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.

What if.. (14)

"Alooo.."
"Ya hala wallah.."
"Oh ahlain hala 5alty shlonich?" ... "Oh shit.. her mum picked up the phone" thought Hind to herself,
"La tgoleeenly 5alty, goly mama mithel Maha.." said Bandar's mum laughing..
"Shit shit shit" she thought in her head.. "Heheh" she could only give a fake laugh, this is not the time for her to act all coy infront of her future mother in law.. she needs to talk to Maha ASAP! Hind looked at her watch counting how many minutes she had until she would face Bandar.. judging by the traffic she had about 15 minutes.
"Ana Bandar gal ly ma agool lek, bs ma gedart amsek nafsy wallah.. Allah ye3lam wesh kether inte'6art halyoum.."
"Allah ysalmech 5alty.. bs ya3ny lail7en ma 9ar shay.. o ahly msafreen.."
"Adry! ana kalamt umek gabl shway.. bes gelt laha ma tgool lek.. wallah ina kelena far7aneen likum.."
"Shit.. everyone is conspiring behind my back.. hay wagta mama!" she thought to herself..
"Mabrook 7abeebty.. inshallah awal ma terja3 ilwalda 7ena nejy nzoorkum"
"7ayakum allah 5alty.."
"Hathy i5tek Maha betkalmek.. m3 ilsalama 7abeebty"
Hind looked accross to her friend and saw the worried expression on Sara's face..
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii I can't believe it's finally happening!!! I'm so happy for you guys.. wallah ukhoooy yestahel!!!"
"Maha please walk away from your mum shway.. I need to talk to you about something.."
"5air what's wrong..?" she whispered
"Is your mum near you?"
"La"
"I got an email today from my boss ina lazem aroo7 Dubai for a meeting on Sunday.."
"6ayeeeeb.."
"And the meeting is with Sultan.."
Hind could hear her friend breathing on the other side.. "Maha.. laish sekaty?"
"What are you planning on doing?" she said carefully,
"I have to go.."
"NO!"
"Maha?! It's not an option.. I have to go! But I want to tell Bandar.."
"Don't you dare break my brother's heart again!"
Hind's eyes started to water,
"I'm so sorry.." she whispered.
"Hind.. Bandar te7amal ktheer 3alashanik.."
"I know... that's why I don't want to lie to him.. I have to tell him."
"No.. don't tell him"
"What?"
"Don't tell him.. just go.. don't mention anything.."
"Maha.. what if he finds out? I'd rather he knows from me wala mn ay 7ad thany"
"Don't go Hind.. it'll break his heart.. please don't go.."
"I have to.. and I have to tell him.."
"Madry.."
"anyway.. ana we9alt ilhotel.. I'll call you and let you know what happens.."
"Ok.. good luck.. I love you.. and my brother loves you.. please be careful.."
Hind hung up the phone and looked at Sara,
"Yalah nezlay.."
"Ma ra7 tyeen ma3ay?" she asked hopefully.
"La this is something you have to do."

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

Hind walked as slow as possible to her 'fiance's' room, as soon as she knocked the door he opened, as if he was waiting for her by the door.
"You're late" he said pulling her into his arms, she burried her head in his chest and breathed in deeply.
"I missed you" she whispered, hugging him tightly.
"What's wrong?" he asked pulling away from her slightly and looking into her eyes.
"Let's sit down shway," she said pulling him towards the sofa. She sat next to him and held his hands.
"Awal shay thank you for keeping our relationship a secret.." she looked up at him and laughed when she saw the guilty look on his face.
"Heheh I'm guessing my mother talked to you.."
"Yes, not only did she talk to me.. she also talked to my parents and apparently we have their blessings" she said with a soft laugh,
"O thany 7aja?"
"Hmm.. I got an email from my boss today ina I have to attend a meeting in Dubai on sunday.." Hind paused, looking at Bandar trying to sense his reaction.. so far nothing.. "the meeting will be with Sultan." she finished. She felt his grip tighten on her hand, his nostrils flaring slightly as he tried his best to contain his reaction.
"Bandar I want you to know that I am commited to making this relationship work.. for the past 4 days I have been happier than I ever was before.. you made me realise what I was missing.. what the future holds for us and how happy we can be together. I'm glad your mother talked to mama, now I have no excuses and we can be together.. maybe it's too soon to say I love you, but you know how important you are to me.. and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.." Hind stopped, looking at Bandar, his face was expressionless.. he wasn't even looking at her.. "Bandar.. talk to me please.."
He turned his head towards her and said "I'm coming with you.."
"Bas.."
"No.. I won't discuss this with you. I'm coming and that's final. Now please change the subject."
With that Hind tried to talk about random things to lighten up the mood, but the day was ruined.. Bandar remained tense for the remainder of the evening.

Even after all these years Sultan managed to sabotage what was supposed to be a happy day for Bandar and Hind.

What if.. (13)

Dubai, UAE

Sultan was sitting at his desk re-reading the email he had just recieved.
Dear Dr. Sultan,
Good morning, hope this finds you well.
I regret to inform you that I will be unable to attend the meeting we have scheduled for Sunday as I have to attend another urgent meeting here in Doha, therefore so as to not affect the workflow, my colleague, Miss Hind Al-...... will attend the meeting on my behalf.
I apologize for any inconvenience caused, and hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks and regards,

"Can it be her? Hind.. my Hind?" whispered Sultan to himself. It's been 7 years since he last saw her.. 7 years since he broke her heart. "Would she still remember me?" he thought.
He smiled as he remembered her voice, the voice he loved to hear every morning, day and night. He would've done anything for her, but he was also too weak and selfish to confront her. He remembered the day he sang to her like it was yesterday.. it made her so happy that he learnt to play the 3ood for her.. she told him she found it sexy, so he went and took lessons for 2 months so he can impress her..

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

7 years ago.. London

"Hindooooooo.. I have a surprise for you!"
"Haaa haaa shino ilsurprise.. uff you know I don't like surprises"
"Close your eyes"
"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaby"
"Yallah 3ad.."
"Ok.."
she closed her eyes and waited.. she could hear him fiddeling with something and carrying it through her flat's door.
"Heheeh sul6aaaaaaan.. shga3ed tsawy?"
"Open your eyes.."
She opened her eyes to see him sitting on the sofa with a 3ood in his hands,
"I took lessons," he whispered. She could feel her eyes filling up with tears.
"Listen to this.. two songs that I learnt for you.."
"Ok..."
and he started singing.. his sweet voice filling the small room..

"Ya warda fe kul ilfo9ool.. ya far7 3ayya la ye6ool.. gooly o agool.. in kan 3endik ly 7elool gooly o agool.. ya far7at ilgalb il7azeen ilwagt ymer.. o malek 3ether.. kanek tebeen nensa il3omer.. o nensa ilseneen.. o nthooob fe 7ub o 7aneen.. tedreen wesh ser il7ekaya.. ilwagt ymer o lkel shay la bud nehaya.. o 7ena gerebna mn ilnehaya.. o malek 3other.. ya basmat iltha'3r il5ajool ma a'6an 3endik ly 7elool.. ma a'6an wedek netefeg.. o i7na tarana bneftereg.. o la tez3aly.. law neftereg.. galbek 5aly.. o galby ana illy beye7tereg.."

"Sul6aaaaaaaaaaaaaan ma legait ila this song!! laish ildepression 3ad!!"
"Hahah ok I have another song for you.. those are the only 2 I learnt.."
"Ok yallah same3ny.."

"Jeet 3ala baly o 3yooony.. zay hajes.. la7 o 6aif.. gelt as2al 3an 7abeeby.. ya tara a7walo kaaif.. 7ab o itsalaa ba3dy.. wela metmasek be3ahdy.. 3end sha6 ilba7r jaales yente'6er awfy bewa3dy.."
"Hmmm I love this song bs a7es'ha sad.."
"Hmmm yeah it is.."

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

Sultan sighed and pulled himself out of his memories, he looked around his office and his eyes fell upon the framed photo on his desk; his family.. his 3 children..

What if.. (12)

Hind could feel her hands shaking as she shut down her computer, she picked up her car keys and her phone and dialled her friend's number,
"Aloo.."
"Ha yallah ako I'm leaving work babadel o bayeekum Sharg.."
"Umm.. la Saro ta3aleely ilbait.."
"Laish shfeech?"
"La wala shay just please come.."
"Hind... what's wrong?"
"Saro bs please ta3aly yallah"
"Yallah I'm coming.."
She hung up the phone and started her car's engine, she was just about to reverse out of the parking when her phone vibrated:

1 new message
Bandar

She picked up the phone and checked the message,
"I'm waiting ya galby, hurry up"
She put the phone down sighing and reversed out, heading home.

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

Sara entered her friend's room to find her pacing the room, her laptop on the floor along with a few outfits..
"Hanood..? shfeech sh9ayer?"
"Choofy.." she said weakly, handing her the laptop,
Sara started at the screen her eyes getting wider with every word she read,
"Shit.."
"ee ee shit Saro shasawy" Hind was holding her tears in but when she saw her friend's expression she couldn't stop herself from crying.. "tell me shasawy? I have to go, it's not an option.. ya3ny 7ata ma se2alny if I can go wela la.. he said I want you to attend instead! ya3ny lazem lazem aroo7!! I can't face him after all these years.. what if..."
"What if what Hind? Do you still have feelings for him?"
"Madry Saro," said hind looking at the ring in her hand, "madry.. I don't think so.. bs what if it comes back.."
"What if what comes back Hind, he treated you like shit.. this is someone ily ma yestahel 7ata tetfeleen 3alaih if you see him!"
"But.."
"But what..? Nesaity how he left you? Nesaity how desperate you were for him? Nesaity how long you waited for him? Nesaity how you found out he got married 1 month after breaking up with you! Hind.. Hind.. Bandar ma yestahel minich tsaween chethy!"
"I need time to think.."
"You don't have time to think.. Bandar is waiting for you remember?"
"Oh.."
"You should tell him.."
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" yelled Hind,
"Yes, do you plan to start a relationship with a lie?"
"No.." she whispered,
"Good, I'm dropping you off there, we'll call Maha on the way, she'll tell you how to tell him.. he has to know."

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

Hind sat in her friend's car her mind going back in time..

5 years ago.. London

Hind sat in Harvey Nichols' Fifth floor waiting for her friend to come, she was happy to see her friend since she hasn't seen her for a whole year, Maitha was her friend from UAE who'd graduated a year before and moved back to Dubai,
"Hiiiiii I missed you!!!" said Hind hugging her friend who'd just walked in carrying 4 big please mum bags.
"I missed you too ya 7mara! ma tzooreena fe Dubai!"
"You know how it is, you go back for a few weeks and have to catch up with the family.. 9a3eb I go to Dubai.."
"Ee ee adry.. sha5barech? O shlon London bedoony?"
"Wallah same.. nothing new.. inty sha5barech? Achoof please mum bags.. 5asha shay 3alaina?" said Hind laughing,
"Laaa moool.. hahaha la those are for my cousin, she's due next month.. tethkereenha 3asha? She came to visit mara mn sentain thalath?"
"ee ee imbala bs ma athkerha 3adel.. ya7lailha.. when did she get married?"
"ba3ad'ha 3ala 6ool in5a6bat.. you remember that guy ily kan sometimes ma3akum? Sultan Al - .........? Apparently chafha fe London o 3ala 6ool 5e6abha."
"Ha?" Hind felt the blood draining from her face, she felt the place getting more noisy, the waiters yelling, the sound of the forks and knives getting louder..

"Hind.. Hind.." Sara shook her friend to get her attention,
"Ha?"
"Shfeech?"
"Wala shay bas sera7t shwaya"
"Inzain yallah call Maha tell her.."
"Ok.."
Hind held her phone, pressed 3 and waited for her friend's voice to come out and help her with her dilemma.

What if.. (11)

Hind couldn't believe it was wednesday already. She was sitting with Bandar in his room watching a movie.. her mind had wandered away from the characters running around infront of her a while ago, thinking of how happy she's been for the past four days.. "I didn't think it would work out this way.." she thought to herself. She was sitting next to Bandar on the sofa, her head lying on his chest, while he stroked her head and played with her long hair.
"Bandar latroo7 ilyoum.." she said looking up to him.
"Lazem aroo7.." he said kissing her head, "I have a job to go back to."
Her eyes started tearing up, "Bandaaaar.." she said,
"Haha lail7en you cry when people travel?"
"Hehehe Bandaaaar.." she said hitting him lightly on the chest.
"I have to go wallah, you know I'd love to be with you akthar, bs I left a lot of things hanging back home last week, fa lazem arja3.."
"Bas bokra weekend 3endikum.."
"True... but I have a lot of work that I have to catch up on 7abeebty."
"Please please pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.."
"Hehe 6ayeb ok, I'll stay until friday 3ashanek.."
"Yaaaaaaaaay!!" she jumped up and hugged him, "t3arf, I didn't think I'd be so happy with you," she said sitting down next to him.
"I told you to give me a chance, I knew I can make you happy.." he said smiling, "7abeebty..?"
"Hmm..?" she said lowering her head,
"Hindo..?"
"Haaaa..." she laughed,
"Is it still too early to talk about marriage? I know I promised I'll wait.. bs I want to tell my mother, you know that after my father passed away she hasn't been feeling well o ab'3a afare7ha.."
"Hmmm.. I know 7abeeby bs.."
"aish? You know what?"
"I know ya3ny ina she's depressed.."
"La la.. shgelty? You know o ba3dain gelty 7aja?"
"Bandaaaar!! shfeek 9ayer moraheq?" she said laughing,
"Hahah '3a9ben 3anny.. jananteeny!"
"Hehe la seriously, I know inik taby tfare7ha bs I can't tell my parents over the phone, ya3ny they have to be here o chethy.. please let's wait.."
"6ayeb.. ily tamreen 3alaih.. as long as your happy.."
"I am.." she said kissing his cheek.

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

Hind reached home that night with a grin on her face, singing 3abdelmajeed's old song..

Sa3eed il7a'6 galby.. 3eref ye5taar 7obak..

She went up to her room and called her best friend
"Aloooo ya 7ilwa.."
"Hahah ilmood 3adel halyoumain achoof?"
"Eeee Saro, I can't believe how happy I am.. ma tewaqa3t bakoon chethy ma3ah.. I'm so happy.. I can't explain.."
"Heheh Allah lay'3ayer 3alaikum inshallah"
"Inshallah.. I'm so happy ily shway a7es I'm scared.. ka2ana I'm waiting for something bad to happen.."
"Hanood, Bandar is not Sul6an.. he genuinely loves you."
"I know, I can see it in his eyes.. I can't believe I was so blind! I can't believe I didn't see it before.. the way he looks at me.. he makes me feel like the most beautiful person on earth, like no one else exists, like I can do no fault.."
"Allah yes3edkum 7abeebty.. you deserve it.. and so does he.. he waited for a long time.."
"Hmm.. he did.. is it too soon to think that I love him too? I can't imagine my life without him Saro!"
"Hmm.. maybe deep down you always did, but it's just hitting you now.. ya3ny he was the first one you called when you were depressed, the first one you called with good news.. yemkin it was always there bs you never knew.."
"Jayez.. anyway I begged him to stay o beyeg3ad lain friday.. bokra ta3aly ma3ay we'll have lunch together mithel ayam London! bs nag9atna Mahooy! I miss her wallah.."
"Hahaha la ma a7eb akoon third wheel! yemkin he wants to kiss you hne wela hnak, I won't feel comfortable with you two eyeing each other wishing I wasn't there 3ashan you make out!"
"Hahahahaha ya 7maaaaara!!! We don't make out! ya3ny bs he hugs me shway o he kissed my head bas.."
"Hahaha ya3ny not even PG ha?"
"Haha ya kalba!!!!"
"Heheheh ok 5ala9 I'll come tomorrow.. bs itha 9erto lovey dovey bakfa5kum into ilthnain! my fiance msafer o ma chefta mn 6 months..!"
"Hahah 9ij ma 9ar phd hay.. meta bey5ale9?"
"Soon inshallah ma bagy shay.. I miss him so much.."
"Hmm inshallah.. would you mind if I get married before you?" said Hind laughing
"Bathbe7ech ya 7mara!!! 9arly mn meta ma56ooba o inty yaya al7een tabeen tesbegeeny? t5asaaaaain wallah!!"
"Hahaha la i'm kidding bs bayanenech.."
Hind chatted with her friend for an hour and went to bed with a smile on her face.

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

Hind was at work finalising some documents before she left for the day, it was 3 o'clock and she only had a few things to work on before she could leave, she was looking forward to having lunch with Bandar and Sara, it reminded her of their London days, when they all went out together as a group.. the good old days..
She was just getting ready to shut down her pc when she saw a notification that she got a new email from her boss.. she opened the email thinking uff shyaby hay al7een...
The email read as follows:

Dear Hind,
Good afternoon,
Kindly note that I will be unable to attend the Dubai meeting on Sunday as I will be attending an urgent board management meeting in Doha, therefore I would like you to go instead. You will be meeting Dr. Sultan Al- ...... the CEO of the company regarding....................

After reading the name Hind felt the rest of the words blurring infront of her eyes..
"I can't believe this is happening.. I knew it was too good to be true.."

What if.. (10)

An hour later, Bandar watched Hind walking to her car through his window.. they decided that since Hind's parents are away on holiday for the next month they will not discuss anything about marriage until they are back. For the time being they will try to adjust to the change in their relationship. He would be staying in Doha for the next four days and they planned to see each other and talk more about their situation.
"Atleast she knows now" he thought to himself. Bandar couldn't stop himself from smiling as he imagined Hind waking up next to him every morning for the rest of his life.
"Inshallah 5air.." he whispered to himself.

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

Hind opened the door to her silver SUV and sat in the driver's seat, she fumbled with the keys in the ignition and failed to turn the engine on, she put her head on the steering wheel and couldn't help noticing how the solitaire on her finger was glinting in the dark car, like it was mocking her with it's sparkling beauty. Hind could feel her heart beating fast, her breath becoming more shallow, "I feel suffocated" she thought to her self. She quickly took of the ring from her finger and threw it in the cup holder to her right.
She picked up her phone and called her best friend,
"Alooo"
"Saro please ta3aly baitna I need you now" she sobbed,
"Hanood it's 9:30 I .."
"Please please say anything and come.."
"ok I'm on my way.."
15 minutes later Hind was sitting on her bed staring straight ahead in shock with the ring clasped tightly in her hands, she could feel the cold diamond cutting through the soft flesh of her palm.
Sara opened the door and saw her friend frozen on the bed with her back straight and stiff.
"Hanoooooood.. shfeech?"
Hind just turned around to her friend and pushed her clasped hand forward..
"Choofy.." she opened her hand to show her friend the ring.
"Nice ring.. inzain? shino ilmoshkila..?"
"Bandar gave me this." answered Hind quietly.
"Oh.."
"Did you know?"
"I knew he loved you Hind, everyone knows, but I didn't see this coming"
"Everyone knows?"
"Yes, even his mother"
"Oh shit.. am I the bitch that kept breaking his heart?"
"You're not a bitch" she said quietly hugging her friend, "Shhhhhh.." she said as Hind started sobbing.
"I said no awal mara" she cried, "and then I walked away and looked back at him, and he seemed so lost, so sad, his shoulders slumped ka2ana he aged 10 years and I couldn't walk away any further, I can't do to him what Sul6an did to me, fe nafs ilwagt ana ga3da a'6lema ma3ay.. I love him I really do.. but I can't give him what he wants.. I don't have it in me.. Sul6an took everything away from me, I've nothing more to give.. I dont want to hurt him I love him too much to do that.. and .. I .. what about Maha? What if it doesn't work out between us and then Maha ends up hating me? I can't lose 2 friends at the same time.. Saro please help me shasawy?"
"Shhh it's ok.. don't worry illy Allah katbah bey9eer.. inzain shgelty 3ogob? The ring is with you so I assume you said yes?"
"La.. I said no awal shay when he said he loves me.. in9edamt Saro, this is Bandar.. you know what I mean.. and then he asked me to leave and I was going to.. bs then I saw him and I couldn't.. so we talked.. he told me he will be patient and that he'll always be here for me, but he wanted me to keep the ring 3ashan I know what his intentions are.."
"Zain that's great.. ya3ny he's not putting any pressure on you Hindo"
"Adry, but still.."
"Inzain wain we9alto a5er shay?"
"Ina I will keep the ring and think lain ma my parents come back. He's staying lain wednesday 3ashan we see each other shway.."
"Good. Hanood ma ra7 tlageen mithlah."
"I know.."
"5ala9 goomy '3asly wayhech o let's watch a movie and eat chocolate 3ashan you feel better" said Sara laughing.
Hind smiled weakly and said "ok"
The girls spent the rest of the evening watching a comedy and talking about everything except what was on both their minds. Before Sara left Hind hugged her tightly, "Saro itha kalemach Bandar don't say anything.. just act happy o inich mestansa lena.. I don't want him to feel anything, and don't you dare tell Maha!"
"I know, I know don't worry.. I love you" she said kissing her friend.
"Ana ba3ad, good night"

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

The next morning Hind woke up feeling better, "I will give it a try, he's a great guy o 9ij ma balagy a7san minah.." she thought remembering Bandar's handsome face. She picked up her phone and found a text message from Bandar,
"9aba7 il5air 7abeebty :*"
She smiled and got out of bed to get ready to go to work.
At 1 pm, she was sitting in the office frowning at her screen going through her emails when her phone rang,
Bandar calling
"Alooo"
"9ba7 il5air"
"Baaaaaaaal shda3wa tawek gayem? When did you send me that message 3ayal?"
"Haha before I slept"
"Shge3adt tsawy?"
"Afaker feek" he whispered,
"Oh.." she could feel her face getting hot,
"Teste7een galby?"
"Bandar.."
"Haha 6ayeb 5ala9.. bashoofek ilyoum?"
"Inshallah.. after work.."
"Ok, I'll wait for you we'll have lunch together."
"Ok.. see you.."
"Bye 7abeebty.. give me a kiss"
"Bandar!!" she said as the blood rushed to her cheeks,
"Hahah 6ayeb 6ayeb I'll see you later o awareek"
She hung up the phone and smiled, "why am I so afraid? This doesn't feel so bad"

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

Hind was smiling as she was driving through the crowded streets of Doha, she chose to dress more casually since they will be only sitting in the room and ordering room service, she wore a white knee length cotton dress with flat embellished jimmy choo sandals and let her long hair fall in loose waves on her back. When she reached his room she knocked the door and he opened it immediately,
"Hi" she said shyly.. "this feels so weird," she thought, she watched him as she took off her abaya, he was wearing jeans and a black polo shirt, his hair still wet from the shower and he smelled great. He was also looking at her nervously,
"shfeek?" she said,
"Wala shy," he answered, his eyes involantarily going to her hands looking for his ring. When he saw the ring in her hand he smiled and pulled her to him,
"Ta3aly hina" he whispered and hugged her tightly, "wa7ashteeny" he said as he kissed her head,
she looked up at him and whispered, "Bandar..."
"Ya 3yoon Bandar," he said and kissed both her eyelids,
"Ana yo3ana." she said smiling.
"Hahahah fakart betgoleen shay! 6ayeb yallah let's order lunch," he said as he pulled her from her hand towards the phone.. as he was ordering their lunch Hind opened her handbag, pulled out her phone and typed a message to her friend,
"I think this will work out :)"
and sent it to Sara.

What if.. (9)

Bandar could hear Hind's footsteps as she walked towards the door,

"I can't believe I did this.." he thought to himself, he felt his body shaking and he couldn't control it, "why did I react this way? Ya Allah, ya Allah.. I waited for 8 years and I couldn't give her five minutes?" he heard the door closing and felt his world crashing around him.
Suddenly he felt her cold hands touching his forehead,
"Bandar.." she whispered, "red 3alay please"
He stopped shaking but still kept his hands over his face, "I can't look at her now," he thought.
"Bandar Allah yer'6a 3alaik.. don't do this to me" she begged him, "you know I can't lose you, what would I do without my Bandar?"
Bandar could physically feel his heart breaking but he couldn't say anything, "what does she expect me to say? 3adi? It's ok?"
"Bandar.." she held his hands trying to pull them away from his face, "please look at me"
He looked up at her and she was shocked to see the expression in his eyes, there was so much pain, he looked like a lost child and all she wanted to do was kiss his head and hold him in her arms, telling him that everything will be ok and that she will give him anything he wants.
"Hind.. I really can't do this anymore. I can't be your strong person.. ana ma 3ad feeny a36eek shay.. 5ala9.. you took everything. I don't mean to be harsh, but this is the truth. I have no energy left in me. I waited for years hoping, that one day you will notice me, one day you will realise that I stood by you because I love you, and that you will love me back."
"But I do love you.." she whispered.
"As a friend? That's not love.. atleast that's not the love I have for you, I want you to be my wife, I want you to carry my children, I want them to have your hair, your skin, your eyes, I want them to feel like you, to smell like you and to laugh like you. Maybe that's too much to ask, but this is what I want.."
"It's not too much.."
"What?" he looked at her shocked.
"What if it doesn't work out?" she said, looking at him with tears in her eyes, "I can't take another break up, I can't, I can't.."
"What if it works Hind? Don't you want to be happy? Ana shareek Hind, shareeek"
"I don't know.. I don't know.." she said shaking her head, "this is too much, I can't take it Bandar, I can't tell you I love you now, I mean ofcourse I do.. bs I've never thought of it this way.. maybe if I gave myself time.. I don't know.. but Bandar I don't want to risk losing you"
"Hind.. you will never lose me, even if it doesn't work out I will always be here" he said encouraging her, "come here," he said pulling her into his arms. Hind felt safe between his arms, like nothing bad could ever happen to her, she could feel him breathing softly on her hair and could feel his fast heartbeats close to her cheeks, she closed her eyes and breathed in his smell, "ok" she whispered.
"Hind.. galby?"
"Haaa"
"Haaa? hahah that's the best you can do?"
She looked up at him smiling through her tears, "baal kilish maby achoof wayhy in the mirror, akeed I look like a panda, are you sure you want to be with this?" she said pointing at her face.
"a7la panda fe il3alam" he replied kissing her nose, "Hind I don't want to be with you."
"Haaa?" she looked at him shocked, "al7een tawek ga3ed tgool ly.."
"ee ee I don't want to be with you, I want to marry you, " he said putting his hand in his pocket and pulling out a maroon Cartier box, "I know this is too much, and you're overwhelmed, but I love you and respect you, I also respect your parents, fa ma ab'3a yejy youm o they think that I took advantage of their trust for me, la tensain inhum fet7o ly bait'hum" he said quietly, "I want my intentions to be clear, don't say yes or no now, just keep this with you." said Bandar, pushing the box in her hands. "Can I see it in your hands? Or would that be asking for too much?"
Hind didn't know what to say, she WAS overwhelmed, "umm yeah I guess, why not?" she opened the box to find a beautiful 3 carat princess cut solitaire surrounded by two smaller solitaires on a platinum band, she carefully slipped it on her ring finger and showed it to him.
"Allah la ye7remny minik.." he said kissing each finger.