Nothing Is As It Seems 34

This is going to be the last post for 2012, enjoy it and happy new years :D

Part 34

Bader: 5aleena nid5al awal (he held her hand and led her inside)

Fatima: I have to go back to hind, rosa's shift is over

Bader: bachoofch bacher

Fatima: I'm all yours

Bader: yes you are (he had a smirk on)

Fatima laughed as she walked out. Just with one word both their days were made.

Fatima drove back to her house smiling while bader went to bed smiling. He was already planning on when to go to her father and propose to her officially. It was also time to tell his parents. He knew that they would be glad since they have been annoying him about gran kids for some time now.

The next morning...

Her mornings were filled with meeting and paper signing. She made it to the meeting room to find a man in his late twenties with the company accountant.

Shaikha: esalam 3alaikum

Guy: wa3alaikum esalam

Accountant: Shaikha this is Mr. Mohammed Al X he is S company's accountant

Shaikha: Hi, I'm Shaikha the companies business partner and I follow big exchanges like this one

Mohammed: etsharafna

The meeting went by smoothly. Shaikha was good at her job and it showed.

Mohammed's point of view:

I didn't expect someone to walk in, specially not an attractive woman who knows what she is doing and looking good doing so. I never believed in love at first sight. Apparently opinions change.

...

With her car parked at the front of the building fatima was waiting for shaikha to have their usual lunch. But this time with surprising news. 

Shaikha: what is the news that you could'nt wait to tell me?

Fatima: I'm getting married (straight to the point)

Shaikha: what the fuck?

Fatima: thank you that support alright

Shaikha: sorry, seriously? married?

Fatima: bader proposed and I accepted, I love him shaikha (she sounded sincere)

Shaikha: I'm happy for you

Fatima: thank you

Shaikha's point of view:

I'm happy for her, I truly am. I want the best for her and I'm glad that she found bader and said yes to him. I just cant but feel lonely. Things would be different now that she is getting married.

Fatima: what is on your mind?

Fatima knew how Shaikha felt about weddings and marriages. She didn't want her news to upset her.

Shaikha: oh nothing just thinking about work

Fatima: you know nothing is going to change (she knew exactly how shiakha was feeling)

Shaikha: I hope not

They reached their spot and got seated to order. That was when they spotted bader with some guy. Bader got up to say hello to the ladies but specially to his lady.

Bader: esalam 3alaikm

Both ladies: wa3alaikm esalam

Bader: sh7alkm?

Fatima: el7emdillah (blush)

It was too lovey dovey for shaikha to handle watching those to flirt right in front of her.

Shaikha: so this is how you have been spending your vacation?

Bader: I came with a friend mohammed (he pointed towards the guy seated on the chair) and 7sain said he would meet us here

Shaikha: oh what a small world, I met him in the office today, he is the accountant of the S company right?

Bader: yeah, anyways ladies I have to go back to my table

Bader walked away and the ladies started their chit chats.

Fatima: he looks cute

Shaikha: he is already yours (she smiled to her)

Fatima: of course bader is cute, im speaking of his friend mohammed

Shaikha: umm didn't notice

Fatima: sure you didn't (she said sarcastically)

Shaikha: your not married yet and you are already trying to fix me up

Fatima: fine fine, I'll stop

5 minutes later 7sain appeared and took a seat

7sain: esalam 3alaikm shabaab

Both: wa3alaikm esalam

7sain: ha 7mood basher kaif kan elmeeting? kil shay tamaam

Mohammed: el7emdillah ybonii ayii mara thanya

7sain: zain zain, ay shay tibah golli

Mohammed: inshallah, t3arft 3ala shareek'k, Shaikha Al X

Bader: hathi yalsa ehnaak wiya fatima (her name was comfortable on his tongue)

7sain looked back and to see her laughing and talking. It was good to see her like that. He felt happy to see her that way. She works too much and stresses herself. He went back to his menu when he saw Mohammed glancing to the girls table as well. He noticed that he was looking at shaikha, it wouldn't be fatima since she was already spoken for and mohammed wouldn't dare to look at her with bader's presence. So that only leaves shaikha. He couldn't help but feel angry.

