Chapter 7, Expectations

The girls were having tea in fancy pink and golden cups in Nadia’s room. As soon as she arrived from Qatar, she packed all her belongings from her apartment, with the girls’ help, and moved to her parents’ house.

“I don’t know what hurts more, the fact that my husband cheated on me or how my parents are blaming me for it!” said Nadia devastated. “Why are they blaming you?” asked Dalal. “They believe that I didn’t give him enough attention and that I wasn’t wife enough for him” she said in disbelief. “You gave up your career for him! You devoted your whole life for the past year to him! It was the other way around, he wasn’t man enough!” said Yara angrily. “Exactly!” agreed Dalal. “My parents don’t see that. They only see the big picture; the divorce, and what people will think and say will matters to them” said Nadia sadly. “Give them some time and they will come to their senses. There is no doubt that your happiness matters to them more. They’re still in shock now” said Yara. “I don’t think so. Last night they were trying to convince me to fix things between us! They want me to forgive him and forget that it had ever happened!” said Nadia disappointed. “Did you consider that?” asked Dalal as she took a sip of tea. “Of course not! What he did is unforgivable. He stepped over my dignity” Screamed Nadia. “Very cheap. And it’s hard to digest because it’s really out of his character!” said Yara in disgust. “What was his excuse?” asked Dalal. “Excuse? He had no excuse! He apologized a million time but he had no excuse!” said Nadia. “But at least he’s feeling guilty” said Dalal digging for positive things to say. “It’s too late. Guilt and apology will do him no good now” said Nadia.

Nadia’s mother walked in wearing one of those modern short jalabiyas. She was petite but age added few pounds to her little figure. Her short light brown hair was neatly blow-dried and her big nose was the first feature to be noticed in her face. “Talk to her girls. Tell her that divorce is not easy and that women need to sacrifice in order for their families to survive” said the mother to the girls while meaning for Nadia to hear her words. The girls nodded smilingly to the mother out of respect but didn’t agree with a word that she had said. “If every woman asks for a divorce whenever something happens then no couple will remain married for good” added Nadia's mother. “Mama, we talked about this already”, said Nadia in anger. “I’ll send you dinner in a bit” said her mother and left the room.

“You want my honest opinion? I don’t see you heartbroken”, said Yara. “What do you mean?” asked Nadia. “You are not hurt out of jealousy or because your man has been with another woman. You are angry with yourself because you made the wrong choice by marrying Manaf and because he favored another woman over you!” explained Yara. “Isn’t that normal since I was never in love with him?” asked Nadia. “But he was your husband and you were trying hard to make it work” said Dalal. “You’re not even crying Nadia. Look at you, you are angry and upset but not heartbroken!” said Yara. Nadia stayed quiet for few moments and her eyes started to glitter with tears: “Maybe I’m just replacing my pain with anger. Maybe it’s easier when I’m angry with myself” she said as tears started to fall over her cheeks. “You need to let it out” said Yara as she patted her back and pulled her closer. “And I was feeling guilty just for checking out that guy in Durra last week. I felt like a cheater just by admiring a guy’s looks while he spent the whole week with a slut” said Nadia sobbing. “I have an idea, what about we get away for a while just 'till things get quiet here” suggested Dalal. “One of us needs to deal with a divorce, one is drowning in debts and one has no leave days left from work. Can’t happen” said Yara sarcastically. “Actually, that would be perfect” said Nadia as she wiped her tears, reached for her mobile and dialed her dad’s personal assistant number: “Hello Abdul Latif, please book me three tickets to Beirut."

**

The noise of the drill was shaking the studio. Fahad walked in to find Santosh drilling the wall while Yara was standing on a chair and holding a photo. He stood where he was quietly waiting for that very noisy drill to stop. “Hey shorty” he finally said when Santosh stopped drilling. Yara and Santosh looked back to find him standing with his arms folded on his chest. “Hey! How long have you been standing there?” asked Yara as she jumped off the chair and put the photo down. Her hair was tied up with a pencil and she was wearing light faded jeans with stripped white and navy blue Urban Outfitters t-shirt. “Nice hair! How did you do that?” he said as she came closer. “Japanese trick” she winked. He turned her over and removed the pencil from her hair. “Heyyyyy! It took me forever to do that!!” she screamed. Fahad laughed loudly: “it looks better this way” he said as he ended his laugh with a smile. Yara blushed and turned around to Santosh who was hammering a nail into the wall: “Are you done yet Santosh? Please hang that remaining photo” she said. “You’re lucky. We just finished hanging my new collection which I shot in Durra” said Yara to Fahad who walked closer to her. “So I’m the first to see it?” he asked. “Yup.” Said Yara as Santosh hanged the photo. “You can go now Santosh. Thank you”.

