Chapter 6, Affair

It was a cloudy morning. Yara woke up in a cranky mood and was lecturing the maid in the kitchen while having a bowl of cereal in her pajamas. “You don’t have to cook if no one is at home. Who will eat all this food? It will end up in the trash. How many times do I have to tell you this”, explained Yara. “Madame asked me to always make food” explained the maid in a Pilipino accent. “Because she’s not paying for it!” said Yara in frustration as she picked her phone after hearing a message notification. It was a BBM from Fahad: "I will be there in half an hour to pick up the photo".  Yara’s heart dropped in her tummy: "OK", she replied and rushed to her room.  

She had very little time to get ready and try to look nice. The rush and nervousness blocked the style inspiration in her head. She picked up a vintage yellow dress from the cupboard and turned to the mirror. Too much, she thought. She dropped it on her bed and faced the cupboard again with both hands on her waist. Natural morning look, she thought to herself over and over again. She brushed her hair with both hands and held it up in a bun, why am I putting all this effort! She wondered. Why am I nervous! I should only be myself and not think of anything else. We are friends, only friends. She thought and picked up a gray V-neck Ralph Lauren t-shirt with her favorite denim jeans and put a plastic clip to hold her messy bun.

The studio was quiet when Fahad walked in. Nothing was stirring except for some classical music that played in the background. Yara walked out of the small storeroom at that moment carrying his wrapped photo: “Good morning”, she said with a cheerful smile. “Good morning. You’re way too fresh for a gloomy morning”, he said in a flirty tone. “Call me weird, but I love cloudy mornings”, she confessed as she put the photo down. “OK weirdo, here is your favorite coffee”, he said and handed her a take-out coffee cup. “Skimmed Latte! Perfect timing”, she said as she took the cup gladly.

“Have a seat” she said and they both walked to the two faded brown arm chairs on the corner. “So the picture is finally ready?” he asked as he sat down. “You could’ve taken it days before. I still don’t understand why you insisted to take it from me?” she asked. “Maybe it’s just an excuse to see you?” he said suddenly in a serious tone. Yara smiled nervously and changed the subject, “I need your help”, she said. “Oh, I thought that you don’t need my charity”, he teased her. “Will you ever get over that?” she asked in a semi angry tone. “Anything you need” he said sweetly. “I want to start looking for a job”, she said. “Are you sure about this?” he asked. “Yes, I thought about it and I don’t have any other choice” she said sadly. “OK. What kind of job? Banking? Marketing?” he asked. “I don’t know. I majored in Business but I don’t have any experience in those sectors” she said. “Then it’s not going to be easy. As you know, these days it’s very hard to get a job”, he said. “Then what am I supposed to do?” she asked in a whiny tone. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about something lately and I was waiting for the right time to talk to you about it”, he said. Yara got nervous. She thought of a million things in those few moments between the introduction he just gave till he spoke again. “Try to imagine this” he said as he got up and walked to the wall behind the desk “Imagine if you take down this wall. What will happen?” he asked. “I will be breaking the wall between this studio and the café?” she guessed. “There you go!”, he said excitingly. “What do you mean?”, she asked in confusion. “A joint venture. We break that wall that separates our businesses and make it one business”, he explained. “I still don’t get it. It’s a totally different business” she said. “And that is the cool part. Imagine a café/gallery. Nothing will change for both of us. I will still have my café and you will still have your gallery. We’ll only get to share customers. My customers will view your work and your customers will have my coffee” he said in excitement. “Interesting” she said with her eyes tightened as she thought deeply about it. “But how will that solve my financial crisis?” she wondered. “One thing is that you will get more customers since your work will be exposed to our customers. Second thing is that I could rent your studio and treat it as a part of the café. That way both businesses will have one management and one name, and you will be paid a fixed monthly rate which is the rent, and of course the profit of the photos you sell here” he explained. “Hmm! That’s too much information. I’ll need time to think about it” she said. “Of course, take your time. And now…” he said as he walked to the wrapped photo and picked it up “let’s go and hang this”. She got up and followed him to the café. “You realize that if we break down that wall you won’t need that photo anymore” she said jokingly. “Till then…choose a spot”, he said as he stood in the center of the café with the photo in his hand. “Ahh. Honestly? I think that you should replace that guitar painting with it. I always thought that it’s ugly” she said in disgust. Fahad laughed “You got it.”

Yara’s phone rang at that moment, she picked it up: “Hello”. “Hey. Where are you?” asked Nadia. “I’m in the café with Fahad” said Yara casually. “Big steps; Good job!”, said Nadia happily. “What’s up?” said Yara, avoiding to comment with Fahad standing right next to her. “I’m going to Qatar today to surprise Manaf” said Nadia. “Oh, that’s nice. Have fun” said Yara. “I’ll be back on Wednesday. See you” said Nadia and ended the call.

