70 Days; Chapter 8

Day #30:

And at last, my transformation into a woman is finally happening, tonight. It's all happening tonight.

My clothes and needs are all packed up.

The only thing I have left to do, which is probably the hardest, is saying goodbye.

Saying goodbye to Deena.

Saying goodbye to my mother.

Saying goodbye to my father.

Saying goodbye to Rashed.

The last name I mentioned.

The last person I cited.

Rashed.

In spite of everything we both have gone through, he may be the one I'll miss the most dearly.

"I can't believe you're leaving tonight!" he wrote to me.

"I can't believe it, either! It felt like just yesterday was the first day of school." I replied.

"Jade,"

"Rashed,"

"Be careful..." he warned.

"Don't worry.." I responded.

"No. I have to worry, you're my girlfriend, remember?"

I knew from the moment onwards, my heart couldn't remain on 'game' mode, any longer.

"Hahaha, yeah.." I replied, making sure I don't imply any sort of ecstasy.

"I need to see you before you're gone, Jade." he wrote.

"Yes, of course!" I answered.

In fact, I was actually excited to see him.

"I can't wait to see you," he said.

Butterflies wandered around my empty stomach leaving me in a puddle of overwhelming joy and happiness.

"I can't wait to see you, too," I responded.

I can't seem to find the reason to why our relationship doesn't resemble Deena's, with other guys.

It may be because Rashed is different, which causes us to appear this way.

Maybe it's because we're the only ones that are unable to fit in.

Maybe it's because we're the weak ones.

Maybe it's because we're really falling in love with each other.

-

Rashed's perspective:

I can't believe tomorrow may be the most shocking day of my life.

I was hoping Jade would join me, considering, in my book, her leaving date wasn't supposed to be today.

I think I'm going to miss her.

Wait.

I know I will.

She brightens up my day like the sun brightens up the world at sunrise.

She's so amazing.

She's so astounding.

She's so clueless, the deal's off.

No reason to break it to her was captured.

I'm taking this seriously...

I know I shouldn't, but I can't help myself...

I think this game was never one.

-

Jade's perspective:

I'm waiting for Rashed.

He's supposed to drop by my house any minute now.

I spent almost two hours saying my farewells to all my beloved friends and family.

Deena's going to remain in the country, she's not going anywhere.

Although, the rest of our friends are all leaving abroad.

For some odd reason, my heart is longing for Rashed's embrace. His long, protective embrace. The hug where I know nothing can take him away from me. The hug where I know he will never let me go...

"Jade!" he spoke at he stepped out of his vehicle, limping.

I didn't want to cause any tension, I ignored it and carried on.

"Rashed!!" I spoke back.

"I got you something," he said.

I wasn't really hoping for a gift.

"Oh, you didn't have to-"

He pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to me.

"This is your plane letter, read it before you depart,"

"What's in it?" I asked.

"It's for me to know and for you to find out," he said, repeating my previous words.

Silence filled the air for a full minute.

As it came to an end, he approached me even closer, and gave me a slight peck on the cheek.

That was even more amazing than his previous embraces.

I felt as if I were on a cloud, a cloud floating in wonderland. Yes, it was that magical.

"Take care of yourself, Jade, please," he said.

My face grew a tight grin, I was still overly excited about his lips touching my tender cheek.

"I'm serious, or else I'm going to come after you and protect you myself,"

His last words were the most adorable.

Why does he have to be so cute?

"Rashed, I can handle it, I'm a big girl," I replied.

"You're wrong. You're my girl," he said.

-

As I began to settle in my seat, I pulled out Rashed's letter from my handbag and with full excitement, I read the following words,

"Dear Jade,

So you're probably sitting in the plane right now, reading this letter, waiting for the whole point of it. Well, basically, the whole purpose of this is to allow you to imagine me right there with you, throughout your entire journey of university. Just so you know, if we're unable to communicate, you'll have this letter, I'll always be there with you, every step of the way. You probably will be receiving more letters from me, once in a while. I'm sure there's going to be things I'm in desperate need of telling you.

The past few weeks were amazing, I don't regret a single bit of it. I wonder how it would have been if another girl offered to help me out, it would suck. Thank you very much, though. But a few days ago, I realized, it's not about popularity, that doesn't matter, it's the kind heart inside of you that I never stole. But now, at this very moment, while I'm in deep concentration in making this letter a piece of perfection, I feel something heavy on my left palm. It feels as though it occupies the full area. I'm guessing it's your heart, Jade!

Love is a crime.

I stole your heart, and you stole mine.

Tell me once you've reached there.

Sincerely, Rashed."

And as soon as I heard the plane announcement, indicating the departure of the plane, I unfolded the paper, placed it on my heart, and shed a light tear.

