Site Overlay

RESOLUTIONS PART 2

Anxious. I was soanxious to start the night, so when Pan got out of the shower, I rushed into the bathroom to get myself ready. Every part of the beautifying process for me was so exciting. I don’t think I had ever danced so much by myself in a bathroom up to that point. My hair was looking perfect and my makeup on point, and by the time I took one last look at my reflection, it was time to start getting dressed for the exciting night ahead.

I reached for my gown, a long, low back, royal blue gown I had chosen on a website called bagladyink.com. When I had the gown on, I slipped on my heels, and let me tell you, when I looked at the finish product in the mirror, I felt like Cinderella. I had never worn a fitted gown, hell, I hadn’t worn a gown since my high school all girl prom and that one definitely wasn’t fitted. It was one of the most thrilling moments of my life to see myself dolled up and feeling really truly beautiful. I couldn’t wait for Pan to see me. He too had never seen me glammed out this way.

I exited the bathroom to find Pan standing by the very window I had spent time gazing out of a few hours before. He was wearing a royal blue button-down shirt and black slacks, in his request to color coordinate; an idea I was totally repulsed by. I’m not a fan of color coordinating, it seems to high school prom, but seeing Pan’s excitement about the idea, like any idea he had, almost always found me on board.

“Hey, you,” I said from behind him.

Pan turned around and the look on his face when he saw me was pure shock, in the best way possible. His jaw literally dropped, and he just smiled as wide as ever.

“Baby,” he said rubbing the rims of his mouth with his hand. “You look so fucking beautiful.”

He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist before kissing me.

“You look very handsome yourself there,” I said kissing him.

“I know,” he said with a wink. “Turn around for me,” he said twirling me around with his hand. “Damn babe, I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

“I’m the luckiest girl in the world because I have you, Love Dove,” I said adding another kiss to his lips. “Now, hurry up, we’re gonna be late.”

“Avril wants to know if you can do her makeup?” Pan said.

“Now?” I asked.

“Yeah, I guess she’s having some problems and needs help, so I told her you’re good with makeup and you would do it.”

“So, why are you asking me if you already told her I would do it?”

“Because I know you won’t mind,” he said. “You don’t mind right?”

“No,” I lied. I did mind. I hated whenever Pan would volunteer me for things. It felt like a lack of respect for me and my time. As if I was always at his disposal whether that was in going to see his family, visiting and keeping his mom company, helping him with written work assignments, or in this case doing someone else’s makeup, when I had never done so before, nor am I makeup artist. But I didn’t want the night ruined, so I agreed and asked if we could leave a little earlier because I would need time to figure out what Avril wanted done and do my very best not to rush.

Pan agreed and took the Grey Goose and Red Bull in hand as we made our way out the door and to the elevator to get to Avril and Eddy’s floor which was in the same hotel a few floors down.

“Listen, don’t mention anything about me paying for their hotel okay?” Pan said as we rode the elevator down.

Pan mentioned how Avril and Eddy were struggling financially and unable to afford the hotel and so he covered the cost so that they would be able to join us.

“I would never,” I said a little insulted.

“Okay, chill,” he said seeing the insult on my face.

“Babe, I know what it’s like to struggle, I would never go and talk to either one of them about money you lent them. That’s between you and them. It’s none of my business.”

“Well, I just don’t want you to think that I’m not saving up for us to get engaged. It’s just theyneed…”

“You don’t even have to finish,” I interrupted. “I understand.”

“See, this is why I love you,” he said leaning in for a kiss.

The elevator doors opened on Avril and Eddy’s floor and we made our way down the hall and to their room.

Pan knocked, but there was no answer. Pan knocked again and still no answer.

“You sure this is their room?” I asked.

Pan looked at his phone and at Eddy’s text message.

“Yeah, this is it,” he said knocking again. This time Eddy answered with a stern expression.

“Sorry, she’s pissed,” Eddy said with a roll of his eyes before embracing Pan.

“Pissed about what?” Pan asked.

“Who knows dude,” Eddy said waving at me. “How you doing Faiza?”

“I’m good,” I said rather shy. I didn’t know Eddy nor Avril well enough to feel comfortable enough just yet.

“Come in,” Eddy said opening the door for both of us. “Avril’s in the bathroom,” he said to me.

I made my way to the bathroom and knocked on the door. Avril answered with a beautiful smile.  If she was upset with Eddy, there was no way I could tell because she did a pretty good job at hiding it.

