Loved by My Archenemy

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

YARA

I have failed to understand why all of a sudden our gracious plan that worked every month of the school year had to change, we always felt lucky when we fell in the tent all the time. But now I feel so defeated. I know this event is not at all about me, but this change has set my mood terribly down.

“I don't get it. How did it all of a sudden change?” Reena said as she battled with her thoughts. “I don't get it either, but I am sure there might be a mix-up somewhere. I'll recommend we take it up with principal fadhee before she leaves her office.” Aliana suggested, indicating to the black door that stood opposite the notice board.

We knocked on the door. And to our relief, the secretary was not on sit. We had hoped not to encounter a delay before we made it to the principal's office. As we approached the familiar burgundy door, I stood in front and heaved a deep breath, then knocked twice.

We were welcomed in by the subtle voice of Mrs fadhee, a plump petite woman who had the most welcoming smile with a white tweed dress to go. principal Fadhee has an obvious love for the color white, she has never worn any other color she either wears it in a two-piece suit with a collar-wrap or a dress. Almost all of her dresses and suits like this one comes in tweed.

“To what do I owe this visit, miss Makhthum, miss Batt and miss faz?” she asked pulling her cat-eyed glasses down to her nostrils and staring straight at us as she awaits an answer. “Good morning ma’am,” we said in unison as we made our way to the middle of the wooden burgundy-colored office. “We had a question for the new assignee arrangements” Reena announced trying to hide her shivering hands. Reena and principal fadhee are not exactly the best of friends, as Reena is almost always so close to trouble. Like Reena would always say. Trouble attracts her. Principal fadhee simply smiled as she watched us from her seat. She cleared her throat and began, “I knew it will take only a while after the announcement for the Three Musketeers to come for me on the arrangements” our faces flush red in embarrassment, the teachers had nicknamed us the three Musketeers since kindergarten, we always hoped the nickname would disappear someday but it never did. “Miss Makhthum, I'm sure this mild change is very much bearable. You see you are very good at organizing, the board had agreed you would do an excellent job heading the packing and packaging tent for the rest of the school year.” for the rest of the school year? What? I can't possibly keep up. “It's just I had hoped my friends and I would continue heading the kids' tent, it became home,” I say with my head turned to the maroon antic rug below my foot. “ I understand miss Makhthum. But I think we need to remember this drive is more about the less fortunate people and children, and not us. I expect you to bring in your best.” she declared. I heaved a deep breath and tried to bring my mouth to a curve. “I understand,” I said simply and made my way out of the office with Aliana and Reena tagging behind me.

I really do understand what the principal said, this event is not about me but for the less fortunate. And I need to push all sentiments out and perform my duties. “Sorry Yara, I wish this meeting with the principal came with a different outcome” Aliana explains with a long disappointed face. “Me too” Reena followed, she had on the same long disappointing face. “It's okay guys, let's look at the bright side, at least we get to do some good deeds” I smiled. “And we get to socialize with our new teams,” Aliana said with so much optimism. “Yea! Team! Let's check who is in your tent Yara” Reena jumped as she dragged us towards the notice board. I checked the list alongside my friends with so much hope that it doesn't turn out bad. And from what I read, it wasn't that bad. “Okayyyy! It's not bad, not bad at all, we got: Adnan that, Sara din, dalia bass and wait!!” I froze, I was in utter shock when I saw the last name, I'm ready to take on this task but I'm not exactly happy about taking on this task with him. “Whoaa! ASAD MALIK!” Aliana gasped. “Looks like the universe really wants you guys to figure out the drama between you two” Reena called out. “Reena!” Aliana scolded. I know Reena can be a little handful, but I think she's right. But I would have preferred the universe to choose a different day to be around Asad Malik. I do not like the feeling of being ignored every time. “It's okay Yara, it doesn't have to be that bad. Just think positive thoughts” Aliana advised. I fake a smile to stop her from feeling bad for me. “Positive thoughts” I whispered.

“Hello, ladies!” I closed my eyes shut hoping it was all an illusion and he wasn't standing right in front of me. I watched as Aliana and Reena got excited but tried to hide it. I like that they care about my feelings and all but I don't want them thinking they can't be friends with Asad. “H..hi Asad” Aliana stammered trying so hard to suppress her excitement. Reena stared at him blankly, I have always thought she has a crush on him. “Hi! How are we doing?” he asked with the smirks he always has on when he's ignoring me. I simply did nothing, said nothing, and tried not to look too much at his slightly open chest from his half-buttoned white short-sleeved shirt. I looked down at him so I wouldn't be caught staring. But I couldn't help but notice his blue jeans and extremely beautiful timberland six-inch boots! I smiled excessively, I was just so impressed, he loves boots too. “Well have you girls checked your name on the list?” he asked as he approached the notice board that stood right behind me. I moved away just in time to smell the familiar musky scent he always has on. It baffles me how he acts like I'm completely invisible.