“Any of your friends are coming?” asked Fahad. “Not really. Nadia is on her way to Qatar” said Yara. “Her husband works in Qatar right?” asked Fahad with sudden interest. “Yeah, she is going to surprise him. Typical Nadia”, said Yara with a smile. Fahad took a deep breath and looked anxious. “What’s wrong?” asked Yara. “Ahh. This is going to be tough. But.. I should tell you” he said hesitatingly. “Tell me what?”, asked Yara worriedly. “Let’s sit down” said Fahad and lead the way to the furthest table in the café.

“I don’t know Nadia’s husband, but Osama does” said Fahad as soon as they sat down. “Yeah we met him the other day”, Said Yara, waiting for him to continue. “Osama has been my friend for many long years and I trust him. So I’m only going to tell you this because I heard it from, what I consider, a reliable source” said Fahad. “SAY IT” said Yara who started to lose her patience. “Osama saw Nadia’s husband with another woman several times in Qatar” said Fahad with his head lowered down on the table. “WHAT? MANAF? Mosta7eel!” screamed Yara. “OK, don’t freak out. I wasn’t going to tell you but I felt responsible for some reason” he said trying to calm her. “You don’t know Manaf. Manaf is the kind of guy who cares about his job and the stock market, not women!” said Yara angrily. “True, I don’t know him. But I know Osama and he won’t speak of someone unless he was sure. After meeting Nadia the other day he was really pissed off about it” said Fahad. “Maybe it’s his colleague, or his cousin or something” said Yara trying to figure out an explanation. “They were holding hands” said Fahad in a grim tone. “Oh my god. I can’t believe this!” said Yara who was trying her best not to freak out. “Listen to me, I only decided to tell you this right now because you said that Nadia is going to surprise him. You have to stop her or there might be a big chance that she will find out the hard way” said Fahad calmly. Yara picked up her phone and was about to call: “What am I going to tell her?” she said sadly.

**

“Her phone is still off!” said Dalal as soon as Yara picked up her call. “I know I’ve been calling too” said Yara calmly. “I want her to find out. Let her find out” said Dalal in a very pissed off tone. “She’s all alone over there. If she finds out, she will go insane” said Yara worriedly. “Let her go insane. That’s what she gets for choosing him!” said Dalal angrily. “But what are the odds that she walks in and sees them together. Maybe she won’t find out” said Yara. “I really wish that she finds out!” said Dalal.

**

“Come over here” said Yara’s mother as soon as she spotted Yara walking in. Yara walked to the sitting room where her mother was sitting: “Yes mother”.  “I got you a husband” said the mother coldly while filing her nails. “What? You're being funny today!” said Yara and laughed. “I’m serious. A good catch as well”, said her mother while raising her head to Yara. “So you went husband-hunting for me?” said Yara sarcastically. “And why not? These days, this is what good mothers do” said Sajida proudly. “This is really not a good time mama..” said Yara and was about to leave. “Wait, I didn’t finish” said the mother. “Mama, you know me better than that. You know that I will never get married this way or in any other arranged way by you or by anyone else” said Yara emphasizing each word. “We don’t have a choice this time. He is rich and if you marry him it will be our way out of all those debts” explained her mother, still as cold as ice. “I can’t believe you. Even if a miracle happens and I marry this guy, how can you accept to make him pay for our problems” said Yara who started to get angry. “You’re a little girl. By time, you will realize that life is not what you think it is.” Said the mother. “OK, I have no idea what you’re talking about but please, don’t open up this topic with me again” said Yara and walked away. “You are making a big mistake. Be smart for once in your life!” said the mother forcefully. Yara ignored her and kept walking away.

