Chapter 1.. Coffee

The low sound of chatter was echoing around the place, adding a rhythm to the jazz music that was playing. Ring tones and chat notifications would be heard from one corner to the other.  A guy screaming numbers and calling for customers to pick up their orders. The coffee aroma that would pull anyone who’s passing by, with no intention to have coffee, to come in. And the picture won’t be complete without that girl with the black-framed eyeglasses who sits in the corner almost every evening with a book.

Her head was buried in her book when she heard the noise of high heals knocking on the wooden floor. Without looking up, she knew who it was. 

“Yara! Enough reading” said the newcomer and pulled the book! “Jane Austin? Who’s that? Anyway..”. she placed the book on the table “look at me! Notice something different?” she said while faking an innocent smile.  

“Oh let me guess..you dyed your hair..AGAIN”, said Yara sarcastically without paying much attention. “next time you think of closing a book remember to use this thing” she held up a book mark.

“Hello ladies” said a third voice.

“Nadiaaaaaa, here you are! Save me from your boring friend.” Said Dalal.  

“What’s it about this time?” Said Nadia as she sat down, trying to hold a laugh. 

“Jane Austin” Said Yara. 

“Honestly Nadia do you know who Jane Austin is?” said Dalal with a disgusted look.

“Yes, and I like your hair” Said Nadia.

“Thank you very much” she said and stared at Yara “See?? Now here is someone who appreciates beauty. And she’s getting a free coffee for that” she said as she got up and headed to the counter. 

Nadia: “What’s going on? You only read Jane Austin when you’re down”
Yara: “Nothing.”
Nadia: “You know that you can’t hide anything from your life time best friend. Tell me.”
Yara: “Nothing really. It’s my mum”.
Nadia: “Adventures of Auntie Sajida. What did she do?”
Yara: “She’s been too depressed since my father passed away. She’s not getting any better and she’s letting it out in some very weird ways”.
Nadia: “Like what?”
Yara: “She’s glued infront of the TV and when she finally does speak, she doesn’t make sense!”
Nadia: “Come on. You know her more than that. She was always like that”
Yara: “Yeah but it’s different this time. It’s obvious how weak and useless she’s feeling even though she is trying hard to hide it.”
Nadia: “Don’t you worry about it. She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met and she will find her way just like she always did”
Yara: “I hope so but change the subject. Dalal is coming!”

Dalal: “You won’t believe who just passed by!! Remember Osama?? The hunk in Accounting class?” she said excitedly as she placed the tray on the table.
Yara: “How do you remember those people? It’s been six years since we graduated!”
Dalal: “You stick to your Jane Austin! Nadia, I’m sure you remember him!”
Nadia: “And who can forget Osama. He was the only reason we attended accounting”
Yara: “And the married woman speaks of her old crush” she teased.
Nadia: “He was every girl’s crush!!”
Yara: “I can barely remember his face”
Dalal: “He’s single by the way” 
Nadia: “Single? He got married a long time ago!”
Dalal: “It didn’t last for long” she winked.
Nadia: “Really? I didn’t know he was divorced!”
Yara: “Well, he is and you lost your chance.”
Dalal: “I’m going to search for his twitter tonight”
Yara and Nadia laughed loudly. “Please don’t stalk the guy” said Nadia.

Yara: “Oh before I forget. I might need to go to Paris next month. I need a companion'.
Dalal: “I’m so in” she screamed with extra excitement. 
Yara: “What about work? I thought you ran out of leave days!”
Dalal: “I did. But unpaid leave is always an option” she said with a huge smile.
Yara: “Nadia? Will you come?” 
Nadia: “Why Paris?”
Yara: “Photo shoot. Duh!”
Nadia: “I’d love to. I’ll have to check with my hubby first”
Dalal: “Oh come on. Hubby can survive without you for few days. And he'll be out of town anyway”
Yara: “Yeah, please talk to him. If you let me go alone with Dalool one of us will kill the other”
Dalal: “Definitely!"
Yara: “And you really need a break too. Maybe you’ll get to figure out what to do with your useless life” she teased her.
Nadia: “Just because I quit my job doesn’t make me useless”.
Dalal: “She’s married give her some credit”
Yara: “It’s not enough. You really need to do something before you end up as a Desperate Housewife.”
Nadia: “Ok ok. I’ll talk to him tonight”
Dalal: “Yaaaaaay” she screamed and hugged Nadia
Yara: “Thank you” she smiled.

***

Yara reached home to find her mother sitting in her usual spot, cross-legged on the sofa right infront of the TV. A tray with a floral cup and a thermos was placed on a small table next to her. 

“Did you have dinner?” asked Yara as she passed by. Her mother ignored the question, nothing existed for her except for the Turkish episode that was on TV. “I’m going to Paris” said Yara in a louder tone.
The mother let out a sarcastic laugh but didn’t comment. “Mama, I’m talking.” Said Yara in anger. “And how will you pay for it? With the fortune that your dad left us?” her mother finally answered. “I don’t need your money. I have to keep the studio running. I need good photos to sell!” said Yara. “This useless business of yours will end sooner or later. And the three of us will end up living on the streets!” said the mother. “Where is Tamara? I haven't seen her since yesterday” asked Yara with rising concern. Her mother looked confused for a while, “I haven’t seen her either” she said.

Both ladies started searching around the house looking for Tamara. But her bed was made and nothing in her room showed any sign that she slept in it last night. What made it worse is that her phone was off! They asked the maid but she also said that she hasn’t seen her. “Don’t you have any of her friends phone numbers?” asked Yara. “No!” said the mother. “What kind of a mother are you? You can be careless with me, I’m a grown up. But she’s still in middle school and she needs someone to look after her!” said Yara in frustration. “And you are her big sister! You are responsible for her too!” said her mother in a very dry and criticizing tone. 

Their argument suddenly ended when they heard Yara’s phone ringing in the living room where they both rushed. “IT’S HER” screamed Yara and took the call “WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU??”