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...

Nothing Is As It Seems 17

Part 17

Walking furiously to his room all she could think was that she expected it to happen. She knew he would pull this trick sooner than later. It was there first day in London and he was already taking it for granted.

Shaikha: what do you think you are doing?

7sain: showering

Shaikha: yeah I can see that

7sain: I see we are on the same page

Shaikha: oh we are not on the page we are not even in the same book HELL WE ARE NOT EVEN IN THE SAME FREAKING LIBRARY

7sain: would you relax, the vein on your for head is about to explode

Shaikha: GET DRESSED!

This was how shaikha spent her first morning in London, yelling at 7sain. Just like any other day. 

Shaikkha: hurry up, we are going to be late

7sain: n7n fi ejaza!

Shaikha: no we are not! we are on a business trip

She started looking round the room with a fierce expression 

7sain: sho etdawreen?

Shaikha: elmeftaa7

7sain: laish?

Shaikha: 3ndk ethnain 3a6nii wa7id!

And that was her solution to everything. A spare key to his room to take everything under her control. A solution to all problems.

Fatima woke up with a fresh look and waited with excitement. Was it because she was in a vacation or a vacation with Bader? She brushed the thought away and resumed with her day. The best part if a hotel was the breakfast. She got dressed in a summer dress and off she went. Surprisingly the place was packed and there was line in front of the hostess. She immediately got in line and waited for her turn. Bader followed right after which they both were happy about. 

Bader: 9baa7 el5air

Fatima: 9baa7 elnoor, slept good?

Bader: yeah, how about you?

Fatima: yea I did

It was the first time bader saw Fatima in a summer dress on a vacation looking so pretty. He couldnt help but stare. As for fatima she just didnt know what to think. Where ever she went he was there which she likes very much. 

Bader: 'how could she be so pretty'

They fell in line together and waited for their turns with small talk between them. Finally their came the hostess spoke

Hostess: table for 2?

Fatima: ummm, yeah (she looked at bader)

Bader: yes table for 2 please

The hostess directed them to their table

Fatima was suprised yet pleased that it turned out that she was going to share a table with Bader.

Bader: I hope you dont mind, fi zahma eshway o 3ashan en5ale9 enber3a

Fatima: yeah sure

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

Nothing Is As It Seems 16

Part 16

A few seconds later her phone was ringing and it was bader calling. She was shocked why the hell was he calling her.

Bader was in his car about to take off to another construction area when he received a text from an unknown number. After reading its context he knew who it was.

He secretly hoped that she would call. He smiled as he read the message. Without knowing it his finger betrayed him and he found himself pressing the answer call button. 

Bader: alo 'sho sawait'

Fatima: alo bader, ana ma3arf el procedure

She jumped at his voice.

Bader: bagoolch eyaah a7een (he just couldnt help but grin, he found it sexy when she called out his name)

Fatima: ezain you could have texted

Bader: a6weel, o b'3ait afahmch eyaah

That was a lie but fatima was too oblivious to know. After telling her the procedure and did he sure take his time.

Fatima: shokran bader (she said with a soft voice)

That didnt help bader any more than the first time she said his name.

He laughed a soft laugh and said

Bader: el3afew, law tbain shay thani eta9laili

And that was how the phone call ended which a smile in both their faces. With all the excitement bader forgot to pass the message along

To fatima:

almost forgot, shaikha says she wants to talk you

Fatima smiled at the message.

After stressing out over the tickets shaikha went back to the office. Atleast she was going to take off away from the wedding and be stress free. The only problem was convincing fatima along with all of it. All she needed was a vacation from all of it, but now it was going to be a buisness trip. She walked to the office and found fatima smiling at a note. That was a first, fatima smiling? early in the morning? 

Shaikha: hey, you in a good mood

Fatima: yeah I guess, its a good day

Shaikha: you just have to make it worse dont you

Fatima: your canceling the vacation arent you?

Shaikha: dont be mad, 7sain suddenly booked me a ticket and I have to be there

Fatima: its fine we will go after your business trip

Shaikha: umm I cant, alya wants be here for the wedding plans which is after the melcha which is one million years from now but you know how my sister gets

Fatima: fine, I knew it was too good to be true, we will do it next time

Shaikha: no no, this buisness trip is for 2 weeks which I believe is a very long time, so why dont you come along

Fatima: are you sure?

Shaikha: you can take a break we both can, and btw its tomorrow

Fatima: your not making this easy you know that

Shaikha: I love you (she said before heading outside)

Fatima: I know you do

And that was set. A change for everyone. Lets see if that was what they all anticipated. 

The next day...

It was bright and early and fatima was already. You've got to give her credit for pulling it off in one day. She was at her father's place saying good bye to hind and making sure everything is set.

Fatima: you sure everything is good?