“Hey!” she said loudly making her way out and hugging me before making her way over to Pan to give him a hug as-well.

“You guys look cute,” she said looking from Pan to me.

“Yeah, you guys look really nice,” Eddy added.

“That’s all my baby,” Pan said.

I smiled shyly, before asking Avril if she wanted me to start her makeup now.

“Yeah, let’s do it now.”

“First,” Pan yelled out. “let’s all take a shot.”

“Oh no, let me do her makeup first,” I said.

“I don’t wanna do a shot,” Avril said.

“Come on. One shot to start our night,” Pan insisted.

“No!” Avril replied firmly with a giggle. “After my makeup.”

I loved how firm and unafraid Avril was to speak up and hold her ground in a way I didn’t. I admired it.

“Let’s go babe,” she said to me taking my hand and leading me into the bathroom and closing the door behind us.

“Okay, so what kind of look are you going for?” I asked as I began to set up my makeup on the bathroom counter.

“Something simple, kinda like yours, but without the long lashes, Eddy doesn’t like that,” she said.

“Okay, just putting this out there now girl, I’m not a makeup artist, so please don’t hesitate to fix anything you don’t like okay?”

“Pan said you were really good with makeup and I agree with him, yours looks great,” she said.

“Thank you, but I think he makes me out to be better than I am,” I said.

“I wish Eddy did that,” she said.

I felt awful. I knew, based off how Eddy answered the door, that the two were fighting, but I didn’t know if I was able to ask any questions because I didn’t know Avril well enough for that. This was technically the first time we were meeting.

“So, you want it to look like mine, but a little lighter right?” I said switching the subject quickly.

“Yeah,” she said. “Should I put on some moisturizer?”

“Yeah,” I said with a giggle. “See, I’m not a makeup artist.”

“You’re fine,” she said as she began massaging a moisturizer in her skin. “Sorry if you guys heard anything.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Yeah if you heard us arguing,” she said.

“Oh, we didn’t hear anything wallah.”

“Good. Hecan be ridiculous wallah,” she said.

It was evident that Avril wanted to vent and so I decided to open my ears to her completely.

“Is everything okay?”

“He’s always taking his fucking family’s side about everything in our life. It’s not a marriage between him and me. It’s me, him, and his entire fucking family. I’m suffocated really.”

“Have you tried to talk to him about it?”

“Girl, talking doesn’t get through to fucking Arabs. They don’t fucking hear us. They hear only their fucking family, not us. It’s like I don’t exist.”

There was something about the way Avril vented that didn’t seem like a woman crumbling, despite how exhausting it all sounded, but rather she sat there like a pillar. Strong, held together, but clearly needing to just release.

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “That can be really tough.”

“Yeah, it is. You’re gonna wanna be strong from right now with Pan, trust me, because he’s no different. They’re best friends for a reason.”

I began to do Avril’s makeup as she gave me advice on how she believed I should handle my relationship with Pan, considering the way she believed hers was beginning to fall apart with Eddy.

“Why aren’t you guys engaged yet anyway?” She asked as I was waiting for her mascara to dry.

“We’re just waiting for him to save up, you know how that goes,” I said.

“You could still do the katb el-kitb” she said referring to the Islamic wedding ceremony, where the couple sits in front of a Sheikh along with two witnesses, for both the groom and bride, who read Quran before having their marriage solidified civilly and religiously.

I didn’t want to tell her that I had refused to do that because of the hardships Pan and I were facing before things had started getting on track. I didn’t know if I really wanted to marry Pan before things started getting better between us, and so despite knowing what was expected, or morally right to do as a Muslim, I was a no go for that option, even if it was one that didn’t require any money.

“We’re definitely getting engaged this year,” I said with all sincerity.

“He’s what you want?” she asked opening her eyes to look at me.

“What kind of question is that?” I asked with a laugh.

“I’m just wondering. I mean I can tell you guys really care about each other, but I’ve known Pan for years, and you’re two really different people. You’re super sweet and Pan’s a dick,” she added with a laugh.

I couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly. I wasn’t sure if I was being tested because she, Eddy, and Pan had known each other for a long time. Or if she was genuinely feeling the need to warn me in some way, whatever the case, I was going to stand by Pan and what I felt- which at that point was an overwhelming love and certainty.

“You’re way more mature than him and you seem like a really good person, so I’m just asking.”