Fahad walked closer to the wall noticing all the additions. “May I have an exclusive showing of the new collection from the talented photographer herself?” asked Fahad. “Certainly sir” said Yara happily. “The collection is called Serenity” she said as she stood next to the wall acting like a professional artist giving a formal description to a total stranger. “Interesting” said Fahad. “This photo right there is all about freedom” she said pointing to a photo of a seagull flying over the sea. “Hmm. Actually, I see it as the ability to achieve your dreams” said Fahad with his hand holding his chin up while staring at the photo. “That will also do” said Yara, still imitating a professional artist. Fahad laughed: “This is the part where you should say that the beauty of art is that each person sees it from his own perspective” said Fahad. “Yes, sir. I’m the artist here” she said acting all serious. Fahad laughed again and moved few steps towards another photo: “I love this one” he said while staring at a black and white photo of a child playing with sand with his father standing behind him. “Really? I wasn’t sure about adding it to the collection” she said. “Why? It’s amazing! It speaks of stability” he said. “This is how you see stability?” she asked. “Yeah” he said with a distant mind. “Yara. There is something that I need to tell you” he said as he turned around and faced her. “But you didn’t see the whole collection yet” she said. “We’ll get back to that. Come here” he said as he gently pushed her back towards the two armchairs.

Yara got confused and nervous for his sudden mood swing. “I never told you why I divorced my wife” said Fahad with no smile and no frown but a complete blank face. “You wanna talk about it?” asked Yara nervously. “Yeah. We’ve become good friends by now and you deserve to know” he said. The mention of the word “friends” disappointed Yara but made her snap back to reality; they were only friends! “Yeah. Sure. Tell me” she said after shaking that thought away. “She didn’t want to have kids” he said while staring at the floor. “Are you serious?” asked Yara in shock “is there a normal woman who refuses to become a mother?!” she continued. Fahad stayed quiet. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to bad mouth her” said Yara. “It’s ok. Our marriage went perfectly well and we loved each other. But, this was a huge issue that stood between us” he said. Yara felt surprisingly jealous as he mentioned being in love with another woman. “Do you still love her?” she asked without thinking. “It doesn’t matter. We’ve been out of each others lives for two years now” he said. Yara didn’t hear the answer that she wanted to hear and it was hard to control the thoughts and feelings that went inside of her: “You obviously didn’t get over her!” she said in an upset tone. “This is not the point Yara. Why are you insisting to know?” he said sounding upset. “I’m not!” she snapped. “Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to tell you!” he said in frustration.



Meanwhile, Osama was waiting for Fahad in the café when Dalal walked in. He waved politely and she walked to his table: “Hey, how are?” she asked. “I’m doing good. How are you?” asked Osama. “Fine. Have you seen Yara around?” she asked while searching for Yara between the crowd. “Not really. I’ve been waiting for Fahad for a while and seems like you’ll be waiting too. Please join me 'till one of them arrives.” He said. “Oh, sure, that would be nice” she said excitedly as she took a seat. “So, how’s work? Enjoying banking?” he asked. “Not really. It’s all dry routine work but I don’t see myself doing anything else” she said. “Really? And why is that?” he asked. “I don’t feel that I have the creativity or the talent to work in marketing or anything of that sort. And in Bahrain it’s either this or that” she said. “Or you could sell cupcakes!” he said jokingly. Dalal laughed: “Oh don’t get me started. Cupcakes and fashion design. Seems like all Bahrainis are suddenly bakers and designers” she said. Osama laughed and nodded. “So what do you do now?” asked Dalal. “I used to work in Gulf Finance House in Investment Placement” he said. “Oh, is that how you know Manaf?” she asked. “Yeah. But this is Bahrain, everyone knows everyone. I knew him before but we became friends in Doha” he said. “I see. And what do you do now?” she asked curiously. “I’m starting my own business. I never liked Investment Placement. But it was a good experience, I gained many connections” he said in confidence. And bonuses, thought Dalal. “What’s the new business about?” asked Dalal but Osama didn’t seem to hear as he was distracted by someone who just walked in. Dalal looked back to see Yara. “Oh, there she is” said Dalal. “Fahad is here too. It’s good that they both arrived at the same time so none of us will have to wait alone” said Osama happily. “Yeah. Thank you for the company” she said as she got up. “Hey, would you mind if you give me your phone number? There is something that I’d like to talk to you about” said Osama. “Sure” said Dalal with a big smile and a pounding heart.



“What’s going on? Why do you both look upset?” asked Dalal as she approached Yara. “Long story. Can we get out of here?” said Yara. “But Nadia is coming!” said Dalal. “I don’t care I just don’t wanna stay here one more minute” said Yara angrily. “Too late. She’s here!” said Dalal. Yara ignored Dalal and made her way out of the café. “What’s wrong with her?” asked Nadia. “I don’t know but we better follow her” said Dalal and they both walked out.

“Yara. Don’t drive. Come with me” said Nadia when she saw Yara approaching her car. Yara turned around and walked back to Nadia: “Please don’t force me to talk”, she said as she got into the back seat of Nadia’s shiny Black Mercedes E-class Coupe. Dalal and Nadia stared at each other in confusion and entered the car.

“He hints! He hints all the time. Oh Yara you are cute, I like your hair Yara, I want to see you Yara. I don’t know if I’m crazy but he flirts!” said Yara angrily. Nadia and Dalal laughed as Nadia started the engine. “And why are you angry?” asked Dalal. “We are practically friends, only friends. And he speaks to me about his ex-wife and how much he loved her” she said in more frustration. “Calm down. I’ll take you for a drive and you let all the thoughts out” said Nadia as she started driving. “I really thought he liked me 'till today. Today I’m sure that I mean nothing to him” said Yara in disappointment. “Did he actually say that he doesn’t like you?” asked Dalal. “No” said Yara. “Then shut up” said Dalal. “But when I asked him if he still loves her he refused to answer!” said Yara. “Doesn’t mean that he still didn’t get over her. He’s a man. Men don’t reveal their feelings” said Nadia. “He said that we became good friends by now. He said it. GOOD FRIENDS” said Yara. “Of course he’ll use the word friends. What do you want him to say? Lovers? You’ve only known him a couple of months. Give it some time” said Nadia. “Yes Yara. I thought that you were more mature than that. You are jumping to conclusions” said Dalal.

Yara sat back and took a deep breath. Serenity finally descended in the car for few moments and Nadia turned on the radio; Fadhel Shaker was singing Low 3ala Alby. Yara sighed as she listened to the lyrics. “Someone is in love!” said Nadia teasingly. Dalal turned to the back seat excitedly: “Do you love him?”. “Leave me alone both of you” said Yara shyly. “How do you feel when you’re with him?” asked Nadia while staring at Yara through the rear view mirror. “We are FRIENDS remember. I feel friendship, that's all!” said Yara annoyingly. “Put what happened today aside and think, how you feel when you see him? Or when he calls” asked Dalal. “I feel my heart falling onto my stomach” said Yara finally. “Aaaawwwwww” Nadia and Dalal said together. “OK OK, enough. I should get over this silly feeling anyway and be his…friend” said Yara.

“Since you don’t wanna talk about it anymore, I have some news” said Dalal trying hard to hide her smile. “It better be good” said Nadia. “It is” said Dalal with a grin. “Just say it” said Yara who was fed up and not bothered. “Osama asked for my number!” she finally said it fast. “GET LOST”, said Nadia. “No way. How did that happen?” asked Yara who suddenly jumped between the two front seats. “We were talking, catching up, and then he said that he wants to talk to me about something” she said clearly overexcited. “I wonder what would that be” said Nadia teasingly. “Osama from accounting!! Can you believe it!! I can’t I can’t!!” screamed Dalal joyfully. “He really seems to be a nice guy. Good luck and keep us updated” said Yara warmly.

**

Yara was arranging the laundry in her cupboard and wishing for her phone to ring. But it didn’t. Every time she hears a message notification her heart jumps out of place but she gets disappointed as soon as she sees the sender. She thought of calling him, but she was hesitant and upset. And a part of her wanted to test how much she means to him and for how long can he stop talking to her.

It was around 9:30pm when Yara gave up the hope of hearing from Fahad that night. She heard a BBM notification and was sure that it wasn’t him. But to her surprise, it was him:

Fahad: Hey.

Yara: Hey

Fahad: Are you upset?

Yara: A little. You?

Fahad: LOL, I’m not upset

Yara: :)

Fahad: By the way, I am over her.

Yara: Good for you

Fahad: I’m sorry I snapped. It’s just that it’s a sensitive topic.

Yara: I understand

Fahad: You sound upset.

Yara: No. I’m just dry when it comes to typing

Fahad: haha ok I’ll pack now for London

Yara: And I will pack for Beirut!

Fahad: Ha?

Yara: Nadia is taking us for few days.

Fahad: Oh. How is she coping by the way?

Yara: She’s better. We managed to get her mind out of it today with our issues.

Fahad: That’s good. And you could use the change.

Yara: Yeah. When are you coming back?

Fahad: After a week.

Yara: A WEEK!

Fahad: Yeah :D.. Will you miss me? :P

Yara: Oh don’t start..

Fahad: I will miss you :)

Yara: Pack warm clothes. It’s too cold over there now. Don’t forget a woolen hat and a scarf for the stadium.

Fahad: I don’t have any. I threw them all away before I came back from the States.

Yara: Then buy from there!

Fahad: I don’t think that I have any time to shop over there before the game. And tomorrow I’ll be busy with my dad all day, I don’t think that I’ll have the time to buy anything.

Yara: Why did you leave it for the last minute. Typical of you MEN.

Fahad: Are you worried about me :P

Yara: Yes. Happy?

Fahad: I promise that I will manage :)

**

Dalal was waiting impatiently for Osama’s call. She had no idea if he’ll call tonight or tomorrow or any other time, but she was so nervous that she couldn’t have dinner. Many thoughts crossed her mind that night. Thoughts of what might happen and how things can finally turn around and be just like she always dreamed of. She remembered when they first saw him in the Café a few months ago and how she always admired him back in college. She laughed happily at the fact that someone as handsome and popular as he was seemed to be interested in her.

“What’s wrong with you today? Why are you sitting all by yourself?” wondered Dalal’s mother as she got into her room. “Nothing I’m just tired” said Dalal. “You don’t look like it!” said the mother. “Can’t anyone spend some time by himself in this house?” said Dalal annoyingly. “Kaifech” said her mother carelessly and left.

Dalal’s phone rang. She lifted it off the bed, closed her eyes and prayed that it’s Osama. She stared at the screen to find a strange number. IT’S HIM. “Hello?” answered Dalal adding a sweet tone to her voice. “Hey Dalal, I hope that I’m not disturbing you” said Osama. “No, no. Not at all” she said happily. “Are you with your friends?” he asked. “No I’m at home, all alone” she said feeling a crunch in her stomach. “Great.” He said. “What’s up?” asked Dalal nervously. “It’s a bit embarrassing actually.” Said Osama in hesitation. Dalal let out a nervous laugh: “You’re scaring me” she said. “Oh no need to be scared. Aaahh, ok. I’ve been seeing you around with your friends often lately, and, I really liked the three of you..And..there is one of you that i'd like to get to know more.” He said politely. “OK?” said Dalal happily and waiting for more. “Don’t get me wrong though. I don’t wanna play around. I’m old enough to have a serious relationship, and who knows, if things work out we could make it official” he added. Dalal remained quiet and found herself too nervous to say a word: “This is…nice to hear” she said quietly. “So will you help me?” he asked. “Help you?” she asked in confusion. “Yes. Would you please try explaining to Yara that I’m interested in her….?”