"Never, never be afraid of doing what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." - Martin Luther Kind Jr. 

Dedicated to @PearlandIvory for her unceasing support and comments that always manage to brighten up my day. 

~ A short chapter, ALL in Zach's POV. My Eid gift to all my readers! @SmilingHeart 

Chapter 15 - Conflicted.  

Zach’s POV 

We were all staring at khalto in shock, unable to grasp her words; especially Yasmine. She was standing up, her posture stiff and rigid, a sign that she clearly wasn’t happy with this new piece of information. At least I hoped she wasn’t. I watched as she proceeded to wipe her palms against her pants; I seriously think she has a gland problem or extra sweat ducts or something, I thought.  

Khalto didn’t seemed surprised in the least by Yasmine’s reaction. She was leaning back, arms crossed, twirling the remaining water in her cup and assessing her daughters face with a hint of amusement. No one had said anything since the revelation and our outbursts - all eyes were on Yasmine now, waiting for her to say something - anything. 

When it was clear she was just going to stand there like a statue, khalto pursed her lips then got up, asking her daughter to follow her.  

“Yasmine, come with me into the kitchen habibti.” She blinked her eyes a few times before trailing after her mother, almost robotically. I had the urge to laugh at how stupefied she was but as she and her mother left the room and the reality of the words kicked in, the urge disappeared.  

I took a deep breath and relaxed my own taut body against the couch. I knew Yasmine better than anybody and I absolutely knew she would decline this offer. She had no desire to get married any time soon and for some strange reason, which she had never related to me, she held marriage in a negative light.  

Why then was I so worried? 

“Can you believe it?” Noah said, chuckling, before hastening to run over a human in GTA. “Who would wanna marry her?” he quipped.  

I laughed, although I’m pretty sure it was artificial. Who was I kidding? I was man enough to admit I felt threatened by Abdullah already but I was going to play it cool. There’s no way she’s going to accept, I confirmed, comforting myself.  

Noah passed over the controller and after a few rounds, I gave up playing, too restless and edgy to focus properly. After what felt like a century, Yasmine finally walked back into the living room. She was frowning and there was a conflicted look in her eyes. She sat down on the opposite couch, where her mother was previously sitting and looked at the T.V., although I’m sure she wasn’t actually paying attention.  

Since she had been so quiet walking in and Noah was too immersed in the game, he hadn’t even realised she was in the room. I took the advantage and got up to sit next to her again. 

“Thoughts?” I asked anxiously, after a few moments. 

“Ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head and giving off a dry laugh. Relief immediately flooded my body and I chuckled; of course she thought so. 

“But I can’t just say no, right?”  

“What?” I couldn't help but growl, my head snapping back towards her. Her brown eyes were staring ahead and she seemed to be in a world of her own, completely consumed by her thoughts. 

“At first it was a straight no, but mum said I should at least give the guy a shot,” she continued, now directing her eyes towards me. Slowly the relief began to transform into something else - I felt it stir in the pit of my stomach before it rose upwards and attacked the rest of my body, causing my blood to pump faster than usual. Jealousy.  

Clenching my jaw, I turned my face away from her struggled eyes.  

“I mean, she has a point right? On what basis am I refusing him? He could be a great guy…,” she trailed off. No longer able to sit, I got up and began to pace in front of her. 

“So you’re going to accept?” I asked, the anguish in my voice barely hidden. 

“I don’t know! What should I do? Help me Zach,” she pleaded, eyes looking up at me desperately. I ran my hand through my hair, becoming extremely conflicted myself.

I could be a good best friend and tell her to accept, putting my own feelings aside and letting her decide for herself. Or, I could act possessively and tell her to sack him, convincing her marriage shouldn’t be an option right now.  

“I have a few days before I need to give my answer,” she said in a small voice. I nodded my head in understanding; it was disrespectful and rude to keep the family waiting any longer than a few days after the offer. 

I looked at Yasmine, as if watching her would solve our problem and put me at ease. Her eyes were cast down now, as she twiddled her fingers in her lap nervously. She heaved a big sigh and let her head fall back against the couch.

It was clear she was feeling pressured and I hated to see how stressed she suddenly looked.  

“I want to do the right thing, not only by me, but for my family and for his family,” she added. 

“I think…I’ll accept.” 

With those last two words, my blood began to pump even more violently, if possible, and all I wanted to do was walk to the nearest wall and punch it. Despite all these emotions, I understood where she was coming from and told myself to be a man and step back.  

