chapter thirty nine

Ibrahim froze and couldn't hug me back. "Just act as if we're in love you dummy." I whispered in his ear and that's when he hugged me back.

"I missed you babe." Ibrahim said breaking the hug. "I missed you more." I said now looking at Malika and Maya.

If looks could kill, I think I would be six feet under by now with the kind of murderous glare Malika was shooting me. Maya has the expression of 'ok what on planet earth was that?' On her face,and Ibrahim? Well I can't even understand his expression.

"Let's sit." I said holding his arm and we sat down.

"Khair what was that?" Maya whisper yelled.

"What was what?" I asked with a smile creeping up my cheeks.

"You hugged Ibrahim for what? Don't you know its haram?"Maya continued

"Said the person who doesn't care."I replied rolling my eyes at her.

"No like seriously its not a good thing."

"Ok ok I won't do that again." I said raising my hands in surrender but Malika's expression was enough to make me smirk triumphantly.

"I just wanted to get back at Malika you know?" I tried to reason with Maya and she smiled. "OK then,I'm into it but just don't go beyond your limits. I would like to see Malika's priceless face." Maya said smirking.

"So babe...." Annnddd that's how we engaged with lovey dovey conversion with Ibrahim. Malika was fuming everywhere almost ready to explode as each minute passed by.

Oh butterfly! How I love this moment

After spending a hour and half together,Ibrahim left because he received a call from his mom and we also left two minutes after Ibrahim left. Malika was frequently wiping her eyes with her handkerchief and trying to put up a cheerful face but she's honestly miserable at it.

Maya glanced at Malika who was now silently crying and gasped.

"You're a bad girl." Maya whispered giggling. "Put that song for me pls." I said to Maya feeling all brave suddenly. "Which song?" She asked. "Bad guy by Billie Elish."

"I'M THE BAAAD GUYYYYY, DUHH!" I don't know how but I found myself singing along loudly with the song booming out of the car's radio.

"Such a ridiculous girl." Maya chuckled and continued driving.

.......

"School sweet school." I sighed collapsing on the bed. "I'm glad we're finally back. I got to see Xavier again." Maya dreamily said squealing like an excited rat.

I was about to answer her when a call entered my phone. "Oh my Allah." I groaned rejecting the call. Keeping the phone aside, I started arranging my clothes.

"Khair pls pick up this annoying phone. It is ringing like more than twenty times now." Maya fumed handling me my phone and I collected it.

"Don't you have better things to do?" I asked annoyingly as soon as I answered.

"Talking to you is one of the better things I have to do." Ibrahim answered cheerfully.

OK let me analyse this. I think I made a grave mistake since the day that I pranked Malika. Ibrahim never let me live my life in peace again because he always call me to confirm whether we're really a 'thing' and I told him millions of time that we're not but he wouldn't just listen. It got to the extent that I blocked his number but he found another mean to keep calling me.

In fact, I have blocked up to five of his different numbers and of course he wouldn't give up.

"Ibrahim I beg in you in the name of God, leave me alone. We have resumed school and you're a distraction to me. Pls for the sake of the love you have for your parent, don't ever call me again unless I call you myself but if you want me to die,continue calling me and if you really love me then don't disturb my dear life again thank you!" I finished and hung up without waiting for his reply.

"Nice speech girl." Maya said laughing. "Its not funny." I said. "It is and you caused all of these yourself." She deadpanned and she was right.

........

"I think you should choose this blue dress." Flora,Stephanie's cousin suggested.

"Gross! I don't like blue"..." Wow! How about this maroon dress?" Stephanie asked showing me the sparkling fine maroon dress.

Finally,I got to talk after spending two hours in this boutique shopping for Stephanie cos tomorrow is Xavier's graduation day.

"Yeah I think you should try it on." I said to her smiling and she entered the changing room.

"Holy hot hell!" Maya shouted behind me and all eyes turned to Stephanie that posed like an ostrich in front of us.

