Chapter 23 - Turning Tables

Saphira

"I've always thought that falling in love itself, has a lot to do with chemistry and eye contact." He said as he glanced at me. I quickly shied away from his eyes and stared at my hands.

"Although recently I started to wonder if that is enough. This because being able to speak to someone on the same level, debating and discovering new things together and having a sparring partner whom is truly your best friend, can mean so much more." Benjamin seemed lost in thought for a bit.

"That brings us to the next question." He said when everyone had finished their dessert.

"When are you going to cook for me again?" He asked me with a wickedly amused expression on his face.

"Never." I stated while picking up some plates.

Everyone was helping. I put myself in charge of filling the dishwasher while the others were cleaning in the dining room. Suddenly I froze in place.

I could smell by his cologne that he was standing very close. I didn't look up, but I heard him put some glasses on the kitchen counter. "I bet you will." He whispered in my ear.

After dinner it was time for me to go home.

Even though, he most of the time bugged the heck out of me. I could easily see why Lynn liked her brother so much. And if I was honest with myself, I could even see why Sierra was so in love with him as well. It wasn't only his dreamy appearance, that made him so charismatic. He just really has a fascinating character, I thought to myself, when I turned on the engine of my car.

Jasmine

"Hey Jazz." Benjamin said cheerfully as he entered the videocall. He looked different. His eyes twinkled and his smile was wide. "You seem happy." I thought out loud. A few months ago he kept clutching his chest whenever he saw me and gradually the wary look on his face had disappeared.

Benjamin was silent for a while and stroke his fingers through his hair. "Yes, well I think I am getting there." He almost whispered. He had a strange look on his face. I couldn't identify the emotion behind it.

"How is your father?" Benjamin said changing the subject. I looked at the wall behind my laptop, not wanting to talk about it. ""Mhh?" He pressed. I sighed. "He is getting worse." I breathed. I tapped my fingers on my tiny desk, trying to distract myself from crying. "Are you okay?" Benjamin cocked his head as if he was studying me. "I am." I said trying to put up a good show.

He pinched his lower lip a little with his thumb and index finger. "How are you really doing?" Benjamin asked shaking his head disapprovingly.

"I feel like I am worthless. Every day I help my father as good as I can, but I hate the fact that I can't make him better and that he'll be gone soon. And then there is Naima, there is still no match. I don't know what will happen to us." Benjamin seemed lost in thought.

"I could still marry you, if that is what you want." Benjamin said in a serious voice. "Would you?" I questioned, unsure if that was still what he really wanted. "Yes." His voice cracked.

I felt something in the pit of my stomach.

"I think you and I are better off as the best of friends."" I said, flashing him a fake smile. "Are you sure you haven't changed your mind about that yet?" He said in a playful tone.

"Besides I only have until summer to choose someone I want to spend my life with. That way I can stop looking and marry the only one I can see myself with years from now." Benjamin said as he stroke one hand through his hair again.

"I can think of worse things than to be married to your best friends." He said smiling crookedly.

"You know that wouldn't be fair to you." I sighed. Gosh, I found it so hard to admit that I didn't want him to find someone else, because I did not want to get married either.

"Habibie?" Benjamin was shifting in his chair like he was uncomfortable. "I keep feeling guilty." He said shifting on his seat like he was feeling uncomfortable.

"About what?" Benjamin seemed to ponder his words before he spoke. "You said I should find my true love, and I know I said I would settle for us to be friends." Benjamin covered one eye with his hand. "But each time I flirt with another woman I feel utterly guilty." If there was ever a time to tell him I didn't want him to, this was it.

"You shouldn't feel guilty. I want you to be happy."

"I'll try." He muttered.

"How come no one seems interested in your sister?" Benjamin effectively changed the subject. "Does she have a bad character or his she really ugly?"

Ben smiled sheepishly. "Nothing like that." I smiled back. "Does she have the same cat-like green eyes?" Benjamin wiggled his eyebrows a few times. "BEN!" I said shocked. "You wouldn't."

"Why not? For all you know, she can be the that true love of mine, you keep talking about." He flashed that crooked smile again. "Don't you dare!" I warned him.

"At least show me a picture of her?" He went on teasing me. "Wy would you want to see her?" I said fidgeting with my white headscarf. "You are not jelous now are you?"

"Of course not." I said angerly. "Well then, send me the picture." He ordered.

Benjamin

"That woman is impossible." I shrugged. "Listen man, you can have any chick you want. Why do you keep walking after the only one who doesn't want you." We walked towards the front door of Daniel's parents. We promised them to visit this morning. I didn't respond to his question.

"My sons, finally." Daniel's mother exclaimed reaching out for us, with her arms wide. Before I went inside I gave her a big hug, holding her small frame tightly. "You should stop working out, you know." She said motherly. "Your arms are becoming too strong. She said smiling. I gently let her go.

We walked into the living room and the whole table was filled with all kinds of sweets.

As we sat down his mother poured us a cup of Arabic tea. "Good day sir." I said to Daniel's father who was reading a newspaper in a leather chair. "Ben." He nodded.

"Daniel have you thought about what I said?" His mother asked him. I looked at Daniel in anticipation of his answer, not knowing what she was referring to. He shot me a glance.

"Not now mother." He hissed. "Why not." Daniel's father said looking up from his paper for a split second. "Isn't he looking for a wife as well?" He said indifferent. "As well?!" I repeated. That bastard.

"It will be good for you." His mother said. "I don't have the time to look for one and honestly every Arabic girl I meet in this county is ruined."

"So you want a traditional Arabic bride?" I was absolutely stunned by this revelation. How could I not know this? "Yes." Was the only word Daniel said. The guy almost seemed shy, what about that.

I took my phone out of my jeans pocket and searched for the picture Jasmine send me last night. Brown eyes, gentle face, probably his type I thought.

"What about her?" I strategically showed the picture to his mom. "Saudi, is she not?" His mother held my phone to her chest. Done deal, I thought to myself. Daniel started frowning. I had to try not to laugh.

"Daniel, this could be her." She said as she showed Daniel the picture.. His frown started to turn into a tiny smile.