Cursed With Beauty (45)

Previously:

Amal: What happened?

Salma: S3eed happened.

Mai: I don't want anyone, I just really need you.
-----------------

S3eed:

I got back home from spending the night at the farm. While opening the door, I heard my father talking on the phone..

Dad: Listen, he knows where we are right now. We need to get out of here.

Very unusual, the curtains were closed, there was barely any light coming into the house..

He continued: I thought you said we were two steps ahead..

It seems that he got angry, he shouted: Why is my daughter in the hospital then!

I gasped hard enough that father noticed me..

Salma! Who took her to the hospital!? Who does father think could've layed his hands on her!?

Dad: S3eed! How long have you been here?

He put the phone behind him.

Me: No, I was just heading out.

I got out and told the driver to take me to the hospital..

Me: Morning, Salma Al x, where is she?

Receptionist: May I know your name sir?

Me: S3eed Al x, her brother!

She wrote stuff down on the computer and then looked at me.

Receptionist: Her files.. They got deleted?

I was surprised! How do patients' files get deleted like that! It's a HOSPITAL!

Suddenly, my phone started ringing.

Dad: S3eed: What have you done..?

Amal:

The doctor gave Salma some creams to rub on her back. Her arm was wrapped and had a shoulder sling on.

We only got to get out of the hospital at 4 AM, so I invited her to sleep over at our house.

I got up early & made her breakfast in bed. I only had to deal with S3eed during schools days, I was never able to imagine how it would've been like to live with such a monster..

Salma: Good morning..

She said as she opened one eye, smiling at the trey of food.

Me: Good morning!

I put the trey on her lap, but she cringed in pain.

Me: Oh! Sorry! Enjoy..

I said as I put it on her side. Her facial expressions changed as she stared long at the food.
It seemed that the memories were breaking her smile, and fading away every shade of happiness.

Salma: You can have it.. I'm not really hungry.

Me: You know.. I hate him too..

Salma: you.. Too? I don't hate my brother.

Me: Really? After all that's happened?

Salma: I read something once.. It said that family love is unconditional, and through thick & thin it must stand together..
I know that I don't know what that feels like, but maybe if I give it, I'd receive it.

Tears sparkled in her, but they never rolled down. Instead, she picked up her vibrating phone.

I looked away, thinking it was another.. Friend..

Salma: Father called.. He knows it was S3eed!

I stood in shock while she tried to get up.

Me: Here, let me help you.

Salma: I'm strong enough!

Me: This is me offering unconditional love, accept it.

There was surprising fear in her eyes. I read mistrust in her behavior, as if I was a stranger to her.
She held my hands only after deep thought..

Khalid:

I came back home to Mai sleeping in the living room.. I picked her up to our room..

I woke up only in the afternoon, and it was no shock that she wasn't laying beside me.
We were both early risers.

I walked around the room and found her sitting in front of the T.V. Sipping coffee.

Me: Good morning..

I whispered.

She seemed so distracted by the T.V.

Me: Mai? I said good morning?

She looked at me, put her cup on the table and walked away.

What did I do?

Amal:

I stood by the school gates with Joojoo, waiting for Salma.. Perhaps it was Salma, maybe it wasn't.

I prayed to God for at least a glimpse of Kovu, but he was no where to be found.

As soon as I spotted Salma's car, I opened her door and carried her bag for her. S3eed got down, slammed the door and walked away.

Me: Good morning!

Salma: Hey..

She was, for the very first time, in a sweater that was probably a couple sizes larger than her. She had the figure for anything tight, but she was in a sweater that hung off one of her shoulders, with long sleeves that only let her fingers peek out.

Me: We're going to the nursery section, I need some papers for 3osha's admission.

Joojoo: Cuuute next year will be so exciting with 3osha!!

Me: What about this year! It's finally JUNIOR YEAR!!

Giggly from excitement, I didn't notice anyone, ended up bumping into one face I'd missed so much.. Kovu.

Though my face but an inch away from his, I couldn't get my feet to take me a step back.

It was attraction that of magnets, & I had no heart to deny it.
I saw as his shirt got pulled back..

