Enemy (Part 23)

Sorry for the short chapter, I'm in a bit of a rush!


Enjoy!
This chapter goes out to S!
***


His words left me tumbling over -figuratively, punching at my stomach and fueling my innards. He knew exactly what to do to throw me over, and he succeeded.
However, I had the next move, and I already felt triumphant about it.


Is it possible if we took this discussion to e-mails? My eyes are starting to sting staring at a four by three phone screen. 
As for your opinion on my cousin, it's your opinion, even though I disagree. 


I couldn't possibly ask for Badriya's phone to talk to Majid, could I? 
The man took a while to reply back, and I guessed it was because he was driving.


Yes of course.
Thank you for being so understanding, I would say unlike May, but you know, respect?
Bless your tired eyes, email me at this address below. 


I copied the email address onto my phone and deleted the messages from Badriya's. She didn't need to know any further messages. 


I emailed him from my old email, which indicated nothing of my identity. It wasn't too teenage-ish either.
Ocean39. Perfect. I changed my name from "Dreamer" to "Badriya" and composed a message to him. I was glad I took a while, I did not want to seem too "desperate".


Well if this isn't much better. Bless fifteen inches of pixels. 
We were saying?


I was still using my phone...


"Mayoon ta3alay sa3deenna nsheel iljna6! Il9bayyan yan6iroonna bara!" Shaikha yelled while hurling her bulky suitcase.


"Inzain kani al7een yaya." I yelled back, making sure my phone was placed securely in my back pocket. Thoughts circled my head; I did know what I was doing, but I felt a bit bad about what I intended to do. Yet he deserved it, so I had absolutely nothing to be sorry about. 


Reem was standing at the corner of the bed trying to lift her eye-blinding pink suitcase off of her bed. 
"Reem lo jan6itich moo fa83a hal kithr chan sa3adtich." I teased. She successfully pushed it off the bed and began to roll it outside the room in the hallway.


I checked my phone for a new email, but I received none. I secretly hoped it wouldn't turn into one of my unhealthy obsessions, checking on my phone for ridiculous emails. My suitcase was sitting unzipped on my bed, and I tried zipping it for the last time -success.


I felt the phone vibrate in my back pocket so I whipped it out, and yes, it was a new email from him. 


We were talking about your cousin, but anyway that is over. :) 
Remind me, what is your occupation? You know mine, of course. 


What really annoyed me was the fact he didn't type in Arabic or at least m3arrab; typical Majid. He just loved showing off. 


Yes I do. :)
I work as a pharmacist. 


The email was saved as draft. I wasn't lying, Badriya really was a pharmacist. I actually was lying about my own identity, but hey we both seemed to enjoy it. I enjoyed his gullibility, something I had always thought he truly lacked. I guessed not. 


I dragged my heavy bag outside the room and made sure I did not leave anything behind, especially my toothbrush since I always forget it. My muscles were straining already, I needed to get in shape badly. My cousins were in the car with a driver while my male cousins were in the car in front of ours. I decided to send him the email; the timing seemed appropriate. 


Strangely enough he replied almost immediately, he must've arrived at wherever he intended to go. 


That actually doesn't suit you, not in a bad way of course. I imagined you to be one of those businesswomen who spent their college days getting tans and makeovers instead of studying their eyes out. I'm not exactly a judgmental person, but I just imagined you to be so. My apologies, you truly proved me wrong. 
I'm actually impressed. 


I didn't know why I was offended at first; he wasn't talking about me to begin with. I replied to his email.


Well I have to admit I was a bit offended by the few first sentences, but I don't think I am anymore. I actually imagined you to be a daddy's boy, getting everything the way you want because of your various private relationships, what's the word? Ah, nepotism.
But then I realized you actually work for yourself, and I'm actually impressed. 


I pressed on Send, I had trouble writing discreetly since Shaikha and I were rubbing shoulders, and thankfully Badriya was next to Shaikha and not next to me. Save. 


"Khanmur McDonald's! Abi fries!" Reem nagged. Reem and her obsession with fries...
"La2 mi7na mareen bn3a6lhum!" I pointed at my two cousins in the car ahead of ours. Reem sat back and returned to her phone in annoyance. Mine vibrated against my lap. One new email.


That is actually what everybody thinks. And it's also one of the many many reasons I'm leaving. I'm just sick of assumptions, judgements and what I represent in some people's minds. I'm thankful you came to your right realization, Badriya, do you mind if I called you B? It's much shorter this way. 
Anyway, I better get back to finalizing my packing. I'm not so sure I'd like to come back to fetch a thing or two. 


I would too be annoyed if I were him, which is why I was thankful I got my job from my own sweat and blood. I wouldn't be enjoying a job I was insured, it was never that exciting. 


 Sorry for keeping you behind, if I actually am the cause? 
Yes, you can call me B, however I feel like it stands for that word...
And don't forget your toothbrush, I always seem to forget that for some reason.


Shaikha rested her head on my shoulder, and of course I panicked so I tossed my phone in my bag not so elegantly. 


"Shfeech khtara3tay?" a chuckling Shaikha asked while lifting her head slowly from my shoulder.
"Khara3teeni!" I replied, fixing my eyes on the road.
"Gal3a." she said and went back to her previous position. Great, I couldn't read his texts anymore.


The wait for Shaikha to get her head off my shoulder was agonizing, and out of impatience my fingers dug in the leather couch of the seat. I contemplated fidgeting a lot to get her to rest on Badriya's shoulder, but then I felt bad...


"Wai May 3'6am, la w ili yami ba3ad maku yild," Shaikha complained while rubbing the left side of her neck. "Agool Badoor badlay ma3a Reem, hathi muree7a." 


