Part 13.

       Dalal’s face turned bright red. She didn’t know what to reply back to Faisal, and yet she didn’t want to show him that he completely got to her.

So she replied with,

“3an el3ayara Faisal :p”

Farah nudged Rawan and gave Dalal a cheeky look. “6aa3 wayhch Dalool! Ashkara Faisal ely dazelch message?”

“Olaa olaa Daloool, eshgaylech hatha ely chthy wayhch galab alwaan?” Rawan teased.

“Waay chabaw entaw!” Dalal had a shy expression, “Khalooni mestansa.”

Farah grabbed Dalal’s phone and read the message, “waaaayyy!!! He’s so sweet Dalool!!! Wentay shal rad malat 3alaich!! Brooud mu 6abee3i!!”

Rawan read the message and said, “aahaa Dalool ya3ne entay bet9ereen thegeela weyaa?”

“Yal maleqeen!!” Dalal frowned! “Kaifyy, malkum sh’3l what goes on between me and ….” And Dalal was left speechless.

Out of the blue, Bader shows up, and walks directly to their table.

Rawan and Farah both have their back to Bader and are facing Dalal.

Farah looks at Dalal’s expressionless face, and looks back and see’s Bader.

“Uhm, Rawan?” Dalal whispers.

Rawan hands Dalal back her phone and is too busy slicing her food, “hmm?”

 And suddenly, Rawan felt a hand gripping her shoulder, “Rawaani shlounch?”

Rawan’s face turned a million shades, she knew that voice so well, and she didn’t even have to look back. Rawan shrugged off Bader’s hand and scolded, “Bader, go away.”

But Bader only pulled up the chair next to Dalal, and sat with them.

‘Oh god, ya rab Faisal mayshoofna.’ Dalal thought to herself.

Farah looked at Bader sternly, “Ya a5i efham, elbent matabeek! Lawsama7t goum, latsawe mashakel.”

Bader ignored Farah and looked at Rawan, “9arli esbou3 adiglech laish matrdeen?”

“Went a9lan eshdarak ana ehni?” Rawan gave Bader a dirty look.

“7abebty nesaytay ayam awal? You can’t hide from me, a6al3ech law wayen makentay.”

Rawan looked at Bader in a disgusting way.

Bader, was Rawan’s second boyfriend after Talal. Rawan and Bader dated for a whole year, then they just broke up for a while, when Rawan found out Bader was cheating on her with Farah’s cousin. Then Bader lied and begged for forgiveness and poor naïve Rawan forgave him and went back to him. Then he started demanding that she get physical with him, but she didn’t want to. She caught him cheating on her again, and that’s when she broke it off for good. They broke up in July, and that’s the last she heard of him, until a week ago when he started calling her and texting her.

“Al7een eshtabe?” Rawan said.

“Abeech.” Bader confessed.

“A7laam omeck ardleck mara thanya!” Rawan barked at Bader.

Bader chuckled, “Shofay Rawan, malech ghairy, fehmay, ma7ad yabeech.”

Rawan started choking with tears, but she didn’t allow herself to cry in front of Bader, let alone cry in public.

Dalal turned and looked at Bader, “Shouf Bader, I think Rawan made it clear enha matabeek. Law sama7t, goum and don’t make a scene.”

Dalal’s phone vibrated, it was Faisal calling.

She looked around and saw Faisal giving her a questioning look and pointing at Bader.

Dalal just shook her head and looked back at Bader, “Bader lawsama7t rou7.”

“Mani rayi7 ela wana ma5th Rawan weyay.” Bader said coldly.

Rawan looked at Bader for a few seconds, “I’d rather die, then be with you.”

Bader got up and leaned his face close to Rawan’s “Enshouf..” And he pecked her cheek and walked away.

Rawan stayed still. Her heart was beating so fast, and she felt drained. She felt humiliated and disgusting. ‘Don’t cry Rawan, Don’t cry, don’t cry.. Just breathe.’ she told herself.

Dalal and Farah both looked at Rawan in silence as she breathed out and composed herself again.

Farah reached out and squeezed Rawan’s hand “Are you okay?”

Rawan flinched and pushed Farah’s hand away, “eeh I’m fine, bas khalas sheba3t I want to go home.”

Dalal got the check and paid for the food, “Rawan tara bared weyach elbait.”

Rawan nodded, “wentay Faroo7?”

Farah shook her head, “La ana lazem ard baitna, mali khlig obouy esawle aflam 3ala bona already 6ala3t el9ib7.”

Rawan nodded, “Khalas 3ayal, I’ll go with Dalool.”

Farah went to her car and drove back home, while Rawan and Dalal got in the car.

“Rawan?” Dalal said.

“Hala?” Rawan looked at Dalal.

“Please 3ade you give me a few minutes? I just want to see Faisal.” Dalal confessed.

“Sure 7abebty go, I’ll wait in the car.” Rawan said as she went through her Ipod, looking for songs to play.

Dalal walked to Faisal’s car and checked to see if anyone was looking, to her luck the parking lot was empty. She quickly got in the passenger seat.

“Mino hatha ely kan ga3id weyakum?” Faisal asked immediately.

“Bader.” Dalal said. “Please 5anafahmik, please lat3a9ib.”

Faisal tried to hold his anger, and just looked at Dalal sternly.

“Faisal please walla mala da3i et3a9ib. Bader is Rawan’s ex, oo madre shloun he found out ena Rawan ehny w ya ekalmha.” Dalal said.

“Shako yeg3ad ma3akum??” Faisal’s voice was slowly getting loud.

“Madree Faisal please lat9arikh 3alay! Walla we told him to leave bas kan yet7arash eb Rawan, and now she’s a total mess, kahi ga3da ebsayarti!”

Faisal breathed out, “7achach? Galech shay hal7mar?”

Dalal shook her head, “he was just there to talk to Rawan.”

