Swipe Of Love

23

♕ 3 R D P O V ♕

She felt betrayed. A person's trust with their family and friends is paramount to a healthy life and guilt-free relationship... She lost respect for her best friend and brother. The brother that she looked up to. The brother that she trusted. She hated this. Frustration built up inside her, wanting to leave her body.

"So, all of you have been doing this behind my back," she asked, controlling her temper.

"No...yes." Chris struggled to speak the right word.

"I can't believe you guys would do that. I am here because of that man who left me for his stupid PA. And you guys are helping him," she yelled.

"He changed Antonia. He regrets everything that he has done. He wants you back. He wants his family," Khalid explained, trying to make his sister understand. He knew something like this would happen. Khalid should have told her before going ahead only if he had told her about the fact that Walid wants her back. Everything that he did was a mistake and for her own protection.

"How do you know that? How do you know that he isn't fooling you or me?" She snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I know my brother very well, Antonia. We are human; we all make mistakes. We just have to forgive and move on," Amina spoke softly.

"You know him very well? Did you know he was going to do what he did 20 yrs ago? Do you want to talk about mistakes? If a kid breaks a vase, we can forgive him. But what he did was not just a simple mistake or a broken vase. He ruined my life. He made me feel alone again. Even though I gave him a second chance and he promised me that he will never let me stay alone, ever again. Nobody can forgive him for his mistake!" She cried out, rubbing the spot where her heart ached. This was the pain she had been holding for the past 20 years. Her mind wanted to tell everyone how much she suffered. Crying all night, thinking that she was the reason that their marriage didn't work.

"I know you are angry right now. Please try to calm down. Think about it when you have calmed down. Try to understand." Khalid moved forward to his sister, trying to rub her shoulder in comfort.

She stepped back, "out of all people, I trusted you the most. I look up to you. Right now, you broke my trust, bro. You really did."

Khalid felt ashamed doing this to his sister. He was doing all this for her own good. Seeing his sister with a broken heart shattered him. He couldn't handle the pain that his sister was going through. Khalid thought it would be best that he started to help Walid.

She loved Walid dearly and still does; he can see it. She would never marry another man because her heart belongs to someone else. She is too stubborn to admit the fact that she loves him. He doesn't want to see the way Antonia was back then. He looked at his sister, who was crying her eyes out. What hurts him the most is that Khalid was going behind his sister and working with Walid. He betrayed her, and mortification hit him hard.

"I can't take this anymore. I am out of here. Tell that man stay out of my life; stay away from my son," she whipped her eyes with her shirt sleeves.

"I am not staying away from your or my son," Walid walked in.

"You are going to, Mr. Khan. Stay the hell away from my son. I am warning you," she demanded.

"He is my son too. I've every right to see my son," he argued, stepping close to her. His minty breath brushed softly across her face, leaving shivers down her spine. Her heart drummed with an excessive amount of speed in her chest. He still affected her. They both knew the truth. Antonia couldn't hide it from him. Her eyes told him everything.

She shook her head, getting it to think straight. His closeness wasn't helping. She placed her small hands on top of his muscular chest and pushed him with an enormous amount of energy, causing him to stumble back.

"You lost that when you left us."

"I never left Antonia. You left me," he looked into her eyes with pure love.

"I left you because you chose her over us, Walid. Over me. Over our love. Over our family," she mumbled, clenching her fist.

"And I regret it. I really do. I'll do whatever it takes me to bring you back. If I had one wish to make, that would be to go back and fix my mistake," Walid put his hands on her cheek.

She stepped away from him as if his touch burned her. Hurt flashed through his eyes. "You can't. It's too late for that. Fine, I get it. We had our problem and still do. What about Omar? He was just a baby. An innocent child. What did he ever do? You could have visited him, but you didn't. Why?"

"I was afraid. Afraid of Omar not liking me. Terrified that I won't be an excellent father," he looked down in shame.

"Wow! The great Mr. Khan was frightened. That is so low of you. Stay away from Omar," she scoffs, not believing what she had heard. "The famous billionaire was scared of meeting his own son. What a surprise."

"You said you would let me and Omar get to know each other," he reminded her.

