What if.. (24)

Two hours later Bandar and Hind were still sitting on the same couch.. well Bandar was on the couch and she was on his lap.. giggling as he whispered in her ear,

"a7ebek.."
"Bandar.. do you realise ina i7na ma te'3adaina? We sat for two hours without ordering.. oh my god what will the waiters think?"
"Hahahha why do you care what they think?"
"Fesheeeela oh my god shlon ba6la3 mn hne? Magdar araweehum wayhy!"
"I love you.." he said, kissing her cheek, she turned around and kissed his forehead,
"I love you too.."
"Do you want to go back to the house wela go see Maha?"
"Oh my god I feel guilty nesait'ha! I'm such a bad friend!"
"hehe la you're not.. I'm just so charming nasaitek ildinya o ily feeha"
"hehehe you are 7abeeby.. sh9ar 3ala Maha's husband? She doesn't want to talk about it, whenever we bring him up tgool later let me look at my baby"
"I know.. she's upset.. bs kalamny ilyoum o he feels bad for what happened, he realises that his sister is difficult bs ygool she's his only sister o akbar minna o ma yeb'3a yza3elha.. 9ara7a ho rajal 6ayeb.. byejy ilyoum o bey5aly i5ta te3tether o benshoof"
"Good.. we'll convince her.. o anyway she'll stay 3end 5alty until baby 6alal is a bit older.. betehda during that period inshallah"
"And when will we have baby Faisal?" he said putting his hand on her stomache.
"Heheh Bandaaar.." said Hind blushing,
"You know I can't wait for long until the wedding right?"
"hmmm bs ya3ny.."
"No.. Allah ye3lam how long I've been waiting.. I've been ready for a long time, I have my own company, I have a good income, I've built a house which you will decorate 3ala ra7tek.. ya3ny be5te9ar malah da3y ina we delay the wedding"
"hmmm Bandar?"
"3yoona?"
"wain beykoon baitna?"
"what do you mean?"
"Ya3ny i don't think I can leave Doha.." she whispered.

What if.. (23)

The girls sat in the back seat of Bandar's car as he drove through the streets of Riyadh, taking them to see their friend at the hospital. Hind was looking out of the window lost in her thoughts about Bandar.

How did things change so suddenly? She thought to herself, why was he acting this way? Is it something she did? Was it because she went to the meeting? Did he want her to not go? She didn't get it.. everything was perfect when he was in Dubai with her.. the shopping trip.. the proposal.. she could see his love in his eyes.. what happened all of a sudden?
Her thoughts were interrupted when Bandar pulled over at the hospital's entrance,
"Tefa'6elo.." he mumbled,
"Ma ra7 tanzel ma3ana?" asked Sara,
Hind saw him looking at her through the mirror infront of him but remained quiet.
"La, 3endi shwayat she'3el baro7 ilmaktab, ashoofkum fe ilbait ba3dain inshallah"
"Ok" answered Sara, pushing Hind out of the car.
"7ata ma yeshtehy y6ale3ny Saro.." said Hind when they were entering the hospital,
"Ela ma shal 3aina mn 3alaich! Zain ma de3amna! Madry shlon we9alna belsalama.. il7imdillaaaa Allah salamna!! 6oool il6ereeg o uhwa y6al3ech 3alaich mn ilman'6ara!"
"Hahaha Saro yalsa5eefa!! o ba3dain ma chefta y6ale3ny"
"Wain tchoofeena o inty mtan7a fe ilshare3 chinich awal mara etchoofeen sheware3 ne'6eefa.. fashalteena.. al7en beygoloon ildo7a mafeeha sheware3 3adla!"
"hahaha 9ij mafeeeha! kel ilsheware3 construction!"
"eee 3ad latfehmeenhum '3ala6.. they're working to make a better future for the next generations.. yallah 3ad.. la tbawzeen jedam Maha.. broo7ha miskeena ily feeha mkafeeha.."
"ee I know.."
They reached Maha's room, knocked the door and entered to find their friend lying in bed watching friends on MBC 4,
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I miss you guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuys!!!"
They ran to her and hugged their friend, after 5 minutes of hugging and I miss you, Sara jumped looking for the baby..
"Wain my prince? Wain rayel binty?"
"heheh they're changing his pampers.. oh here they come"
The nurse came in carrying a pink bundle in her arms.
"Mahooy.. Allah y'3arbelech.. yayba bnaya wela walad?" asked Sara,
"haha Talal.. walad ya3ny"
Sara held baby Talal in her arms and looked at him in wonder,
"Mahooy pink pyjamas and pink everything.. shnawya 3ala ilwalad..?!"
"hehehe taby tsaweeh gay.. you know how she loves being friends with gay guys.. betsawy wa7ed 3endaha fe ilbait permanent" said Hind giggling,
"Wallah Bandar yelbes pink tshirts sometimes o he ALWAYS looks good," said Maha nudging Hind with her elbow.
Hind looked down at her ring and felt the tears rushing to her eyes,
"weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyh 3ad al7en arjooch latfet7een 7aljha 3alaina! ma 9adagt tasket..!"
"Laih? What's happening with Bandar Hind?" Maha asked her friend concerned,
"Madry Maha he's acting weird since our trip to Dubai, ya3ny everything was going so well o ba3dain madry sh9ar.."
"Don't worry 7abeebty wallah he loves you, he's just being paranoid o he's jealous o ma yeb'3a ygoolek.."
"JEALOUS? Are you serious? he has nothing to be jealous of.. wallah wallah wallah Sultan is out of my life forever.."
"Why are you telling me? Tell him.."
"Bs Mahooy he doesn't want to talk to me"
"Jarabty o gal lek I'm not interested?"
"La.." she whispered,
"Uff yeqheroon ilnas ily in love ha?" laughed Sara
"eee marra" answered Maha laughing
"Hanood gooly 7ag Maha 3an the ring mal B"
"What ring.. tell me tell meeeee...." begged Maha,
"I feel stupid wallah bs after he travelled from Dubai I missed him so much fa while I was shopping re7t Cartier and had them engrave our names into a wedding band for him" she said blushing,
"aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw.. ma gal ly Bandar,"
"He doesn't know.. I didn't get a chance to give it to him" answered Hind,
"Didn't you just see him?"
"hmm.. bs ma 3a6any wayh Mahooy.. ma a3arf shasawy" she said hugging her friend with tears in her eyes,
"Wait a minute.."
Maha leaned over to the table next to her and took her phone,
"Aloo.. hi 7abeeby.. ta3al ly ilmostashfa shway.. e Hind ta3bana teb'3a terja3 ilbait.. la ilsawag kalamta ma yegdar yejy.. 6ayeb.. la Sara btebga ma3y tsaleeny shway.. ok.. bagool laha.." she hung up and turned to Hind, "he'll be here in 5 minutes, yallah go get ready!"
"Get ready to do what?"
"ee ya3ny goomy put some lipstick on, brush your hair, put on some blusher.. do something mub teg3edeenly mtan7a chethy!" said Sara pushing her friend into the bathroom.
Hind did as instructed by her friends, then went back into the room,
"Do you have the ring with you?" asked Maha
"eee" she replied,
"You better give it to him.. itha ma shefta in his hand today I will kill YOU"
"hehehe Mahooy la 5ara3teeny.."
Maha's phone beeped and she looked up at Hind, "yallah go he's downstairs,"
"Ok.. love you.." she said as she rushed out to meet him.
"I hope this works.." said Sara after her friend left..
"hmmm inshallah" answered Maha.

.....................................................

