Ah Amal...lol if only I knew the answer as to how. When I first posted, I was 2 months and 12 days coming off of a break up from an online relationship that retrospect tells me time and time again was with a girl who was absolutely toxic. 8 months after the fact, I still feel a pang or two for her.

The best I can offer is to remind yourself that everything happens for a reason, and that while he may be your first love, the end of that does not mean love is gone for you. Our first love is usually incredibly intense, and the loss of that hurts. But time does heal...slowly, sometimes painfully so, but it does heal. You have to, as hard as it is and as abstract as the advice I'm offering is, try to simply let what you had for Yousef go. I know how much easier said than done that is, but that is usually what it takes. I am sorry I cannot offer more concrete advice for you.

On the flip side, I am happy to hear there's a chance with you and Hussain. I think the largest difference between rebound feelings and genuine ones is time...genuine endures, while rebound fades. Of course, the catch to that is that the ability to discern between the two requires you to be in a sort of "neutral" state...still feeling attached to Yousef might feed what you feel towards Hussain with Hussain serving as a sort of surrogate for Yousef. That is, of course, only a possibility. I only cover it to try to cover all the possible bases.

Lastly, and only to clarify, Mama wasn't, I don't think, insinuating that you were in love only to fit in. I think she was more concerned that you might want that completeness to the point of potentially rushing. Not judging at all there, and again, only covering all angles (lol I can't judge you on that, even if I tried...God knows, that's one of my largest faults. I'm guilty of that time and time again ). I think her point was to say not to focus on it so much (which everyone does, I believe...ultimately, everyone wants that "completeness" almost more than anything on this earth) that you might miss out on what life may offer.

I hope I was of some help, and I hope I didn't insinuate anything I wasn't trying to. I always try to hit every possible perspective in matters like this.

If I can do anything for you, don't hesitate for a second to PM me. I'll respond as soon as I can.

Hugs, and all my best,
Harley

PS: Thank you for the translation. I love picking up bits of foreign languages like that.