Chapter 10.. Complications

It was 10 o’clock in the morning. Fahad passed by the studio to give Yara her usual coffee to find her with her laptop open and sitting at her desk going through the pictures she took in Beirut. “Wow. That’s an excellent one”, He said as he saw a picture of the Rawcheh with an orange effect that was caused by the sun set. “Yeah! I’m glad I got it right!” she said happily. “I wanna see the one of me and you. The one that Nadia took with that same view”, he said in excitement. “Wait! I haven’t seen them yet!” she said and started skipping the pictures till she got to it: “There..” she said grinning. “I LOVE it”, he said as they both stared at the picture. The Rawcheh was right behind them with that same orange effect and they were standing on the left side of the photo. He had his arm around her and they both were laughing. He was in a black jacket and a striped black and gray scarf while she was wrapped around with a fuchsia shawl. “E-mail it to me”, he said as he was pulling off her glasses. “Behave! Santosh is here!”, she whispered and hit his hand. He laughed: “I miss you” he said and pinched her nose. She shook her head and pushed him away just when Santosh walked in: “Madame, this came for you” said Santosh as he handed Yara a letter.

“What is it?” asked Fahad as Yara was reading the letter. “It’s an invitation to participate in an exhibition in two months” said Yara with her attention still on the letter. “Oh! Where?”, he asked in interest. “It will be held in Seef Mall.. and we’ll get to sell our photos” she said. “That’s awesome. An excellent opportunity for you” he said excitingly. “You think? I’m suddenly nervous!” she said as she put the letter down. “Why nervous? You have a great new collection plus the previous one & whatever is left from old collections. And you can always re-print!” he said. “I’d rather have a theme” she said thoughtfully. “Even better. Link your most wanted photos under one theme! You can do it and you have enough time.” He insisted. “And I need the money!” she added. “Don’t make this about the money 7abeebty. It’s your passion and it’s your career!” he said. “You’re right. I’ll just have to commit myself in these coming two months to this event” she said.

The door opened and they both turned around. To their surprise, it was the most unwanted and unwelcomed person. It was Manaf.

They both stood still as he walked in. They looked at each other in confusion and back at him. “Al Salam 3elaikum” he said. “3elaikum elsalam” they both replied, still confused. “Sorry to show up so suddenly. I need to speak to you” said Manaf speaking to Yara. Yara looked at Fahad in a, you-can-go-now look, but he was hesitant to leave her alone with him. “I’ll be fine” she said quietly. “Call me” said Fahad and walked out without looking or saying anything to Manaf.

“Yes?” said Yara without inviting him to sit down. “Talk to her. Please” he said without any introductions. “About what?” asked Yara folding her hands on her chest. “You are the only person she listens to. Tell her that we should work this out. I don’t want this marriage to end” said Manaf in a hopeful tone. “Now you’re saying this? Don’t you think that it’s too late?” said Yara rudely. “I didn’t try to talk to Nadia because I know that she won’t listen. But she listens to you. Please! I really want to save this marriage and I don’t want to lose her”, he said apologizing.  “Listen to me Manaf. I’m gonna tell you something that you might not know. Nadia knew many guys before you, and maybe they hurt her and broke her heart, but believe me, none of them did what you did to her. None of them stooped down to your level” she said walking towards him. Manaf looked down without saying a word. “What you did is something unforgivable. You didn’t harm me or anyone else but the way you betrayed her made us all despise you. We trusted you, loved you and treated you like family. We let you in our lives with open arms and you turn out to be that cheap?!” she said harshly. “I know. Trust me, I know that what I did was bad, but..” he said, “Then spare yourself the headache and walk away. You destroyed the closest person to me. Nadia is strong, she will get over you in no time and she will move on, but something inside of her will always remember this ugly feeling of being cheated on.” She said as they were still standing in the middle of the studio.  “I made a mistake. My life is complicated, the days I spend outside Bahrain are more than the days I spend at home.” He said. “Not an excuse. The more you speak the more I disrespect you. So the best thing you can do is to stop talking and disappear from our lives. You have zero hope with Nadia!” she said in despise. “Thank you very much..” he said upset and embarrassed as he walked out.


