Second hand hearts

Chapter 9 (I wanna know)

Amal gave out an exasperated dramatic sigh as she rummaged through her wardrobe in search of something presentable to wear. She really needed a wardrobe change but then again,money is tight at the moment and she had better things on her list to worry about than getting herself some fancy clothes,that would be a story for another day.

Earlier that day she had been thinking of calling and cancelling on Bassam's proposal with an excuse of going for a group study on saturday,the supposed day she had agreed for him to come take her out. It's kind of a white lie since there's  actually a group study on saturday which included a good number of her classmates but she never had the intention of attending. She was one of those people who prefer studying alone in a secluded place.

She finally decided on a long burgundy coloured maxi skirt with a short sleeve cream coloured silk blouse.

"This will have to do" , she muttered to herself checking the selected clothes out. Deciding to top it off with her favourite denim jacket,she searched for a cream coloured scarf to wrap around her head too.  Her eyes roamed over to the small shoe rack and decided on a pair of sandals out of the five pair of shoes she owned.

The lightning of her phone signalling an imcoming text brought back her attention to it and she took the phone to read the message hoping it was from Hafsah or her little brother back at home. She misses him so much and it's getting harder and harder to not have him with her every day of her life. To her utter disappointment, the text was from neither of the people she was hoping but from Bassam. It red ;

*Hope you're not planning on bailing out on me. Be ready tomorrow by 4,take care. Bass.

She quickly typed in a reply telling him that she was still on it and dropped the phone on the dresser. The low growl from her stomach reminded her that she didn't have a decent meal so she padded to the kitchen to prepare something for herself. 

She finished eating and cleaned up after which she decided to do some studying. She knew she needed to work harder since she didn't do anything commendable the last test she was in and she wasn't proud of it either.  Setting her books on the small coffee table in the living room,she sat on the couch and plopped her feet on the coffee table replacing her books.

She studied until almost dinner time taking short breaks to visit the bathroom or pray. By the time she was sure her brain would  explode from too much strain, she gave it up and changed into a tank top and cotton pajama pants getting ready for bed.

**************************
The next day was Saturday that means she got to do some laundry and clean up the house since she barely gets the chance to do so during the week days. She finished everything in time and hopped into shower so that she doesn't keep Bassam waiting. The curious part of her mind wondering where he will be taking her and why did it have to be her.

After showering, she dried off and slapped on some lotion and got dressed in the same outfit she decided on the previous day. Tucking in the blouse in,she wore the denim jacket on top as the air was getting cooler. She wrapped her head up with the scarf and slipped in some shoes. She stuffed her mini bag with a lip gloss,a small pack of tissue paper, a small bottle of perfume and her phone inside. She slung it messenger style just as she heard her phone ringing from inside the bag. She knew it must be Bassam as her heart jolted slightly in her chest suddenly feeling nervous. She answered the roaring phone nevertheless pressing it to her ear.

"Amal,you ready?" His usual clear voice spoke through the other end of the line.

"Yes i am" she simply replied.

"I'll be there in five. On my way now".

"Okay,drive safe".

And with that they both hung up and the line went dead. She couldn't help the sudden army of nerves that raided her system as she rubbed off her sweaty palms on her skirt. She patted her cheeks breathing in and out through her mouth  in an attempt to calm herself down but it had little effect.