How Love Happens - Chapter 20

 

Haifa dedicated the remainder of the day to sift through the footage and photos she had amassed. With a discerning eye, she carefully selected the visuals that would best convey the vibe she aimed to achieve. She delved into her sound library to find the perfect audio elements that would complement her project and then added visual aids like annotations and captions to assist the viewer in understanding the content.

Haifa knew that there were still numerous photos she still needed, but she found value in creating rough drafts to help streamline her creative process. She leisurely experimented with the program's various transitions between scenes and adjusted the pacing to achieve the desired effect.

The project was the first time she had worked with such a huge collection of photos and videos for a single reel. However, Haifa relished the learning experience and embraced the opportunity to improvise. She reviewed her existing files, handpicking the best ones that suited with her concept.

Haifa was thrilled to realize that she had almost completed the collection of categories she had initially outlined in her plans. Only the cultural event, water sports and aerial photos remained. Despite working well into the evening, she felt far from tired; instead, she was invigorated. Everything was falling into place so seamlessly that she hadn't anticipated it would come together so smoothly.

When she finally took a break to check her phone, she discovered three messages from Aseel. Excited and eager to share her progress, she quickly dialed for a video call with him, wondering whether he would be available to talk.

"Hey," he answered after a few rings, she could tell from the background that he was at home.

"Hey, sorry I missed your texts. I've been busy preparing and learning the editing program," she explained.

"They took underwater photos for you, huh?" he asked. With a charming smile, he leaned back against a cushion, seemingly at ease.

"No, I went on my own," she replied with pride.

"You didn't," he said with a snorted. "You don't even know how to snorkel," he added, sounding somewhat smug.

"I did, really. I went diving, and it was surprisingly fun," she said, telling him everything from assistance of instructors and the specialized camera housing she had used. "You should see the videos I captured; they look like something you'd see in documentaries."

Aseel arched an eyebrow inquisitively. "Did Saira go diving with you as well?" he asked.

Haifa laughed nervously, "She did not want to dive," she responded vaguely, avoiding Aseel's gaze.

"So she just went to Rasdhoo and waited for you?" His suspicion was evident in his questioning.

Taking a deep breath, Haifa knew it was time to come clean. "Saira didn't go with me," she admitted, her heart pounding.

There was a pause in their conversation, and Haifa lifted her eyes to look at Aseel. He appeared visibly upset. "Then who did you go with, Haifa?" he asked.

"I went with Zishan." Haifa replied in a small voice.

"I knew it, I knew he'd find a way to spend alone time with you," Aseel accused.

Haifa was quick to defend Zishan. "He's not like that, Aseel. He's just a good friend," she tried to explain.

"Did anything happen between you two?" he asked pointedly.

"Of course not! Why would you even think that?" Haifa asked, hurt by his insinuations.

Aseel responded with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh, yes. And if something did happen, would you even admit it? You led me to believe you were going with Saira."

"I didn't know how you would react," Haifa once again tried to make him understand.

"How noble of you, Haifa. Creating stories to keep me in the dark about your actions. But when it's Zishan, you seem to forget who you are," he criticized.

"Please try to understand, Aseel. Nothing is going on," Haifa pleaded. "How about you visit me here? You can meet him in person, and you'll see how nice he is."

Aseel's response was harsh. "I have no intention of meeting Zishan, and I have no intention of going to your island."

Tears welled up in Haifa's eyes, and she blinked them back to keep from crying. "Why are you being so mean to me? I love you, and I have never betrayed you. Why do you feel threatened when I see him? I don't understand why you hate Zishan so much, Aseel."

Aseel narrowed his eyes, "It's not him, it's you," he said. "You've been hanging out with him and letting him help you with your little project."

Haifa looked at him, confusion in her eyes. "I don't understand, what's wrong with that?" she asked.

"For the time I've known you, you've never let any man into your circle. You have your girlfriends to talk to or help you. You never talk to a guy, call or text them, or go anyplace especially alone," Aseel's voice grew harsh. "But with Zishan, you're different."

Haifa tried to recall male friends from her past, but not a single name came to mind.

"You're so smitten by him that you don't even realize how much he's become a part of your life," Aseel continued. "I bet you're already falling in love with him."

Haifa shook her head, "Stop this, Aseel. Are you out of your mind? I'm with you. I would never cheat on the person I love."

"And there it is. You say you've forgiven me, but it was never true, was it?" Aseel asked, laughing like a mad person. "It's always about me cheating on you. Is this the reason for keeping Zishan around? You want to get back at me?" he asked.

Haifa tried to breathe, she needed to stop this conversation from spiraling out of control. "Please, Aseel, stop talking like this," her voice cracked as tears fell down her cheeks.

"You think crying will make me soft? I see through you, Haifa," he said. "I'm done with this conversation," he added curtly before ending the call.

Haifa remained frozen in her seat, tears streaming uncontrollably from her eyes. Her heart felt incredibly heavy, and her mind was in turmoil. Had she lost him for good? Was this how it all ended? With trembling hands, she continued to call him repeatedly, but he didn't answer. She sent him one text after another, pleading with him, but there was no response.

It felt as if her heart was shattering into a thousand pieces, and she covered her face with her hands, weeping bitterly.

***

Haifa woke up the next day feeling as if her world had crashed around her. She checked her phone desperately, but there was no response from Aseel, and he hadn't called her back. She had cried the whole night.

“Hellooo” Aish’s voice with a knock on her door, startled she shot right up.

"Aish?" she looked at her sweet friend in bewilderment as Aish waltzed into the room. "Are you really here?"

"Yep, took the morning flight. Wanted to surprise you," Aish said happily as she settled on the bed right beside Haifa.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Haifa asked, still in a daze.

