Nothing Is As It Seems 14

Part 14

Shaikha was wide awake, she had troubles sleeping whenever there were big projects the company was working on. Summer was getting closer finally time to rest, but maybe not. A surprise was waiting for her at her parents house that she wasn't ready for.

She went to her parents before heading to work. For some reason her family where quite excited. The atmosphere was different, not as usual.

Shaikha: esalam 3alaikum

All: wa3alikum esalam

Shaikha: sh7alkm?

Mom: eb5air, shaikha 7abeebti, yow naas ye56boon e5tch

Shaikha: ohh mabrook alya (her younger sister)

Alya: Allah eybarek feech

Shaikha was not jealous, she just felt a little more lonely. Is she slowly regretting denying the men that proposed to her? Was it a bad choice to pick career over marriage? Many people weren't helping at all. A 25 year old women and not married was considered 3aar. 3anez, a harsh word that every woman had to hear if she wasn't married after the age of 24. It didn't bother her at first, but it slowly did.

What made it worse is that they already came and proposed and her parents accepted. She wasn't included in the pre-decision. She brushed the thought away and completed her day. She finally excused herself and then went to the office. As she walked in she found the lights open in 7sain's office. That was  first for him to arrive before she did. So she walked in and saw him shirtless changing into another work shirt.

So she stood there staring. It wasn't what she expected in the morning for a work day? 7sain shirtless was a surprise, maybe a good one this time. 

7sain: like what you see? (He had this smirk on his face)

Shaikha: fi shay esmh 7amaam! 

She shut the door behind her giving him time to dress up and stop staring at him.

Shaikha: you are disgusting you know that, at least have the decency to take a shower before coming here, especially after you know what, I bet you smell like her

He just stood there looking at her accuse him of things that he didnt do.

7sain: intii balaach? badalt 3ashan chabait coffee 3ala 8amee9ii

Shaikha: ohh

7sain: what do you think I was changing for?

Shaikha: noting... just assumed you met some slut and you know...

7sain: I did, but I did go home and shower

Shaikha: your perverted

7sain: what just because I talk about it, how would you know. You know nothing about it, where you even turned on once in your life time?

Shaikha: its not the time, at least be professional in a work place

He started getting closer to her, what made it worse is that his shirt was still not buttoned up yet.

7sain: how about now?

His voice was husky which made Shaikha feel something that she never felt before. It was working and she knew it. 

7sain stepped back buttoned his shirt and said

7sain: so what for today?

He treated the matter like it never happened. He was sure a master at changing subjects. 

On the other hand Shaikha just brushed whatever she felt away and tried her best to forget it but couldn't...

At bader's office:

There Fatima sat in front of the computer working as hard as she can when something on the wall distracted her. Bader saw her looking at the wall with an annoyed look on her face.

She finally got up, rolled up a newspaper and hit it hard on the wall. She got tissues and whipped the wall then threw it in the bin. 

Bader: bismillah sho feech?

Fatima: ha, la bs spider 9'3eer

She went out of offcie to wash her hands. Bader was impressed. He smiled to the scenery, it was the first time to see a girl deal like that. She really knew how to deal with things she might not be gracious at that but she was different.

Nothing Is As It Seems 13

Part 13

After her long run she went back home and took a long shower to kill some time. She decided to clean up the apartment a bit. The take out was on the desk and the bin filled with takeout plastics. She wasn’t bothered to cook so take outs were her best friends at desperate moments. She got dressed and went to work. Her routine never changes. Work was everything to her she would go see her family once in a while but the stress of work kept her home. If she wasn’t working she would just go home and stay home. She couldn’t help but feel lonely. The regret of declining all those guys that proposed to her was getting to her. Especially since her younger sister is getting married it made her feel even lonelier than she ever was. 

She made her way to her office and started working right away to get that horrible feeling out of her head. She hated feeling that way.

Fatima came in with cups of coffee in her hand but this time 3 cups instead of 2.

Shaikha: 3 cups ha? I see you and bader are in good terms

Fatima: I guess…

That was all she said because she didn’t know what terms they were on since last what happened.