Rose: yes we do, you just go and have fun

Fatima made her way to the airport and met up with shaikha and saw 7sain there too looking handsome as he always but what she didnt expect was bader. Standing there equally as handsome with a smile on his face.

Fatima: 'oh boy'

A terrible mistake

I can't believe i just did that. HAHAHA I'm out of my mind. Sorry for the spoiler alert as you guessed it was a mistake. I DID NOT intend to do that. I'm really sorry my dear readers. I have alot on my plate so just pretend that you haven't read any of it. I'm really hoping what I posted by mistake didn't give away the whole story.

Nothing Is As It Seems 15

Part 15

Finally working hours where done and everyone were on their way home. The 2 ladies met on the way to their cars. 

Fatima: you look terrible

Shaikha: thank you, as do you

Fatima: so whats wrong?

Shaikha: what do you mean?

Fatima: really?? you are going to play that card? for many years ive known you I know when something is up

Shaikha: its nothing, just alya got engaged, and she said yes and the melcha is soon, so we might as well prepare for the stress

When a young girl gets engaged that means that the older unmarried ones should go through humiliation from other ladies. 

Fatima: lets just go through it and it will be over before you know it, how about we go on a vacation

Shaikha: haih wallah we havent been on a vacation for quit some time, you know what lets do it, after the melcha just pick up and go, then we can come back after and deal with more wedding stress

Fatima: true to dat

The girls made plans on going on vacation, everyone needs a vacation. But will it be what they needed? Just live on and hope for the best.

The next day...

Shaikha woke up to the sound of laughter and excitement that is when she knew that it was both her mother and her sister's voices that was filling the house.

Mom: 9abaa7 el5air

Shaikha: 9abaa7 elnoor, laish wa3yeen mn wakt?

Mom: intii eli nasha meta5er esa3a 10 a7een

Shaikha: ohh

Alya: wake up you have to help me with all this wedding stuff

Shaikha: now, its too early for that, and besides you have the whole summer to think about it

Alya: that is why iIneed you to help with all this

Shaikha: fine

There is goes her summer plans canceled without even mentioning them, there was no hope. Its while it lasted. The rest of the day shaikha spent looking into wedding magazines. When she needed a work emergency the most it never came...

The next day was no exception for any of them. Shaikha was early as usual and 7sain was sleeping it off somewhere. Shaikha was looking into some accounting papers when  when someone knocked the door disturbing her focus. It was one of the companies drivers with some papers in his hand

Shaikha: yes kumaar?

Kumar: miss shaikha here are the tickets, with the receipt

Shaikha: what tickets?

Kumar: mr. 7sain told me to get them from the airport booking area, for 3 of you

Shiaikha: 3 of us?

Kumar: you, mr. 7sian and mr.bader

Shaikha: ok thank you

Shaikha: 'tickets? what tickets is he talking about?'

She checked them and it turned out that they would be leaving tomorrow to london. Without even informing her he went and booked her a ticket. She wasn't even aware of this arrangement. She tried calling 7sain but there was no answer. So she decided to go to his house and ask him for herself. On her way out she bumped into bader holding a bunch of blue prints

Shaikha: kalamt 7sain elyoom?

Bader: la, a5er mara kalamt'h kaan ams, o 3an el safra bacher

Shaikha: 6aa3 int'h ana ma5abarnii 7ata!

Bader: madrii wallah, galii enna lazm enseer, 3ashan elinvestments

Shaikha: when you see fatima, tell her that ill talk to her when I get back

And then she dashed off with her car keys in her hand. She drove to his house and then opened the door letting herself in. She assumed he would be in bed. Secretly hoping not   to walk in on him in one of his "wild nights". Since she already have done that a couple of times. She went upstairs and saw him in his pants and shirt but not yet buttoned. 

7sain: enzain 5aleenii albas awal

Shaikha: Ive seen better!

7sain: laish em3a9ba

Shaikha: why did you buy a ticket for me too? you didnt even ask me if I can go

7sain: you have nothing to do, and besides it was last minute

Shaikha: but I have something, alya wants me here

7sain: its too late to cancel I already bought it, we will be back in 2 weeks

Shaikha: 2 weeks? why that long?

7sain: bs chii, tara ymkn en6awel! you said you wanted to go on a vacation this is your vacation, enjoy it bring fatima too if you want

Shaikha remained quite this was her chance to change sights and go on a vacation. Besides it was a business trip right?

Back at the office...

Fatima walked to the office. She was in the mood to work. She got seated in front of the computer and found a note. 

You have to fix the setting so it wont restart, call me if you want the procedure, you have my number

Fatima: uff now I have to call

She text-ed instead telling him to tell her the procedure, it was better that way. Part of her wanted to call but she chickened out. She just couldnt bring herself to do it.

To bader:

Just text it to me

A few seconds later her phone was ringing and it was bader calling...