7amad: Good morning Amal! It's been a while!

He flashed a grin, pulling Kovu away from me..

7amaaaad!!!!! Why do you have to ruin everything!!!!??? Why do you love to make me hate you!

Cursed With Beauty (44)

Previously:
S3eed: She made me do things we both regretted..

Khalid: It bothered me more than I thought it would.
----------------------
Amal:

I stood in front of the mirror in an incomplete dress imayah had been making for me. Pink huge flowers were printed on a white background, it was the 1950s again.

Imayah: Stand still, I have to pin the sides..

Me: Imayah.. Can I continue working on it?

Imayah: It's all yours..

S3eed:

I carried Salma to her room as she was crying in pain.

Salma: I hate you! Get away!

When I let go, she dropped to the ground.

Me: Let me help you.

Salma: You've helped enough.

I disregarded the comment.. Whenever I tried to carry her, she'd scream in agony.. It was a struggle to get her to her bed..

Me: Well.. I don't think anything's broken.. At least?

Salma: Get away from me.

Me: Shut up, you're not staying here alone.

Salma: I can't wait 'til dad's back.

Me: You think dad will believe you? YOU? Haha!

I touched her neck gently, closer her throat, I held it tighter until she choked

Me: Dare you tell dad.

Salma: Get out!

She cried, it hurt, but I was in enough trouble.. I didn't know how else she'd ever learn her lesson. I'd grown tired trying to stop her.

Khalid:

I turned around only to find Mai surrounded by men.

"May I help you?" "Do you need anyone to carry the suitcase?" "Are you here alone?"

They all stood there like filthy dogs. She looked at them in surprise, it seemed like she was clueless of her beauty. She then looked at me as if to ask why they were all talking to her.

Mai: Sorry, but my husband's right there.

She said as I walked away even more angered than I was before, but she caught up with me whispering..

Mai: I don't know what their problem is. Couldn't they see I was with you!?

Actually.. From how far I walked ahead, I wouldn't blame the men for thinking she was alone..
It really was my fault, but I wasn't ready to admit that.. I was furious, but when she said that I did feel a bit better.

Mai: Did they really think they could be anything like you?

Me: Like.. Me?

Mai: I don't "want" anyone, I just really need you.

She held my hands, brought it closer to her heart, then her cheeks, then kissed it gently.

Amal:

I was in my finalized floral dress, custom made I guessed! I was looking all pretty for Khalid's arrival, & of course his stunning new lady!

Adding those final touches to the living room, I got a phone call from the last person I never thought would call me, Salma.

Me: Hello?

Salma was crying so hard, I got goosebumps when I heard her.

Me: Salma? What's wrong?

Salma: Can you come? Real quick? Please! I need you.

Terrified, I saw as Khalid & Mai enter the living room.

Me: Khalid! I need you to take me to 3amy Rashid's house!

I pulled out an abaya & shaila from my closet, & ran out to the car.

I called her again..

Me: Hey! I'm right outside..

Salma: The door's unlocked, come straight to my room.

She talked slowly while breathing heavily.
I opened the door to Salma laying on her stomach. Her hair was all over her face, she was in a white T shirt, her hands grabbing the sheets so tightly it felt like the sheets would fly away if she let go.

Me: Salma?

I attempted to stroke her back, but she let out a scream that made me shiver.
I pulled her shirt up, and got shocked by the patches of greens, yellows, and purples on her back. The bruises were too many..

Me: What happened?

Salma: S3eed.. S3eed happened.

Cursed With Beauty (43)

Previously:

Salma: Don't talk about protection when you're defending everybody against me.

Amal: 3asha reminded me of when Khalid used to take me on rides..

S3eed: Ahmad, tell me, what more do you know about him?
---------------

S3eed:

Ahmad said the boy had two older brothers. One had recently gotten married, the other was unemployed and hopeless.

When I went back home, a car was parked across the street, with a guy I've never seen before, trying to peek in what's inside the house..
I caught Salma running out the door.

Me: Woah, where do you think you're going?

Salma: Umm.. Mall?