Heading to the elevator with mixed emotions not knowing what to hope for. She wanted to ignore bader and pretend he wasn’t there but part of her wanted to see him. It was something that she couldn’t understand. She remembered that she never said thank you for "saving her". She walked towards his office and he was seated there looking into some papers.

Fatima: esalam 3alaikm

Bader: wa3alaikm esalam

When she walked in, he sat straight and had this smile on his face for some unknown reason to him.

Fatima: coffee?

Bader: yeah sure

She handed it to him

Bader: mashkoora

Fatima: el3afow

She got seated in front of the computer and started to work. This time bader was seated in his desk all the time and didn’t go out so it was more awkward for her. She slowly stole glances towards him but he wouldn’t budge. He remained looking at the papers in front of him. What she didn’t know was that bader was slowly glancing towards her when she wasn’t looking. He caught her a few times looking towards him.

She was focused on her work when the computer decided to restart. Her work was all saved but now she had to call shaikha to put in the password. Due to company policies Fatima was not suppose to know it. Making her even more stressful than she was, she called shaikha but she wasn’t answering her phone. exactly what she needed, now she had to ask Bader for help but was too stubborn for that. She received a lot of help from him and wasn't going to accept again. She was about to get up when something or lets say someone had stood right behind her with his hands extending towards the keyboard trapping her between his arms. 

Bader's point of view:

I noticed the computer shutting down. She didn't seem too nervous i'm guessing she saved her work. But then she wasnt typing in the password and started to figitate through her phone. She was trying to contact Shaikha. I don't know what got into me so i just got up and walked towards her and extended my arms to type the password in. After I was done I noticed her frozen in her place so I laughed it off and went back to my seat to continue working. She finally stood up and stood in front of me looking at me deeply. 

Fatima: Thank you

Bader: mafeeha shay

Fatima: mob bs 7ag a7een 7ata mal gabel, bs ana aroom adaber 3emrii

Bader: haih achoofch et3arfeen etdabreen 3mrch

He laughed again then walked out

Fatima: 'what is wrong with him'

The rest of the day was distracting for Fatima, she wasn't able to focus on her work and this was a first for her...

On the other hand Bader left the office with a smile, a smile that wasnt usually worn by him...

Nothing Is As It Seems 12

Part 12

Bader: hala yoba

Bader’s dad: esh7alk bader?

Bader: eb5air el7emdillah

Their conversation was simple and bader avoided talking about work. He would open any other topics expect for work knowing how his father missed working a lot.

2 boys came in with one sad and the other with an evil smile on his face.

3mr: baba, 9alaa7 ‘9rabnii

Bader’s dad: sho gelna ya 9alaa7, hatha e5ook mayestiwi ti’9rba!

Bader just loved them too much. He picked the both of them and kissed them on their cheeks. He could wait to start his own family.

Somewhere else…

Walking towards a house that she hated the most. How can such a big beautiful house have such horrid memories? She pushed those thoughts away and remained walking towards the entrance. A familiar face opened the door for her

Guy: hello miss Fatima?

Fatima: hello john, How are you? How is your family?

John: they are great, madam is not here at the moment

Fatima: ‘that doesn’t surprise me’ oh so is hind here or is she with my mother?

John: no she is here with rosa

It was 10:00 PM, and fatima’s mother was still not home yet. Actually this was normal. As for Fatima she knew her mother was somewhere gossiping away like she always does and probably hasn’t checked up on hind the whole day. She just waned to take hind away from her but knew how her mother would oppose to it. What can she do? This was her mother for god’s sake! Hind was not just a normal 2 yearold, she needed extra care due to her diabetes. She couldn’t understand why she was the only one with a mother such as her mother. The only good thing that came out from all this is that it made Fatima stronger. No matter what happens she knew how to deal with it. She never shed a tear regarding the neglect of her mother and she was never going to. She just wanted to be there for hind and make her strong as she is.

Hind: tima

Fatima: 7abeebtii hanooda? How is she rosa?

Rosa: don’t worry she is fine, I fed her and she got her shot for the day

Fatima: good, hanooda, laish mob ragda?

Hind: maba!

Rosa was not only a nanny she was a trained nanny. She was a nurse before and she was good with children and ever since hind was little she was there. She was also there when Fatima was a little girl. To Fatima she was more of a mother that a nanny.

