Don't Forget Me (55)

"Matabeen shay?" my mom said as we left Cartier in Salhiya. We had reserved a table for lunch at Lorenzo Salhiya, and my mom wanted to get me something for my birthday.

"La mashkoura, 7ail yi3t," I confessed. It wasn't the reason I didn't want anything from Cartier. I'd avoided the bracelet area like the plague and just went around the earring and necklace sections. Honestly I didn't expect to act this way in the store.

"Mt2akda? Wala inridla 3ugub ma nt'3ada?" she asked me.

"La wallah yuma mashkoura," I told her.

"Inzain may9eer makhathaitlich shay 7ag 3eed meladich," she told me.

"A7san l2ana ga3da a7is ini wayid kubart," I teased.

"La wallah? 3ayal ana shagoul?" she told me as we laughed. I was right; it only took a matter of time and patience to mend my mother's trust in me. We were back as strong as ever, and honestly that mattered to me more than anything else.

"Yallah imshay 3ayal khal inrou7 nakil," she said as we left the store to walk to the restaurant b the plaza in front of us.

"Madam," the security called us.

"Yuma akhaf libastay shay bl '3ala6?" I teased.

"La wallah," she said as she checked her wrists.

"You forgot your bag," he said.

"Wee 9aj," my mom said as I rolled my eyes at her forgetfulness and followed her inside the store but I froze at the entrance.

Zaid was standing right in front of me, flashing me a bright smile as he held a Cartier love bracelet box in his hand.

This wasn't real, was it?

After three years?

"Zaid?" I said, putting my hand on my lips. I couldn't believe it.

"Gltlich bakhithlich wa7id thani, 9a7?" he said as he cocked his brow.
God, he looked so good, so radiant that it nearly drove me insane. He looked so proper in a dishdasha, and I remembered that he'd always been nice to look at in it. This time it was even better.

"Tadreen shinu?" he asked me. "China yabeelich shay zyada," he added before I got a chance to ask him what.  I was so stunned at everything.

He pulled out a smaller box from his pocket.

I couldn't believe it.

He opened the box to reveal a beautiful, large diamond engagement ring.

What? Really?

"Zaid 9ij?" I said, not believing.

I looked at my mom who was smiling at me and nodding. I'd thought she said no, that we weren't a fit.

"Wait shlon?" I said as I shook my head in confusion. This had to be a dream, hadn't it?

He only winked and I laughed.

"Fa?" he asked me.

"Akeed ee," I said as I laughed and my mother came to hug me. I was so shocked that I couldn't feel anything, it all happened so fast.

I could see him turn around to wipe his eyes, and I began to tear up at that sight as my mother laughed at me, worrying about my makeup.

"Yuma 9ij?" I said.

"Ee wallah 9ij!" she said.

Her phone rang wala Lorenzo was calling, telling her our table was ready.

"Yallah lazim namshi," she said.

"Umm okay," I said, I wasn't done with Zaid at all. I wanted to talk to him, to ask him how he was, what he was doing, how he managed to pull off this engagement after what my mother had told me. I was still so surprised at what had just happened.

"Inshoufik inshallah Zaid," my mom said as Zaid collected himself.

"Inshallah 3amiti," he said, and my heart jumped when he smiled at me.

I smiled at him before I left and bombarded my mom with questions.

"Yuma la7'6a shlon? Oo kntaw mitafqeen 3ala hal surprise? Ubai la7'6a a9lan shlon kha6a6taw kil hatha?" I asked her as we walked to Lorenzo.

"Bismillah ni6ray khal neg3ad!" she said as she laughed.

I was above the clouds, and smiled when I got my first message from Zaid in three years.

Did I say how much I've missed you? 
I'm so sorry it took a very long time, but I wanted to make sure I was the best version of myself. I just hope I don't disappoint you. 

PS. You reminded me of Catwoman.

I laughed at the end of the text, I really looked forward to it. I was too excited to talk to my mom to reply to him now.

We sat at the table and I quickly ordered so we'd talk over bread.

"Inzain sh9ar?" I said and she took a deep breath, I knew ilsalfa 6uweela.

"Dag 3alay w intay blshi'3l gali yabi ykalimni. Gltla la2 awal shay bas '3ayart rayi l2ana 7asaitich na6rita, fa glt ashouf shlona oo ya 3indina ilbait oo kalamni uhwa ma3a ikhta," she said. Zaina came?

"Inzain?" I said as I stuffed a piece of bread in my mouth. I should probably stop.

"Wallah awal shay knt mu mtqablita min darait 3ankum, bas shway shway la7a'6t ina lama tikalam 9ij ytkalam 3an wa7da y7ibha bshakil mu 6abee3i. 7asait y3arfich akthar mini 7ta," she said with a chuckle.

"Oo gali innich kntay ilshay ilwa7eed ili msa3ada lama tuwafat uma, oo galli ina kan 3nda mashakil bas ta'3ayar minich oo 3ashanich oo khatha thalath isneen 3ashan yt3adal. Mbayin ilwalad jad, ana kan 7asbali uhwa shay thani bas '6alamta. Kanat m2athyatni salfat ina uhwa '3air 3anna, bas ga3adt agoul lo shinu balga a7ad nafsa. Oo adri kintay tan6ireena, fa laish a7ir nafsi dam intaw kbar oo t3arfoun 3an hal shay," she said.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing to I put my hands to my lips and got up from my seat to hug my mom even though I looked really weird in the restaurant.

"Yabakhta feech," she said with a smile, and I could feel my skin blush.

"Bas ikhta kanat mawjouda? '3areeba!" I said.

"Ee wallah kanat mtqabla ilwa'63, 7ta ana ista'3rabt. La oo itsolif sh7ilouha," she said.

I was definitely going to ask Zaid about that.

Our food arrived so my mom talked some more about how Zaid convinced her.

"Adri uhwa mara7 yakhith '3airich wala intay btakhtheen '3aira," she said. I smiled. It was true.

We finished our food and headed to the parking, I was admiring my new Cartier bracelet, which glistened against my wrist. I knew this was just the beginning of him spoiling me. I wasn't materialistic but he had great taste. My god.

 I'm still so shocked. I'm so so proud of you.
I can't express how happy I am. Finally. 

PS. I didn't remember Bruce Wayne looking so good. 

I replied.

Thank you, you have no idea how much your words mean to me. How much you mean to me. 

PS. I chose my favorite cane for today, did you notice?

I giggled and my mother stared at me and smiled, knowing I was talking to him. I loved how I didn't feel guilty anymore about talking to him.

My mother told me Zaina came over with you to talk to her? That's unexpected to be honest!

PS.  I demand a replay, I was too blinded by everything else. 

I replied, smiling.


She saw you with me during my breakdown, she knew it wasn't a joke. She knew you were the reason I wanted to get better, not anyone else. I told her everything as well, and I fixed our family issues. She's definitely more accepting.

PS. Just tell me when and where;)

This all felt unreal.

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