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"This is a very bad idea," Karim muttered as they got off the plane at Dubai.
Isco pushed him aside and ran down the stairs beside the plane, overcome with hope and excitement, "You are too much of a pessimist, Karim Parim."
Karim heaved a sigh and followed him downstairs. This morning while he had still been staring at his ceiling, overcome with what ifs and guilt at the thought of possibly losing the only woman he would ever admire, he had been rudely pulled off his bed by Isco and Jese. They had proceeded to dump a few of his clothes into an airbag and he had actually been ordered to dress up because Isco was adamant they follow Arbeloa's advice and go see Shaheen in Dubai.
Karim wished he could feel hopeful or excited but a flight with an over-excited Isco and a pitying Jese hadn't been a fun trip. He just knew Shaheen wasn't going to forgive him. She didn't like him as he liked her. She didn't need him as he needed her. She was perfect, why would she go through the pain of forgiving him after he had hurt her like that?
He knew the meeting was going to be ugly. He wished Isco hadn't employed a private detective to find her address. How was he supposed to explain that to her?
Hey, Shaheen, I am sorry for insulting you by standing you up on our first meeting. I was selfish and blinded by jealousy. Yes, I was jealous of my best friend and your idol. Why? Because you like him and I have a huge crush on you. And I am stupid. Also, my friend Isco employed a private detective to hunt up your address. That's how I reached your place. Sorry for that too.
Jese patted his back with encouragement, whispering, "You can do this. She'll understand."
Karim felt he would puke with the nervousness that got set off in him. How was he supposed to talk to her? A short ride and he would be standing outside her house. I can't do this.
"You have to talk to her, Karim," Jese continued as if sensing his unease. "It would be unfair to her if you don't explain and unfair to yourself if you never tell her your feelings."
"She hates me," Karim finally spat. There, now its been said.
Jese was unfazed even though Karim knew he was still very guilty about letting Raphael escape and botch his plans, "She's angry at you and that's very different from hatred but if you don't mend it now, it might grow into that and trust me, you don't want that."
Karim stared at him. He wondered how Jese could speak with such sense and conviction for once. He realized that Jese had some experience in that department and immediately felt bad for never enquiring. To be honest, before Shaheen, he had never actually paid attention to anyone's love lives.
"Let's catch up with Isco, shall we?" Jese pointed at the figure running far ahead of them, already unloading their luggage from the conveyor belts.
The ride to Shaheen's house was uneventful. Isco had a hopeful monologue going all the way as he ranted about his ship Sharim and how it was finally going to sail. He made them stop by a flowershop and himself went to buy a bouquet of red roses so that Karim could fulfil Arbeloa's orders and beg Shaheen for forgiveness.