“Enzain oo hathy refeejtch mat3arif etgoola mayeg3ad weyakum?? Al7een law a7ad shayfech?? Law wa7id men e5wanich shafooch??” Faisal barked.

“Faisal walla she didn’t tell him to come! Faisal they broke up menzeman!! W tawa kan 7ada qaleel eladab w he wanted Rawan back cause she wasn’t answering his calls! Bas we asked him to leave, w after saying a few stuff, he left!”

“Laykoun ashoof hal shay yetkarar mara thanya fahma? 7ata mabe asma3 mench etgoleen ena walla flan wela 3elan ga3ad ma3akum!!” Faisal said.

Dalal nodded and whispered “enshalla,” she looked at her hands and was nervously playing with her jumper.

“Hmm khalas 3ayal, I guess lazem arou7.. Rawan is waiting for me oo I promised I wont take long.” Dalal said nervously.

Faisal reached for Dalal’s hand and held it, “Laa ne6ray, mabeech etro7een wentay murathya 3alay.”

Dalal looked at Faisal, “Faisal I’m fine.”

Faisal shook his head, “No you’re not, sorry 9ara5at 3alaich.. Bas walla magedart amsk a39abii, kent a9lan banzil men elsayara w athba7a youm shefta ga3ad yamech..”

Dalal stayed quiet, “Forgive me Daloola?” Faisal pleaded and kissed Dalal’s hand and fingers.

Dalal pulled her hand away and looked away shyly, “Khalas khalas Faisal, you’re forgiven.”

Faisal smiled; he reached out and tucked Dalal’s bangs behind her ear, “A7bich wayed, and I just want to see you happy.”

Dalal stayed quiet, she liked the feeling of Faisal’s hand brushing against her cheeks.

“Lazem amshi al7een,” Dalal whispered.

“Bas masheba3at mench,” Faisal frowned.

“When you marry me, betmel meny,” Dalal said as she opened the door to leave.

Faisal leaned in and pecked Dalal’s cheek, “Musta7eel..”

Dalal’s felt fireworks as soon as Faisal’s lips were pressed on her cheeks, she didn’t want to go home, she wanted to stay with Faisal, forever. But she had to leave, she had to wait, wait for the day that she would be officially his.

“Before you go, say you love me back?” Faisal begged.

But Dalal only smiled to him and left the car in a hurry.

Faisal smiled and said to himself, ‘Akkh 3alaich ya Dalal, emyanenatni walla.’ Then he waited for Dalal to pull back and drive off, and he followed her back to Rawan’s house, to make sure she got there safely, and of course to get a few more smiles from Dalal every time they stopped at a red light.

Life to Faisal was starting to be perfect again; he was finally getting Dalal, finally feeling happy again. He didn’t know that Dalal meant so much to him. He didn’t know that until he lost her for a whole year, and now that she’s back with him, he’s going to do everything in his power to never lose her again.

To be continued….

Part 12.

      “Mar’9ait 3ala shino youba?” Dalal tried to keep a calm face.

“Mar’9ait ena 3azeez ya5th ghairech, wela entay ta5then ghaira” he replied.

Dalal kept quiet and looked at her mother who was hiding a grin.

“Bas ba3dain,” her father continued, “3amech Nawaf kalamny, w el9ara7a elkalam ely gala qana3ni. E7na 9a7 kena nabe enzawjeckom ba3ath, bas 3azeez yabe bent thanya. W ana fakart feeha, w el9ara7a Martha benty et3eesh ma3a wa7id mayabeeha. Mabe benty matkoon mestansa, wela nag9ha shay.” He looked straight at Dalal and smiled, “Youba ana bas abeech testansain w etkoneen sa3eeda eb 7ayatech..”

Dalal couldn’t help but tear up and cry, she hugged her dad so hard and kissed his cheeks. “Baba walla a7bick, w matadre eshkther wanastnii.. La2na youba 3azeez belnesba ley okho. La akthar wala aqal..”

Her dad smiled, “Adree 7abebty, kalamt omech w eqna3atny.”

Dalal smiled to her mother, “allah ya7feth’kum ley ya raab w e6awel eb a3markum!”

“Oo ya7fe’9ech lena 7abebty,” her dad kissed her forehead. “Bas 3ad al7een mu ma3nata bartha eb ayi wa7id eyi yetqadamlech, laa 6ab3an mu eb halsohoola ba3a6eech ayi wa7id.”

Dalal and her mother both laughed, “Walla ya Abullateef la yane9eb bentna wala shay bereda” her mother said.

“Allah esahel enshalla,” her dad said, “yala 7abebty tewakelay 3ala allah mawthoo3i khala9 weyach”

Dalal smiled and got up, “youma latan6rooni 3al ghada, etha khalsna yemkn ard bait Rawan.”

Her mother nodded, “kalmeeni lay 3arftay wayen betro7een.”

Dalal nodded and left the house.

Happiness was filling her heart now that she can finally marry any man she wanted, and she knew exactly who she wanted.

“I’m going to P&T with rawan and farah, I got really good news men ahali.. I don’t want to pressure you, bas esh9ar ma3ack?”

Shortly after, Faisal replied with:

“Haya said she’s going to handle it. What’s the news?”

“Agooleck ba3dain.”

That was Dalal’s reply.

Dalal was the first to arrive at Prime&Toast, she took a table outside and waited for her friends. She ordered coffee, and the usual. Shortly after, her friends joined her.

“Daloool, laish ma yetay elyoum?” Rawan asked as she looked over the menu. The girls usually go to Prime&Toast on a weekly basis, yet they always go over the menu, and end up ordering the same order.

“I wasn’t in the mood for class today,” Dalal said.

“Feech shay?” Farah asked concerned.

Dalal looked at her friends, she trusted them with everything, and they’re like sisters.

