Loved by My Archenemy

CHAPTER NINE

The hot morning ran by so quick revealing a hotter afternoon. Asad and Yara threw intense stares at each other the whole day in school. They had a little weird moment during lunch break at the school ground, Yara had boldly made her way to him while he was standing with some of the boys from defense class, to say hello to him. “H..hey” She stammered, one can tell she was a little shy by the way she folded her hands behind her and by the little lip bites she did. He turned around in hesitation knowing it was her and replied “hi!”, rolling his eyes, acting almost as though he was forced to talk to her. Yara could feel her intestines twist together in her body.”i’m Yara, I think we spent last summer in Morocco... Together. Wait. Not together.. You know.. Like I was alone and you were too.. Agh!” she shivered at her own embarrassment. She was so nervous, Asad started to let out a soft chuckle, he tried to hide it, but he couldn't. she closed her eyes shut, ashamed of what just happened, she turned around, and is ready to leave. “W.. Wait!” Asad called. She paused as though she was waiting for him to call out to her. She smiled so widely. “I’m sorry, but I am not the one you met in Morocco last summer.” her face fell completely, w..why did he lie about Morocco? She wondered. She knew he was lying because she knew his scent in her heart, and even though she tried to not think about it, she knew under the thick muscles and the mean smirks, she knew it was him. But she didn't want to drag the conversation, it is enough embarrassment. So, without turning back to look at his chiseled face, she simply replied, “okay then, you have a great day.” And strolled back to her friends with her head high and a fake smile, she wasn't sure she wanted to tell them what had happened.

“How did it go?” Aliana and Reena asked excitedly as Yara walked briskly towards them. “Turns out, its not the same person.” she simply said. Even under the same smiles and the bold reply, her friends knew there was something wrong, but they would rather not bother her about it. So, Aliana and Reena took it upon themselves to make Yara giggle and blush about it. Even though they knew she likes him, they kept up with the teases because they don't helped her to forget her issue with the councils. “Yara and Asad sitting in a tree” Reena started as they walked out of the main building to the parking a lot gesturing to Aliana to join her. Aliana jumped right into the song laughing and nudging at Yara “k I s s i...” “ come on guys not again” Yara yelped throwing her hands on face. “I don't even like him like that” her face is turning red again. Aliana and Reena glanced at each other and let out another giggle. “I have an idea!” Yara announced, distracting her friends who are now staring curiously at her.

Yara’s pov.

“Its a hot day! How about we go to Papa’s Booza” I said trying to sound enthusiastic and hoping they didn't catch the lie. The truth is I am not ready to go back home to face Baba and Ammi, I'm sure they do not want to see me too. “Yessss pleaseeee” the girls chorused. I let out a sigh and the most honest laugh. I looked around hoping to catch another glimpse of him, but I can't find him anywhere. “Yara? Reena called. I turned around to face them.. “Lets go get booza!” they said excitedly.

Outside Papa’s booza laid an outlay of beautiful red sand aesthetic shops, walls look like it's been there for hundreds of years. So has papa’s booza, it's been in Al Hilal for ages. Owned by generations of the Papa Ali family. We are now seated inside the beautiful pop of nature and culture. The beautiful Arabian lanterns hanging from the ceiling and the traditional red Arabian carpets. I like to think apart from the authentic taste of this stretchy frozen dairy, what keeps me coming back is the fusion with the Arabian tradition. Sitting on the mat with pillows and the beautiful lights from the lanterns. Aliana and Reena insisted on making our orders. I was alone in the mat trying to run through my phone's notifications.

* Ammi: we love you Amira, we will talk when you get home

* 3 missed calls from Baba

I let out a long frustrating sigh. I can't deal with this. I swiped to snap chat for fun selfies. Hands up, head tilted to the side, my right profile sits better with photos.

“I tell you all the time all your profiles are perfect! Argh!” Zev chuckled from behind me. I turned around with the widest smile, I haven't seen Zev since before summer started. “Zev!” I said excitedly as I turned around to give him the biggest hug. Zev has been my friend since childhood. He has been with the Papa Alis since birth, he never liked to talk about his birth mother. Baba used to bring me here almost every weekend for booza, it was his favorite booza shop as a child and I used to feel like be wanted it to be mine too. I met Zev here. And every weekend Baba and I came, Zev and I became closer. He started to feel more like an older brother than a friend. He was so protective of me, even though a lot of times I objected and said I could fight my own battles, he never lets me. “How have you been kiddo,” Zev said with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I’ve missed you,” I said pulling away from his arms. “I thought you'd call when you get in?” he said pointing at me playfully. And right then, my face fell, I felt guilty. You've thought so much about Asad the whole summer and after you forgot about Zev. “Hello! Yara?” Zev waved. I looked at him and gave him a light smile. “You knew that was a joke Yara,” Zev said examining me as though he was a fortune-teller who could tell I'm not in a good place. “Is anything wrong?” Zev asked, but now he looks worried.