Bittersweet 26

The day 79a and I were dreading finally arrived; the day we'd go back to Dubai. 79a and I depressingly packed up our things, and waited downstairs

in the lobby for the rest of my family.

"MABA ASEEEEER!" 79a sobbed. "5alaaa9 this is my HOME!"

A black Range Rover pulled up in front of the hotel lobby, and Rashid walks in. He had already offered to drive us to the airport since Man9oor had

classes, and couldn’t take us.

"Noora!!" He blurted out, with the biggest smile on his face. I smiled back at him. How could I not? His smile was making me melt!

"A7m!!" 79a stepped into the picture, announcing her presence.

"Hey 79a." He greeted her.

"Why the long faces?" He said, noticing the sadness in our eyes.

"3shan we don’t want to leave!!" I answered, with the saddest look I can pull off on my face.

"Oh 9a7…" His gorgeous smile faded into a heartbreaking frown. "Aham shay enkm stanasto."

"When are you going to come back to Dubai?" I asked, wanting to know the answer right away! That'll give me something to look forward to in my life!

Rashid just shrugged, "Greeb enshallah."

UFF I want a straight answer!

"Y3ni mta?" I widened my eyes at him, blushing immediately afterwards. Yal f'6eeeee7a I just sounded SOO desperate! I could tell that he noticed

how embarrassed I got by the way he raised his eyebrows and smirked. 79a giggled uncontrollably at us. Thanks 79oo!

"I know you'll miss me!" He chuckled fluttering his eyelashes with the stupidest smile on his face. I hit him lightly on his shoulder and giggled at

his remark.

"Trust me, she will." 79a quietly muttered under her breath. It’s a good thing he didn’t hear her it because I would've strangled her!

"Bss 9dg stanasna with you guys." He added.

Yes we did. Waaayed ba3ad! If he only knew…

DING!

The elevator door opened and my parents and Mayed stepped out. They greeted Rashid, and Mayed helped him lug the bags into the trunk of his

Range. 79a and I, still depressed, climbed into the car, and waved goodbye at out hotel.

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We arrived at the airport 30 minutes before take off.

"YALLAAH BSR3AA!" My mom yelled, pulling her carry-on bag while struggling to fix her head scarf.

My family, as fast as they could, grabbed their luggage and hurried to the check in counter. Mayed took care of everything at the desk, while we gathered

everything and everyone.

"Yallah fmanallah Rashid, mashkoor." My dad thanked him, and walked through the gate.

"Maga9art wallah. Nchoofk greeb enshallah." My mom smiled, and walked through the gate.

"Ma3a el salama i5ooya. Nchoofk fl blad." Mayed shook his hand, and walked through the gate,

"BYE!!" 79a smiled widely, and walked through the gate.

I was left. I didn’t want to move, and I could tell he didn’t want me to either. The whole time my family were saying their goodbyes, I could feel his eyes

focusing on me. When they had all gone, he had the saddest, most worried look on his face.

I didn’t know what to say, so I turned and walked towards the gate without saying anything at all. I was just about to step in when-

"Wait!" I heard a sharp voice from behind me say. He grabbed my hand, turned me around.

"I …I …." He started to say…

I stood still, waiting for him to finish his sentence. I looked up at his big honey colored eyes, one last time. It made my heart stop all over again, just like

the first time.

"Flight 642 to Dubai now prepare for take off." The announcer's voice blared from the speakers.

I looked at the gate, then back at Rashid. He still didn’t say anything, and neither did I. But I had to, and FAST.

"I'm sorry." I let go of his hand, ran into the gate and through the terminal as fast as I could.

My tears blurred my vision but I was able to get to the plane on time, thank god. I held myself together until I got to my seat, next to 79a.

She looked at me with a blank expression. I didn’t say anything, but sat down and stared out the window. I SERIOUSLY didn’t want to leave, and not for

the same reason 79a had. I had my own reason that was making my heart ache terribly. A tear escaped my waterline, but I quickly wiped it with my

finger before 79a saw it.

I'm guessing she did, because she immediately held my hand tightly.

And I didn’t let go, until we landed in Dubai.

Bittersweet 25

It was our last night in California.

Our flight was early in the morning, so we were sent to bed imminently. 79a didn’t have a problem falling asleep though. She dozed off as soon as

her head hit the pillow. However, I kept rolling around in my bed, with all sorts of thoughts going through my mind.

