Dedicated to the_dream_follower leejongsuksgirl

Soha's point of view:

I regretted not believe in him in the first place. But I did. It's better late than never. I consoled myself. It really stung when he told me about that Alice. He went out with that girl and had a great time. And here I was worried about him not replying my texts.

Why the heck I'm feeling like a jealous girlfriend? I have no right to get jealous of that girl. I'm just a friend.

It was like he could feel my jealousy. But I wouldn't have admitted it aloud. I was just a seventeen years old friend to him.

His one sentence soothed my stinging heart. He had missed me. Just like I missed him.

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"Shubho shokal." I greeted Mihad as soon as I saw him. He was waiting for the rest of us at the breakfast table. My baby bro- well not a baby anymore stared at me mouth agape with incredulity.

"Someone call an ambulance please. My sister isn't feeling well." Mihad hollered.

I rolled my eyes as I took a seat next to him. "Ha ha very funny." I tried to stop myself from smiling.

"So, what got my big sis smiling this morning?"

"Can I not smile without a reason?" I said as nonchalantly as possible.

"Of course, you can. Usually you're just grumpy in the morning. So, I was just wondering. . ." Mihad answered being alerted.

"I'm not grumpy."

"Yes, you are."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

Okay, okay. He was correct. I wasn't a morning person. I couldn't remember when was the last time I was so cheerful in the morning. Usually I was grumpy until I had my breakfast.

But today was an exception. I was in weirdly good mood as soon as I woke up. Last night Rahat and I chatted for almost two hours. We had a lot to catch up on.

Christmas was near. It was less celebrated in Bangladesh than in the USA. But our family celebrated it nonetheless. It was a great chance to get together with the whole family and exchange presents. This was the only significant aspect of Christmas to us.

Rahat said that he bought plane tickets for his ammi and sister as a surprise gift. I had no idea what to buy for my family.

Mihad's birthday was in the first week of January. I didn't have any idea what to get him either. I forgot to ask Rahat about it.

"It's that Facebook guy, isn't it?" My devil for a brother smirked.

"Wha-" I didn't think he would have remembered.

"That Facebook guy is the reason why you are so happy today." Now it wasn't a question anymore but a statement.

"N-no. It's. . It's not." I stammered out those lame sentences trying to avoid his gaze.

How did he figure out? Am I that easy to read?

"Wanna go with me somewhere?" He asked offering me a sincere smile. Mihad never told me where was he taking me, neither did I ask. Because I already knew.

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Both of us remained seated on the bench enjoying the peace. As it was a winter morning, the park wasn't as crowded as before. Ammu used to take both of us here when we were younger.

"Now spill the beans."

"And here I thought my lil bro just wanted to spend some time with his sister." I knew he was going to pester me until he knew everything.

Should I tell him? What if he thinks low of me? He would hate me for it.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I just wanted to know what's going on in my sister's life. That's all." He said looking at his lap.

"I just don't want you to think low of me." I whispered.

"I would never. Let me tell you something. I admire you, apuni. I admire the way you pulled yourself together after that incide. . ." He paused. "I think so highly of you. So, never think that I'd hate you for anything."

"I've been lying to someone. I made him think I'm some seventeen years old." I didn't know if it made sense to him or not. But I just had to start somewhere, right?

"What does it have to do with you being so happy today?" He inquired.

"See, When Mahi and I were bored last Eid holiday. . . ."

An hour and thousands of questions later, Mihad nodded as if he got the missing pieces of puzzle together.

"So, when are you gonna tell him the truth?" He started at me expectantly.

"I don't know. I want to. I really do. But I'm scared." I admitted the truth.

"Scared that he wouldn't talk to you anymore?"

"No, scared of being hated by him. I could bear it if he doesn't want to talk to me. But he would hate me forever. I can't . . ." My voice went lower as I choked.

"He would never hate you." Mihad patted the back of my palm. "I think he'll understand why you did it. Maybe won't forgive instantly. It will take some time. But he would never hate you." Mihad reassured me as he gave me a hug.

"You don't even know him. How are you so sure?" Wiping the tears, I asked. I felt quite embarrassed for letting myself cry in front of him. But it also felt amazing to share this with someone other than Mahi.

"You've been ranting about him for an hour. I think I know him enough." Just as predicted, he started teasing me.

"On a serious note, I'm glad you shared this secret with me."

Me too.

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Rest of the day went by pretty slowly waiting for a text from Rahat. Our grandma informed us that she and rest of the Family was coming for the new year's party. The news made me a bit uncomfortable. Even though dadima was controlling, strict and traditional bengali woman, she was tolerable.

I was worried about the rest, specifically my mother's sister Taiba. She had two daughters. The older one was Tanima Ahmed, my ps. Tanima appi and her mother didn't like the idea that I inherited my mother's business or maybe the reason why they hated my guts was because I was successfully running the business along with my studies.

My mood got better as soon as I got a text from Rahat.

Him: Hey. :D

Me: Hey.

Him: How's your day so far?

Me: It just got better now.

Him: Awwh. Because I texted you, right?

Me: No. Because winter vacation is starting from tomorrow.

Him: :( :(

Me: :p ;)

Me: Hey, can you help me with something?

Him: Yeah, what is it?

Me: My brother's birthday is coming up. What should I get him? I don't know what boys like these days.

Him: Hahahah. . .

Him: You're talking as if you're from stone age or something.

Me: Hey, it's not my fault that teenage boys are into weird stuff.

Him: You're a teen yourself. :p

Me: Umm. . . Yeah.

Him: What did you get him last year?

Me: Tickets to a concert.

Him: Oh okay. Is he into sports?

Me: Yes.

Him: Then get him something which is related to sports. Like a jersey of his favorite team or whatever you want.

Me: That's a great idea! Thank you so much.

Him: Dosti ka ek usool hai Madam. (There's a rule in friendship). No sorry, no thank you.

Me: I understand that much. No need for subtitles. :D

Him: You can speak Hindi?

Me: No. But I do understand a little.

Me: How many languages do you speak?

Him: Hindi and English. But I do understand Punjabi and Spanish a little. You?

Me: Bengali, English and French. And as I said earlier, a little bit of hindi.

Him: I want to learn Bengali and French.

Me: I can teach you. :)

Him: Someday.

Me: Someday.

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A/n: So, how was it?

***Translation- Shubho Shokal means Good morning.
Dadima means paternal grandma.
Apuni or appi means sister.***

Do you guys think it's time She tells Rahat the truth?

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