Date: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 09:44:03 +0000
From: F M <cb_45@hotmail.com>
Subject: Now and Then - Chapter 3

**************

Disclaimer: If you are not yet 18 years of age or if it is illegal to read
materials of this kind where you live, then please stop now. This story
contains descriptions of sexual activity between male adults. The acts are
consensual and are the result of their love for one another.

All copy rights reserved.  The author retains all rights.  No reproductions
or links to other sites are allowed without the author's consent.  The
author gives Nifty Archives permission to add to their site.

****************

Thanks to all readers who took their time in writing back. Your comments and
continuous request to complete the story had been a driving force. I do
apologize for this inexcusable delay but things had been evolving fast that
gave me no time to write.

I would like to dedicate this chapter and the final coming chapters to the
one and only S-----, for you are one hell of a great guy that I am honored
to have come to know.

*******************
Waking up is an unconscious ritual for me, just like going to sleep, being a
light sleeper I imagine myself gently sinking in a dark blue ocean, silence
surrounds me and the soothing feel of water takes me to dreamland, the same
in waking up, it always had been a similar ritual but this time gently
floating and submerging to the light. I slowly opened my eyes, bracing for
the assault of light but none came, instead a gentle soft grey hue that was
filtering through the closed curtains.

Against my back I could feel the warmth that was emitting from the body of
Terry, my lover, and I could feel the nudge of something else, it never
failed to bring a smile to me when I wake up cuddled so close.

I gently move trying not wake him and head to the bathroom, Mother Nature
when she calls one must comply. Looking into the mirror I see my face, not
bad, lines of age have crept but still I can say that I am acceptable, at
least by Terry. I splash some water on my face and think about shaving but
decide against that, not for now, well after all the shaving kit is back at
the hotel and besides I have other important tasks to see to. I open the
cabinet and there I find two new toothbrushes and tooth paste. A pack of
disposable razors and shaving cream. Well trust Ahmed to equip his house
with such things for unprepared guests staying over night, always the
organizer. I brush my teeth and head back to bed. Hate the morning stale
mouth taste and bad breath that comes along with it.

Terry had moved in his sleep and he is lying on the other side of the bed, I
gently get into the bed and hug him to me. I nuzzle my face in the back of
his neck, inhale deeply filling my lungs with his scent. I let my hand move
to his front and gently run on his chest, I tweak a nipple and hear a moan.
My hand moves down his chest and belly and lay at rest in his pubes. I let
my fingers play there a bit and move it downwards to hold his erect cock,
the foreskin had retracted and the round head peeking out, glistening with
moisture. I let my finger circle the head, a moan escapes from him and he
presses himself into me. Already my cock is hard as a rock and pointing out
like an arrow, I place it between his butt cheeks and continue to play with
his cock. I nuzzle his neck and gently bite his ear lobe. I hear an in take
of breath and a slight moan. Terry turns around and looks at me. He smiles
and takes me into his arms. We share a bear hug and tightly press our bodies
to each other. Our lips meet and join in a deep kiss with tongues entwining.

We part only for a moment to smile into each others face and say good
morning and quickly our lips join. I let my hands roam on his back feeling
my way down to his ass cheeks. Cupping them and gently squeezing while he
presses himself closer to me. In a quick move I pin him under me and climb
over his massive body, our lips meet in another deep breath taking kiss,
taking leave of his lips I kiss his cheeks and chin with small rapid kisses
and move to his earlobe nip it with a playful bite, something he enjoys my
doing to him, I kiss and lick the back of his eras, he moans again and
again.

My hands move of their own accord down to his chest, playing with both
nipples, caressing with the tips with my fingers, I kiss his collarbone and
move my mouth to suck on one nipple, playfully running my tongue over its
tip, I gently bite one while my other hand still running on the tip of his
other nipple. Terry moans and his body moves underneath me, my grip is
strong and continue to keep him pinned under me, moving my mouth to his
other nipple I suck and nib at it eliciting more moans. I take my leave and
slide down his body kissing the hollow between his breast and down licking
and kissing his navel and abdomen.