Nothing Is As It Seems 33

Part 33

Shaikha: well I am a partner which makes it my company too (full teeth smile) and besides where would you be without me?

7sain: I don't know (he sounded sincere)

Shaikha: so how is your assistant? (she said changing the subject)

As she said those words, tension raised to the surface.

7sain: moza? She is good

Shaikha: but of course not as good as me, it takes little people to keep up with your patience

7sain: that is why your special (he said that with his eyes on the floor as it slowly raised to her eye level)

Shaikha couldn’t resist but to smile and blush to his comment.

7sain: you look tired, why don’t you rest now since you worked non-stop for the past 6 days

Shaikha: its fine I'm not sleepy, I think ill work more before I sleep

7sain: wala eyhmch 7sain is here to the rescue (he took of his jacket and rolled up his sleeves) what do you have in your kitchen?

Shaikha: what on earth are you going to do in the kitchen? You don’t cook

7sain: you don’t know that, I can surprise you you know

Shaikha: ill be the judge of that

Its true that shaikha wanted the load off, but she still misses 7sain. They spent a lot of sleepless nights looking for papers in his office. As crazy as that sounds she misses him calling her in the middle of the night asking for her to do something or fax something over. Ever since he got an assistant he didn’t need shaikha as much as he did before. Things changed around the office.

Shaikha: cant you cook any faster I'm hungry

7sain: so your just going to sit there and complain about the food and not going to help

Shaikha: that wasn’t part of it, and besides ill judge the food so you have to do everything by yourself

7sain: ya3nii tbain etg9een 3alay?

And that was how they spent the rest of the nigh

...

She finally reached bader's apartment building and tried to re-think what she was doing.

Fatima: 'don't be a coward'

She extended her arm to ring the door bell and waited.

3 second...

10 seconds...

20 seconds...


... but no answer. She wanted to call but chickened out as usual when it came to bader. She was about to leave the front of the building when she saw bader walking towards her.

Bader: waht are you doing here?

Fatima: you busy?

Bader: tawnii yay mn el sharika

Fatima: yes

Bader: yes what?

Fatima: yes I'll marry you

Bader just stared at her not knowing what to say. She sure knew how to get to the point and that is what he loved about her.

Bader: 5aleena nid5al awal (he held her hand and led her inside)

Nothing Is As It Seems 32

Part 32

It wasn't any different for fatima. Her routine was the usual except she was on her blackberry checking up on hind with rosa every 5 minutes. After what happened she wasn't ever going to let her mother lay a hand on hind. Hind moved in with fatima and rosa was taking care of her whenever fatima had to work. Rosa just takes care of hind during the day but she was also a mother who needed to go back to her kids and the end of day. Dragging her feet against the pathway she turned the door handle embracing hind's loud laughter that was echoing in the house. It was a good feeling to come back home to someone she loved and waited for her return, something she didn't experience with her own family. This only reminded her of bader. Was she stalling their breakup? She knows how much bader wants to settle down love someone and put a roof over his wife's head. What man doesn't with the right woman in his life? Secretly she wanted that too but was too afraid to admit it to herself and to bader. 

Fatima: hanooda

Hind: tima

As fatima walked by to the nursery she found a dummy with a practicing needle beside it.

Fatima: rosa, what is that?

Rosa: ohh I almost forgot that, I forgot to clean it up

Fatima: what was it needed for?

Rosa: it was bader, I was teaching how to give injections, he said he wanted to learn how to do it

Fatima: bader was here?

Fatima finally got her answer. Now she was sure of what she wanted she just had to make sure that she wasn't late in showing it.

Fatima: rosa could you watch hind for another hour, I forgot that I need to do something

Rosa: ok, just an hour?

Fatima: it wont take long

Rosa: ill be here when you get back, take your time

Fatima rushed out of the door and into her car. She didn't care that it was 10 PM at the moment and probably this whole thing is going south she just had to try. 

Meawhile...

7sain just couldn't stand it any longer. Shaikha was further away than ever. He wasn't used to it and neither was she. So there was no other way other than to barge in on her at her apartment late at night. Just like what they say, Old habits die hard. He rang the bell and waited for her to open the door. She came out with a robe looking comfortable yet bored. The tv was on and there were snacks on the table.

