Chapter Three

Alia took a bag from him.

I wasn't stupid , I knew something wrong was going on but the weird thing is, Alia was extremely normal about it and acted like as if it was a casual thing she always does. My eyes widen as I look at Alia, trying to get an explanation. 

Nawaf: Alia, 7ata 9degtk wela bs enti? 

Alia: huh? Umm-- 

Her worried expressions started to show

Nawaf: bs jbt kfaya l sh59 wa7d tben zyada? M3ai blsyara.

Alia: ee jeeb zyada 

He goes back to his car 

Me: Alia wsh elsalfa?

Alia: I'll explain later 

Me: bla est3baa6 bsr3a goli

Alia: 5la9 ya Leena eskti shwy

She said that while she was counting her money, she looked stressed.

Nawaf: you know you have to pay more 97?

Alia: Ee I know, bs I don't have enough money right now, 3adi adf3lk al7en n9 b3den adf3lk elbagi?

Nawaf: Alia you know I don't like it when you do that

By what they are saying I'm guessing this is not the first time he gives her something, whatever it is. 

Alia: 6yb esh aswi y3ni? Ma m3ai!

Me: ana m3ai bs km tben? -I say quitley-

Alia: m3ak xx?

Me: Ee atwg3 bro7 ashof.

Did I just make a stupid move? I guess so. 

Me: Nouf there is a guy downstairs 

I say as I rush inside the room and search in my wallet for the amount of money Alia needed, and after getting it I head back downstairs. 

Nouf's eyes widen and she asks a lot of questions but I didn't bother to answer any of them. 

I go downstairs and give him the money, after that he leaves. 

Me: explanation. Now.

Alia: esm3i, ana ma abek tfkren '3l6 bs I just want you to try it, ysa3d w it gets rid of all the stress.

Me: esh ho 6yb?

Alia hands me the bag.

Drugs, some kind of drugs.

Me: Alia mnjdk? -I say loudly-

Alia: shhhh, just try it Leena!

Me: la 6ab3an

Alia: bs jarbeeh
Me: Alia la 5la9 la t7awleen
Alia: bkefk
Me: Are you taking them?
Alia: Yes, I have been taking them for a while and it helps, I promise
Me: forget about it, w don't tell Nouf.


I walk back inside, and head straight to Nouf's room.

Nouf: 3adi a7d yshr7lii esh 9ayr?
Me: Wala shy, ana bklm elswag abi arj3 elbeet
Nouf: esh 9aar ya Leena?
Alia was quiet.
Me: wala shy, wgfii ts2leen -I snapped-

Nouf was surprised so she stayed quiet.

I called the driver and we all sat in Nouf's room, not talking to each other.
After about 30 minutes, the driver was finally here and so I go back home. I kept thinking about that guy, Nawaf, and for some reason I kind of liked him even though I don't actually know him that well.

I get home and I planned to just go up to my room and stay there for the rest of my day, but it changed when my dad called me over to the living room where him and my mom were at.

Me: Sm baba?
Baba: Leena eg3di lw sm7tii abi aklmk b shy
Me: esh fe? -I sat down-
Mama: Leena shofi, ana 3arfa ena ha4a elshy eli bngolk bykon 93b enk tstw3bena al7en bs fakri gbl la t39ben l2na fe sbb l kl ha4a
Me: esh fe? ga3den t5wfoni
Baba: Leena 7bebti ana mtzwj wa7da thania, w mnzman mtzwjha bs ena--
Me: lesh twkom tgolonli? -I interrupt-
Mama: 3adi nkml awal?
Baba: ana tzwjt'ha 3shan tjebli wld w omk ra'6ia b ha4a elshy, bs ena al7een he mare'6a shwy f lazm yjon a5wank yg3don 3ndna
Me: awal shy, mob a5wani w thani shy he wenha a9ln?
Mama: elshargia

I get up without saying anything, it was too hard for me to process. First a baby and now more siblings and a stepmom, whats next?

I go up to my room and bawled my eyes out, I wanted to call Alia but I was still a little mad at her because of what happened earlier today, so I called Nouf and told her everything. Alia was still in Nouf's house so she heard everything as well. They calmed me down and after hanging up from calling Nouf, about half an hour later, Alia calls.