“Fee shay lazem agoolkum yaah..” Dalal whispered.

Both Rawan and Farah leaned closer and nodded, “golay?”

“Faisal..” Dalal blurted.

Both girls looked confused, “Haw aren’t you too over?” Rawan asked.

Dalal shook her head. “we were never over. He left but I still loved him with all my heart,”

“And?” Rawan asked eagerly.

“And he still loves me back!” Dalal smiled.

Both girls gasped and demanded that Dalal tell them the full story. Dalal explained to them how she saw Faisal, and what happened between them. She told them what her parents just told her, and they were speechless.

“So ya3ne, you no longer have to marry 3azeez?” Farah asked.

Dalal shook her head, “bas dalool, ya3ne this is all too good to be true?” Rawan said

“Shloun ya3ne?” Dalal asked.

“Ya3ne madree Dalool, faj2a Faisal turns up after a whole year entaw matadroon 3an ba3ath? W faj2a your dad changes his mind? Ya3nee madree, a7s its too good. A7s there is a catch.”

Dalal got a little tense and she gritted her teeth.

“Rawan?? Why can’t you ever just be happy for me? Ya3ne laish ga3da etkharbeen 3alay and bring so much negativity over me?” Dalal blurted.

Rawan was always the girl that got everything, the perfect parents, the perfect lifestyle, and the perfect grades. What ever she wants, she gets. Except when it comes down to relationships. Rawan never had the perfect boyfriend. The two guys that she dated turned out to be liars and they hurt her so much, that she’s not interesting in dating anymore. And since high school, there has always been a little jealousy between Rawan and Dalal when it came to relationships.

“La, Laa , walla I’m not,” Rawan protested, but she couldn’t hide the jealousy in her eyes.

“La Rawan you are, you know eshkther you guys affect me! Look at Farah, magalt it’s too good to be true or the crap you said. Rawan, please ana mageltech hal salfa 3ashan you tell me ena there’s a catch or whatever, I told you this because in a really long time I haven’t felt happy at all, and since the day I saw Faisal, I’m actually smiling for real!”

“Yala 3ad you two, don’t fight!” Farah looked at both Rawan and Dalal. “Rawoon remember entay ebnafsech gaylatle ena Dalal hasn’t been her lately? Tara what she has with Faisal, is really strong, and the year they’ve been apart really really put her down, Rawan, just be happy for her okay? Faisal isn’t like the guys you dated!” Farah exclaimed to Rawan.

Rawan sighed, “Daloola 7abebty walla I’m happy for you, bas aham, you’re like my little sister, w a5af 3alaich. I just don’t want you to get hurt!”

Dalal smiled, “I love you guys so much! And you standing by me means a lot walla! I wont get hurt this time, I’m finally getting what I want!”

Farah smiled, she loved her friends so much, and hated when they argued, “yallaa youba ba3ad cham shahar bensaweelich bachelorette party ba3ad eshtabeen?”

Dalal smiled, “that would be great!! Bas 6ab3an 5alooha surprise mabe a3rf meta”.

“Eeh mu mashalla Farah 5alat feeha surprise? Kaahi galtlech the plan!” Rawan said sarcastically

All three of them laughed as their food arrived. Shortly after, Dalal received a message from Faisal.

“Ana 9afe6 jedam Prime&Toast, etha tabeen shay goleeli.”

Dalal replied back,

“Faisal geltlik don’t come!”

Faisal replied,

“ I couldn’t help it, I had to see your beautiful face.”

To be continued… 

Part 11.

        The next morning Dalal woke up around 9:30 and she was too lazy to go to class, instead she took a quick shower, put on dark blue jeans and an oversized baby pink jumper. When she turned on her phone she found 10 missed calls from Faisal, a text message and 3 other class from her friends. She ignored the calls and opened the message first. She couldn’t help but smile when she read Faisal’s message.

She knew in heart that Faisal would never back out, or give up on her. That message reassured her.

Before calling Faisal, Dalal walked out of her room to check if she was alone. She didn’t want her mother to catch her on the phone with Faisal after last night’s threat. She hurried back to her room, locked the door and called Faisal.

“Aloo?” came the groggy voice of Faisal after 4 rings.

“Wake up Faisal its 10..” Dalal whispered in a soothing voice.

Faisal smiled and cleared his throat, “wetha maby agoum?”

“Please 7abeby goum 3ashany?” Dalal whispered again.

Faisal could resist everything and anything, except Dalal’s soft sweet words and voice.

“Enshallla kany kany gemt..” Faisal replied in a dazed way.

Dalal giggled, “Shino betsawe elyoum?”

“Walla layl7een madre, bashoof rab3i esh3ndhum. Wentay?”

“Ana many ray7a class elyoum.” Dalal confessed.

“Laish?” Faisal asked in a stern voice

“Bas I’m not in the mood to go to class today. Arou7 bacher.”

“Won’t you miss anything important?” Faisal asked

“3ady, whatever I miss I can take from my friends. Please Faisal don’t force me to go.” Dalal begged.

“Khala9 youba I won’t bas 3ad akher mara, okay?”

Dalal laughed, “eeh khair enshalla.”

“I’m serious Dalal.” Faisal said sternly.

“Okay Faisal.” Dalal said coldly.

“Enzain since mantay ray7a jam3a, bet’9leen belbait?” Faisal asked.

“Laa bashoof my friends if they wana go out for breakfast.” Dalal said.

“Eeh khala9 shofay wayen betru7een w kalmeny, ana ayeech ehnak.” Faisal said.

“Laa Faisal you can’t.”

“Laish?” Faisal asked.

“Geltlek omy shino galat ams. We can’t see each other.” Dalal said.

“Bas Dalal, I’m only here for two more weeks, ba3dain I’m gone for months. Fa abe ashofech as much as possible?” Faisal protested.