70 Days; Chapter 7

Day #23:

One week.

7 days.

168 hours.

The day I transform into a woman with independence and self-sufficiency.

University.

A deluge of excitement and fear sat upon the surface of my stomach.

Rashed and I have grown to become really great friends over the past few weeks.

He's a wonderful person. To say he's just a guy with a heartwarming personality would be an understatement. He's much more than that.

Since my move's in a weeks time, he insisted to tag along with me to be done with my last minute shopping, but not as a couple, as friends.

He isn't leaving until the week after that.

"Hello?" he said as he spoke through the phone.

"Just give me five minutes and I'll be right out," I replied.

Considering the close relationship I had with my mother, I tend to pour out all my feelings in front of her.

I've explained to her, from A to Z, about everything.

She was totally against the whole 'fake relationship' idea, but as long I was not serious, what's the harm?

My mother's the type that wouldn't allow me to be caught in a relationship with some guy at a young age, but since I'm eighteen, I think she would like to see me with a future husband rather than a 'temporary' love.

Our outing today has been referred as a 'friends' thing, and she completely understands that, therefore she condones.

My father wasn't in the country.

"Hello, ugly!" he said as soon as I entered the car and sat in the front seat.

I, once again, nudged his shoulder with a bit more strength than the first time.

"Again with the punching! You don't even look like you've got muscles..." he teased.

"It's for me to know and for you to find out," I replied, winking.

"Hey, hey, hey, I was just joking about the ugly thing, you know that!" he reassured.

"You better have been.."

We giggled for a while, on our way to our destination.

In a complete random manner, he blurted out, "You're beautiful,"

My cheeks appeared hotter than they already were, especially because he has given me the same compliment more than once.

I laughed lightly saying, "Thank you, Rashed, but we're on friend mode right now,"

He took his eyes off the road, placed only one hand on the wheel, and looked at me with a shy smile, "I know,"

-

Rashed's perspective:

I can clearly hear my heart's sobs.

It burns.

I need to call this 'deal' off with Faisal before I change my mind, I don't care. My popularity, at this very moment, means nothing to me.

As I watched Jade pick out clothes and enter the changing room, I thought it would've been the perfect timing to message him.

"In your group or not, nothing can bring me down. The deal's off."

I just need to find a way to break it to Jade.

I put the phone back in my pocket, carelessly, as she exited the room wearing a fuchsia blouse that looked very pretty on her. Her flawless hair and skin was a breathtaking compliment.

"How does it look?" she asked.

"Perfect on you,"

Few seconds later, I realized my extremely indulged eyes staring at Jade. It must have made her feel uncomfortable looking through the mirror admiring her blouse while I, in the background, thoroughly staring at her divine face with a smile on mine.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jade, a real-fake girlfriend or not, she's extraordinary.

At the cashier, as soon as the woman said the price, I watched Jade take our her purse.

Instead of holding her hands to refuse to allow her to pay, I, with full speed, pulled out my wallet and handed the lady the money.

Jade looked at me shocked and surprised.

I grinned, "With me, you'll never pay."

-

"So where are we headed next?" I asked after Jade purchased from the fifth shop.

"I so need new glasses, let's go" she decided, entering the store to our right.

I agreed and walked right behind her.

"Rashed! How do these look on me?" she wore funny-looking glasses and let out a hysteric laugh.

I laughed back and stood beside her placing a random piece of crazy glasses on my eyes.

We spent a whole ten minutes of taking pictures with different ones on us, ridiculously making fun of one another.

That was the best ten minutes of my entire life.

As it came to an end, I could tell she was looking at me, though the glasses on her were ribbon, I managed to stare right back her hazel eyes.

I somehow felt what she was feeling, ecstasy.

The feeling was mutual.

"U-u-h.. we should probably put these back and get going.." she spoke, awkwardly.

"Y-y-e-a-h-h..which ones are you going to buy?" I asked with a gauche voice.

I tried not to look at her.

"None, it's okay"

-

"I'm really hungry!" she said.

"Let's grab you lunch" I responded.

I, once again, wasn't hungry. We walked to the food court.

She ordered, and then walked to an empty table.

As she was eating, I could tell she felt satisfaction.

Her gratified face expressions were adorable.

After speaking of many topics, we happened to fall upon the topic of university.

"When are you leaving, exactly?" I asked.

"Friday,"

"Oh.." I replied, unhappy, I was hoping she could join me somewhere.

"Why so sad?" she asked.

"I just thought you were leaving on Saturday," again, I replied looking down.

Additionally, I spoke, "When's your first visit back home?"

"December, and you?" she questioned.

"Ah, I won't be back until spring break!" I said, "don't forget to visit me in Australia!"