**

“Did you find her?”, asked Fahad, who called Yara for updates. “Nope. We decided to let it be. There is no use in trying” said Yara. “What if she doesn’t find out? Will you tell her once she’s back?” asked Fahad. “I don’t know. Right now I just wish that she doesn’t find out anything. And if she does, I hope that she survives the shock” said Yara worriedly. “You’ll be the first she calls if anything happens right?” asked Fahad. “Of course”, confirmed Yara. “Then be sure that she is fine and don’t worry. If anything happens you will be the first to know” said Fahad. “You’re right” said Yara feeling comfortable. “What are you planning to do today?”, asked Fahad. “Nothing. I think I’ll just stay in my room and watch some episodes. Trying to avoid my mum” explained Yara. “Why avoid her?”, wondered Fahad. “I don’t wanna talk about it” said Yara. “But I’m curious” teased Fahad. “I said I don’t wanna talk about it” repeated Yara sharply. “Relax. I’m joking” said Fahad with a laugh. “You better be” she said. “OK I have some interesting news” he said excitedly. “What?” she asked quietly. “I’m going to London in few days” he said. “And how is that good news?” she asked with the same annoyed tone. “Because I’m going to attend a Manchester United game!” he said overly excited. “Have fun!”, she said angrily. “I know what’s upsetting you.You are going to miss me!” he said. “Whatever” she said dismissively. “Come on. Admit it. You can’t imagine Bahrain without me” he kept on teasing. “You want a serious answer?” she asked. “Aha” he said, looking forward for her next sentence. “I seriously think……” she paused. “Yeahhhhhh??” he said. “….that you should go away and leave me with my episodes”, she said teasingly. “OK. OK. So you’re saying that you won’t miss me ha?” he said. “Byeeeeee Fahad” she said laughing after making him annoyed. “We’ll see. BYE” he said.

Yara ended the call and wondered what Nadia is doing right now. Is she spending her day happily with her cheating husband? Or is she mourning over the fact that the guy she chose to spend the rest of her life with had cheated on her? But what if Osama was mistaken? What if Manaf is really the guy we always thought he was?

All those thoughts and worries were not giving Yara any peace of mind. She decided to try and call Nadia one more time. She dialed her number, and to her surprise, Nadia did pick up the phone: “Hello?” answered Nadia. “Hey, are you ok?” asked Yara. “Yes! Why?” wondered Nadia. “Just checking on you.” Said Yara in relief. “Are you sure?” asked Nadia. “Yeah. You didn’t message when you landed” said Yara trying to sound as calm as possible. “It’s just Qatar!” said Nadia. “OK.” Said Yara. “Yara! What’s going on?” asked Nadia. “Nothing I told you nothing is wrong” said Yara holding back every word that she wanted so badly to say. “You can’t lie! But I’m not going to plead. Say what’s on your mind whenever you want to”, said Nadia. “Enjoy your trip. And you know that I will always be here for you” said Yara. “OK!” said Nadia slightly confused.

Nadia walked to the reception desk of The Ritz Carlton Doha where two receptionists were standing. One of them greeted Nadia and welcomed her while the other was engaged in a phone conversation. “How can I help you Madame?” inquired the receptionist. “I need the key to Mr. Manaf Mansour’s room. I’m his wife” said Nadia with a smile. The receptionist looked confused: “Mr. Manaf from Bahrain?”, she asked. “Yes. He doesn’t know that I’m here” said Nadia. The receptionist looked at her colleague to try and have her take notice of her confusion, but she was too busy to give her any attention. “Excuse me Madame” said the receptionist and walked to another phone where Nadia won’t hear her conversation. She tried calling Manaf, but there was no answer. “Mum, would you care to wait for him in the lobby? I apologize but I’m not allowed to give anyone a key without the permission of the guest”, said the receptionist as soon as she walked back to Nadia. “Oh come on. I’m his wife and I’m here to surprise him. He won’t mind, trust me” said Nadia. At the same moment, one of the higher level hotel staff, wearing a suit, passed by. “What’s the matter?” he asked. Nadia explained the situation to him while the receptionist listened quietly. “Give her the key”  he said “But..” said the receptionist who could not find another excuse. “It’s ok, Mr. Manaf is a regular. Give her the key” he said and walked away.

The sound of TV was heard through the door as Nadia inserted the keycard in the door and the small green light blinked on. She walked in dragging her LV pully and the door shut behind her. She turned left where the sofa and TV were to find a lady in tight jeans and white sleeveless t-shirt lying comfortably on the sofa. Her long black hair was covering her arm. The lady suddenly sat up once she saw a strange woman standing in front of her. “I’m sorry, they must have given me the wrong room” said Nadia as she turned around to leave. On her way out, her eyes fell on a black Delsey suitcase with a familiar sticker on it. A sticker that said: Nadia & Manaf in a calligraphic Arabic font that was specially made for their wedding giveaways. Isn’t this the suitcase I packed for Manaf with my own hands? She wondered. She looked back and forth at the lady and the suitcase trying hard to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The other lady stood up, picked up her handbag and walked out without saying a word as she realized who Nadia was. Nadia was left all alone in a twister; The receptionist’s hesitation, Manaf’s changed behavior, the way he didn’t show any affection anymore. The twister kept getting faster and faster as Nadia’s shock grew bigger and as the pieces of the puzzle were finally put together she came to a sudden realization! My husband is cheating on me..