Nothing Is As It Seems 22

Eidkm embarak, hatha 3idity 7agkm :) Enjoy

Part 22

Vacation was over and she had to go back to work. Fatima went back home after a very long day of work. Her boss was just a horrid person to deal with and deal with the whole day. She reminded her a lot of fatima's own mother which she hated the most. She walked through the nostalgic pathway and then let herself in. She got seated and had her fun with hind until their mother came in with plenty of shopping bags.

Fatima: you've got a lot of shopping bags

Mom: well I have to be prepared (she glanced over to Fatima and saw her dazed trying to remember whatever her mother was talking about) do not tell me that you forget

Fatima: oh you mean that big thing you host every year

Mom: its not just a big thing that I host, its a thank you gathering for the senior partners and investors in the company

Fatima: you sure care a lot for your company (she said in an arrogant tone)

Mom: what was that?

Fatima: nothing

Mom: as I was saying, you have to show up and not make me look bad and so does your sister

Fatima: (rolled her eyes) wait hind will go to this?

Mom: yes I told you that she was going, do you have any idea how hard it is to shop for little kids, its just tiring, the migraine I have right now is immeasurable

Fatima: she could have just worn whatever

Mom: that will not be the case, specially since she is fat so I'm guessing this dress will be good, but she still has to lose those baby fats

Fatima: god damn it mother, she is 3

Mom: she gets it from your father, that man never did anything right for me

Fatima: we are leaving, good bye mother

She picked up hind and went out the door. Just another day at home. 

Mom: good idea so I could prepare for this whole thing in peace, don't forget to bring a date, I don't want you to look like an old celibate

This was actually a normal conversation between her and her mother. Exactly what Fatima needed a ball that brought all judgmental people together including her own mother. What made it worse is that she had to ask out someone and she couldn't think of anybody but Bader specially after their 2 sided of what seemed like a confession. She couldn't get him out of her head since the kiss that occurred earlier today and now she had to ask him out. 
As much as she tried not thinking about it it didn't work. She kept thinking of it the rest of night. 

Like wise Bader laid in his bed thinking of nothing but the kiss. Fatima managed to get into his head and he liked it that way. He wanted to see her but he forced himself to not push it and wait till it was the perfect time. As he was about to close him eyes he got a text from no else but her.

From fatima:

What are you doing tomorrow for breakfast?

To Fatima:

Having breakfast with you

Just like that she got her answer. She just hoped that it would be easy to ask of him such a thing. 

...

It was bright and early, a refreshing day for everyone except for shaikha. It was their annual family reunion party and there was no way in hell her mom would forgive her in she skipped it, since she already skipped it 3 pervious consecutive years. All the excuses she has already used, any excuse you can imagine she already have thought of. Even Fatima's family was invited to such things but fatima knew better not to go due to fatima’s parent’s separation they haven’t gone there for some time which gives the best excuse of all time. 

A party meant that all the family have to attend including friends. So it was many faces that you don’t see for a LONG time. Shaikha’s mom won’t forgive if she skipped it. Who would want to attend these things when you have family issues? Especially aunts that stick their noses into something they have nothing to do with.

Shaikha got dressed and was ready heading out the door with a heavy heart.

Shaikha:'I hope, especially after London, now she thinks that im engaged to that idiot 7sain, god even when I don’t see him he gets on my nerves!'

Shaikha sighed to all of it. She knew deep down it will all blow over and she would end up embarrassed.

Nothing Is As It Seems 21

Part 21

Everything was back to normal as they landed back in Dubai. Nothing changed as they walked through a familiar hall. The girls walked out first with the guys following them. First thing is first, the luggage. Shaikha went looking for hers when 7sain came with both their bags. 

7sain: they were together (he was lying but shaikha didn't know)

Shaikha: 'this trip sure made him nicer'

Bader on the other hand was looking for his when he saw fatima yanking hers out and placing it on the trolley. He sure was impressed on how strong she was. 

Shaikha: kumar is here (the company drive), I'm going to the office first, fatima want a ride

7sain: bait'ha shway b3eed 5al'h bader eywa9elha

Dropping favors for his friend. He just wished that he wouldn't waste his favor away. Fatima looked at bader waiting for him to say something and not intrude. 

Bader: baitkm fidarb

Exactly what fatima needed to hear bader being forced to drop her off or is that just what she thought?

Fatima: sure

Shaikha was used riding with 7sain it was part of the job actually. But this time it was different. He was a little nicer in London but started to act cocky all over again. She just assumed it was 7sain being himself.

In another car ride...

Fatima: you don't have to go to the office?

Bader: I'm on vacation from work

Fatima: for how long?

Bader: a month

The time flew by with small talk and they finally reached fatima's house. Bader went out of the car which surprised fatima. She thought he was here just to drop her off.

Fatima: aroom ashl'h

Bader: thgeel eshway

He waited for her to open her door and placed the bad inside the house

Fatima: what a genltman (she teased)

Bader: fa6m'h ana maroom afaker fi shay '3airch (he blurted out)

Her eyes widen trying her best to believe what he just said was reality. He waited for her reply but she said nothing so he leaned in to kiss her and got his reply when she kissed him back.