I take his erect cock in my hand and gently move up and down its length,
running the tip of my fingers on its head. It is hard as rock, I take the
head in my mouth and run my tongue on its tip and teasing it. I open my
mouth in one sudden movement and take half of his length; a deep loud moan
escapes Terry from the unexpected move. I tighten my lips and try to take it
deeper all the while my tongue is playfully caressing its length. This
drives Terry wild his fingers digging deeply in my hair. I hear him say
"Please .. Please" I know what he means and am I ready for him.

I take leave of his cock and move further down, taking each ball at a time
sucking, they retract into their sack, I feel him coming close. I move
further down parting his legs where I plant butterfly kisses on the inside
of his thighs and then move to the ridge between his balls and hole, I lick
and kiss for a while and take my leave to his waiting hole, with trembling
fingers I open his hole a bit and blow gently this makes his hole quiver and
I let my tongue slither in, my tongue like a snake lick his insides, Terry
tastes good, always clean. I tease him about this telling him that he is so
horny that he keeps himself always prepared for emergency fucks.

I wet a finger and gently insert into his hole, his ass lips tighten on my
finger from my invasion. I gently move it, his muscles relax and my finger
goes in deeper , I  add another finger and his ass muscles open up and my
fingers move freely in and out. Terry's moans become more intense and he
keeps on repeating "Please...Please... Now". All, this while my free hand
roaming his chest and playing with his nipples.

I pull back and I look into his eyes, they are glazed with lust, unseeing. I
pull his legs up and he lifts them over my shoulder, my cock is rock hard
and aching for release too. I move closer and direct the head of my cock at
his opening and push gently. A gasp escapes his lips. I move in just the
head and stay like that for a few minutes giving him time to adjust to my
invasion. I feel his muscles relax and push a bit further; I rest again and
then move gently in and out. Terry suddenly opens up and the full length of
my cock is buried deep in side him. He had thrown his head back, taking deep
breaths. I wait for a few seconds, giving him time to adjust and then I
start moving in and out, gently at first. Terry also moves his ass trying to
catch the rhythm, in a short while I am moving in out of him in long
strokes, I pull nearly out and then in again, my movements start catching up
speed. My thrusts get stronger and faster, I burry myself deep in him,
feeling my balls touching his ass and pull back again and move in again,
each time the thrust is stronger and faster, his body heat engulfing my cock
is unbearable driving me crazy with lust. His insides are so hot that I feel
as it I am in the middle of a bonfire. I lean forward buried deep inside him
and we kiss, long deep tongues joining. Our breath come faster and both are
moaning now, we must be heard in the whole neighborhood.

I tell Terry that I can't hold any longer. He screams "Yes ..Oh,  Oh,  Yes...
cum now" I let go of any restrains and feel cum traveling in my balls to my
cock, and in one last strong thrust I burry myself deep inside him wishing I
could go deeper. My moans are louder now and only matched by Terry. In one
shudder that over takes my body I come deep inside him while his cock
twitches and his cum gushes out of him, it hits his face and chest. I
continue to shiver and thrust harder as I am still hard like a rock, I can
my feel cum coming out of his hole with each movement.

I collapse on his chest, trying to catch my breath, Terry's arms go around
me, holding me tight, while both try to catch our breath, me still buried
inside him and twitching and his legs tightly around me keeping in place.

I don't know how long but finally our breath gets back to normal and I slip
out of him, his legs relax their hold on me and I collapse on my back next
to him, I slowly turn around and look into his face. I smile without being
able to utter a word. He smiles too and rolls over me. I lick his cum from
his face. I love his taste and kiss him making him taste his own cum. We
part and look into each others eyes, a laugh escapes both our lips and the
only words that I can utter were "OOOHHHHH  ... that was something" He hugs
me to him and kisses my face and then rest his head on my chest.  In this
position we both doze off.

***********************
I entered the kitchen, started the coffee and headed to the first floor to
take a shower, on the way I took off my running shoes and sweaty T-Shirt. I
hadn't slept well last night. Tossing and turning. Visited by bad dreams;
leaving me covered with sweat despite the air conditioning. The last time I
looked at the alarm clock by the bed it was five thirty and I guess it was
the last time I fell into sleep. The next time I woke up it was seven.

