~'♥♫•~ Chapter Nine ~'♥♫•

                                            ♥ “The unforeseen”  ♥

From the last few weeks, Zayed and Janaan have been seeing each other, constantly. And yet again today, he had to leave his office early, to see her at an art exhibition. Zayed would never go to such places five years ago, but ever since Janaan entered his life she sowed the love of colors in his heart and he grew fond of painting. He wasn’t an artist himself but he appreciated beauty when he saw it. Zayed was always fascinated with the double meaning of colors, he loved how each color was powerful enough to change ones emotions.

There was a ghost of a smile that played on his lips as he made his way to his car, after walking Janaan to hers. He remembered something that Janaan had said; “Painting’s speak when words can’t.” She had uttered while they both stood side by side, looking at a beautiful painting. He had glanced sideways to look at her.

“Not with you.” He’d encountered. “You’re a writer. You always have something to say about everything.” Zayed had joked, making her roll her eyes.

“Yes, I don’t know why I keep on forgetting that I am an exceptional case.” She had replied.

As he walked to his car he checked for any missed calls on his phone and found two, they were from Hamad. He got in the car and was planning to call him when his phone rang. Seeing the number he couldn’t help but smile.

“Hello,” Zayed answered. It was his uncle, Badr. Janaan’s brother in law.

“Ya Halla Zayed. How are you?” Badr questioned, vigorously.

“I am great.” Zayed shifted a little in his seat. “How about you? How’s Deema?” He inquired about his wife. He remembered the face of his young, beautiful, aunt. Janaan looked a lot like her.

“She’s fine, sitting right next to me and she’s complaining that you never call.” Badr replied.

“Tell her I miss her cooking.”

Badr laughed at that. “Already? You haven’t been away for that long.” He replied.

“It’s been two and a half months.” Zayed realized that it felt like yesterday when he walked on Fifth Avenue in New York.

“How’s your father doing? Is he getting any better?” His uncle asked, concern oozing from every word.

This made the smile on Zayed’s lips fade; “He’s still the same.” He said after a pause. “Although, he said he was feeling good yesterday, but I think that was because he wanted to get out of the house.”  He explained.

“Yeah, that’s Waleed. He’d never sit at home for more than fourteen hours.” Badr acceded. “Are you still at work?” He interrogated, listening to the sounds of the cars as Zayed turned around the roundabout to make his way to home.

“No, I got out earlier today.” Zayed responded. “Janaan had some art exhibition she had to go to.”

“And you offered to take her there.” Badr said, in a playful tone.

“Of course, aren’t we known for our hospitality?” Zayed mocked, with a mischievous smirk. He would never say anything like that to anyone. But Badr, his uncle, his friend, was different. There were no limits with him, he knew Zayed better than anyone in the world. He’d also been the first person to guess Zayed’s interest in Janaan, though he never told him that, but Badr didn’t need telling. They just understood each other.

“How’s she doing with her book?” Badr questioned. Janaan had been writing a book about the Arab culture but being raised abroad all her life, she didn’t know that much about it. So she came to UAE for research.

“Good, I think.” Zayed answered, readjusting his Safrah with his left hand then resting it on the armrest of the car door while still driving single handedly. “I invited her to a family dinner. Thought it would be a good experience and will help with the book.”

“Did it?”

“Well, you know Janaan. She doesn’t get comfortable around a throng.” Zayed smiled at the memory of her watching his family, quietly. Her gaze lifting from one person to another as they all spoke at once, a typical family thing. “She isn’t too good with the family gatherings.” He finished.

“Speaking of which, have you talked to anyone about her yet?” Badr asked in a hushed tone. There was no need to pretend like Zayed didn’t know what he was talking about, he couldn’t ignore this question.

“No..not yet..I don’t think anyone’s ready yet.” He uttered, frowning. “I have taken over work and she’s so focused on her own career. This wouldn’t be the best timing.”

“I don’t think Waleed has a problem with her but I don’t know about your mother, Khadijah.”

“Why would she have a problem with Janaan?” Zayed interrogated as his frown deepened.

“Janaan is two years older than you and as far as I know is different than Khadijah’s expectations of a daugh…”

“I don’t think mother will be that narrow minded!” Zayed interrupted, not letting Badr complete his sentence. “Besides we shouldn’t worry about them, I haven’t talked to Janaan yet. I don’t know if she’ll say ‘Yes’.”

“You shouldn’t worry about that. I know these sisters too well.” A small smile made its way to Zayed’s lips upon his uncle’s words.

“Well, we’re both focusing on our careers now, but when the time comes, I’ll make the move.”

“I trust you will do the right thing.”

*'♥♫*

The evening sun was about to set when Zayed walked out of his car to the main building. He preferred the warmth of the sun than the darkness of the night. He preferred summer over winter’s sight. He had had enough cold and crusty winters in USA and now longed for summer and wanted it to stay.

Zayed was about to enter when his older sister Laylah walked out of the house, smiling as her eyes fell on him, “You came.” She announced, looking for her slippers. “Have you had lunch?” She inquired in a motherly tone.

“Yeah, I just..” Zayed trailed off because of the ear piercing shriek that he had just heard, followed by laughter. The twins were playing in the gardens again, as usual.

“It’s a beautiful day. Why don’t you come join us outside?” Laylah said walking ahead of him. He would’ve gone straight to his room and call Hamad but he followed her only because he wanted to see the twins.

“Allah, the air is so cold.” Laylah said, cheerfully. Her brother turned to her and when he saw those shinning eyes, he laughed, because for Zayed this weather was far from being cold compared to the States’ climate.

