Palestwinians.

Conflicted.

"Never, never be afraid of doing what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." - Martin Luther Kind Jr. 

Dedicated to @PearlandIvory for her unceasing support and comments that always manage to brighten up my day. 

~ A short chapter, ALL in Zach's POV. My Eid gift to all my readers! @SmilingHeart 

Chapter 15 - Conflicted.  

Zach’s POV 

We were all staring at khalto in shock, unable to grasp her words; especially Yasmine. She was standing up, her posture stiff and rigid, a sign that she clearly wasn’t happy with this new piece of information. At least I hoped she wasn’t. I watched as she proceeded to wipe her palms against her pants; I seriously think she has a gland problem or extra sweat ducts or something, I thought.  

Khalto didn’t seemed surprised in the least by Yasmine’s reaction. She was leaning back, arms crossed, twirling the remaining water in her cup and assessing her daughters face with a hint of amusement. No one had said anything since the revelation and our outbursts - all eyes were on Yasmine now, waiting for her to say something - anything. 

When it was clear she was just going to stand there like a statue, khalto pursed her lips then got up, asking her daughter to follow her.  

“Yasmine, come with me into the kitchen habibti.” She blinked her eyes a few times before trailing after her mother, almost robotically. I had the urge to laugh at how stupefied she was but as she and her mother left the room and the reality of the words kicked in, the urge disappeared.  

I took a deep breath and relaxed my own taut body against the couch. I knew Yasmine better than anybody and I absolutely knew she would decline this offer. She had no desire to get married any time soon and for some strange reason, which she had never related to me, she held marriage in a negative light.  

Why then was I so worried? 

“Can you believe it?” Noah said, chuckling, before hastening to run over a human in GTA. “Who would wanna marry her?” he quipped.  

I laughed, although I’m pretty sure it was artificial. Who was I kidding? I was man enough to admit I felt threatened by Abdullah already but I was going to play it cool. There’s no way she’s going to accept, I confirmed, comforting myself.  

Noah passed over the controller and after a few rounds, I gave up playing, too restless and edgy to focus properly. After what felt like a century, Yasmine finally walked back into the living room. She was frowning and there was a conflicted look in her eyes. She sat down on the opposite couch, where her mother was previously sitting and looked at the T.V., although I’m sure she wasn’t actually paying attention.  

Since she had been so quiet walking in and Noah was too immersed in the game, he hadn’t even realised she was in the room. I took the advantage and got up to sit next to her again. 

“Thoughts?” I asked anxiously, after a few moments. 

“Ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head and giving off a dry laugh. Relief immediately flooded my body and I chuckled; of course she thought so. 

“But I can’t just say no, right?”  

“What?” I couldn't help but growl, my head snapping back towards her. Her brown eyes were staring ahead and she seemed to be in a world of her own, completely consumed by her thoughts.