Meanwhile, Fahad was having coffee with Osama in the café and spent a lot of time discussing the game that Fahad attended. Yara walked in to pick up a takeout cup of coffee and had a short chat with both guys. Osama observed her closely and remembered everything that Dalal told him about her not really liking Fahad. He watched the way she communicated with Fahad, the way she looked at him and even the words she chose while speaking to him. There was something going on for sure between the two, he thought. But what if she was really faking it like Dalal had said? Dalal’s words turned his thoughts upside down, and every thought that he planned on erasing from his head was now planted in it. He would never do anything that would risk his friendship with Fahad. But he still couldn’t get rid of the doubt that it’s possible for Dalal’s words to be true, that Yara maybe wished that he was the one and not Fahad. His admiration grew as he watched her speak passionately about her work and plans. And he felt the urge to try, to fight, and to do what it takes to find out her true feelings.

Yara meant to mention Dalal’s name infront of Osama to sense if anything was going on between them and if Dalal was trying to hide something. “Did you tell Dalal to make you a copy of that CD you liked in Beirut?” asked Yara talking to Fahad but monitoring Osama’s face expressions. No expressions were made, his eyes didn’t get wider and his cheeks didn’t blush. “Oh. No, not yet. I will now” said Fahad. Yara went back to the studio and Osama left the café at the same time.

“Hello” answered Dalal. “Dalool, shloanech?” said Fahad. “Zaina.” Answered Dalal dryly. “Where is the CD that you promised?” asked Fahad. “Oh I forgot. I will do it today and pass it to you” said Dalal. “Thanks” said Fahad. “Anytime. Is Yara with you?” she asked. “No, she just left to the studio” said Fahad. Dalal let out a sarcastic laugh. “What?” asked Fahad. “Yesterday she was saying that she needs a break from you!” said Dalal laughingly. “Why would she say that?” wondered Fahad. “Maybe she was joking. She was just saying that after spending so much time with you the past few days she needs to back off a little.” Said Dalal faking a laugh. “Weird!” said Fahad hurt. “Oh no don’t worry I’m sure that she didn’t mean it. Anyway, I’ll do the CD and pass it to you. See you.” She said and ended the call.

Fahad was suddenly faced with doubt and fear. Yara never confessed her feelings to him. Her feelings were obviously shown in what she did and said, but she never spoke them out even when he did. He started worrying about what Dalal said and what Yara could’ve meant. He flew from a continent to another to see her and he had some strong feelings towards her and towards this relationship. It was the first time for him to fall in love with a woman after his divorce. He didn’t want it to go wrong again and he feared that maybe he was moving too fast. He wanted their feelings to be equal and mutual. And the fact that he might be putting more into this relationship than she is suddenly made him anxious.

His feet suddenly walked him to the studio with his thoughts and fears walking before him. Yara was holding her camera in her hand and going through some old pictures when he suddenly walked in and stood right infront of her. “What?” she asked and lowered the camera. “Do you love me?” he asked suddenly. Yara laughed nervously: “What’s with the question?” she asked smilingly. “It’s a simple question. Yes or no?” he asked seriously. “Fahad? What’s going on in your head?” she asked still having a nervous-laughing face expression. “You never told me that you do. I waited for the perfect moment to say it but you never did! Does that mean anything?” he asked getting more serious with every word. “My dear, love is not a three words sentence. Love is revealed through what we do. I don’t have to say the words to show you that I do. It’s even nicer that way and much more interesting to read between the lines” she explained with deep conviction. Fahad stared at her for few moments: “You can’t say it. You’re still not confident about your feelings and that’s why you can’t say it” he said jumping to conclusions. “So you’re doubting what you mean to me?” she asked with the laugh disappearing from her face. Fahad took a deep breath and didn’t answer. “And you’re saying that you can’t see it in my eyes? Or in the way I worry about you and care for you?” she asked in disappointment. “Baby, don’t turn this on me now!” he said angrily. “What happened to you so suddenly? Few minutes ago you were a total different person!” she wondered. “You’re still refusing to answer!” he said dryly. “Come with me” she said as she walked to the faded armchairs. “Sit” she ordered him and he obeyed. She then sat next to him on the arm of the chair, put her hand around him and held the camera up towards both of them, “smiiiiile” she said and clicked. She then viewed the picture and showed it to him with her arm still around him: “Look at this, what do you see? Aren’t they the cutest couple on earth?” she teased him and he smiled as he saw the picture. “What you see here is a captured moment of how we’ve been feeling about each other all the past months. And it’s normal for you to make the first moves, confess first and act first because you are the guy. It doesn’t mean that I love you any less” she said sincerely. He then picked her hand that was around him and kissed it softly, “You’re right. I’m sorry” he said and turned his head to her. “I don’t know where did all this doubt come from..” she said as she brushed his almost bald head with her hand, “but if it means so much to you…I love you” she said.