7sain: sorry to barge in like that, I needed you to look into something

Shaikha: no it's fine, come on in

She really missed their late night arguments. She got her glasses and put them on. Seeing her like that with her glasses on and her total focus turned him on. How could something simple as that make such a big effect on him. He didn't know what to do except to watch her.

Shaikha: yeah bader was right about the land, no one bought it to because it is not safe to build there. And if we build on it and something happens they would blame the architect and blame us therefore screwing our business

7sain couldn’t help but smile a one sided smile

7sain: our business ha?

Shaikha: well I am a partner which makes it my company too (full teeth smile) and besides where would you be without me?

7sain: I don't know (he sounded sincere)

Nothing Is As It Seems 31

Part 31

2 days later...

Bader noticed that fatima hasn't called or texted recently and she wasn't answering her phone or replying to any of his texts. He was worried. They would talk and go out after decades of playing hard to get. But then she agrees and he proceeds to making it the best nights for both of them. After taking an awful time he finally decided on asking shaikha what was wrong.

Bader:  Shaikha, fatima feeha shay? ma etrid 3ala etaylefoon yoom adeg 3alaiha

Shaikha: la mafeeha shay el7emdillah bs 3ashan salfat hind

Bader: ay salfa? hind feeha shay?

That is when she told him everything. Things that Fatima was suppose to tell him. He knew how Fatima was feeling. She would shut the world out saying that she was fine when she was hurting inside. She would put a strong front for her sister. But Bader knew her that this moment she needed someone to talk to and let it all out. So he decided that he was going to be that someone.

Fatima was at her house making dinner for her and hind when a knock on the door disturbed her thoughts. She opened it and to her surprise stood Bader standing there with a concern look on his face.

Fatima: you should have called before you came barging in like this

Bader: I did call but you never answered any of my calls

Fatima: I'm fine bader

Bader: I didn't even ask if you are fine, its alright if you want to talk about it

Fatima: shaikha had to tell you didn't she, what is there to talk about?

He closed the door behind him and walked towards the kitchen where fatima was running to. 

Fatima: you want me to tell you how my own mother forgot about my sister, how she just left her without her shot lying there with a very high fever for what? to get a drink, a drink to satisfy her addiction was her concern at that moment and not her OWN daughter-

That is when he held her in his arms knowing that her tears when rolling down,

Fatima: (sobs) I hate her bader, I cant believe she did this

They just stood there... Fatima letting everything out but letting Bader in.

Meanwhile...

Shaikha waled into 7sain's office to find him sitting on the desk with one hand in his tie loosening it up and the other holding a bunch papers.

Shaikha: you done with that, I gotta make a copy for our lawyers to review

7sain: no worries (he pressed a button) moza ta3ali eshway

Few seconds later a woman in a black skirt and jacket walked in awaiting 7sain's instructions

Moza: yes mr.7sain

7sain: copy these papers and give them to the 7th floor for reviewing

Shaikha just stood there not knowing what was happening

7sain: ohh moza this is Ms. Shaikha Al X our executive director, Shaikha this is my assistant, its her first day

Shaikha: you already hired an assistant?

That was when moza made her exit and shaikha went to shut the door for further discussion. 

7sain: you told me to hire one

Shaikha: not without consulting me first

7sain: I'm capable of hiring an assistant for myself shaikha

Shaikha: are you sure she is capable? She looks...

7sain: qualified

Shaikha: I know how you are 7sain, I just want to know that you hired her for her qualifications not her you know what

7sain: here is her papers

Shaikha glanced over and it wasn't a bad one, It was actually close to what shaikha had when she was her age. Was she over reacting because moza was not a good candidate or because she is a young girl who was going to be close with 7sain?

She brushed off the feelings and resumed with her day. 

Nothing Is As It Seems 30

Part 30

It was a very hectic for fatima. She was working and trying to do some work on the side by doing her own thing. So far it was working for her. Since she studied most designs she managed to host parties and plan them. And of course people took that for granted. The only thing that made her day better was that her mom was trying she was actually caring for once and wanting to take care of hind. Fatima was surprised at her offer but was glad. After
all hind is only a little girl she is going to need her mother as she grow up. Meetings where taking place at her work place. It was time for the fashion week. All sorts of magazine covers and fashion shows where taking place.