"I won't," she answered giggling. "And while you're there, don't forget me!"

"Are you kidding? Even if I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I would never forget you, even if I wanted to," I replied.

"And why would you want to?!" she asked, chuckling quietly.

"You never know, maybe I'm going to meet some other pretty girl over there," I teased her again, when in reality, it was impossible to find someone with the beauty of hers.

"Are you ready for the second box of the day?" she responded pulling up her sweater's sleeve, I was terrified.

"Don't forget me, either!" I begged, laughing.

After a few seconds of her trying to calm down her own laughter, she replied, "Trust me, I won't be able to."

70 Days; Chapter 6

The way his eyes gazed at me as he was on his way to the ground...

The way I held his arms and felt the strong biceps of his...

I'm worried...

It's anxiety that's sprinkled over my bare bones.

I watched him lay there, on the restaurant extended cushion-like, red chair, surrounded by our group, along with the staff.

They were panicking just as much as I was.

Before his fall, his black eyes were wandering about.

I stared into them wondering why ours weren't meeting.

Sadness fulfilled the atmospheric intensity.

Confusion, sitting in the pitch of darkness, at the far end of the room.

No one had a clue about what was going on.

Considering his silence, our minds were occupied with irrationality.

Moments later, while staring at the situation, the area below my left eye felt wet.

A tear was shed...

A tear has fallen...

A tear was misplaced, for no apparent reason...

The drop of a tear from the left eye is pain, or so they say...

Pain.

Yes, pain, it is.

Agony, my heart's witnessing.

But why?

I thought this was all pretend...

-

"Rashed?"

"He's up!"

"Finally!"

"Get him some juice!"

10 PM.

It's been over 2 hours, standing obediently watching the now-awakened guy.

He should have been in the hospital ages ago, odd, isn't it?

As his eyes widened, they straightened his back, and insisted him to drink a glass of mango juice, since they believed his collapse was due to lack of sugar.

He caught a glimpse of my hazel eyes through the dense crowd.

And at last, they met.

"Jade! Get over here!" Deena shouted.

I walked towards her, she was sitting beside Rashed.

Later on, the noise decreased, the staff continued on with their work, and the rest of the group wandered within the place, and all remained were Rashed, and Deena and I.

"I'll leave you two alone," Deena spoke in a low tone.

Peculiar, it was indeed, the way my heart began to rush.

In silence, I broke, still worried with a pinch of sorrow, "What happened to you?"

Scratching his neck due to the heat, he responded, "I just forgot to take my pi-"

No words exited his mouth after that.

Confused, I questioned, "Forgot to take your... what?"

"Nothing," he whispered quietly.

I replayed the conversation over again.

Forgot to take my pi-

Forgot to take my pi-

Forgot to take my pi-

I experimented roughly in my head assuming what his incomplete word was.

"Rashed, just talk to me, maybe I can help!" I said.

"No," he mumbled. "No, you can't."

"I'm helping you right now, with this whole 'make-belief' relationship," I whispered.

He looked at me, rearranging his words that will soon be spoken.

Additionally, I spoke again, I spoke false statements, "If you don't want me to help you, then I guess the deal is off."

"Jade, this is different."

"How is it different? Just a simple clarification, please!" I insisted.

I decided to give him some space, I sat in the seat facing him.

We both remained calmly paced for a little while.

"Pills?" I assumed, spilling out one of my thoughts, accidentally on purpose.

He stayed quiet.

The code is unlocked.

"What pills, Rashed?!" I spoke shouting whispery.

"Don't worry, just something to increase my immune system,"

I glared at him for approximately 3 seconds, clueless of my beliefs.

"Okay.."

"Come on," he said as he stood up, "Are we still on?" he added, extending his hand, expecting me to take it, our plan still in progress.

I nodded, took it, combed my hair back with my  other fingers reassuring its neatness, stood beside him, and walked away, carrying along all the worries.

70 Days; Chapter 5

Two weeks later; Day #14

"I saw the both of you talking, don't deny it!" Deena said.

"I'm not denying it, but what exactly is your point?" I replied.

"My point is he's so into you, considering you two were almost going to hug right before Nasser interrupted!"

He's so into you.

He's so into you.

He's so into you.

Fake.

And the only reason we were 'almost' about to hug was because Deena was watching us, we just wanted to state the obvious.

If only she knew that this was all pretend.

"Okay and so what if he is?" I answered.

"Oh my god, are you two secretly..?-" she gave me a flirtatious look.

I didn't want to blow our cover off, I stared shyly, after all, Rashed and I are trying to fit in.

"Oh my god! When? Where? And how come you haven't told me earlier!?" Deena screamed, jumping out of joy and excitement.

I made up a quick story right on the spot, clarifying everything.