“You know, this is my first ever charity event and I'm so excited. And honestly, I sense a very good aura today.” You will lose sight of that aura when you figure out who is in that tent with you Asad. “No way!” I heard him say, I didn't know how but I found myself letting out giggles, I tried so hard to make it stop but I couldn't. I was already frustrated that I'm sharing a tent I have no interest in with Asad Malik, but what made it funny is the fact that he looks just as frustrated. He let out a loud frustrating grunt and stormed off to the principal's office. Sorry Asad, but been there, done that, it won't work.

I turned around to Aliana’s judgy eyes. “Come on Yara, you didn't have to make it that obvious” “I couldn't help it I'm sorry” I was still trying to suppress my laughter. Reena laughed too, but not as obvious as I did. “Come on guys! Let's do some good deeds!” I held my girls by the shoulder and we made our way out to the school grounds.”

Yara's pov end.

The burgundy office is now the most famous place to be in today, there was a bit of silence as Asad sat in the dark green antic armchair hands clenched trying to hide his anger and disappointment.

Asad’s pov

“I'm sorry Mr Malik, but just as I told miss Makhthum, this event isn't about who gets what tent, it's about helping people and found good deeds”. So she had come here too? I guess this is uncomfortable for her too. I had hoped I would be in a tent as far away from her as possible, I don't under how my hate for her keeps growing. I know this isn't about me but I can't keep my focus working together with her. “I understand ma’am but isn't there a way we could move me away from that tent do another?” “No Mr. Malik, we can't. Think about this as a good way to socialize with the rest of the students.” if only the rest of the student didn't include her. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have a charity event to head,” she said gesturing to the door with the warmest smile. It is as though principal Fadhee is never caught without a smile. “Thank you for listening,” I said as I made my way out of the office.

As I approached the grounds I could hear really happy noises from the kids in the crowd and beautiful laughter from every angle. I smiled on the inside, still half sure my aura isn't wrong. As I stepped outside to meet with the grounds I saw the really beautiful setup made. The tents were aligned so well to go circular. Reminding me of Mr stone’s class setup. Wow! I thought. From where I stood I could see the kids’ tent, the elderly tent, and the soup tent, I could see papa’s booza stand on the other side of the circular. And far off from the kids’ and elderly tent. Facing those tents though far away is the packing and packaging tent! My hell hole!. As I approached the tent, I noticed the rest of the team sitting around and doing little or nothing. Looked closely to see if I can catch a glimpse of her but it seemed like there wasn’t hope, or she just wasn’t there. “Hello, Asad,” a girl said as I came closer to the tent. Not sure I knew her but I simply smiled and replied “hey Uhmm have you seen Yara?” “Oh yh! She’s right there! Packaging the gift bags. I looked over at the gifts bags session and there she was, covered in clothes and bottles and everything. She looked so frustrated and tired. I smiled a little, I couldn’t help it. Even though I’m not exactly her fan right now, she looked pretty adorable in distress. Just when she made to lift her face, I looked right at the other side of the tent.

I tried to seek refuge with the other helpers who seemed to be quite familiar with the tent, I went close to them and stretched my hand to say hello. “Uhmm hello I’m Asad, you must be Adnan? Since you’re the only other guy here” I said smiling at the only other guy in the tent. He gave a very slight smile which came off as really weird. And said very reluctantly, “hello Asad”, and went on back to folding the goodwill items of clothing below the bench he was seated on. Why does it look like a funeral in here? “ so what do we do for fun around here?” I asked stretching my arms, making sure she saw me as I stretched and threw my hands on my waist. The girls who were now looking at me in awe giggled. “Uhmm nothing at all” one of them with bright blonde hair said still giggling. I pulled myself closer to their bench and sat at the other edge. “You can join us in separating the dairy from these?” The brunette with cute braces asked. Gesturing at the big baskets filled with chocolate bars. “Some of the kids are lactose intolerant”. She finished. “Sure,” I said. “I’m Asad by the way.” “We know” they both chorused, “everyone knows the transfer student from Egypt, hello I’m dalia,” the one with the blonde hair said with a smirk. “And I’m Sara” the brunette smiled. I smiled at both girls as we went on to sort out the ingredients of the bars.

“Okay, guys we need a team plan!” She said almost too frustrated. “We can’t finish these tasks if we keep acting like we’ve got all day! Cause we don’t!” The giggling stopped, and the tent became silent but in a cold instance.