Hind felt her heart beating faster as she got closer to Bandar's car, she could see him sitting in the driver's seat looking so handsome in his thobe and '3etra, she walked to the passenger's side and opened the door,
"ilsalam 3alaikum" she whispered as she entered the car
"3alaikum ilsalam.."
he drove off looking straight ahead as if she wasn't in the car with him, 10 minutes later at a traffic light he finally turned to look at her,
"are you really tired?"
she was just about to answer, embarressed because she was sure he realised this was a plan for them to be alone together,
"do you mind if we go to lunch? I'm hungry" he continued.
"umm la 3adi.. yallah we'll go" she couldn't read his expression as his eyes were hidden under his silver raybans.
5 minutes later they were walking into TAO, he asked for a private room and the waiter led them towards it.
"Hind I need to talk to you" said Bandar as soon as the waiter left them alone, he was sitting on the sofa opposite her avoiding to look at her..
"I.." he started,
"No don't Bandar.. it's ok.. ya3ny if you don't want to be with me I understand.. I know that I'm high maintenance.. so I don't blame you.. ya3ny it's true that I was falling for you.. and that I imagined our life together.. bs ya3ny 3adi tara.. you'll always be my friend.. o this would never change our relationship or how I feel towards you.. fa don't feel awkward wala shay.. please" Hind tried to force a smile even though she could feel the tears dropping down her face.
"Hind.. what the hell are you talking about!!?" he said getting up from his side of the table and sitting next to her.."are you breaking up with me?" he continued.
"No.. you are" she said as he hugged her
"Are you crazy? Hind I love you.. I was jealous I thought you wanted to go back to Sultan bs didn't know how to tell me.. Hind.. 7abeebty.." he said kissing her head "I'm sorry.. I'm sorry ya galby.. wallah iny a7ebek.. I was so jealous.. I couldn't sleep.. all I could think of is going back to Dubai and killing that idiot so we can get rid of him forever.."
"7abeeby.." she whispered against his chest.."I love you too.." she said looking up at him..
He kissed her forehead softly, then her eyes, her nose.. and finally her lips..
"7abeebty.." he said as she looked down at her hands, too shy to look at him, "look at me.." he whispered lifting her face with his finger, "do you have any idea how long I waited to do this?" he asked, kissing her again..
"Bandaar.." she whispered pushing him away reluctantly.. "3aaib ifre'6 reja3 ilwaiter?"
"He won't.. I told him not to bother us" he laughed
"hehehe Bandaar" she said blushing,
"7abeebty.."
"I have something for you.." she said reaching to her handbag and pulling out the small maroon box. "Before I give you this, I want to tell you that yes, I will marry you, and yes we'll be the happiest couple on earth inshallah.. I bought this to tell you that I love you.. I think I loved you for a long time I just never saw it.. so.. Bandar.. umm.. would you please wear this? I don't want any girl to ever look at you.. you're mine and mine only" she said opening the box to reveal the ring she got him.
"7abeebty.." he said as he put the ring on and pulled her closer to him. "Allah la ye7remny minik" he whispered kissing her again.

What if.. (22)

Bandar was grinning as he held his baby nephew and touched his soft hair, Talal responded with high pitched squeal, his face turning red and wrinkled.
"Hhehe he doesn't like me" he said as he handed over the baby to his mother,
"Ilfal lek inshallah 7abeeby" said Maha with a smile,
"hmmm.. it's not going so well Maha.."
"I know.. Hind was telling me when this happend" she said pointing at the baby,
"What did she say?"
"She said that you were acting weird and that she was falling in love with you and she thinks you realized that's she's not worth the trouble bs mub 3aref shlon te6la3 mn ilmaw'6oo3.."
"WHAT? She really thinks that?"
"hmm.."
"Bas I didn't do anything!! Ya3ny I was jealous and didn't know how to deal with it.. I can't believe she thinks like this!" he yelled,
"Shhhh... you're scaring my baby.. it's ok 7abeeby he's not usually mean like that.. he's just in love.." she said giggling,
"Maha.. hatha wagta? Are you serious? This is how she thinks of me? She think's I'm like that loser?"
"Bandar, why are you acting like a teenager? I didn't say she was comparing you to him, all I'm saying is that she's vulnerable and cannot deal with hal7arakat, so be straightforward, you're worried about something.. tell her.. it's better than hiding it and acting all weird around her. She honestly can't take that and you know. As her friend I'm telling you, don't hurt her."
"You know I love her"
"I know.. bs that's not enough, she has to be your priority and if you want to be with her you have to think before you do anything, she might seem to be tough but she's not."
"I know.."
"Are you picking her up from the airport?"
"Picking what?"
"She's coming today.. she didn't tell you?"
"No.." he whispered, "she thinks I don't want to talk to her, and you were in labour so I didn't call her.. I forgot and.."
"WHAT? Are you planning on giving her a heart attack? Tlageeha she was crying all night ams.. oh my god I can't believe you can be this stupid!!!"
"MAHA! I'm your older brother, don't talk to me like this!"
"Wallah.. I'm being honest.. 3ashanek my older brother lazem tkoon fahem.."
"When is she coming?"
"Today at 2, Sara ma3ha"
"Ok.."
10 minutes later she watched him leave the hospital room, his shoulders slumped.

...........................................

"Sarooo.. I'm sad.."
"Yallah 3ad.. ma 3endich salfa.. inzain o you had your first fight, it's not even a fight it's you being dalee3a o sa5eefa, e wallah you don't want to talk to me!"
"E ya3ny I said that o ma 3ad kalamny!"
The girls were arguing while on their flight to Riyadh, Hind couldn't stop thinking about Bandar, missing him and looking forward to seeing him and at the same time worried of what will happen.
"Ya3ny his sister was in labour for 12 hours, tabeena y5aleeha o yeg3ad y7ateech.. 9ij sa5eefa Hindo!"
"Ya 7mara you're my friend! ilmafro'6 ma tgoleeenly chethy.."
"E he's my friend ba3ad.. o I know him.. o I know he loves you, bas 3ad 3an il7arakat inty o weyah o get married already o fekoona!"
"Et-hagain a36eeh the ring when I see him?"
"eee o labseeh iyah ba3ad!"
"hahaha te5ayelay.. uhwa sh6oola o ana ga3da alabsa a ring!"
"Bel3aks wallah cute.. ana lo ily 3endy yer'6a yelbas 5atam chan mn zeman labasta.."
"Yemkin Bandar ba3ad ma yer'6a.."
"Laaaaaaaa mool.. ila beymoot mn ilwanasa"
"You think?"
"ee akeed.."
Hind spent the rest of the flight thinking of Bandar and how much she misses him.

.........................................

Two hours later the girls were at the passport control getting their passports stamped when Hind's phone rang,

Bandar calling

The policeman gave Hind a disapproving look as she answered the call.
"Aloo"
"Hala.. 7amdela 3ala ilsalama" his sounded abrupt even to himself,
"umm allah ysalmek.. shway o ne6la3 bs we need to pick up the luggage"
"Ok I'm waiting outside with the driver"
"Ok I.." Hind whispered as the line went dead, she looked at Sara her eyes filling up with tears, "Saro sakar iltelephone fe wayhy"
"Yemkin ma sme3ach Hanood, 3adi all guys are like this may3arfoon ygoloon bye"
The policeman let out a small laugh and Sara gave him a dirty look grabbing the passports from his hands.

............................................