Nothing Is As It Seems 20

Part 20

The next morning Shaikha was up and early as usual but not as clear minded as she always was. She has opened up to 7sain and it is not something she saw herself to ever do. The fact that 7sain wasn't up and ready for their next meeting made her forget that he consoled her for the whole night and dozed of on her lap for the whole evening. She ran out in the middle of the night to avoid whatever remark he had to say. 

She waited for an hour and 7sain still wasn't at the lobby so she decided to take matters into her own hands. She swiped the key card and let herself in with a curious expression. 

7sain on the other hand was taking his time. He knew she would come eventually so what was the harm in taking his time. 

Shaikha: get dressed now

She screamed without bothering to check if he was dressed or not. 

7sain: already screaming I see, good to see you all better

He spoke from the toilet

Shaikha: you weren't picking your phone so I assumed that you were sleeping

The view from 7sain's room was incredible. Shaikha took a few minutes looking at the view admiring it. But it didn't last long. She suddenly felt herself loosing balance. She closed her eyes tight and got closer to the nearest thing beside her which at that moment was 7sain. Right out of the shower just in a towel. 

Shaikha: you know I hate heights

She manages to say with her eyes still closed close to 7sain bare chest while he stared down at her not knowing what to do. Was it his intention to slightly shove her like that and try his luck?

He said nothing but stare at her with a spark in his eye while she had her body stuck on his with her eyes closed. She slowly looked up at him trying not to meet his gaze but failed miserably. 7sain's phone rang interrupting their moment leaving them both disappointed. 

...

The alarm went off exactly the same time it did yesterday that was because fatima timed it exactly the same as yesterday hoping to bump into a certain someone. She got ready and was eager to get out of the room. She fell in line and waited for her turn. 

In another hotel room Bader woke up to the sound of the alarm realizing he was 30 minuted later than yesterday. So he got dressed as fast as he could then went downstairs to see what the hotel restaurant had to serve and he wished that it wasn't just breakfast.

Impatiently waiting in line Fatima looked around trying to spot someone she had in mind for quite some time now but wasn't in her sight. To her disapointment the hostess lead her to a table for one. She placed her things at the table and went into the buffet to see what they had to offer. She was already not in the mood and the cover failed to open so she had to use her strength. 

Bader: mn 9baa7 allah 5air dfasha?

Boy was she glad to see him 

Fatima: a girls gotta eat

They grabbed some food and talked while at it

Bader: wain yalsa?

She pointed at her table while was beside some guys table. So bader just had to take some action. So he called out for the waitress

Bader: excuse me miss, we wont be needing that table and please set this one for 2, thank you

Bader: so aren't you going to take a seat? (he watched her while seated)

Fatima just did as she was told. She was glad yet confused at his sudden move. Was she suppose to think of it more than what it seemed like? The day went by with the both of them getting closer.

... 

2 weeks went by and the vacation was over for all 4. They had to go back to their usual routines and reality. It was a usual hot summer in London as fatima went out of the cab with shaikha, bader and 7sain right behind her. She extended her arm to get her bag out of the truck when bader beat her to it and grabbed both their bags. Him being a gentleman she didn't put much thought into it. Since he did open doors for piratically everyone. "Why would I be any different?" is what she thought. With bader pulling both bags they walked side by side. 

Shaikha on the other hand was devastated to go back home and leave London behind. The moment she started enjoying her vacation reality had to set in. She was already on her way home to being lonely and taking in all the horrible talk of woman about her personal life choices. Here comes the bridal magazines and showers. What she didn't pay attention to was 7sain looking at her with curious eyes. He knew exactly what was bothering her. After passing by immigration they took a seat at the VIP lounge waiting for the flight call. 

7sain: eklii hatha mafeena tetdawe5ain 3alaina (he threw a sandwich and a bottle of orange juice to her, he knew what she liked)

Shaikha: thanks

As he took his seat he immediately plugged in his earphones fearing that they would end up sharing one of their moments. He stole glaces towards her making sure she ate something hating how she starved herself whenever she was bothered with something. Likewise Bader took out his ipad and got into reading some emails and pretending not to give a damn to the person seated right next to him. For close friends they sure had something is common. The 2 being girls they talked the time away. 

Without knowing it time flew by and they were already on the plane waiting for take off. Vacation has ended and reality has set. Lets see what reality has in set for them.

Nothing Is As It Seems 19

Part 19

7sain: ana 5a6eebha? sha7lch 5alti trying to be polite as ever)

The look on heyam and Ahmed's faces was priceless.

Heyam: ohh esm7oolii ma3rft, latensoon te3zmoonii fi 3rskm, yallah meshaina Ahmed

She was sure embarrassed. That explained why she was rushing to get out of there.

Shaikha not knowing what just happened she just stood there watching 7sain tell lies and more lies.

Shaikha: what the hell just happened?