“Adre, and I wana see you too, bas Faisal please mabe mashakel weya omy w obouy.. Kh9o9an ena Nasser al7een 7aas ena ako shay baina fa beyaneni 3ala ru7a w elyaya!”

“Walla I wont let anybody see me walla! We’ll do it like gabel Daloola please?” Faisal begged.

Dalal smiled, “Khala9 okay 7abeby, bas I have to go now, asma3 omy bara etkalem obouy.”

“Okay youba, take care wetha baghaytay shay kalmeeni 3ala 6oul.” Faisal said

“Enshalla..” Dalal replied back and they both fell into awkward silence.

Faisal whispered, “I love you.”

Dalal’s face turned red and she whispered back, “aklmeck ba3dain, bye..” And with that she ended the call feeling very bubbly and happy.

Faisal chuckled; she’s doing it all over again he thought to himself. When Faisal and Dalal first met, she wouldn’t tell Faisal that she loved him, but Faisal knew that she did. Sometimes he’d want to hear her say it back to him, but she never did. It took her so long to say the words that he’s been dying to hear, and he knew that when Dalal said them, Dalal truly loved him with all his heart.

Dalal made plans with her friends, Farah and Rawan and they decided to meet up at Prime&Toast for brunch. Dalal quickly put some light make up on and wore a light grey beanie that matched her outfit. She grabbed her bag and went out to the living room to find her parents whispering quietly.

“9abaa7 elkhair,” Dalal smiled to her parents and pecked her mother and father’s foreheads.

“Halla youba halla 9aba7 elnour,” her dad smiled back.

‘Okay, that’s weird.’ Dalal thought to herself. ‘Wee yemken lama al7een madara 3an salfat ams..’ she told herself

“Nemtay 3adel youba?” her dad asked

“Eeh el7emdalla,” Dalal smiled

“Mako dawam elyoum?” her mother asked

“Laa youma ako, bas ra7at 3alay nouma, bas al7een ba6la3 weya Farah w Rawan, okay?” She looked at her mother for approval.

Her mother nodded, but her dad said, “akeed mu emthaygich shay?”

“Eeh youba shely bethaygni?” Dalal looked confused

Her dad looked at his wife, “Muneera mu geltay kalmteeha?”

Dalal’s mother nodded.

Dalal started panicking, “youba shelsalfa?”

“3azeez kalmny.” Her dad said sternly

“Enzain?” Dalal asked as her heart skipped a beat.

“W ana mare’9ait.” Her dad replied.

To be continued…. 

Part 10.

      “Haa youba eshfeech?” Faisal asked with a worried tone, “Did everything go smoothly with your brother?”

“Yes,” Dalal whispered and smiled.

“Akeed? You don’t sound convincing.” Faisal replied.

“Faisal wayenk? Ako shay lazem agoolek yah w abeek etrakiz ma3ay shway.” Dalal said with a serious tone.

“Degeega,” Faisal said as he got out of the Dewaniya and got into his car. “Amray 7abebty?”

“Faisal, you can marry me now.” Dalal whispered.

Faisal was speechless, “Dalal, mani fahem?”

Dalal giggled and told Faisal about what had happened with Nasser and 3azeez earlier that night. Faisal sat silently listening to Dalal with his jaw dropped.

Dalal waited for him to say something but he didn’t and it started to worry her.

“Faisal? Eshfeek matrid?”

“Madre Dalal, I just find it too good to be true.” Faisal said coldly.

“Faisal didn’t you say miracles happen? Yala it’s happening now, omy etgoul khal omek teyey eb hal youmain.” Dalal said plainly.

“3abalech it’s that easy?” Faisal asked.

Dalal was starting to get furious with Faisal’s reaction, “Faisal eshfeek? Are you trying to back out or something? Shno kel elkalam ely gelta earlier faj2a nesayta?”

All that Dalal got was a plain “madree.”

“Faisal what are you saying? Isn’t this what you want? Isn’t this why you’re back in my life?” Dalal asked with a heartbreaking tone.

“It’s just too fast.” Faisal replied back.

Dalal tried her best to hold herself from crying as she asked, “are you playing with me?”

“No,” Faisal replied. “I’m not playing with you, I’m just finding it hard to believe.”

Dalal swallowed her tears and cleared her throat, “Jad Faisal matewaqa3t hal reaction menik. I thought you’d be happy. 3al3omom, ana gelt agoolik ely 9ar, la2na it was very important, w ent kaifek, te9araf. Te9ba7 3ala khair.”

Dalal ended the phone call, switched her phone off and went to sleep.

Faisal decided not to go back to the Dewaniya, but to go back home.

He needed to comprehend everything Dalal told him; he needed to come up with a plan, a strategic plan that will work out for him. He knew his mother wouldn’t get convinced so easily let alone go propose to a girl who has completely different family values and morals. He needed to have a talk with his sister. Yes, Haya would know what to do.

Faisal drove off and called his sister hoping that she’d still be up.

After two failed attempts, Haya picked up on the third.

“Aloo?” Haya replied with a tired voice.

“Hayoona nayma?” Faisal asked.

“Not anymore” Haya replied sarcastically.

“7abebty asf ga3dtech bas a7taj aklemch tharoori.” Faisal sounded serious.

Haya sat up and cleared her throat, “sure, what’s up?”

“La la mayenfa3 over the phone, ana kani 3asher degayeg w 2o9al elbait, please latrdeen etnameen?” Faisal pleaded.

“Faisal feek shay? Khaled feeh shay? Omy w Obouy…”

Faisal cut her off and said, “Lat7ateen, nothing’s wrong. I just need to talk.”

“Okay 3ayal yala na6retik.” Haya ended the call and went to wash up and wait for her brother.

15 minutes later Faisal got home and went up to his sister’s room.

“Haya?” He knocked on the door.

