BROKEN

Wendy's

"What about us?" I asked.

"I know that I haven't been the best boyfriend to you, correct?"

"Ummm.."

"You can be honest with me, Warsan."

"Okay, yeah.." I admitted.

"I understand that this long distance thing is hard on both of us. Everything about my life has changed and I'm having trouble adjusting. I'll try my best but I can't promise you that I will always be a hundred percent present." Was he really complaining about his life being changed? He could come back tomorrow and the life he left behind would still be there untouched. But I on the other hand, did not have that luxury.

"So what are you saying?" I asked, hoping that he would just get straight to the point.

"I'm saying that the ball is in your field. If you want to take a break, we can. But that isn't what I want. I'm just putting that option on the table in case it is what you want or in case you can't quite handle this whole situation. We can always get back together when you come here and I would still keep in touch all the time."

"Do you want to break up?" I asked.

"No, not at all. I'm just giving you the option. The last thing I want is to break up with you. And if you decide you want to take a break, I have one request for you."

"What is it?" I asked.

"I don't want you with anybody else."

"I don't understand. So if I decide to take a break, I can't move on?" I asked.

"I mean, technically you can. But that wouldn't really be a break, that would be us breaking up. If you moved on I don't know what I would do. I really do love you and.."

"And what, Fuad?" I asked.

"I'm afraid that if I keep acting the way that I do, I'm going to lose you forever."

"You're not going to lose me and I don't want to take a break." I said.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm positive. I would rather work on this with you than to just give up and move on."

"Me too, Warsan. I'm really glad that you feel that way. Anyway, we have a whole night to talk so tell me everything that I've missed out on."

"Everything?" I asked.

"Everything." he said. "Don't leave out a single detail."

"Well my dad came back." I started.

"Ooh how did that go?" he asked.

"He came back with my grandmother and another wife and her three kids. My mother left him and now we're living with my Aunt Nadira in her apartment. Also, I found out that I was adopted." He paused for a few moments.

"You're kidding me." he finally said.

"I wish I was." I sighed.

"Warsan, I'm so sorry."

"For what?"

"For everything. For not being there for you."

"Well you're here now." I said. I continued and told him everything that had happened and he listened patiently and quietly.

"Wow...how are holding up? How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Honestly, I don't feel anything. Everything has yet to hit me..I just feel kind of numb."

"I don't know how I would have handled that. And to think that I've been over here complaining about my problems. I didn't even think to ask what was going on with you, Warsan. I can't believe how disconnected I have been from you. You were silently going through all of this alone. I'm really sorry Warsan."