Me: I don't think so!

Salma: Seriously! Let me go.

Me: Back to your room. NOW!

Salma: Go away!

I lost my temper too soon, she made me do things we both regretted..

Amal:

It didn't take long for me to get comfortable with 3asha. It felt like a girl version of Khalid with me. The laughs, the loving and caring personality.. I wondered if it really was Mai who was supposed to end up with him.. Perhaps 3asha really was the one.

It went around my head for days, but I knew I wouldn't be sure until Khalid and Mai would come back.

Sitting in the living room, Yado joined me.

Yado: Place the fruit basket on the coffee table. Where's the tea? What about the coffee? Your father couldn't possibly come back from work to nothing.

I got up instantly and started making tea and coffee.

Me: Yado, why is it so important for father to come back to coffee and tea everyday?

Yado: He works all day, the least you could do is bring him tea and coffee.

Me: But.. I go to school, watch 3osha when I'm back, who do you think cleans up?

Yado: Who pays for the school you go to? Who's 3osha's father? Who bought the house you clean?

Me: Oh..

Yado: There are small things you can give your father, don't think they're not important, for what he gives in return is much more.

Yadoh has shown me how appreciation goes and comes back around. Father gives so much, it's only fair I give back with whatever's in my ability

After the living room was set, she pulled out her sewing machine from behind the TV set..

Me: Yadoh.. What are you making?

Yadoh: Come, I'll teach you something.

Khalid:

Me: Mai, is the luggage ready?

Mai: One more bag. It just won't close!

On the bed was the last suitcase the concierge was waiting to take..

Me: Umm.. Fine, sit on it.

Mai jumped on it once, then twice, and eventually the zippers met, and the suitcase got locked.

Me: So.. Did you keep an abaya to wear?

Mai: What? No.. I'm wearing this to the airport..

Me: I don't want you wearing pants to the airport, is there an abaya in this suitcase?

Mai: Well.. Yeah, the one I wore on our way here, but I don't want to!

Me: I don't want people looking at you any differently.

Mai: Please Khalid, I don't want to wear an abaya!

Me: Fine. Whatever you say.

I walked away pulling the last suitcase.. I was just a little annoyed, I wished she'd acted upon my desires, but I didn't want to upset her.

Thing was, I had no answer to anything she talked about. "Hmm" & "yeah" were the only words coming out from me..
It bothered me more than I thought it would.

Mai: Are you ready to go back home?

I didn't answer..

Mai: I can't imagine how it'll be like moving out of my room..

I started walking faster, she wasn't able to catch up, but when I turned around..

Cursed With Beauty (42)

Previously:

Khalid: I'm sitting next to the right one..

Amal: Salma's coming to our school!
-------------

S3eed:

I had long forgotten about trying to change Salma. She was too much of a wild child for me to handle, but talking to her reminded me a lot of Saif, who I haven't heard from since the day he traveled.

I asked her to lunch, hoping I can have a good talk just to prep her up for the next school year.

Me: Listen, I know it's been rough, but it's my school your coming to. You're going by my rules, or else you go back to your old public school.

Salma: I don't want to even hear it. Let's go find a good place to eat.

When we finally sat down, ordered, and the food came, I thought it was a good time to begin, since she can't interrupt me when she's eating.

Me: Salma, let's make a deal..

Salma rolled her eyes as she was drinking her coke.

Me: Seriously Salma, just listen?

I think she felt bad, so she agreed.

Me: Date any guy you want, but NO ONE from MY school. Dare I say it, NONE of my friends.

Salma was turning her head left, then right, scanning every guy, every girl, studying everything going on around her.

Me: Salma, did you hear?

Salma: Yeah, whatever.

Me: I don't believe you..

Salma: I just don't understand why you can't trust me.

Me: Because trust is not given, it's earned!

Salma: I'm family! It's supposed to be THERE through thick and thin!! Ever since that witch told on me, I've been getting none! And what ever I say now is considered a lie either way.

Me: That was a respectful move off her trying to protect you, and NEVER call her that again.