“Even if we’re different in a lot of ways, we’re a lot alike too,” I said. “So yeah. I’m certain about him. I wouldn’t be investing my time if I wasn’t.”

“Good for you,” she said. “I wish I felt that way about this fucker,” she said referring to Eddy.

“I’m sure you two love each other a lot.”

“I love him a lot and I wanna believe he loves me, but I think he loves his fucken family more than me, which is fine, but let’s be honest his family isn’t the one fucking him, I am,” she said with a laugh. “So, if he wants any, he needs to act right.”

She continued to laugh. I joined in.

A dab of lip-gloss later, Avril and I were both ready to head out. She was wearing a long black gown that accentuated her curvy Kim K figure. As we made our way out of the bathroom, Eddy looked Avril up and down seemingly unimpressed.

“Doesn’t she look absolutely gorgeous,” I said to Eddy.

“Yeah, mashallah,” he said clearly unphased.

I almost wanted to make my way across the room and slap some sense into Eddy, because there was his wife standing there radiant and beautiful, and he was more focused on pouring a drink with Pan, then simply turning to her to say, “You look beautiful.” Nothing. Not one loving word at all.

“He’s not gonna say shit. Give me a shot,” Avril said seeming about as unphased by it all as Eddy, but apparently the two were accustomed to this cold environment.

Pan handed Avril a shot as-well as me. Each of us now had a shot in hand that we raised up.

“To the best night out in our lives and the best year of our lives,” toasted a happy Pan.

“Yeah!” we all said in unison as we took our shots adding a more comfortable and warm feel to the once cold room.

“Can I have the Red Bull please?” Asked Avril.

“Me too,” I said. I was not use to drinking, least of all a straight shot of vodka like that.

Pan handed Avril and mea Red Bull.

“Let’s take one more shot and then head out,” Eddy said.

“Let’s do it,” said Pan.

“I’m good,” said Avril.

“Me too,” I said.

The guys decided to take one more shot as we got our jackets on and stood by the mirror doing last minute checkups of our makeup, hair, and ensemble.

“Did you call the Uber?” Eddy asked Pan.

“Yup,” Pan said and looked down at his phone after throwing back another shot of vodka. “Oh fuck, he’s here,” he said.

“Fuck,” said Eddy who was now seeming to get more relaxed.

“Let’s go,” Pan said grabbing his coat, just as Eddy did the same.

“Let’s do this!” Eddy said with a clap of his hands, before reaching for Avril’s hand.

Nowyou wanna hold my hand?” She said in a moody tone.

“Of course, he does,” I said. “What man wouldn’t? You look beautiful,” I added with a wink trying to make the mood even lighter.

“That’s right baby,” Eddy said clearly relaxed now.

Hell that shot got him relaxed, I thought. But I didn’t care what got him loosened up. The four of us were now strutting down the hotel hallway, taking selfies in the elavtor, and walking like the most bomb ass squad in that hotel, making our way to the Uber to start our night. Everything felt right and perfectly aligned for what was going to be a fucking amazing New Year’s Eve and that was all that really mattered to me.

144 thoughts on “RESOLUTIONS PART 2

  1. After research a couple of of the weblog posts on your website now, and I actually like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site record and will probably be checking back soon. Pls try my web site as well and let me know what you think.

  2. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

  3. I will immediately grasp your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me recognize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.

  4. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

  5. I have been browsing online more than 3 hours these days, but I never found any fascinating article like yours. It is lovely value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the net will likely be much more helpful than ever before. “Wherever they burn books, they will also, in the end, burn people.” by Heinrich Heine.

  6. Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!

  7. Very great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly loved browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing in your feed and I’m hoping you write once more very soon!

  8. I’d have to examine with you here. Which isn’t one thing I normally do! I get pleasure from studying a post that will make individuals think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to remark!

  9. I just like the helpful info you provide for your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again right here frequently. I’m relatively sure I will learn lots of new stuff proper right here! Best of luck for the next!

  10. Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your website is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What an ideal web site.

  11. I just could not go away your site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the usual information an individual supply on your guests? Is going to be again continuously to check up on new posts.

  12. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My website is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would definitely benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks!

  13. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!

  14. It¦s really a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  15. Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using? I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a tough time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  16. I do trust all the concepts you’ve offered in your post. They are very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are very short for novices. Could you please prolong them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.

  17. I carry on listening to the newscast talk about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the most excellent site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i find some?