No matter how much I denied it, I had feelings for Rashid. I really did. I've never had such strong feelings towards anyone in my life before. Not even

79a knew how strongly I felt about him. Not only did my heart ache, but my stomach was filling up with guilt and regret. I mean, why did I ever agree to

be engaged to Mayed at such a young age?! Nothing against him, he's a gentleman. Its that I just started my senior year for crying out loud! I'm only 17!

I have a life ahead of me! Okay its not like I'm going to get married right away, but it felt like I was trapped and my actions had limits. My decision was

based on my anger, and that’s never a way to make a decision. I put myself in a position I don’t want to be in, and now I don’t know how to get out.

I finally decided to get out of bed. I needed to BREATHE.

I wrapped myself in a silk robe that I had brought with me, and stepped out into the balcony. The autumn breeze gave me goose bumps on top of the

ones I already had. I leaned down and watched the people walk up and down the blocks. Their lives seemed so much simpler than mine. I envied them.

My mind drifted off and I started humming to myself. No particular song. Just the "hold" tune.

"ALO?" I suddenly heard, followed by a slight chuckle.

I froze. Turned around.

No one was behind me.

WHO THE HELL SED THAT!

I started freaking out and panicking.

"Hadi hadi." The voice said again.

This time, Mayed's head peeked from the dividers between the two balconies. I let out a breath of relief.

"OMG you scared me!" I said giggling.

"Can't sleep?" He asked.

I nodded, pulling my hair out of my face since the wind was blowing it everywhere.

"Yeah me neither." He added.

"Why not?" I asked him.

"I got a lot on my mind. What about yourself?"

"Nafs el 7ala."

Hdoooooo2.

"So what's on your mind?" We both asked at the same time, giggling afterwards.

I shook my head trying to tell him that it was nothing he should worry about, but he wasn’t convinced.

"Noora aba agoolch shay enty maknty t3rfeena." He said seriously.

My blood froze. What’s he about to tell me?!

"Remember when we were kids, and you'd come over and play with 79a? Well, kl7ad tam ygool 'Mayed 7ag Noora…Mayed bytzawaj Noora….Noora

3aroosat Mayed'. Literally kl7ad used to say it. My older brothers and my parents, even your mom. Bss t3rfeen I never knew how right they were until I

saw you a few weeks ago."

Not only was I majorly blushing, but my eyes were tearing up. My stomach was scrunching up in my body, and my I started to get nervous. Why's he

telling me this? I'm too young to hear this! Maba Maba!! What have I done to myself?! Doesn’t my opinion matter? Haven't they considered what I

thought? But I kind of agreed. But I was pissed! Ow who gives a decision like that to a 17 year old?!

"Noora, are you okay?" Mayed's facial expression changed from dazed to worried.

And NO I'm not okay! I chose to do something I don't want to do anymore! I felt so TRAPPED! Everything was happening all at once, I wish I could wake

up and it would all be a dream. I'm going to wake up and it's going to be the first day of school again. I'm going to see Slut Salama and the girls any

minute now.

How much I wished for that to be reality, but it wasn't. This was reality, and I couldn’t run from it, no matter how fast I ran.  

"I'm fine." I finally answered him.

"Shaklch ta3bana. Ymkn yach el rgad. Go sleep, bacher warana safra." He smiled.

I wasn’t tired but I wanted any excuse to get out of this awkward position. I smiled back at him, and walked back towards the door.

"Goodnight…Again." He chuckled right before I walked in.

"Goodnight."

And I continued to stay awake. Not even closing my eyes to blink.

Bittersweet 24

I decided to make it up to 79a by suggesting we go shopping the next day. She jumped of excitement at my e8tra7. Mayed wasn't feeling well and

decided to stay home himself. So we ended up stuck in Bloomingdales with my excuse of a brother from nine in the morning until we felt like going

home.

"Can we at least have a snack or something?" Man9oor whined. "Yoooooo3aaaaaan!"

79a and I ignored his complaints and continued to look through the racks and racks of clothes. Mskeen we woke him up so early after a long sleepless

night partying around the streets of Los Angeles.

"5ala9! We're gonna eat ya3ni we're gonna eat!" Man9oor stormed away towards the nearest restaurant. 79a and I trotted after him, begging for a few

minutes of browsing before we eat, when we noticed he had stopped.

A tall man wearing a green buttoned shirt and denim shorts approached him, shook his hand, and started talking to him. 79a and I peered from behind

the clothes rack, trying to get a better look at the man. That's when Man9oor turned around, and signaled for 79a and me to come.

Confused, we did as he asked, and walked nervously towards Man9oor and the man. By the time we were close enough, we widened our eyes at the

discovery that it was Rashid.

"Choofoo, ana YO3AN! Baseer adawrly AYSHAY akla, and when I feel satisfied, I'll come get you guys. Until then, Rashid by7oo6 wyakm." And just like

that, Man9oor walked away. How dare he?! Leave his sister in the hands of a stranger! 79a and I couldn’t believe our ears. Was my brother aware that

he was leaving me in the property of one of his friends? One of his extremely good looking, heart stopping, friends? Allah y3een!

"So, what are you guys shopping for?" Rashid attempted to start a conversation. I shrugged, and continued looking around for something I liked. 79a

just stood their in amazement.

I found a cute peach/beige dress between the racks of clothes, and decided to try it on. When I came out of the dressing room to show 79a, she and

Rashid had been sitting on the sofa talking.

"OMG yjaaaaaanin!!" 79a exclaimed and stood up. "You look GORGOEUS! Lazm you buy it!"

I smiled at myself in the mirror, admiring the dress, when I noticed Rashid still sitting behind my in the reflection. He didn't look impressed. In fact, he

looked disgusted! I turned around to face him.

"Shuu?" I asked curiously.

"Nothing…" Rashid put his hands behind his head and sat back. CHATHAB! What's wrong? Is it the dress?

"GOOL!" I whined.

"It's just that," He began, "The color 5ays."

79a and I widened our eyes at him.

"Wallah, you look like a naked chicken." He stood up and walked around me, studying the dress from top to bottom. "And the ga9a is very old fashioned."

5aiba! What does he know about what looks good and what doesn't?!

"I think it looks amazing!" 79a insisted. "Choof! She looks so hot!"

"Naah." He shook his head. Y8HAR! 79a's face turned bright pink, and she put her hands on her hips.

"Well let's see you find something better, then!" She ordered, "Yallah!"

He just shrugged his shoulders and went back to the racks.

"Do I really look like a naked chicken?" I looked at 79a with big, sad, puppy dog eyes.

"ABADAN! 7abeebty trust me, he doesn't know what he's talking about. You look stunning!"

I looked at myself in the full length mirror with a doubtful expression on my face.

A few minutes later Rashid came back carrying a long, satin royal blue gown.

"Try this." He handed the hanger to me, and pushed me back into the changing room.

"I don’t like it!" 79a stubbornly said.

"You didn’t even see it yet." Rashid said, confused.

"Whatever. The one I chose was a7la."

Rashid shrugged his shoulders, and waited for me to come out.

I turned the handle and opened the door. 79a and Rashid immediately stood up, and widened their eyes. Rashid smiled a mile wide, while 79a's

jaw dropped. The gown fit waaay better than the peach dress. It was so modern and elegant. Rashid was right, the color looked better than the peach.

The contrast between the royal blue and my fair skin really showed off my curves. I felt like a queen!

"Shu gltlch?" Rashid winked at 79a.

"Okay fine!" 79a giggled. "5ala9 ma7b the peach dress." Rashid chucked with her, and then glanced at me from the corner of his eyes.

"What?" I giggled at him. He his face turned all the shades of pink.

"You look, um, the dress, uh..." He stuttered. I could tell from 79a's expression that she wanted to burst out laughing, but that goodness she didn’t.

I just stood there trying to figure out what he's trying to say.

"Wayed 7lwa… I mean, the dress, wayed 7lw…3laich…" He continued, his cheeks glowing even pinker. My heart felt so numb, I could barely feel it

beating.

"5ALAA9, mskeen 3athabteeh!" 79a finally spoke, followed with a laugh. "5ala9 go back inside and change gabl eymoot!"

Rashid looked so embarrassed he walked away and stood at the cashier.

3ATHAAAB!

Bittersweet 23

I didn’t move a muscle. I stood there not knowing weather to be anxious or scared or whatever.

"If you don’t find it inappropriate for me to ask," He began, "would you like to have dinner tonight?"

I let out a breath of relief. Then I smiled.

"Is that a yes?" He asked. Had I not answered his question? Well that’s stupid.

I nodded in agreement, still not saying anything, and he left the apartment.

"See you at 7." He winked, just before he left.

That left me with something to look forward to while 79a was asleep.

79a remained asleep for hours! And I was BORED.

I had already chosen what I wanted to wear; a beige loose top fitted with a wide black belt, black

leggings and black stilettos. With nothing better to do, I decided to get ready early. I got dressed and did my makeup. Nothing too drastic, just a tad more

than usual, considering I was going to have dinner with my fiancé, I better look good. I framed my eyes with black eyeliner, and brushed a thick coat of

mascara on my lashes. I enhanced my cheekbones with bronzer and blush, and finally filled in my lips with a light pink lipstick. With extra time to spare,

I decided to curl the ends of my hair.

It was exactly 7:00 when I had just finished curling my hair. I figured Mayed would come, knock on our door and we'd go, but I was too impatient and

couldn’t wait any longer so I decided to wait downstairs. Grabbing my purse, I swung the door open, and out stood Mayed. He widened his eyes first,

and then smiled.

"Am I too early?" He chuckled. I didn’t answer him in words, but shook my head.

He looked adorable in his while shirt and leather jacket. His hair was all over the place, as usual, and he had shaved. He looked like a baby with less

facial hair. I just wanted to pinch his rosy cheeks!

He took me to one of the restaurants on our block. Mexican, to be specific. I didn’t talk much, but I listened to his swalf about university, as I munched

on nachos and salsa. I was in the middle of laughing at something Mayed had said, when my phone buzzed.

Hessa: PING

            Where r u?!

Noora: Out with Mayed. :$

Hessa: La Wallah?! :@ Ow ana ya3ni?

Noora: You were asleep. :$

Hessa: Uff!

"What's so funny?" Mayed said, peering into my phone. Nosy!

I shook my head, pulling my phone away.

"Noora, I'm going to be your husband, you can't hide anything from me." He joked, I assume, grabbing for my phone. 5aiba! "About to be my husband."

Lazm el awkwardness ya3ni? May59k enzain, its MY phone. He grabbed it out of my hand and read my conversation. But then he didn’t give it back.

He went back and looked through my Messenger list. Okay, what the heck?! NOSY!

I reached, trying to grab it back, but he turned his back, and kept looking through my list. Shu mshklta?! Who's on my list is none of his business!

Does he doubt me? Is he having bad thoughts about me? Doesn't he trust me? What kind of girl does he think I am?! I was furious.

When he was done taking his time looking through my list, he finally handed the phone back to me, and continued to eat his nachos.

La wallah?! Ib kl brooda ya3ni.

I didn’t look at him for the rest of the meal. 8aharni!

I loosened up towards the end of our dinner. He started telling jokes, and y3al8 3ala the people walking by. I was having a good time. When it was time

to leave, he thanked the waiter and the staff for the lovely dinner.

Mayed took me back to our room, talking and talking on the way. I just giggled and smiled at his swalf.

"You don’t say much, do you?" He chuckled. I smiled in return, not knowing what to say back to that.

"Well, goodnight." Mayed smiled. I smiled back.

"Goodnight." It was the only word I had said all night.

I walked into our room, to find 79a standing facing the door, tapping her foot. She had the most hilarious, angry look on her face.

"I hate you!" She said. I bit my lip, trying not to laugh.

"Tseereen t7oo6een wya my brother, having an awesome time, and leaving me ALONE!" She complained. "Who's your best friend? Ana wla hoo?"

"79a there's no need to act childish." I rolled my eyes, putting my purse down.

"Childish? I'm not acting childish! You're being INCONSIDERATE!"

"5aaaiba!!" I replied back to her ridiculous accusation.

"Haih ba3ad shu?!" She continued to yell.

"Calm down, 79a! It was just dinner!"

"Just dinner ha? Soon it's going to be breakfast, and lunch, and movies, and shopping, and KLSHAY! You're going to be MARRIED to him. MY brother!"

She yelled. I sighed annoyingly, waiting for her tantrum to end.

She finally ended it with; "I am COMPLETELY against this marriage!" and stormed into the bathroom and took a LONG shower.

T'6aa7k!

Bittersweet 22

Wallaaah I love the beach. There's not better feeling than laying on your back facing the ocean, listening to soft music from your iPod 
speakers as the

wind blows your hair in all directions. Yaa salaam ….

I could sit here all day. Enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer.