"How did-Oh I see where you heard that from. I keep my word. I know I said that, and I will let you because I don't want my son to live his life without a father anymore. He has a football game tonight. This game means a lot to him, so don't miss it. If you fail to come, I will not let you see him again," she warned, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Really? That's it? That was really easy," he smiled.

"Don't get your hopes up. Not everything will be easy to get. One last thing before I leave, I want those divorce papers signed; I hope I get them pretty soon. Have a good day," she slammed the door closed on her way out.

She got back into her car and drove to a nearby beach. The temperature was not too hot or too cold. It was just perfect. Walking along the shore, she felt alone. She felt lost in their lies. The only thing that was after that searching for so long was a betrayal. It slowly seeped in how much of a fool she had been, believing that everyone was on her side. She floated away from the fake promises and reality until she was just a lost person.

She couldn't believe the people she trusted the most did this to her. She couldn't help but feel as if everyone was against her. Like she was the bad guy here. She felt discarded, unwanted, and unloved by her closest family.

Not too long after, she returned to the house. She prayed, Asr, and then got ready for Omar's game. She wanted to surprise him. She had to lie that night to do this; she did not like that. She asked Allah to forgive her for lying. She freshened up and was a blue T-shirt. She wore skinny blue jeans and wrapped a light color hijab around her head. She quickly grabbed her keys and drove in front of her brother's house.

She prayed to Allah that her brother was not home at this time; she knocked on the door. When the door opened, she was brought into a tight hug by Noor.

"Salam Aunty! How are you?" Noor greeted her

"Walaikumsalam. I am fine, Alhamdulillah. On my Allah! Look at you, child; You are not even ready yet!" She exclaimed, pushing her inside the house.

"Ready for what?" Noor asked, looking confused.

"Did you already forget about it? Noor, Omar has a game. And I am for sure that he wants you to be in that game. Now get a ready child," she grabbed her hand and pulled her upstairs to Noors room.

"If you don't mind me asking Aunt. How old are you?" Noor nervously chuckled. Her mother always told her that asking about people's age was rude. However, she couldn't help it. She is curious.

"Why?"

"Oh, it's nothing. It's just you act like a teenage girl who is ready to see her crush. That's all," Noor giggled, walking into her room.

"Sorry. It just this is the very first time my son is playing in the States Championship. I am excited about it," she squealed in excitement.

Opening her closet door, she picked out a pair of jeans and a hijab. "Are you sure Omar wants me to be there?"

"I am 100% sure that he wants you there, considering that he gave you his jersey?" She shrugged, taking a seat at the corner of the bed.

Noor turned around and looked at her Aunt in confusion, "And how do you know that?"

"Trust me, Honey. I know everything," Antonia picked up the jersey that belonged to her son.

"Oh! So when are we leaving?" Noor asked.

"We are going to hit the road right now. But I have to go and pick up my medication and do something else really quick," Antonia answered.

"Okay! Should I wear a pink shirt or the blue one? We can be twins," Noor wiggled her eyebrows.

"As much as I would love to be twinned with you, my son would love it if you wear his jersey. And you know how mad he gets when nobody listens to him," she remained her.

"Yeah. More of a monster type anger," Noor mumbled, rolling her eyes. He was a monster with anger issues. Lord knows where he got that much anger.

"I think you should say that to his face," she chuckled, handing her the jersey.

"Yeah, and then handle a beast. No thanks," she said, walking in the bathroom.

"He isn't that bad. You just have to get to know him. That's all."

"I think I know him pretty well," Noor spoke out from the bathroom.

"Please explain," she amusedly stared in the direction of the bathroom.

"He is so cocky, arrogant, and annoying, Jerk. Do you know what he did to me today? He punched a guy because I was talking to him. Then he ordered me to take his jersey and come to his game, or else he will throw me over his shoulder and bring me to his game in front of everyone. He is well aware of the fact that I don't like getting attention. Let me remind you again; he did not ask me; he ordered me," she spoke in one breath.

Antonia just smiled at Noor. She knows her son very well. At a young age, he would get whatever he wanted. If he doesn't, he throws a big fuss about it. He won't eat, won't talk to anyone, or give the silent treatment. He was spoiled, but she couldn't help it. She wanted him to have everything that Omar wanted. She didn't want him to think about his father or that not having a father means no childhood. Antonia cared about him having a good life without Walid in his life. She didn't need Walid and nor doesn't her son.

