Rebound Chapter 36: Knight in Shining Armor

   The hot blazzing sun was shining across thw floor radiating its heat throughout the room. Aseel woke up to the faintest sounds. She tossed and turned in bed until she pulled her phone from under the pillow and looked at the time. It was 12, she's been sleeping for 10 hours which seems like enough. She lifted her head up to find Razan getting dresses into a white knee length cotton dress. Her hair was up in a messy bun and her make up was lightly applied.
 
   Her face was beaming which didn't seem right because of the events of last night. Something seemed to be out of place. Razan looked too bouncy and energetic. Aseel laid there in bed observing her. Her eyes followed her every move until Razan went and sat back across from the mirror to put on her earrings. Aseel looked at the mirror and saw something that explained Razan sudden 'change' in her mood. Her eyes, they looked sad and helpless. Somewhat dead and lifeless. They were painful.
 
   Razan possessed a hard and happy exterior but deep deep into her eyes you could tell what she truly was feeling. As she got up she caught Aseel studying her. "Good morning! Your up!!" Even her tone of voice was cheery. She was working overtime to lead people to believe she was fine when she is nowhere close. Aseel decided to act like she hasn't noticed and to go along with her little play. "Eee tawne ga3da, your up early sh3ndch??"

   Razan was hoping Aseel wouldn't ask because she knew she would try to talk her out of this. "I have a few things i need to buy before my flight bacher w mara7 yamdeeni bacher a5th'hm" Aseel contemplated whether or not she should get mad at her for actually changing her flight date or if she should support her with her decision. "Muta your flight bacher?" Razan wasn't expecting this question at all. "Ummm.. i have to be at the airport at 12 w my flight is at 2."

   Aseel jumped out of bed really quickly "Ok 3yal you go get your stuff, im going to get dressed w broo7 i change my flight for tomorrow as well then catch up with you to get the things im missing." She gave Razan a heartwarming smile to assure her that she is going to be there for her all the way. "Aseel you don't have to cut your break short w tyen ma3ay 3ade." They still have about a week left from their break and she felt bad that Aseel won't be enjoying it. "We never travel separately we always fly together. Plus i won't be having fun here without you and you know that. Yalla bsr3a go 3shan yamdech you get your stuff."

   Razan ran walked towards Aseel and wrapped her arms around her giving her a big tight hug. "Thank you, i don't know what i would do with you" She unwrapped her arms and gave her a sisterly kiss on her cheek. "Adre you can't live without me hehehe" Aseel couldn't help but be cheeky. "lat9adgen 3omrch!!" Razan quickly turned around to leave only to feel a hard kick on her behind. "OUUCCHH!! i need to get you to a doctor fech kick asses syndrome walla!" Aseel has a thing for kicking people on their asses and its always Razan that gets the worst kicks.  Aseel couldn't help but laugh her heart out at what Razan just said "HAHAHAH KICK ASSES SYNDROME! OMG HAHA how on earth did you come up with THAT??" Razan ignored her and continued walking out of the room as she waved goodbye.

   She took a grey dress out of Razans closet and put it on. She used her make up to lightly add some life to her face since she herself looked tired as well then grabbed her keys and her large bag and walked out to go get her ticket changed for tomorrow.

   Aseel was lucky enough to find two odd seats left on the plane so she was able to get a seat on the flight even though it wasn't next to Razan but they can manage to move seats once they take off. She payed and made her way out as she called Razan "Hi haa wainch al7en?" Aseel could hear a lot of noise in the background "Ana bl jam3ya buying a few things we're going to need 7g hnak."

   "Ok ana al7en broo7 ilbait i check on a few things w ashof what i need w ayelch. If you finish w i still didn't come latan6reeni leave." Aseel rushed home to make a quick list of what she needs from iljam3ya and from anywhere else. She grabbed her list and made her way to the jam3ya. The girls spent the day buying the things they need for the states and then they went their separate ways to say buy to their families, go home pack, then get some rest.

   Everyone from Aseel's family was surprised that she had to leave early but she came up with an excuse which was she had to go and start revision before the she starts classes again la2na her finals aren't far from now. Razan's family, on the other hand, all noticed how down and depressed she seemed. They all kept questioning her. She felt like she was being interrogated by her aunts and uncles. She began feeling frustrated so she said good bye to all of them saying she had to go home and pack.

   The girls both packed and checked that nothing was missing and they've got everything need ready. Passports were on the table. Bags were packed and standing by the walls waiting to be rolled out and into the airport. Outfits were carefully hung in their cupboards. Razan and Aseel went to bed both of them thinking deeply but they were thinking about completely different things that are part of the love world.

   Aseel spend the few minutes before she dozed off thinking about when she would be lucky enough to find her second half. The man who completes her. She wasn't desperate or anything but every girl dreams of her knight in shining armor. The prince charming that would come and sweep her off her feet and take her to a whole different universe that is ruled by love and passion. A universe that brings happiness, warmth and safety.