The part that Fatima hated the most was her mom walking in looking drunk and with a cigarette in her hand. After long period of time convincing her not to smoke she wouldn't listen even after giving birth to hind.

Carried her and took a seat on the couch thinking of family. Her mom and dad were so happy and loving. She wondered what happened. Their marriage was a love marriage not a fixed one. Fatima never forgot what her mother told her when she was little how she met fatima’s dad. That time he was working in the Philippines. Fatima’s mom did not change her religion but love made everything possible for them. But now that love was gone. As a result her mother didn’t care anymore and never took care of her daughters.

Isn’t love better that any random person you barely know. Apparently that wasn’t the case with her parents. Her parents now are separated but not divorced. Her dad moved out a very long time ago and now is currently living with his other family. She hated him for sooo long that she was tired of hating. She hasn’t seen him for soo long that she didn’t know what to say when she does see him. After hind was born he wasn’t there anymore. Hind was conceived by mistake. They hadn’t planned it but when fatima’s father had a fight with his current wife he ran to fatima’s mom his other wife that he long forgot to love her. That was how hind was brought to this world.

Fatima was happy to have hind, she had someone to take care of and love. Because she knew that her mother cared for nothing but herself. After living through all that Fatima promised herself not to get married and do that to her own children. Living alone was what she settled for and would do for the rest of her life.

…

It was already 3:00 PM and shaikha was very much asleep. In deep sleep that she enjoyed ALOT. Suddenly a loud, disturbing noise woke her up from her deep sleep. It got registered in her mind that it was her phone. She immediately knew who it was. Because it was not the first time that her sleep was disrupted by the calls. And it was always that person who called. And it was never an emergency. She snatched the phone from the table and answered it with an angry voice.

Shaikha: WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?

7sain: fi 7ad eysib mn 9baa7 allah 5air

Shaikha: 9baa7? Its 3:00 AM seriously 7sain what do you want?

7sain: ymkn eykoon emergency?

Shaikha: what did something happen to the company?

7sain: glt ymkn, agool shaikhoo ma3ench gaima, fi w7da etgool 3emerha 21 bs ana agool 3merha 17 sena fa mob3aref 3aif aftak mnha, o etgool yaya mn Europe, and I know for sure she is a virgin!

Shaikha: your in a freaking bar, no wonder you sound drunk, put her on the phone

She said it as she sat up and yawned

7sain: on the phone?

Shaikha: ON THE PHONE 7SAIN!

7sain: glna lat9ar5een, for you

Girl: hello

Shaikha: hello, yes my name is shaikha, and I would ask for your name but under the circumstances I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, your probably a sweet girl, complete high school live your life

Girl: im 21

Shaikha: sure you are, and you would find true love one day, you see this man sitting next to you would take you for granted, he will take you virginity away and never see you or call you, he probably has herpies from all the women he slept with during this month only and I don’t think you want that, so please put him back in the phone

7sain: that was quick

Shaikha: and she is living right now, go home 7sain

7sain: pick me up, im drunk so I cant drive

Shaikha: get a cab!

She hung up the phone without rethinking

The phone rang again and again so her sleep was gone. She never picked it up but it bothered her that she was already awake. Sleep has evaporated and she decided to go on a run to get 7sain out of her mind. That is exactly what she needed, 7sain at 3:00 AM in the morning, starting her day!

Nothing Is As It Seems 11

Part 11

Another day at the office. This time Fatima was persistent on not getting into bader’s way especially after what happened yesterday. It was embarrassing but quite weird. She didn’t imagine that anything like that would happen. She even dreamt about the situation over and over again. Something that she desperately wanted to forget refused to leave her head. What made it worse is that after it happened she hadn’t talk to bader or look him in the eyes fearing she would get lost in them again like she did last time. And now she had to face him for some more every morning.

Fatima: ‘how great’

She made the thought go away and continued with her day. She got coffee and off to work she was. The drive to work was peaceful she was always a morning person. Nothing ruined her morning. Knowing after these hectic days she has someone that will brighten her day. And she was positive that she was going to see her that day. Especially since she didn’t see her for quite some time.

She walked to the office and saw it open but bader was not there. Boy was she glad not to see him anywhere. She got seated and was about to start working she saw a note stuck to the monitor and it says…

Here is the remote control… if you need anything call me, and please don’t climb on top of the tables again

050…..

And there he left his number she probably stared at the note for about 5 whole minutes trying to figure it out. Was this him being nice to her or just to get her out of the office as soon as possible by helping him work faster? ‘don’t climb on top of the tables’ that sentence was ringing in her head. She could imagine him saying those words again and again.

Fatima: ‘even in his notes he is arrogant’

She ignored and remained working that is when shaikha knocked on the door to see how her best friend was doing.

Shaikha: very busy I see?

Fatima: yeah, just trying to finish it as soom as possible

Shaikha: why are you smiling?

Fatima: IM NOT SMILING

Shaikha: bismillah balaach? I just asked why are you smiling, so whats that?

She pointed at the piece of paper that bader left for Fatima. As a reaction Fatima reacted in a way she didn’t expect herself to do so. She grabbed the paper and crunched it in her hand.

Fatima: nothing

Shaikha: Fatima balaach? Why are you acting weird?

Fatima: mafeenii shay, don’t you have work to do?

Shaikha: hind feeha shay?

Fatima: ha? La la mafeeha shay, im going to see her later today

Shaikha: met2akda e5tch mafeeha shay? Sho 3an 5alo?

Fatima: don’t worry hind is fine, and so is my mother

Shaikha: ok…

Shaikha just dropped the subject knowing that she won’t get anything from Fatima. As long baby hind is fine she guessed that it had to do with some work stuff. She knew exactly when Fatima acts weird it means that something is up and she is not telling her.

This was all bader’s fault is what she thought. There was nothing going on but he got into her head and made shaikha get suspicious of Fatima’s actions.

…

Bader was visiting a construction site with other senior engineers working as hard as he can. He kept on checking his phone secretly hoping for an unknown number to call him. He left his number on purpose not knowing what will happen. He wasn’t the type of guy that gives out his number to random girls but Fatima just messed up his head. After multiple times of checking he finally gave up. It was time to go back home. He let out a long sigh and made his way home to his parents house.

Bader: esalam 3alaikum

A bunch of different voices replied to him.

Bader’s mom: bader umai mabetakl 3sha?

Bader: la umai bayles eshway o barawi7, barid elshiqa

Bader’s mom: inth wil dawaan 3awartelna rasna kilna

Bader’s mom wasn’t the biggest fan of bader’s work. He usually is very busy but he still visits his parents and brothers. But all moms love their children and what mother loves it when their sons go away from home?

Bader: aaa555555!

He said as he sat on the couch close to his brother 9ager.

Bader: ha sh7al elmedersa o elderesa?

9ager: el7emdillah elta5arej 3gb thaleth shohoor

Bader: 7a’6reen, ha 7amadow sho elmedersa?

7amad his other brother that is lets say not very well behaved. After all he is a boy but getting kicked out of 3 different schools is not what you want for your kids. Expecially when he is only an 8^th grader.

7amad: medersa etlawi3 bilchabd, manroom enshawi shay, kil ma9adaina 9oob galoolna mamnoo3

Bader just laughed, he knew his brother too well. This school is perfect for him especially since he already has issues with schools all around the area.

Bader sat there and watched his family he loved them to death. He would anything for them but just one day he wished to start his own family. But that wasn’t what he could do any time soon. His work and family are taking all his time and money.

Bader: umai hatha elbazait

He kissed her forehead. He knew how stressful it was for her since their father retired due to his old age. Their status was fine but problems about money would surface once in awhile. But now bader is one step closer to becoming a senior engineer just one year left and everything would be better.

At that moment his father walked in.

Nothing Is As It Seems 10

Part 10

The next day was no exception, all four had to go to work. Ok maybe not all 4, one particular person got to go to work whenever he felt like it and some days he would go to work just to annoy Shaikha. That is what she got for working for 7sian.

Shaikha was in her office as usual going through some accounting papers. When Fatima walked in with 2 cups of coffee

Fatima: you will be needing this

Shaikha: you know me too well

Fatima: ok then ill be getting to work

She walked to the office to find it empty

Fatima: 'I guess he still hasn’t come to work yet, much better. She took her seat

and started working. She was engrossed in her work she didn’t sense bader walking

in'

A few moments later...

Bader: mn el9b7 intii ehnii?

Fatima was shocked so she jumped in her seat.

Fatima: you scared me

Bader just laughed at her.

Fatima: don’t speak im working

Bader: el7emdillah wishkir

She just ignored him and kept on working. He was still in the office

Fatima: ‘uff again with the kandoora, does he own anything else, it even changes color cz of the construction sites he visits them in’

She was too into her work that hours passed by without her noticing. As she

worked the room was getting hotter and hotter and bader was not in the office at

that moment. She started to look for the remote control since it wasn’t where it suppose to be hanging up the wall beside the light switches. The room was neat,

not as messy as she thought a guy office would be like. Since she works in a design company not many guys are to be seen. The frustration was getting to her as she couldn’t find the remote so she finally decided to go on top of the table and switch the AC on manually, old style. Boy was she determined. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do, I am right? Bader was too busy to walk in any second so what was the harm in getting some air into this stuffy office. Well her expectation where not what she thought would be since bader was right there to witness her climbing up the chair with her pumps on, on the table trying to reach the AC.

Bader: intii sho etsaween?

Fatima was shocked at his presence. She really didn’t want him there and certainly

not there to see her doing what she was doing at the moment.

Fatima: why do you keep on scaring me?

She was about to go off the table when she lost her balance. She just had to go on that stinking table with her pumps. The first thing she did was close her eyes. Not the best choice of response. Her body hit a hard surface which she guessed was the floor. The hit was not as hard as she thought it would be and certainly not as painful. That is when she opened her eyes to see bader’s face right in front of her and she seemed to be lying right on top of him with his arms around her. That was the first time she looked into his eyes. It was her first time to see how caring his eyes were. She was lost in them. For a moment she forgot why she hated him. He on the other hand just stared at her back not knowing what to do. Something about her made him wonder. Being a gentleman everyone would expect this from him but this time it was different. Could it be? He stared at her taking his time and so did she. His cologne was one of her favorite men colognes. He just had to wear that cologne which she wished he never did.

Bader: no one told you to get on that table with your heels on

That was the first time he spoke in English. And boy was it fluent with the perfect

accent. A full sentence in English which she never thought he would say to her. He

impressed her intentionally, knowing that would turn her on. Yet they remained on

the floor staring into each other’s eyes until he spoke again

Bader: nawya etgomeen 3ani?

That is when it got registered in her mind to stand up and let go of the guy that

just saved her life. ok maybe not her life but prevented her from having an injury.

They shared a moment that she never expected to share with anyone. Especially

not bader! Standing up after a long time, she avoided looking in his eyes and went

back to her station pretending nothing just happened.

Bader walked to his desk, opened his drawer and took out the remote out.

Bader: this is what you where looking for

He handed it to her and went out of the office. He had a smile on as he left. Just another day at the office.

Nothing Is As It Seems 9

Part 9

She went into the office, finally working on her own project independently and getting paid for it. It was always what she wanted but never had the courage to do so. She spotted shaikha in her own office surrounded by papers and an Indian guy standing by her side.

Fatima: im guessing 7sain is not here as usual

Shaikha: that stupid man!

Fatima: so where do I start working?

Shaikha had the tech install Mac computers for more efficiency. But due to some delays bader’s office was the first to have a Mac computer. Since he just moved into his renovated office.

Shaikha: john ill be right back

She started walking with Fatima taking her to bader’s office.

Shaikha: this is where you will be working, everything you need in on this computer

Fatima: whos office is this?

Shaikha: ohh its bader’s don’t worry he wont be working in his office a lot and he rarely uses the computer

She walked out leaving Fatima all alone. This Fatima didn’t see coming. She ended up working in a place where she was going to see the face of a man that she disliked more like despised.

Fatima: ‘he is an engineer, what are the odds that he would spend more time in his office’

Bader was a civil engineer so he was busy visiting construction sites. She got seated working on the computer looking at the pictures that she could work with. She sensed someone standing beside the door watching her work.