I had pulled the bed sheets and flung them away and jumped into a pair of
shorts and T-Shirt. I put on my running shoes, left the house and headed to
the beach. It was already hot and I can imagine it is going to be another
hot day. I ran on the beach trying to relax my body and relieve it of the
tension of last night's dreams. I ran and ran trying to push the demons away
but to no avail.

I stood under the shower and thoughts of Ali and Terry came to mind, I can
imagine them now cuddled together. What would they think of me if they knew?
How would Ali react? I leaned against the shower tiles. I can still feel the
taste of his lips. I miss him terribly; last night was the first time we
meet in three weeks. His business forces him to be half of the month way.
Even so far I am excited, longing to hold him close, feel his skin against
mine. It's been a while since we got together.

I let my hand wonder down to hold my erect cock; I move my hand up and down
its length. My other hand moves across my chest and play with my nipples.
Imagining it is his hands not mine moving all over my body. I can feel his
body pressed to mine, My hands moving all over his chest. I run my fingers
into the carpet of hair that covers his chest.  I feel his cock pressed hard
against me. This sends shivers through my body. I imagine my hand going down
to hold it in my palm; I squeeze it and feel it pulse. The heat emitting
from it is like burning fire, burning my palm. I turn around and press
myself against the tiles. His hands roam my back and rest on my ass. I feel
him press a finger against my hole. I press back and his finger enters my
hole, making small circular movements. I don't need to be readied for I am
already ready for him. His finger exists and only for a brief moment I feel
the emptiness it leaves behind as the head of his cock touches my opening. I
press against it and feel it slide in. He presses all the way in. I take a
deep breath and relax my muscles. Feeling his hot rod deeply embedded in me.
  A burning sensation fills my insides. No matter how many times we had
fucked he never fails to bring out such sensations even now in my fantasy.
He moves against me and his cock slides in and out. His movements go faster
and faster, I am on the edge, getting closer, I continue to imagine him
filling me and pounding me with his cock. A moan escapes me as I reach the
point of no return, my cum hitting the shower curtain and spilling in the
tub. My legs go weak and I press myself against the tiles for support... damn
now I have to clean up.

I finish my shower and clean the bath tub. Wrapping a towel around my waist,
barefoot I head back to the kitchen. I find Ali in his under ware filling a
mug with coffee. He turns around and says good morning. I feel a bit
embarrassed being naked and with only a towel around my waist. I blush. He
laughs and gives me a wink. He turns around and reaches for another mug and
starts filling it for me too and hands it to me. He touches my cheek with
his free hand "My, My we do blush. Come on this is not the first time I see
you like that, but have to admit that you have toned up from the last time I
saw you"

"Well, I have been trying to take care of myself; after all we are not
getting any younger"

"I guess you have many sheiks chasing you? "

"No, no sheiks, what do you think you slut; the sheiks have nothing better
to do than chase old guys like me, they have their own harems of smooth cute
young boys to keep them entertained; Terry still asleep?"

"No I woke him up as I was leaving the room, I guess by now he is finishing
his shower"

`You really do love him, don't you?"

"Yes, more than I imagined that I would"

"You sure he loves you and treats you well?"

"Why are you asking, of course other wise I would not have brought him to
meet you, jealous!"

"No, no. I wish you both be happy"

"Ahmad; what's wrong, you look so concerned what's on your mind"

"Nothing ... nothing, was just wondering that is all."

At that moment Terry walks over to us carrying a mug in one hand and the
coffee pot in the other.

"Good morning gentlemen" he says this as he leans down to kiss Ali. As Terry
turns around to take his seat Ali playfully swats his butt.

"Ok, what are your plans for today?" I ask

"Well, we thought of going back to the hotel, change our cloths and go down
town for some site seeing which we hadn't had the chance to do yet"

"May I suggest something, I will take you to the hotel and you go collect
your stuff and check-out, we return here drop everything. I can give you a
lift and you return here whenever you finish. I have an appointment to meet
someone and will be back I guess by four"

"Sounds good, what do you say Terry? We can go around the city and then
return here by noon and rest and plan the rest of the day?"