Bandar was waiting outside for the girls at the arrivals gate, their driver was also with him waiting to take the girls luggage to the house while he took them directly to see Maha at the hospital upon her request. He stood thinking about Hind and why he was acting this way towards her. Sultan was always in the picture, and for the past week he was able to push him out of his mind and Hind's mind, or atleast he hoped. But now he was feeling paranoid, all his insecurities all rushing in at once and he felt like he couldn't control the way he acted.
"Asta'3fer Allah.." he whispered. He loved her and he felt that she loved him too, but for some reason he felt that something bad was about to happen and no matter how hard he tried he could not shake that feeling.
He tried to plaster a fake smile on his face as he saw the girls walking towards him, he watched Hind as she walked gracefully, her abaya floating behind her. As she got closer he could see her face clearer, she looked tired, like she hasn't been sleeping well and all he wanted to do was hug her and tell her that he loved her.
Instead as soon as she got close enough he mumbled,
"7amdella 3ala ilsalama.. tfa'6elo nroo7 ilmostashfa for Maha"
As the girls followed him Hind whispered to Sara,
"chefty shlon y7acheeny? chinny '3areeba"
"Hanood ya3ny shtabeena ysawy? yboosech jedam il3alam? wain mfakra roo7ech.. heeeey inty fe ilriya'6 mub fe london!"
"Ok.. benchoof.."
"yallah yallah bs 5al nroo7 nchoof Mahooy o benfaker fe Bandar ba3dain.."
"Ok.." she agreed and walked towards the car with her head down, hoping that things will get better with Bandar.

What if.. (21)

Hind lay down on her bed with a smile on her face, she couldn't believe how happy she was with Bandar. She was also relieved after seeing Sultan. For years she imagined what it would feel like to see Sultan, she imagined her reaction, she always thought that her feelings for Sultan could never change, he would always remain her first love, her true love. But seeing him changed all that. It felt like she can finally see what he really is. And Bandar.. she thought of him as she was dialling his number..
"Taw ilnas.." he said as he picked up the phone,
"hehe Bandaaaaaaar.. Sorry kint akalem Saro.."
"La wallah?"
"Eeee shfeeek B.."
"Ma feeny shay.." he was still worried about her seeing Sultan, trying to detect any changes in her behaviour, he tried to push all negative thoughts from his mind but he couldn't help feeling paranoid.
"7abeeeby.."
"hmmm.."
"hmm? bs hmmm? mafy 7abeebty.. mafy wa7ashteeny?"
"La.."
"LA?" what the hell was wrong with him, she thought. "Bandar? Fe shay?" she felt her heart twisting inside her chest, she closed her eyes and tried to breathe calmly trying to push the panic attack that was threatining to start away.
"Ma feeny shay," what's wrong with me, he thought.. why am I acting like such a jerk? "6ayeb.. how was your flight?" he said, hoping to sound natural but his voice came out cold.
"Ok" she whispered.
"hmm.. 5ala9 ana akalmek ba3dain"
"Bandar? Feh shay?"
"La, 5ala9 Hind.. 5aleeny shway barja3 akalmek"
"Ok" she said, a tear slipping down her face.
Just as she was putting her phone down it started ringing.

Maha Calling

"Alooooooo"
"Hi Maha"
"Why do you sound so down? I'm the one that's nine months pregnant, yallah give me an update on all the drama in your life.."
Hind reluctantly told her everything about Sultan, and how much she had fun with Bandar in Dubai before that.
"Ok, so where's the problem? Don't tell me you still like that idiot? Of course you won't tell me I'm Bandar's sister.. you better not break his heart.."
"I think he's breaking mine Maha.." she said not able to control her tears anymore, "I was so happy in Dubai thinking ina a5eeran something good is happening for me, and finally I'll be with someone who really loves me, and we'll build a life together o ilyoum I'm talking to him and he sounded so cold, ya3ny mithel Sultan when he started drifting away.. Maha, I think I'm falling for him.. o uhwa yemkin he decided ina I'm too much trouble and just not worth it.. he's your brother.. bs I'm telling you this as your friend please don't tell him, kfaya ina he yemkin he wants to break up with me, ba3ad beyfaker ina ana aroo7 afaten 3alaih 3end his sister like a baby.. oh my god what the hell am I doing?"
"Shh.. Hind I'm sure you're overreacting.. ya3ny he loves you I know he does.. SHIT"
"What's wrong?"
"Madry, I've been having this pain yroo7 o yerja3.."
"Ya 7mara those are contractions!!!!"
"Really?"
"How far apart are they"
"Wesh darany.. ya3ny ooooooooooooh shit shit shit.. this hurts.."
"Maha.. I'll call Bandar, get ready I think you need to go to the hospital!"
"Hiiiind I'm scared" said Maha as it hit her that she's about to have a baby "please come inty o Sara"
"Ok ok we will now go get ready!"
"Ok I will"
She hung up and dialled Bandar's number immediately; she sat for a minute listening to the long beeps waiting for Bandar to pick up.. 8 beeps she counted, and no answer. She hung up and sent a message:

Hi Bandar, for some reason you don't want to talk to me. I just wanted to tell you that I was talking to Maha and I think she's in labour. Bye.

She sent the message and threw her phone on the floor.

..........................................................

Bandar was standing in his shower, the steaming hot water scalding his skin, thinking of Hind. He loves her so much, for the past 7 years he was fighting a ghost and losing, now Sultan has reentered her life.. what would happen to him? Does it mean that his role is now over? Or did she really mean what she said earlier today? He shook his head as he got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. I'll call her.. he thought to himself, picking up his phone to dial her number, and he saw her message. He frowned as he read her message, got dressed quickly and ran out of the room to check on his sister, forgetting to call Hind back.

..............................................................

Hind called Sara to tell her about Maha and Bandar.
"Sarooo I think Maha is in labour!"
"Weeeeyh miskeena I promised ina benroo7 laha!"
"ee ana ba3ad gelt laha.. inzain tell your parents o ana ba3ad I'll tell mine 3ashan na7jez o we go tomorrow.."
"eee sh3alaich.. betro7een tchoofeen il7abeeb.." said Sara laughing
"Laaaaaaaaaa moool.. Saro madry shfeh.. I think he changed his mind after he spent time with me in Dubai.." she said in a sad voice, "3ad I feel so stupid.. sawait lah surprise when I was there, I was planning to give it to him when I see him.. ma a7es it's appropriate now.."
"Awal shay.. are you MAD? He would NEVER EVER consider 7ata breaking up with you.. he's CRAZY about you.. se2leeeny.. 9ar lah 7 years ysanderny ana kel youm!! Thany shay.. laish inappropriate? sharya underwear?" she said giggling.
"hahaha ya 7maaara laaaaa! I feel embaressed ya3ny fesheela shway bs I bought him a platinum wedding band mn cartier and I got them to engrave our names on it mn da5el"
"aaaaaaaaaaaaaw sooo cute!!! It's not inappropriate 7abeebty wala fesheela bel3aks wayed beyestanes when he sees it.."
"Saro he's acting weird.."
"Hind.. you went to see your ex, ily you've been hung up on for years and years.. how do think he'd feel?"
"hmm maybe you're right.. bs madry mub merta7a.."
"Te3awethy mn iblees o goomy let's pack 3ashan nroo7 7ag ilbnaya miskeena"
"Ok.. yallah let me call my parents.."
"Ana ba3ad yallah"

The girls hung up and talked to their parents to get ready to see their friend and hopefully her baby the next day. Hind packed her suitcase, thinking about everything she'll wear while she's there since technically she was Bandar's fiancee, even though he doesn't really want to talk to her.

What if.. (20)

Bandar sat in his office looking furiously at his phone willing it to ring. He had called Hind 10 times since the morning and she still didn't answer. What if she saw Sultan and all her feelings came back again. He couldn't take this anymore, so he decided to call Sara.

"Aloo"

"Aloo mar7aba Sara.. kaifek?"

"Tamam sha5barek B?"

"Zeft.. where the hell is your friend? I've been calling her mn il9eb7 o hy ma tred!"

"hheheh 3adi B laish m3a9eb?"

"La wallah? Ma tedreen laih? What if she sees .."

"What if what Bandar? Stop being paranoid.. kelesh ma atwaqa3 anything will happen" she wanted to sound confident but deep inside she was also worried about her friend.. where was she.. she was calling her herself and still got no answer.

