Chapter 5, Weekend

There was a time when I thought that my life was perfect. I often wondered, what did I do to deserve all this? Funny how life can suddenly turn upside down. Or maybe it doesn’t, but the way we see it is what changes. I now wonder how I got here, and why am I living this life in a way that I didn’t wish for? This is not how I wanted things to be. This is not how my life was supposed to be. So many dreams I had, so many hopes and goals to reach. I have no clue of how I got here, but all I know is that this is not the life I wished for.

“What are you writing?” said Nadia as she passed by the dining table in her jogging clothes.

“Nothing, just some thoughts”, said Yara as she closed the notebook.

“I’m going for a jog.. see you in a bit” said Nadia as she picked up a bottle of water and left the house.

“Come watch this movie. It’s so romantic”, said Dalal who was sitting comfortably on the couch.

“No thank you. Save the romance for yourself. I’ll go and read by the sea” said Yara.

“Oh no, please don’t tell me it’s Jane Austin again!” said Dalal in an annoyed tone.

“Nope! Malcolm Gladwell. You probably don’t know him as well”, said Yara with raised eyebrows as she picked up her book and mobile and headed outside through the sliding glass door. She faced the sea and took a deep breath when her mobile rang. She couldn’t help smiling when she saw Fahad’s name.

“Hello” she answered cheerfully.

“Hey you, what’s up?” said Fahad.

“Good, how are you?” she said.

“Good good. I was wondering if you’re at the studio right now.” He said.

“No I’m not. Why? You want to pick up your photo? I’m not sure if it’s ready.” she admitted.

“Santosh just called me and said that it’s ready” he said.

“He must’ve picked it up from the framing place today. You can pick it up from him, I’m sure that he’s there now” she said

“But I don’t want to” he said calmly.

“Why not?” she wondered.

“Because I want you to give it to me..”, he said tenderly.

Yara stayed quiet for a few moments, “what difference will it make?” she finally asked.

“All the difference..” he said “it will add a total different meaning to it”..

“You’ll have to wait then” she said teasingly.

“Why is that? You’re not going to the studio today?” he asked.

“Nope. I am in the furthest part of Bahrain right now” she said

“Oh, you’re in Durra?” he asked interested.

“Aha. Facing the beautiful blue sea and under the perfect blue sky right now” she said.

“I’m coming tomorrow actually. Will you be there?” he asked.

“Yeah we are staying for the night. Do you own a house here?” she asked.

“No but my friend Osama does”, he said.

Yara almost laughed and turned her head to Dalal through the glass door. She was too into the movie she was watching. “I don’t either. It’s my friend Nadia’s house.”

“Great. So we’ll probably see you tomorrow?” he asked in a hopeful tone.

“Maybe” she answered teasingly.

Nadia was jogging over the bridge towards the first roundabout with her ipod on. Her long black hair was tied up in a ponytail that was swinging left and right with each step. Just when she made a turn to the right she passed by a guy who was jogging as well. Their paths crossed for a moment but she couldn’t help noticing his masculine figure and handsome face. Her pace slowed down as she remembered her husband Manaf. An average looking guy with an average personality. There was nothing special about him whatsoever. No special talents, no hobbies, and no interests. He was one of the many guys who proposed to Nadia, and as time passed by, this question kept getting louder and louder in her head: Why did I choose him?

Out of the three girls who were friends for life, Nadia was always the one who stood out. She was the most attractive one, the most desired one, and the one with the sweetest personality. Yara always told her that she must’ve swallowed a magnet that keeps pulling guys to her. She was used to being wanted and she got all the attention any girl had wished for. Her family was well off and she grew up in a pampered environment. A BMW was her first car and she was one of the first girls in Bahrain who owned a Birkin. And when it was time for her to answer fate’s call, she let down all the men who were crazy about her and chose the most average one. By that time she had enough of all the love drama and all she wanted was stability. She chose the guy who’d provide her with a secure life, a routine, while maintaining her social status; An IPT officer with huge bonuses and a Porsche. Who’d say no to that?

Nadia felt a sudden pain in the right side of her waist. She took deep breaths and stopped jogging gradually. She drank water out of the bottle that she was carrying but the pain got worse by the minute. She put her hand on her waist and pressed hard on the area of the pain but there was no use. She then started feeling dizzy and lost her balance for a moment. Her phone was in the house, so she had no choice but to sit on the pavement and wait for the pain to go. “Are you ok?” she heard a manly voice asking. She looked back to find the guy that passed by her way few minutes ago: “Not really” she answered. “What can I do for you?” he asked politely. “Do you have a phone?” she asked with a tired face expression. “No, it’s not with me. Do you need a ride to the house?” he asked. “I don’t think that I have another option!” answered Nadia in a desperate need to get back to the house. “Wait right here. I’ll go and get the car” he said as he left running in the opposite direction.

“And this place is finally getting exciting” said Dalal in amazement when Yara told her that Osama owns a house in Durra. Yara couldn’t focus on the book that she was reading by the sea so she walked in and sat with Dalal. “I think that I should walk around with my camera. Might find some nice things to shoot” thought Yara. “Oh, you’re suddenly inspired. I wonder why” teased Dalal. “Don’t be silly. It’s just that debts are increasing and I can’t sit back and relax. I have to try in every way possible” explained Yara. “But that won’t be a permanent solution. Even if you shoot and sell, you will never cover those debts by doing that only.” Said Dalal. “I know! I think that I should start looking for a job” said Yara sadly. Nadia walked in at that moment with her hand pressing on her waist.

