CHAPTER 12 Rain and Ami Reconcile

That morning, Rain woke up early despite getting a few hours of sleep. After assuring his mother that he’ll be fine he went down to the breakfast hall. This time though, he was accompanied by Eliza. He wanted to catch Ami and apologize for his actions the night before but having escorted Eliza down to breakfast ruined his plans much so as Ami came down to breakfast early as well. Ami schooled her features when she saw Rain with Eliza. She knew for a fact that Eliza has had a big crush on Rain ever since they were in high school. She felt a pang of jealousy because of the way the two were reacting to each other. Rain seemed to be very accommodating, flashing Eliza a smile every now and then. Although she tried to avoid them, Rain kept blocking her path until she thought she’d have enough. Rain gently took one of her hands but when Ami flinched, Rain looked down and frowned when he saw the bandages on her fists. Ami was trying to tug her hands free in part because Eliza was staring at them both in an annoyed manner but Rain held fast. It did not escape him though that an electric bolt seemed to pass though their clasped hands. Both of them ignored it until Rain peered into her eyes which is quite a feat as Ami is so short without her heels. Ami tugged again and this time, Rain let go reluctantly. He escorted both ladies towards a vacant spot next to the ship’s railing. When they were all seated, Rain captured her hands again to the annoyance of Eliza who couldn’t hide a scowl, and gently spread them open. “What happened?” he asked. Before she could answer though, Eliza butted in saying, “Obviously she had a boxing match probably with someone harder than her fists!” Both Rain and Ami were shocked to hear her outburst. Realizing her mistake, Eliza tried to apologize but Ami shook her head and stood up. Rain tried to get hold of her again but Ami avoided him and was relieved when he heard Ali behind her. “Habibti, can you join me over here?” Ami turned around and accepted his offered hand. Rain was disappointed and a bit cross with Eliza but as he was afraid he’ll lose both breakfast buddies, he reluctantly accompanied the latter to the breakfast buffet. As Eliza was determined not to lose Rain’s affections, she kept quiet the whole time and tried not to show her possessiveness of her escort. Obviously there is more to Rain’s relationship with Ami other than that of being the best of friends so she attempted sweetness as always. Rain was having a hard time deciding how to approach and apologize to Ami considering their escorts that morning. As if reading his thoughts though, Ami excused herself from Ali’s table and signalled for Rain to follow her to the nearby empty spot. Eliza couldn’t do anything but watch the two talking. Ali for his part was holding on to his jealousy because he understood that Ami needed to talk with her best friend after a long time. Rain opened the conversation by looking at Ami straight in the eyes and saying, “It has been a shock to see you that all the emotions just wanted to spill out at the same time. Please. can you forgive me, budz and start all over again?” Ami lowered her lids and disentangled her hands from Rain’s. She was so quiet that Rain became afraid she wouldn't forgive him.
Ami raised her head and looked at him. “It is I who must apologize”, she said. Rain shook his head but before he could say something, Ami continued. “Please let me speak first because this might be the last time we can talk like this. Do you remember that night of your party? I misheard you and I was so excited in the morning that I thought to surprise you by wearing the dress you gave me as a gift. After that kiss,” she colored, “I thought our friendship was turning into something deeper. I was about to enter your house that day when I saw you assisting Fiona from their car. I got so confused and hurt that I ran away and left you without talking to you first. And then I saw your engagement a few weeks later on social media and I felt hurt and sad again because you did not say anything to me which I confess is quite impossible because you did not know where I went. And then I saw Magnolia’s post which hurt the most. I did not know what happened to you, why you suddenly turned into a playboy and had these girls calling you their lover boy. I know I have no reason to be hurt because I am just your best friend. I guess I was jealous because we used to have fun together. Looking back I think it was an eye opener because you and I have our own lives to live. I will always be your best friend no matter what.”