Haya came behind him from the kitchen holding two mugs of Chai 7aleeb, “Kanii ehnii”

Faisal looked back and smiled, “Allah walla yah ebwakta! 7adee kent meshtehy chai 7aleeb” he took the mug from her and entered her room and sat on her couch.

Haya sat on the bed and stared at Faisal, “Yalla goul eshfeeha Dalal?”

Faisal wore a confused look, “How did you know?”

Haya laughed, “7abeby, 7asait men wayhik ena elmawthoo3 3an Dalal, you can’t really hide it anymore.”

Faisal breathed out, “Hayoona, Dalal galat ena lazem arou7 akhe6bha, in two days.”

Haya was confused, “laish met’thayeg? Mu hatha ely kent tetmanah?”

“Emballa, bas..” Faisal said.

“Bas shno?” Haya asked.

Faisal explained to Haya how he felt and how the conversation went with Dalal. Haya was very disappointed with how Faisal reacted to Dalal and told him that he shouldn’t have said what he said.

“She got angry with you mu chthy?” Haya asked.

“Eeh, 9aketa ebwayhy.” Faisal said plainly.

“Walla maloomha. Faisal ghala6 ena chthy kanat radat fe3lek. Ehya kanat tabe tesma3 menik ena everything would be fine wena everything you want would eventually come ture, 6ala3t ent elkhawaf w to her you seem like you’re backing out!! Allah ya3lem what she’s thinking now!” Haya said to Faisal.

“Adree adree ana ghala6t wallaa, bas Haya please look at the bigger picture?” Faisal said, “Omy shloun ebteqtini3!!”

Haya smiled, “Shouf ent bas lat7atee omy, khalha 3alay ana”

“Shloun ya3ne?” Faisal asked.

“Well you can say ena mama tadree belmawthoo3.” Haya smiled mischievously.

Faisal still didn’t seem to understand, “Faisal khalas lat7atee ana bakalemhaa!” Haya reassured her brother.

“You just worry about Dalal now, ehya aham. W omy lat7atee enshalla, ebtertha.”

Faisal smiled, he didn’t know what Haya’s up to but he loved how she’s helping him.

He finished his cup of milk and watched a little bit of TV with Haya until she fell asleep. He turned off her lights and went to his room.

It was around 4 A.M. and he was getting really tired. After calling Dalal for what seemed 10 times he gave up and sent her a message:

Daloola please don’t ever think that I’d back out or that I’m playing games with you. I’d never do that, 7abebty I want you as my wife and nothing will ever stop me. I hope you’re sleeping well. Please ga3deeni weyach bacher.

Goodnight, I love you.

- Faisal.

Hot and Cold

Dear readers,
Faisal&Dalal's story is on hiatus right now, but I promise to give you the ending.

for now, I hope you enjoy my short posts.

______________________________________________________________

        With all the buzz and laughter going around, Jana didn’t hear her phone ring the first time. One of her cousins had to nudge her and tell her that someone was calling her. Before she could pick up, she got a missed call.

When she checked who was the caller, she quickly stepped out into the cold brisk air and dialed the numbers she knows by heart.

Two seconds later, Bader picked up,

“Wain kentay?” he asked coldly.

Jana began whispering, for she didn’t know who might hear her passing by, “Bader 7abeby sorry masema3t mobiley lama dag.”

“Laish? Men ga3da weya entay?” Bader began asking his demanding questions.

Jana sighed, she didn’t know when this non-stop jealousy was ever going to end, “Bader, geltlek ana weya ahali.

“Meta betrdeen elbait?” he kept his tone sharp.

“Madre, yemken ba3ad sa3a.” Jana replied.

“Na3am? Shno ya3ne ba3ad sa3a? Al7een elsa3a 11. Reday elbait al7een.” Bader demanded.

“Bader magdar ahed omy w ahali w ard baitna al7een.” Jana replied.

“Mali sh’3l, dabray nafsech. Etha 9arat elsa3a 12 wentay lama al7een 6al3a, be9eer shay mara7 ya3jebich ya Jana.” Bader replied coldly.

Jana hated Bader’s anger and jealousy issues, but putting that aside, she worshiped him and was deeply in love with him.

“7ather,” Jana whispered as hot tears filled her eyes.

Bader ended the phone call knowing he made Jana upset.

Jana had to act fast for she only had 45 minutes to get home, and the trip back home would take 20 minutes itself.

She went back inside, and plastered a fake smile on her face, but deep inside she was crying, she was hurt, she was in pain.

Bader looked at his phone and saw that Jana changed her status on BBM to “help, I need a ride home.” He felt terrible for upsetting Jana, yet he couldn’t help himself. He was too overprotective of her. He was way to jealous to let her be with all her guy cousins. He was very possessive when it comes to her. Everything he tries to do to show Jana how much he loved her and cared about her would end up in a mess.  With all the trouble and pain Bader put Jana through, yet she would obey his every word, with a smile on her face. She would try her very best not to lose her temper around him. She loved him too much to upset him.

Jana texted Bader:

            Mako a7ad erdni, w omy mara7 tamshe al7een.

Bader didn’t reply, instead he called Jana.

This time Jana stayed in her seat, and would talk to Bader as if it was one of her friends.

“Aloo? Hala Farah,” Jana said.

Bader chuckled, “Al7een ana 9ert Farah?”

Jana was surprised with the tone Bader was using now, she hated how he’d switch from hot to cold within seconds.

Jana couldn’t help but giggle.

“Ana amirech okay?” Bader asked.

“Uhh, shagool 7ag omy?” Jana asked.

“Golelaha Farah yaya ta5thech elbait.” Bader said.

“Enshalla. Meta?” Jana asked.

“3asher degayig. Al7een bamshi men eldewaniya.” Bader said and ended the phone call.