   She knew perfectly well that love is not always rainbows and butterflies but she's willing to accept the whole package. As long as respect, trust and honesty exist anything can be built from there. Aseel believed those three things are the building blocks to any relationship. If one or all of these are missing than the relationship would never last even if the two adore each other. She didn't want a fairtytale love or a relationship taken out of a 60's romance movie. She just wants a realistic relationship nothing more nothing less.

   Razan spend an hour or two thinking about 7amad. Was she over reacting? should she have given him a chance? What if he really was just helping her. He wouldn't have proposed to me if he had any doubts about his feelings for her. But maybe he didn't realize there were any feelings left because she wasn't around. Maybe now that he saw her and spent time with her it hit him that he do still loves her and regrets letting go. But 7amad would have the decency to tell me face to face. He would have the decency to tell me that Jenna needs help and he would ignore me. But we trust each other. I know he wouldn't hurt me. He wouldn't even hurt a fly how could he possibly hurt me and break my heart.

   After a long fight between her heart and her brain and after a long thinking session of her heart throwing excuses at her brain and her brain throwing more obstacles for her heart to jump over she used up all of her energy and decided to go to sleep. It felt like the night flew by and she didn't have enough sleep. Her alarm was screaming into her ear for her to wake up and get ready for the airport. As much as she wanted to press on the dismiss button and go back to sleep she knew she had to drag herself out of bed since she had a plane to catch.

   It was 9 am and it is a bit too early since she has to be in the airport at 12 pm but she wanted to take her time and not rush at getting ready. She grabbed her phone and closed her alarm. She then placed it back onto her bed side table and slowly lifted her head up and dragged her legs over the bed as they lazily dropped onto the floor. Razan put a lot of energy into pushing herself off the bed and shuffled her feet towards the bathroom.

   The hot water tapped was turned and the heat began to fill the bathroom and steam began to condense on the mirror. Razan went and pulled out her towel and robe and entered the bathroom again. The water was a bit too hot today so she slightly turned the cold water tap to even out the temperature. Razan extended her hand under the running water and the water temperature seemed just perfect to she slid herself into the shower and stood there for a while as she allowed the heat to take over the intensity that filled her body. Razan slowly began to relax and began to feel her muscles to loosen up. She took yet again a 30 minutes shower which also allowed her to wake up.

   Aseel had called Razan twice to make sure she was up but she didn't answer. She decided to give her a few minutes to call back before she calls her house and asks Julia to wake her up. Just as she was about to call Razan's house her phone rang in her hand flashing Razan's name on the scream. "Good morning sunshine!" Aseel felt cheerful for some reason. "Hey.." Razan replied bluntly in her tired voice. "Shfech malch 5ilg shay chthe??" Aseel was concerned that her friend was going down the road of depression again. "Mafeeni shay bs abe anam ams manmt 3dl.." She didn't sound convincing but Aseel let this one slip. "Oh ook, you can sleep 3al plane. Are you up wla tawch ga3da?"

   "No i just got out of the shower im getting dressed, bswe sha3re w anzl i have breakfast w ag3ad shway before i check on my things one last time w abadl 7g ilma6ar." Razan didn't sound very enthusiastic about her plan but she had no other choice. "Ee 7tan ana im having breakfast now w broo7 asalm 3la my grandma w ard i check my things w aroo7 ilma6ar." The girls said their goodbyes and each one did as was planned and about 2 and a half hours later they met up in the airport with their parents.

   The ladies chit-chatted in the background as the men checked the girls in. Aseel began to ponder about 7amad not knowing that they were leaving tonight. She noticed how distracted Razan seemed. She knew that girl so well that she figured out she was wondering about the same subject, if 7amad knew she was leaving today. Aseel contemplated whether or not she should text 7amad. The only thing holding her back was that she knew 7amad would probably do something stupid. After a while of deep thinking and writing out a mental list or pro's and con's of texting him she pulled out her phone and began composing a very long message.

   Hey 7amad shlonek? I need to tell u something but plz i know u too well & so i know ur going to do something stupid so plz don't. I'm not telling u this 3shan u do something I'm telling u cz i think u deserve to know. Me and Razan are flying bak to the states in and hour. Finals are close so plz don't try anything when u get bak to the states either she needs to focus.

   She read the message a few times making sure she was clear then pressed the send button. She kept her phone in her hand expecting a reply for 7amad soon. After a few minutes she was so occupied with the conversation that she forgot she had texted 7amad. About 20 minutes later, as she was looking around the airport scanning the people from where she was sitting. Something caught her eye. Something that seemed out of the ordinary. As it got closer and closer she quickly shot out of her place and marched so quickly forward that the girls mothers and Razan were alarmed at her sudden action.

   Their heads turned and followed Aseels direction. Razan's mother was surprised at Aseel's reaction. Aseel's mother was confused and had no idea why her daughter suddenly sprang out of her seat. Razan... well Razan's face was frozen. "Haw shfekum sh9ayr??" Aseel's was now more confused.