ABEER:
I looked at the script before me but before I could read it , I wanted to meet my coordinating actors. Already there was a rush in the auditorium because our teacher had merged the class with seniors to take auditions for the annual play and there was no mention of whom I was going to act with so after twenty minutes, I went on the stage and sat at the chair, opening my folder as my search attempt had been vain.
Ceilia, my character, I read had to sit on a chair with a newspaper in her hand.....
"I want to say something", someone said holding my hand and I raised my eyes. It was Sahir. I stood up from my chair and before I could say anything... he started speaking again.
"We've been friends for too long and I adore you... I want you to be a part of my life. Formally and forever", he said and before I could interpret the situation, he knelt before me.
"Will you marry me?", he asked and I looked down at our hands that were entwined, searching for words as everything fell silent for a while and everyone around stood there, their eyes focused on me.
My brain seemed to take so much time in understanding what had just happened but before I could bring myself to senses, a hand shot out between us, so quickly that the gesture was a blur, and although he stood holding Sahir from his collar with his back towards me, I realized and recognized that it was him.
"How dare you say that to her?", Asad yelled.
"I love her", Sahir said trying to free himself of his grip.
"She's mine and I'll never let you steal her from me", Asad's voice rose more as I stood there, bile rising in my throat and my heart ready to break out of my ribcage.
"Abeer Asad you can cause the most interesting war in Harvard University", Aamna's words echoed in my ears as the world beneath my feet seemed to slip away.
"No!", Sahir said firmly.
"Stay away from her! Do you hear that...Stay away from her!", Asad yelled, closing his fist to punch Sahir and I wanted to stop him but no words escaped my lips. From fear, I closed my eyes tightly.
"Abeer?", I opened my eyed to Sahir's voice after a while. Both of them stood, their faces turned towards me and Asad's fist close to Sahir's face.
"Speak your dialogue", he said.
" Huh?", I asked in perplexity as the salty moisture in my eyes threatened to spill out.
He let down Asad's hand slightly and came towards me.
"Haven't you read the script? You have to intervene at this point", he himself seemed a little irritated and annoyed as I first looked at the folder in my hand and then at his face blankly.
"Mrs. Williams said that she is her most compatible student but I guess we need someone 'more compatible'", Asad said, shooting me a smirk and then stepping down the stage but the sarcastic look on his face didn't hurt me. I was just relieved from the fact that whatever happened a few minutes ago was the part of the play that we were supposed to perform.
"Hey...are you okay?", Sahir asked, holding me from both my shoulders.
"Hmm", I said with my eyes fixed on my shoes.
"Abeer what's wrong? Mrs. Williams praised you so much in our class that I and Asad proposed your name for the main character but you...you seem so lost", he said, his grey eyes focused on me for an answer.
"Actually... I hadn't read the script and you began the play so suddenly that....", I trailed off.
"Well, I didn't know that and the script said that Ceilia would be sitting on a chair, reading a newspaper so....it was a misunderstanding", he said as his lips stretched like caramel to form a smile on his face. I returned that smile.
"Okay. Forget it. We'll talk to Mrs. Williams about it later but for now, I would like to invite you for a drink tonight", he said.
I looked at him questioningly.
"Just a drink and somethings that I want to discuss with you", he said in his ever friendly tone.
"Actually Sahir... I can't come tonight", I said because it was a Wednesday and I didn't want to create any fuss for myself but he had expected me to agree and disappointing him felt really bad.
"Maybe we can meet tomorrow", I said.
" Yeah. That's no big deal", he said and looked at his watch.
"I have to leave now....so, see you later", he said and turned to leave.