Rain captured her hands again and raised them to his lips sending shockwaves to Ami’s system which they both ignored again. “I am so sorry Ami,” he apologized. I know I should have reached out as soon as I knew where you went but you know me, I am always foolish and a dunderhead. I do not know what to say and I will not deny all those things you saw and read although not all of them are true. There was that one time I helped a friend find a better way of earning her keep instead of wasting her voice in a folk house. But believe me when I say I always thought of you. I was embittered when you left, yes and I hadn’t been myself but after some time that bitterness turned to something else. I just hope we can restart our friendship because honestly, I missed you so much. I still do, I miss my best friend with her tattered jeans and not so pristine shirts. I am not saying I do not like your outfits now, I actually am liking them a lot, especially the one you wore last night. “
Ami blushed and stood up so Rain had to release her hands. “Please do not remind me of evening dresses,” she laughed. “You know how much I hate wearing formal wear, they are just not my style. I just did not want to disappoint my employers who did so much for me. Before she can walk away, Rain stood up too and requested, “Can we hug for old times’ sake?” and before Ami could answer, he couldn’t help himself so he hugged her so tightly and wanted to kiss her just like that night but he was aware of where they were. Although Ami felt awkward, she returned the hug which made Rain’s heart beat wildly. “In his head he said, I still have a chance so he hugged her some more before reluctantly releasing her. For some reasons unknown to her, she felt shy and so she blushed again. Not wanting to embarrass her some more, Rain asked if they could finally have breakfast together. Ali and Eliza were watching them with mixed emotions across their faces. Ali, who couldn’t bear to see the closeness of the two approached them and cleared his throat.
Ami looked up at Ali before she gave Rain one of her sweetest smiles and nodded. Rain’s heart skipped a beat again. How he missed her, he can go to sleep every night with that smile of hers. If only he could tell her how he felt. But what does he feel? He still has difficulty defining what exactly he feels for her. It doesn’t matter he told himself, at least now he can touch her again, hug her again and maybe, just maybe, kiss her again? Maybe not the last thought. He is just so happy that they were able to clear things up somewhat. He will take that any day.
For her part, Ami was also happy that they were able to talk. Her fists still stung but that is nothing compared to the happiness she is feeling right now. She still can’t understand why his touches affect her so much. A lot of her newfound friends have touched her hands but none of them affected her as much as Rain’s. Well, except Ali. She must ask her cousin about this. For now though she is content to have her best friend back. When she suggested that the four of them share a table, they all agreed. Their happy chatter over breakfast was the picture Mabel and Mansour saw. Both of them sighed a sigh of relief. “Looks like your cousins found each other again,” commented Mansour. “I am happy that I will not be making another enemy today.”
The foursome saw them and they waved them over. After securing their own breakfasts, Mabel and Mansour joined their table. They were laughing when the cousins reminisced about the past. Even Eliza was caught up in the happy conversation. “Do you remember,” started Ami “when my father caught Rain sneaking into the garden one night trying to cut off a pretty rose?” “Oh noo, it wasn’t me,” Rain defended himself. They were in the middle of laughs and happy chatter when Mansour’s phone rang. He answered in Arabic which unfortunately is not understood by either Mabel or Ami. What Ali overheard made him frown so he grabbed his brother’s phone and talked with whoever was on the other end. Everyone went quiet when Ali suddenly raised his voice and then he switched off the phone and gave it back to Mansour.
“I am sorry ladies,” he apologized. “It looks like we will cut this cruise short. Baba just informed the captain to dock at the nearest port and then we will fly home from there. “Wait, what?” exclaimed Rain. Just when everything seems to be going okay between him and his best friend, this happens.
Not wanting to lose Ami the second time, Rain asked, “Is it okay for me to steal Ami for a day before you all go back? I just want to spend some time with her”. Ali was unsure as he wanted both cousins back in UAE safely along with the Al Fahezi’s. Mabel saw his indecision so she rescued him by speaking over him, “Sure you can. We expect you to return her to our suite by nightfall though. “ I promise,” uttered Rain, “so do I.” piped in Eliza. Rain was just happy that he didn’t mind what Eliza said. After a nod of assurance from Ami, Mabel, Ali and Mansour left them to enjoy their breakfast. When the three left, Rain gave Eliza a pleading look which the latter could not deny so she finished her breakfast. Rain excused himself from Ami before escorting Eliza back to his mother’s suite. When Mrs. Gonzales saw them, she relaxed as she heard what happened the previous night. Although she noticed the unhappy look on Eliza’s face when Rain started to walk away, she tried to ignore it but her motherly instincts kicked in so she asked what the matter was. Eliza, being blunt as always, told her what she feels towards Rain. Understanding dawned on Mrs. Gonzales who suddenly felt torn apart because she loves all three of them. If Rain chooses Eliza, she has no problem with it as Eliza is her god daughter. However, should Rain choose Ami, so much the better. Not wanting to add to Eliza’s unhappy mood though, Mrs. Gonzales just hugged her and led her inside the suite.