Sunday, November 6th, 2016...
I took a deep breath. This was finally happening.
I adjusted my dress which was a black and white ensemble that wrapped my body perfectly. My hair was down to my shoulders in voluminous waves while fine jewelry hung on my ears and neck.
I'd told my parents about Khalid last week and because we'd already gotten to know each other, and because Khalid was in a rush, our khe6ba was so soon.
"ما اصدق خشيتيه عني انا بعد"
Fouz said as she helped me zip up the top part of my dress that I couldn't reach.
"شسوي خفت"
I said.
"يالغبية احنا نعرف اهله من زمان وامي تعرف امه وابوي يعرف ابوه"
She said and I gulped.
"بس ترى امي ليلحين مصدومة انكم تعرفون بعض هذا غير انكم تحبون بعض"
She said as she turned me around to face her. I looked at her now, she was definitely the best sister I could ask for, even if she could be a pain sometimes. I still couldn't imagine what Muneera had to deal with. I hadn't seen her at the gym in forever, even when I arrived earlier than usual.
I just hoped she didn't stop coming because of Danah.
"شلون شكلي؟"
I said as I took a deep breath.
"تيننين"
She said with a smile. I was too nervous to smile back.
It was almost time now and I'd requested that only my close friends keep me company while the engagement would be announced, and since everything was so soon my mother decided to have the engagement party a week later so there would be time to organize a really great one. We all just got dressed up for the snapchat and instagram posts, of course.
A knock on the door got us gasping before my four close friends walked in and we laughed.
"امبيه تكفون بروحي مخترعة"
I said, taking turns to hug them.
"مصختوها over من شنووو؟ امبيه ترى"
Sarah said, rolling her eyes. She looked nice in her pink dress that showed off her slim figure and her short brown hair was wrapped in a low bun that brought out her small face.
"جد"
Danah said. She looked gorgeous in a black one-shouldered dress that was above her knees, it was simple but she pulled it off. She could pull anything off.
"؟post انزين شرايج بهال"
She asked me, showing me a gorgeous design that I didn't know how she thought of...it was really beautiful with all the pops of color that blended well together and hints of gold around the border. Danah really did it well.
I read what was written on the post and smiled.
اللهم بارك لهما واجمع بينهما بالخير
تم بحمد الله وفضله خطبة
...فجر يوسف الف
...كريمة نادية بدر الس
على
...خالد جاسم الح
...نجل غنيمة ناصر الش
الله يوفقهم
Finally...
"امبيه دانوه يعقد"
I said, feeling guilty for all the negative thoughts I'd had about her. She obviously spent so much time making the announcement and she did it for free.
"يالله نحطها؟"
Danah said, turning to the rest of the girls and I smiled, sitting down to loosen up a bit.
I twisted my Cartier ring on my finger and remembered Abdullah...no, no, no...
بس خلاص شفيج؟
I told myself.
Khalid was the one.
I hadn't seen Abdullah at any of the meetings since our "fight" in his office. I didn't know if it was because he was avoiding me but it was better for us both that way.
I really did not want to see him again.
"شتفكرين فيه؟"
Lulu said, wiggling her brows. Her curly hair looked so good as usual.
I chuckled awkwardly...if they only knew.
"بعد تفكر بشي غيره؟ يالله ماني قادرة انطر..متى بنعلن؟"
Mariam said, impatiently.
"نطرو امبيه نطرتو سنة ما تقدرون تنطرون جم دقيقة؟"
Fouz said teasingly and I laughed.
I got a text from Khalid and my heart skipped a beat.
Khalid: no more hiding...can't wait to hold you
Me: 7abeeebyyy wallaaah I can't wait either!!
"يالله ترى خلصو الريايل"
Fouz said and I smiled.
"حطيته"
Sarah announced.
"Snapchat o Instagram!" Lulu said.
I laughed at their enthusiasm, and a heavy weight was lifted off my chest now that my "secret" was not such a secret anymore.
But why did I still feel like it wasn't totally gone?
I took a deep breath. This was finally happening.
I adjusted my dress which was a black and white ensemble that wrapped my body perfectly. My hair was down to my shoulders in voluminous waves while fine jewelry hung on my ears and neck.
I'd told my parents about Khalid last week and because we'd already gotten to know each other, and because Khalid was in a rush, our khe6ba was so soon.
"ما اصدق خشيتيه عني انا بعد"
Fouz said as she helped me zip up the top part of my dress that I couldn't reach.
"شسوي خفت"
I said.
"يالغبية احنا نعرف اهله من زمان وامي تعرف امه وابوي يعرف ابوه"
She said and I gulped.
