My Best Friend's Girlfriend

Chapter 6

The days in Beijing flew by faster than I’d expected. Vei became a constant presence, joining us for sightseeing trips, late-night talks, and endless rounds of Chinese tea. It was easy to see why Hassam was so taken with her. She had a way of blending in with our group, laughing at our inside jokes even when she didn’t fully understand them. And there was something about the way she looked at Hassam—like he was the only person in the room—that made it clear she was in this for the long haul.

Yet, as the days passed, I could feel the weight of the secret pressing down on us more than ever. It was there in the pauses between conversations, the quick glances Ali and Shahwath would exchange when Hassam’s back was turned, and the way my own laughter felt just a little forced whenever Vei was around. I knew that the others felt it too, but we kept up the charade, telling ourselves it was for the best.

One evening, after a long day of exploring the city, we found ourselves in a small restaurant, tucked away in one of Beijing’s quieter neighborhoods. The air was cool, a welcome relief from the heat of the day, and the faint murmur of the city buzzed around us.

Vei excused herself to take a call outside, leaving the three of us alone with Hassam for the first time since we’d arrived. He leaned back in his chair, looking more content than I’d ever seen him.

“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” he asked, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.

“Yeah, she’s great,” Ali said, nodding. “You’re lucky, man. You really are.”

Hassam’s smile faltered, just for a second, and I caught a flash of something in his eyes—something that made my heart skip a beat. It was the same look he used to get back in the UAE, when he thought too much about the secret. It was like a shadow that passed over his face, there and gone in an instant.

“She’s... she’s different from anyone I’ve met,” he said, his voice softer now. “And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can actually... I don’t know, build a future. Like maybe I deserve that, you know?”

Shahwath shifted uncomfortably, glancing down at his hands. He’d been quieter than usual since we’d arrived, and I could see the tension building in his shoulders. It was like he was carrying a burden too heavy to bear.

“Yeah, man, you deserve it,” I said quickly, trying to steer the conversation away from the dangerous territory I could see looming ahead. “Vei’s great for you. And she makes you happy, that’s what matters.”

Hassam looked at me, searching my face like he was trying to read something hidden there. For a moment, I wondered if he was about to bring up the secret, if he was going to finally talk about what we’d all been avoiding. But then Vei walked back in, and just like that, the moment passed.

She slid into her seat beside Hassam, smiling as she slipped her phone into her bag. “My mom sends her regards,” she said, turning to us with a playful smile. “She’s excited to meet you all one day.”

Ali forced a chuckle, raising his glass. “Here’s to that, then. To new friends and old friends, and to the future.”

We clinked glasses, but as we drank, I couldn’t help but notice the way Shahwath kept his eyes trained on the table, his jaw tight. I knew him well enough to recognize the look on his face—he was on the edge, ready to say something that could shatter the fragile peace we’d built.

Later that night, after we returned to Hassam’s apartment, Vei went to bed early, leaving the four of us alone in the small living room. It was late, and the city outside was quiet, the hum of traffic reduced to a distant murmur.

Shahwath sat on the armrest of the couch, staring out the window. Ali busied himself with tidying up, though it was clear he was just trying to keep his hands busy. And then there was Hassam, looking between us, like he could sense the tension but couldn’t quite place its source.

“Guys, is everything okay?” he asked, his voice low. “I mean, really okay? You’ve been... different since you got here.”

For a second, no one spoke. The words seemed to hang in the air, heavy and dangerous, and I could feel my pulse quicken. Shahwath turned to look at me, his expression hard to read. He was waiting for me to say something, to take the lead like I always did.

I cleared my throat, forcing a smile. “We’re just... adjusting, I guess. China’s a lot different from the UAE.”

Hassam nodded slowly, but I could tell he wasn’t satisfied with the answer. “I just hope you guys know that... whatever happens, I’m grateful. For everything. For keeping things the way they are.”

Shahwath stood up suddenly, walking toward the window with quick, agitated steps. “It’s not that simple, Hassam,” he said, his voice tight. “You know it’s not.”

Ali’s head snapped up, and I felt my breath catch. I shot Shahwath a warning look, but he ignored it, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

Hassam stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Shahwath. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Before Shahwath could answer, I stepped forward, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, let’s not do this now, okay? It’s late, and we’re all tired.”

But I could see it in Shahwath’s eyes—the resolve, the frustration. He was on the edge, and I didn’t know if I could pull him back. Not this time.

As we stood there, the three of us frozen in a tense silence, I couldn’t help but feel that we were on the verge of something that would change everything. Something that would make the trip to China less about a reunion and more about the one thing we’d tried so hard to bury.