That was the best part of the job for a fashion lover like fatima. Meeting after meeting she finally made it through. Her day was not over as she headed to the hall where the fashion show was taking place she called her mother just to ease her mind. Her phone was shut off. So she decided to call the house phone where the maid answered the phone.

fatima: hello marry its fatima

maid: hi fatima, do you need something?

fatima: no just checking in on hind, is she doing ok?

maid: yes she is

fatima: where is my mother?

maid: she went out for a bit and said that she was coming back soon

fatima: ok, let her call me when she gets back

Fatima started to feel a little uneasy. No need to worry was what she thought. Her mother was probably out getting something necessary and coming back. Events like fashion shows takes a lot of time. Especially pleasing her boss, it was the hardest thing.

She was covering almost everything wanting to finish everything since the fashion was in a couple of weeks. She wanted to make sure everything was perfect for the day. 

She was showing the interior decorator staff her designs to design the lobby and the hall. It was what she wanted and more. Her first side project that she was in full control of. Everything was falling into place. After looking into pictures and drinking coffee she went back home with a tired look on her face. She was finally going to see hind. Her most favorite person. As she walked to the house she noticed that the garage was empty. The moment she walked in she saw marry's stressed out look.

Fatima: marry what is wrong?

Maid: hind, her temperature is very high

Fatima: WHAT? where is my mother?

Maid: she still hasn't come back home

Fatima: since the last time you talked to me, did she give hind her shot?

Fatima walked to hind and saw her laying in her bed with tears rolling down her cheeks. Fatima was furious, not at her mother but at herself for ever trusting her mother. She finally carried hind to her car and drove her to the hospital. It was the last time that she will ever listen to her. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.

Her hands got tighter and tighter on the steering wheel. She was fooled by her own mother. She wasn't going to fall for it again. She was going to take hind away from her and is going to make her live away from their mother. 

She rushed into the E.R with a brave front. The doctors took her immediately and helped her. Thank god she was going to be ok. They spent the night in the hospital. Finally her mind was set and she was going to pick all hind's things in the morning. From all things that their mother did this was sure the worst. She had to do what was best for hind. And leaving her with their mother was not an option anymore. 

Nothing Is As It Seems 29

Part 29

He looked away...

He wanted to stare further but his head turned sideways. He took a few minutes recovering from what he just saw. She was almost naked changing into his hoodie and he couldn't do anything about it.

Shaikha: all done

She walked in and wearing his hoodie something that he never saw coming. Shaikha could feel his stares on her so she took a seat covering her legs.

They both spent the night eating and chatting with their minds else where.

...

The guests where slowly leaving and fatima was almost the last to leave. She made sure everything was set before she walked out. To her surprise Bader was standing waiting for her to drive her home. It wasn't a very good idea since she was wearing a sexy revealing dress to add to him temptation.

Bader: all done?

Fatima: yep

They got into the car and off they went

Bader: I was serious when I asked you to marry me

It was the first time they talked about it after it happened.

Bader: I want you to marry me, love me and have my kids

Fatima: I know (that was all she could say)

Fatima's point of view:

I wasn't trying to act hard to get or anything like that. It just that I couldn't marry him. The thought of marriage just creeps me out. I know he loves me but what if love fades away. Where does that leave me? Is Falling in love just as easy as falling out of it.

...

7sain's point of view:

She insisted on getting an assistant. I know for sure that she won't quit but I saw how tired she was of me. I have to stop what I was doing to her. How did I get into this in the first place? I cant keep doing this to her.

7sain: I'm going to hire an assistant next thing in the morning

Shaikha: thank you (she exhaled)

I can live with just spending less time with her but hurting her I can't live with.

Shaikha: I'll be going then, see ya at work

She got her dress changed into it and handed 7sain his hoodie back

Shaikha: thanks for the hoodie

7sain: you can have it if you want it, besides i got a lot of other things to offer girls (he had a smirk)

Shaikha: that is disgusting

She walked to the door with his hoodie in her hands and into her car. Like always 7sain waited for her to leave and drove behind her to make sure that she reached home safely. But this time he didn't go to the bar to "meet" up with Tracy.