“Yeah, it looks like it’s going to snow tonight.” He made fun. She rolled her eyes at him and was about to reply when Kholoud walked over to him. He beamed at his niece’s sight and put his hand around her shoulder when she came closer.

“I haven’t seen you since…” Kholoud said, raising an eye brow. “Ummm since yesterday,” She finished. Zayed smiled at his niece.

“Oh yeah? That seems like so long.” He joked, as they walked to the garden’s Thai Sala, which sat peacefully at the far end of the garden. Mona was seated there, with a badminton racket placed in front of her. She greeted him with a beam. Like everyone else, she seemed to be loving the day as well.

“Salaam Alaikum. Mona, you are here too?” Zayed asked, sitting down on one of the seats under the shades of the Sala. He grabbed Kholoud’s hand and insisted her to sit by him.

“Yeah, me and Kholoud were trying to exercise a bit.” Her reply made him raise an eyebrow and he abruptly turned to his niece holding her right upper arm.

“You were exercising? What fat is there that you want to burn?” He asked her, playfully. Kholoud grinned at her uncle. She knew he was right she probably weighed 33 KG’s for a fourteen year old.

“I was playing. She..” Kholoud pointed at her aunt, Mona, “She was exercising. She came to me complaining about her weight and insisted that I help her.”

“C’mon Kholoud, you don’t expect me to play badminton with your mother.” Mona ridiculed, winking at her and as an answer received a playful punch on her arm from Laylah. Kholoud laughed out loud at that which made Zayed smile too. He examined her features as happiness dropped from her eyes.

“Ouch Laylah, that really hurt. What are you made of?” Mona winced.

“Steel.” was Laylah’s blunt answer. Kholoud laughed again. “Alhamdulillah, I have never had the pleasure of being hit by that hand.” She confessed looking at her mother’s hands. Zayed placed a hand around her shoulder and pulled her closer.

“I don’t think you ever needed it,” He said.

“Yeah, although I can’t say the same thing about Khawlah, she sometimes kills me with her stubbornness.” Laylah asserted, complaining about her other daughters behavior.

“It’s not just you, last week Miss Hana was saying the same thing. All of the teachers are sick of her attitude.” Kholoud grumbled. Zayed couldn’t help but grin at that. “She even fought with one of my friends on some stupid reason. My friend had told her she likes me more than her and Khawlah…” Zayed wasn’t listening anymore. He leant closer and took a strand of her long brown hair and played with it. Kholoud was unlike anyone else in the house, she was the dearest to Zayed’s heart.

He hated his sister’s ex husband for doing what he did to Laylah and her girls. He always aimed to remove the space that that filthy man had created in their hearts. He also regretted the years that he was away, because he missed five years of them growing up. He had missed their warm laughter, Kholoud’s shy requests and Khawlah’s riotous behavior.

Laylah and Mona both smiled as they stared at Zayed who placed a kiss on Kholoud’s head, taking in her warmth and giving her the love her father couldn’t give. As for Kholoud, she still kept talking and stopped only when Zayed asked about her twin sister.

“She went out with Jassim,” She shrugged her shoulders not looking at him. “Even though he didn’t want to take her, but you know Khawlah.” There was some sort of sadness or disturbance in her voice, Zayed didn’t know which one it was, exactly. He tilted his head to take a closer look at her eyes.

“And why didn’t you go with her.” He questioned. She remained silent and didn’t reply for a while.

“They both had a fight!” announced Laylah, after a pause. “Miss Kholoud here is angry from Khawlah.” She smiled knowingly at Zayed and gave Kholoud a look filled with blame.

“It was her fault. She always embarrasses me in front of everyone.” Kholoud said, looking down.

“But one of you has to be smarter and you can’t expect Khawlah to be that one.” Mona declared. Kholoud grew silent and the two older women started talking to themselves.

Zayed decided to leave but before going, he kissed Kholoud on her cheek and asked if she wanted something. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, innocently. He leant forward and planted another kiss on her forehead, whispering in her ear; “If you do, you know where my room and wallet are.”

 *'♥♫*

  Hamad had invited Zayed to a dinner at his house with some other friends. The two missed calls in the afternoon had been about that. He’d told Zayed that as his friend, he was supposed to do this earlier but never got the right time, so he’s doing it now. Hamad also said that he could’ve done it in some restaurant where all the friends would gather around but it had been a long time since Zayed had come to his house, so this was another reason.

Once in the Majlis, both men sat together to catch up with each other. According to what Hamad said; only close friends were invited, that included Rashid and Fahad. At first when Fahad’s name was mentioned Zayed didn’t recognize him but when Hamad enlightened further, he remembered the only cousin friend, who used to hang around them, sometimes.

They were soon joined by the man himself, Zayed noticed that he hadn’t grown old, the same height, same looks, but now had a darker beard. He stood up to greet him. Fahad was accompanied by a seven year old boy, who he said was his younger brother, Saleh. The little boy was as confident and eye catching as his older brother. He came and shook hands with Zayed and Hamad, then left the Majlis without saying a word.

 Normal conversation was streaming between the men. Fahad and Zayed updated each other on what they have been doing all these years. Zayed found him quite gratifying. He had a good manner of speech and knew how to please everyone. A while later he found himself enjoying his conversation.

Moments later, Rashid walked in, in the midst of laughter and glee. The environment turned even more interesting and joyful because of him. They talked for what it seemed like hours, time seemed to pass by without them realizing it. Hamad would usually go see the preparations for dinner, because he has no one to do that for him. The third time when he got out, