Second hand hearts

Chapter 6 (Promise?)

"So you gave this guy your number, and then boom when he called, you ignored!" Hafsah yelled.

"Amal Hameedah Mahmoud! Get your shit together and be an adult who takes responsibility for their actions,it's rude of you to not return people's phone calls". She continued scolding her.

Amal massaged her temples feeling quite regretful on telling Hafsah all that happened the previous week with Bassam. Right from the day at the library to the day at the exhibit. They exchanged phone numbers that day but they never talked until two days ago. Out of blue, she heard the chiming of her phone from her bag but before she fished it out of the bag,the call has already disconnected. The call came through again and upon seeing the caller id,her heart jolted in her chest. She didn't expect he will call since it's been a week since they exchanged phone numbers.

She couldn't muster up the courage to answer the call, she was debating with her mind whether to answer the call or not. The call ended and he never called again. And she didn't attempt to call back too.

"I know i should've called back or at least not deliberately refuse to answer his call that day. But i am scared Hafsah,i don't want to put myself in a box with anybody here" Amal sighed trying to read her friend's facial expressions through the screen of her laptop.

"I'm not saying you should be friends with him or anything Amal. But don't you see,he was just being nice and maybe he called because it was something important. Push your mind to see some positive light. It's okay if you're scared but ever since you moved there,your fear has always won over you. Your fear made you leave here,leave the man you love even though given the circumstances you had no choice but you never took any risk. What's a life without taking some risk Amal? It's not worth living. Get yourself out of your shell and loosen up,make new friends and by that i don't necessarily mean Bassam only. You have a whole life ahead of you,you're strong and resilient and i love and adore you for that but you shouldn't let your fear overpower those beautiful qualities of yours. Please,have a rethink and set your life straight. Put your shit together and don't stop searching and trying until you find the right dosage of happiness that you deserve. You deserve to be happy,tell yourself that everyday because your unhappiness isn't only affecting you alone,it's affecting me too. I hate seeing you like this every day Amal. Lifeless,boring tired eyes,no hope over anything whatsoever. It's affecting me badly to see my best friend like that. And now my wedding is in three days while my best friend is miles apart in another part of the world sad,and depressed if i may add. It's not fair...." She broke into light sobs as the tears begin to trickle down to her face.

Amal felt her heart constrict in her chest seeing her best friend sobbing and in no time she felt tears welling up in her eyes too. She has never seen Hafsah so weak and defeated like this and she knew that she has managed to push down the last button keeping her best friend's emotions in check. The truth is Hafsah has been nothing but a great pillar of support for her ever since they met. She has always been there for her and never judged or questioned a decision she makes,she was always supportive. But her on the other hand seem to have failed in that role as a best friend. She has been so caught up and swallowed by the darkness of her own sorrow and grievances that she has failed to see that her best friend needed her. She felt guilty and selfish at the same time which made her heart constrict more inside her chest.

"I'm sorry Hafsah,i am so sorry for not being the best friend that you deserve. I have been very selfish and too self centered. I am deeply sorry.." she said in a shaky voice almost crying too.

"I just want you to find happiness you know Amal. It hurts alot for me to sleep and wake up every day knowing that you're somewhere in the pit of your own misery. Always diving deeper with no hope or intention of caving out anytime soon".