"Hey shaifatni bgara shmitni?" Reem retorted defensively. 
"Uff..." Shaikha huffed. 


I grabbed the opportunity to check on my email, so I pulled the phone out of my bag with fast motion. Not one but two new emails came from Majid. 


My finger pressed on the first email.


I would say no, but then I would be lying...but it's alright; I'm close to being done. ;) 
And a toothbrush? That's so rare to find abroad. 


I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm, okay I had to admit, it made me chuckle a bit. Chuckle and not laugh. 
My finger pressed on the second email.


Oh and darling B, what has that word you have in mind got to do with anything? Honestly thought you're a very surprising person...


Just wait till you know who's actually emailing you...I wanted to type. 


Hmm I think you're a more surprising person than I am. There are many things I sense you are hiding. Should I keep poking till I know each "secret" one by one? 


I pressed on send and rested my head on the window instead of Shaikha's shoulder, which was pretty tiny. We were in the city, meaning I'd be dropped off home in no time. My phone vibrated next to my hip, which nearly made me jump in shock. Talk about surprises...


Yes that's actually true. 
Ask me whatever you want, and I'll answer wholeheartedly. 
Go. ;)

Enemy (Part 22)

Sorry if the last post was confusing! I hope my replies cleared it up.
I promise not repeat that again, haha.


Dedicated to Haya (Cuteinblack), sorry about your arms :P.


Enjoy!
***




Badriya had been texting Majid...
She undoubtedly had gotten the number from my phone when we were outside. It was nice of her to forgive him, but the way she did it was weird.


My eyes darted towards the glass door on the right side of the living room vigilantly while awaiting Badriya's entrance. One second, two seconds, no sign of her. 


I moved away from the kitchen counter with my bottle of ice water, and walked up to my room to fix my suitcase. 
I peered through the glass window of ours, facing Majid's room. The silhouette was gone; Majid was gone. 
I pulled out my remaining clothes from my closet and stuffed them all in my bag; I then pulled off the bedsheets from my bed and squeezed them inside the bag as well, but it was too bulky that the zipper wouldn't move. I was so frustrated that I tried sitting on the bag to close it, but it won't even bulge, I tried folding the sheets but no luck. Fresh tears spilled from my eyes in aggravation. 


Of course the tears weren't because of the bag. I was just so confused about everything that I didn't know how to feel -let alone how to think. 


I took in a deep breath and wiped the tears off my cheeks and the corners of my eyes. How weak was I to fall in such a trap? I was supposed to be happy that Majid was gone for good. These weren't tears of joy at all...


I left my suitcase unzipped and checked my face in the mirror. My small nose was red, great. I ignored it and would blame it on the sun if someone asked. I took in one last breath and went to the living room downstairs. 


Badriya sat with her legs crossed on the couch, and her phone was glued to her palm as she texted some more. I desperately wanted to peek at her screen and see if her little Majid conversation was over yet. There was no point in hiding it from her, so I might as well confront her with it.


"Badriya bakalmich ib shay." I told her as I sat next to her on the couch. I wondered how many times I'd told her that sentence today.
"Inzain?" she asked, dropping her phone next to her. 
I let out a puff of air and cleared my throat, "Okay shoofay, umm lama ga3adt mn ilnom tawa chayakt talifoni wala ashoof messages moo ana ili katbat'hum wala 6ala3 mobilich. Tara wallah sorry kilish ma kan qa9di agra." I spilled.


I could sense her stiffen up. 
"La 3adi." she said, the corners of her lips curved into a small smile, barely enough to be called a smile. I wondered how she'd react if I continued.


"Oo ilmessage ili shifta kan bainich oo bain Majid." I confessed.
Her mouth this time was shaped in a small O. "Umm..." she began, obviously having trouble explaining.
"Okay hatha baini oo bainich. Shr7ay." I told her solemnly.


This time she was the one who took a deep breath.
"Bas ra7 t3a9been." she confessed, her eyes did not meet mine, but focused on the floor instead. 
"Laa mani m3a9ba." I affirmed. Badriya was making me nervous, and I just had to know what those messages were. 


"Okay umm lama rawaiteeni ilmessage glt lazm akamla. Fa lama khalaitay mobilich 3indi gdart akamla. Ba3dain 7asait b thanb ini garaita oo thanb akbar mn Majid, 7asait inna ana sibab kilshay. Fa khathait ilra8m minich 3ashan agoolla inni msam7ita. Wallah sorry lo b2eedi chan ma sawaita, bas magidart amsk nafsi lama garait shinu kan katib 3anni." 
Badriya ended her speech with a deep breath of relief, and a bite of her lip in guilt. 


"La maykhalif, wa7da b wa7da," I joked, easing her stressed temper. "Al7een rad 3alaich?" I asked.
She chewed on her lip this time, something was up. I extended my hand in front of her as she obligingly placed the phone on my palm as I read the continuation of the messages.


Text from Majid:
Badriya?


Badriya replied:
Yes.


Majid replied back:
Thank you for your apology acceptance, but how did you get my number?


To which Badriya replied:
I got it from May. I hope it doesn't bother you.


Well that was a lie...sort of.


Majid responded:
No it isn't, I just never thought you'd ever talk to me, let alone apologize for something I was guilty of. And sorry for the scare at the balcony. 
Are we really going to continue apologizing for the most ridiculous of things?


Yep, Majid was back.


Badriya:
No I think we're done here!:p 
Bye and enjoy your stay in umm I forgot the name. :S


The emoticons started to show, which meant she got used to him quickly...


Majid:
Nottingham, I don't see how that's hard to remember honestly.
And thank you. Is this the end of our conversation or do you have anything else to apologize for?


Ouch. He was being as cold as ice.


