Engaged

Chapter 9: Group Hug

After a few more drinks, and an extra plate of food, we were totally wasted. Even Habib was feeling the buzz, and I appreciate that, because now I don't feel like I'm taking away from his birthday celebration. After all, it's our twenty first. Our most important, and we're in my home drinking and watching long ass movies that we've seen a hundred times. We're currently on Gangs of New York, on the scene after the little Irish boy's father dies and the cop is looking for him after he gets older. 

"I really hated that cop," Nailah says. 

"Yeah," Bib agrees. "He was a loyal freaking follower of that boy's father, and now he's trying to kill an orphan. What'd he ever do to you? Live?"

I laughed. Jealousy is a disgusting thing doncha know?" I said in my mock Irish accent and we all laughed. Leonardo's face moves into the screen and I sigh in adoration. So gorgeous.

"He's just... so beautiful," I comment and hear two scoffs. I look at them. 

"Come on sis, the men of Applonia look like Gods compared to them," Habib tells me. 

"That's because we're as close to gods as mere mortals can get. We even age and die slower." It's true, we age like trees. Our oldest citizen hit four thousand last month

"Matt Damon looks better."

I turn to Nailah in mock disgust. I can't believe my ears! "Not even!" 

"Yes even!"

"That's like saying Edward is more gorgeous than Jacob." Nailah gasps, clutching her invisible pearls. 

"That's not the same. Jacob has unparalleled beauty." 

"They're all ugly compared to me!" Habib exclaims, and we turn to him, then to the TV, to see the police officer hung up on the pole for everyone to see. Aww. We missed the fight scene. Nailah gets up and walks over to Habib. 

"You know, you ARE very handsome," she says. Habib happily accepts the compliment.

"Yes, I am," he says with a shit eating grin as Nailah rubs her hand on his shoulder. She slowly leans into him. 

"You're single too Mr. Handsome." Habib just nods, seemingly oblivious to the invitation she's giving him. Then, she goes to straddle his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. Now she's got his attention. His acute attention. "I'm single, you know?"

"Yeah," he responds, staring straight into her eyes. Judging by the look on his face, she's going to regret this in the morning when she sobers. If she even remembers. "Nailah," he starts. She shushed him, putting a delicate finger on his lips. He dumbly complied. 

"Just kiss me," she whispered to him and leaned in. Right before her lips touched his, Habib pushed her off. She stood up in confusion, and he got up too, to make sure she doesn't try again.

"You don't want to do this," he said. 

"But I do," she protested.

"No you don't" he vehemently argued. "You're hurt, you're drunk, and you're looking for an escape."

"I know," she told him.

"I'm not that escape Nailah. I will never be that escape." I agreed with him wholeheartedly, and our entire family knows why. Well, maybe except for him. 

She pouted and whined, "Why not?"

Habib chuckled, "You'll know soon enough. And I don't want this to be a part of the aftermath."

She blinked in confusion, and just as she turned to me for answers, I acted as if I were enraptured into the movie. I will not be a part of that.

Honestly, I don't think Habib would've done anything with her anyway. He sees her as a sister, just as he sees me. Nailah sniffles a little, and Habib quickly pulls her into a hug, startling her out of her tears. Thank God.