Bandar heard his phone beeping while he was talking to Sara, he looked at the screen and saw Hind's name flashing.

"She's calling me, I'll talk to you later.."

"Ok.. bye"

Bandar switched the lines quickly,

"Aloo"

"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.." she yelled in the phone.

"inty wain?" he snapped at her,

"hehe wain ya3ny.. besmilla 3alaik.. ams kint ma3ay.. ana fe Dbai"

"Testahbelain 3alay Hind?"

"Hehe la wallah min 9ijy"

"Hind.."

"3yoon Hind"

"Hind.." he repeated, his anger subsiding slowly.

"7abeeb Hind" she whispered,

He sighed feeling a bit better,"wain kinty? Kalamtek o ma radaity 3alay? wesh9ar?"

"Wala shay I was shopping.."

"Shopping? what about your meeting?"

"5ala9t o re7t shopping before coming to the airport.."

"Hind.. la testahbelain 3alay please"

"heheh meen yestahbel?"

"Hind.. wesh 9ar ma3ek?"

"Wala shay.. we discussed the project and I left o re7t ilsoog.. kan feh shay mwa9ya 3alaih ams and I went to pick it up.. bs"

"Bas? you discussed work? O ma gal lek wala shay?"

She sighed, not really wanting to tell him what happened.

"Bandar.."

"Hind gooleely wesh gal lek.. la te7regeen a39aby akthar"

"Nothing.. he tried to apologize o ma 3aa6aita wayh.."

"Apologize? o wesh radaity 3alaih?"

"Bandar.. ya3ny lazem agool lek iny mesa7t feh ilar'6?"

"Hhahahah.."

"ee hay illy taby tsem3a!"

"Raya7teeny Allah yray7ek.."

"You were worried?"

"What do you think?"

"I think I love you" she whispered

"What did you say?"

"Heheh you heard me.." she said giggling like a teenager. "Yallah I think I have to board the flight.. I'll call you from Doha"

"To9leen belsalama galby.. bye"

He hung up the phone with a huge smile on his face, finally relieved after 3 days of constant worrying.

.........................................................

Sultan couldn't believe what just happened. First of all he was shocked when he saw her, she was always beautiful, but now she was on a different level of beauty; her features were sharper, stronger and there was a harshness in her eyes that was scary to him and yet so appealing. He missed her. At first after he left her he thought he was better off, his wife to be at that time was a sweet teenager, not much older than Hind herself, and her father was so willing to help Sultan out with his career, something that Sultan valued highly, therefore at the beginning of his marriage Sultan did his best to keep his young bride happy, however as she got older his wife became more demanding emotionally, and Sultan had no love to give her. He didn't hate her, but he never felt with her what he had felt with Hind. That was when he started missing Hind. Several times he would consider calling her and then he would change his mind.. what would he say? he thought to himself. Until the day got that email from her boss: Miss Hind Al-........ will be coming to see you. It was a sign from God, he convinced himself. "I'm sure she was shocked.. she still wants me.. I can tell.. wela laish lail7en ma tezawejat.. and her anger.. she was angry because she wants me and she can't have me.." he told himself, satisfied with this theory, Sultan sat at his desk and decided that this was the right to time to draft an email to Hind, telling her that he has not forgotten their love and that he had a proposition for her..

Hind..

Seeing you today has reminded me of what I was missing in my life. It's true that I let go of you a long time ago, and I agree that what I did was wrong, but you don't know what kind of pressure I was under at that time. My father's company was in debt, he owed millions to the banks and I was his only hope, but I was only a student, there's only so much I could do, 

he stopped at this point.. can I tell her that I got married for money? That doesn't sound right, I can't say that, thought Sultan as he deleted the last sentence and continued his email.

My mother was sick. She wanted to see me married, I told her that I don't want to get married, that I was in love with someone in London but she wouldn't listen. I came back to Dubai for the summer and found that my parents had already proposed to my wife on my behalf.

This sounds better, thought Sultan with a smile.

What was I supposed to do? Break my mother's heart? You know how much I love her, I am her first born, I am the one who will carry on the family's name. I was shocked when I found out, and I was going to tell you.. I really was, and everytime I talked to you I would try but I couldn't.. I couldn't break your heart.. I loved you too much.. I couldn't see you hurt.. So I chose the hard way, I decided that if I stayed away from you, you would eventually get over me.. but I knew that I would never get over you. I loved you and will always love you. I know you won't believe me but this is the truth.

Hind.. my love.. my only love.. do you know that I named my first child after you.. she's my favourite.. because she has your name.. I hope that you can forgive me.. I love you and always will.. I know that at the beginning you will not believe me, but I hope that you will give me the chance to prove it to you. I am unhappy in my marriage.. there's nothing wrong with my wife, she's a sweet woman.. she's dedicated to my children.. she's educated.. she's beautiful.. her only fault is that she's not you.. I love you.. and only you.. remember how we used to plan our kids' future? Remember how we used to talk about Dubai.. and how happy we will be together? It can still happen.. Hind.. You're not married.. I know this is not the right way to do this... but I love you.. I want you to be my wife.. and don't worry.. nothing will change with my wife.. I know how kind and considerate you are.. she will always be um 3yaly.. but you will be my love.. my queen.. just say yes.. and I promise that I will make up for all the lost years..

Your love,

Sultan


sounds good, he thought clicking send.

.....................................................................

"Saroooooooooooo" said Hind as soon as her friend picked up the phone

"Hanoooooooood ya 7mara I missed you!! o ba3dain inty wain?! mitna ana o Bandar o i7na nete9el feech!"

"Hahah ee adry gal ly.. I was shopping.."

"E o 6ab3an as usual tensain umech o ubooch o inty shopping!"

"Hehe la kan my phone silent mn ilmeeting o nesaita.. sha5bar?"

"Inty gooleely sha5bar? Sh9ar m3 il3ela Sul6an?"

"Heheh Saroooo fatech no9 3omrech!! Kan lazem tchoofeen shlon 9ar shaklah!"

"Shlon.. '6a7keeny.. mub mn zeena a9lan bs I assume ina 9ar a5as" Sara was relieved that Hind no longer loved Sultan, but wanted to make sure that her friend did not have any lingering feelings for him.

"eeeeeee.. my first reaction was wa3.. and then '6e7akt fe wayha hahahah I couldn't stop laughing Saro! Ma2saaaa 9ar shaklah! He looks creepy o slimy madry shlon, t7eseena y6al3ech ma bagy ila he starts drooling.. wa3 wa3 wa3"

"eeew eeew lawa3ty chabdy!"

"hehehhe 9ij wallah I'm not kidding. Ya3ny I compared him to Bandar.. mafy moqarana at all!!"

"Hindo Bandar is hot.. ya3ny ana taken o a7eb my fiance.. but he's hot.. let's just be honest here.. sa3at I do get jealous hehehe"

"heheheh Saro yalsa5eefa.. "

"ee Hanoood ya3ny kfaya ilshoulders and abs.. ya3ny the abs ybaynoon mn ta7t ilt-shirt"

"Saro! shchayfa ba3ad o ma gelteely?"

"Heheh his legs Hanood.. last time lama chefnah fe bait'hum in Riyadh labes shorts.. way way way.. shway dar rasy"

"SAROOOO!" screamed Hind laughing.."Ya 7mara he's mine! and you're engaged.. you love your fiance.. remember him?"

"Heheh just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you can't look at the menu"

"heheheheh kalba.."

"Inzain o ba3dain shgal lech 3ogob ma '6e7akty fe wayha.. what happened?"

"He wanted to explain why he did what he did.."

"wa3 wa3 wa3.. now? how lame!"

"adry.. 6ab3an 9ara5t 3alaih o ma 5alait shay ma gelta.. and you know what I feel now?"

"What?"