Me: Alo?
Alia: Leena, I need to talk to you
Me: If it's about earlier then don't bother yourself
Alia: It's not as bad as you think it is, I promise
Me: Alia I'm not that person so stop trying to convince me
Alia: ya allah mnk, try something for a change la t9eren ke4a
Me: drugs? seriously? you want me to try drugs "for a change"? Alia 5ala9 ensi elmw'6o3
Alia: If you change your mind, call me 6ayb?
Me: stni stni, a little won't hurt, 97?
Alia: it won't, 9dgeeni by3jbk
Me: 6yb keif a54a mnk?
Alia: Ana 6al3a al7en mn 3nd Nouf, bmr betk a36ek
Me: perfect

I started to watch some episodes of Breaking Bad as I waited for Alia. I wasn't really gonna use these drugs, but I figured it was a way to get Nawaf's attention, as dumb as it sounds.

After about 45 minutes, Alia texted me she was here. I go downstairs and open the door.

Me: It's just a one time thing, Alia -I say as I take the bag from her-
Alia: klmeni b3den, w tell me if you want more 3shan a6lb mn Nawaf
Me: 6ayb.

She leaves and I run up to my room, hiding the bag in between my clothes just so no one finds it.
Everything is going according to the plan, Alia is out of whatever the drug is, and the only way she could get some more is by contacting Nawaf, which is what I'll be doing later. I tried to forget about it, and just move on as if nothing is going on.

The idea of stalking him kept running through my head and I decided why not ask Alia for Nawaf's last name? I called her.

Alia: haa keif?
Me: Not bad -I lied-
Alia: told you
Me: esm3i 3alia, esh esm 3a2elat Nawaf? mshbhaa 3leh.
Alia: Nawaf Alxx, t3rfenh?
Me: Oh, la never mind


After talking to her for a few minutes, we hang up and I start the stalking process.
If found out that he was 23, and as I was looking for more stuff I saw something.

OH MY GOD. 

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Chapter Two

Me: ha mama esh knti btgolen?

Mama: t3ali eg3di, Wela lesh ma tro7en tfken 3baytk w t'3yren b3den tjen?

Me:mama la 5ala9 al7en, Esh fe 5wfteni?

Mama: lw gltlk ena by9er 3ndk e5t wela a5o esh btsween?

That smile she had on her face showed me how happy she was, and she obviously thought I would be thrilled and excited, just like her. But I wasn't, because having another sibling could change everything for me. I'm used everything that I do everyday and I'm not ready for that to change. 

Me: mama, bro7 ll '3rfa, marra feni el noom.

I lied.

Mama: okay, goodnight.

I went back to my room and immediately called 3alia, but the annoying voice kept popping up telling me her phone was busy, so I called Nouf. Nouf wouldn't answer her phone, so after a few failed calls, I gave up.

I came to the conclusion that the only thing that'll cheer me up is an old, classic movie. 

After watching a couple of my favorite movies, it was already midnight. So I decided to sleep, and that wasn't hard because I was extremly tired. 

As I was trying to sleep, the idea of changing who I am kept running through my mind, and it was a pleasing thing. Maybe changing my personality and trying new thing could be good for me.

You know what also kept running through my mind? The guy from the car accident.

-11:30am-

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing, it was Nouf.

Me:Alo?

Nouf: Leena, klmteni ams?

Me: Ee, t5yle Esh 9aar

Nouf: Esh?

Me: I'm gonna have a sibling, yay.

I say it in a sarcastic way.

Nouf: n9aabbaa, ma at5yl! Mabrook.

Me: Allah ybark feek, bs mabi.

Nouf: lesh?

I explained everything to her, and after half an hour of talking, she invited me over for breakfast, and told 3alia to come as well.

I already had a "bed head" hair style going and I didn't really feel like taking a shower, so I decided to just leave it as it is, that's one of the best benefits of having short hair. After a few minutes of staring at the closet, I put this on:

After I was done getting dressed, I put on my abaya then stumble down to the kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee then head to the car.