"Take a deep breath, Honey. We don't want anything to happen to you," Antonia chuckled.

"The confusing part is that I can't figure him out at all; he is too weird," she threw her hand up in the air in frustration.

"Ready?"

Noor nodded her head, not having any choice. She hoped for something terrible to happen, so she doesn't go to this stupid game. She'd instead read 20 books then go.

"Oh, by the way, Omar will drop you home. I am sure he won't mind," she patted Noors back.

"Okay," Noor muttered, realizing that she was going to ride home with the beast. She prays to Allah; they arrive safely back; he doesn't lash out at her in the car. She only wants to be at home, under her soft, cozy pillow, and watch Netflix.

Antonia gets in the driver's seat while Noor got in the passenger's. She started the engine and drove away.

                                                                                               ♕ ♕ ♕

It's almost halfway through the game, but Omar still didn't see his mom or Nerd. He asked a coach if he can sit out for a couple of minutes, and his coach let him. Omar grabbed a cup of water and sat on the bench. He wiped the sweat that was running down from his forehead.

He was hoping for his mother to come, but he was damn wrong. He didn't know if he wanted to be incensed or just let it go. This game is meaningful to him; he wants his mother to be there for every important event in his life.

He didn't care about Noor coming. He was furious to see that she didn't go after he threatened her. Omar would get her tomorrow in school. He will teach her a lesson for not listening to him.

"Omar! Get your ass back on the field," Coach yelled at him.

He put his helmet back on. He ran into the field. All the girls screamed, watching Omar get in his position. The cheerleaders were cheering. He stood at the place of the quarterback. Bending down, he was ready to say, "Hike."

However, he was cut off by a familiar voice, "Go, OMAR!"

Omar quickly stood up from his position. He looked around to see where the voice came from. A smile appeared on his facing seeing his mom and his Nerd. He knew they were coming. His mother can never bring him down. She is always there for him.

Nerd was wearing his jersey, which he couldn't stop himself from smiling and admiring how good she looked in that. His mom was wearing a blue shirt that has the sentence, "Omar's my son! He is the best in the world." He laughed, seeing the two women jump up and down.

"Hike!" he yelled.

The guys spread around the field. When Omar saw an open gap, he took this chance to run through it, and he did a touchdown. His team won. The guys ran up to him and put him on their shoulders; the students cheered with happiness. Omar got down off his teammate's shoulder and ran across the field to his mom. Antonia ran up to him and hugged him.

"Congratulation! I am so proud of you," she smiled.

"I thought you weren't coming," he said, pulling away.

"I couldn't miss my son's important game. My son is more important than my client," she pinched his cheek.

"Mom, you're the best! I love you so much," he kissed her cheek.

"I know! I know! What can I say? I am just amazing," she pretends to flip her hijab.

"You still have your jokes, I see. I thought you forgot all about it due to your increase in work, I really missed you, mom," he mumbled, hugging her tightly.

"I am sorry. I was busy. How about I make it up to you by taking you to your favorite frozen yogurt store. Did you hear about Emily?" she asked.

"Yes. I did. Uncle Jacob called me before the game. He sounded pleased," Omar laughed.

"He is. You should have seen the baby. She is so cute. Can you do me a favor?" she questioned.

"Sure, why not. After all, you are my sweet and lovely mother," he smiled.

"Indeed she is," a voice came behind them.

Turning around, Omar asked, "What are you doing here, Walid?"

Antonia panted, seeing Walid here. She didn't think he would really come here. After all, he has the record of running away.

"I came here to see the game. After all, you were in this game; I wouldn't dare to miss it," Walid smiled.

"What do you mean?" Omar questioned.

"I still can't believe you would come too, Walid," Antonia narrowed her eyes at him.

"Mom? You know him?" he asked.

"Yes. We go way back in time. Nothing new," Antonia answered.

"Okay. While thanking you for coming," Omar shook his hand. Walid nodded his head.

"Omar, take Noor home. I have some unfinished business to do," She said, not taking her eyes off of Walid.