"بس ترى امي ليلحين مصدومة انكم تعرفون بعض هذا غير انكم تحبون بعض"
She said as she turned me around to face her. I looked at her now, she was definitely the best sister I could ask for, even if she could be a pain sometimes. I still couldn't imagine what Muneera had to deal with. I hadn't seen her at the gym in forever, even when I arrived earlier than usual.
I just hoped she didn't stop coming because of Danah.
"شلون شكلي؟"
I said as I took a deep breath.
"تيننين"
She said with a smile. I was too nervous to smile back.
It was almost time now and I'd requested that only my close friends keep me company while the engagement would be announced, and since everything was so soon my mother decided to have the engagement party a week later so there would be time to organize a really great one. We all just got dressed up for the snapchat and instagram posts, of course.
A knock on the door got us gasping before my four close friends walked in and we laughed.
"امبيه تكفون بروحي مخترعة"
I said, taking turns to hug them.
"مصختوها over من شنووو؟ امبيه ترى"
Sarah said, rolling her eyes. She looked nice in her pink dress that showed off her slim figure and her short brown hair was wrapped in a low bun that brought out her small face.
"جد"
Danah said. She looked gorgeous in a black one-shouldered dress that was above her knees, it was simple but she pulled it off. She could pull anything off.
"؟post انزين شرايج بهال"
She asked me, showing me a gorgeous design that I didn't know how she thought of...it was really beautiful with all the pops of color that blended well together and hints of gold around the border. Danah really did it well.
I read what was written on the post and smiled.
اللهم بارك لهما واجمع بينهما بالخير
تم بحمد الله وفضله خطبة
...فجر يوسف الف
...كريمة نادية بدر الس
على
...خالد جاسم الح
...نجل غنيمة ناصر الش
الله يوفقهم
Finally...
"امبيه دانوه يعقد"
I said, feeling guilty for all the negative thoughts I'd had about her. She obviously spent so much time making the announcement and she did it for free.
"يالله نحطها؟"
Danah said, turning to the rest of the girls and I smiled, sitting down to loosen up a bit.
I twisted my Cartier ring on my finger and remembered Abdullah...no, no, no...
بس خلاص شفيج؟
I told myself.
Khalid was the one.
I hadn't seen Abdullah at any of the meetings since our "fight" in his office. I didn't know if it was because he was avoiding me but it was better for us both that way.
I really did not want to see him again.
"شتفكرين فيه؟"
Lulu said, wiggling her brows. Her curly hair looked so good as usual.
I chuckled awkwardly...if they only knew.
"بعد تفكر بشي غيره؟ يالله ماني قادرة انطر..متى بنعلن؟"
Mariam said, impatiently.
"نطرو امبيه نطرتو سنة ما تقدرون تنطرون جم دقيقة؟"
Fouz said teasingly and I laughed.
I got a text from Khalid and my heart skipped a beat.
Khalid: no more hiding...can't wait to hold you
Me: 7abeeebyyy wallaaah I can't wait either!!
"يالله ترى خلصو الريايل"
Fouz said and I smiled.
"حطيته"
Sarah announced.
"Snapchat o Instagram!" Lulu said.
I laughed at their enthusiasm, and a heavy weight was lifted off my chest now that my "secret" was not such a secret anymore.
But why did I still feel like it wasn't totally gone?
nooooooooooooooooooooooooo he isnt the one she knows it she feels it why couldnt she just admit it to her self i cant imagine how abdullah would feel -cries a river-
ReplyDeletecant wait for the next one
would you consider posting twice tmrw i wanna read fajers more than muneeras
- with love
asm
But how can she suddenly stop a years relationship for some mixed feelings she isn’t sure about? Now don’t get me wrong I still don’t agree with Fajer and Khalid being together
ReplyDelete-kn
bcz she describes it and she knows it she feels something around abdullah but with khaled she hasnt not for a while she choose him bcz of the year that they were together
Delete-asm
Late to the party but I love the discussion going on! asm spot on. Can’t wait to see both of your comments soon!!
DeleteI hope you don't mind me sharing my stream of thought.
ReplyDeleteI still reckon that Danah and I would be great friends, albeit I came to realize, after a vet, that her outstanding and multi-talented CV was merely an attempt to cover up the void that ensued from Muneera's birth; she was ambushed in her only-child land and is certainly not happy about that.
My contention comes mainly from the putative "double-standards" when it comes to the mom's reaction regarding what her daughters are allowed to wear. I think Muneera might have missed the subtle mark that her mom probably doesn't give a damn about what Danah wears anymore.
I'm even starting to think that the announcement post she made for Fajer has more of ostentatious-ness sound to it than a genuine act.
I don't want to even begin with Khalid, but since when being oh-so open-minded translated to molesting a minor? God, he's just the epitome of trash.
Shahad.
DeleteLove love LOVE your review. Everything makes SO much sense and you’re so spot on with the reasoning behind everything. I hope more readers get to see your comment! ;p