"I have to admit that this is the perfect dress for you girl and I would have to look for something similar to yours." Flora said going through the dresses on the rack and she finally found exactly the type of Stephanie's dress but just green in colour. She tried it on and well,its nice on her too.

"Imma look for this dress too." Maya said and I laughed. "Oh no you don't." I said to her but she didn't even listen to me. I sat down on a chair typing away on my phone to pass this boring time.

"Wow Maya wow!" Flora exclaimed and I looked at Maya who's now in a black dress same as Stephanie's.

"You got to be kidding me right?" I asked raising an eyebrow at her.

"Nop I'm not. Should I find one for you?" She asked in a mocking tone.

"Maya you can't wear this dress to a night party where hundreds of boys are there looking at you. Its 'haram' ". I emphasized and she shrugged going back in to change her cloth.

.......

Here I am,in Stephanie's house even though I vowed long ago not to ever step in this house again because of Smith's incidence but do I have any other option when she was over begging me to spend the night at her house? No I don't and beside I can't stay in our apartment alone cos Maya has agreed to spend the night at Stephanie's house immediately she asked.

"Oh geez! Its eight o'clock already. The event will start in the next thirty minutes. Guys hurry up!" Stephanie hyperventilated searching for God knows what in her purse.

I'm just seated looking at each of their movements. Maya applying lipstick, Stephanie still searching her purse and flora trying to do her hair. I was dressed since and I don't care to put any makeup but these ladies, of course they have to.

"Khair you can't just sit there doing nothing. Help me look for my iPod" Maya shouted

"Oh no, Khair give me my purple clutch there." Came Flora's voice.

"Khair my lip gloss."

Khair this,Khair that. Khair those,Khair these. Ughhh I'm getting out of this room.

"I'm going to wait in the car." I said gradually walking out of the room to avoid being noticed.

I picked up Maya's car key from the couch and I entered the car. After twenty minutes of waiting,the girls came out beautifully in their different attire.

"Finally." I huffed out adjusting my sitting position. They entered the car and we immediately took off.

Maya found a spot to park at the school premises and we moved inside the over spacious hall together.

The graduands were all putting this weird smiles on their faces. And surprisingly to me,Smith was called out to be give a gift and a speech.

I know he's a nerd but I didn't think he could be this nerdy.

"Good day everyone,the...."blah blah blah and I wasn't listening anymore.

After what it felt like forty eight hours,people started dispersing and students were gushing out of the hall.

I congratulated every graduands I saw on my way. I went to where I saw Maya standing and she was clinging onto Xavier all in the name of taking a pic.

Gross!

Glaring at her,she got the message and left Xavier alone. " Are you sure you're okay?" I asked her and she gave me a nervous smile. "Some months ago,you were telling me hugging Ibrahim was haram but look at you now. I'm so disappointed." I sighed

"I couldn't help it." She sighed also. "Yeah of course. You can't help it." I rolled my eyes at her.

"Here you're Khair. Let's take a pic." Smith said coming close to me. My heart just started beating unsteadily as we took tons of pic with him and other people. I appreciated him in my head for not trying to come too close.

After what I calculated like two more hours,we finally went home to get ready for the night party.

.......

Ten minutes of persuading Maya to wear a more decent cloth,she finally went with one skinny crazy jeans with a top and kimono. As for me, I just wore a simple Ankara skirt and blouse.

Upon reaching the address sent to Maya by Stephanie,I gasped upon seeing the house, or perhaps a mansion twice as big as Maya's mansion.

We entered inside and met Flora and Stephanie already there. They look undeniably good in their dress.

Maya went forward and hugged them. I joined the hugging session and was shortly led to the outer garden by Stephanie.

"Woah woah woah! Whose house is this?" I asked surprised.

"I'm glad to say its mine." A familiar voice said behind me and I slightly jumped.

"Silly Smith. I know it can't be yours." I said with a nervous laugh because up till today, I always get this sick feeling whenever he's around.

"Well think whatever you want to think."....." Chloe,get them some chilled drink."He said to a maid in white and black dress holding a very large tray. Smith smiled at us and walked away.

"Is this house really his?" I don't even know why I asked that.