After few hours, Osama called Yara and asked her to meet him somewhere. Anywhere other than the studio or the café. Yara was certain that he wanted to talk to her about Dalal and avoid the chance of her running into them. They decided to meet up at Crepe Café in Budaiya right away.

“I love the smell of Crepe. One of my favorite things in life” said Yara after taking a deep breath. Osama looked at her and smiled quietly. “So, what’s up?” asked Yara. “I was hesitant, to tell you this, actually. But Dalal gave me the courage to do so..” He said. “Oh you did the right thing. I’m here for both of you and I’m glad to help in any way I can. Me and Nadia have been sensing that something was going on with Dalal but she refused to speak. I hope that everything is ok?” asked Yara in excitement. “Seems like we have a misunderstanding here” said Osama as he scratched his head. “Misunderstanding?” asked Yara in confusion. “Dalal didn’t clear up things to you I guess” he said. “Clear what? Please explain!” said Yara. “OK. Dalal told me that the three of you thought that I was interested in her when I asked for her number, right?” said Osama boldly. “Yeah! And then she said that you both decided that it won’t work out, after that she started acting all different and weird!” said Yara. “That’s not true.” He said. Yara stared at him with a confused face. “When I called Dalal, I told her that I am interested in one of you, but it wasn’t her!” he confessed. “Nadia????” asked Yara in shock. “No. You!” he said quietly. “WHAT? Me? What do you mean ME?” panicked Yara. “I had no idea that you and Fahad liked each other. I thought that you were only good friends. And talking about it with Dalal was much easier for me than asking him” he explained. “I can’t believe this. Poor Dalal. No wonder she was hurt and quiet all this time” said Yara. “I didn’t mean to hurt her and I apologized. She then told me that you and Fahad like each other. But few days later she told me a total different thing. And that’s why I asked to see you” he said. “What did she tell you?!” wondered Yara. “She said that you’re starting to get annoyed of Fahad following you around. And that you needed a break from him..and..that you wished that.. it was me instead!” said Osama. “I don’t believe this. This is impossible. This is just impossible. Dalal would never say such a thing. Why would she?” said Yara in total panic. “So…that’s not true?” asked Osama cautiously. “Osama. You are driving me insane right now and I am trying my best to remain calm. All I gotta tell you is that I love Fahad and he loves me and I can’t believe that you actually have your eyes on the girl he loves. I don’t know if you are coming up with all this or if Dalal lied to you but this is just bullshit!!!!” snapped Yara in disbelief. “I would never do anything that would risk my friendship with Fahad! And that’s why I’m talking to you privately. I needed to know if what Dalal said was true.” Explained Osama. “Why would Dalal do this to me? Dalal is my lifetime best friend and she would never stab me from behind!” said Yara. “Please don’t get me wrong. If I had any idea that you and Fahad were together I wouldn’t have called Dalal in first place.” He said. “But you are talking to me about it right now even when you know that we’re together!” she said angrily. “Only because your lifetime best friend played with my head!” he said sarcastically. “Here is the deal. I will not say any of this to Fahad because I don’t want him to get hurt. It doesn’t feel good to be stabbed by a good friend! And I don’t believe that you are a good friend to him anymore, but still. I wouldn’t want him to go through the pain of losing a friend just like I’m about to lose one!” said Yara as she got up with Dalal on her mind and left the place.

As soon as she got in the car she called Nadia and told her what had just happen with Osama. They both agreed that she should confront Dalal right away to find out the truth. She then called Dalal and asked her to meet her urgently in Nadia’s house as soon as she can.

Yara was too frustrated and confused when she arrived to Nadia’s house but she had to go through all the chitchats with Nadia’s family. And she only got rid of that when Dalal arrived and they moved to Nadia’s room. “Hello?” said Nadia answering her phone. “Hey Nadia, is Yara with you?” said Fahad. “Yeah she’s here, just a second” said Nadia and handed Yara the phone. “Hey dear” said Yara. “Wainech? I’ve been calling you for a while!” said Fahad. “Oh. I’m sorry I must have left my phone in the car” she said distracted. “Where are you?” asked Fahad. “Nadia’s house” answered Yara in a hurry. “Why do you sound irritated?” asked Fahad. “I’m not. I have to go now I will call you once I leave” she said trying to end up the conversation. “Yara. What’s wrong?” he asked insisting. “Nothingggggg. I’ll call you later!” she said and ended up the call.