  18. Throughout the grand pattern of things you actually get an A+ for effort. Exactly where you actually confused me personally ended up being on your facts. As people say, details make or break the argument.. And that could not be much more correct at this point. Having said that, let me inform you what exactly did work. Your text can be quite powerful which is most likely the reason why I am taking an effort in order to opine. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Secondly, despite the fact that I can see the leaps in reason you make, I am not really certain of how you seem to unite your details which in turn make the actual conclusion. For the moment I will, no doubt subscribe to your point but trust in the future you actually link the dots better.

  19. What Is Neotonics? Neotonics is a skin and gut supplement made of 500 million units of probiotics and 9 potent natural ingredients to support optimal gut function and provide healthy skin.

  20. What Is ZenCortex? ZenCortex is a natural supplement that promotes healthy hearing and mental tranquility. It’s crafted from premium-quality natural ingredients, each selected for its ability to combat oxidative stress and enhance the function of your auditory system and overall well-being.

  21. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

  22. Virtually all of what you say is supprisingly appropriate and that makes me wonder why I had not looked at this with this light previously. This particular article truly did turn the light on for me as far as this particular topic goes. But there is actually 1 position I am not too comfy with so while I try to reconcile that with the actual core idea of your position, allow me see just what all the rest of your readers have to point out.Well done.

  23. Thanks , I’ve just been looking for info about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have came upon so far. However, what about the bottom line? Are you certain in regards to the source?

  24. That is the correct blog for anyone who desires to search out out about this topic. You notice so much its virtually exhausting to argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa). You positively put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, simply nice!

  25. Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I have found out till now. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the source?

  26. Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..

  27. Someone essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular publish incredible. Wonderful job!

  28. Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm

  29. Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad
    and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views.
    I know this is entirely off topic but I had to
    share it with someone!

  30. Fantastic blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
    I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a
    paid option? There are so many choices out there that
    I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any recommendations? Kudos!

  31. great submit, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this.

    You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base
    already!

  32. I will immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can not to
    find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.
    Do you have any? Kindly allow me understand so that I could subscribe.
    Thanks.

  33. hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked up anything new from
    right here. I did however expertise several technical points using this website, as I experienced to reload the website lots of
    times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if
    your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining,
    but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and could damage your
    high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well
    I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content.
    Ensure that you update this again very soon.

  34. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it,
    you will be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your
    blog and will eventually come back down the road. I want to encourage that you continue your great job,
    have a nice morning!

  35. I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts in this kind
    of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this website.
    Reading this information So i’m glad to express that I’ve a
    very just right uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed.
    I such a lot indisputably will make sure to do not omit this web site and provides it a glance on a constant basis.

  36. Nice weblog here! Also your website a lot up very fast! What host are you the use of?
    Can I am getting your affiliate link in your host?
    I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  37. Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
    He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this page
    to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
    Thanks for sharing!

  38. Greate post. Keep writing such kind of info on your site.
    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hey there, You have done a great job. I will certainly digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends.
    I’m sure they will be benefited from this website.

  39. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this
    matter to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward
    for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  40. Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to
    produce a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t
    seem to get nearly anything done.

  41. My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net
    from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on numerous websites for about
    a year and am nervous about switching to another platform.
    I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it?
    Any help would be really appreciated!

  42. A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment.
    I think that you ought to publish more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo matter
    but typically people do not speak about such issues. To the next!
    All the best!!

  43. Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new
    initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us beneficial information to
    work on. You have done a marvellous job!

  44. With havin so much written content do you ever run into
    any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up
    all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any techniques
    to help stop content from being ripped off? I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  45. Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your weblog.

    You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please send me an email if interested. Thanks!

  46. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.

    The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.

    nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be
    delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot
    often inside case you shield this increase.

  47. Thanks for another informative blog. The place else could I get that kind of information written in such a
    perfect means? I’ve a challenge that I am just now operating on, and I
    have been at the look out for such info.

  48. Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time
    and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I
    say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.

  49. Its such as you learn my thoughts! You seem to understand so much about this,
    like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I believe that
    you simply can do with some percent to drive the message house a bit, however other than that, this is excellent blog.
    A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.

  50. Fantastic blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the
    same topics talked about in this article? I’d really like to be a part of group
    where I can get responses from other experienced people that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Thanks a lot!

  51. Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with almost all vital infos.

    I would like to look more posts like this .

  52. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.

    You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting
    videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  53. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been conducting
    a little research on this. And he actually bought me breakfast because I found it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your
    site.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *