She dreams, she hopes, she loves, she has faith. Like fireflies, it glows in her darkest days, the sweet taste of bittersweet memories. Sunshine and Raindrops, a sweet escape of a world only she knows.
She's strong, she's passionate, and she never gives up.
Most importantly, she's loved.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Love & everything in between. Part 7


       Noura started walking slower because she was enjoying the conversation now.
"Shino your favorite color?" 3azeez asked
"Blue!" Noura said
"Mm favorite snack?" 3azeez kept going but Noura fell silent.
"Aloo, Noura? Feech shay?"
"Mm. . 3azeez, gabel shwai o ana amshi marait 3ala shalaih kan '9alma o mafi a7ad, al7en ako wa7ed ga3ed ashofa men eb3eed bas elshalaih lama al7en '9alma.." She whispered
"Haday baba haday.. Sher7eli elshalaih eshloun shakla??" 3azeez started to get worried
"Mm.. Uuhh.. Madrii shakla uuh 7ail qadeem.. 3azeez 3azeez el rayal gaam!! 3azeeeez!!" Noura was freaking out and her heart was pounding. 
"Noura baba haday 7abebty entay, please sher7eli ayi 9oub?" And he started looking left and right.
"M - add-ri bas ga3ed yetlafat!" Noura said
3azez got up and started walking down the stairs towards the beach,
"3az-eeeeeez! Hatha gaam! Ha-thaaa yayllli!!!!!" Noura was freaking out she almost cried, she didn't know what to do except run towards the other direction but no other shalaih's had their lights on, expect a few that were a bit farther down closer to hers.

The figure got closer, and closer.

And Noura was just standing there, heart beating right out of her chest.
But the figure showed no sign of danger, he was getting closer to Noura, closer under the light where she stood, and she could not believe her eyes.

3azeez was standing there right in front of her.

When she saw his face, her eyes began to tear involuntarily. 
And 3azeez was just staring at her beautiful face.

"Laish yuba laish.." He whispered.
Noura's heart and entire body flinched when 3azeez's finger wiped the tear off of her cheeks.

She couldn't say a word.
She didn't know whether to be happy or frightened.
She hasn't seen him for the past four years, and this was the first time for him to see her in the past four years. A lot has changed with her, she grew taller, and lost even more weight, and her hair was longer but it was wrapped up in a messy bun so he couldn't tell. 
But 3azeez? He just grew into a more handsome gentleman. He had tanned skin because he's been spending time in the sun, he let his hair grow a bit, and he had a dirty beard going on, which made him look quite sexy. 
She wanted to hug him and kick him for scaring her.
"Laish et5ar3ni!" Noura exclaimed and moved a step back
"Wala el3a'9eem makan qa9di! O madri ely tet7achain 3ana ohwa ana! Youm geltay ena kan yetlafat, lafait rasi yesar wela ashof figure bent tamshi, garabt bashof mino wela entay!" 3azeez said with honest eyes.
He looked into her eyes, and when she looked back, she traveled back 4 years ago when she first saw him on that plane. That feeling she got when she saw his eyes, that magnetic pull was back again. 
But this time it was even more intense.
Noura laughed awkwardly because the situation was funny, and she fell silent after realizing that they met again. Her cheeks turned red when she remembered how she approached him and how he saw her in a frightened state.

There was a little awkward pause between them. 3azeez couldn't believe that he was standing right in front of Noura; he couldn't believe the whole chain of events that led her to him again.
But he was happy, and he's not backing down.
"Shalaihkom greeb min ehni 9a7?" 3azeez asked
"Eeh 7ail greeb kaho menak," Noura pointed straight ahead, their shalaih was 10 shalaih's down.
"Mm 3adi awa9lech?" 3azeez asked, then hesitated and said "bas etha matabeen kaifich 3ala ra7tich.."
Noura thought it over, and she didn't see any harm in that, "laa 3adi I don't mind," she smiled.
They started walking back to Noura's shalaih; he was walking close by but was respecting Noura's personal space. They kept on talking about themselves, their likes and dislikes and their plans. They both realized that they share same interests yet they're still equally different. 
They reached Noura's shalaih and 3azeez desperately wanted to linger around and keep talking. Their conversation was getting so good, they both lost track of time.
Noura looked around the driveway but Faris's patrol was still gone, and Fahad wasn't there either.
She looked at 3azeez and studied his facial expression, she knew he wanted to stay, but she didn't feel right inviting him in on their very first time.
"Lulu lama al7een 6al3a, tabi teg3ad weyay 3ala ma ehya etrid?" Noura suggested.
3azeez nodded '6ab3an abe ag3ad weyach, masheba3t menich' he thought but said, "eeh ma wedi a5alech ibroo7ich belail." But you could tell from his look he was lying.
Noura giggled and nodded at the beach chairs that were facing the beach, "hmm tabi teshrab shay?" 
"Laa mashkora," 3azeez said as he sat on the chair.
"Inzain ana basaweli chai 7aleeb bas shwai o ard okay?" Noura asked
"Ola chai 7aleb eb hal 7ar?" 3azeez asked
Noura bugged her eyes, "ma3aref anam bedoun la ashrab chai 7aleeb! Akeed matabi?"
"Eeh wallah, bas deraybalich 3ala nafsich" he said involuntarily.
Noura looked back at him as she was walking to the shalaih, "baroo7 asaweli chai 7aleeb, mani dasha 7arb tara" she laughed and went inside.

3azeez hit his forehead, 'ya athwal laish gelt chethy! Etdeer balaha 3ala nafs'ha min shino!’ He felt embarrassed.
'Think before you say something stupid again 3azeez, think!' He told himself.

While Noura was making her self some tea, 3azeez received a call from his friend Othman.
"Haa bo s3aied wain e5tefait??"
3azeez chuckled, "mako wala bas gemt atmasha 3al ba7ar shwai o rad , laish?"
"6aa7 el3asha fa gemna endawrek, yala yam3awad elshabab na6reen!" Othman complained
"Enshalla kani rad lekom." He said that while Noura was walking back.
"Ha eb tamshi?" Noura asked
"La 3ady geltla ga3ed atmasha." 3azeez said
Noura nodded and kept on drinking her milk.
They were both silent for a while, but it wasn't awkward silence, it was loud silence. It was as if they were talking, but really aren't. 

3azeez cleared his throat, "betrdoun bacher?"
Noura shook her head, "la ga3deen laish enrid?"
"Mo ma5theen 9aify?" 3azeez asked
"3azeez eshfeek I graduated already!" 
3azeez's face turned red again, "eeh 9a7 nesait !" 
Noura smiled and looked at the dark sea. 3azeez stared at her beautiful face and felt very nervous.
She was making him nervous, yet she was as calm as a sleeping baby.
Noura stared at the sea and was thinking about her status with 3azeez. She was really starting to like him, but didn't know how fast things should go, she looked at him and was about to say something when he exactly looked at her and said, "Noura."
"Halla?" 
"Kentay betgolen shay?"
"La 3adi, goul?"
He breathed out.
"Noura etha sawait shai o '9ayegch betgoleenli?"
Noura was confused, "shai methel shino?" 
"Anything in general." 
"Would you want me to tell you?" Noura played it well
3azeez nodded, "yes please."
Noura nodded back, "then okay I'll tell you."
"And if things are going too fast, would you also tell me?" 3azeez asked again. He was being very bold and diplomatic.
Noura nodded, "eeh I guess."
3azeez nodded in content and said, "shely kentay betgoleena?"
"La wala shay walla." Noura said
"Yala 3ad golai! I want you to be honest with me, completely honest." 3azeez put emphasis on completely.
"Mm.. Walla its too soon to tell" Noura said
"How so?" 3azeez asked
Noura shrugged.
"Eshfeech baba?" 3azeez was worried.
Noura closed her eyes for a few seconds and went back to the day she met him four years ago. She opened her eyes and looked back at him and knew exactly what to say, but was afraid to.
She breathed out and whispered, "I don't want to do anything stupid to ruin this.. If this actually is something. I don't know. Its too soon to tell." She confessed
3azeez reached for Noura's hand, but hesitated so he held on to his phone instead.
"Shofai 5al akoun wa'9e7 ma3ach min el bedaya. Ana rayal a5af rabi o adawer 3ala ma9la7ti, o ely abeha etkoun sharekat 7ayati, ehya entai la2nich tejm3en kel ilmowa9afat ely ana adawer 3alaiha o ezyada ba3ad. Ana mani dash 3ala 6oma3, wala yay al3ab o a'9aye3 wakti o waktech. Ana ely wedi ena e9eer, ena at3araf 3alaich akthar, o astelm wa'9eefty o ayey a5a6bich min ahalich eb asra3 waket. O chan taben, min bacher a5ale elwalda etkalim omech 3ashan etshofeen ena kalami 9ej o mabi a2atheech wela age9 3alaich. Noura ana ma9adagt eny legaitech, mara7 ar'9a 7ag nafsi eny a'9ay3ich mara thanya." 3azeez said in a serious tone
Noura's heart was beating so fast, 'wow' she thought. She exhaled slowly and reached for 3azeez's hand.
Her heart tingled when 3azeez squeezed her hand back.
He smiled and looked at her, "hatha elkalam ely kentay taben tesm3eena?"
Noura nodded shyly.
"O eqtana3tay?" 3azeez asked truthfully.
Noura nodded shyly again.
"Am I going too fast?" 3azeez asked
Noura shook her head, "its all too perfect."
"Perfect good? Or perfect bad?" 3azeez asked
She just squeezed his hand and said, "we'll see" with a sweet smile.

3azeez got up and told her that he has to leave, "3adi ashofech bacher?"
"Wain?" 
"Mm ehni amur 3alaich?" 
"Madri wala, eshrayek bacher akalmek?"
3azeez nodded, "okay yuba 9ar. Etha taben shay kalmeni."
Noura nodded, "der balek 3ala nafsek!"
3azeez laughed, "latkhafeen bamshi lai elshalaih, mo dash 7areb"
Noura laughed back, "ya3jebni ely yefhamni!"
3azeez winked and walked back.

Noura went back inside, changed into her pj's and started watching a movie waiting for Lulu to come back so she could tell her what happened.
She was genuinely happy that she saw 3azeez and that she got some reassurance. She's the type of girl that has deep trust issues, and with everything she went through in the past, 3azeez was sort of like heaven to her.
With every beat of her heart she felt little tiny particles of joy travel around her body. She opened his display picture and smiled at him, 'Allah e5aleek ley' she thought happily. 
She was too tired to wait for Lulu that she fell asleep on the couch. 

Lulu came back shortly after and found Noura asleep. She decided not to wake her up, so she got in her pj's and went to sleep.

When 3azeez got back to his friends shalaih, they were already halfway through with dinner. He joined them and Othman noticed that he seemed very jolly. As if he was high or something, he was physically there, but mentally he was somewhere else.
"3azooz!" Othman pulled 3azeez on the side.
"Hallaa?" 3azeez looked confused
"Agoul wain re7t?"
"Haw geltlek re7t atmasha!"
"Ebroo7ik?" Othman asked
"Eeeh eshfeek ent!" 3azeez asked
"3azeeez 7e6 3ainik eb 3aini!" Othman teased
"3thmano ent tadri ma3endy hal 5arabee6!" 3azeez gave him a serious look
"Adri feek yuba adrii feek, a6afrek bas!" Othman chuckled
"Eeh qashmartek bay5a methlek!" 3azeez teased him back
Othman lightly punched 3azeez on his arm, "yala yarab enik tarzeg hal walad bel bint ely ta5th galba!"
3azeez chuckled and walked away, and as he did he thought to himself, 'Allah rezagni eb Noura, ta'3neeni 3an eldenya kelha!'

To be continued... 

Friday, June 21, 2013

Love & everything in between. Part 6


        After a while from their arrival to the shalaih and putting things into place and take bed sheets out and cleaning things around, Noura called Fahad and told him that they've arrived and that the place is a mess thanks to him. He said that the staff should be heading to the shalaih in a bit so they'll have to wait awhile. Also, Noura mentioned the point that Faris might be visiting them as well, and Fahad told Noura that when he does, she should inform him so he could come and they'll all hang out together.


Lulu's been going to Noura's shalaih ever since she was in middle school. She was an only child and Noura was like her sister. Due to that fact, when Noura's dad renovated the shalaih, he fixed a small room just for Lulu so she can feel right at home.


Noura unpacked, and set everything in place and took her phone and went straight out to the beach. It was already dark, but not too dark. It was the perfect time, not too hot and not too cold either. The sand was cold, but the salty breeze was warm.
She loved it.
She laid down in the sand and stared up at the sky.
'Shit I forgot to text 3azeez', was what popped in her mind so she did,

We got there min shwai, just thought you wanted to know.

But 3azeez was last seen an hour ago, so she figured he was busy.
She put her phone back in her pocket and started daydreaming.


About half an hour later, Lulu joined Noura, but Lulu was changed from her blue shorts and beige top to a white sleeveless beach dress and she braided her hair and then twirled it in a bun.
"Olaa olaa kel hatha 3ashani?" Noura said
Lulu laughed,
"La 6ab3an, Faris is 5 mins away."
"Laish magelteli he's coming tonight! Lazem adeg 3ala Fahad now." Noura said
"La la laish Fahad laish?" Lulu frowned
"Cause you know Fahad may7eb ajabelkom broo7kom, he feels better being around, since ya3ni ohwa akbar mina." Noura said
"Nwair please don't please, wala min ziman mo shayfta o 7adi walhana 3alayh!" Lulu begged
Noura gritted her teeth, " o bala Fahad qarar yerja3 ?"
"Ana sa3at.ha at7amal elmas2ooleya" Lulu said
"Fine whatever," Noura said and as she did, Faris's white patrol pulled in the driveway, and he stepped out and came towards the girls.


Lulu's eyes lit up as she saw Faris walk towards them.
He was opposite to what Noura liked. He was extremely tall, and white, and had bold features and an occasional beard, in Lulu's eyes he was so manly and handsome, but Noura thought he was okay.
"Masa2 el5air banat" Faris greeted them.
"Ahlan Faris," Noura said
"Halla o '3ala" Lulu stood up and kissed Faris's cheeks and whispered something in his ears that made his heart drop.
He chuckled and looked back at Noura, "haa Noura, tesm7eeli a5ith refeejtich shwai?"
Noura shrugged, "Bil a5eer ehya bet9eer mortek fa magdar agool la."
Lulu smiled and Faris promised he wouldn't take long.
Noura breathed out, that’s the part she hated the most about Faris and Lulu.


They've been engaged for almost a year, yet they keep postponing the wedding, and whenever they see each other its like they're on their honeymoon. So she gave up trying to convince Lulu to schedule the wedding until Lulu's parents told her that she must fix a date or else they'll call everything off. So if everything goes as planned, Faris and Lulu's wedding will be in October.
She was really pissed that Lulu left because now she has no one to sit with, and she knows that if Fahad finds out, he's going to be pissed as well.
Momentarily, her phone vibrated, she pulled it out of her pocket and saw that 3azeez was calling.
'Sub7an allah maydeg 3alai ela o ana fene shai em'9ayegni!' She thought to herself.


"Halla 3azeez?" Noura said trying to hide the tone of anger, but 3azeez was too smart for that and he recognized the tone because he heard it earlier today.


"Halla yuba. Shlounich?" 3azeez asked trying not to sound too pushy
"Zaina," Noura said as she got up and started walking on the beach. She usually takes the left side because the path has fewer rocks than the right, but that night the water was washed off shore so she decided to walk on the right.
"Akeed yuba?" 3azeez said using a more concerned tone.
'Shit, stop saying yuba' Noura thought as her heart skipped a beat. "Eeh I'm fine."
3azeez let it slide this time, there was something bothering Noura, he felt it from her voice but he didn't want to nag and be a pain. "Inzain 3asa mestansa?"
"Eeh I am.." Noura had no idea where this conversation was going.
"Mm whats for dinner?" 3azeez asked
"No idea, I'm waiting for princess Lulu to come back 3ashan enqarer" Noura said, then thought to herself 'shit laish gelt chethy'
"Laish Lulu wainha? Mo weyach?" The tone of concern was back with 3azeez.
"Uuuh. Embala, bas uuh.." She sighed, "marha 5a6eebha o ra7aw shwai yetmashoon o berdoun"
"Aha, fa entay bro7ich al7en?" Noura sensed that the background noise that was in the call subsided and now 3azeez was in a quite place, with only the sounds of minimal waves, similar to her background.

"Eeh, ga3da atmasha 3ala elba7ar." Noura confessed
"Bas mo chena elwaqet met2a5er?"
"La 3azeez eshda3wa its just 9:45, o asasan I didn't go far, 15 mins o ard shalaihna."
"Olaa! You're 15 mins away min shalaihkom??"
"Eeh taqreban, if I walk faster ekoun aqal," Noura said that as she took a turn and started heading back.
3azeez asked if it was okay if he kept on talking to her until she got back and she said its fine with her, little did she know who she's going to meet along the way back.

To be continued…

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Love & everything in between. Part 5


        For the rest of the day Noura was in a great mood, she wasn't chatting with 3azeez but his phone call and his caring tone made her day. Noura and Lulu decided to head to the shalaih, they packed their stuff and Noura picked Lulu up and headed to the nearest sultan center to buy snacks for their stay. Since neither of them was taking a summer course, they lost track of days and their weekdays were weekends. Also, they wanted to enjoy their summer days at the beach before ramathan came. Noura still didn't tell Lulu about the recent call or questions that 3azeez asked, she figured she'll tell her on their way to the shalaih since its an hour long drive.
After spending half an hour picking up food and drinks that would feed a family for a year, but to Noura and Lulu, it would feed then for a week; they got coffee and headed straight to the shalaih.
They had a mini argument as to what play list they'd list to and as a compromise they just put the ipod on shuffle.


Halfway through, Noura lowered the volume and said,
"3azeez called me today."
Lulu blinked fast and looked at Noura, "meta hatha??"
"Lama 6ala3t min bait yady, and I called you and you didn't pick up, he called me."
Lulu nodded as to tell Noura to keep going.
"Bas sa2al 3any o 3an my plans for the day o gali his plans for the day o lama getla ena ana in starbucks nuzha 7asait min 9oota ena mo 3ajba, bas 6awaft."
"Bas that’s it?" Lulu asked
Noura nodded.
"Gelteela enech ray7a ilshalaih el7een?" Lulu asked
"Laa, after that makalamta wala ohwa kalamny"
"Degay 3alaaayh el7eeen!!!"
"Laish!!" Noura was confused
"Cause ya3ny obviously you are a couple!" Lulu said
"Shakuu! Meno gal! Lwailo tawa bas 9ar lena 2 days!" Noura exclaimed!
"Inzain 3ala el aqal whatsapp him?" Lulu suggested, "shofai shino egool?"
"Mm inzain inzain, I'll whatsapp bas eshloon bas chethy agoula hi baroo7 ilshalaih?"
"La give me your phone ana at9araf" Lulu said.


She grabbed Noura's phone without Noura's consent and started whatsapping.


"Haaay ya kalba! Latdizen shai before telling me!" Noura yelled
"Babe calm down, trust me, I'm a pro." Lulu grinned
Noura sighed and let Lulu work her magic.

Noura, (which was actually Lulu because Noura was driving)
Quick question

3azeez,
Halla amraay?

Noura,
Abdulmajeed, wila rowaished?

3azeez,
Mm to be honest wala wa7id fehom bas afa'9el, abdulmajed. Laish hal so2al?:p

Noura,
7ata ana gelt chethy bas allah ehadaha Lulu 3aneeda!
I'm on my way to ilshalaih o Lulu mo ra'9ya et76 shai '3air rowaished!!

3azeez,
Baayh allah e3eenich.. Intay ga3da etsougen?

Lulu laughed
"What’s so funny?" Noura asked
"My plan is working" Lulu gave her a genius glance
"What’s your plan?" Noura was worried
"To tell him where you are going but have him ask the question,” Lulu said
"And it’s actually working?" Noura asked bewildered
"Fe mara geltech 3an shai and it didn't work?" Lulu smiled
Noura just rolled her eyes.
Lulu kept on typing.


Noura,
Eeh, o ma3ai Lulu.

3azeez,
Okay take care.

*3 seconds later*

Ako a7ad weyakom bil shalaih?

Noura,
Laa, bas Fahad o5ouy ekoun 3ind his friends, bas ina shalaihom taqreban close to us.
Why?

3azeez,
Just wondering..
Et9adgen ana china mara sheft esm shalaihkom, china mo ib3eed 3ana.

Noura,
La wala 9j? Wanasa
(Lulu purposely made herself seem like she didn't care because she wanted to see 3azeez's reaction)

3azeez,
Eeh i7temal akoon mawjood belail, greeb minkom, if you need anything.

Noura,
Great thank you 3azeez :*

3azeez,
Deray balich 3ala el 6reej o kalmeni lama to9leen.



And with that Lulu handed Noura her phone with a huge smile on her face.
"Now what?" Noura asked
"You're gonna see him soon" Lulu smiled.
" w h a t ??" Noura yelled!
"Yep. He said he's gonna be close by, believe me nwair, if you keep doing what I tell you, he'll come faster than you thought!" Lulu said
"Okay Lulu bas ana mabi chethi!" Noura said
"3ayal sheli tabeena??" Lulu snapped
"Laa ya3ni , I don't know. I just don't want to do anything stupid that will chase him off." Noura sighed

"Oh honey believe me hatha shakla mayet 3alaich already." Lulu reassured her

"Promise?"

"Yes totally!" Lulu said.


To be continued… 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Love & everything in between. Part 4


      The next day noura woke up around 1:00pm finding 26 missed calls from Lulu and 4 missed calls from fahad, and 3 whatsapp's from A.
The first thing she asked herself was whether everything that happened last night was real or not, and the moment she opened her whatsapp, her heart smiled, because it was real.
She did talk to 3azeez. 
She opened 3azeez's chat first with a sweet smile. 
3azeez was last seen at 9:00am,

“ 7abaait akoun awal sha5e9 e9abi7 3alaich lama teg3deen, fa 9abaa7 elkhair w 3asa youmech kela khair;* "

was what 3azeez sent Noura at around 9 before he fell asleep.
Noura replied back,

"9abaa7 elnoor;*  madam 9aba7t 3alaick akeed youmy bekoun kela khair"

She then quickly called Lulu,
"Nwaaair!!! Entay wainch?!!" Lulu screamed
"Lulu..." Noura whispered
"A7aar ma3ndy abraad ma3endch?? Wain etifaqna ely ams? Mu geltay benrou7 shalaih?! Tadreen fhaid daag 3alay egouli ayech elbait ashouf eshfech la2nch matrdeen?!!" Lulu said fiercely
"Lulu kalamta.." Noura said softly
"Mino hatha??" Lulu said totally forgetting about the 3azeez issue.
"3azeez.." Noura whispered
Lulu fell silent for 1 second then immediately gasped and said "CHAATHABAAA!!!!!!"
"Walllaa!!!!!!" Noura giggled
"DETAAAILS EBSER3A!!" Lulu demanded
And Noura told Lulu exactly what happened, how she talked to him and what he said.
"Oo al7en shino ya3ni?? You're still talking wela shino wathi3kom!?" Lulu asked bewildered.
"Eeh agoolich dazeli msg elyoum el9be7 egouli feeha goodmorning o men hal 7achi.."
"So are you together?" Lulu asked
"Hmmm, I'm really not sure? I mean we just talked for a day.. Walla madri and I didn't want to ask, madrii.." Noura seemed lost
"Shofaay the most important thing is ench kalamteh, wena 6ala3 mo 5a6eb.. And now I guess keep talking lama testaw3ebain shino yabe?" Lulu suggested
"Laa mabe chethy.. The relationship is between two people, mo ana an6er o ashof ohwa shino yabi, I'm gonna make it clear ana shino abe ba3ad." Noura said boldly
"And what is it exactly ely tabena ya madam Noura?" Lulu said sarcastically
"7mara don't call me that!" Noura laughed, "and you know what I want, I want to marry him."
"Nwair et7beeena?" Lulu asked
"Lulu geltlech ohwa mo mas2alat eni a7ba wela la, when I met him something in me just clicked with him, its like you know you belong together, you just know.. Like the law of gravity, you cant really see it pulling you down, you just know it does.." 
Lulu sighed dramatically, "finally you're gonna have what you want! I'm so happy for you 7abebty"
Noura smiled, "thank you looly, walla your support means everything to me!"
Lulu laughed, "adrii 7abebty, entay bedouni ensanah '9ay3aa!"
Noura rolled her eyes "yeah whatever"
"Kalba! 3a6eni elmofeed al7en, benrou7 elshalaih wela la?" Lulu said
"China laa , 5aleha bacher? Nesayt lazem arou7 at'3ada eb bait yadi!"
"5alas ok, bas make sure to talk to Fahad la2na law3 chadi bel7ana! And keep me posted whenever something happens bainech o bain 3azeez!"
"Enshalla, you know I will!" And they ended the conversation.


Minutes later she called Fahad,
"9aba7 el5aair," Noura said to her brother
"Halla 7abebty 9aba7 elnour, ha tawech ga3da?"
"La min shway bas kint akalem Lulu, ba'3ait shay?"
"Laa bas kint bashoof etha eb teyoun elshalaih o kent bagolich 3amty Muneera dagat 3alay etgoul ena lazim neyehoum 3al '3ada eb bait Baba Nasser."
"Eeh adry lama gemt legait whatsapp belgroup gaylen 3an el'3ada bas maradait 3alaihum." 
"Enzain fa betrou7en?"
"Eeh gelt 7ag Lulu ena enkansel shalaih, ent ebta7der?"
"Ana la walla magdar la2na bendish ba7ar ba3ad shway o ben6awel, bas gelt a7re9 3alaich entay 3ashan mayz3loun."
"Ok lat7ati barou7 ana, oo ent take care please !" Noura said
"Enshalla, yala tamreni 3ala shay?" Fahad asked
"Eeh, 9ar shay 3ala mawtho3ek? Is it over yet?"
Fahad sighed, he hated the subject and didn't want anyone to bring it up since it was really hard to deal with at the moment, "la ma9ar shay, ma7achayt'ha 9arly 3 days"
"Ok, etha tabe shay ana 7athra" Noura said in a caring voice
"Mashkoora" Fahad replied back and sorrow filled his voice
"Fahoodi cheer up, 9adgni its gonna get better you'll see!"
"Enshalla, yalla Noura aklmich ba3dain"
"I love you!" Noura said before closing the phone
"Me too" Fahad ended the conversation, went to join his friends on the beach and enjoy his time and keep his mind off of things.


Noura took a shower and got dressed and ready to go to her grandfather’s house. 3azeez was still sleeping so she decided to wait for him to wake up before telling him her plans for the day. Noura left in a hurry, passed by sugar&spice and bought cupcakes for dessert. She got to her grandfathers house around 2:30, and just in time for lunch.
Everyone was gathering around the table and setting up plates so no one really noticed her walking in the dinning room except her cousin AbdulRahman. 
AbdulRahman was 24 years old, and had a huge crush over Noura since they were kids. Everyone knows AbdulRahman wants Noura, but they also know that Noura thinks of him as a brother. 
AbdulRahman smiled instantly as he saw Noura walk in. She looked like a perfect angel. She was wearing a baby pink cotton dress, a white pearl necklace and white Hermes sandals. Her hair was blow-dried and then perfectly curled. She had absolutely no make up on except for cherry flavored lip-gloss.


"Ya halla bel zain" AbdulRahman said to Noura when she passed by him.
Noura laughed, "halla feek !" And then continued greeting her aunts and uncles and cousins.
She greeted her grandfather last, "Baba Nasser shlounk?" She kissed his forehead and hugged him.
"Halla 7abebty halla!! Halla ib Noura 7abebat yadhaa! Halla bely emsamenha 3ala omyy" Baba Nasser smiled.
Every time he saw Noura he had to mention that she's the only granddaughter that’s named after his mother and that he loved her the most.    
Noura smiled, "halla feek baba, shlounck? Walla walhana 3alaick"
"Walla ana eb5air damech eb5air, eeh yabnaitey entay kela '3a6a manshoofich! Kel masa2alna wayn Noura, walla Noura 3end rab3iha wela beljam3a wela belshalaih!" Baba Nasser said
Noura laughed, "7agek 3alay yadi adrii ana emga9ra weyakom"
"7abebty entay aham shay enich eb5air" Baba Nasser smiled as they all sat down and had a wonderful meal.


After lunch, they all gathered around the living room to drink tea and enjoy the afternoon.
Noura kept checking her phone to see if 3azeez sent her anything, but he was still sleeping.
She decided to sit with her cousins and catch up.
She wasn't really close with her cousins from her father's side, but they were on good terms. Noura's closer to her mother's side of the family. Her father's side is a bit conservative, where as her mother's side were very liberal. Yet her dad was a mix of both.


"Shlounech ba3ad Noura?" Manal, Noura's eldest cousin asked
"Walla eb5air el7emdallah, wentay eshloun Fahad o Abeer?" Fahad and Abeer were Manal's kids. 
"Wallah em6al3eli grooon" Manal laughed
"Allah e7afe'9hom lech enshalla" Noura smiled
"Agoool masema3taw a5er 5abar??" Hessa looked up from her phone and bugged her eyes.
"Golay sheno?" Dalal and Manal and Noura all looked at Hessa.
"Et3arfooun 3azeez AlFlani??" 
"Eeeh ely oma Dalal AlFlani?" Manal replied quickly?
"Eeh!!" Hessa replied
Noura's heart started racing and she tried to keep a straight face while she was freaking out deep inside.
'Shet3arif 3an 3azeez hathy!' Noura thought to herself
"Yalla 7e9o ta7achay!!" Dalal scolded
"Eeh egoloon ena 5a6ab!!" Hessa's eyes beamed
"Ayi shay 9aa7??" Manal said
"O mino hathy ely 5a6abha??" Dalal made a face, and Noura was silent.
"Madry walla refejti galat ebtes2al o betgolena bel group" Hessa said and looked back at her phone.
"Youma menha walla ely 6ay7taa! Hathy shino ebtel3ab bel flous le3eb!!" Dalal bugged her eyes
Noura gritted her teeth.
Not only were they talking bad about the person, but also they were making false assumptions and wrong judgments.
She looked at Dalal with the faintest expression and said, "Allah ewafghom enshalla o yab3id 3anhom el3ain."
Dalal raised and eyebrow, "eshtaq9deen? Ya3ni ana ba9k'hom eb 3ain??"
"Laa 7ashaa. Bas ad3e lohom bel5air." As Noura got up she turned around and looked at Dalal, "wentay lat7aten, beyech wa7ed tel3eben eb flousa le3eb" she winked at her and went to say her goodbye to Baba Nasser and her aunts.
"Wai3 esta'3afarallah masta7mel Noura, madry shloun entaw 3ajbatkom!" Dalal snorted.
"7aram 3alaich Dalal, tara Noura etyanin." Hessa looked at Dalal with a serious face
"Ayi etyanin!! Entay sheftay shetgoli?" Dalal gasped
"Walla ehya magalt ela el9j" Hessa gave Dalal a sarcastic smile.
"Entay hatha ely tabena, o hatha ely ehmich. Fa taqabaly ely eyech men ayi a7ad." Hessa said
Dalal looked at Manal for help but Manal was busy with her phone.
She kept quite, she knew she was too shallow but couldn't admit it.


Noura got in her car and left her grandfathers house, she called Lulu but she didn't answer so she decided to get coffee on her way back. 
As she was leaving Starbucks - Nuzha, her phone rang. She immediately answered the phone that was connected to her car via Bluetooth, but she didn't check who called first.
"Lulluu wainch?? I'm so pissed at Dalal you have no idea!!"
"Aloo?" Came a really smooth husky voice.
Noura's heart raced, she quickly looked at the screen and realized it was 3azeez who caled.
'Shit..' Noura thought as face turned red.
She gulped and replied, "uhh, halla?"
3azeez chuckled, "eshfeech tewahagtay?"
"Laa mafeni shay bas I was expecting a call, kelsh matwaqa3t you'd call.."
"Why wouldn't I call?" 3azeez asked
Noura fell quite for a minute, "mmm madri walla.."
"Ya3nii may9eer adig mara thanya? May9eer aklmich?" 3azeez teased
Noura's heart raced and her face was turning into a million shades of red, "la 3azeez mo chethy aq9ed, ya3ni madry kaifek emballa you can call.."
3azeez laughed, "olaa olaa yuba shda3waa hal kether metwahga??"
Noura laughed, he was obviously trying to make her laugh. 
"Enzain momken a3erf laish you’re pissed? O mino Dalal o mino Lulu? Wela may7egli?" 3azeez asked
Noura smiled, she liked how he was asking more about her, wanting to know more about her.
"Dalal's my cousin and Lulu's my best friend.. W la 3adi I'm fine now, bas shay tafeh Dalal galeta.."
"Akeeed?" 3azeez asked
"Eeh walla.." Noura replied
"Enzain ana dag bas kent bagolich eny tawne ga3ed o e7temal arou7 at'3da weya rab3y o barou7 elshalaih belail."
'Laish ga3ed egouly shino besawe? What are we a couple wela shino belthab6?' Noura thought to herself
"Mm, okay have fun!" Noura said
"Thank you, wentay any plans? O waynich a9lan?" 3azeez asked
"Walla tawne 6al3a men Starbucks nuzha o rada baitna, bashoof Lulu ya tyeyni ya arou7laha, w e7temal enrou7 shalaih. Lama al7en maqararna"
3azeez fell quite for a minute, he wasn't really fond of Starbucks, Nuzha branch because of the atmosphere but he didn't know where or not could tell Noura where she could go to and not go to. He was very overprotective and he really liked Noura, but they only talked for a day. He didn't want to take things too fast. So he just said, "okay, take care."
Noura felt it in his tone, felt the over-protectiveness, she felt that he honestly meant it, that he wanted her to take care. But it was too soon for both of them to define the relationship.   
"Enshalla, you too." Noura replied.


To be continued...