Jana went to her mom and told her that Farah was going to pick her up. Farah is her best friend, and sometimes, Jana uses Farah’s name whenever she was going out with Bader, or was going to do something that involved Bader.

Her mother trusted her and trusted Farah to the point where she’d let her youngest daughter travel alone with her best friend. Thankfully, Farah agreed on the little white lies Jana would say only because she loved her friend too much and she knows Jana would have done the same.

10 minutes later, Bader arrived as he promised in his all black Prado. He pinged Jana and told her he was outside.

Jana decided to give Bader the cold shoulder, because she was upset from him.

She got in the car and didn’t say a word.

Bader quickly drove off before anyone saw him.

When he got to the highway, he reached out and took Jana’s hand.

Jana flinched when his warm hands touched her cold hands.

Bader’s hands were huge they covered her hands entirely.

She didn’t resist his touch, even when she was mad at him, she’d surrender to him.

He held her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.

“Shakelich wayed 7lo elyoum.” He said in his soft husky voice.

She was wearing a brown leather jacket over black skinnies and a black wool shirt. Her hair was pulled into a fishtail braid to the side.

“Mashkoor,” Jana whispered shyly.

Bader realized Jana was still upset.

He knew exactly how to calm her down. He knew which buttons to press.

“7ayate?” Bader began in his softest voice ever.

“Hmm?” Jana tried to stay calm, although her heart was beating really fast.

“7agech 3alai 7abebty. Ana ‘3ala6an.. Please 7abebty sam7eeni? Mu qa9dei a5arib 3alaich wanastech, bas walla men 5oufi 3alaich. Wala eny aghar 3alaich w magdar afargich..” Bader gave Jana a pleading look.

Jana nodded and whispered, “a9lan ana magdar az3al 3alaick 7abeby..” and she slowly held Bader’s hand and kissed his fingers slowly.

Bader smiled, Jana was more than happy with him now. He knew picking her up was a great idea.

Bader pulled his hand away and put it on the steering wheel so he could focus on driving.

Jana told him all about her night on the way back and Bader told her about his plans tomorrow.

As they reached Jana’s house, disappointment was slowly creeping in on Jana’s face.

“Meta bashoofek Bader?” Jana asked.

Bader sighed, “7abebty, kach shefteeni?”

Jana frowned. “Bader enta fahem qa9di. Meta bashoofek for a long time?”

Bader held Jana’s face in his hands and stared deeply into her eyes.

Jana leaned in, and so did Bader. Their noses touching, she could feel Bader breathe on her face.

Jana’s heart was a firework, her eyes filled with desire.

Bader’s eyes filled with lust and love kept staring into Jana’s eyes.

‘Kiss me,’ Jana thought and wondered what it would feel like to have his lips on hers. She wondered how his lips would taste like; she wondered how his dirty beard would feel on her face.

‘Meta et9ereeni 7alali?’ Bader thought while traces Jana’s face with his fingers. He thought of kissing her right there and now, but he knew he wouldn’t. He knew couldn’t, but oh how much he urgently wanted to kiss her right now.

“Bader,” Jana whispered.

“3yoona?” Bader whispered back, giving Jana a dazed look.

“I have to go now 7abeby..” Jana said softly.

Bader nodded, he pressed his lips slowly on Jana’s cheek and let go of her. “Call me gabil la etnameen?”

“Enshalla,” Jana said as she got down from Bader’s car and went inside.

Bader drove back to the dewaniya and Jana took a shower and got in bed. She was exhausted, but she kept playing the intense moment she had with Bader over and over in her mind. She kept on making different scenarios each time. The pain she felt an hour ago was turned into happiness and love.

Even when Bader upset her and gave her great pain, he was the only person who would make her happy in seconds.

She loved him. She missed him. She needed him. Every day.

Jana was too tired to call Bader so she texted:

7abeby, I’m too tired and I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight, I love you.

Seconds later, Bader called and sweet talked Jana to sleep. He listened to her breathe softly and when he was sure she was fast asleep, he ended the call, and wrote her this in their BBM chat for her to see the next morning:

I can’t wait till the day ely ana akoun yamech w asm3ech etnameen yami.             Allah ya7fe’9ech ley oo e5aleech. A7bich yal ‘3alya ;*

Part 9.

      “7achait obouy,” 3azeez said.

“3an shno?” Dalal asked worriedly.

Both Dalal’s mother and brother listened attentively.

“3anna,” 3azeez smiled.

“E7na eshfeena?” Dalal’s heart slowly started pounding. ‘Ambaih laykoon 3azeez yabeeni, laa please 3azeez laa’ Dalal thought to herself.

3azeez breathed out, “Ga3adt omy w obouy w 7achait’hum w fahmt’hom eny mabeech.”

Nasser gasped but Dalal smiled, “E7lf?” Dalal asked.

“Walla,” 3azeez smiled, “6ab3an ana 9arle esbou3 aqani3 feehom la2na ely abeeha ga3deen yetqademoonlaha fa mabe athay3ha men eedi.”

“3azeez? W ekhty?  Lek wayh teyey baitna wetgoolaha hal 7ache??” Nasser was furious! “Ehya tabeek!!”

“Laa Laa Nasser! Ana mabeeh!! A9lan 3azeez 7esbat okhuyy!!” Dalal was so relieved and filled with joy that she jumped on 3azeez and hugged him.

“Thank you 3azooz thank you so much!!”

3azeez chuckled, “your welcome Dalal.”

“Bas la7tha, kalamt obouy?” Dalal asked.

“La obouy ely be7acheeh enshalla.” 3azeez said.

“La7tha ana mu fahem ely ga3d e9eer. Youma fahmeeny?” Nasser asked with a very confused look.

“Walla 7abeby 3elmy 3elmk. Obouk ma7achani wala gali shay.” Om Nasser gave 3azeez a questioning look.

