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."