"But mom-"

"Omar!" she threatened.

"Fine," he grumbled.

Now he really regrets telling Noor to come to his game. He has to babysit her now. Why are parents like this? Can't Nerd get her own car? Oh right, she doesn't even have her driver's license yet. He wondered. He walked to the locker room to change. After changing into his clothes, he walked up to Noor.

"Let's go," he ordered.

"Where?" She asked, looking confused.

"To lala land. Home you, i***t," he rolled his eyes.

"You don't have to be so rude, you know. What about the Aunt? I thought-"

"Listen, I am dropping you off, okay?" he cut her off.

"But-"

"For the love of God, just shut the hell up! You're so irritating. I should be out there, celebrating with my teammates. However, here I am, dropping you're sorry as* home," he snapped, making her flinch.

He started to walk towards his Jeep. Not saying a single word to him, she followed behind him with her head down. She doesn't understand men in general at all. They are just bipolar. Super bipolar. And she hates it. People say females are hard to Understand. Yet it's the males that are the complicated creatures that Allah has to send to this earth.

She has had enough of this rudeness from him. She wants to yell and scream at him for how rude he is. She wanted to smack him in the face, but she is too afraid of doing it. She tried so hard to get rid of this fear that built inside of her. However, she just can't seem to do it. She made up her mind of not letting him control her emotions or play with them. She has to be strong. She took a deep breath and stopped following him.

Omar ran a hand through his hair. He was frustrated and tired at the same time. For a couple of days, he couldn't control his anger. It was like the fire inside of him was released from its cage. He soon realized that the sound of Noor's small footstep was gone. Turning around, he saw her standing there, looking lost in her own world.

"Do I need to give you a special invitation to get in the car?" He growled.

"Why are you so mean to me, Omar? What did I do to make you hate me so much?" she questioned, not looking up.

"Get in," He ordered, ignoring her question.

"Not until you answer my question first," she crossed her hand in stubbornness.

"It's either you get in the Jeep, or you stay in this parking for the whole night," he gave her a look.

"I think I'll stay here; you can explain to Aunty why you left me here." she threatens to know her Aunt will kill Omar for leaving her here.

"You're not giving up, are you?"

"Nope," she popped the 'p' at the end.

Sighing, he walked around his Jeep and asked, "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes," she gulped, getting nervous.

He stood in front of her and leaned it, making her breath rasped in her throat. "It's a complicated concept for you. Still, I will make it simple enough for you to understand. I don't like you. You are annoying to me; you won't stop bothering me. You don't interest me at all. I mean, have you looked at yourself in the mirror. Let's not start with the baggy clothes that you wear. You disgust me so much, Nerd. I wish you were never my cousin. Maybe you could get some fashion and beauty tips from Olivia, the head of the cheerleaders. Have you seen her? She is hot. Way hotter than you. I am sorry....actually, I am not sorry at all. Now get in," he barked at her.

He didn't mean to say all those harsh words. Omar couldn't control his anger and let it get the best of him this time. It didn't make any sense to him at all. He wants to be close to her, but he doesn't at the same time. She is in his mind 24/7 and wouldn't get out. He tried his best to make his mind think somewhere else; only it didn't work.

Tears piled up in her eyes. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Why does he have to be so mean? He was right, She thought. She was not like the other beautiful girls. She didn't have what other girls had. However, she did have one thing. That is respect for herself and her body. She doesn't care what the guys think of her.

If guys can't accept the way she is, then it's his problem, not hers. She won't let him break her down that easily. If he can be so mean, then she can also show him her stubborn side. Making an angry face, she crossed her hand over her chest and turned around, not listening to him.

Opening the Jeep door, he turned around to see Noor not there. "What now?" he grumbled in annoyance.

"Get in the car, Nerd. Now!" he yelled at her.

Ignoring him totally, she walked up to the bench that was in the parking lot. Who in the world puts a bench in the middle of a parking lot? Whoever it was, they are foolish. Just like Omar, she said in her mind.

She took a seat on the bench. Omar slammed the jeep door and walked toward her. Noor's palm started to get sweaty; besides she showed no emotion. He stood in front of her and gave her a hard glare. He quickly grabbed her elbow and pulled her with him.