Aish laughed and booped her nose, saying, "That's how surprises work, silly!"

"I can't believe you're actually here," Haifa said, throwing her arms around her friend. "I missed you so much." Then, she burst into tears.

"Hey, hey. Why are you crying?" Aish asked, confused, as she held Haifa. "Is this how you happy cry?"

Haifa couldn't answer, couldn't control her emotions. Aish held her until she quieted down. "What's wrong?" she asked, looking at Haifa with concern.

"I... I think Aseel broke up with me," she choked out the words. Saying it out loud was heartbreaking, and she was having difficulty breathing.

"Okay, just take deep breaths. Yes, breathe with me," Aish said as she demonstrated, and Haifa followed. "Now, tell me what happened."

"He thinks I want to cheat on him, he keeps accusing me and asking where I go and with whom," she said. "He says I still haven’t forgiven him for his infidelity and said I want to get back at him."

Aish studied her, "But he is wrong?" she asked.

"Of course, he's wrong. I love him. I would never cheat on him. He is the only man I want," Haifa replied.

"Then why does he suddenly start suspecting you? He was not like that before you came here," Aish said.

Haifa averted her eyes, "There is this friend, just a friend. He is helping me with the competition. Aseel has been jealous from the start," she said.

A slight delightfulness hinted in Aish's voice, "Who is this friend? What's his name?" she asked.

"Zishan. He is just a good friend. Very helpful, and a kind man. He has always been nice and never tried anything with me," Haifa tried to convince Aish,

"And he knows about Aseel." Haifa could sense Aish's excitement.

"No, I... I mean, I was going to. Soon. I was just waiting for the right time," Haifa felt her face warm.

"Is he cute?" Aish asked, no longer even trying to hide her joy.

Haifa gave her a dark look, "He is not important. Tell me how to make things right with Aseel."

Aish took a deep breath and sat with her legs crossed, "I think it's best to let him be. Give him some space. When he's ready, he will call," she replied.

Haifa shook her head, "No, make a plan for me like you always do. I don't want to wait and wonder," she insisted. "I need him to be okay. I need him back." She was starting to sound hysterical.

She took out her phone and tried to call him and sent a few texts. Aish sat and watched her. "When a guy doesn't want to talk to you, he won't. It's that simple," she said quietly. But Haifa wasn't listening.

"His phone says off. He never turns off his phone," Haifa said desperately as she went through his social media profiles in a flash. Her eyes widened, and she whispered, "Oh My God."

Aish looked at the phone screen and asked, "What? What?"

"His Facebook status says he is on his way to Dubai. He didn't even tell me!" Haifa said tearfully. "Why would he do that?"

Haifa stood up, throwing off her covers. "I need to see him, talk to him somehow," she said with urgency.

Aish suggested, "How about you just freshen up and maybe have something to eat? It'll help you clear your mind."

Haifa looked at Aish with anxious eyes, "Why aren't you panicking? Hes going to Dubai because of me. I made him leave. Can't you see?"

"Calm down, Ifa. He probably just went for a trip. It's not the end of the world. Once he gets a local SIM there, you can always call him," Aish said, trying to offer some reassurance.

Haifa was overwhelmed with guilt. "This is all my fault. He said he didn't like me being around Zishan, but I wasn't listening. I should have listened. Now look, he's going away from me," she said.

Aish thought for a moment. "Ifa, just because you both had a fight doesn't mean he can do whatever he likes without discussing or even mentioning it to you," she said thoughtfully. "Besides, it's not like he booked the ticket instantly the same night. He probably planned it ahead, possibly even picked a fight just so he could go."

"But why would he do that? I would never tell him not to go. He doesn't have to trick me to go on a trip?" Haifa asked, frustration in her voice. "I'm trying so hard to understand him, to give him the freedom he wants. I don't understand why it's so hard with him." Haifa sat down on her chair, feeling defeated.

Aish went to her and pulled her up to stand in front of her. "Don't dwell on things you can't control. He's a grown man and knows what he's doing. I would guess it's just a ploy to get your attention. He wants you to break down," she consoled Haifa. "It's a typical gaslighter's play."

Haifa shook her head, unwilling to accept the idea that Aseel would intentionally hurt her. "There must be some other explanation," she insisted, in denial. "He loves me. He wouldn't do that just to hurt me."

Aish tilted her head, her tone gentle. "Have you thought about why he posted that on Facebook? He knew you would see it. He wanted to make you anxious," she explained. "He's doing it on purpose."

Haifa's eyes filled with tears, and she whispered, "What do I do?"

"Nothing. Don't let him manipulate you. Concentrate on your work and your own happiness." She gently tucked a loose strand of Haifa's hair behind her ear. "Give that love to us, the people who care about you. We're here for you," she said, smiling softly at Haifa.

Haifa's lips trembled as she looked at her best friend. "I'm so sorry I've been acting so crazy. I've been a bad friend, haven't I?" she asked, her voice filled with regret. "I haven't even asked about you, how you've been?"

Aish smiled warmly. "It's okay, sometimes we all go through phases in our lives that make us a little crazy," she reassured Haifa. "My life is currently pretty boring. I don't mind."

Haifa pressed on, showing more interest in Aish's life. "Have you started working at your dad's company now?"

Aish raised an eyebrow, trying to hold back her reaction. "Ifa, I love you, and I'll tell you about everything. But first, for the love of God, please brush your teeth." She took a step away, overacting by pinching her nose and fanning the air. "There's only so much I can endure," she teased.

Haifa quickly clapped her hands over her mouth, “I’m so sorry,” she said as she ran into the bathroom trying not to laugh.

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Have a wonderful day!