"As you both wish but Ahmed we don't want to impose on you. I still feel it
would be better to stay in the hotel. We will be in the way"

"Enough said, Terry, the answer is no. I will not accept that. You both are
staying here with me until you get settled and that is final no more
discussions"

****************************
We all finish our coffee and get dressed. I pull my car out of the garage
and we all head to the hotel. As they go up to their room I take advantage
and make a call.

"Hello"

"Good morning love"

"Good morning to you too, I miss you"

`Me too"

"Why don't you come over, I am at home and have no plans for the day"

"I am glad to hear that. I am now at the hotel with Ali and Terry, they are
checking out and then we are all heading back to my place to drop their
stuff their and after that taking them to the city"

`So you are busy"

"No, no. I will only drive them there. I already told them that I have an
appointment until four and will meet them later at my place. I already had
given Ali a set of keys so that they can feel free"

"That's great; then you are coming over?"

"Yes, do you think I wouldn't? I missed you so much. I wish we can always be
together"

"Yes. Me too. Do you think you can make it within the hour?"

"I guess so. If no traffic, less than that"

"Ok Then I will see you in an hour"

"Bye, I love you"

"Bye"

***********************

"I Love You. Are we in love?" I heard Ali behind me. I jumped startled.

"What?"

"I heard that, don't deny it, Ahmed! Who is the lucky guy?" he looked at me
with amused smile and arched brows.

I did not know what to say. I wanted to tell him everything but the stakes
of losing him forever are high. I have been lying to him all this time while
he had been very honest with me. What am I supposed to say!!

"No one; just a guy I had come to know. Nothing special about him"

"You can say that but your face and eyes say something else. Anyway, I will
not interfere you are free to tell me or not" hurt and disappointment was
clear in his tone despite the smile.

No more was said as Terry approached and their luggage was being carried
over to the waiting car. We headed to the house and they took their
suitcases to their room. I dropped them as close to the city center as
possible. I was in a hurry to leave them.

***********************

"Terry, isn't Ahmed acting a bit strange?"

"A bit, well that is what I call an understatement"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean he started acting like that after you mentioned what happened to
you. When I left you and entered the kitchen last night I saw him leaning
against the sink and looked pale. His hands were shaking a bit. I thought at
the time it might be what you had told us, but that isn't the reason why.
Maybe it has something to do with it I don't know"

"What makes you say that?"

"After you went to sleep. I got out of bed and was about to open the
curtains when I noticed Ahmed opening the gate and there was a new Mercedes
there. A man came out of it and Ahmed hugged the guy. Later they headed to
the beach and he seemed to be talking to the guy and waving his hand in the
direction of the house and later they parted but not before sharing a kiss"

"So Ahmed is meeting his secret lover? That doesn't make it strange, does
it? But I guess you are right, at the hotel he was on the phone and telling
someone at the other end "I Love You" when I said who that is? He jumped.
Seeing me he went pale"

"Are you sure of Ahmed?"

"Yes, "

"I don't know love? But something inside tells me it is not all Ok"

I looked at Terry; he looked deeply concerned and worried. I wondered if
contacting Ahmed was the right thing to do. It was the right thing to do.
Ahmad will never hurt me or lie to me. I will never believe that. We come a
long way.

"Terry; lets forget about Ahmed now. Let's enjoy the place. Later I will try
to talk to him and see what is wrong that if there is anything wrong".

I let the subject go at that and we continued our walk.

***************************
The automatic garage door opened immediately as I reached the house. I drove
my car and parked it next to his car. The garage can easily take four cars
parked next to each other. I got out of the car, knowing my way; I almost
ran into the house and immediately headed to the living room where I knew he
will be waiting.

He was sitting on the side of the couch opposite the TV it was turned to
CNN. He looked at me smiling. "You did rush. It didn't take you long to
come"

"Aren't you glad I did? I was lucky, almost no traffic"

"Oh, yes, Friday prayer. You know I am. Come here and give me a hug."

