id will cheat on her and abandon her. Naina has always been a sweet cheerful girl, but after what happened, she became quiet and more serious. I still remember her getting admitted in the hospital for over stressing herself.

"Naina, are you alright?" I asked. She looked so pale. I rushed there immediately I received a call from her roommate. Apparently she fainted when she came back from class. She has been unconscious for six hours.

"I am fine. Thanks for asking, I want to go back to my room.", she said as she tried to get up from the bed. I stopped her immediately. "Naina, do you know how worried I was when I got to know that you fainted? Why are you doing this to yourself? You are already intelligent and smart, then why are you trying to force yourself into a tight corner like this? Just for him? He has already moved on and doesn't even care. You have just two years left to finish from school, don't you want to leave in one piece? Is it really worth it to harm yourself for an idiot like him?". I was so angry. She looked so weak as if she would collapse any moment from now, yet she still wants to go back to her room.

I waited for an answer from her but she just kept quiet. "Answer me Naina. Why?", I asked in a gentle voice. "Because I want to forget everything. I loved him so much and so hard, yet he betrayed me. Why..." And she broke down and started crying. I knew she needed to let it all out. Even though it hurt me to see her crying, all I could do was to just sit there and be like a moral support for her. She fell asleep after she stopped crying. After this incident, she got a bit better and stopped stressing herself anymore.

I was there when she was called to receive the award for best graduating student. She looked so beautiful and happy, yet her eyes displayed thousands of emotions and feelings that could break a person with just a snap. Since then, I decided not to tell her about my feelings. I knew she would reject me, as I was aware of all the guys she rejected.

But here I am today, feeling happy yet nervous after been given a chance to pursue my love. After six years of graduating. What should I do when I see her? How should I start the conversation? Should I talk to her as a friend or a lover? I am so confused  and nervous that I didn't even hear the knock on the door.

"Bros, what has gotten you all so tensed up?". I turned around just to see Yesmin leaning on the door. "Sis, come in. Anything you want?", I asked. "I heard from father that you will be meeting Naina this weekend. I know how nervous you tend to be when it comes to her, so are you set? Tomorrow is weekend, mind you.".

"Yesmin, you came at the right time. You are her best friend . You know her better than I do. Can you tell me how to approach her, how I should speak to her? I am afraid she won't give me much importance and will think that I have been lying to her. What if she doesn't listen me? What should I do? What if....". "Bros calm down.", Yesmin interrupted my blabbering. "You just have to be yourself. Talk to her as a friend. You know her since childhood, so there is nothing to be stressed about. Just speak to her normally and when the time is set, tell her about your feelings. Just be sincere and say everything from your heart.".

"I guess you are right. There is nothing to be worried about. Just go with the flow. But...", I turned to look at my sister suspiciously, "since when did you become a love therapist? How many movies and novels have you watched and read?? This is soo not you. You are even single.", I said. To my surprise, she just laughed and said "haven't you heard that singles give the best relationship advice? And I wasn't really the one that came up with all these, Mom did.". Ooh, no wonder.

"Pffttt........ It was so good to see you loose your cool brother. I even have a photo and recording of your blabbering. Hahahah..". And true enough, she waved her phone and I saw a picture of myself with a lost and confused expression. That's why they say that you should never trust your siblings.
"Yesmin, come here.....". And that was how we started our usual cat and dog chase round the house.

Later, I came back and sat down on my bed. 'Tomorrow is the day', I thought. I pray everything goes well from now on.

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A/N:
Hello everyone. Sorry I took so long to update again. I have exams this week and I am trying to prepare for them. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I will try and update the next one soon.
Also, who is nervous for Zayyan??