Badriya:
Laa khala9t:p 


Then it was the end of their conversation, nothing more, and nothing less. Majid was being cold towards her as he had been, still was, to me. Maybe that was the way he treated foreign women, or everyonein general, but there wasn't an excuse to be so impertinent and rude. 


I handed her the phone and spoke, "Ee tara hathi 6aree8ta fa latit'6ayigain, daiman i3amlni chithi oo arda." I informed her.
She looked at the floor ponderously, "Ugh inarfiz." she admitted. 
I laughed at her disappointment, "Ee, takhayilay lo i9eer mudeerich." 
"Chan mit, mashallah kubartay b 3aini!" she teased. 


I felt her regret and chagrin in the tone of her voice and the fallen contours of her face. She pretended to smile, but it wasn't from the heart. It was almost like she'd felt something for him, but of course, he ignored.

Badriya wasn't that type of girl at all. She did not support relationships before marriage no matter what. She didn't flaunt herself in front of men, but her unique beauty turned heads towards her, and she paid them no attention. 


Yet this time I felt something different coming from her, and I was guessing it was because she felt bad about making a man feel guilty. 


"Badriya shfeech?" I asked her seriously this time, her eyes again shifted to the floor.
"Umm mafeeni shay? Laish?" she ased.
"Shaklich mt'6aiga." 
She shook her head, "La2, bas matwaqqa3ta chithi kilish."
I read the messages again and had an idea.


"Tabeeni akamil 3alaihum?" I asked her.
"3ala shinu?" she asked.
"Ilmessages?" I said while waving her phone at her.
She flicked her hand at me, "Kamlay, bas shbtaktibeenla?" she asked.
"Ina lazm y7tirmich? Ya3ni ma9akhha maku a7ad ma haza2a."
Badriya shrugged and fixed her eyes on the TV screen.


I sat aback and wondered what I would write to him. Then it hit me.


Actually ma khala9t. And it's not my time to apologize it's yours, I don't like the way you're replying to me.


I tried showing it to Badriya but she glimpsed at the screen and shifted her eyes back at the television, so I sent it anyway. 
"6arashtla." I told her, but she didn't even flinch, I guessed she was bummed out. 


I waited for his reply anxiously and tapped my feet impatiently; I wondered what he'd reply. 


"May khala9 uhwa qaleel iladab mani ma36eeta wayh." Badriya suddenly spoke. 
"Mt2akda?" I told her.
She sighed and nodded. 


It was too late though, he already replied.


Too bad, because that's the way I am. I have nothing to apologize for. 


I showed Badriya the screen and this time she read it. 


"Tadreen shlon? Riday 3alaih, hatha moo mal ta7gireena." she told me.
I held in my smile and continued to type.


I thought you said you wanted to change in your message to May. That you're sick of being you?


Touche, May.


I again tapped my feet in patience. Or impatience. Badriya's phone vibrated.


Smart girl. I think I'm starting to like you, Badriya. So you have earned my apology. Happy?


It's May you idiot, I wanted to type.


Damn ecstatic. 


I typed that instead.
I wondered how he'd react if he found out it was me and not Badriya typing these messages.


Glad. 
You seem much different from your cousin, and trust me you want to be different than her. 


I wanted to slap him, but then I realized that he was the idiot who thought it was Badriya typing those messages.


Why? 


Reem and Shaikha popped out in the living room with smoothies they had made in the outer kitchen.


"Masawaitoolina?" Badriya asked.
"Imbala..." Shaikha said with a hint of uncertainty, her eyes focused on Reems' as if they were having some sort of intellectual conversation.


"Umm digeega khal nyeeblikumiya." Reem said, grabbing Shaikha by the arm.
Badriya's phone vibrated.


I don't mean to offend you, but May and I have really bad history together. May is basically a really rude and immature girl, let her tell you about that message she sent me back when I was her boss. She dissed me, and it cost her her job. Your cousin is selfish and very arrogant, sad to say over nothing. I would continue but I want to respect you. All in all, I do not like her at all, you can say I hate her, but hey she hates me back too. 
Sorry if any of this bothers you, but I'm just starting facts about your cousin.


His words did affect me and I would not like to lie. 
I realized he actually did hate me, more like loathe me, and it was just not fun and games. I did too, but then it had gotten fun. Or so I had thought.

Enemy (Part Twenty-One)

I don't know when I'll be updating Halfway Around the World. To be honest, I'm stuck in it. I thought giving myself a break from it is the right choice. Hmm...
Edit: I've edited the last part of the post as it was confusing, that's what I get for posting hastily. I hope this update cleared it up!


Enjoy!
***


My last message to Majid in my life was sent. 
The contents of it weren't as zealous as I'd thought it would've been. I had imagined the message to be filled with repugnance and hate, but it clearly wasn't. If one were to read it, he wouldn't expect a dark past that united Majid and I. No, not at all.

The man replied to the message, for yet one last time in his life. 


Can't believe this is either. 
I'm glad that was your last message, which means you can't reply to what I have to say below. 


Well played; it was dumb of me to hastily end my messages for good with him. I scrolled down the screen and continued to read. 


Yes, I will be traveling tonight, it's not a sham. Secondly, the reason I asked you about your cousin Badriya wasn't the stupid reason I'd told you, I can't believe you of all people actually accepted it. Your cousin doesn't know me. Coming to think of it what I had told you earlier was partially true. I did see her somewhere, and it wasn't pleasant. 


I saw her at an event in 9al7iya about four months ago. Her boy-short hair made her easy to remember, an easy target for the public eye, or mine anyway. Mind you, it wasn't my intention to look at her, but there was something about her that made me look at her without me actually looking. Complicated, but it happened. 


