the pair

Lying between the soft, plump pillows that were surrounding her, she watched him fix his "nasfa" in front of her dressing table. Her man standing ever so gorgeously, fixing his "nasfa" in front of  the glossy,large mirror. Her man, she thought while smiling viciously. He turned around hastily and began to leave the cosy bedroom to head to work but his eyes betrayed him and landed on the beauty of the creature that was lying seductivly on his bed making him pause for a moment and then change his way to the bed instead. He sat on the spot beside her on the bed and reached for her small hand. She smiled for believing that she controlled him, she could easily seduce him with a flutter of her long,curled fake lashes( but of course he believed they were naturally her's) or simply with her ravishing smile . He brought her soft hand up to his lips and planted a small kiss over her fingers.


" you need to stop doing this, I cannot possibly skip work...again." He said while smiling at her,the green in his hazel eyes standing out against his tanned skin.


" doing what?" She asked him with exagerated innocence.


He answered her by placing his head over her chest and holding her close to him. " terki...I too have to go to work" Jana said through his hair.


" I don't want you to work" He said while tightening his arms around her.


" your perfect "nasfa" will be ruined" She said. " and I do want to work"


He sat up and took his hands off of her, looking her in the eyes. " I think obedience is a good quality to have in a wife"


" I should've married a woman who stays at home to clean, cook, listens and agrees to almost everything her husband says and takes care of their upcoming children" He added ever so seriously, but she could see a hint of amuesement in his beautiful hazel eyes. 


" you should have..." She said softly.
" I shouldn't have picked a rebellious hard headed, stubborn woman who-"
" rebellious!" She interrupted him in disbelief.
" that hair..." He ran his long fingers over her light brown hair which was almost blonde and furiously shiny under the sun lights. This very discussion has taken place between the two of them many times before and it always ended with him still hoping of her quiting her job and staying at home while her stubborness never failed to kill that hope, but only temporarily.

" I love my job baby" She told him.

" I don't" He said honestly. Despite the fact that he was a modern, open minded man he still prefered the idea of his own wife, staying in the safety of their home, not necessarily cooking or doing anything at all as it killed him to see her tired, but he always thought that his wife was too delicate to handle that demanding, exhausting job of her's. Of course he fully knew that she was a strong, independent woman, afterall she lived in a foreign country all by herself for several years and she obviously did well without the help of a man. And he saw it with his own eyes in the times of the year when he visited her. And damn it he couldn't admit it to her but he loved to see her doing feminine stuff that he was too shy to talk about He smiled as he imagined her spending her mornings in their bed watching tv, reading a fashion magazine or simply...knitting.


She has agreed to take a week off from her job for his sake but she loved her job way too much to quit it. She never understood why he hated the idea of her working, he did not have a problem with that before he proposed to her! Maybe he was jealous, she thought while she bit her lower lip to prevent a smile. Maybe someday she'd quit and obey her husband, just not today or tommorow or the day after...


"fine" He rose from the bed in defeat, kissed the crown of her head and ordered her to rest before leaving to work. As soon as he got inside his car he lit up a ciggarette while waiting for his engine to warm up. Terki blew a smoke and smiled when he could almost hear jana's voice threatening to break his neck if she caught him smoking again and then his smile left his full, pink lips when he remembered her complaining about the severe neck and back pains she's been feeling lately. He was too worried and afraid but he never told her anything about those feelings and he wasn't planning to.

He couldn't convince her to quit her job this time, and he could not possibly force her to stay at home against her will, he loved her and respected her too much to do that. Oh, how much he loved her but maybe tonight, or tommorow or perhaps the day after tommorow his love for her lessened and then he'd be able to make her quit her goddamn job. With that thought, his smile landed back again on his mouth, he put the gear to drive and drove off, the smile never leaving his handsome face.


Back in their bedroom, Jana thought of her gorgeous husband and his ridiculous obsession with rest. "I've known him for 6 years, laysh tawnii alaa7ith that he's old fashioned?!!" She asked no one in particular before she flopped back against the soft pillows.

She never knew that she was the center of his universe and the mere thought of any harm that could happen to her left him in constant worry and fear that was too complicated to be easily seen as an obsession.

my name is Nouf (14)

our plane landed safely on kuwaiti soil early in the morning. It was such a bliss to be back in the comfort and familiarity of my bedroom and to finally have time for my weary self. A huge smile plastered over my bare face as I reached home and found mother drinking milk tea and eating breakfast while doing so with my father. I kissed her cheeks, kissed my father's head and sat down on one of the chairs around the table.

"el7emdlellah 3ala salamtich yummah, eshsawaitaw, shlon kan el mo2tamar?" mother asked while pouring me a cup of tea.

I chuckled. " yumma kan ejtima3 o esara7a makint adrii wain allah ga6nii!"

"haw! 3ayal eshmalah rai7a?"


" khibra" I winked at her. She laughed.

"hathela banatna, emdali3een, e7na ayyam gabil waain" My father mumbled while biting on a powdery piece of darabeel.

" yubah, awwal ghair oo il7een ghair" I said. " yumma khaleehom esawoollii omellete, mishtahia bai'6". I felt my phone vibrating on my lap, looked down at the screen and emmediatly silenced it as I saw Sagir's name flashing on the screen.

 I ate my breakfast almost slowly, ignoring my now rapid heartbeats.I loved it when I made him wait. I hated the idea of being too available for a man, especially a man I had cared about too much and wished to be around him more than anything.

 after finishing my breakfast I headed straight to my bedroom, laid on my lonely, very comfy sofa and dialed his number.

" Aloo" he answered on the third ring. " naima?" he asked.

" la, kint ga3da m3a el ahal.." I answered steadily. " what's up? mataby etnam? mint emdawim?"