Dalal was sitting on Nadia’s bed when both girls turned to her with critical looks. “What’s so urgent?” asked Dalal nervously. “I was with Osama a while ago!” said Yara. Dalal’s face expression changed, all the colors of the world seemed to be suddenly painted on her face. Nadia walked to her dressing table and sat on its chair quietly while Yara took closer steps to Dalal. “I listened to his side of the story and now I wanna listen to yours” said Yara calmly. “What story?” asked Dalal hanging on a string of hope that Yara knows nothing. “Dalal, please don’t act stupid. We all know that something is going on and that you’ve been trying to hide it all this time. We assumed that you and Osama had something going on but this is not what he said!” said Yara. “And it’s not what I said too! But, what did he say?” asked Dalal worriedly. “You have to tell me what really happened first!” insisted Yara. “So he told you that he was interested in you and not me!” said Dalal in disappointment. “Yes. And I totally understand that and why you’ve been trying to hide it. But I don’t understand something else that he said” said Yara. Dalal got extremely nervous by now, she had her arms on her tummy and remained quiet. “Dalal you are like a sister to me and we’ve been friends since we were young. I’ve always trusted you and I didn’t believe Osama today. The things he said were just horrible and I have no doubt that a good friend like you would ever say them” said Yara trying to give Dalal the benefit of the doubt and test the water at the same time. “What did he say?” asked Dalal quietly. “He said that you told him that I don’t really like Fahad. And that…” said Yara but Dalal interrupted: “Why did he say that? What brought this up” asked Dalal angrily. “Doesn’t matter. He was making that up right? You didn’t really say that?” asked Yara hoping that she was right. Dalal suddenly broke down and started crying. Yara sat next to her on the bed and stared at Nadia, “So you did say that..” said Yara in disbelief. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry” said Dalal sobbing. Nadia stood up and walked closer to them, “I can’t believe you. Why would you ever do this? Did we ever harm you or hurt you in anyway? Why would you mean to cause us trouble?” screamed Nadia is shock. “Nadia. Calm down please. She never harmed you. We need to understand first” said Yara and turned to Dalal, “Talk! Tell me what made you say this? I don’t understand! If it was jealousy of Osama being interested in me, why would you tell him that I’d rather be with him and not Fahad? That way you’d only lose him!” asked Yara in total confusion. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I was saying and doing. I couldn’t bare seeing you so happy with Fahad while the guy I had my eyes on was interested in you at the same time! I felt like you had it all when I had nothing!” confessed Dalal between sobs. Yara and Dalal stared at each other in shock. “So you try and ruin that for her? What kind of a friend are you? It’s like we never knew you at all!” screamed Nadia. “You realize that by doing that you didn’t ruin anything for me, but you ruined your whole life by yourself!” said Yara. “I never did anything like that before and you know that very well. You two are like my sisters. I just don’t know what happened to me!” said Dalal while wiping her tears. “I just lost my trust in you. And I don’t think that I can forgive you for this and act like nothing had happened. You tried to ruin my relationship with the man I love and cause him problems with his friend!! This is huge Dalal and I still can’t believe that you out of all people did this to me!” said Yara in disgust. “Trust is fragile. Once it’s broken, it’s hard to fix..” said Nadia. Dalal gathered herself and got up, “it’s up to you if you want to forgive me or not! I just hope that time makes you understand why I did this. Sometimes life is just too tough and you lose it..” she said and picked up her handbag. “If you think that life is about men only then your life will always be tough. You sold our friendship for a guy who wasn’t even interested in you. This is Friendship 101: Never let a guy come between you and a good friend. Guys come and go but friends are forever!” said Nadia. “I’m sorry. I love you so much..” said Dalal and walked out..


Yara was driving home with her mind occupied with everything that happened on that day; Manaf’s return, Osama’s confession, and on top of all that, Dalal’s betrayal. How can a friend that you’ve known throughout your whole life do this to you? It was scary and unbelievable. It only proved that life is not always pink. A friend that you shared so many happy moments with, and who’s been there for you through good and bad times suddenly turns out to be a person who’s trying to kill your happiness. Couldn’t she just be happy for me like normal friends do? She wondered. She then remembered Fahad and his doubts today. Is it possible that Dalal caused that too?! She wondered and called Fahad immediately. “Did you talk to Dalal today?” asked Yara. “Yes. To ask about the CD, remember?” he said. “OK. I see” she said with a distant mind. “Will you please tell me what’s going on?” he asked. “Let’s just say that today..i have lost a good friend..” she said.

Fahad came to understand that Dalal was trying to ruin his relationship with Yara, but he had no idea that the one who unintentionally caused all of this in first place was his good friend, Osama.


Two Months later:

Next week.