She caught me looking at her so she turned and walked away, not giving me the slightest attention. We began to part our ways in the event but then I found her again, and I tried to lose myself in the crowd yet I always keep ending up by her. As if fate was trying to tell me something.


His last message was long, but it was worth it being long. I was actually reading a story, a story that had happened between my cousin and someone I hated. I continued reading. 


And that was it for the rest of the night; it stopped right there. I never saw her again until I realized who she was. She acted like she did not recognize me, I didn't know if that was genuine or if she was trying to hide it all up. 
However I felt nothing about her. Come on, May, you know me. I was born heartless. The only person I almost felt something about was you. And that was it. 


I don't get why I am so apathetic, how careless I am of my own life, how I can't sense how angry I get at others. As for my parents, I don't think they even classify me as their son anymore, because of how mistreating and disgusting I'm getting.
That is making me sick, which is why I need to leave. 


I can't stand myself anymore. Your messages and e-mails made me realize how big of a monster I was. I realize, but I never seem to change. It's like I love what I've become. 


Sick, isn't it? Now you know my weak spot, but it's too late for you to use it.
I guess that's the last bit of my message. By the time you read this, I'll be gone. The chalet is all yours now, have fun.
Majid. 
PS: Tell Badriya I am sorry for the scare back at the event.


Then I rest the last sentence of the last message I was ever going to get from him; my enemy, my opponent.  


I will miss this, and who knows? 
I might even miss you. 




No, please no. I thought, I didn't want any sort of indirect affection, and not with him of all people.

It was hard taking it all in, him leaving, him hating himself, and of course his little Badriya incident. I couldn't believe how much he hid from me, well I could, but I didn't understand how I couldn't sense this. I couldn't decipher his last five words.


I walked up from the chair and looked around, I didn't hear a sound of a car, so he must still be there. 
"Badriya?" I called out, opening the door of the chalet.
"Hmm?" she replied reluctantly, twirling a spoon of chocolate ice-cream in her mouth.
"Umm ta3alay digeega." I told her, pointing for her to come outside. Her naturally thin eyebrows expressed her confusion as she got up from the couch and walked with a sleepy leg towards me. 


"Sfeech?" she asked, leaning on her good leg.
"Uhh bagoolich shay bas latikhtar3ain, okay?" I began to say, trying to phrase what I had just read in proper sentences.
"Okay?" she asked, her dark eyes pierced through mine in hopes of reading my mind.
"Tathkireen gabl arba3 tash'hir ilevent ili bl9al7iya?" I asked. 
She looked around trying to remember. Badriya wasn't exactly a person of good memory; I started to doubt if she'd remember Majid.
"Umm la, oh ee imbala. Laish?" she asked.
I took in a deep breath, "Matathkireen wa7id kan hnak?" I asked. My question did not make sense.
"May mistaw3iba inna su2alich mala ma3na, 9a7?" she asked.
"Ugh bas shoofay hal ma86a3." I said while shaking my head, pointing at the part where he spoke about Badriya.


She placed the phone on her pale palm and began to digest the words.
I interrupted the silence, "Al7een tathkireena?"
The girl bit her lip, "Umm, ee," she simply replied meekly. "La7'6a minu hatha?" she asked in confusion.
I pointed at the modern chalet nearby, "Majid." 
Her already-wide eyes widened up even more, "Hatha?"
"Ee. Oo tara umm yt2assaf 3ala ili 9ar. Bisafir illaila, atwaqa3 6ala3 mn ilshalaih." 
"Ohh. Ma a9adig ini ma3arafta." she said. 
"Ana badish." I told her, trying to end the awkwardness. 


I walked back inside the cool chalet, and joined my cousins in their movie, whatever it was. I grabbed a handful of hot, fresh popcorn from Reem's bucket. I realized that this was probably the last minute Majid and I would ever be at the same place again. Ever.


I checked my pockets for my phone but then I remembered I'd left it with Badriya, who still wasn't inside. 
Crap. I thought, what if she'd read the rest of the message then suspected that something had happened between Majid and I? 
I pounced up from the couch and walked hastily outside. Badriya was on her phone, thankfully and not mine. 
"Nisait mobiley 3indich." I told her with a chuckle. Her pale arm grabbed the phone beside her and handed it to me carefully.
"Mashkoora, mara7 itdisheen?" I asked.
"Ee al7een baddish." she replied with her eyes on her screen. 


I shrugged and walked back inside.
"May bassich it7ooseen!" Reem complained.
"Uff sorry!" I replied, plopping back down on the couch.  
Soon enough, as promised, Badriya joined us and sat down next to Shaikha. 


I got a message from Badriya.
May you okay? 


I replied to her.
Ee laish? 


I glanced at her, but she was busy texting me, supposedly.


Madri 7asaitich mt'6aiga. 
Question, latiz3ileen bas fee shay 9ayir bainkum?
Don't worry, I won't say. x


I was embarrassed to look at her for a second.


No. Maiwa6inni, oo 3ugub ili sawa feeni i9eer fee shay bainna? That would be stupid of me. 


I looked at her once again, but she didn't look back.


Aha, mbayyin shakla 7a8eer :p Yallah back to the movie! 


We both dropped our phones and continued to watch, or half-watch to me. 
I still couldn't believe I was free of Majid for good. I said that previously, but this was guaranteed, and I could sense this. 


However, I wanted to continue getting hurt by him, and I didn't know why. He was hard to please, and I was slaving away to ensure his pleasure. 
I guessed he wasn't the only sick person around, was he? 


My eyes started to get heavy, and the movie wasn't the least bit appealing. I rested my head on the pillow and closed my eyes for some escape. I hated over-thinking, and this was too much. 