“Nasser men e7na e9ghaar obouy w obouk qareraw ena ana w Dalal netzawaj 9a7?”

Nasser nodded.

“7liw, al7een ana w Dalal kebarna, w la ana abeha wala ehya tabeeni ba3d mu qa9eb. W ana el9ara7a abe bent ma3ay beljam3a w youm darait ena fee wa7d ebytqadamlaha zar 3agily fa 7achait omy w obouy. 6ab3an et3arf 3amek shloun 3aneed, awal shay maretha ba3dayn kther el7ana yebt rasa w retha.” 3azeez stopped to catch his breath but Dalal took over, “Nasser 7abeby, 3azeez e7b wa7da w yabe yakh6b’ha w ana a7b...” Dalal bit her lip because she said too much.

“Na3am??” Nasser replied in anger. “Entay shno?”

Dalal looked at her mother for help. In their family, Nasser and their dad were the only two with closed minds.

“Fee wa7d metqademly w emkalmeen omy w ana abeeh.” Dalal blurted out.

3azeez nodded. Half of what Dalal said was true, but he had to play along for Dalal’s sake.

“W Mino hal wa7id ha? Men wayen et3arfeena???” Nasser voice was cold and loud.

“Nasser lat9arekh!! Walla everything’s official!!” Dalal shot her mother look, “Mama goleela!!” Dalal begged.

“Shagoola?” Her mother asked.

“Goleela 3an Faisal.” Dalal pleaded.

“Wet3arfeen esma ba3ad?? Walla hathy mal athba7haa!!” Nasser got up to get a reach for his sister when their Mother stood up in between them.

“Nasser 3aib 3alaick et7ache ekhtk chthy w ana ga3da. Wayen haibty w e7teramy??” She gave him a stern look.

Nasser breathed out angrily, “Youma shofay shtgool!! Etgool et3arf wa7id!!”

“Eeh akeed bet3arfaa!! Mu kha6eebha???” His mother said.

Nasser backed down, “Ya3ne betfahmeeni ena 9ar ako 7ache rasme?”

His mother gritted her teeth, she didn’t want to lie, but she had to. “Eeh 9ar.”

“Meta? Laish e7na manadre?” Nasser questioned his mother.

“9ar men gabl sena, bas ana magelt 7ag obouk la2na shayel elfekra men rasa, w al7een madam 3azeez kalam obouh ya3ne khalas obouk beghayer rayah.” His mother replied sternly, ‘atmana ena eghayer rayah.’ She thought to herself.

Nasser studied Dalal for a while, deciding on whether to believe his mother or not. Dalal stood behind her mother, confidence not leaving her face.

3azeez realized that he had to say something, in order for Nasser to fully believe that there was an official engagement, “Nasser eshfeek? Tara ana kent dari lama 9ar kel hatha.”

Nasser turned and looked at 3azeez, “Shno ya3ne kent tadre?”

“Ya3ne lama teqadam Faisal 7ag Dalal, khalti dagat 3alai w galtly. Tara omek tadre ana w Dalal manabe ba3ath, bas mategdar etgool shay jedam obouk wala obouy.”

“Enzain w laish magetly?” Nasser asked.

“La2nk kent ebtarf’9 elfekra, fa magelna shay.” 3azeez said as he got up to leave, “Nasser haad baleck, tara mu kelshay bela39ab beyamshi.”

Nasser breathed out and looked at Dalal, “Walla endarait ench etkalmeen hal Faisal wela te6l3een weyaha gabl laet9eer khe6ba rasmeya matlomeen ela nafsch, fahma??” He gave her a threatening look.

Dalal nodded, “Enshalla.”

Nasser kissed his mother’s forehead and got up with 3azeez and they both left the house.

Dalal turned to her mother, “Mama mashkoora.”

Her mother turned and faced her with a serious face, “Shofay, al7een akeed 3amich kalam oboich w khala eghayer fekreta, w 3a6ay Nasser youmain telgaina gayel salfat Faisal 7ag oboich w yeg3ad efur rasa,”

“Enzain?” Dalal asked.

“Golay 7ag Faisal 3nda youmain,”

“3ala shno youma?” Dalal asked nervously.

“Shno 3ala shno ba3ad?? 3ashan eyoun el7areem w yakh6boonch rasme!!” Her mother replied.

Dalal couldn’t hide the smile on her face, “Enshalla youma bagoola ba3d shway.”

“Latbosemain wayed, 6al3a ma3a Faisal mako.” Her mother said.

Dalal’s smile faded and her heart sank, “Laish youma??”

“Bas ana gelt, mako 6al3a ela lama eyoun eryayel w et9eer khe6ba rasmeeya!”

“Bas youmaa ohwa berd America ba3d thalath asabee3!! Meta e9eer kelhatha?” Dalal almost cried.

“Mu ohwa yabeech? Eeh 3ayal ohwa edaber omoora.” Her mother got up and as she walked out of the living room she turned and looked at Dalal, “Mako 6al3at weya Dalal, wala mukalamat zayda, mafhoom?”

Dalal nodded.

She went up to her room and got into a pair of comfy sweats and a pullover. It was early December and the weather was starting to get really cold. She checked her phone to see if Faisal called or left any messages but she didn’t find any, so she called her cousin Mariam and told her what happened. Mariam was really happy for Dalal and suggested that Dalal should call Faisal and tell him the good news.

Dalal waited for Faisal to text her but he didn’t so when it got to midnight Dalal began getting sleepy and she had to talk to Faisal before sleeping so she messaged him,

               

                “Faisal a7taj aklmek tharoori, please call me.”

Seconds later, Faisal called.

Part 8.

     “W-What?” Dalal asked.

Faisal smiled because Dalal was caught off guard, “agoolich etzawjeeni, abeech et9ereen 7alaly Daloola.”

