Chapter 12, Reverie

When The Friday prayer in Adliya Mosque was over, Fahad walked out between the crowd and shook hands with different people here and there. While putting on his traditional slippers outside the mosque he saw Osama approaching him in a white Thoab but without a Ghetra, “Hey” he said and offered his hand. Fahad shook his hand, “Shakhbar?” he asked calmly. “Tamam” answered Osama. “Good that I’ve seen you. I owe you an apology” said Fahad as they walked down the steps. "I wanted to say the same thing to you. I’m sorry for all that mess. You were always a true brother to me and I should’ve reacted in a more mature way to avoid all this unnecessary drama” said Osama. “Yes, I thought about what happened and it’s not worth it at all. I think we’re too old for this,” Said Fahad jokingly. Osama laughed, “Very last decade” he said. “It’s sad that there are still people who try and cause problems at this age!” said Fahad. “Bad people make you appreciate the good ones. That is one benefit at least.” He said as they reached the parking lot. “Hey why don’t you come over for lunch? My parents will be happy to see you” offered Fahad. “Sure.” Answered Osama gladly and they both walked to their cars like two little school boys who made peace after a fight in the school yard.

“7aya Allah men yaneh” said Fahad’s mother as soon as Osama walked in the house. “Where have you been? We never see you like we used to before!”, said Fahad’s father. “The older we become the busier we get. I really miss your cooking khaltey” said Osama. “Then come on, let’s eat before the food gets cold” said Um Fahad.

Um Fahad was a typical example of a Bahraini housewife in her 50s. She got her diploma, started working for around a year and eventually gave up her career for the sake of her family. She was so famous for her excellent cooking, especially the traditional Bahraini dishes, that she published two popular cooking books. Nowadays, and after her son and daughter got old enough to take care of themselves, she started volunteering in non profitable organizations and spending her time between that and socializing like every other Bahraini woman.

“How is the business going?” asked Bu Fahad while having lunch. “It’s slow. Companies have no money to pay for branding and advertising nowadays” said Osama. “They rely on Facebook and Twitter. Free of charge and faster than any other form of advertising” said Fahad. “Give it some time. You’re still new and you really need to build a reputation for your business” said Bu Fahad. “Inshalla. Trying” said Osama. “How is your mother? It’s been a while since I last saw her!” said Um Fahad. “She’s good. Still addicted to her work in the Ministry” said Osama. “That’s good. She shouldn’t retire. One of the things that make Bahrain special is ladies like her. Being in high positions with high experience is something to be proud of”, said Um Fahad. “Yeah but it’s really stressful. The Ministry quality of work did not improve no matter how much they tried and it’s affecting her health” said Osama concerned. “She’ll quit when she feels like its time. But don’t try and convince her because she will only do what she wants” said Um Fahad. “How is work Sara?” asked Osama looking at Fahad’s younger sister. “Not so bad. Gets really busy sometimes but it’s quiet most of the time” said Sara. “I’m trying to convince her to join the family business. She wanted experience and she gained it. Now it’s time to join us” said Bu Fahad. “And Fahad would be my colleague? No way! We have enough fights at home” said Sara. “That’s right. Leave your brother alone and let him concentrate on his job” said Um Fahad. “Yeah Yeah defend him as usual” said Sara upset and everybody laughed.

“Ana3m Allah 3elaikum. Best Machboos in the world!” said Osama once they were done with lunch and were moving to the sitting room. “And now it’s time for Sara’s delicious dessert. I hope that you've left some space for that” said Fahad’s father. “You better did. I made cheesecake today!” said Sara. “See that’s why I don’t come here so often!” said Osama jokingly. Um Fahad came out of the kitchen carrying a trey with a tea set on it. “Now and that you’re all here, there is something that I want to talk to you about…” said Fahad.

**

Yara was lying lazily on her bed when Fahad called, “What are you doing?” he asked. “In bed, watching TV” she said. “It’s 4pm! Why so lazy?” he wondered. “I was up all night and Tamara woke me up early to drop her to her friend’s house. Couldn’t go back to sleep and now I’m just tired” she answered in a low lazy tone. “Why were you up all night?” asked Fahad. “I don’t know. Had a lot on my mind” answered Yara. “Share please!” said Fahad. “Don’t wanna talk about it” she said. “Talk!” insisted Fahad. “I was remembering the good old days. Things were different when baba was alive. True that my mum was always out of control but he had his way of keeping this family together and make everything seems normal and warm” she explained. “OK. What else?” he asked trying to get her to talk more. “The debts” she said. “Mhmmm. That’s what it’s all about then” he figured. “Yes and it is a big deal. A very big deal. It’s the worst feeling in the world, to owe people money” she said. “You’ve got to stop thinking about it and think of a solution instead” he said. “OK but not now. Please I don’t wanna spend the day thinking about it” she begged. “Then get up and do something” he ordered. “Yeah Nadia is back. I will go see her later” she said. Yara’s bedroom door was suddenly opened and her mum walked in, “Who are you talking to?’ she asked. “It’s Nadia!” lied Yara, “I’ll call you back” she said and ended the call. “I’m going out now, with Haitham’s mother” said Sajida. “And why are you telling me?” asked Yara rudely. “Because they are waiting for an answer and I’ve been delaying it as much as I can” she said. “I already told you my answer!” snapped Yara. “No. This is not an answer. I want the answer that I’m waiting for. Talk to the guy, what will you lose? You don’t even know him and you have no valid reason for rejecting” she said. “Good night mother. Have fun” said Yara and covered her face with the quilt. “You are your father’s daughter!” said Sajida and left the room frustrated.

“Welcome back. I missed you this time the most” said Yara while hugging Nadia. “Thank you but I’m glad that I wasn’t here” teased Nadia as she hugged her back. “I know, it was so chaotic” said Yara. “I’m not so shocked that Dalool is still doing what she’s doing. Her anger will only grow with time. She lost everything!” said Nadia. “Leave that now. Tell me all about Mohammed.” Said Yara in excitement. “Let’s get out of this room first. I need fresh air, let’s sit in the garden” said Nadia and they both left the room.

“Everything changed since I saw him.” Said Nadia as soon as they sat outside and asked the maid to get them tea. “What do you mean?” wondered Yara. “It’s a wonderful feeling. All the old feelings, all the old dreams suddenly came back to me. And it’s so freaky because I’ve been thinking about him since Beirut” she said. “Keefek Enta didn't do you any favors” teased Yara. “But of course, guilt is eating me alive. I shouldn’t feel all of that to a married man” said Nadia. “Don’t be silly. It’s just some old feelings that woke up inside you. It’s not like you are planning on making him cheat on his wife” said Yara. “Of course not. Never!” affirmed Nadia. “Then it’s nice to feel what you’re feeling. It was real. It was THE love story of your life and you will never be able to erase it from your system. So don’t feel guilty, just enjoy it while it lasts” said Yara.  “I saw his wife!” said Nadia in disgust. “Oh my god. You saw Reem?” screamed Yara. “Yeah, she took him away, as usual. She didn’t see me though. At least I don’t think she did.” Said Nadia. “You think she’s still jealous of you?” said Yara and laughed. “How am I supposed to know? I only met her once few years back and she almost murdered me with her looks” said Nadia. “Very bad choice. He deserved someone better” said Yara. “Oh well. I think choosing my country over him was a mistake. If I could only go back in time, I’d leave everything behind and go with him” she said regretfully. “I agree. I was against it before and I didn’t encourage you to give up your life for him, but now and after all what happened with Manaf, I think that you should’ve followed your heart and not your brain” said Yara. “Na9eeb” said Nadia faithfully. “What a coincidence ha!” said Yara. “I know sub7an Allah. What brought him to my way?” wondered Nadia. “Everything happens for a reason” said Yara. “So what could the reason be? Seeing his cute son that was supposed to be mine?” said Nadia sarcastically. “Maybe it was to skip the ugly Manaf era and make you re-live the good old love” joked Yara. “I can’t explain the feeling. I was shaking. Shaking from head to toe. And I was so nervous that I didn’t know how to react and stood there looking so stupid” said Nadia. “It’s normal. And I’m sure that you didn’t look stupid” said Yara. “He said something before he left. It brought me back to life after years of being dead” said Nadia dreamingly. “What did he say?” wondered Yara. “He said, you look as beautiful as you always did..” said Nadia with her eyes glittering. “Aaawww. He still has feelings for you!!” said Yara. “No, not really. He also said that he was happy that I got married” said Nadia in disappointment. “Of course he’ll say that. What do you want him to say? It was a figure of speech kind of thing” said Yara. “Doesn’t matter. Each one of us moved on with his life” said Nadia sadly and Yara suddenly started singing, “7obbek fy galby M7ammad, ya 3yoony ya 7amoody”. Nadia laughed, “You’re insane” she said as the maid came by and served them tea.

**

“I’ve been thinking about your idea, the joint venture of our business” said Yara while she and Fahad were going through the sales records of the exhibition. “And?” asked Fahad. “I think that we should go for it.” She said without hesitation. “What makes you think so?” he wondered. “After the exhibition I realized that I need more exposure. I need my work to be displayed to the public. Maybe it’s time for me to go to the public instead of asking them to come to me” she said. “I’m glad that you finally think so” he said. “I’m happy with the exhibition’s results. What I have sold in three days at the exhibition is what I normally sell in around four months at the studio!” she said. “Then we have a lot of work to do beautiful lady” he said. “First let’s deal with all the payments. All the exhibition’s income will go to that man we owe BD10,000” she said. “Don’t you want to wait till you get the full amount?” he suggested. “I think it’s better to pay him now and then pay the rest when I have it. It will be easier for me and for him I guess.” She said. “OK. Do whatever you think is right.” He said smilingly. “Thank you. What would I do without you?” she said and patted his hand.

Santosh entered the studio with several frames in his hands, “It’s ready madame” he said and placed the frames on her desk. It was a collection of all press releases about the exhibition in both languages. Each press release was framed in a separate frame. “Excellent!” said Fahad amazed as he went through them. “Where shall I hang them?” she asked. “I say wait till we plan the merger. A lot of changes will be made” said Fahad.

The door opened and Osama walked in. Yara was surprised to see him but Fahad smiled welcoming him. “Osama?” said Yara confused. “Osama had lunch with us at home yesterday. And he wanted to have a word with you” said Fahad. “OK” said Yara confused. “Yara, I’m sorry for everything that happened. I’m sure that deep inside you know that I meant no harm” he said. Yara looked at Fahad and then back at him. “As long as you two cleared things up then I have nothing to be upset about” said Yara. “We’re too old for this teenage drama” joked Fahad. “Totally agree” said Yara. “Let’s celebrate by having coffee. Coffee on the house!” said Fahad sarcastically as the three of them made their way to the café. “Santosh, You too come and take whatever you want” said Fahad happily.

“I have a question for you Osama” said Yara once they were having coffee. “Shoot” said Osama. “When we were back in University you were engaged right?” asked Yara. He looked at Fahad and they both giggled. “Not exactly! I proposed to someone and it was official so the news spread” he explained. “Oh, so there wasn’t a melcha or anything?” asked Yara. “No, thank God” said Osama and he and Fahad laughed again. “What’s with all the laughing?” wondered Yara feeling stupid. “It was a mistake. We were young and I thought that she was really the one. She turned out to be a cheap slut” said Osama and they laughed once more. “We thought that you were married. But then Dalal said that you’re divorced” said Yara. “That’s what SHE said” said Fahad and they all laughed. “I can’t believe how people love to talk and gossip. 90% of what we hear everyday is false news” said Osama. “It only means that you are an important person.” Said Yara. “I am that indeed” said Osama jokingly. “Well. You were one of the most popular guys back then” said Yara. “Ayam. So who had a crush on me back then?” asked Osama. “Everyone but me” said Yara proudly. “Excellent, excellent” said Fahad laughing.

“If you want to make it to the movie we have to make a move now” said Osama to Fahad. “What will you do?” asked Fahad looking at Yara. “I’ll finish some work at the studio, pick Tamara up from her friend’s house and go home.” Said Yara. “Let’s go then” said Fahad. “That was nice! We should do it more often” said Osama. “Yeah. And one day we’ll find Dalal sitting under our table” joked Fahad. Osama laughed loudly while Yara tried so hard to hide her laugh, “You guys are mean” she said with a laughing face. “Regards to Nadia” said Osama as they went on separate ways.

Yara was organizing her desk when she got a phone call from Tamara, “When are you coming?” asked Tamara. “I’m leaving now, I’ll be there in 10 minutes” said Yara. “Her mum is asking you to come in” said Tamara. “Oho, why?” said Yara annoyed. “I don’t know. She said she wants to meet you” said Tamara. “Ufff. This is your mother’s job! Why do I have to socialize instead of her?” said Yara angrily. “Bye”, said Tamara and didn’t give Yara a chance to continue complaining.

The maid seated Yara at the formal sitting room. The mother then came, greeted and welcomed her, “It’s good to finally meet you. My daughter talks about you all the time and how much she envies you” said the mother. “That’s sweet. I love Fatima a lot” said Yara. “They’ve been good friends for long, Fatoom and Tamara, and they visit each other all the time. But I have never met your mother and I see you with Tamara more” said the mother. “Yeah” said Yara embarrassed without giving any explanation.  “My husband used to know your father Allah yer7ema. He met him few times. And I know your aunts, your father’s sisters. You know in Bahrain it’s a good thing that we all know each other” said the mother. “Yeah. True.” Said Yara. “But yet I have never met your mum or seen her anywhere with her in laws or with Tamara.” Said the mother digging for explanations. “She’s a homey person” said Yara politely. “Aha, and even when I ask Tamara about her she never gives me any answer. She just smiles. So I just wanted to check if everything is ok or if you need anything?” said the mother sweetly but with hidden curiosity. “Thank you very much. I appreciate it” said Yara. “What would you like to drink? Tea? Coffee? Juice?” offered the mother. “Thanks I really have to get going.” Said Yara and got up. “You’re welcome anytime to visit my dear. Regards to your mum” said the mother and shook her hand, “I will call Tamara for you now”.

“I don’t know what’s going on with me!” said Nadia while talking to Yara on the phone. “What’s the matter?” wondered Yara. “My mind is not with me. I’m dreamy and a million thought cross my mind every minute” said Nadia. “Is it about him?” asked Yara. “Yes. I really wish that I hadn’t seen him. Suddenly I’m depressed and angry. Thinking of all the ‘what if’ questions and imagining scenarios of what might happen next” panicked Nadia. “Are you out of your mind? What might happen next? The guy is married with a kid! You just met by coincidence and that’s it!” screamed Yara. “But there must be a reason why our paths crossed after all those years” said Nadia. “I can’t believe you. How come you didn’t think this way when you agreed to marry Manaf? Or when Mohammed asked you to leave your whole life here and go with him? You were always the mature one who thought with her brain. What’s happening to you now?” wondered Yara in anger and shock. “I’m telling you I’m going insane. It’s really painful. I want to go back in time and say yes to him. What was I thinking marrying that cold boring man who even cheated on me!” said Nadia in an annoying whiny tone. “Listen to me. Go have a warm shower, read Quran and try to get some sleep.” Said Yara. “No no no I can’t sleep.” Said Nadia in panic. “I said TRY. You will go crazy with all those stupid thoughts. Just do something about it please. Fahad is calling, I’ll talk to you later. Bye” said Yara and went for the other line.

“Hello” answered Yara. “Hey gorgeous. How are you?” asked Fahad. “Stressed. Really!” said Yara annoyed. “What happened?” asked Fahad concerned. “I’m just tired of covering up for my psycho mum!” snapped Yara. “But that’s nothing new!” said Fahad. “That’s the thing. I’m getting fed up. I feel like running away so she starts being responsible” said Yara. “Talk to her. Try in different ways if she doesn’t listen. Find out a secret door” said Fahad. “I was put in a very embarrassing situation tonight because of her and I also had to deal with my best friend who is losing her mind!” said Yara annoyed. “OK. Calm down please” said Fahad sweetly. “I can’t. Too much frustration for one night” she said. “Yara, darling, I need you to calm down right now” he begged. “OK. You’re right. I’m sorry. How was the movie?” she asked trying hard to switch moods. “Leave the movie now. Are you at home?” he asked quietly and nicely. “Yes, in my room!” She answered. “Is your mum home?” he asked in that same tone. “Yes! Why?” she wondered. “Is your sitting room organized and clean?” he asked again with that same tone. “Fahad!!” she said annoyed. “I want you to go out of your room now, go to your mum, tell her that the sitting room should be properly organized, and most importantly, to book herself a day after tomorrow” he said. “Excuse me? What are you saying?” wondered Yara in confusion. “I’m sending some women over..” he said jokingly. “Fahad this is really not the time!” she said angrily. “Yara…I’m proposing to you…a day after tomorrow….” He finally said..