The real you

Jamal gets home feeding on the memories he had with Myla. He packs his car in the garage and is received my Latif. He frowns a little.

"Did you dare hang up when I called?"

He jumps out of his blows his cheeks out. He's really tired and need some rest. Not someone yelling at him for 'nothing'.

"It was a mistake. I tried re-telephoning and something came up. So I decided to get back to you later"

"Amid said you came to see?" he continues walking into his house.

"Yes, and you were not. Where did you go to?" she follows him

He stops dead in his tracks and waits for her to come forward "Since when did you become my manager?"

"Is it wrong for me to ask of you. I came to see you to know how the contract took place."

"But that didn't give you the right to threaten my assistant"

She seals her mouth. She didn't think Amid will mention this to her fiancé.

He walks away from her and she sighs returning back to him "You haven't told me where you went to"

"It's non of your business. You should mind yours. And I hope you have no plans on sleeping here tonight. If we should respect the culture just as you've always wanted me to then you should be in the best position to comprehend this."

He walks again and she adds "Someone told me they saw you and that girl together"

He's stop turning to face her "I knew this was going to end this way. From the moment your parents told me they don't want me close to Myla in public, I understood everything. So finally they got someone to pry on me"

"My parents will not do that. They have better things to take care of. You should stop searching for someone to accuse. You know how our names are praised in our society. Still, you chose to mix yourself with that black girl"

He grits his teeth "Enough! Don't you dare refer her that way! You started with her religion and now her color. This has to end. And by the way, we should talk. We should about how stupid you were to report to your mom about me. You stooped so low in front of me when you did that. I can't see you the same"

Latif is trying to control the tears in her eyes from falling as she looks away in wrath.

"My mom introduced you to me because of how close she is to your family. We got used to each other. It's been two years now. I've always treated you well. And known you as someone different. Yes, I had no feelings for you. And kept hoping that things will get better and I will find that love. But no, you keep making things worse. And now I really see the true you."

She brings her gaze to him. The truth hurt so badly. And she can really testify it because his words pierce into her heart. She wishes she didn't fall in love with him because right now she wants the earth to swallow her up.

Her tears slip down after so many struggles. She wipes her eyes. She doesn't want to hear what next he's going to say. She has to leave before they leave his mouth. She spines on her toes and he says

"Tell, your parents congratulations in making me loose all hope. Because the marriage won't hold . . . ever"

Latif is frigid, she faces him again "You can't do this. We've been through so much"

"Yes. But what did you do in those things? Discriminating others and making them feeling uncomfortable. Always nagging. I don't want to have to deal with a woman like this in marriage, because she's going to destroy my image. I need someone who's going to support me . . . not when I'm wrong. And in all these—I don't love you. I'm very certain of what I've felt all these while. My mom has been pressuring me to get married. And you were the only one I saw at the moment. But now I don't have to do that. Not anymore"

"And listen. I'm not judging you. I'm sure there's someone out there who's going to accept all these attitude of yours. But I'm not that one. I just can't tolerate it. That's a fact"

Latif is in a pool of her on tears "I love you Jamal. I can't leave you. Don't do this to me—please. I know this is not you. Since that girl—Myla stepped her feet into this house, you've been overacting. You've always tolerated me. Always!"

"No. You are mistaken. Maybe I was tolerating you because you kept showing the right sides of you. Maybe my mom showed you how to please me. And you knew just how to act up. But Myla made you expose who you truly are. So right now you're not the same person I knew, because this person in front of me, I've never gotten used to her"

" . . . Jamal"

He exits her presence while she falls to the ground crying.

...

Myla listens to her record with Jamal the entire evening and something comes to her mind. This is what she wanted.

She messages him: Good Evening Mr. Jamal—laughing tag—hope you're doing good tonight.

He is busy in his MacBook, when her message comes up. He reads through it and a smile is drawn on his face.

I'm not. Not after you messaged me. He looks at the time. It's late. What are you still doing up?

She is chewing on her lips while reading his responds. Trash. I know you smiled after reading that message. You mustn't admit it. I know you so well...clown.

He leans into his chair, swirling and giggling at her last words. You wished. I know you're not messaging me over nothing. Just let it out. Don't be timid over the phone. I can't ogle you.

Conner look tag—You're so unbelievable. I know you're busy and I don't want to be a setback.

She rapidly types something else to accompany this last send but he sees it faster and responds. Then why did you message me?

Angry tag—Can't you wait let me finish? I'm still typing

He laughs. You're angry over the phone? Such a waste of time—Scoffing tag

She ignores his taunt and finishes her message. I want to ask for your permission for me to release our music. Also, I make short movies at home. So I was thinking you could join us . . . some time. But if you can't, I completely understand.

He computes for more than a minute and Myla is scared that he just won't respond any longer.

Thinking tag—Are you asleep?

Shut up and let me think. You're distracting.

Oh. You don't have to be hash, Animal! You should've said that instead of making me think you're dead.

He squints his eyes and shakes his head. Did you just call me animal?

Yes. You're under the kingdom ANIMALIA

Oh. How can I forget that?

I'm not surprised you're this doll.

I'd be in your dreams to murder you for this.

Crying tag—No. No please. D-don't kill me—rolling eyes tag—you can come. I'd be waiting. We'd die together.

He laughs holding his chest. Ok. I've taught of it. You can release the music. But the acting stuff . . . we'd talk about it later

She grins Thanks boo

He flashes his eyelashes: For nothing. You should go to bed. Now.

Urrge. Stop being authoritative. You're so annoying.

Thanks for telling. I'd keep this note. Maybe playing with you often will do.

Don't dare. I'm F serious!

Look at someone. Being moody over the phone. You're such a drama queen.

—Rolling eyes gif—

Yeah. Keep on sending that. You're good at it. I'm still waiting though . . .

How will you know I'm in bed or not?

Just know, I'd know.

He waits and she gets tired of being naughty. She sends Good night

He smirks Bonne nuit

She chortles at his direct translation Yes. Bonuit.

Isn't it the same thing?

French is complicated man

He chuckles. I should learn that from you then.

You're already learning. But don't trust me in this. I could fail you.

I know. I know. Will this conversation ever end?

You keep making me want to respond.

You don't have to.

I know. Just don't say anything after this.

Ok

I said 'don't say anything'

...Ok

She laughs and says nothing more. Seconds after he sends. —Peeking tag—

She types –Wide eyes tag—

—Face palming tag—he adds

—g laughing tag—

To be continued...