I move into his open arms and make sure I avoid his injured leg. His arms
surround me and press me to him. The sensation is overwhelming. For years
now we had been lovers and still I feel all my restrains vanish when I am in
his arms. I press myself to him and burry my head in the hollow of his neck.
Feeling his body heat through his shirt, his musk is manly and intoxicating.
I feel the brush of his lips on top of my head and all my fears vanish into
thin air.

I raise my head and look into his eyes, hazel with traces of green radiating
a feeling of self confidence and yet great gentleness, a mixture I found as
very reassuring and intimidating at times. I slowly move my face closer and
with quivering lips I touch his; lightly kissing his lips. Once, twice,
three times. I press my lips to his in a deeper kiss and his mouth opens and
my tongue slides in, tasting him. I slide my body into a more comfortable
position and let my hands move on over his chest. My fingers move to open
the first button of his shirt and the second. I slide my face down to kiss
the hollow of his neck. More buttons are opened; I part his shirt to reveal
his hair matted chest. I run my hands on his chest feeling the hairs. I
nuzzle my face in his chest. My hands go slide to touch his breast, I
squeeze them and let my fingers tease his nipples. I move my mouth and suck
on one enjoying the gasp that escapes his lips. I let my tongue play with
its tip in circular motions while my free hand plays with his other nipple
squeezing. I switch giving it the same treatment. I can feel him very
aroused; the bulge in his trousers must be getting very uncomfortable. I
slide one hand down to touch his bulge through the fabric of his trousers, I
squeeze a little. "Stop what you are doing or you will ruin your prize" he
laughs. His tone betrays his arousal. I reach for his belt and unbuckle it
and my fingers move of their own accord to slide down his fly. I slid my
hand into the opening feeling his rock hard cock through his pants, I
continue to squeeze and play teasingly with it. I can see a wet sport
forming there.

"Enough, my love lets go to bedroom and get more comfortable"

"Yes; let's go. I can't wait anymore. I need you badly"

I pull my self up and extend a hand to help him stand. His bad leg always
gave him trouble after being seated for a long time. We stand there and hug
and kiss for a while and then head to the bedroom. His house is a one floor
house. He modified it to meet his needs. We walk along the corridor and
reach his bedroom. The house is smaller than mine with only two bedrooms. He
is more a recluse than an out-going person. Only a handful of people are
occasionally invited to his home. All social activities are conducted away
from it.

We enter the bedroom and head towards the bed. The curtains are open and the
only view is the Gulf. He sits on the edge of the bed. I kneel in front of
him and take him in my arms. We kiss for a few minutes. I lean back and look
him in the eyes. They are filled with love and desire. I move to his belt
and unbuckle it and then open the top button of his trousers. I run my hands
along the bulge. His cock is hard. I unzip his fly and he lifts himself his
arms supporting his body. I pull his trousers and along with his pants
His cock smacks against his stomach. He leans back on his haunches and with
that his cock stands straight and proud, I continue to remove his trousers
gently as not cause him any discomfort. I then proceed to unbuckle the
straps holding his artificial leg in place. Gently I remove the limb and
kiss the stump. The injury he had, forced the doctors to remove it from the
knee, leaving him with just one third of his thigh.

I take his trousers and neatly fold them on the back of a chair by the
window; I return and pick up his shirt which I had shed while kissing and
place it on top of his trousers, before I head back I remove my shirt and
the rest of my cloths and drop them on top of his. I move towards, he had
pulled himself on the bed. I climb on the bed and place my arms on each side
of his arms, immobilizing him in his place. I lean into him and place my
lips against his and immediately we are engaged in passionate kissing, I
press my lips harder against his. Feeling his teeth against mine.

I take leave of his mouth and start  kissing his chest, and move towards his
breast. I part the hairs surrounding his nipple and start playfully running
my tongue over its tip and then suck on it. I suck like a child feeding from
his mothers nipples. His nipple get had and erect like a small cock. I move
to the other one and do the same. His hand running in my hair and pulling my
head closer crushing my nose into his chest. I leave his nipple and move my
head downwards. Kissing his navel and enjoying the feel of his fine carpet
of hair that covers his entire chest. He is hairy from neck down to his
toes. A few hairs at times show from his shirt collar.

I travel down his body and bury my face in his groin, his cock is like a
rock and standing hot touching my cheek as I kiss and lick his pubes. I
finally take it in my hand and gently run up and down its length. I kiss and
lick its base and slowly move upwards to its head. His body moves under me.
I can hear his groans of pleasure. I move and turn without breaking the
connection with his cock. I place my legs on each side of his head. He takes
my cock in his hands and his tongue licks it length. Suddenly my cock is
surrounded by moist and hot lips. He licks and sucks and with each movement
he takes more of me into his mouth.

We move in small movements until we are both positioned in a perfect
position both out mouths filled with each others cock. We continue to suck
and I feel a finger moving in circles around my hole. My hole relaxes and
his finger moves into me, bit by bit the finger goes deeper and finally I
can feel two.

I pull myself from his cock and position my legs around his groin, taking
his cock into my hand and guiding it to my hole. I want him bad. His cock is
lubed and slick with my saliva. I move back wards and the head of his cock
presses in. I rest for a minute to adjust, the head is in. I want it all and
in one move I take half of it, the pain from the sudden entry is only
momentarily and I relax my muscles. I am used to him but two weeks is a long
time. I take the rest and feel the hairs of his pubes against my ass. I
remain motionless and relish the feel on him in me.

I support my self on his chest and let my hands reach for each of his
nipples. As I move up and down his length my fingers play with his nipples
and squeeze then drawing moans. His face is tense and sweaty from his
attempts to control himself as I ride his weapon. I move faster, lifting
myself until only the head is in and then move down. My movements gain speed
and both are now panting and moaning. Both want this to last and trying to
hold ourselves. I can't hold it any longer and let go. My cum fly in the air
only to hit headboard, his face and lips, the last spurts falling on his
chest making pools of cum. I feel him shudder and his groan is high pitched.
I feel him shooting his cum inside me, filling me and drenching my insides.
The sounds of wet movement can be heard. His cock continues to twitch and
move in and out of my hole and I can feel his cum running out of my ass.

I lay flat on his body which is still entrapped between my legs. His arms
are loosely around me and my face buried in his neck, we both are panting
and trying to regain our breath. Minutes pass by and after a while I can
feel the chill. I lift myself and pull the covers. I lay there in his arms.
We are both silent and can hear only the hum of the air conditioning unit.
We slept like that both holding each other.

"Ahmed .. Ahmed .. wake cup" I heard him say, I opened my eyes to find him
standing there fully dressed and can see from his wet hair that he even
taken showered. I turn around on my back and look up at him, he is a site,
whether dressed or undressed. I smile and throw away the covers, I go to him
hug him to myself and kiss his lips. He says nothing but smiles yet
underneath his smile there lurks seriousness. I head to the bathroom and
turn on the shower. I finish as quickly as possible and get dressed without
drying my hair.

I find him in the living room standing by the window and a cup of fresh
coffee. The smell fills the room. I am a tea man so I head to the kitchen
and prepare one, dropping the tea bag in a mug and using the remains of the
boiled water he had used.

I head back and find him still standing there staring out of the window, he
turns and I see a serious look on his face. No smile.

"Ahmed , we need to talk"

"About what?"

"Ali! You ... me!"

"What about Ali?"

"I think it is time for us to meet"

"What?"

"You heard me."

"But .."

"No, buts.. He needs to know. It is only right to have everything out. It
would be for your own good too"

"My own good!, you must be crazy. Ali will hate me."

"Why?"

"Because I lied to him, I kept your identity from him; because I never told
him the full story. That is why?"

"That is a chance you have to take. Remember I told long time ago to try to
communicate with him and tell the truth but you refused. Is it important for
you that he should not hate you or is it important for you to tell him the
truth and put him out of his misery?"

