Fuck, I messed up. I should've directly called Matt when she told me about the marriage, I'm a jerk I swear. He loves her and he can't ever lose her, I've never seen Matthew so happy with a person. Every time someone mentions her a smile appears on his face. This is the first time Matthew fell in love, and probably the last time. Even if they split Matthew would never risk falling in love with someone else again, I mean who would dare do that when you've already gotten broken-hearted? Their love is a forbidden love, It's fucking annoying that It works like that. Why can't people like whom they ever want? This is so sad, I hope they will get back together, Matthew can't live without Nawal. I hear my phone call, I take my phone up from my pocket.

Logan? Logan from high school? Why is he calling from nowhere? When Matthew and I went to high school we had a big friend group. Me, Matthew, Logan, Jacob, and Lucas. We were the popular kids, especially Matthew because he was the richest of us all. We all were close but not as close as me and Matthew. But we would hang out every day and go to parties and have fun. When we grew up we all separated, Logan moved to Chicago because he owns a company there, I went to study in London and Lucas moved to New York because he found love there with a girl. Jacob and Matthew stayed here, they aren't that close but they could hang out sometimes.

I answer the call with confusion.

His voice sounded very happy, this is so weird. I haven't heard or seen him for years.

I ask him.

He asked.

I say with a happy tone. I hear him chuckle.

I hear him say, what? are they back? Wow, we really need to meet.

I tell him.

Creep, what should I say?

I tell him and he agrees. We hang up and I directly called Matthew, I called him a few times but he didn't answer.

Where are you Matthew?!

After he left I leaned against the wall and slowly slide down to sit down, tears flooded from my eyes. I cried so hard and sobbed so much. Leila sat next to me, I rested my head on her shoulder as I cried. '' Shush, It will go over. Everything is going to be alright, okay Hunny? '' She says with a light and sweet tone. '' Leila, what should I do? I don't want to marry Afif, I don't want anyone but Matthew! '' I say between my sobs. '' But I'm scared that one of us would get hurt by my brother. '' I say. She strokes my head as she nods. '' I understand, I understand. You both love each other and scared for each other, but sometimes we don't know what Allah has written for us. This might have to happen, and then something better may happen. We just don't know what will happen. God has his reasons. '' I realize what she's saying Is true, this maybe must happen. Maybe I and Matthew aren't meant for each other, maybe I'm meant to be with Afif.

Maybe Matthew was just a test for me, and Afif is the one? No! No! Please, I don't want anybody but Matthew, I want him to be the one. I cry harder and I feel Leila pulling me closer to me as she hugs me really hard.

a few hours later

'' Are you sure that you'll be okay now? '' Leila strokes my cheek and smiles at me, '' Yes Leila, I'm fine. '' I smile back, we hug and kiss cheeks. '' Thank you Leila, I don't know how I'll thank you more. You are my only friend and only sister. '' I say and she lets out a little chuckle. '' That's what sisters do, I love you Nawal. '' She says and we hug again. '' See you, Leila. '' I pull away and walk out. I feel that tears are trying to run down my cheeks but I try to not cry, I don't want to cry in front of my parents and Mohsin. I walk and hear everyone in the kitchen. I walk in and see everybody eating dinner, Aunt Rima and my aunt are here aswell. '' Salam. '' I say and everyone looks at me.

'' Nawal! Where have you been, huh?! I haven't seen you for days?! You've been sleeping at your friend's place like you don't have home and a bed, what is this?! '' My dad stands up from his chair. I look at him with a sad expression. I take his hand and kiss it, '' I'm sorry Baba, I know. I'm a really bad daughter, I'm a really bad daughter. You deserve better, a dad like you deserve a better daughter. '' I say as a tear roll down, I look down at his hand. He lifts up my chin with his hand. He looks at me with a confused expression, '' Nawal? What's wrong? '' I hear my mother ask.

'' Nothing Mama, Don't worry. '' I look at her for a second and smile, I look back at my father who still looks confused. I kiss his forehead, '' Then I'll walk up to my room. '' I tell them, '' But aren't you going to eat? '' Aunt Rima asks. I shake my head and walk away. I walk into my room and throw myself at the bed,

Flashback

'' I don't feel anything for anyone but you. ''

'' You need to understand that I love everything about you, your beauty, your smile, your actions, your humor and everything else that has something that involves you. '' I feel my eyes tear up.

'' You're the first woman I've ever felt in love with, I don't know how you made me fall for you. But all I know is that you're a genius. '' He smiles at me and I look at him shocked.

'' I really love you. I never planned on loving you this much or even liking you this much. '' He says while he wipes my tears away with his thumbs.

