I spotted my cousin Camila walk in and I had to excuse myself to see her.
“Camy,” I said hugging her, it was good to know that at least one family member decided to honour my invitation.
“You look beautiful Shayan.” she complimented and I smiled. “I’d tell you congratulations but I’m not happy about this whole thing.”
Great! none of them is. I hope I can keep up the lie.
“But I am Camy and that’s what matters,” I said and she looked at me questioningly.
“Are you really happy?” I don’t think she was buying it if her looks were anything to go by.
“Yes, I am,” I answered smiling and she just shook her head saying we had to talk.
She took my hand leading me to a balcony that wasn’t occupied and then looked at me sternly.
“What are you doing Shay, why would you want to marry him after everything?” she asked calmly but I could detect her anger.
“Because I have to let go of everything,” I answered and she laughed.
It was going to be very difficult lying to her because she was there, she was always with me. She saw me every day being miserable.
“You? Let go? Who are you trying to kid?”
This is going to be difficult, she’s one person that understands me and I would need a lot of convincing lies to get her to believe. Camy isn’t someone that can be fooled easily.
“Is it because of the money?” she asked stopping to see my reaction.” Is it for revenge? I know you Shayan and you can’t just let it go. Is he blackmailing you?”
“No he isn’t. I’m not getting married to him because of that but because I love him.”
” Cut the crap Shayan. I know how much you hate him Shayan, you hated him when you moved here, you started working for his father six months ago, is that all it took for him to convince you?”
“Yes Camy, that’s all it took. You of all people know that in as much as I hated him he was my first love and you know how hard it is to get over that.”
“But you were over him already Shay.”
“I wasn’t, I just had to make you all believe that I was,” I said and she sighed.
“So you weren’t over him? Shayan I know how he made you feel and your resolution about to love.”
“Well he broke them Camy, Kel is a changed man,” I said and she laughed.
“I don’t believe that bull shit Shay he can’t change. He is still very much fooling you now and you’re being the fool you’ve always been around him. Maybe it’s still he cheats on you when you’re married bringing girls to your bed that’s when you’d know he’s still the bastard he is.”
“Camy he has changed, he’s not the person you used to know.”
“I tried convincing you not to date him then you ignored me look where it got you. Isn’t all the pain you experienced enough for you?”
I remembered how she tried convincing me but I thought he was in love with me, thought he was my first true love but it was all an act, a game and I regret not paying heed to her advice, I hope I wouldn’t regret it later.
“He wouldn’t hurt me, I wouldn’t allow it,” I said and she sighed.
“Does he know? Did you tell him? are you feeling guilty, is that why you want to get married to him?”
“Gosh Camy let it go. It’s good to know you care about me but I can take care of myself I’m not eighteen anymore. And he doesn’t know and I’m not going to tell him so none of you should and even if I’m feeling guilty that’s not why I want to marry him.” I said getting angry.
“I don’t just want you to get hurt Shay and I know he’s going to hurt you. You might not be eighteen anymore but you’re still the same girl I know. I hope he wouldn’t ruin you again.”
“Don’t worry he wouldn’t,” I assured her.
“It’s crazy how love can be blind but if he’s what you want I’d support you and I hope you wouldn’t need a shoulder to cry on but I’m still going to be there for you anytime.”
“Thanks, Camy. I love you and I like that you care.” I said hugging her. Finally, we’re done.
” I love you Shay and I just want the best for you which I think would be any guy other than Kel but if he’s what you want I’d stand by you.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t regret it.” I proudly stated. If only she knows I hated him more than she does. I’d be stupid to fall in love with him again. He might have hurt me once but that’s the only shot he’s having at my heart. I wouldn’t allow him to hurt me again.
“Shayan I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Kel said smiling putting his hands around my waist, it was a habit of his before I wonder if he hasn’t gotten over it or he’s just doing it to fool people.
He should better try his best to fool Camy because if he doesn’t then our conversation is far from ending.
“Oh, Camy it’s nice to see you again.” Blatant liar, I’m sure she doesn’t feel the same way.
Kel knows Camy because at the time we were dating she was living with us and has always hated him and never hid it.
“It’s Camila to you Kelvin. What’s your plan with her this time?”
“There’s no plan involved Camila, I love Shayan,” he said smiling.
“Yeah right, you said the exact thing five years ago and we all saw what you did. I don’t trust you and Shayan deserves better than this but if she’s stupid not to realise it I’m not. If you dare hurt her Kelvin I’d hurt you in the worst way possible.” she threatened.
“I see that you haven’t lost your touch. I’d love to stay and chit chat but I have important people to meet,” he said and I glared at him. Doesn’t he know that he’s supposed to convince her and make her like him?
“You arrogant bastard.” Camy wasted no time in slapping him. She doesn’t let the smallest thing pass her by and she’s quick with her fingers.
The sound of the slap and the redness of his face was enough to know that it was painful and he was angry.
He moved dangerously to her and I didn’t want him to do anything rash and so I pulled him back and he let out a sigh rubbing my hand.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said that but it doesn’t demand a slap.” Kel calmly said. I know he can’t apologize but this is the closest anyone will get.
“Everything that comes out of your mouth demands a slap Kelvin.” she angrily said. It felt good to see her treating him how I wanted to.
“I don’t know why you hate me so much but we have to live in harmony since we’d be in-laws.”
“Not all in-laws live in harmony Kelvin and I hate you because you hurt Shayan and you’re still deceiving her with your empty promises.”
“I’m not deceiving her Camilla, I mean every single thing I say to her,” he said.
“Maybe I hurt her then but I wouldn’t now. We’ve talked about everything, we’ve forgiven each other and moved on. Our love is stronger now. I love her more than I used to.”
This line could trip any girl, not me. I wanted to laugh, he’s not even admitting to hurting me. Maybe I hurt her? Hurt is an understatement. We don’t even talk and haven’t raised the issue and I haven’t and wouldn’t forgive him and the only thing that is stronger now is my hatred.
Camilla looked from me to Kel and sighed. She was probably getting tired of our soap opera.
“I don’t know what I’d do to convince you that I love her because I do. I’m not the guy you used to know, she changed me.”
He’s not the guy I used to know, he’s a monster. Some people change for good, his is for worse.
“I hope so because I’d change you permanently.” she threatened and he laughed.
“Don’t worry, I get the message. I won’t hurt her,” he said and Camy muttered good.
“I’d see you at the wedding then, we’d mail you the invitation.” He said.
We said our byes and he took my hand and when no one was in sight he let go of it. He makes a good actor. I’m learning from him with the way I profess my “undying love” for him. If I knew I could act I’d have taken it up as a profession because fooling Camilla is not easy. If only she knows how much I hated him more than I did before. I so wanted to tell her but I couldn’t breach the contract. Maybe revenge doesn’t sound so bad. He’d have to experience every single pain he made me feel, every tear he made me shed. I have to make him know I’m not who he used to know, I’m tough now and can’t be used by anyone. We may get to fool the world that we’re in love but I’d never make that mistake. I loved him once and that’s enough. My hatred for him can’t change it. The little amount of time that I’ve spent with him made me hate him more. He’s nothing more than an arrogant man, a disgusting cheat and liar that doesn’t respect people most especially their feelings. Maybe it’s time someone taught him a lesson.