-

"Hey girlfriend!!!" Rashed messaged me.

"Hello boyfriend hahaha" I replied.

A part of me wanted this really badly, although the other part was screaming in disapproval.

Let me put it this way, I'm being helpful, I'm helping a friend out, that's all.

"Go-karting today, be there!"

"Okay," I said.

"So, what's our plan for today, Queen Jade? Hahaha," his words made my stomach feel funny, he ended it with a laugh in order for my brain to not take it seriously, it's all according to the plan, or should I say, 'game'.

"Hmm... I don't know, I'll think of something," I wrote back.

"Okay, and Jade?"

"Yeah?"

"I just wanted to thank you, honestly, nobody would've done this."

I typed, "Don't mention it ;)"

"The passed two weeks were amazing, weren't they?"

Indeed, they were. And I must say, he's a really good actor.

"Yes, yes they were!"

"You're the best :)"

All flattered up, I responded, "I know, hahaha!"

-

I've been thinking for the past half an hour about how to make today's plan a success.

Maybe we should really hug this time?

Maybe he should put his arm around me?

You know, this whole 'fake relationship' thing is really harder than I thought.

I don't see how Deena can manage doing it with more than one guy at once!

It's just not sinking in...

I don't know if I'll be able to keep up, I need Rashed to help me.

-

Rashed's perspective;

The thought of this game Jade and I are playing is spreading guilt all the way through my veins.

I don't know if I should end it or just play along, what if she's enjoying it?

She's a really sweet girl, though.

I picked her because I believe we have things in common.

We're both single and we both want to fit in, I think..

All this pressure on me needed to be released.

I was casually kicking some soccer balls into the net, when I felt severe foot pain once again while thinking about the first day of this 'game'.

I automatically collapsed to the floor, and unconsciously placed my right cold palm, caused by the cool breeze, on the source of pain.

"Rashed!" Faisal shouted across the football field.

"Faisal!" I shouted back, out of breath.

"I'm guessing you found the girl already? Why'd you choose Jade?" he asked, approaching me, he seemed quite excited.

"She's different, I love her," I spilled, lying, my palm still remained on my foot.

"Well, good for you then!" he grinningly replied.

As he left, I slowly walked up to my duffel bag and pulled out my bottle of water along with my pills.

-

I need a plan for today, I need one immediately, I need this to go perfectly.

I spotted Jade at the far end corner of the waiting room. I ran up behind her and covered her eyes.

With Deena and the guys behind me, I felt my palm, covering both her eyes, touched by hers.

"Rashed?" she asked letting out her cute giggle.

"I no hablan Inglés" I said in a Spanish accent, last week she told me she understood their language, "te ves hermosa"

She removed my hand and turned around. I stared into her hazel eyes and watched her lips grow a smile after her ears heard me compliment her, "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," she replied softly.

Hesitantly, as I saw one of the guys from the corner of my eye, I leaned in for a peck on her cheek.

I noticed them turn more red than they actually are.

I heard small gasps but the majority of our group were cheering me on.

It felt great.

-

"I so won you!" I screamed at Jade, Deena, and the rest of the guys, bragging about my victorious win as soon as we were done karting.

After they all seemed quite irritated by me, I announced that we should go eat.

While walking to the nearby restaurant, Jade and I happened to be near each other, the others reached, already.

"You're a good actor, did you know that?" she said.

"Hahaha!" I laughed.

Two minutes later, I noticed the silence between us, I broke it, "But honestly, you do look beautiful."

Once again she stopped, looked at me, and with her shy voice she said, "I need to feel beautiful in order to believe it."

I was about to reply, but instead Deena walks out laughing hysterically, "Where have you two been?! We're all waiting for you!"

-

I had no appetite, which was strange since I haven't eaten anything since breakfast.

Jade and I sat next to each other and the others were facing us.

After most of them were all done with dinner, I caught Faisal staring at the two of us, mysteriously.

I placed my arm around her shoulder and whispered into her ear, "lean on me."

And she did.

With her on me, it lasted fifteen minutes, it was interrupted by my usual leg pains.

I moved, unexpectedly, away from Jade's head.

I held on to the pain, secretly.

I looked at her, her eyes were overwhelmed with worry as they witnessed few of my winces of pain.

"I'm fine," I replied, not wanting anyone to know what's going on with me.

I looked around me searching for my medicine.

It was nowhere to be found.

I stood up, however, somehow, my head felt light.

I felt no weight whatsoever.

Nausea, it was.

I stood up, and walked slowly.

With Jade following me, I experienced the sight of vividness.

Blur, everywhere.

The room was spinning.

And from that moment, Jade grabbing ahold of both my arms was the last thing my mind could look back to.