Bab 8: Something Unexpected
"So...You're saying that it was decided by both of your parents the moment you were born? And...you came to know about it yesterday?" Susan asked curiously.
"Yes." I replied.
"And about the roof incident, you're saying that someone dared you in a game to do it and prank your friends?" Jasmine said with a suspicious look in her eyes and I tried to assure her.
"Sorry about that. I know this was a lousy and ridiculous dare but my maternal-cousins were really tough on me during the game. I apologize again."
They both took a deep breath of relief.
"You know, you really scared the hell out of us. Don't prank us like that again silly. You know how much we adore you."
Susan said with a friendly look.
"I know, I know. I promise that won't happen again." I replied.
They both sighed. I looked at Zaki gratefully. He smiled arrogantly after seeing gratitude on my face.
"Seriously! What a narcissist! Sigh...but it can't be helped. I have to admit that he really is capable." I thought these words in my heart with an exhausted look but I was really grateful to him.
"By the way, Ashma, can you meet us at the rooftop after school", said Susan.
"Okay…but why?"
"It's just we have something for you, so you must show up there."
"Alright."
They all went to attend their class after recess as the bell rang.
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[After School on the rooftop]
As I opened the door to the rooftop, I was dumbfounded by the whistles and party poppers.
"Happy Birthday!" My friends cried together.
My eyes dampened and I felt touched.
"You guys…."
"Aw! Come on. Don't start crying." Susan gently wrapped her arm around my shoulders.
I covered my lower face with my palm because I thought I would burst into tears. I felt very lucky and touched to have had such friends.
"Come cut the cake." Jasmine gave me the knife.
I cut the cake and shared it with them. I felt warm and relaxed with them.
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Days passed by hastily after that day and everything was going smoothly. I didn't encounter anything unusual. During those days, Zaki and I would go to school together, eat meals together and talk comfortably. I gradually started to become used to him and his narcissism. In short, we both became close as days passed by.
The only unusual thing I ever noticed these days was that I found Shams uneasy and behaving strangely. He would glare at me with a sad, possessive or pitiful look on his face and sometimes hesitant to say some words. I also found James odd. He would glare at me with extreme anger and often avoided me when I tried to talk to him. Then I decided to ask him why he was like that.
During school, on break, I went to the basketball ground where he was playing with his classmates. I asked if I could talk to him.
"James, can I have a moment with you?"
"What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"
He answered reluctantly.
"It would just take a moment. Please, at least just spare a moment for me."
I said nervously and was a little hesitant but gathered up the courage to speak. He excused himself and came towards me.
"Speak."
"James! Why are you being like this?"
"Like what?"
"You are being angry without any good reason and kept ignoring me for days. Even now you seem to be reluctant to talk to me. Why is that? Have I offended you somehow?"
"Why are you asking me? You should be asking him. But, no, I think you don't even care."
"I don't understand... Whom are you talking about?" I asked confusedly.
"Do you really don't know? Or are you pretending not to know?"
"James, be precise. I really don't know what you are talking about."
Upon hearing my words he became furious and astonished at the same time and he hit the basketball that he was holding on the ground so hard and talked to me furiously.
"Ashma! Are you really that dense? You don't even know that Shams have been loving you for years? I can't believe my sister is this heartless!"
A great shock struck my mind. My mind went blank. I couldn't believe that the person whom I've been considering like my brother for years loves me for years.
"What! Shams!...Shams...Shams loves me? How...how is that even possible! I don't believe this."
My whole body was trembling and I felt as if someone had broken the ground beneath my feet.
"You seriously didn't know? Huh...he would really be upset if he knew I screwed up and let you know. He was scared of being awkward with you because he knew you don't look at him with those eyes."
James became really restless as he carelessly spilled the beans in his anger. I was astonished and confused to the point where I didn't even know how to get myself together.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone