Chapter 2, Neighbors

Yara jumped out of her bed, frightened by the sound of hard knocks on her door. She rushed to the door and opened it to find Nadia standing infront of her with two take-out coffee cups in her hand. “Good morning”, said Nadia with a huge smile and handed her a cup. “What are you doing here?”, asked Yara and scratched her messy hair. “I’m bored”, answered Nadia, still holding the cup for Yara. Yara took the cup and turned back to see the clock: “It’s only 10 in the morning!” she took a sip and walked back to bed.

 “How come you’re still asleep? I thought you’d be at the studio but I didn’t see your car there”, said Nadia while walking to Yara's bed and sitting on the other side. “I stayed up late! Mum and her never ending issues!” said Yara while sipping her coffee. “Anything new? I didn’t see her when I came in” asked Nadia concernedly. “Tamara disappeared for two days and she had no idea!” said Yara. “No way!! Did you find her?”, said Nadia in shock. “After going insane? Yes! She was in her friend’s house in Amwaj and she didn’t bother telling us. Of course my mother wouldn’t have noticed if I haven’t” said Yara. “Wow. This is bad. She needs help. She needs to see a shrink.” Said Nadia.  “Try telling her that!” said Yara sarcastically. “Did you talk to her about Paris?” asked Nadia. “Yeah but I don’t think that it’s going to happen. I can’t leave them right now.” Said Yara in a sad tone. “What are you going to do then? You really needed that photoshoot” said Nadia.  “I don’t know. I need to come up with another plan. I’m really running out of photos to sell.” Said Yara. “Get dressed and let’s go somewhere nice, have breakfast & talk about this.” Said Nadia excitedly.  “I can’t! I have to be at the studio and I’m already late.” Said Yara. “What am I going to do then? I have a personal trainer at 2:00 and plenty of free time till then!” said Nadia. “Find yourself a job” said Yara as she got up and headed to the bathroom

**

The front door was locked and the lights were off. Yara took a closer peak through the glass front door to see if Santosh, the Indian guy who helps her in the studio, was there. But the only thing she saw was her reflection. She knocked but there was no answer, and just when she was about to call him he opened the door. “There you are! Why are the lights off?” asked Yara as she walked in. “There is no electricity Madame”, he answered hesitatingly. “Is it the whole block or just us?” she asked casually. “Actually Madame, they cut it off because we didn’t pay the bill yet” he said. Yara bit on her lips: “Oh, I see. You can go then, Santosh. There is nothing that you can do. I will take care of that” she said while trying hard to hide the embarrassment. “Thank you Madame”, he said as he picked up his mobile and keys and left the studio.

Yara took a deep breath, put her hands on her waist and walked to the few photos and paintings that were left on the wall. The wall that was always full of framed pictures that she shot around the world, and her collection of modern/funky paintings that she bought from different countries. She then turned around, walked slowly and sat on her desk. She took off her trademark black-framed glasses, picked up an elastic band and tied her short brown hair in a ponytail. She took an overall look at the studio, it was dark, and the only source of light was the sunrays that were coming through the glass door. That reminded her of the very first day when her father gave her this place to establish her own gallery. It was a grocery store that her grandfather used to own. Once he passed away, her father didn’t have the time nor the will to run it and he ended up closing the business down. Yara’s mother, Sajida, insisted that the place must be sold or rented. But Yara's father, who believed in his daughter’s talent in photography and appreciated her eyes for art, didn’t listen to his wife and gave Yara the place and all the support she needed to start it up. Since then, she had put all her energy and power to make this place a dream come true. She traveled around the world, took pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and The Pyramids, among others. She bought paintings from Camden Market in London and Van Gogh’s postcards collection from MOMA and the Guggenheim in New York. Her passion had no geographical borders and no cultural boundary limits.

But, as they say, good things never last. The death of her father changed everything. Her strong and controlling mother suddenly turned to a depressed and helpless person. That left Yara no choice but to be the caretaker of the family. She had to spend her own money to pay for bills and groceries. What made it even worse are the debts that her father left. They had to spend a major amount of the will to pay off those debts and that was the main reason of her mother’s depression.

Yara’s Tod’s shoes were swinging front and back across each other as her legs were dangling off the desk. She thought of her mother’s usual words. Her only words: “This business of yours will not feed us. Go find yourself a real job”.  But she simply couldn’t let this place die or replace her passion with a job that will lock her up in a cubicle all day. She had to think of another way to save her business and her family.

She rested her hands on the desk and threw her head back. Paris will not happen not just because she has to be around her family, but also because she has to start spending the amount that she saved up for a trip to cover other expenses starting from the electricity bill. She moaned, yawned and stretched both arms up in the air when she suddenly heard the door of the studio open. She turned her head right to find a manly figure by the door. She jumped on her feet and stood still.

“Hello” said the manly figure. “Hi” said Yara in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, bad timing?” he said. “No, not at all! Excuse the darkness, we have a problem with the electricity”, she said, trying to cover up for the funny way he saw her in. “If you like I can call one of my staff to fix it. Oh I’m Fahad by the way” he said as he approached her and shook her hand.

She can now see that manly figure clearly as he approached from the dark.  His broad shoulders were the first thing she noticed the moment he walked in. But now as she’s seeing him closer, she noticed his almost bald head, hazel eyes, hooked nose and goatee. It was still too dark to notice the color of his skin. “I’m Yara.” She said while shaking his hand.

“I’m the owner of the café next door”, explained Fahad. “Oh really? I’ve been a loyal customer since I opened this studio” said Yara. “That’s great to hear. So you own this place?” he asked. “Yup, but how come I’ve never seen you around? I’m between here and there almost everyday!” said Yara. “I’ve been out of town for the past two years. I started the business and got an opportunity to do my MBA abroad at the same time. So I hired a supervisor and left and I just came back last week.” Explained Fahad. “Wow. Congratulations!” said Yara.“Thanks. I was curious to see this place so I thought of passing by” said Fahad. “It’s usually more lively with lights, music, and more photos and paintings of course” she said shyly.

Fahad walked closer to the main wall were all the paintings and pictures were hung. He then paused infront of one big photo in the center of the wall. She noticed how this photo stole his attention from the rest as he stood still, folded his arms and observed it. “Wow” he finally said.“You like her?” she said and smiled. “I love her! She’s my favorite singer. You took this picture yourself?” asked Fahad. “Yeah, that was during her concert here in Bahrain a couple of years ago. I had to beg for a photography permit” she laughed as she remembered. “Impressive! You’re talented.” He admitted. “I think it’s more about her beauty and character and not my talent” she said humbly. “Well all of that is making this photo a piece of art. Is it for sale? I can imagine it hanging in the café and blending perfectly with the theme.” Said Fahad. “Actually it’s more of an exhibited piece. It’s been hanging on this wall since then. But if you like it this much I can always make you an exact framed copy” she offered. “That would be great! Thank you very much” he said. “You’re most welcome”, said Yara. “OK Yara it was a pleasure meeting you but I should be going now. Please pass by for a cup of coffee anytime. We’re neighbors after all” said Fahad while walking out. “I’ll see you around.” Said Yara

**

 Nadia was jogging on the treadmill at the gym when her personal trainer walked up to her: “You’re gaining weight girl!” she said. “I knooooooow” said Nadia while taking her breath. “Lazy!” said the trainer. “I’m not lazy I just don’t have much to do so I end up on my sofa eating junk and watching TV” she explained with a guilty tone. “You’re young. Go out and have fun!” yelled the trainer. “My friends work all day and my husband works in Investment Placement. He’s out of town all week and he’s only here on weekends” she said. “Oh that must be tough. But it’s not an excuse to gain weight. Run faster!” she said as she hit her on the butt and walked away.

Her phone rang at the same time. “Yes Yara” she said gasping for breath. “You know that Majida El-Roumi framed photo that’s been hanging in the studio for a while?” asked Yara. “The one I always make fun of? What’s with it?” asked Nadia. “Someone wants to buy it!” said Yara in excitement. “Oh no, who’s that cheesy person?” asked Nadia. “It’s the owner of the café next door. He was out of town and he passed by today” said Yara. “Is he cute? How old is he?” asked Nadia curiously. “I’m talking about the photo and not the guy! You know me, I didn’t pay attention.” Said Yara. “I know that tone Yara. You checked him out and you’re trying to hide it. TELL ME MORE” screamed Nadia.