Salma: Don't talk about protection when you're defending everybody against me. If you want to talk about respect then maybe you should have some.

She got up and left me all alone.

Khalid:

I woke up to a singing voice. I thought it might be the radio, but it echoed from the bathroom. It was a feminine voice, and the lines where interrupted by constant giggling. Right before I tried to move from the bed, I heard the bathroom door unlock..

Mai: Oh my! Did I wake you?

Amal:

Khalid and Mai were on their honeymoon, and I was all alone with no one to talk to in the house. There was 3osha running around, but that was it.

Yadoh was out, and father was at work. It was that type of day where I laid down on the couch watching T.V. while waiting, for what? I didn't even know.

Me: 3osha, I need help!

She stared at me blankly.

Me: Do you understand me?

She laughed, obviously she didn't.

Me: Want to go out?

She had already lost interest, and continued playing with her toys.

I changed and prepared 3osha's bag, then headed out the door.

I didn't know what to expect, it was my first time to take 3osha out, all alone. She was in her stroller, looking at the ceiling of the mall wide eyed, but I was afraid of what she might do next.

I took her to the toy store, & let her out of her stroller. She got exhausted with how big the place was, but her face lit up at the sight.

We left with two huge bags hanging on each handle of the stroller. I let her walk, holding on to the stroller's side, until she got tired.. It was definitely not the shopping I was used to. After just two stores she got bored and started crying whenever I tried to get into one.

I headed to the bathrooms, as according to schedules, I changed her diaper and made her a bottle. As she slept, I decided to have my dinner real quick, so that I could be home before she got up.

"Amal?" A somewhat tall lady called. Her face was covered, a young figure, with a belt over her abaya, I just stared. She took the shaila off her face only to find 3asha in front of me..

Me: 3ashaa! Esalam 3alaikmm!

3asha: Wa 3alaikm el salam.. May I join you?

Me: Sure! Have a seat!

3asha looked into the stroller and started whispering rather than talking.

3asha: I'm really impressed you were brave enough to go out all alone with her.

Me: Well yeah, it's been okay so far. I expected worse. What about you? Shopping alone?

3asha: No.. I'm dining with M7amad, he just noticed you, thought you looked a lot like Khalid!

Me: Oh..

That M7amad was the reason for so many things.. I've never met him, but I already hated him..

3asha's phone rang..

3asha: Aloo, ohh.. Ook.. Nshallah.

She turned it off and looked at me, 3asha: M7amad's got a meeting, & I have nothing to do.. Want to drive somewhere?

She reminded me of when Khalid used to take me on rides..

Me: Umm.. Sure.

S3eed:

I stayed at the farm a couple of days.. Salma refused to talk to me. Meanwhile, I drove the bike right to Ahmad's stables.

Me: Ahmaad! Ahmad where are you?

Two of the horses weren't in their stables, so I guessed he was accompanying Amal's boyfriend.

On my way back, I found them both on horses..

Ahmad: S3eed! They get scared!

I removed the keys, and hopped behind Ahmad.

Amal's boyfriend kicked his horse and went back to the stables.

Ahmad: What's going on?

Me: What? I just wanted to ride a horse with you both..

Ahmad: But you hate horses.

Me: Since when? I never said that!

Ahmad: Yes you did! Said they're the reason you're not allowed to drive your bikes?

Me: Oh right..

Ahmad: What do you want S3eed?

Me: I was wondering why he walks away whenever he sees me.

Ahmad: Well, he doesn't exactly talk for no reason.. He has no interest in small talk.

Me: The hell's wrong with him? How do you communicate with it then?

Ahmad: He's not mute you know? He talks.. Just not a lot?

Me: I think he's just stuck up.

Ahmad: That's unfair, do you know him?

Me: I already know he's a liar, probably a player too.. That's enough.

Ahmad started chuckling..

Me: What?!

Ahmad: The boy turns red when girls walk past him! A player? Hahaha!

Me: I already hate him.

Ahmad: S3eed, get off my horse, and stop accusing people of being like you.

Me: Umm, tell me, what more do you know about him? Is he dating anyone? Anything? Then I'll go, promise.