*


"Yallah goomay uff! 9arlich sa3a w intay naima!" someone yelled in my ear.
"Shaikha wakhray al7een bagoom!" I told her. 
I heard three giggles, "Ana Reem yal thakiyya."
"Ugh shdarrani!" I complained. 
"Yallah goomay masawaitay jan6itich!" Shaikha pitched in while taking a huge bite out of an apple. 
"Inzain inzain lat7inoon!" I yelled out grumpily. I walked groggily to the kitchen counter and opened it up, my eyes squinted against the torturous refrigerator light. 


I grabbed a bottle of ice-cold water and opened it up, then checked the messages on my phone next to the counter. So much had happened while I was asleep. I opened on a conversation that had happened and read from the start.


I just wanted to tell you you're forgiven. I accidentally read that message of yours, I didn't mean to see it.
I'm sorry you feel that way about yourself, and I hope I wasn't the cause for it. 
Have a safe trip. 


That made no sense at all. Did I write this while I was asleep?
I continued to read. 


Who is this? 


That was from the other side. I was too sleepy to think about what was going on. I read further. My reply was:


The girl you'd seen back at the event. 


Was this even me? Wait my phone wasn't a Bold...


Badriya?


I hadn't placed my phone here. This wasn't my phone...


Yes.


I checked my back pocket, and pulled the thing in it out. 
My phone. 


This was Badriya's phone all along. The messages were written by Badriya, but was the other person really Majid?
What was going on? 

Enemy (Part 20)

I'm sorry for this short post, but I found the length of it to be appropriate with the contents. I thought if I added some more it would kill the "essence" of it. 
LOL it's not a targee3a, promise! 
Enjoy!
***


I was very close to replying to his message when another message from him cut me off.


Anyway, I'm leaving for good. I'm going to live in Nottingham for a couple of months, there's a big chance I might even stay there for the rest of my life, I hate it here. Too much info, it's not like you need it anyway. Traveling tonight at eight, that's surely a relief for us both, isn't it? 
It was fun un-chasing each other with our messages. Cat and mouse in reverse, huh? 
Aloofly yours, 
Majid. 


I unintentionally felt crestfallen at the sight of his message, I had fun with this little game of ours. The hate between us had gotten humorous and amusing. The game was over and no one actually won. 


I typed back to him, even though I wasn't supposed to, according to our agreement. 


You mean you'll be gone forever? 
That's...nice. 


I saw his silhouette through the glass of the room above me, he was walking around in a circular manner, just as he had at the balcony. 


Yes, wasn't that part of our deal anyway? 


He was right, I hadn't absorbed the fact that it was going to happen. Eight months without seeing him in Kuwait was a miracle; we both knew we had to see each other after all. But this was too much, it was chasing him across the globe. 


It is, I guess I never took it so seriously. They say nothing is forever, but I guess we'll try to make it happen. 
Have a great, long stay in Nottingham, wherever that is. 




The moving silhouette came to a halt before moving back again in circles. 


Me neither, reality is deceiving. 
Thank you, I hope you have a long stay here. 
And let's not coincidentally bump into each other, hmm? 
I won't be returning to Kuwait for another two years or so, so I guess that's cleared out. 


What about his family? What about his next step, wasn't he going to get married? He was almost running out of time, he was in the spitting distance of being thirty, if he wasn't thirty already. I lost track of time. 


Another two years? What about your family? 


It was nosey of me, but I was never going to see him again, according to him. And this time, it was official and for good. 
I bit my nails and sat down on the beach chair, I hadn't noticed that Badriya left while we were texting. I squinted while reading the message, the sun was glaring against the screen, but I clearly read the message. 
And even though I had nothing to do with it, it stung like hell. 


What family? :-)


 The man became a mystery to me, everything I had thought I knew about him was incorrect. I was interested in knowing what he meant, what happened between him and his family, and even in his job. After I had left, he ran the company like a madman; he was always yelling, always serious and never humorous at all. An ex-coworker told me he seemed to act twice his age with the management. His work became his life. 


I couldn't reply, what would I reply? 


"May, yallah bnshoof filim!" Reem yelled out from inside the chalet. 
"Uhh kani yaya." I replied. 


Sorry, didn't mean to pry. I have to go.
I can't believe this is the last message you'll ever get from me. Too good to be true, huh?
Bye forever.
May.

Enemy (Part 19)

Sorry for the short post!

Enjoy!

***

"Shsalfita hatha?" Reem asked as plopped down on the couch, her wet hair darkened the sofa behind her. 

"Madri." I lied. I checked my phone for any messages from him. Was this the start of a new obsession?

I did not like the man at all, he cost me my job, he cost me my tears, he cost me everything I'd lost. There was no reason for me to like him let alone love him. 

My phone buzzed, and it was from him.

Who's that girl with the boy-short hair? 

I looked at Badriya and studied her features, she sometimes reminded me of a fairy with her clear white skin, wide eyes, small brown nose and medium lips, not to mention her pixie cut. Emphasis on pixie. 

Why? 

I studied Badriya again, she glanced at her white blackberry and starting punching the buttons. 

Nothing. 

I rolled my eyes, his "nothing" was interesting, but I didn't want to reply. What was the point of not seeing each other but texting? 

"Baroo7 atsabba7, oo tara Majid ra7." I said. 

Badriya replied, "Shdarrach?" 

Great, how was I supposed to tell them? 

"Um, gali taw msa3." I said, hoping to sound convincing. 

I couldn't help myself, half of my brain said not to reply but the other half told me to. 

Seriously why?

I pulled out a wrinkled dress from my closet and tugged at it in hopes of straightening it out. Of course, that didn't work. 

My phone flashed. 

Tell me her first name and I'll tell you why. Just the first name. See how generous I am?

I let go of my dress, which fell on the floor -wouldn't make a difference anyway- and replied. 

Lama, now tell me why?

I waved a hand through my hair, and waited. 

Really May? 

Why did he have to be so damn smart?

Iff, Dalal, now why?

I hoped that was convincing. 

No it's not. I think it stars with a B?

How did he know?

Since you know her name, yallah gool.

My body was getting sticky from the oil I had added. 

I don't really, I just know it starts with a B, and there's no other name that starts with a B other than Badriya, am I right?

I thought of other names that started with me, why did it have to be so hard?

Yes, now why do you want to know? 

His next reply left me quite quizzical. 

I'd seen her once before, I never thought I'd see her again. 

What?

Okay? You know we're sort of defeating our not-seeing-each-other policy if we're going to text each other. 

I threw the phone on my bed again and finally took a shower, the gunk on my skin vanished with aching scrubs. Majid had replied while I was in the bathroom. 

True. 

I massed my hair up in a bun and sprinted downstairs to my girl cousins, my boy cousins finally came back from their adventure somewhere and headed upstairs. 

"Umm Badriya ta3alay sa3deeni ana'6if il6awlat ili bara please." I told her as I pushed the sliding glass door with all my strength.

"Okay." she said, grabbing her phone with her.

We wiped the tables next to the pool clean, I had to tell her about Majid but I had a hard time putting it into words.

"Uhh t3arfeen Majid?" I asked her. 

Her eyebrows formed a knot, "Majid?" she asked innocently.

"Ee illi shalaiha ihnee." I said, pointing at his chalet.

"Umm la2, bas ina kan mudeerich, laish?" she asked.

"La wala shay, 7asballi t3arfeena." I replied. She shrugged and continued wiping the tables.

I shivered from the cool wind despite the scorching sun, I needed to dry my hair. 

"Badish anashif sha3ri, aroo7 oo arid." I informed her, she nodded and texted. 

I sprinted upstairs and plugged in my black blowdryer, hastily drying my hair. 

I peeked out of the window. Majid was on his phone in the balcony, at the same time my phone buzzed.

I'm at the balcony. 

He started talking on his phone, his light gray shirt fiddled in the wind. He walked around in circles while talking, something I often do, and stopped once he saw Badriya and headed back inside. 

I finished drying my hair, which was half wet anyway and rejoined Badriya in the cleaning.

We wiped almost all the chairs and tables next to the pool, and we were exhausted.

"Ugh ta3abt!" she yelled out.

"Ana ba3ad, chan nadainahum!" I replied, pointing at my cousins inside the chalet. 

"Ee i7na khadai." she said, her side bangs fell against her eyes and she flicked them away from her eyes. Her features were unique, I could sort of understand what Majid meant. 

Next time text me when you're outside the house, unless of course you want to see me or something. 

I actually laughed at his text, wayid shayif 3umra. 

Don't let it get to your head. ;)

Badriya put her hands on her hips and walked back inside the chalet. 

Never. ;)

Enemy (Part 18)

Sorry for the short post! 


Enjoy!
***


"Akrah ili bagoola al7een, bas zain inni shtfich."


I couldn't believe what he was saying so I stopped in my tracks.


"Tadreen laish?" he asked, his silhouette framed by the steel fence.


"La2." I replied, hugging onto my towel, the water dripped from my hair to my face, then on the floor. Not to mention the fact that I was shivering intensely. 


"Akhaleech tfakreen fee." he replied slyly. The man turned away and disappeared from the fence, I stood in my place unknowingly. 


What did he mean by that? 
I did not want it to have a large affect on me so I just let it go. 


I walked up the stairs, his sentence still rang in my head.
I saw Majid after eight month of not seeing him, which were pretty heavenly. I did not miss him, I did not care about his existence. Nothing. 


I opened the door to my and Reem's room and barged in, Reem was sound asleep. As I had expected she did not inform me that she was going to sleep. Typical Reem.


I glanced through the window which faced the facade of Majid's modern chalet. The lights of the room in front of ours were on, which I guessed was his room for the night. 
My fingers searched the switch for the bathroom lights amidst the dark, they finally turned on as I stepped inside for a nice, long shower.


After what seemed like fourty-five minutes of my showering, I finally stepped out of the bathroom, not bothering to blow-dry my hair. I turned off the lamp beside my bed, resulting complete darkness in the room except for the light coming from the window. Soon enough Majid turned off his light too. The only illumination was from the moon, our common source of light.


I sighed as I said du3a'a ilnom and slowly drifted off sleep, my mind was too tired to think of anything, especially my Majid encounter. Honestly, I was grateful I did not think about it, because I did not want to think about it at all.


*


"May goomay!" I heard my girl cousins yell in my ears.
I groaned and stuffed my face in the pillow as they yanked the blankets off my body.


"Uff bas!" I shouted.
"May! Ma ra7 t9adgeen minu shfna!" Reem started to yell while bouncing.
"Adri, Majid." I replied with a sleepy voice.


My cousins gasped.
"Ubai shdarach?" Badriya asked in shock.
"L2ani shfta ams." I replied, I regretted telling them that, now they wouldn't leave me alone.
"Chathaba!" all three girls yelled in unison.
"Wallah, inzain please khalooni anam! Agoolikum kilshay itha khalaitooni anam." I told them, covering myself with the blanket they had yanked.


"Uff inzain bas latnameen wayid! 7adi abi a3arif!" Reem said again. I ignored her and tried to go back to sleep, they all thankfully left the room. 


I twisted and turned, the blanket tied a knot around my legs. It was clearly meant for me not to sleep, but I was too lazy to get up and too lazy to tell them what had happened at midnight. 


I glanced at the clock, it was nearly 1:00 in the afternoon and my stomach was grumbling. I had to get out of bed sometime. I counted to ten before hopping out of bed, shivering as the cold wind from the AC hit me.


I changed into jeans and a shirt hurriedly, I glanced at myself briefly in the mirror. My overnight wavy hair fell on my shoulders, my tan was visible, and it looked good. 


My legs sprinted downstairs as I saw my cousins outside tanning by the pool. 
I grabbed an apple and met them outside, "Ga3adt!"I announced.


"Yallah!" Badriya said excitedly, her skin was shiny from the tanning lotion.
I sat at the foot of her beach chair, my two other cousins stared at me intently, their eyes focused on mine, as if they wanted to relive what I'd seen.


I explained to them how we awkwardly met, what happened after we had met, and what he told me. 
Shaikha's lips formed an O and later melting into a smile, sad to say my other cousins did the same thing.


"Chathaba!" Reem yelled.
"Ushh la ysmi3ich!"I told her, looking around, but his lights were still off and there wasn't any sound coming from his chalet. 


"Kaifa! Ubai May 7ada '3areeb! Ma suwat 3alaina shalaihna yamma uff!" Badriya complained, her pixie-short hair shone in the sun. 


"Agoolich," Shaikha concurred. "Tanning?" she offered.
"Okay khanabadil." I replied, because I sure as hell wasn't going to tan in my jeans and half-sleeved t-shirt. 


I ran back up to my room and picked out my swimsuit along with my swimming shorts and half-sleeved rash guards from my closet then changed into them in the fastest speed of my life. Ever. I ran down again and got outside, Badriya handed me the tanning oil as I slathered it on my body, there weren't any men around us thankfully so we used our privacy privileges. 

Shaikha turned on her iPod and placed it on the speaker, filling our ears with her retro music taste. I took off my half-sleeved rash guards and stayed in my sleeveless one piece bathing suit, and actually one piece this time. 


We got ourselves ice-cold drinks from the fridge and continued tanning, we surely were going to turn into ashes by the end of the day. 


"Ubai!" Reem yelled out, she started screaming. I nearly spat out my drink.
"Shfeech?" I asked, Reem hurriedly wrapped herself with a towel as I glanced above me, covering my eyes with my hand. Majid was out in the balcony, dressed in only his swimming shorts, and he was looking at us weirdly...I guessed if Reem had shut up he would be inside right now. 


"Majid please dish dakhil." I told him while tugging on my rash guards. 
"Kani dash bas khara3atni hathi, 7asbali feekum shay." he complained. 
"La maku shay, hathi khtar3at minnik." I explained, he tried to muffle his laughter but he failed, his expression nearly made me laugh in front of him so I turned my back at him and started laughing softly. 


"Asif, kamlaw iltan malkum." he shouted out to my cousins, each girl bundled up in her towel as if they were in Antarctica or something.


Reem huffed and took off her towel once Majid stepped inside, "Waiii 8aleel iladab!" 
"Reem intay ili nabahtee." I pointed out.
"Gidar ishoofna, still!" she defended herself. Right. 


I poured myself some iced tea and lounged back on the pool chair. My fingers placed my earphones in my ears, the calm music entered as it swiftly played with my emotions and my thoughts. A funny thing music was, who knew such a thing could create such great impact?


Reem yanked my "wires of tranquility".
"Na3am!" I yelled out, my privacy was interrupted. 
"Bndish." Reem stated.
"Okay bal7agkum 3ugub shwaya." I told her. She nodded and stepped inside the chalet, I almost placed my earphones in my ears when Majid's voice interrupted the action. 


"Mita btrideen ilshalaih?" he asked from his balcony. I gasped and huddled the towel over my body, his eyes weren't on me however, he was looking straight at the water in front of his balcony.


"Umm madri laish?" I yelled out. He turned to check if I was decent,
"Bas ba3arf, khan6awil akthar mn thiman tashhr." he suggested.
 I wished.
"Okay bas shlon in3arif minu biyi?" I asked.


He paused for a moment as he started to think, "3indich ra8mi wala misa7tee?" he asked.
My eyebrows tied into a knot, "Msa7ta laish?" 
"Ikhthee oo ra7 agoolich mita bayi, oo intay 6arsheeli mita ra7 tiyeen," he said, leaning on the balcony railings, "n6arrish messages a7san mn la inshoof ba3a'6, 3adil?" he asked.
"Okay, good. Cham ra8mik?" I asked, switching to my notes on my iPod.
He told me his number which I saved. 
"Oo ham yt6aba8 hni itha tabeen, oo kh9oo9an 7ag hatheech 3ashan matkhtir3 minni. Ra7 as2lich mita agdar a6la3." he said, he licked his lips before continuing, "Oo atwaqqa3 hathi akher mara bnshoof ba3a'6, madri laish 7as. Yallah, good luck b 7ayatich, oo May?" 
I was so caught up with his words that I paused for three second second, "Huh?" 
He smiled."La tinsain ilmessages."
The man waved for one final time before heading back inside his room. 


I was relieved but at the same time, I was sort of sad. I loved that hate I had for him while he was around, it was...fun. 
Well at least I had his number now. 

Enemy (Part 17)

Sorry for the late post, I've had a really busy day!
Anonymous commenters I'd really love it if you left your initials or something so I can distinguish you from others!
Thank you so much, and your comments encourage me a lot! 


Enjoy!
***


Eight months later.


I plopped down on my bed right next to Reem's. 
I got a job about a week ago, after months of waiting and waiting. It wasn't as prestigious and as paying as my last job, but as long as that person was not there I was all for the job. 


Speaking of him, I hadn't seen him ever since we'd ran into each other in Maki. That was it. I got my stuff from the office without seeing him, and I was thankful. I was in heaven.