He grunted. " la  ta3ban 7ddii, shakli ba6igha nouma, hmm I miss you"

 " midak?" I said, amusement filling my voice.

"osh, come over let's have breakfast together"

" la bil3afiaa tawni makla.." I was a little taken aback by his offer.

" ok latakleen bes t3alii.." His tone dropped slightly.

" wain? baitkom? are you serious?"

" my house, not the family's" He said. I felt awkward, he must be really rich.

" do you think it's appropriate to show up in your house?" I asked, trying my best to play hard to get while a big part of me wanted to be there with him.

"it's not. I'll show you around, o I want you to be here tjableeni wana akil"

I laughed. " fiiine, tabi ayeeblik shai wana yaya? oh and the address please!"


I showered, changed into comfy clean clothes and straightened my natural wavy hair. By the time I was finished it was already past 10 and I hurried to my car to the realisation that I made him wait for quite a long time. back in the car I reapplied my sheer lip gloss and ran my fingers through my hair.


I parked in front of his house which looked more like a beach house with it's sleek modern design and floor to ceiling glass windows and equally big glass gate. It was white and big yet very simple. It was absolutely beautiful.

I was about to press the buzzer when I heard his voice shouting "it's open 7ayach" and realised that he was already sitting outside watching me watching his home, I blushed deeply to the thought, pushed the gate gently and entered the house.As I predicted he was sitting on the deck, dressed in  navy pajama bottoms and a V neck white T-shirt.He looked absolutely gorgeous and relaxed in the daylight.
"allah e7ayeek" I smiled at him.

He patted on the space next to him, an invitation for me to sit down next to him. I did so, leaving a small space enough for both of us to move without touching. " how can you manage?" he asked.

"manage what?!" I asked him, his question confused me.

"looking this gorgeous all the time.." He said. I laughed.

" you know I don't look gorgeous all the times! you look good yourself" he really did.

 his hand reached out for my cheek and caressed it gently and ran it back smoothing my hair causing me to wince  by his simple yet very effective touch. I blushed instantly as I saw a smile of knowing, forming at the corner of his beautiful luscious mouth.

" would you like to come inside?" He said gently.

I nodded. With our hands interwined, he led me inside the house which was much more simpler in the inside. It consisted of white and everything about his decor shouted male! it wasn't as sophisticated as it looked from the outside, but it was still beautiful, I decided.

"So do you live here like..all the time?" I asked him.

" most of the time, it's much quiter here, artaa7 akthar broo7i" He said while leading me to his small kitchen. The kitchen was also very modern with it's Stainless steel appliances and wooden cabinets. It was surprisingly very clean for a single male who lived alone.

"I ordered sushi for two, matabeen titghadain?" He grinned.

"Sagir! tawni mitraygaa!" I laughed.

" 3adii, you're too skinny, you could use some fat you know.." He said while his eyes dropped to my waist.

" I'm not and I do eat...Alot!" I lied. ever since I met that bastard Faris and I'd made a decesion to stop eating, partially because he loved it when I was at my thinnest and since then I've developed some sort of phobia with food, mainly fatty foods.


He picked up the food bags easily in one hand while still holding into my hand with his other. " let's eat in the living room, you'll feel more comfortable there" He assumed without waiting for my openion.


He sat on the floor while I sat on the white leather couch opposite him and watched him rip the bag, he first took out the chopsticks and then the many bags of sushi and sashimi that were inside the white plastic bag.
" t3ali gi3day yammyii" He ordered.

" kani yammik"

" no you're too distant...t3ali eklai m3ai" He said while offering me brand new chopsticks.

"if you insist" I sat next to him on the floor and took the chopsticks from his hand.I wacthed him closely in admiration as he threw the first sushi in his mouth and chewed rapidly. I was developing strong feelings for this man and I wished from all my heart that he felt the same way towards me.

"try this, it's so good" He said, interrupring my thoughts. I savored one and emmediatly felt like eating another and he was more than happy to offer me the entire plastic box. We ate, talked and laughed together. This intimacy was becoming stranger by the minute but I enjoyed every minute of it and I never wanted it to end. I was so comfortable around him that I was too afraid to trust this, to give him my full trust.


I felt his hand again on my body, this time he was brushing my exposed arm ever so gently, I closed my eyes involuntarily, a mere touch from him had left me weak and wanting him even more. He was examining me carefully, mentally touching me with his eyes, I was out of breath as I saw his gaze dropping to my collar bone while his hand travelled up there to feel it. His fingers traced my neck, up to my chin and then back to my collar bone. " you're beautiful" He whispered.

I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I felt a strange lump rising in my throat. As if knowing what I was feeling, I felt his other hand wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me closer to his warm body on the floor.


What the hell are you doing Nouf? that nagging small voice in my head tried to put sense into me but I ignored it by burying my face in his broad, taut chest, his masculine, unique smell invaded my nostrills and I clinged to him even harder.

Suddely, unexpectedly  he grapped my arm and pushed me down on the floor so my back was pressed against the cold marble floor. I gasped with fear and maybe excitement when he clasped his hands on the floor on both sides of my face and lowered his body to mine with so much passion and force that were almost frightening. He was so close to me that I could feel his warm breath on my cheek.I shut my eyes when his breath came closer to my mouth and held my breath with anxious anticipation. With my heart almost running out of my chest I waited for a second, two and three but nothing happend and suddenly a wave of cold air hit my now burning cheeks. I opened my eyes slowly only to see him standing up, and looking as casual as nothing of these intimate events just took place between the two of us.

I was startled. I waited for a minute for him to explain what just happened before I adjusted my clothes and began to stand up with my wobbling feet. 
" you must be very tired, I too need to rest.." He finally talked. His voice was so calm and collected.
"ye-s, I'll leave" I said, my voice hoarse.

" don't forget your bag" He said coldly,and without waiting for a response from me he headed up the stairs to his bedroom,leaving me alone and startled in his living room. with wobbling legs, I clutched my shaking fingers aroud my bag and rushed outside his house with sudden, hot tears of rejection and humuliation forming at the corner of my eyes.



to be continued...

trapped

She hesitated sitting on the wooden, damp bench for she was afraid of ruining her expensive jeans. A huge tear escaped her soft lid only to land on the already wet bench, she cried for her, for her loss, for this dark, merciless night.

Her legs began aching so she surrendered and sat down on that bench she dreaded. How very human of her. She looked up at the dark , star less night sky and more tears began falling, one after another. Desperation invaded her heart, her body, her precious soul and she didn’t find a way to rescue herself. So innapropriate for a girl to be out in this hour, yet she chose life. Staying in her bedroom meant death and she wasn’t ready for that.


A little wind coming from somewhere, blew across her body and ruffled her shoulder length straight hair and her body shivered in response. Her phone; her major source of unhappiness rang, breaking the painful silence of the night, her heart didn’t jump like it used to, she didn’t glance at the screen emmediatly like she used to do everytime it rang and she didn’t pick up like she used to.


"shhh" she muttered, soothing her wounded soul while keeping her wet eyes shut.


A single droplet of rainwater fell from the sky and landed on her left cheek. She opened her eyes and looked up at the sky again, to face the natural shower that was about to wash her clean.



" you're crying too?" she spoke directly to the sky. " I'm sorry"


Three hours ago she was the first to attend his event to support him, his crappy event. She was too sick to move from bed yet she showed up Wearing her hair down exactly the way he loved it, and the red lipstick he thought looked good on her perfectly covered her full lips. She smiled, clapped her hands excitedly until they turned a deep shade of red and she tried so hard to love his crappy work that lacked originality. She tried.


Not a word of appreciation or even a simple text message, he smiled breifly when he saw her but never stopped to chat with her even though she saw him talking and thanking many people she didn't know, mostly very pretty girls.


" it's 2 a.m Hessa…why arent you safely tucked in your bed?" The night said.

" I see his face while awake, while on a public park…" she chuckled between tears. "sleep makes everything worse…I am not ready to die and see his face in my grave"

" Go home" The night ordered.



She did as she was told. She got in her car and played her current favorite song " ما ظنتي" while driving. The way abdulmajeed sang " thaya3tnii 7isbi allah 3alaik" made her cry so much as she could relate to the song, she literally was lost.

A year has passed and it feels like an eternity ago but the pain is as fresh as ever.


She is still trapped.

my name is Nouf (13)

I sat awkwardly in the limo with Hessa the excellent accounting girl and Maryam's assistant next to me in the back of the car. Up front sat maryam the pretty-young-for-a-supervisor supervisor. She never took her IPHONE off of her ear as she kept talking to Sagir about business related issues. I secretly wished I were in her shoes.
I was just wondering how I was going to endure the rest of the car ride with the arrogant accountant who ignored my existence and the nagging headache on the right side of my head when the driver pulled up in front of the Movenpick hotel.


Relief washed over me as the driver rushed to open the car door for us. I adjusted my black, shiny Abaya and equally black hijab and draped my small bag over my shoulder. My heart did a back flip and I felt nauseous for some reason as we stepped out of the limo. I could see Sagir and the rest of the men getting out of their limo too, which was parking right before our's.


As soon as I reached my tiny hotel room I took off the veil that was covering my head and lied straight on the bed. I wasn’t feeling very well as I had only two cups of coffee in me and sleep deprivation started to have its horrible effects. The conference was supposed to be held in less than an hour from now so I didn’t really have the time to nap. I let a little groan as I left the clean bed and headed my way to the small bathroom. I washed my face, brushed my teeth and reapplied my essential make up, tied my hair into a neat pony tail and covered my head with the now wrinkly black hijab.
I swallowed two pain killers and three bottles of water and took several deep breaths before I left the room.


the conference has dragged on for too long and I started getting bored out of my mind since no one asked for my help or opinion about anything, I was sitting there like an invisible someone, like a useless statue and I so wished I was in my warm bed back at home. I could feel my head pounding and my hand shaking furiously; damn I needed food and sleep.


I came out of my trance as I felt a hand very gently nudging me. It was maryam's assistant, indicating that the meeting was over. My face burned with embarrassment as I looked up and saw everyone's talking and gathering their things, I must have slept with my eyes opened.

I stood up and gathered my notes and pen with my shaking hands; I glanced at my watch while doing so and was slightly shocked that it was nine p.m already. I was about to head out when my favorite voice spoke, to me.



" 3afwan Nouf, momkin el awrag elli wasaitich 3lehom?" Sagir said.

It took me a moment to register what he had requested before I handed him the papers. "Thank you" he nodded.

I smiled without looking at him directly in the eyes and left the conference room.



I flopped back into the soft pillow. Moving my head alone was enough torture. My stomach growled with hunger yet just thinking of the effort of leaving this bed made me decide otherwise.I shut my heavy lids and the next thing I knew that I fell into a dead sleep.
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing loudly, my head throbbed achingly and my heart fluttered, I thought I was going to hyperventilate. It took me a while for the far-away bell in my dream to register as my phone. I finally found my phone hiding between the messy duvet mountain.


It was Sagir. " aloo" I answered huskily. "Are you okay, do you need anything?"

"No, no…did I wake you?"

Yes you did Mr. "la, 3adii" I said with my sleep filled voice.

" Asif..." he said in a low tone. " bes..I missed you"

I breathed deeply into the phone, my tongue failing me yet again with words.
" khalas ana akhaleech etkamleen nomtich…o mrra thania asif 3l ez3aj" he said in a more serious tone.

"No, please don’t hang up" I was already wide awake and I kind of missed him very much too.

He chuckled heartily. "I have an idea,can we meet now?"

That took me by surprise. "now? laish?"

"weddi ashoofich... ana brra el hotel eb my car t3ali…everyone's asleep already" he said.

"Are you sure ma7ad be6ee7 3ley?" I felt like a teenager sneaking to meet her boyfriend.
"I wouldn’t put you in this situation if I wasn’t sure" he said with that lovely, masculine tone of his. I felt my heart melting. "yallah, I'm waiting."

I brushed my teeth and washed my face hastily, put on the wrinkly Abaya and hijab and quickly left the room. I was aware of how horrible I looked but I knew if I started with makeup, Sagir would have to wait for a long time.



The reception was literally empty for my relief; I quickly dialed Sagir's number as I made my way out of the hotel.

"Turn to the left; I'm in the black-"

"ee shiftik" I interrupted him when I saw a black G class parked outside the hotel.I emmediatly knew it was him.



As soon as I got inside the car he drove off. "Where are we going?" I said.

"To park somewhere else, mala da3ii chethi ogaf barra el hotel" he said while driving.


" shaklik daal 6ireejik" I said. He really looked like he knew where he was going.


" ee rab3ii kelehom ehnii" he turned to grin at me. I blushed involutarily.


It didn’t take so long before he pulled up the car and turned to look at me.



" eshloonich..?" he said gently.


" zaina, how are you?"

"ta3ban, weddi anaam o bes" He sighed.

" ya36eek el3afia…the conference is over, you get to sleep le bachir sa7?"

"allah e3afeech… I wish.. mara7 ekhalooni"


" ma3alaih…enshalla eb tirtaa7 soon."


" Nouf?" He said in a much softer tone. " I never had the chance to say this to you directly but I like you very much and I think enni bedait.."


"I like you too Sagir, but…"



" latkhafeen mara7 athgha6 3laich.." he interrupted me while his hand reached for my face, I didn’t know what he was doing until he tucked the large lock of hair that was dangling on my face inside the black Hijab that was covering my head.

" nisait enni mit7ajba" I said sarcastically.

" 7ilo 3laich…" he almost whispered.

I laughed while blushing furiously. " thanks"


" ee, tithakart…I got you something" he suddenly said and started fumbling in some of the many little bags in his car, he seemed like a very messy person.



His hands finally rested upon the familiar beauty of the deep red carrier bag , I gasped when he took out the little red velvet box within and opened it to reveal a set of diamond cartier earrings from the "love" collection I adored very much.



"No Sagir I cant accept this!" I croaked. I wanted to decorate my earlobes with them so bad but it wasn't appropriate to show him how excited I was. Diamonds were literally my best friend and I couldn't deny it neither hide it.

" I'm sorry but you have to…" his face lit up with a radiant smile as if he sensed my excitement about the little gift. " may I?"


I nodded. I could feel my face turning a twenty different shades of red as he got closer to me. He took the silky black fabric easily off of my head and when my earlobes were on full view he placed the sparkly pairs one by one on each ear while mumbling "perfect" in my right ear. I shuddered as I felt the warmth of his breath and then the soft touch of his lips on my hair.


His fingers found their way between the spaces in my own fingers. I tried to pull my hand away but before I knew it, I was squeezing it back, wanting him closer to me more than anyone I've ever met. He raised my hand to the level of his lips, his eyes smiled up to me and then he kissed it for a long time before he pulled it away from his mouth, still cradling my hand between his.He started the engine and drove off without saying anything to me. Words were not necessary, it was all so obvious now; we were falling very hard for one another.


I stopped for a moment to compose myself before I entered the hotel and then as I came through the door I could see Sagir, out of the corner of my eye, following me inside. I was very pleased when my phone vibrated in my hand, it was another very cute message from Sagir "you take my breath away" it said. I sighed and reread the message for what seemed like a million times before I replied him with a simple yet meaningful text. " I'm glad I do...goodnight ;* ". He sure had a way with words.He really was something.



I nervously slid the plastic key down the slot, opened the hotel room's door and walked in. I threw my bag on the bed, took off my shoes, unbuttoned my Abaya and headed straight to the small bathroom to shower. I never took the diamond earrings off.






to be continued

my name is Nouf (12)

The weekend had passed quickly with events such as Sagir interviewing me and showing me around the office to make me feel at ease in my first day at work. I parked in the employee-only parking lot, gathered my things and stepped out of my car.


I slowly made my way inside the building; I was very nervous, almost tearful yet confident. It felt exactly like first day of school, I didn’t know what to expect and I sure didn’t know how things worked in an investment company.


My stomach churned as I entered the elevator with a bunch of strangers I held my breath and waited for the elevator to stop at the floor I was supposed to work in. My sudden smile outshined the sunshine as I read the message I just received from Noura. "Good morning Noufie! Knock 'em dead ;* "


I took a deep breath, trying to hide my genuine grin yet failing, god I loved my friends. I got off the elevator as it finally reached my floor and headed to my office, everything was familiar thank god, I thought. I landed safely in my cubicle, unnoticed.


A couple of minutes later Two girls greeted me, introducing themselves as Nadia and Latifa. They worked in the same department and I loved the friendly vibe they gave off.
The first few hours were eventless; I spent several hours of sitting at my computer, trying my best to pay attention to every word Nadia was saying about working here. I was starting to get hungry and a part of me was wondering where was Sagir and why wasn’t he around for me to see him. I knew it was ridiculous since he's an investment manager and he didn’t have time to check on the new employee. I bet he forgot all about me by now.

When it was finally time for my coffee break, I made a successful visit to the restroom to fix my hair and makeup and then to the nearby STARBUCKS to get my daily dose of grande skimmed Latte with a drizzle of caramel on top, along with the not so good skinny blueberry muffin.
When I finally turned back to the office the girls were talking about our supervisor "Mariam" whom I have not met yet. They talked about how pretty and kind she was and they mentioned something about her being in a business trip. I didn't participate in the conversation yet I enjoyed listening to their small , girly talks; my colleagues were fun I decided.

By five PM which is when I got back from work, I was starting to feel hysterical. I was really feeling the effects of a night without sleep and I yearned to be home, in my bed.
After taking a slow, hot shower I slipped into my pajamas and headed straight to bed to have my milk tea before drifting into a goodnight sleep.

I picked up my BlackBeryy, even though I was dead exhausted and began typing a message to Sheikha on BBM, my phone quickly vibrated in my hand and I jumped. Not expecting it at all, I quickly opened the message that was the begining of it all.


" ya36eech el3afia...adrii dawamna wayid mut3ib o shaklich mit7asfa 3la gad sha3ar raasich enich rethaiti eb this job" the message was from Mr Sagir himself.


I smiled involuntarily, that caught me off guard. I began typing a message as a reply to his, I tried to think of something smart to say but ended up with " allah e3afeek :), you can say that.."


" afa2! kint bayey at6aman 3lech bes el shighil elyoum mayisma7…7itta ma3indi wagt a7ik raasi, hatha yizai?"



" hehe eshda3wah, I'm kidding. I loved it there, again thank you so much Mr Sagir.." I replied him emmediatly.


" radaina 3la Mr maltich hathi, yuba getlich Sagir o bes latkhaleeni asadig 3umrii, o lat7ateen 6al 3umrich kelha esbo3ain thatlath o enshalla betit3awidain o eb takhtheen 3l shighil"  I couldn't help laughing at his message. I found it a bit weird for the manager to text me, especially that our messages were not at all formal yet they gave me this feeling of familiarity and comfort.

" enshallah Sagir.., I'll try my best"

" I believe you will, we need someone like you. good night." I reread his last message and automatically saved it. There was something about it that made me feel wanted, needed...it might be the word "need", I couldn't decide then.

 When I got to work the next morning , I saw Nadia, Latifa and some other girls gathering around a woman and talking a bit too excitedly. I approached them saying my hello before heading to the office, only to be stopped by Latifa who introduced me to Mariam, our supervisor. Mariam was a tall brunette with a body of a goddess and a smile of a hollywood diva and as soon as she greeted me I fell for her charms like the rest of the girls.


At eleven I wasn't the slightly bit expecting Sagir passing by our office. He entered the office so tall and handsome in his gray "wintery" dishdasha and neat ghutra and that was the moment when I realized how hot he was and how much I'd wanted him. And the fact that he stood right before my cubicle didn't make anything easier. "Nouf, sa7?" he said, looking so serious, I gulped.


" aamir"

" mayamir 3lech 3adow bes baghaitich etsaweeli shaghla, fe file mawjood eb your computer abeech teshtaghlain 3leh wetkhalseenly eyah elyoum." He ordered, not a hint of a smile on his face.


" enshallah" I simply obeyed.


After less than five minutes I recieved a message from him that made me blush a hundred shades of red.
" lesh ekhtara3tay? btw u look even nicer than  the last time I saw u in bahrain."

I didn't know what to reply to him, what if he treated everyone here this way? my stomach churned for the thought and I shook my head to push it aside and replied him back instead. " madri, I didnt expect you..thank you"


I put my phone away and began working on Sagir's file hoping to finish before five PM, I had lost track of time working on that file because when I finally looked above my computer screen, the office was already empty.I glanced at the digital clock resting on my desk, 5:11 PM. " ugh, mita akhalis!" I whined loudly as I knew nobody was around the office.


" coffee?"


I jumped in my place and my hand atumatically landed over my mouth to stop an upcoming shreik. " YOU GAVE ME A FRIGHT!!!" I yelled.


" besmillah 3lech, I'm sorry I'm sorry! eshfeeni ga3id wakhar3ich elyoum.." Sagir apologized while standing awkwardly with two STARBUCKS cups of coffee in his both hands.


"I'm sorry" He apologized again. I gazed down at my manicured nails, not bothering saying anything to him. He placed the papercup in front of me, on the disk, waiting for me to take it.




"thank you" I said and finally looked at him again.


" you're doing a great job Nouf..." he said gently.




"I'm not ..quite done yet" I almost whispered. I could feel the hard lump in my throat, keeping me from talking, I sighed heavily and to my utter dismay a big, fat tear escaped my lid and landed on my cheek.


I could see the shock in Sagir's face as I lost control of my tears, he placed his cup of coffee beside mine and pulled a chair to sit next to me. I burried my face in my hands and I cried and cried and cried, while he remained silent in the chair next to mine.




"Nouf...6al3eeni" He said.


I wiped my tear streaked eyes with the back of my hands and looked at him.


" ana 7aywan" He said ever so seriously and I laughed.


" it's just been a long day" I said, blushing deeply. " I'm so sorry for what just happend"


"Don't...mara7 agool 7g a7ad" He winked.I laughed again.

" enzain yallah goomay, wayid eshtaghaltai elyom, let me walk you to your car."
 
We walked together to the parking lot, sipping our coffee and talking about random things. He opened my car's door for me and my heart did a back flip.
 
" drive safely.." He said. " o Nouf, mabii ashoof dmoo3ich again"
 
 
 
  A month had passed with him as my boss and my...undefined. We texted each other all night long, spent hours staring at each other at work if we had the chance, he would stare and I'd blush and pretend I didn't see him, he would buy me my favorite STARBUCKS drink everyday and walk me to my car if we both worked until late and nobody was around, I loved everything about it and I couldn't imagine a day without his good morning messages and his strong perfume.
 
 
It was one of those long days at work when he called me into his office. I adjusted my skirt, ran my fingers through my hair and nervously made my way to his office, aware of the audience that were my very curious colleagues.
 
 
I walked in his office and closed the door behind me. His face emmediatly lit up as he saw me walking in.
 
" el salam 3lekom" I said politely.
 
"wa3alaikom el salam ya hala" He grinned, obviously enjoying this.
 
 
" Nouf..." Oh god I loved my name coming from his mouth.
 
"aamir?"
 
" mayamir 3lech 3adow... enshallah bachir 3indina conference bil khobar 7g our company oo... I really want you to come..."
 
 
" bachir?" Sagir and his surprises, I thought.
 
 
" ee, for two days only...bes enshallah 3ogb salat el magharb benroo7, please come as my assistant.."
 
 
"madri Sagir...faja2tnii" 
 
" ra7 etyeen? 3ashani..?" He looked deeply into my eyes and I knew right there and then that "No" wasn't an option.
 
" yes Sagir, I will go with you"


When I went back home that day I was welcomed by mother and her friends who were having tea and watching their favorie turkish show at the living room. " ya36eech el3afia Noufa, ta3ali shirbai weyana chwaiha" mother offered,


" allah e3afeech, La yumma mashkoora 3lekom bil 3afia ana baroo7 arayyi7 foug"


" 3la ra7tich, bes lat6awleen, banat khaltich shireefa beyoonna b3den"

" enshallaa" I assured her. " oh and yumma? zahbeeli 3abat eb geyaasi"




to be continued...

My name is Nouf (11)

A couple of days later I picked up sheikha at Bahrain international airport with opened arms and a huge smile. " Shayooooooookh over here!!" she turned around when she heard my voice, almost ran and jumped up to hug me.

"Missed you" I said while hugging her back.



" chub!" she said and I giggled.

" I have so much to tell! Eshrayich engi6 your luggage el hotel b3dain we go somewhere for coffee?" I suggested.

" allah wil luggage!" she looked down at her small Samsonite bag." but yeah, sure!" she said excitedly.


After making sure her small baggage was safely delivered in my hotel room, we headed straight to café Lilou.



I ordered two skimmed cappuccino s and a MILO MILO to share.



" so tell me, how are you, really?" she said while sipping her cappuccino.

I sighed. " okay, I guess"


She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. " eshsawaitii broo7ich for the last few days?"


" I met this person…" I said.


" what? What person?!" she said a little too loud.



I stuck my fork into the sinful MILO MILO , scooped up a bite and shoved it in my mouth. I told her about Sagir, from the very first day until the day we exchanged our numbers and he left to Kuwait. She kept nodding and listening carefully to every word.



" his name is Sagir al Fulani" I said while having another bite.

she gasped and almost choked on her bite. " 7ilfaaay? Sagir el Fulani maghairaa??"



I nodded. " he gave me his business card, bes madri wain 7a6ait'ha"

" mashallah, tadreen hatha mino??" she asked, still in complete astonishment.

" Nope, never met him before" I said with all honesty.
" chathaba mat3arfeena! hatha wild flan el Fulani, mashallah he's 28 bes 3inda khair, he's like the youngest billionare! he made his own wealth, o egoloon he's hot! sij?? ana sam3a feh wayid bes wela marra shifta! o hathi sharikat oboh bes he runs it, lat6awfeen el fursa! Khosh mokan tara!" she said quickly, going breathless mid sentence.
" I told him I'll think about it" I scatched my head, still trying to swallow everything she just had told me.

" you'll text him now, saying you'll take the job." She said firmly. "now!"


" enshalla, enshallah! I will text him but not now, I need more time to think" I bit my lower lip.


" to think of what? you desperately need a job Nouf"
" oh lord, I do" I already had my fair share of  vacations and time off and I thought it was time I started doing something other than being on a vacation.


" great, yalla jiddami text him" she ordered.


" I'll do it tonight, I promise" I promised her while marvelling at the beauty of the chocolate cake that was staring back at me and waiting to be finished.


We talked some more and then it was time to leave the café , I was already feeling tired but I refused to go back to the hotel until bed time,we needed to enjoy our day before leaving tomorrow to face reality.
We then went to quick shopping at Al-A'ali mall, bought a couple of pretty shoes for work, some skirts and lots of formal shirts.


By the time we went back to the hotel, it was already past eight pm and I thought it was time I sent the message that will change things, a lot of things.



I put on my night gown, brushed my teeth and sprayed bodycology cocoa body mist. Sheikha on the other hand changed into a fresh blouse, reapplied her mascara and lip gloss and put her hair up into a high bun. " Er, shayookh… since when you dress up for bed?"



" min gallich we will sleep? It's too early and boring for that" she said while throwing her small bag over her shoulder.



I giggled. " wain binroo7?"

" dinner, I'm starving" she ran her fingers over her flat tummy.
" mali khilg abaadil!" I whined.
" 3adi ta3ali eb your pajama I don’t mind" She shrugged.
I put on last night's wrinkled sweater and a pair of jeans, didn’t bother put any make up on, put my hair into a neat ponytail and was ready to go out.


Sheikha wanted sushi for dinner and I didn’t mind so we had our sushi at Nu Asia. It was a very slow and delicious dinner and I enjoyed every bit of it. Ever since Sheikha came here and I had been feeling alive. I ate, laughed and  stopped wishing to be somewhere else. I liked here, I liked this moment very much.
"Nouf…" said Sheikha with an unusually serious tone in her voice.


I looked up at her.


"What really happened with Faris?" she asked.


My mind flashed unwanted, very painful pictures in front of my eyes and I shook my head to clear the ugly thoughts away. I sighed heavily; I kind of expected that question. "It's over"


"Are you okay?" she asked me for the second time today.


I was quiet for a moment but then I felt a stabbing pain at my chest and I felt hot, fresh tears sliding from my lids.



"oh god! I'm such a bitch!" She said in dismay.
"No, its okay…I can't keep it forever" my voice quivered.



"I'm so sorry" She extended her hand to wipe my tears away.

It was very hard for me to pretend when it came to Sheikha, she was the sister I'd never had and being open and honest to her all came naturally.



"Time will heal all wounds, time will heal you whether you liked it or not." she said soothingly while squeezing my hand. I wanted to believe her but my broken heart didn't allow me to.


When it was finally time to go to bed, I sent the message saying that I'd start working as soon as possible and that I was very excited to work for such a prestigious company and I thanked him again for the offer. My phone beeped twenty minutes later announcing a message. I picked it up, opened the message and read the three words slowly "good luck Sunday"



My heart did a back flip and I couldn’t stop the feeling of combined excitement and fear that had crept into me.

I collapsed into a deep coma of exhaustion, warm and hopeful with my phone in my hand.

kuwait

I woke up to the sound of the nagging alarm clock ringing in my ear. I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock, it was 5:55 AM. I rose quickly and headed straight to the bathroom. After washing up and straightening my hair I slipped my SEE BY CHLOE black leather and suede dress over my head, I knew I could never go wrong with black and my lethal armani hollywood red lipstick which I was about to apply.

I put on a pair of green suede pumps, stuffed my essentials in my tan leather bag and rushed down the stairs and out the door to my car. I started the engine and  checked my reflection in the rear view mirror while waiting for my car to warm up. After five minutes I put the gear on D and drove to work while listening to U2's it's a beautiful day. I was more than ready to start my very first day at work.


to be continued...

My name is Nouf (10)

With my now furiously shaking hands, I dialed his number while holding my breath; my heart was shaking hard as he picked up on the first ring. I was surprised, he never picked up his phone, and he always, always called back!


"halaa bil 7uuub killaaah" he said a little too loud.


"Faris?" I whispered my voice quivering.



"fajoooorty" he said " ma3aach"



My heart sank as I realized what he just called me and then I started to panic. I clamped my hand over my mouth in order not to make any sound. I ended the phone call without saying a word.



I sat on the bed, motionless and unable to breathe. I shut my eyes and breathed slowly, trying to regain my control. My sweaty hand reaching for my phone again, which was lying beside me on the bed. I pressed the letter F and his name immediately appeared along with many other names in my phone book. I punched the delete key, deleting him from my phone and my life, for good.

"Not this time Faris" I muttered under my breath, feeling the bile rise in my throat, but I refused to cry over that man again. At least it made sense now that I knew he was seeing someone else and was obviously so into that someone.


I vowed not to cry over that lying, cheating scumbag ever again and I so far I was keeping my promise. That night I miraculously collapsed into a dreamless, deep sleep.



I woke up the next morning just as suddenly as I'd fallen asleep. I smiled as I felt the sun rays streaming through my window and shining directly to my face. I stretched out on the warm bed before rolling out of it.



I showered slowly, enjoying the force of the water drops running down my body. I washed off the bad memories out of my hair, my face and body until my skin turned to a deep shade of red; I decided it's time I left the shower box.



I rummaged through my messy suitcase and looked for something nice. I decided to put on an effort to look hot for a change. Ever since I came here I didn’t bother even look at the mirror and that didn’t feel like me at all, I was missing my old self already and I wanted her back. I picked out a gray body-con jersey dress, silver tights and the same black, boring ballet flats which were the only shoes I'd brought with me. I inserted the flats to my feet in disappointment, secretly wishing they were a six inches killer Christian Louboutins. I applied some mascara, a bronzing blusher to define my cheek bones and a colorless lip gloss. I glanced at my hair and gasped with horror, I didn't think it had looked this bad before. I looked around the room for something ; my eyes laid on a bright brochure of the hotel's spa and I suddenly came up with the brightest idea.


I called the hotel's spa and salon and asked if it was okay to have my hair done without an appointment, for my delight the woman on the phone said that the best hair stylist was available and that I was welcomed now. I draped my bag over my shoulder and excitedly left the room.


I entered the spacious, airy place, welcomed by the strong smell of incense and aromatic oils. An Asian lady greeted me and led me to another room where she sat me at a shampoo chair and called the hair stylist.

"Hi!" the small, black haired woman greeted me with a huge smile and asked me what I wanted to do with my hair.

"I need a haircut, two inches shorter and perhaps a few highlights!"


She washed my hair with shampoo and rinsed it slowly while massaging my scalp. I sighed and shut my eyes; I haven’t felt this good in a long time!

After in what seemed like two hours my waist length hair was slightly shorter,  two shades lighter and much more alive. I loved it so much; I couldn’t stop touching it and beaming at my reflection in the mirror.




I stepped in the food court in the hotel lobby which was invaded by the glittery sunlight, it was past ten in the morning and my stomach was already making noises.



I spotted him immediately, from his dark tan which was so alien for this cold weather. He was wearing the traditional Kuwaiti dishdasha, ghutra and e'gaal and was sitting at the largest table in the centre with his phone pressed to his ear. He was talking to someone loudly and I could hear him clearly from where I sat. I sat on a two seats table, ordered a cup of coffee, cheese omelet and today's paper. I looked out of the window that overlooked the same huge pool I spent my previous day, in and around it. I smiled, today was different. Today was shiny, new, and beautiful.




He ended his phone call and looked up to meet my eyes. He didn’t recognize me immediately as he sipped his coffee and fumbled through the papers which were scattered across the enormous table. I found myself waving at him "Sagir" I called his name. He looked up again, this time smiling as he recognized my voice.

"Nouf?" he asked.


I nodded.

"asif mantibaht" he laughed. I blushed a little, fully aware that I looked completely different from the night before.

" 7ayyach, 7ayyach!" he muttered while standing up.

" la la 3adii I can see you're busy"


" la wallah tawni emkhalis ejtimaa3 min suba7 allah khair, raasy sadda3" he grinned. " wallah bint deeratna mankahleeha etarayg broo7ha, 7ayach"


I knew refusing to sit with him wasn't an option so I headed to his table, cheeks blushing and my large tote in my hand. He stood up and held the chair for me. " etfathilay" he said politely.


" mashkoor" I muttered and sat down on the chair opposite him.


So I did join him on breakfast, feeling slightly awkward yet delighted that there was someone I could talk to. I was beginning to hate this whole time alone.


"So, ejtimaa3 shno if you don’t mind me asking?" I said while smiling at him.


He sighed. " wallah this is a business trip o lazim kint asawi meeting with a couple of foreign business men wayid mohimeen 7g sharikatna"

" oh, mashallah" I said. "So everything is going well, I hope?"


" ee el7emdella, aham shai eftakait o agdar arja3 el deera bachir el sib7 enshallah" he said while beaming at me.


" anyway shino tishribeen?" He asked , not giving me a chance to talk.

"Thank you, I already ordered coffee" I said.

" brilliant. So what about you Miss Nouf, mita ra7 tirji3een enshallah?" He asked. I caught him frequently looking at my hair.
I hesitated. " mo mista3yila 3l raddah, mita ma radait. Besides I don’t have a job or anything important to get back to"

"oh, mo nawya teshtaghlen? Qadamti 3la watheefa?" he asked, he seemed so interested.


" wallah weddi! Qadamt 3la wayid amakin bes na6ra mokan zain, mabi ashtighil ay mokan" I said honestly.

" shino your major?"

"Marketing" I said confidently.

"Excellent. Are you interested to work for our company?"

"You're serious?" he took me by surprise.

"I am" he grinned.

"I… erm, can I ask what's your company?"

"It's Al fulany's investment company but we really do need some good marketing students" he winked.

I laughed. "That would be awesome! Thank you so much"
" So I consider that a yes?"

" yes!" I giggled.
He nodded. " bes 3la shar6!"

" shino el shar6?!"


" ana aseer your boss" he said ever so seriously.


I laughed again. " 6ab3an Mr Sagir!"


" o ba3ad fee shar6 thani"


"And that is?" I raised an eyebrow.


" el a7ad el yay tabdeen dawamich, which means ra7 etrideen el Kuwait this weekend"

My heart sank and my stomach churned. Nausea overtook me as he brought up the subject of me getting back, was I ready to get back to the place I escaped from?

" ha eshgiltay?" he asked gently.


"Can I think about it and get back to you?"


"Yes. Sure! "He muttered.


Relief washed over me as the waiter showed up with my cheese omelet and the cup of coffee. He placed the tray on the table before me and asked me if I needed something else, I thanked him and sent him away.



We talked a lot while I ate slowly, I loved that he did most of the talking and since his stories were  interesting and funny, I enjoyed listening to him very much.



" I enjoyed this very much Nouf, thank you for keeping me company" he smiled while standing up. " ana sar lazim amshi 3ndi cham shaghla lazim asaweeha, bes gabil la amshi mumkin takhtheen raqmi 3ashan mawthoo3 el shighil?"

" ee ee sure" I reached for my phone on the table and asked him to type the number himself. " ektiba enta a7san akhaf aghli6 eb a digit"

He did as I said and gave me back my phone. " sayavta bes digeely ranna 3ashan asayiv your number too"

"enshallah" I said.

" yallah, tabeen shai yuba?"

" salamtik, o etrid bil salama enshallah" I said.

" esalmich, o na6ir minich rad" he smiled.

" enshallah" I giggled.

" faman ellah"

"bye"
------------------------------------------------------------------------


That night I couldn't sleep. I lied awake thinking of everything that happened earlier today. I thought about the job offer, about Sagir and everything he had told me. I was begining to feel very lonely, that was when I decided to call my favorite people in the world; my two best friends, Noura and Sheikha. Knowing that Noura's mother would never allow her to travel alone I called Sheikha; I desperately needed a friend.


" Noufaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" she screamed my name, she didn't even wait for my hello.

I giggled. " 7abeeeeebti walhana 3leeeeeeeeeech o 3la Nwaaaair!"

" Noufooooooooooo wai wai masaaadig" She yelled excitedly.

" sadgay sadgay, sheikho ta3aly el ba7rain!" I said.

" faj2a! I would bes lazim agool 7g oboy!" she said.

" eeeh please goleela Noufa ga3da hnii with her cousin o min hl 7achi" I was desperate.


" enshallaah bes 6amneeni 3alech, shloonich? shakhbarich, are you okay??" she said, concern filling her voice.

" magdar agool shai al7een , please come over, I really do need to talk"

" khalas I'll go talk to my father now o I'll call you back okay?"

" I might be asleep etha maradait text okay??"


" okaaaay, emwaah bye"

I phone kissed her back. " bye"




My phone beeped an hour later indicating a message. " I'm coming baby!" it was from Sheikha.


You could imagine how happy I was, I didn't bother text her back, as I was drained with exhaustion, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. I dreamed of Sagir, the job offer and Faris's phone call.



to be continued....