7sain: you thank me later, since you couldn't say or do anything so I did

They walked to their rooms side by side. All of it made shaikha regret her decisions even more of rejecting the men that proposed to her. She hated how that woman made her feel every time she saw her. She stood in front of her hotel door with the key in her hand and 7sain standing right beside her watching do nothing but stand like a statue. A hot tear fell on her cheeks she immediately reached for it and whipped it away. She was never week and she wasn't going to be weak right now. specially not in front of 7sain.

7sain: you know its ok to cry

Shaikha: there is nothing to cry about

7sain: that is why you immediately whipped your tears away

Shaikha: 7sain I hate that woman, the way she speaks to me and they way she looks at me (tears started to form in her eyes)

7sain got her room key from her hand and dragged her into the room and sat with her on the couch while she cried her heart out. What seemed like a long time they finally dozed off side by side.

...

A smile couldn't get off fatima's face. Without noticing she was smiling the whole. All that just because of breakfast. The way he jumbled her thoughts was just unbelievable.  What made it worse is that they somehow planned on checking the places beside the hotel. 'It wasn't a date' was what fatima tried telling herself. They just have nothing else to do. She sent a message to shaikha telling her that she was leaving the hotel for awhile. Standing in front of her luggage, she wondered if she packed any thing suitable for this evening. But to her disapointment she wasn't pleased with anything she got. After what seemed like a very long time of thinking she finally decided and she was ready to go on her "outing".

Bader sprayed some perfume and was ready to go and knock on fatima's door. He wished she wasn't wearing anything revealing or else he would loose his mind. Fatima came out wearing a navy blouse and leggings. He cursed under his breath when he saw her collar bones tempting him. 

They walked side by side somehow the conversation flowed between them. 

Fatima: what to do, its not like I can not dream about it

Bader: well dreaming about walking around a mall without shoes on is hard not to think about before you go to sleep

Fatima: I'm not sharing anything with you next time

Bade let out a cute chuckle that made fatima go crazy. Instead of looking around they just walked side by side talking. Until they reached a small restaurant at the side and decided to have dinner. As they were going in a woman in her early twenties was coming out. Bader being a gentleman that he is opened the door for her while she walked out. She thanked him with a sexy smile that meant nothing else than she found him hot. 

It was hard for fatima not to feel sad. She tried hiding it in but failed. Was it her right to be jealous?

Nothing Is As It Seems 18

Part 18

Hostess: table for 2?

Bader: yes table for 2 please

Bader: I hope you dont mind, fi zahma eshway o 3ashan en5ale9 eber3a

Fatima: yeah sure

Fatima was dissapointed at what he said but was it the truth?

Bader: 'kaif basta7mal yalis wiyaha 7ag sa3a?'

The got seated in front of each other with the exact same thought in their heads. If it was any other person bader would be a gentleman probably even pull the chair out for them but when it came to fatima he just couldnt think straight. 

...

The conference could not possibly take any longer. Finally it was over and a bunch of suits came out the hall with tired expressions in their faces.

7sain: 7asha, rasi nga3!

Shaikha: thank god its over

They started to walk when shaikha bumped into someone she wished she never saw. There stood a woman in her late 40's with sharp eyes which directly look into your soul and know all of your faults. Her over priced shaila hanging on her head, she placed her hand on her chest when she recognized shaikha

Heyam: ohh shaikha, sh7alch?

Shaikha: el7emdillah, sh7alch 5alo?

Heyam: el7emdillah, sho etsaween ehnii? 

Shaikha: umm 7ag eldawaam (those words came out of her mouth as if she was throwing up)

Let's talk about this heyam lady for a bit. Well as you can tell she is someone Shaikha doesn't like. A few years ago Heyam's son Ahmed asked for Shaikha's hand in marriage. Shaikha's only condition was to work while she was married but unfortunately Ahmed and his mother didn't accept that condition and they ended the agreement between them. What made it worse for Shaikha was that Heyam was kind of family. Somehow both families knew each other. So ever since Heyam would remind her on how she passed a good opportunity in marrying her son.  

Heyam: haih, ana ehnii wiya ahmed, (she waved to him to come)

Ahmed: esalam 3alaikm

Shaikha: wa3alaikum esalam

7sain just stood there watching the whole thing happen right infront of his eyes. He knew exactly who ahmed was because he checked up on this guy since he was going to marry Shaikha.

Heyam: ahmed ehnii wiya 7eremt'h fa 8lna kilna enseer en ajez

Shaikha: 'She just had to say '7eremt'h, I feel sorry for her who ever she is'

Heyam: agool shaikha: melachtii wila ba3adch (she secretly hoped it would be a no and for shaikha to live a miserable lonely life)

7sain could feel shaikha's hand clutching hard on his sleeve. She held on tight telling him not to let her alone with this despicable woman.

Shaikha: 5alti-

7sain: yallah 7abeebti meshaina?

Shaikha: 'What the hell is he doing?'

7sain: ohh asf, machftkm mash'3ool betailfoon eldawaam emashklna kilna (he chuckled)

Heyam: shaikha mno hatha? (she asked in most curiosity)

7sain: ana 5a6eebha...