Chapter 19, Reality

Nadia’s dream of owning a shop was coming to reality at the wrong time. With all of what was going on with her and Mohammed, her family being abroad and Yara’s issues, she didn’t have the time nor the clear mind to give this shop what it deserves. In addition to that, the location of the shop wasn’t as practical as she thought when she decided to rent it. It was the perfect place to be for an actual shop that stands alone in a street, but it wasn’t one of the safest locations in Bahrain and rioters would often hit it when a political situation arises.

She decided to delay the opening of the shop till things got settled for everyone. It was almost ready with 90% of the items in place. Being in Munich for few days was a good chance to buy some missing and needed stuff for the shop. So she went to the shop on Sunday morning to drop the things she bought and arrange some other stuff. 

“There you go” said Yara as she handed her a takeout sandwich from Starbucks. “Thank you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, my appetite is always open!” said Nadia as she took the sandwich gladly. “Eat! It’s the only guaranteed pleasure in life” said Yara. Nadia laughed, “Someone is upset!” she said. “I feel like I’m at war with my own self. I couldn’t sleep last night” said Yara. “Still can’t make up your mind?” asked Nadia taking a bite. “No, and having a limited time to think about it is putting me under pressure” said Yara annoyed. “You are the one who told him that you only need a day or two to think more!” said Nadia. “Yes, only because it won’t look nice to delay the proposal again. This time it’s either that we go for it or we just forget about it” said Yara playing with a pen that she picked up from the counter. “I don’t agree with you. Take all the time that you need and delay the proposal if you have to. If they delayed it last time then you have every right to delay it this time!” said Nadia. “Not only that, I don’t wanna live in this confusion for long. I have to make up my mind and move on” said Yara. “Just think of what made you be together in the first place.” Suggested Nadia. “Not enough reasons. When I try to pass the lying part, I think about the risk of not having children.” Said Yara. “I thought that it won’t be a big deal to you” said Nadia. “Me too, but now I realized that it is. When you love someone you want to have a family with him” said Yara passionately. “So if you find out, in any way, that he is able to give you children, will you go for it?” asked Nadia. “It gets confusing when you put it this way. Because I see him as a liar now and maybe we’ll face some trust issues” said Yara jumping on the counter to sit.

“I feel this wall is a bit empty. Would you care to get some of your photos here? For decoration and selling too!” suggested Nadia while staring at the wall behind the counter. “Sure, I’m selling the studio anyway” said Yara reminding her. “Leave that issue for now. Get back to it once you’re done with this complicated proposal that is taking forever” said Nadia being sarcastic. “Maybe it’s a sign! When things don’t go smoothly, it means that it’s not meant to be” said Yara thinking deeply. “But I see you trying which is really good. You called Dalal! That was big. Shows how much you want to fix this” said Nadia proudly. “Dalal is not a big deal. Since she came to the studio to apologize that day, I’ve been feeling guilty. She was right, she made sense when she said that we don’t have to be best friends but we don’t have to stay out of each others lives either” said Yara. “Yeah that’s right. I don’t want to be close to her again too. Respecting the limits is always the best solution when it comes to these things” said Nadia while arranging some little books on a shelf. “Did I make a mistake by going to her and telling her about it?” wondered Yara. “No, you needed to do that and it’s ok since she’ll remain a friend after all. But I wouldn’t tell her about Mohammed,” Said Nadia. “Yes, we learned our lesson and should be careful” said Yara.

Nadia’s phone rang. She put down the little books and rushed for her phone that was placed on the counter next to Yara. “Hello” she answered. “Hey you” said Mohammed. “Hey” she said quietly and happily to hear his voice. “I have some news for you” he said excitedly. “What?” she asked impatiently. “I’m moving back to Bahrain next week” he said smiling. “Next week? How? That fast?” she panicked. Mohammed laughed, “Why so nervous?” he asked. “I dunno you’ve been away for years. I thought that it will take you much longer to move back” she explained. “I resigned today. It’s a one-day notice only so I’m already out of work. Will need a week to finalize everything else and that’s it” he said. “Wow.” She said shocked. He laughed again, “You’re so scared” he said. “No, not that but what about Reem?” she wondered. “She knows that we are moving back. I told her so she could arrange herself. But I will talk to her about you today” he said. “Oh. Please don’t hurt her. Be nice and considerate” said Nadia guiltily. “I will try my best” he said promising.

It was lunch time in Yara’s house. The dining table was set with a long plate of Safi fish and another one, just as long, with steamed rice on it. There was a tray with a jug of lemon juice and three transparent purple glasses. And just when the maid came carrying a bowl of salad, Yara entered the house. “Yalla we barely have time. We have to go get the chocolate and I want to pass by the tailor” said Sajida walking towards the dining table. “Is Tamara back from school yet?” asked Yara walking straight ahead to the dining table. “Not yet, but we have to eat now and leave. I don’t have time to waste” said Sajida sitting on her usual chair with her hair wrapped in few hair rollers. “There is something that you should know” said Yara casually as she sat down. “What?” asked Sajida while pouring herself some juice. “There is a chance that this marriage won’t happen” said Yara casually while picking up a fish by its tail. “Not a good time for jokes” said Sajida and took a sip of the juice nonchalantly. “If I go ahead with it, there might be a possibility that you won’t become a grandmother until Tamara gets married” said Yara while putting some rice on her plate. “What the hell are you talking about?” said Sajida putting the glass down and sensing the seriousness of the topic. “What I just said! I've found out some things recently and now I have to reconsider” said Yara still very casual while cutting the fish. “What do you mean a possibility?” asked Sajida shocked. “He couldn’t with Alia” said Yara filling her mouth with rice and fish. “And why is this new to you? How come we didn’t know before?” asked Sajida in disbelief. “This is what we got to deal with now and the decision is in my hand. To take the risk or not” she said looking at her mother’s face for the first time today. “Laish? Laish ya rabby laish? Just when things got better for us! What will we do now! What will we do!!” wailed Sajida. “Calm down. I didn’t say that I changed my mind. I’m still thinking about it” said Yara and continued eating. “Are you crazy? This is a big risk!” screamed Sajida. “Yes, but you know how much I love him and how good he is. If I’m still confused it’s only because he lied and didn’t tell me about it” she explained. “This can’t be true. I need my Xanax. Where are my pills!!” panicked Sajida while getting up and rushing to her bedroom without having a single bite.

Yara’s careless mood suddenly switched to depression and anxiety. She stopped eating, took a deep breath and rested her head back on the chair. She’s right..This can’t be true.. She thought..

Mohammed and his little family were spending the afternoon in Harrods kids section on the 4^thfloor. They bought some children books for Khalid and then headed to The Diner for lunch. After finishing their lunch, the kid was busy with his books, turning the pages and staring at the colorful pictures. “Did you contact the shipping company?” asked Mohammed. “Yes, I’ll need a few days to pack up so I asked them to come two days before we leave” said Reem. “That’s better. I have to pack all the books for shipping too. We’ll have a lot to do this week!” said Mohammed. Reem looked away in concern for few moments and looked back at Mohammed, “Say it..” she said. “Say what?” asked Mohammed surprised. “I know that you have something to say to me. Just say it!” she demanded. “You know me too well” he said staring at the table. “What’s this all about? Moving back all of a sudden? You even changed, you’re no longer frustrated and annoyed as you always were. You suddenly became calm and focused. I know for sure that something has come up” she explained. “You are right and I was planning to talk to you about it today.” He said calmly. She stared at him anxiously, waiting for the bad news to hit her. “I…am…getting married” he said carefully. She didn’t blink an eye and kept staring at him with her eyes fixed on his. “I’m so sorry. I am so so sorry..” he added. As much as she was sure that what he was about to say was bad, she didn’t expect it to be that bad. She breathed heavily, still in shock with words getting lost in her head and between her lips. She tried to say something but she ended up mumbling some unclear words in a failed attempt to speak. “Take your time. You don’t have to say anything right now, let me explain to you more” said Mohammed trying to control the situation. “You don’t have to consider my feelings…my feelings…were never considered, as I’ve always given you the freedom to live your life with no obligations. But…what about this boy? Doesn’t he deserve to be considered?” she said finally being able to let out her rage after few minutes of shock. “I thought about it. Of course I thought about both of you. Nothing will change, we will still be a family” he said trying to sound reasonable. “What do you think I am? A machine or some robot with no feelings? How on earth are you seriously believing that nothing will change?! You made your decision and you expect me to be completely fine with it? How selfish of you! How disgusting” she burst out. Mohammed was taken aback with Reem’s angry reaction. The dragon inside of her was unleashed and he was seeing a new side of her that he has never seen before. He didn’t know how to react, especially that they were in public and with their little son sitting in between them. “Is it Nadia?” she asked with her face covered with rage. “Yes” he answered quietly. “I’ve always hated this girl because I felt that she was up to something” she said sharply. “Nadia is a nice person and I am the one who wants this! She tried hard to refuse just for the sake of you and Khalid. So don’t you say that about her!” he said defending her. “You never got over her. You think that I don’t sense it every single day or see it in your eyes?” she said with deep hurt. “I tried. And you know it very well, you know how much I tried..” he said embarrassed. “I spent the past few years of my life believing in you and having hope that you will come to your senses. But..what a waste..” she said shaking her head. “Reem, you are an understanding and mature person and that’s why I am not doing this behind your back. I decided to be honest with you because I was sure that you will understand like you always do.” He said trying to calm her down. “Don’t even try and justify it. It is impossible, impossible to continue living with you..” she said as she realized it. “Don’t say that! Making a decision when you’re this angry is not right. You will regret it later” he said. “No, never! The time has come for me to wake up from this long nightmare! The day you marry her will be the day we get a divorce!” she said and stood up, gathered Khalid’s books, carried him and walked away, leaving Mohammed with a mini twister inside his head. He waived to the waitress to get the bill, picked up his phone and called Nadia right away.

“How did it go?” asked Nadia as soon as she picked up the phone. “She asked for a divorce!” he said quietly and sadly. “Oh no! That’s really bad! I told you..I told you from the very beginning.. this was a bad idea!!” she said in guilt. “Don’t say that. I felt an anger that was locked up in her for years. This only triggered it. Don’t blame yourself, it was going to happen sooner or later” he said comforting her and himself. “No matter what you say, I will still blame myself for this” she said sadly. “Please don’t. Maybe she will change her mind once she calms down. We both have to sacrifice for Khalid after all” said Mohammed. “So what will happen now?” she wondered. “I’ll give her some time to think. But if she insists, then let it be.. You and I will never separate..” he assured her.

Sara was parking her car in the garage when Fahad was on his way out of the house. He waited till she parked and met him by the entrance. “Where were you?” he asked. “With the girls. Why?” she asked. “Bas. No one is home and I’m heading out” he said. “Never mind. Any updates with Yara?” she asked. “No. We didn’t speak today.” He said quietly.  “You are getting what you deserve! I warned you about lying but you just keep on doing so! I’d do the same if I was in her shoes! And imagine if someone did that to me, won’t you be upset?” she asked. “Don’t make it any worse. By the way, Osama needs to talk to you about something.” He said carelessly. “What about?” she asked wondering. “I don’t know. It’s probably about a girl you might know. I didn’t pay much attention, not the right time for it” he said staring at his phone screen. “He can call me anytime.” She said and headed inside the house.

One week later:

“We are here today to propose to your daughter..” said Um…..