'' but my feelings for you are absolutely insane ''

End Of Flashback

I couldn't hold my tears anymore, I had to cry out everything I had on my heart. I sobbed quietly, I didn't want anyone to hear me. '' Nawal? '' I heart Aunt Rima come into my room. I Immediately wiped my tears away and sat up on my bed. She looks at me confused and I try to smile at her, she takes I sit on my bed as her eyes are still on me. '' What happened? '' She asks and I sniff as I still smile. '' What do you mean? '' I let out a fake chuckle. She shakes her head as she bites her lower lip. '' Nawal, I'm like a second mother to you. I've known you since you came to this world and I raised you with your mother, so that means I know you well. You can't fool me. '' She says. My smile turned into a straight expression, tears ran down my cheeks again. '' Tell me. '' She whispers, she kisses my cheek. '' Aunt Rima, please don't judge me. '' I say. She holds my hand tightly and shakes her head,

'' I'm the last person who would judge you. ''

'' Ryan! '' I see Logan, Lucas, and Jacob standing outside Matthew's house. I run towards them. '' Logan! Lucas! Jacob! '' I hug them all as we laugh. '' Bro, look at you you've gotten more dangerous. '' Lucas says as we laugh. '' Shit, this feels so weird. '' I say and they nod. '' I know! But where's Matthew. '' Logan asks, I look down as I itch my head. '' He... He... He will work overtime today, we have to wait for him some hours more. He'll be back soon, but as we wait we can go in and order pizza. '' I say and they laugh and nod.

two hours later

We talk about our times in high school and what we usually did, we were laughing and joking about it. We were really silly when we were young, I look out from the window and see that It's getting dark. Where is this guy? '' Ryan, what's happening? Where is this Matthew? '' As Jacob asks it we hear the door open and close really hard, he's back. We hear deep footsteps walking towards the living room where we are sitting. '' Good, he's back. '' Logan says. Matthew comes into the living room, looking drunk. His eyes are red and he can't stand properly. We look at him confused.

'' Matthew? '' Lucas takes some steps closer to him. Matthew narrows his eyes at us, '' Logan? Lucas? '' He tries to walk closer to us but he loses his balance and trips. Lucas tries to help him up but Matthew denies the help and pushes him away from him. '' Bro, what happened? '' Logan asks him. He looks up and smiles, '' Logan, long time no see. I missed you all guys. '' Matthew '' chuckles and points at them. He slowly gets up on his own, he looks at Logan. '' I heard you are getting married, It's all on the news. '' He says, Logan nods carefully.

Matthew laughs, '' Congratulations bro!! I'm so happy for you. '' He bro hugs him. '' Matthew, what's going on? '' Logan asks him. Matthew slowly pulls away. '' You seemed like you loved her on the news when the recorded you. '' He smiles at him, Logan slowly nods. '' Your dad loved her right? '' He asks again, right now everyone were all confused, expect me. I know what this was about. '' Yes, my dad loved her. '' Logan says, '' What's going on Matthew? '' Jacob asks.

'' You're lucky, you're really lucky. You fell in love with a person you could be with, a person you could spend your life with and make a family with. Your father didn't slap you for being in love with her, she didn't tell you that she never wanted to see you again and she didn't break up with you. Your fiance must be really happy and she must be laughing now, and the same to you. You must be really happy. Your fiance is the right person for you and she is the perfect person to make a life with you, because.... because... because she Isn't Muslim. '' A tear fell down from his left eye, we all look at him in confusion. What the fuck is he saying?!

'' Matthew? What are you talking about? '' Logan asks him, '' Bro what has gotten into you, what do you mean? '' Lucas chuckle nervously. '' You're fiance she didn't push you away and she didn't tell you that she was marrying someone else, did she? '' Matthew looks deeply into Logan's eyes. '' Matthew what are you saying?! '' Logan yells at him. Matthew smiles and sits down at the couch. '' Because the woman I love did, the woman I love and want to spend my life with told me that she wants to marry a guy who is a Muslim. A man who believes in God, a man who will treat her better. '' He looks up at us, many tears roll down his eyes. He's in pain, we could all see that. '' Matthew, are you in love with a Muslim? '' Lucas asks shocked. '' What? Will you judge me too? Will you be like the other? '' Matthew frowns and Lucas shakes his head.

'' Ryan. '' He suddenly says my name. '' Yes? '' I say as my voice shakes. '' Nawal, she had bruises all over her face. Did she tell you about someone beating her? '' He stutters while his voice becomes weaker. '' Nawal? Matthew, you mean Nawal from the club who is Leila's friend? Are you in love with her? '' Jacob asks confused.

'' Yes, Nawal. My Nawal, Nawal who will marry someone else. That Nawal. ''

💕