Dalal was quite, she knew she wanted to marry Faisal, she knew it from the beginning but she also knew that her Dad wouldn’t agree of such occasion.

Dalal sighed, “Faisal obouy mara7 yertha, w I cant just run off with you.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to try with him Dalal?” Faisal said slowly turning his smile into a frown. “Ya3ne hal mara we’ll make it official? Akhale omy etkalem omich?”

Dalal shook her head, “Its not that easy Faisal.”

Faisal breathed out as he tried to hold on to his temper, “Ya3ne shafham men kalamich?”

Dalal stayed quite.

“A7achech ana? Laish ta7green?” Faisal was slowly losing his temper and Dalal was confused. This is a side she never really saw from Faisal. All the anger and cold tones he was using with her were all knew. Faisal saw the scared expression Dalal wore and he slowly calmed down.

“I’m sorry Dalal, bas men tefaragna wana 9ayer a3asib ebser3a wala agdar amsk a39abi.”

Dalal nodded.

“Daloola please ana ga3ed a7awel aftaa7 bebaan wentay ga3da et9akreenhom ebwayhi. Dalal I want to marry you, w law obooich mara7 yertha al7een ebyertha ba3dain la2na this is what you want. 9a7?”

“9a7.” Dalal whispered. “I think its time to go back home Faisal.”

Faisal nodded, “yalla lets go.” He put out his hand and Dalal took it without second thoughts.

They walked back to the car and he drove back to Salheya so Dalal could get back into her car and drive home.

As Faisal parked he looked at Dalal, “meta bashoofech?”

“Madree Faisal,” Dalal said.

“Tabeen etshofeeni?” Faisal asked “Are you happy I’m back?”

“Faisal hatha su2al? Akeed abe ashoofek, and yes I’m very happy that your back. Bas ent mu betrd soon?” Dalal turned to face Faisal.

Faisal nodded, “bas bugali three more weeks ba3dain lazem ard America.”

Dalal swallowed the knots of tears in her throat and plastered a smile, “then akeed I’ll see you before you go.”

“Bas?” Faisal looked bumped out. “I only get to see my girl twice?”

“Well if some miracle happens and baba suddenly gets amnesia w yertha then you’ll see me more than once.” Dalal said sarcastically.

“Dalal I’m serious, mabe ard America without making progress with our parents.” Faisal said.

“What’s the point Faisal? Obouy mara7 ekhaleni atzawaj a7ad ghair weld 3amy and both of us are in separate relationships. Faisal tadree kel ma 3ami w murta yaw baitna all they talk about is ‘3azeez and Dalal’s’ wedding? Tadre 3ami emkha6i6 weya obouy kelshay? They’re not even letting us say anything! Faisal, 3azeez is in love weya bent thanya and I have you but they’re ignoring us!” Dalal started tearing up.

“Shhh 7abebty” Faisal wore a torn apart look and held Dalal’s hand. “I promise we’ll find a way, I promise.”

Dalal nodded and wiped her tears, “Faisal I don’t want you to go back.”

“Back where 7abebty?” Faisal asked.

“Mabeek etrd America.” Dalal said.

“Laish youba?” Faisal asked.

“Bas mabee, aghar 3alaik. W abeek ehny belkuwait, 3al aqal agdar ashookfek bel 9edfa, bas wenta eb America ayi 9edfa ebtejma3na?” Dalal said.

Faisal smiled to the fact that Dalal still gets jealous over him, “Tadreen bugali sena w ard 9a7?”

“Still, ta3al ehny w kamel derastk, 3ndna wayed jam3at bel Kuwait.”

“7abebty magdar, I tried transferring my papers back her awal elsena galoli ena etha bared be3adloonli sentain bas w 7aram ana bas bugali sena w akhls.”

Dalal frowned, “ya3ne shloun Faisal? I’m not gonna see you? Wetha eq9booni atzawaj 3azeez wenta emsafer?”

Faisal’s jaw dropped, “Laa ma7ad ebyaq9ibch etsaween shay, ba3dayn you never know, yemken eb hal three weeks a miracle happens?”

Dalal shrugged, “yeah sure Faisal.”

“Dalool khala9 stop being so negative, bared elbait w ba7ache omy.” Faisal said.

Dalal smiled, “enshalla Faisal, yalla I better go, tamerni 3ala shay?”

Faisal nodded, “take care w drive safely” then he leaned in and kissed Dalal’s forehead.

Dalal blushed, “Enshallaa 7abeby,” she grabbed her bag and went back into her car.

As she drove back home, her cousin Mariam called her and asked about all the details.

Dalal told her everything and Mariam was really happy for her cousin, but the question lay unanswered, ‘how will Dalal convince her Dad to accept Faisal?’ Neither Dalal nor Mariam knew what to do but Dalal wasn’t so worried. She’d talk to her mother, she’s sure her mother would know what to do.

As she parked in front of her house, she noticed 3azeez’s car parked too.

‘Why is 3azeez here?’ she thought.

Before getting down from her car she messaged Faisal telling him that she got home and he replied back telling her that he’s going to the dewaniya and that before sleeping she should call him.

Dalal took every ounce of courage and confidence and walked into her house.

“Kahi kahi ew9alat,” she heard her mother say as she walked into the living room.

3azeez, Nasser and her mother were all sitting in the living room enjoying hot cups of tea.

“Salam 3alaykom,” Dalal entered the room and kissed her mothers forehead and sat beside her.

They all greeted Dalal back and 3azeez smiled to Dalal, “Shlounch Dalal?” he asked.

“7emdallah 3azeez, wenta?” She asked with a questioning look.

“Bkhair damich ebkhair.” 3azeez replied.

“Yala 3azeez kahi Dalal yat, eshbaghait’ha feeh?” Nasser asked.

3azeez smiled, and Dalal was speechless.

What 3azeez said to Dalal was absolutely surprising that it left all three of them in shock.