Reem and I wanted to celebrate my employment by going to the chalet. So it was just myself, Reem and two other girl cousins with their brothers who had absolutely nothing to do with us. At all.


I glanced at the clock next to me, it was 12:30 AM. A wild idea popped in my head, 
"Reem lich khilg tsbi7een?" I asked, my two other cousins, Sara and Badriya were in the other room asleep after a long day of swimming in the pool and walking by the beach next to the chalet. 


Reem was busy texting with her phone, so I had to repeat myself to her. Reem shook her head, her eyes, and most probably her mind, were focused on her phone.


I sighed and got up from my bed and opened my neon pink suitcase-yes, I was embarrassed to own this type of suitcase- and forcefully pulled out my one-piece swim suit, half-sleeved rash guards, and swimming shorts. 


I hurriedly changed in the bathroom before it got too late to swim. I slipped on my flip-flops and grabbed a towel from the cabinet next to the door. 
"Nadeeni lai kntay btnameen okay?" I asked her. She nodded with her eyes on the screen, I hoped she wouldn't forget. Shakilha btinsa. 


I ran downstairs and outside the chalet, and placed my towel on the chair next to out pool. It was hard trying to ignore Majid's chalet in front of ours, it was separated by a modern steel wall that had some slots in it, sort of revealing the other side. 


The lights of the chalet were off, and I was thankful. I looked around for the 7aris or any person but it was safe. The walls covered me from anyone on the streets, but there weren't any walls covering me from anyone on the beach. And no one was there anyway. 


I decided to stay in my white one-piece bathing suit, there was not a single soul around. I placed my shorts and rash-guard on top of my towel and bundled my light brown hair in a fat bun. I dipped my toes in the pool, it was at a perfect temperature. 


This time, I sat at the edge of the pool and pushed myself inside, the water greeted my body. My skin shuddered at the coldness of the water from the openings in my bathing suit; a swirl showing off the left side of my stomach, and an opening at the back. 


I dipped my head inside, the water brushed against my face and my hair, teasing it playfully. My arms circled the water, creating small ripples against the surface, reflecting the brightness of the mysterious white moon above me. 


My breath was steady at the sound of my heartbeats thumping in my ears beneath the water. I popped my head out of the water and wiped the excess off my eyes, and took in a deep breaths of air as the night breeze brushed my hair and tingled my skin. 


I pushed myself out of the water and sat on the edge of the pool, taking a break. The sounds of disturbed water were still in my ears despite the current calmness of the pool.


Strange...


It certainly wasn't the sea as it was a bit far from us, but this sound was more audible, more clear, it sounded like it belonged to...the chalet next to us. 


I gasped and got up from the edge. I wasn't sure if there was anyone in the chalet in front of us, as the lights weren't on. But someone was using the pool, either Majid or one of his cousins who frequently came to the chalet. 


I walked up next to the fence separating us and peeked through the slots of the fence, I saw someone's head, but his facial features were blocked. 


The mysterious person cleared his throat. "Umm mayohich ibyain." the voice said out loud.
I gasped and quickly hid next to the fence without the slots, my face turned red. This was awkward.


"Asfa khtara3t, 7asbali maku a7ad." I said outloud, my back was pressed against the cold metal, I nearly shrieked when my semi-bared stomach touched the fence.
I heard that person scoff, I rolled my eyes, could that person get more obnoxious? 


The sounds of splashing water decreased at the water became still, I concluded that that person was not in the pool anymore. I was stuck, if I moved to cover myself he'd see me again through the slots. 


"Umm aroo7?" I yelled out, it was so awkward.
"Troo7een wain?" that voice called out.
"Baroo7 akhith foo6ti, akhaf tshoofni." I replied. Boy was I screwed.
"Khala9 3ugub shnu? Shftich oo khalla9t." 


I seriously wanted to slap him. 


"Min 9iji, latshoof." I replied back a bit more stern.
"Fee bint tisba7 broo7ha hal 7azza?" the voice spoke again.
"Shrayik tkhali rayik 7ag nafsik oo tkhaleeni a6oof?" I said, I was fed up. 
"Ashoofich 9aira jaree2a 3ugub ilmessajat." 


I knew it. I absolutely knew it.


I scoffed at him, "Tuwaqqa3t." I said. 
I heard his voice a bit away from the fence, as if he was pulling on a shirt, "Shkithir 6awalna? Sina?" 
"Thiman tashhur." I corrected, my back still pressed against the wall.
"3adat'hum ba3ad." 
"Accountant, shtabi ba3ad?" I retorted, I heard him roar with laughter. I rolled my eyes and walked, ma 3alay minna. Scratch walk, more like ran. I wrapped myself with a towel and pulled on my shorts.


"Lail7een agdar ashoofich." Majid commented.
"Majid. 9eer rayyal oo '3a6 3yoonik." I said, my loathe for this man was still there and going strong.
He roared with laughter again. 
"May garbay 3indi." he ordered, a tone of humor tingled his voice. 
I was pretty much decent so I walked up to him, I knew he wouldn't leave me alone.


I stood in front of the man I hadn't seen in months. The fence blocked out parts of his face, his eyes however was still as strong as ever, his thick eyelashes were wet from the water, his lips were moistened. His wet hair was pulled away neatly from his face.
I hated him. 


"Shinu?" I asked stubbornly, trying to break away from his mystifying gaze. He was good.
He broke into a devilish smile, his teeth flashed despite the darkness of the night. 
"Mahagaitich tsmi3een kalami." he said, his smile bigger and bigger.
I rolled my eyes, "7asbali 3indik salfa." 
He roared with laughter for the third time this night. 


"May?" he asked more seriously this time.
"Na3am Majid?" I said, obviously fed up.


"Akrah ili bagoola al7een, bas zain inni shtfich."