"T3arfeen lama takleen shay 5ayes y9eer feh this disgusting taste in your mouth and you feel nauseated for the rest of the day o t7eseen ina no matter what you eat after it yebga this taste? This is how I feel.. he's such a pathetic person.. I don't know how I didn't see it before.."

"Hmm.. none of us saw it sweety.. we were all shocked.."

"Yeah..anyway.. I miss Bandar.. having him here felt so right.."

"Kalamteh 3ogob ma we9alty ildo7a?"

"No not yet.."

"Inzain call him miskeen.."

"Ok 7abeebty.. yallah talk to you later.."

"Bye.."

What if.. (19)

Hind stood nervously by the door as the secretary went in to inform Sultan that she was waiting outside for him,
"وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّا وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ سَدًّا فَأَغْشَيْنَاهُمْ فَهُمْ لا يُبْصِرُونَ" mumbeled Hind under her breath as she was called by the secretary to enter the room. She walked in with her head down and kept staring at her feet until the secretary closed the door behind her.
"Hind.. it's good to see you" said Sultan softly, her heart skipped a beat when she heard the voice she longed for all those years, she felt her heart twisting with pain as she felt him moving closer to her. Still not looking up she thought of Bandar.. "that's weird.. I'm thinking of Bandar now?"
"Hind.." he called again getting closer, that's when she lifted her head.
She was shocked to see how different he looked, he was still skinny but he had developed a small belly that she could see from under the kandoora. His face looked tired and he had bags under his eyes. He looked old. Bandar was 3 years older than him but looked much better she thought to her self as she remembered how he looked yesterday. 
"hay illy theba7t roo7y 3alaih.." she couldn't supress the giggle she got.. "seriously?" she thought to herself, "Ya3ny all those years fa'6alt hay 3ala Bandar?" her smile was getting wider, she was staring at Sultan in an idiotic way, and he was looking at her with a frown on his face. Suddenly she started laughing and couldn't stop herself.
"Hind.. are you ok?"
"Hehehe la wala shay.. I'm sorry. I'm here for a meeting" she said trying to keep a straight face.
She walked to his desk and sat on the chair opposite it and he quietly walked to his chair, they started talking about the project and took around half an hour to discuss it. All through that time Hind was getting angrier at him, how could he sit there infront of her and pretend that everything was ok.."la o ygooly good to see you.. chinna chayefny ams" she thought to herself.
"Mashallah 3alaich.. I always knew you would be good at anything you do" he said after they completed their discussion
"Thank you"
"I'm not just saying that you know.. I.."
"I'm sorry Dr. Sultan.. I have to go, I have a flight to catch."
"Hind please I need to talk to you.."
"I lost interest in your needs a long time ago Sultan.. You are nothing to me anymore. In fact, as far as I'm concerned you do not exist, you could be dead for all I care. I've moved on, a long time ago.."
"Hind.."
"I once had so much to say to you.. I always wondered what would happen if I saw you again.. I always thought that the love I had for you I could never have for anyone else.. I thought that if I had the chance I would do my best to get you back again.. that I would do anything for you.. but I now realize that being with you was a huge waste. You don't deserve me, or your wife for that matter. I feel sorry for her.. living with someone as selfish as you are"
"Hind please give me a chance to explain.."
"You had that chance a long time ago.. you chose to take the easy way out.. to let me deal with it alone.. and to ignore me.."
"It wasn't like that Hind.. don't make me the bad guy.. I did that for your own good!"
"Ya salaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam.. la mashallah 3alaik.. '6a7ait wayed.. how was it my own good when I was 18.. confused.. in love and rejected by the only person I loved and trusted. You are a selfish coward, you didn't even have the decency to tell me you were getting married.. Now if you will excuse me I have to go and I would be happy if I never have to see you again. I will ask my boss to hand this project over to someone else as I am not prepared to be civilised to ashkalek. Good bye!" she was seething.. more at herself than at Sultan, she was hoping that he wouldn't get to her.. but he did.. she couldn't believe he had the audacity to tell her that he did it for her own good! 9ij 7aqeer! she thought to herself.
Sultan stood staring at her back as she walked out and slammed the door behind her.

What if.. (18)

The next morning Hind woke up with a smile on her face, she picked up her phone to check the time and found a text message from Bandar:

Good morning 7abeebty, kalmeeny awal ma te97een. I love you.

She kissed her phone and got out of bed feeling silly. After her shower she called Bandar,
"9aba7 il5air 7abeeby" she said with a smile,
"9aba7 il5air ya galby.. ha are you ready?"
"Laa ay ready tawny I took a shower.. give me half an hour and I'll meet you at the reception"
"Ok 7abeebty, I'll be waiting"
Half an hour later she headed to the reception, she found Bandar standing next to the water fountain at the door frowning and yelling into his phone,
"La la.. Yumma ma yseer ketha! 6ayeb hy wesh feeha al7een? La ana magdar ajy.. 5aly Khaled yet9araf.. 6ayeb dary inha i5ty.. ya yumma 9aly 3ala ilneby.. asta'3fer Allah.. o ana wesh gelt al7en.. 6ayeb 5aleeny akalemha"
"Bandar shfeeha Maha?" said Hind tugging at his arm, he only had one sister and he was yelling so there must be something wrong with her friend.
"Is the baby ok? Bandar shfeeha lat5are3ny!!" she continued when he ignored her.
"Ee hala Maha.. 6ayeb haddy haddy.. ee.. 6ayeb.. o ba3dain wesh gal lek? ma3gooola Sa3ad yejy mina halkalam? asta'3fer Allah.. hathy injanat? La ma ra7 a5aleeha.. ee 7abeebty.. inty haddy o aham shy 9e7etek.. o ma 3alaik minna ana a3ref arabeeh.. la bokra ana raje3 7abeebty.. 6ayeb.. o 5aly ummy t'hady a39abha.."
She was dying to know what's happening.. "Bandar shfeeha Maha? 5alny akalemha please!!"
"ee hathy Hind teb'3a tet6aman 3alaik.. 6ayeb 7abeebty m3 ilsalama.."
He handed the phone over to Hind, who was waiting anxiously by his side, she took the phone and walked away from Bandar.
"Hi Maha shfeech?" she could hear her friend crying on the other end of the line.
"Wala shay.."
"Shlon wala shay what's wrong tell me.."
"That bitch!! I don't know why she hates me! She just wants to ruin my life!!"
"What did she do this time?" Maha's sister in law was over 30 and unmarried.. she was a bitter ugly woman.. ugly from the inside that is. Since the day Maha got married that woman hated her and did all she could to get her brother to leave Maha, but Maha's husband Sa3ad was a sweet natured guy and really loved his wife, however apparently this time the sister succeeded in getting through to him. Hind listened patiently as Maha told her what happened between them, and how his sister managed to blow the situation out of proportion to the extent that Sa3ad threatened divorce.
"Shhh it's ok 7abeebty.. Bandar beyey o bey7el ilmaw'6oo3.. la I'll be fine shda3wa.. shbeyseer ya3ny? Maha min 9ijich? la la don't argue.. 5ala9 al7en beya7jez we just have to check the flights.. Maha please latsaween chethy.. if I could come I would.. ee.. hmm.. ok.. e bagool 7ag Saro.. ok 7abeebty.. u too.. bye.."
She handed the phone back to Bandar,
"Wesh tgool?"
"She needs you.."
"I know.. bokra I'm going back inshallah.."
"Bandar! She needs you now!! I told her that you'll be on the first flight back to Riyadh"
"Ya salam? o 9erty tqarereen 3anny? hatha o ana tawy 5a6abtek ams?"
"Bandar, I'm serious you have to go.."
"La. Don't argue with me.. ma ra7 a5aleek tro7een l'hal 7ayawan l7alek"
"Bandar.. I can handle this. I'm not a baby.. I know you love me.. bs this is something I have to do.. and it would be better if I did it alone. Your sister needs you. Please.. she's my friend and she needs you.. You have to go.."
After an hour of arguing Bandar finally agreed to go back. Two hours later they were heading to the airport.

......................................................

After dropping off Bandar at the airport Hind had nothing to do.. so she decided to go shopping in Emirates Mall.. "my therapy" she thought to herself.
She reached the crowded mall and entered through Kempinski hotel, passing through the lobby and heading to the shops, walking sullenly through the mall wishing Bandar was with her, and worrying about her friend. She was nine months pregnant for God's sake.. what the hell was her husband thinking putting her through this shit!
When she reached Harvey Nichols' shoe department she smiled, "It's not London.. but it's still great" she said to her self.. she walked through the shelves stacked with Louboutins, Gina's and Choos and smiled as she picked through them deciding what to buy.
Two hours later, with 4 heavy bags Hind felt better and having done enough damage for the day she headed back to the hotel. She decided that she'll spend the rest of the day in bed with room service and watching movies since she didn't really feel like going out alone.
The prospect of meeting Sultan also worried her. She no longer felt scared that she might have feelings for him, what worried her was what would she say to him? Can she act like she doesn't recognise him? Or act as if everything is ok and treat him like a friend she hasn't seen in a long time?
She called Sara to get her opinion,
"Sarooooo" she yelled into the phone when her friend picked up,
"Madry meta betekbereeen.. ygoloon 5a6beenech ams?" laughed her friend,
"Amdach 3erafty?"
"Maha galat ly ams ina Bandar kan msaweelech surprise"
"Ya salaaaaaaaaaaaaam.. Maha ba3ad tedry! Miskeena Mahooy.. deraity shsawat feeha il3anz i5et rayelha?"
Hind recounted the story to Sara, and both were disgusted at how low Maha's sister in law is..
"Inzain o al7een inty broo7ech fe Dbai?"
"Hmmm...ee"
"O shbetsaween fe il7ayawan ily betchoofeena bacher?"
"Saro!"
"Wesho ba3ad? la la daf3y 3anah.. 3ashan a6la3 lech mn iltelephone!"
"La ma adafe3.. bs honestly.. ma a3arf shlon I'll meet him.. ya3ny 3ady asawy roo7y ma a3arfa? wela asawy roo7y mestansa iny chefta?"
"La tefly fe wayha! 7ayawan..ma yestahel '3air chethy!"
"Sarooo! Kalba '6a7akteeny.. la I'm serious.. shasawy?"
"Ana ba3ad serious!!! You better flash that ring of yours infront of him tbe6een 3aina feh.. cheap bastard"
"Hahahahah Saro bas 3ad!"
"Min 9ijjy!!!!"
"Heheheh ok I will.. yallah I'll call you later 3ashan a36eech updates 3an Maha.. oh and I promised her ina benroo7 laha next week when everything settles down.."
"ee inshallah laish la.. yallah talk to you later.. love u!"
"ana ba3ad.. bye"

.......................................................

Bandar was really worried. He really didn't want to leave Hind, but he knew he had to go back to his sister, this idiot was threatening to divorce her because of his sick sister. She's nine months pregnant wela kan ma 5alait'ha 3enda degeega.. he thought to himself. He was also thinking of Hind, and what might happen tomorrow. What if she changes her mind about him when she sees Sultan? Hundreds of different scenarios went through his mind.. "A3ootho bellah min ilshai6an.." he whispered dismissing all thoughts from his mind and trying to concentrate on his sister's situation.

.......................................................

Four hours later Hind was bored in her room, she has already watched 2 movies, ate all the chocolate in the minibar and had a long shower just to waste time. Just as she was about to start her third movie her phone rang.

Bandar Calling

"Aloo.. hi 7abeeby"
"Hala galby"
"Ha basherny 3an Maha.."
"La il7amdela.. kilshy tamam.. jany Sa3ad o 7alaina ilmoshkela.. hy Maha ba3ad allah yehdeeha.. 3a9abeya.. ya3ny hy shaddat ma3ah bezyada.. laken yallah il7amdela"
"Il7imdella aham shay everything is ok al7en?"
"La lessa bs a7san.. maheeb ra'6ya terja3 ilbait'ha.. fa ilwalda galat 5aleeha 3endi lain ba3ad weladat'ha.. o Sa3ad mahoob ra'6y.. madry wallah.." he was tired and stressed from all the yelling and screaming that went on all day.
"Shfeek 7abeeby you sound tired?"
"Ee shway bas.. 6amneeny 3anek, wesh sawaity ba3ad ma safart?"
"Abad I went shopping shway.. o bs reja3t the hotel o ge3adt a6ale3 movies.. it's not the same without u.."
"I'm sorry I left you.. '3a9ben 3anny.."
"I know 7abeeby.. it's ok.. kelaha bokra o barja3 ildo7a"
"Are you ready for your.. e7m.. meeting?"
"ee.. ya3ny it shouldn't be long.. sa3a belketheer.. and then I'll go to the airport 3ala 6ool.."
"hmmm.. intabhy l7alek.." it was not the length of the meeting he was worried about.. it was the person she was meeting.

....................................................

The next day Sultan woke up with butterflies in his stomache. He was looking forward to seeing her, after all these years, would she still be the same? Hind.. his Hind.. with her long brown hair and big smile. He smiled remembering her face. He took extra care of himself that day, he made sure that his kandoora was ironed to perfection, his hair freshly cut the day before. He finished getting dressed and got out the 3ood and dehn il3ood..
"Sh3endek chinik me3res ilyoum?" said his wife with a sarcastic smile,
"Yaaaaallah 9ba7 5air.. ma 3endich kelma zain tgooleenha 3ala il9eb7?"
"O shoo gelt lek ana? agoolek chinik me3res!"
"Ela tet6anezain!"
"il7imdilla welsheker.. shak fe roo7ek inta?"
"Ufff..."
She ruined his mood.. as usual, he thought to himself. Since the day they got married he was miserable. The only time he was happy was when his children were around him, they were the reason he lived. He threw himself into work after his marriage and managed to get his father's company out of debt and make it one of the market leaders in a few years. With the help of his father in law ofcourse.
Sultan left the house in his Bentley and headed to his office, looking forward to his 10 am meeting.

.........................................................

Hind woke up with a bad headache and a heavy feeling in her stomache.
"Allah yaster" she whispered to herself as she got out of bed. She took a shower and finished packing her suitcase, barely finding space to fit in all the new stuff she bought yesterday and the day before with Bandar. She smiled as she glimpsed her ring sparkling in the mirror. "I think I do love him.." she thought.
She quickly got ready so she could check out before going to her meeting. She wanted to finish and go to the airport immediately, not feeling like staying in Dubai any longer without Bandar.
It took her 20 minutes to get to the office building where Sultan's company was. She chose to wear a suit for her meeting to appear professional. If only her heart would stop beating so fast.. she thought to herself. Hoping that she doesn't look as nervous as she felt, she went up to the 15th floor where Sultan's office was. She walked up to the secretary and introduced herself,
"Hello, I'm Hind Al-........... I'm here to meet Dr. Sultan"
"Yes ofcourse, follow me please." The secretary walked to the office behind her desk and knocked the door,
"Come in.." Hind heard the voice coming from inside the room.. "Shit.." she thought to herself.

What if.. (17)

"Ooooh I love surprises" she lied. She hated surprises, and she hated it more when she had to act happy when the surprise was not really surprising at all. "I thought he knew me better than that" she said to herself.

"Hahah inshallah te3jebek"
"I can't wait!" she said with fake enthusiasm.
They got to the hotel 10 minutes later,
"Yallah 7abeebty go get ready for dinner and I'll wait for you in the lobby"
"Ok.." she said smiling.
She went to her room took a quick shower and started getting dressed. She took out her shopping bags and started going through the stuff she bought since she had not brought many outfits with her from Doha. Half an hour later she was ready for dinner, she wore a silk knee length dress, high heel sandals and let her hair fall down her back in natural waves, just the way Bandar likes. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, thinking how lucky she was to have Bandar and how stupid she's been for the past 7 years. "I can't believe I didn't see it in his eyes" she thought.
She went down to the lobby and found him sitting on one of the large sofas by the entrance, she stood for a few seconds, a few meters away from him, he hadn't noticed her yet, he was typing something on his phone with a frown on his face, his hair still wet, wearing a white shirt that showed his tan and a pair of jeans, his long legs streched infront of him. "Ya Allah 9ij ana '3abeya" she mumbled to herself. She smiled and walked towards him.
"Hala 7abeebty" he said as he looked up at her and smiled, "yallah let's go.."
She put her arm in his and turned towards the door.
"Wain ray7a?"
"Bene6la3? Mub feh surprise?"
"Ela.. bs meen gal ina bene6la3?"
She frowned.. What the hell was his surprise then?
"Ta3aly.."
He lead her towards the lifts and pressed down,
"What's down?"
"That's the surprise.."
The lift took them to the basement and they entered the restaurant where the buffet is,
"Ta3aly 7abeebty.."
"Hmmm" she said and plastered a huge grin on her face, she looked around her, "'3areeba mafy 7ad hne Bandar.."
"Come.." he pulled her from her arm towards the glass door that led to the swimming pool, he opened the door and out of no where a lebanese maitre d' jumped in his face.
"Mar7aba monsiuer Bandar.. keefak? tfadhal tfadhal.. 7adharnalek kelsheee 6alabto..."
She frowned looking at Bandar and back at the lebanese guy..
and then she looked around her.. the place looked gorgeous! The swimming pool was in the middle of the courtyard with small tents infront of it, each one with a table inside. The one in the middle was set for dinner with candles and the WHOLE courtyard was filled with red roses and candles.
"Bandar..." she looked up at him, and he pulled him to her,
"My proposal was lame.." he laughed, blushing.. HE was getting shy!
"I didn't intend it to be like that.. I had the whole thing planned, but then you freaked out and started crying and I didn't know what to do.. so this is my formal proposal.. Hind.. I love you.. I've always loved you.. Will you marry me?" he said looking into her eyes.. "Shhh don't cry again and ruin my second proposal!!" he said hugging her.
"Yes.. yes.. I will marry marry you" she whispered into his chest.

What if.. (16)

Hind woke up with a heavy feeling in her stomache. She groaned and put her arm on her eyes when the alarm rang at 5 am, "oooooooh do I have to go.." she mumbled to herself. They were leaving on the 8 am flight to Dubai, which means that they have to be at the airport at 7.
"Uff uff ufffff..." she said pushing her covers of her body and getting out of bed, "it's still dark outside!"
After taking her shower and having breakfast she decided it was time to wake Bandar up,
she dialled his number and waited until he picked up the phone, the line was connected, she could hear him breathing.. and then a grunt.
"Heheehehe Bandar gooooooom"
"hmmmmm.."
"Goooooooooooooooooooooom!!"
"eeehm.."
The line goes dead.
"Uff hay wagta"
She dials again,
"Goooooooooooooooooooom Bandar yallah warana 6ayara"
"6ayeb 6ayeb.. 5ala9 9a7y.."
"i7lef.."
"hmmm ee"
"heheh Bandar 3aaad goom.."
"hmmm..." she could hear the rustling sound of the sheets moving as he streched his body, she imagined him on his bed, his hair messy from sleep, squinting against the light and she suddenly had the weirdest longing feeling.. like she just wants to go and kiss him until he wakes up.
"Gooom B.."
"a7ebek.."
"i7lef.. heheh"
"bay5a.."
"heheh inzain yallah goom I'll meet you at the airport.."
"6ayeb 7abeebty.. yallah.."

....................................................................

An hour later she arrived at the Qatar Airways first class terminal, it was always empty at this time which was good as she still cannot be seen with Bandar. She walked over to the check in counter and handed over her passport..
"To Dubai.." she mumbled.
Once she checked in her suitcase she went over to the passport control. Still no sign of Bandar.
"'3areeba the hotel is close to the airport.." suddenly she was worried. "What if he changed his mind? What if he doesn't want to come anymore? How will I face Sultan alone?" just as she was thinking that she saw him walking through the doors and heading towards the check in counter. "il7imdilla".
She continued on to the duty free to buy magazines for the flight, she picked up all the magazines she could find, Vogue, marieclaire, elle, glamour and OK for gossip.
"Ray7a New York ya galby?"
"Excuse me? Do I know you?"
"heheh la ya3ny ga9dy manteb nawya tkalmeeny fe il6ayara?"
"hehe la I'm pretending I don't know you and we're meeting on the plane and falling in love.. that's the story I'm telling people in Doha.. a7la mn oh he's my friend's brother"
"Good because I already requested to be seated next to you.. that could be my part in the story.. I saw you and asked to be seated next to the angel I just saw.."
"hahahha tet6anaz ba3ad mn il9eb7.."
"heheh yallah 6ayeb I think we should board the flight now.."

.............................................................

Hind sat in the window seat with Bandar sitting next to her, she got out her magazines and started leafing through vogue, hoping that she would get lost in the images of next season's fashion and forget the anxiety that was gripping her heart.

Dubai..

The city she once loved.. the city she thought she was moving to.. the city that once held all her dreams.. the city that she ended up hating.. whenever people talked about how fabulous Dubai was Hind would smile sarcasticly.. she never went back to Dubai after Sultan left her.. how could she? She would see him in every street.. in every corner.. he talked to her about his Dubai.. how they would buy their house in Jumeira.. how their kids would go to school there.. and the barbeques they'd have at their beach house.. how he would make fun of her telling her he wouldn't let her drive in Dubai because of her lacking a sense of direction.. "kel youm bayey a5ethch mn 3ajman.." he used to joke.. how could she love Dubai after all that?

Bandar sensed that Hind was no longer looking at the colourful images infront of her as she has been on the same page for the past half hour.
"Hind..? Hind 7abeebty?"
"Hmm.." she turned around looking at him and she smiled.. "I'm glad you're here.."
"I'm always glad to be with you" he said squeezing her hand reassuringly.

..........................................................

"I love it I love it I love it!" said Hind laughing..
"You love what? 5aleena ne6la3 mn ilma6ar!" he watched her lovingly as she ran around the huge airport heading towards the exit.
"eheheh I love their accent!!! a7es'hum 6aybeeeen and so welcoming!"
"hahha yes they are.. we're the mean ones aren't we?"
"heheh la into sexy.." she said winking.
"6ayeb yallah" he said pulling her from her arm towards the exit and leading her to the waiting car.
"The palace hotel please" he instructed the driver.
Hind got into the car and opened the windows immediately, closing her eyes against the cool breeze and letting the wind play with her hair.
They reached the hotel in 15 minutes as it was still early on a friday morning and the usual Dubai traffic has not yet started. They walked into the hotel hand in hand, Bandar headed to the reception to check in while she walked around the lobby, she loved the theme of the hotel, the dim lighting with the water fountains, the cozy atmosphere. She smiled as Bandar walked towards her handing over her room keys.
"Yallah unpack 3ashan we go out.."
"Shopping?" she said with a huge smile,
"Yes shopping.. 7a'6er ily tamreen 3alaih.."
"Yay.. let's go to Dubai mall.. yallah yallah don't be lazy get a move on Bandar.. uff..!" she urged him..
"heheh 6ayeb.."
Half an hour later they were walking through the entrance in Dubai mall..
"This is huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge..!" she said.. "oooooh I miss Maha and Saro.."
"ya3ny ana mo 3ajbek?"
"Ela bs you won't get excited when you walk into the Manolo boutique here soon! Maha would have tears in her eyes!"
"Hehehe wallah ma 3endikum salfa.."
"See! You don't get it.."
"haha ok ok I admit.. I really don't get it.. it's just something you wear on your feet.."
"Bandar I can't believe you said that! I'll pretend iny ma sema3t.. o ba6awefha lek halmara!"
They spent the rest of the day walking around the shops, laughing at silly things and just enjoying a day out together..
"Yallah 7abeebty let's go back to the hotel, I have a surprise for you tonight.." he said with a smile.

What if.. (15)

Bandar couldn't believe this was happening now. For two years after their break up he felt like he was holding his breath, he only let out a sigh of relief when Maha told him that Sultan got married during the summer after his graduation and took his wife with him to the States.. which was why he'd stopped taking Hind's calls so ubruptly. Bandar, not being satisfied with this at that time, decided to investigate further, so he called one of his friends in Dubai, who as far as Bandar knew was the King of Gossip in Dubai,
"Hala A7med, kaifek?"
"Hala hala Bandar.. B5air Allah ysalemk.. int sh7alek?"
After exchanging the usual pleasentaries Bandar asked about Sultan,
"A7med, t3erf Sultan Al-........."
"Yeah a3arfa.. laish?"
"La bs ba'3ait as2al 3anah.. ukhooy fe New York met him o yemda7ah"
"Eee eee uhwa weld nas o met3alem.. yedres PhD al7en fe New York.."
"Hmm.. ee.." Bandar paused for a few seconds waiting for the story to come,
"Bas ygoloon Allah ysalemk ina ubooh falas lama kan ho yadres fe London.. o ilwalad akbar wa7ed fe il3aila o 9aro kilhum yen6eroon ilfaraj 3ala eydaih.. 6ab3an ilwalad sha6er.. laken sharekat uboh kanat 5asrana o 3alaihum dyoon belmalayeen.. fa shsawa ilwalad.. 5e6ab bint Mohammed Al-..........., o 9ar fe youm o laila millionaire o sob7an Allah 9arat ilshareka rab7ana..." Ahmed continued with more details, but to Bandar this was the story. So it was final.. it was his choice.. he chose money over Hind.. he chose to sell himself over Hind.. for a few seconds Bandar actually felt sorry for Sultan. He felt it was sad that a person would see marriage as a final resort, that he would feel helpless to the point where he would let go of everything he ever wanted and throw himself into a life changing decision. Then he remembered Hind. Her beautiful sad face, the way he broke her spirit, the way she would be laughing and then all of a sudden something would trigger a memory and she'd be lost in her thoughts. He remembered her trips to therapists and hypnotists all attempting to rid her of her nightmares and all failing. And again he hated Sultan. He hated him for taking the easy way out and letting a young 18 year old carry all this pain alone.

.........................................

Hind left Bandar and went home to pack as they were both heading to Dubai the next morning. Her meeting was on Sunday which gives them two whole days in Dubai together, if the circumstances were different she would've been the happiest person on earth, but she was worried about the outcome of this trip. How would she react when she saw Sultan? How did Bandar feel? He was so quiet for the rest of the evening.. she felt like she was blabbering and he was just staring at her, without actually seeing her.
"I have to call mama and tell her.." she thought.
"Aloo"
"Alooo hi mama.."
"haa 7abeebty sha5barkum? shlon ildo7a?" said her mum,
"il7imdilla good.. sha5barkum into?"
"b5air yumma.. ha.. mafy shay?"
"maaamaaaaaaaaaa... 3an il7arakat" she laughed, she knew her mother ws dying to tell her that she knew about Bandar, but she was in no mood to play games with her.
"Hehehe mabrook yumma.. inzain ya3ny laish ma tabeena n3arf al7een?"
"ee ya3ny into ma7ad mub 7ilwa 3ala iltelephone!"
"heehhehe la i7na nadry mn zemain ina yabeech bs ma nadry laish ma yetkalam.. 7ata ummah kanat kela tlame7.."
"shit even my mum knew! o ana ilhabla adawer lah 3aroos.." she thought to herself.
"hmm.. inzain mama bokra lazem aro7 Dbai 3endi meeting.."
"Inzain yumma.. ma7ad beyroo7 ma3ach mn ilshe'3el?"
"La bs ana.."
"O Bandar ra'6y?"
"Mama!!! ya3ny al7en 5ala9? lail7en ma 5e6ab rasmy o inty bay3a? seeda Bandar?! Wain baba waina?!!" she laughed
"Hehhe ubooch ma yadry ma gelt lah.. lain reja3na ildo7a y9eer 5air"
"Inshallah mama.."
"Inzain yumma yallah te7amely fe roo7ech.. m3 ilsalama"
She hung up the phone smiling, talking to her mother made her feel better. The way her mum assumed that she was happy with Bandar and that he was the right person for her made her feel more confident in the success of this relationship.. also, to be fair, never in his life did Bandar give her reason to doubt his commitment to her.

..........................................

Sultan was sitting at home watching tv with his favourite daughter,
"Hind baba 3a6eeny ilremote control,"
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaddy.. aby disney channel.. don't change it" said the cheeky 5 year old.
He pulled her pony tail lovingly,
"Hanooooda, 5aly baba yshoof ilnews.."
"No.. no news for baba.. disney channel for Hanoooda"
He laughed and shook his head,
"Ok, fine.."
"2 more days and I see her.." he thought to himself. Sultan always wondered if Hind got married, the email sent from her boss said Miss.. so she wasn't married.
"7ab o itsala ba3dy.. wala metmasek be3ahdy.." he sang in a low voice.
"Shhhh baba.."

When he first broke up with her, she'd kept calling him constantly and he wouldn't answer. Once he picked up the phone by mistake but didn't talk.. he could hear her crying, begging him to only explain and he still wouldn't answer. She also flooded his email with messages demanding an explaination, at first they were mean messages, then he felt her getting weaker, the messages becoming shorter and more pleading. The last email he got broke his heart, he still had it saved in his inbox.

Sultan,
I was never good with words, you always told me that I talk before I think, that I'm too honest and somtimes inconsiderate. That might be true, but never in my life would I intentionally hurt someone that I once loved.
I always was a tough person, I never ever cried, I was never emotional, I would laugh when people told me that they don't sleep because of someone they loved.. kint agool lihum ma 3endikum salfa.. All the things I laughed at I have now experienced. I exist because of medication, my body is alive but my soul is dead.
I loved you like I loved no one else in my life. You know how much my family and friends mean to me, but I loved you to the extent that the love I had for you alone was double what I have for them collectively. HAD.. past tense.. I feel dead.. I have no feelings anymore.. for anyone.. I can't sleep.. yes I can't sleep.. can you believe that?
I have never asked you for anything, since the day I met you.. but now I am. I just want you to explain to me why you did this.. and I don't mean breaking up with me.. I mean the way you did it.. if you had told me that you don't love me or that it'll never work out I would've been sad for a while.. but I would eventually get over it.. and move on.. but not knowing what happened.. I just can't move on with my life.. I keep blaming myself.. replaying our last conversation.. maybe I did something wrong.. maybe I said something wrong.. but no matter what it was.. I don't deserve this from you..
You've changed me.. and I don't like who I've become.. so I'm begging you.. as a sister.. or as a friend or as whatever you choose to think of me.. to just explain why you did this.. so I can stop blaming myself.. and continue to live my life.. I want my old self back.. I want to be whole again.
Hind..

2 years after he left her she suddenly stopped.

"Can I really face her.. after all this?" he thought to himself.