My parents sat under a nearby umbrella listening to their own music, while the guys went jet skiing. 79a and I finally had some relaxing time.

We haven’t had much of that lately.

I was about to close my eyes under the warmth of the sun, when a tall shadow blocked my sun. I opened my eyes to find Mayed looking 
down at us.

"Who wants to go jet skiing?"

"ANA!" 79a jumped up without question. But then she turned around and faced me with a pleading look on her face. I smiled and gestured 
for her to

go ahead. Besides, I wanted more relaxing time.

I lay back down and watched the peaceful ocean.

Not so peaceful when your brother and his friends are jet skiing like maniacs. Ba3'6 el nass were trying to show off some of their skills, 
however I couldn’t

help but be impressed.

I was enjoying the sound of the waves, when I was interrupted by a loud piercing scream. From past experiences, I was positive it came from 
79a.

I immediately got up to witness 79a flying out of her brother's jet ski and splashing several meters away into the water. I raced down until I was

knee-deep in water. I watched Mayed as he dived in behind her, and pulled her out from under water. Rashid then drove his jet-ski towards 
them

and extended his arm to pull 79a up. Coughing insanely, 79a grabbed Rashid's hand, as he pulled her onto the seat behind him.

I could read his lips:

"HOLD ON!" He said, as she put her arms around his waist.

Rashid drove her over to me, and carried her to the beach.

I kneeled down beside her.

"79A! BREATHE! SAY SOMETHING! 79AA!!" I screamed into her face. Her hair was dripping wet. Her clothes were soaked, and she was 
shivering.

"I'm fine, yal '3abeya!" 79a said jokingly as she put her hands over ears. I looked over at Rashid, who apparently was still sitting there, as he
chuckled

at me. I tried to maintain a straight face, but I couldn't help but giggle quietly.

"79AA!!" My mother's high pitched shriek was suddenly heard. Her and my dad came running towards us looking extremely worried. My mom

continuously kept asking if she was alright, and 79a kept assuring her she was fine.

"Mayed a7san twady el banat back to the hotel. We don't want any more accidents." My dad ordered.

LAAAAA! I don’t want to leave the beach!

"Laa 5ali wallah 3adi, ma7s ib alam at all." 79a tried to convince him.

"Laa laa 79a a7san you go back and rest." He's so paranoid! So 79a el '3beya flew off the jet-ski so what? Okay that’s a bit selfish, but 9dg!

"Yallah 79a, Noora, lets go." Mayed started picking up his things when... 

"Mayed ana agdar awadeehm eetha tba itm, I don’t mind." Rashid suddenly spoke. 79a and I both widened our eyes and turned to face him.

He was serious!

"Laa 3adi ya5i stay here and have fun with Man9oor." Mayed smiled and continued to gather our things.

"Laa laa I insist!" Rashid demanded.

Then Mayed gave him an awkward look that said: Shu mshkeltk?!

Rashid turned slightly red, and turned away. 79a and I tried EXTREMELY hard to hold our laughs.

The car ride was EXTREMELY quiet. 79a and I sat firmly in the back seat as Mayed drove us back to the hotel. No radio, no open windows or
sunroof.

My eyes wandered around the car, from out the window to the rearview mirror. That’s when I noticed a pair of dark, dark eyes peering at me 
through it.

I stared back at the reflection, but the eyes remained positioned staring directly into mine. I was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable and a 
little scared.

I kept looking away for a few seconds but every time I looked back, the eyes were still focused on me.

Was this guy driving or what? Shouldn’t his eyes be on the road?!

I was hoping 79a would notice the awkwardness but she didn’t at all. She was about to fall asleep in the car when Mayed announced our 
arrival.

He opened the back door for us to help carry the bags, as he kept giving me the same unreadable look. I remained expressionless as I carried
my stuff up to our room.

I pulled out my key card as 79a and Mayed stood behind me. The thought of them watching me, as I struggled to unlock the door, made me
even more nervous. 

"YALLAAH!" 79a impatiently yelled.

The green light finally flashed as 79a pushed me out of the doorway and ran inside and plopped on her bed. In a second, she was dozed off.

I put down the bags, and was about to step into the bathroom when I noticed Mayed still standing in the doorway, with the same mysterious 
look on his face. I started to feel even more scared considering 79a fell asleep and left me alone with him.

"I need to talk to you." He said in a serious tone, as he walked into the room, and shut the door behind him.