Bader: ‘6ay3a?

Fatima: la mob ‘6ay3a, shaikha galatlii asht’3il ehnii

Bader: galawlii 7ad byii ‘didn’t expect to see her anywhere, especially not here’

Fatima: a6la3 ya3nii?

Bader: ha, intii taraach ehnii shonsawii!

Fatima: ‘jerk, he cant even say something nice or atleast say hello like a normal person’

She continued working and sketching some designs on her note pad while he sat there in his desk looking into some blueprints. She was seated in front of computer that was right in front of him. He could see how serious she looked. He didn’t see her as a hard worker.

Bader: ‘who knew she worked for a living’

Bader brushed the thought away and just didn’t want to think about her anymore.

She is too much baggage to get into. After fighting with himself he excused himself just to change his view. 2 straight hours looking at nothing and the moment he raised his head he saw her. It didn’t mean anything to him but he couldn’t stand in being on the same room as her.

Fatima: ‘finally I thought he would never leave’

Her head didn’t move for 2 hours just at the screen and her note pad. It felt like hell. She didn’t expect him to show up.

She took off her pumps and walked around the room a little. She went back to her seat when she saw bader from afar walking towards the office. She cursed under her breath at his scenery. He walked in and sat right in his desk examining more blue prints.

Bader: ‘she took off her shoes, she sure is getting comfortable’

She was getting into his head that he just wanted to get it out there.

Bader: merta7a achoofch

Fatima noticed that she hadn’t put her shoes back on. She was used to working in a comfortable environment and taking of her shoes was more comfortable for her, it helped her think.

Fatima: haih merta7a

Bader: cheh? yalsa fi baitkm?

Fatima: eskt eshway, 9ootk wayid emsaweelii 9daa3

Bader: o ba3ad wayid tetshari6ain

She ignored him and just went back to work. That is how they became closer by spatting at eachother’s throat. Exactly what they both needed someone they both couldn’t stand seeing early in the morning and the whole time throughout the day! 

Nothing Is As It Seems 8

PART 8

She walked out without even listening to what he was saying. She started to have a temper all because of working for him and now she needed anger management sessions. She arrived at the office building and made her way to the meeting hall to make sure it was prepared since their guests would be arriving anytime now. 7sain finally decided to show up.

Shaikha: sharaft!

7sain: feenii ergaad

Shaikha: I would slap you right now but we have a meeting to attend to

The guests have arrived and the company where in their best behavior to make sure everything is good. The meeting was smooth and surprisingly 7sain was on a role. His charm works for everyone except for shaikha. He would put no effort in what he is doing and everything turned out good for him. Shaikha watched him speak as if this morning never happened. The sponsors left the building and finally shaikha took a deep breath.

7sain: and that is how you do business

Shaikha: business my ass!

Flashback (3 years ago)

Chairman: do you know why I called you in here?

Shaikha: no I don’t

Chairman: have a seat lets talk

Shaikha: 3ami fi shay mestiwii?

He let out a slight laugh, he saw shaikha as if she was his daughter.

Chairman: la mafia shay ela el3afia, mashallah 3alaich shaikha ma9agartii wiyana fil sharika, bs sina wi7da o sawaitii kila hatha

Shaikha: swait eli 3alay 3ami

Chairman: sawaitii akthar mn el 3alaich, wallah ana achoofch mthl bntii o ta3alii 3ndii meta tbain, ana mawjood

Shaikha: inshallah

Chairman: ana a7een shayabt o kbart, eldawaam thgeel 3alai o el7erma matebanii

adawem, fa 7sian beykoon fi mkaanii

Shaikha: aha

Chairman: intii et3arfeen wildii 7sain, o meshta’3la wiya km mn mara 9a7?

Shaikha: haih na3am

Chairman: zain, fa abaach etkooneen wiyah daiman o etsa3deena, o 6ab3an el

ma9roof a3la, abaach etchofeen wara 7sain

…

Those where the words that came out of 7sain’s dad before he retired. Shaikha would never forget them. Wa9aha 3ala elsharika and she would never let him down. That what was making her endure all the crap that 7sain pulls. She knew exactly how he could be and his dad knew that she was the right person to deal with him.