"ana barra" I texted Nouf then she opened the door a minute later. 

Nouf: Ahlan bl e5t el kbeera 

Me: Nouf, 5ala9 la t4kreni.

Alia: look at the bright side Leena, the house won't be quiet anymore!

Me: I want it to be quiet, but can we just not talk about that, please?

Nouf: okay

Nouf and 3alia did a pretty good job in making me forget about it, but then 3alia suggested we do something that'll make me forget about it in a fun way. Nouf and I didn't know what to expect, but somehow, 3alia brainwashed us into agreeing on whatever she planned on doing.

While we were sitting in Nouf's room, each one of us was minding her own business, and no one even bothering to put their phones down, 3alia interrupted the peacefulness. 

------

Alia's point of view:

Yesterday was terrifying, not only did I get into an accident with my high dealer, but also, my friends almost found out about it.

When I went back home yesterday, I called Nawaf, but he was too high to actually realize what I was saying. I just wanted to know why he would drive while he is high, or even go in public while he is like that. But I came to the conclusion that no matter how long I talk on the phone with him, he'll not realize what I'm saying. 

I slept with the thought of telling Nouf and Leena about him, and also maybe allowing them to be a part of it. To be honest, I liked the idea of that, and when the next day I saw what Leena was going through with her family, I knew it was the perfect timing. 

I went outside the room as if I was calling my mom, but instead, I called Nawaf.

Nawaf: Alo?

Me: Nawaf, 9797t?

Nawaf: Ee ee, Esh fe?

Me: esm3, a7taj mnk shwy, tgdr bokra Wela b3d bokra?

Nawaf: La Ana ray7 Elyoum, basfr.

Me: okay, Mta raj3?

Nawaf: sh,hren, thlath sh,hor.

Me: La Nawaf, I need it!

Nawaf: how about now?

Me: Ana f bet 9degti, I can't 

Nawaf: well, it's either now or wait a few months. 

Me: ugh, fine, brslk elw9f

Nawaf: okay, bs yawelk lw fe a7d bl bet, ahlha wla shy.

Me: la la mafe, klhom 6al3een.

Nawaf: okay, bye

Me: bye.

Adrenaline rush. I was really worried about telling them, but I was also excited to make them a part of this.

After debating with my self on whether I should tell them or not, I decided to tell them when it's actually here, that way, they are already a part of it, whether they want to or not. I know it wasn't my business to make that choice for them, but I just felt like they needed to loosen up a bit and just do something different for a change.

------

Leena's point of view.

Alia: jaa!

Me: men ja?

Alia: umm, my cousin, jay yjeb ashya2

Nouf: lesh ma glteli?

Alia: 3shan bs yjeb ashya2 gbl ma ysafr, bala eflam. Leena t3ali eft7i el baab m3ai.

Me: okay

We went downstairs and 3alia opened the door. 

Oh my god. I seriously didn't realize what was going on. He was here. Why is he here?.

Chapter One

On December 1998, my parents welcomed a long awaited baby girl, Leena.

On December 2004, my parents surprised me with the biggest princess birthday party I could've imagined, it even had a bouncy castle.

On December 2014, I had the most cliché sweet 16 you could imagine.

On December 2015, instead of surprising me with a birthday party, this happened...

The argument between my mom and I didn't go as well as she expected. To her, it was the best news she could deliver, on the other hand, it was the worst news I could get on my birthday, or any other day for that matter. 

——

Everyone has that special person who knows all their secrets, inside jokes, and would accept all their flaws,  but I have two. 

Alia and Nouf have extremely different personalities, but somehow, we manage to get along pretty well, to the point where if you would tell me we were sisters who were separated at birth, I wouldn't blink twice. Alia is the kind of person who would easily get along with people, and she has many connections, she simply handles life like its a piece of cake. While Nouf is the worrier in our group, she makes a big deal about every little thing that is going on, she is more of a wallflower. 

I woke up to my usual routine, the maids had already made my breakfast and left it on the huge table in the dinning hall, which we don't use anymore because neither of my parents are ever around or have company. Because I have no siblings, the house is always quiet. But, that also has its benefits, because being an only child means you get extremely spoiled. Thankfully, my friends are always around to keep me company. 

School wasn't interesting, nothing other than long naps in periods and constant arguing happened. When I got home I went straight to my room, prayed, then took a quick shower and slipped into this:

I left my short brown hair to air dry and form into its natural weaves, then stumbled down to the kitchen with my laptop in hand. I had an essay to write so I made my self a cup of coffee and typed away. In the middle of writing, Alia called. We argued back and forth because she wanted me to write her essay, but I obviously refused, so she ended up telling how Nouf is a better friend, classic 3alia.

After a long time of writing, I ended up with a fair amount of words and paragraphs, so I decided to just end it.
I looked all around the house for my mom, but she wasn't there, so I went back to my room and decided to watch another episode of Friends.

-7:30pm-

As I was finishing the last episode of Friends I'm gonna watch for the night, my mom came in.
Me: Ahlen
Mama: Ahlan, keif el madrasa?
Me: Kwaisa, kan 3ndi essay 6weel shwy bs 5ala9ta.
Mama: el7amdella, 6yb um, fa'6ia al7en?
Me: Eee, y3ni ga3da atfrj 3ala shy bs esh fe?
Mama: 6yb e4a 5l9ti abek b '3rfti
Me: Um, okay.

I'm not gonna lie, I got a bit worried. I just started getting flashbacks of what I did wrong since as long as I could remember, but nothing extreme came up.

After finishing the few minutes left of the episode, I went to my mother's room.
As I was walking to her room, 3alia called.
Me: Alo?
Alia: Leena, yalla elbasi 3baytk w tjhzi al7en bnmrk ana w Nouf.
Me: Faj2a? Lesh?
Alia: N'3yer jw, w mnzman ma 6l3na m3 b3'6 w ketha.
Me: Umm, 6yb.
Alia: 5 minutes w nkon 3ndk.
Me: Okay

I hung up then ran to my mom's room...
Me: Mama, 3adi n5leha wgt thani? b6l3 m3 3alia w Nouf.
Mama: Okay, 5la9 lma trj3en.
Me: Shukran, bye.

I ran back to my room then wore my abaya and went downstairs then waited in the living room. A few minutes later, 3alia called and told me she is here.

Alia: Ahlan Ahlan
Me: Ahlen
Nouf: Keifk?
Me: Kwaisa, bs esh 4el 6al3a eli faj2a jt?
Nouf: t'3yer jw
Me: Okay?
Alia: A76 music?
Nouf: Eeee

As they were talking and having fun, I couldn't really concentrate, I was too busy thinking about what my mom wanted to tell me.

Alia: Leena? wsh feek?
Me: Wala shy
Nouf: k2nk shayla hm el dnya, esh 9ar?
Me: Wsh d3wa ma 9ar shy
Alia: Leena, 5ala9 la t9eren ke4a, loosen up a bit.
Me: Ma feni shy ya naas.
Alia and Nouf looked at each other, I knew they could tell that there was something going on.
Alia: esm3o, wsh raykm nswi shy jdeed?
Nouf: Keif y3ni?
Alia: Y3ni shy fun, ma gd swenah.

As they were talking, one thing led to another, we got into a car accident, great. Both Nouf's driver and the guy that bumped into us got out of the their cars and tried to work things out.

Nouf: Tara shkla mo 9a7i elwld...
Me: Lesh?
Nouf: Shofi keif ga3d yt9rf...
Me: 9dg, ttwg3en y3ni high wela esh?
Nouf: Shakla
Me: 3alia, tshofen?

Alia didn't even bother to look at me.

Me: Alia?
Alia: 5la9 eskto shwy

Nouf and I looked at each other out of confusion. The guy turned to face us, then told the driver to just leave and that he'll take care of everything.

Nouf: Marra creepy el wld.
Me: Marraa
Nouf: 3alia wsh fek?
Alia: ya Nouf 5la9 ma feni shy
Nouf: Wsh fekm entom elyoum?
Me: Ana glt ma feni shy.

Alia didn't talk the whole way back, they dropped me off then left. As soon as I got home, I went to mama's room.
Me: ha mama esh knti btgolen?




— cliffhanger —