“That’s great Yasmine. Mabrook.” With one final look and a quick utter of salams, I bolted out the door like I was on the run from my worst nightmare. 

It did seem however, that my worst nightmare was coming alive…

****

The sweat was running down my bare back, my body tense and the adrenaline only urging me onwards. It wasn't long before my body began to protest in pain; I had been holed up in here for hours.  

I continued to release my anger and frustration, eyes focused only on the outlet in front of me. It wasn't until I heard a door open and close and Jacob came into sight, that I paused and let myself breathe. I bent down and propped my hands on my knees, breathing in oxygen furiously. 

"What's up with you?" Jacob asked, walking up and standing directly in front me. 

I looked at him briefly.  

"Nothing," I muttered, before standing straight and continuing on. 

"The last time you were holed up in here for this long was when dad died," he commented, slipping his hands into the pockets of his jacket and raising his eyebrows up at me questioningly. "Not to mention, the way you came home and slammed the door shut."

"Why do you care Jacob?" My arms were screaming in pain now, but I ignored it.  

Jacob narrowed his eyes at me before shaking his head and sighing. "Although it seems like my actions contradict my words, I actually care about your well-being Zach. I always have and I always will."  

"Thanks." I didn't really know what to say in return and this was turning into a slightly awkward, too-emotional conversation.  

"So...what is it? Uni?" he persisted.

"Nope." 

"Difficulty in finding a job?" Although that was one of my biggest worries, that was far from my thoughts now.  

"Nope."

"Something happen with one of the boys?" 

"Nope."

"Is it me?" 

"Nope." 

"...Yasmine?" This time, I hit the punching bag so hard, it flew all the way down the line it was hooked on.  

"Aah. Bingo." I didn't make eye contact with my brother and instead went to sit on the ground, the cold from the brick wall immediately seeping through my bare skin and soothing my burning body. I didn't want him to know how I felt about her; it would only make things more uncomfortable and awkward.

I took off my gloves and threw them to the side. "Did something happen? I'll be very surprised if you guys actually fought." 

"We didn't fight," was my short reply. I couldn't avoid telling him without lying, so I was trying to be as vague as possible. 

"Hmmm." I thought I saw a knowing look in his green eyes. I think he realised I wasn't going to expand nor say anything else, since he said, "well let me know if you wanna talk." We shared an unpleasant look before we both burst out laughing.  

"This is weird," I said. It had been a long time, since Yusuf's death, that Jacob had tried to come and speak to me like this.  

"Tell me about it." There was still a smile on his face as he rubbed his eyes tiredly, an echo of his laughter. His hazel eyes looked up at me before he became semi-serious again.

"Seriously though Zach. I'm always here for you." He nodded at me, before walking out of our small garage-like room, closing the door behind him. Before I could register what just happened the door opened again and in came Laith.  

"Asalamu alaikum," he said, grinning wildly at me. 

"Wa alaikum asalam," I replied, getting up to shake his hand. "How are you?"  

"I'm good alhamdulillah. Although you don't look too good," he said, assessing me. Laith was a good friend from the soccer team and was also part of our parkour group. I trusted him like a brother and in the small period of two years that we had known each other,  he had never once failed me. 

"I'm alright. Although I have a favour to ask of you." Other than the obvious reasons of not confiding in Noah and not wanting to tell Jacob, Laith was the only guy who knew about my growing feelings for Yasmine. He was also a few years older than me and had attended the same university. 

"Shoot," he said, without hesitation. 

"Tell me everything you know about Abdullah."  

****

A/N

Hey, hey my fellow readers! Firstly, Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim readers! May Allah accept your fasts, prayers and good deeds done in the holy month. I honestly can't believe how fast time flew.

Enjoy yourselves, but please don't forget to keep the oppressed in your prayers. First day of Eid, Israel attacked a park where families were celebrating in Gaza, killing 10 children and 2 adults.  

I'm always very hesitant in doing Zach's POV as I don't feel like my writing is as strong, so please do comment, letting me know what you think and vote if you liked the chapter!  

Uni has officially started again this week, so updates may be irregular.  

And if everyone could PLEASE follow the page @gazawritesback I'll love you to the moon and back. 

Stay awesome, amigos. 

Booohh ❤

Definitions:  

Khalto: 'Aunty'

Mabrook: 'Congratulations'

Asalamu alaikum: 'Peace be upon you' - Islamic greeting

Alhamdulillah: 'Praise be to God' 

Habibti: 'My love' - term of endearment