"I can't?"
"Yes, you can and you must. He deserves that from you. You will have to take
the risk of losing him forever or might even win him forever"

I stared at him not believing what he just said. Yes, he asked me to tell
Ali the truth but I refused. I couldn't do that. I would have lost him, I
would have lost both. I can't justify for Ali that I had kept all this to
myself. The truth is that all these years I had kept the knowledge to me was
for the fear that I might have lost both. I am sure they both loved each
other without hinting that this was the fact. I can't afford to lose both,
not now.

"No I can't. There is no way that I could face Ali"

"Yes there is. I will tell him"

"Oh, no you don't"

"Yes and tonight"

"No .. No and No"

He looked at me with blazing eyes. Shivers ran down my spine. In all the
years we had been together I only saw him like that once. Only once and that
was enough. "Tonight we shall all have diner at your house. Tell them that
you are a having a guest you want them to meet. I will come over. I will
tell Ali it was me who had prevented you from telling the truth"

With unbelieving eyes I looked at him. What is he hinting at? "Why are you
doing this? Tell me. Why the sudden necessity that all must be revealed and
tonight out of all nights."

"Because you of all people must put your heart at rest. You fool. Do you
think that I am such an idiot and insensitive that I wouldn't know that you
love Ali more than anything in the world."

"I love you" I screamed.

"Yes, you do but you love him more"

"No.."

"Stop denying it... when you came back there you screamed his name. Damn you.
Stop fooling yourself"

"No I didn't"

"Yes you did. Over and over. Admit that you love him"

`No, I don't"

"Yes you do. Damn it. Don't lie to me. You do and you know it"

"Yes, Yes I do love him, but.." The tea cup fell from my hands and it
shattered on the floor, the silence that followed was so thick you could
actually cut through it with a knife. He had turned his back to me and I
stood there tearful and dumbfounded unable to utter a word.

He turned around again and with a calm voice "It must be tonight, Ahmed. I
ask you to agree. Have I asked you before for anything?"

"No"

"Then do me this favor"

"Favor, this is not a favor. This is more like asking me to put an end to my
life"

"No, I promise you that it will be a new beginning"

"How could it be. I already know that I have lost you. This is not a nice
new beginning"

"Trust me. It will be and for your own good"

"I don't know.."

"Go home now Ahmed, rest and I will be there at Seven" He walked up to me
and cupped my head in his hands. His smile was back but a sad one. He kissed
my lips and turned me around and guided me to the door. I moved like a
zombie. I had no control just walking towards the door.

How I got home I do not know but suddenly I was there turning the key and
entering the house.

*************************

I informed Ali and Terry that I am expecting a guest and that I wanted them
both to meet. I felt tiered and excused myself and headed to my bedroom. Ali
followed.

"Ahmad, anything wrong? You look so pale!"

"No it must be the heat"

"Alright, go and rest. Try to sleep and I will wake you up in an hour"

I looked at him and thought to myself yes I do love him with all my heart
and sole, but will he ever know?

"Thanks Ali, I appreciate that"

"Is there anything you want me and Terry to prepare or do before your guest
arrives?"

"No ... Nothing just feel at home and enjoy yourselves" with that I left him
and entered my room feeling that I have lost everything.

************************

It was seven and we were all at the patio. The sun was setting and the
evening was showing signs of cooling down a bit.

Ali and Terry were sitting with their backs to the living room, deep in
conversation and planning their life. I saw the car stopping at the gate and
without a word I left them and headed to the gate and let him in. We both
walked to them. Seeing us coming they both stood up and turned around to
greet my guest.

I fell a step behind and let him proceed ahead of me. Terry stood there
smiling and about to extend his hand but Ali just stood there, his mouth
quivering and eyes open wide with all the horror of the world written on his
face that had turned into ash color. It is an expression you see in horror
movies only when confronted by a demon or a ghost. You can only hear the
faint words he was repeating "No, no  ... it can't be. Impossible  ..."

**************************

To be continued....

Only constructive comments are welcome, do not bother if you want to point
out spelling or grammatical errors.

cb_45@hotmail.com