"Hey! Let me go," she punched his arm, which didn't affect him due to his strong arms.

"Shut up," he growled, opened the door.

"You can't do this to me," she exclaimed, putting her weight down, which didn't help either.

He let go of her elbow, dropping her on the ground. "Ouch! You could have at least dropped me softly," she rubbed her bum.

"You better get in the car, or else I'll make you, and when I do it, it won't be pretty at all," he cautioned.

"You can't-"

"Shut your mouth before I do it myself. Do I have to repeat myself?" Omar sighed.

"Can't you at least-"

"That's it. I am done," Omar threw his head up in frustration.

"Okay! Okay! I am getting up," she quickly said.

She was loving how irritating he is getting because of her. Now she just has to annoy him whenever he is mean or rude to her. She pulled the seatbelt while Omar started the car.

"Someday, I am going to kill myself because of her," he muttered under his breath.

"And I hope that day is very soon." Noor sighed.

"What?"

"Nothing." she smiled innocently.

He looked at her like she just grew three heads. Noor shook her head, looking out the window. She turned toward Omar but quickly looked away when he caught her staring. Omar chuckled. Bipolar much? She thought.

Back at school, the tension between Antonia and Walid was high. Antonia wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off him. She knew exactly why he had that on.

"I really didn't think you would show up, in all honesty," she crossed her hands behind her back.

"I already told you I am here to get my family back; I am willing to do anything to get them back. Did you really think I wouldn't be here?" he questioned.

"We all know how you like to run away from stuff and then disappear. Out of nowhere, you reappear. So I don't have my hopes up for you," Antonia shrugged.

"So, do I get to meet him?"

"Didn't you already meet him?" she raised her eyebrows.

"You know what I mean," he stated.

"You can try, but I am warning you that he will not like you when he sees you," she looked at her watch.

"Do you hate me?" he asked.

She was shocked by this question. Did she really despise Walid that much? She doesn't even know the answer to that question anymore. She still has this feeling for him, although she doesn't know what it is. She looked at him and saw hope in his eyes. She sighed. How can she answer this question?

"Hate is a strong word. I dislike you for what you did to me. I have learned it the hard way that there is no such as 'true love.' Now, if you'll excuse me," she said, walking around him, but he grabbed her hand to stop her.

"So you don't hate me?" he questioned.

"I never said that. The only thing I said is that I dislike you. You never know when someone close to you can hate you so much that they really don't want you in their life," she snatches her hand away from him.

"I don't believe you. You love me too much to hate me. I see the love in your eyes for me. You haven't changed. You're the same girl that I knew. You're my girl," he pulled her towards him.

"I am never going to be yours. My mistake was becoming your girl in the first place; you lost that. I loved you. Past tense," she pushed him away and walked ahead.

"What if I die tonight. Will, you still hate me?" he asked, causing her to stop. Her heart tightened hears that. He is just trying to fool you. A voice said in her head. Turning around, she answered, "If you died tonight, nothing would be different tomorrow."

                                                                                               ♕ ♕ ♕

The sun shined bright, Which made the temperature a little warmer than yesterday. Quickly, grabbing the two bread slices, she put them in the toaster. She promptly applied some jam to it. Omar was late for school once again.

"Omar! Come down and eat your breakfast. You're late already," she yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

"Coming, mom!" he replied, running down the stairs.

Grabbing his backpack, he put it on his right shoulder. On the way out the door, he grabbed his PB&J and kissed his mother's cheek.

"Drive safely. I love you. Allah Hafiz," she yelled from the kitchen.

"Don't worry. Love you too. Allah Hafiz," he replied.

She put the dishes in the sink, "Salam uncle, Khalid. How are you?" She heard Omar greet. She wiped her hand with a towel that was on the kitchen island.

"Salam. I am doing fine, alhamdulillah. Is your mother home?" he asked.

Omar instantly knew that something was wrong between the two of them. Khalid said, "mother" instead of "my little sis." Omar knew not to talk in between elders, so he just answered, "yes. She is in the kitchen."

"Thank you," he smiled.

"No problem," Omar walked out.

Now, what? What does that brother of hers want? She thought. He better not come here to apologize because she will not forgive him.