"Of course it is. Surprised huh?" Stephanie chuckled and I just shrugged it off still not believing it. We walked to where the chairs were perfectly arranged and took a seat. The girl I assumed to be Chloe came back with variety of soft drinks on the tray.

Thank God its not a beer.

After sitting there for a short while, a guy started talking and I don't care to listen to whatever he's saying but what he said next caught my attention.

"Pls welcome the hosts of this party,Mr and Mrs Gaulten." The guy said and thousands of hands clapping were heard.

An elderly man and woman walked up the stage with smiles on there faces.

"Thank you everyone for attending tonight's graduation party of our beloved son Smith Gaulten. We would love to present on stage all the graduands of the year." Mr. Gaulten said and it proved all my doubt right.

Seeing those two elders on the stage,I wonder where Smith found his ugliness and freckles from.

Soft loud music jolted me out of my thinking.

Getting on the stage were the graduands. The ladies were dressed uniformly in a long pink party dress that has a long tear at the side while the males were clad in a black tuxedo. They all look dashing except for Smith.

They started having fun and everyone stood up to join them. Now its just me sitting at our table videotaping everything with my phone. I became bored and lonely so I stopped to rest my hands.

My head raised up quickly at the blinding lights flashed on me. I was confused and somehow scared. Someone cleared their voice and started talking with the microphone.

"Listen up everyone. My special guest of honor my special friend and my special thanks goes to that beautiful lady sitting over there. Pls Khair join us and have fun." Smith said and my eyes widened.

In less than two seconds, all eyes were on me. I became the center of attention.

Holy cheese! This is what I hate.

What am I going to do now?

To avoid this unusual weird staring, I got up to the stage and everybody started cheering me up.

I started dancing together with Flora and realised that it was so fun until when some fun killers started pouring what it seems like beer on everyone all in the name of fun.

The stench from the liquid poured on us was enough to make me go back to my seat. I sat down and thanked the Almighty that my cloth wasn't stained with the beer.

Now I'm back to my boring self. Again!

"Excuse me Khair." Someone said dragging a chair backward to seat.

"Okay??" I asked looking at the guy sitting across me.

"Why don't you join us and dance with me huh?" He said with a warming smile.

"Uhmm...I'm sorry. I'm too exhausted to do anything now." I said with same smile.

"Ok then. I will come back later." He said with a wave and then stood up.

Few minutes later,another guy walked sluggishly to me and with all indications, he's drunk.

"Not interested." I blurted out before he even say anything.

"No girly,you don't have to be rude." He said slowly.

"Pls just go away." I said and he did as I said.

I turned around and saw most of the people standing, talking or dancing sluggishly. Geez,they are all drunk.

Eww!

The air in this open space is so suffocating now. I need to find Maya and head home.

I walked to each small group of crowd hoping to see the girl that can't stay in one place.

I spotted her seated on a stool with other people surrounding her.

What is she sharing?

Moving myself to her place,I found out that she was just telling everyone some jokes.

"Maya! Maya!" I called and she stood up taking excuse from her 'fans'.

"What?" She asked still with that pretty smile of hers.

"I wanna go home." I said tearing up suddenly.

"But the party is not over yet."

"I know. I just feel suffocated in here and..." I didn't get to finish my sentence when my phone vibrated in my purse.

Ignoring it,I continued to tell Maya several reasons why I wanted to leave this party.

"Ok ok I get it but I don't want to go now. Who will take you home then?" Maya asked herself.

"I can take a taxi." I suggested and she swatted my arm.

"Oh no you don't. Let's go to Smith. He will definitely have a way to take you home." She said pulling me to wherever she's going.

She talked to Smith and he smiled sweetly at me tell me to follow him.

"Ok Maya. Byee and don't try any rubbish with the people here. Take care." I said to her hugging her.

"Bye then. Till I come home." She said and disappeared into the crowd.

"Khair. This man will take you home. I trust him that's why I'm giving you to him." Smith said and I nodded.

My annoying phone would not stop ringing so I just off it totally.