“What happened?” asked Yara in concern as she got up and walked to Nadia. “I don’t know. Sudden pain”, said Nadia weakly. “Sit down I’ll get you water” said Yara. “Why didn’t you call us?” asked Dalal. “I didn’t have my phone” said Nadia. “And how did you manage to walk back?” wondered Dalal. “I got a lift” answered Nadia. “A random lift?” asked Yara in confusion. “Aha. A very handsome dude” said Nadia with her head thrown back on the sofa. “No way” said Yara and laughed loudly. “Why don’t I ever jog!!” said Dalal. “OK don’t start making me laugh. I’m in pain”, said Nadia. “I can’t believe that you actually hitchhiked” said Yara still laughing. “I was stupid to tell you that” mumbled Nadia. “Focus girls, who’s the handsome dude?” asked Dalal. “ENOUGH. I was too tired to walk and the guy offered me a 2 minutes ride. I’m married in-case you forgot. End of topic” said Nadia.

**

The ladies were walking to the supermarket the next day when Yara’s phone rang:

“Hey Fahad” answered Yara. “Hey. How are you today?” asked Fahad. “I’m good. Are you here yet?” asked Yara. “Yeah I’m riding around on the bike” answered Fahad. “Oh! We are walking to Al-Osra.” Said Yara. “Great, I’ll meet you there then” said Fahad.

When the girls reached the supermarket, Fahad was standing near the entrance with his bike parked next to him. “Hey ladies. Good to see you”, said Fahad with a wide smile on his face. “Good to see you too” said Dalal. “We’re going to be inside.” Said Nadia and pulled Dalal as she walked in the supermarket. “I’ll catch up with you in a bit” said Yara.

Yara stood shyly infront of Fahad as they were left alone. “I love your dress” said Fahad while looking at Yara’s white summer dress. “Thanks” she said blushing. “Wanna go for a walk?” asked Fahad trying to break the ice. “Sure” said Yara as they both started walking. “How are things? Getting better?” asked Fahad. “Not really. Nothing new” answered Yara. “I’m not going to offer my services just so you won’t get offended.” Teased Fahad. Yara laughed softly. “Why so quiet?” asked Fahad. “I don’t know” answered Yara nervously. Fahad laughed: “You’re so cute” he said. Yara smiled: “Even after all that screaming you find me cute?” she said jokingly. “That screaming didn’t sound genuine coming from you. You didn’t sound like a person who screams all the time. So yeah that was cute in a way too” he said. “I’m just a girl with unsolved problems” she said. “I think that you’re making it harder on yourself. The more you think of it that way the harder it will get to solve them.” He said. “You’re right. It’s just that things never got that bad for me” she explained. “OK. But let’s not talk about that now. Get your mind out of it” he said. “You’re right” she said.

“Tell me. What’s your favorite song for Majida?” he asked curiously. “Take a guess” she said daringly. “Hmm. I don’t think that it’s Kalimat because you don’t seem to be so cliché” he said with his hand brushing his almost bold head. “Aha. You have three guesses so two more to go”, she said with her hands folded on her chest. “You can pass for a classic person. It could be Ana 3am ba7lam. But no. It must be something richer for an art lover” he thought. “Keep going” she said with a smile. “Last guess.” He said, turned around and faced her as he walked backwards. “Come on. It’s not that hard to guess” she said. “By now I’m sure that it’s one of the proper Arabic poem songs. But there are so many of them” he said in confusion. “You’re close” she said teasingly. “Akhraja men me36afihy eljareeda…” he started singing as if a light bulb suddenly turned on.  “CORRECT” Yara screamed. “YESSSSS. So what’s my prize?” he asked expectantly. “I’ll guess your favorite song first and then we’ll think of a prize.” She said. “Deal! Go ahead” he said excited as he walked next to her. She stared at him with a smile, trying to figure out the song. “Definitely not a poem song” she said. “Aha” he affirmed with a huge smile. “You seem to be a hyper person and a bit insane” she thought. Fahad laughed loudly: “What an impression” he said. “That can make you a big fan of the classics.” She said. “Maybe..” he said as he raised his shoulders. “Actually it can be a song from her latest album” she changed her mind. “You still haven’t made any guess. Just name three songs and stop analyzing me” he said. “Ahh, it’s too hard to tell and you’re not helping. I give up.” She said. “You were close. There is a song in her latest album called Bel alb khaleeny” he said. “See? I was TOO close” she interrupted. “But you didn’t have the guts to say it!” he teased. “But COME ON. Seriously. This is your favorite song?” she wondered. “I like it” he said shyly. Yara laughed: “It is nice. But not for a guy!” she admitted. “Then wait till you hear my favorite classic” he said. “Oh no. Shoot” she said. “Le2anak 3enayaaaa 3enayaaaa” he sang in a funny voice. Yara laughed so loud that she stopped walking and stood where she was. “I’m honest” he said proudly. “OK. You win.” She said. “What’s my prize?” he asked again. “What do you want?” she asked. “I want to know more about you..” he admitted.

They kept on walking till they reached one of the beaches. It was getting dark. They sat on the sand close to the beach and Yara explained her current situation to him. Starting from her father’s death till the very last debt she recently found out about.:

“Your turn” she said as she turned her head to him.

“Maybe it should be only about you today” he suggested trying to run away from confessing.

“But that won’t be fair, right?” she said softly.

He smiled, “OK. What do you wanna know?”

“Any highlights” she said.

Fahad stared at the sea and stayed quiet for few moments: “I’m divorced…” he said.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AghHMxI4G3o