"After you milady." The man said and I moved forward.

We walked to the parking lot where I think thousands of different cars were parked.

The man entered his car and I entered the backseat.

I relaxed on the chair letting all the tensions out of me when I remembered my phone.

What if it was my mum calling? Or probably uncle Haroon?

With the various thought of who could be the caller, I removed my phone and switched it back on.

I hissed as I saw who the caller was. Of course the great Ibrahim calling me fifteen times. I thought he has left me alone for good. I tried calling him back but his phone was switched off.

Suit himself.

"We are here Khairee." The man said and I scrunched my face hearing how he pronounced my name.

"Ok thank you sir." I said hopping down from his car and he drove off.

I entered inside the house and sped to the kitchen. I quickly prepared noodles for myself and sat on the kitchen floor.

Oh dear Lord! I'm so damn hungry.

I cleared everything on my plate and went straight to the bathroom. I took my bath and wore my pajamas. I sat in the living room to watch some film.

Checking the wall clock, I realised it two hours since I came home. The party should be over by now right?

Maybe Maya is already on her way home. "Let me just give her thirty minutes." I said to myself.

Once it was thirty minutes, I called her but she isn't picking it up. I tried again and same thing. To cut it short,I called her fifty times but still, she didn't pick up.

"I hope Maya's alright. Maybe she's just so tired to pick up or she dropped her phone somewhere." I said convincing myself and trying not to freak out.

I checked the time again and it was 12:17am.

Oh God!

What if she got stuck in traffic forever?

But there's not much traffic in America.

What if she got kidnapped?

Oh my God!

Orrrr someone murdered her

Or some witches ate her

Or probably wild animals ate her

Or goons are chasing her

Oh God I think I'm going crazy

Or what if...

My weird negative thinking were cut short when I heard honking of car.

I rushed out just to see its not Maya's car. I saw Xavier coming out of the driver's seat to the passenger's seat and brought Maya out.

He held her by the waist and her hands were over his shoulder.

Gosh! What is this that I'm seeing

Xavier walked to our door where I stood frozen there.

"Can you excuse me?" Xavier said and that's when I regained my senses. I moved away from the door and he moved inside to drop her on the couch.

"Hey Khair. You look fine today." Maya slurred with a sheepish smile.

I gave her and Xavier a confused look.

"What on earth happened to her?" I yelled.

"Huh...you see Maya here....uhm she uhm like she really..."

"Get straight to the damn point Xavier." I yelled again worriedly.

"Ok she took too much cherry vodka. Three cups which is pretty too much for a beginner. So to cut it short, she is kinda drunk."

"Innalillahi." I exclaimed shocked to the core.

"Uh about her car,its still in Smith's so tomorrow, someone's gonna bring it for her tomorrow. So take care of her bye." He rushed out.

"Wait what if...annnddd he's gone." I said sighing

"Khair pls I gotta go. The firework's about to start I'm sorry bye take care." Xavier shouted as he was driving. I stood outside and kept looking at his car until it was out of sight.

I sighed again and entered inside. Maya was standing and smiling at the wall foolishly.

"Maya?" I called carefully.

"Ohh Khair. Oh My God." She shouted

"What?"

"Khair you betrayed me. You didn't tell me you were triplet!" She yelled.

"Triplet? I'm alone I mean I'm single."

"Oh....but I'm seeing three of you. You're here,and there and there wearing the same bikini wow that's nice." She slurred pointing at me.

Gosh! She's officially really drunk!

"I think you should sleep now because... Wait wait don't fall." I rushed and caught her before she falls.

"I think I want to puke." She said as she staggered to the toilet. I supported her as she puked her gut out forcefully. I tried making her stand but she's just so heavy.

"Maya pls get up so that you can go and sleep on the bed." I said slowly hoping she could get that into that dumb brain of hers.

"Noooooo! I'm too weak and this toilet got a good smell." She said dipping her head further into the water closet.

Okay!

Eww!

I helped her and washed her face leaving her sitting on the cold tiles.

Taking one last glance at her,I left to the bedroom.

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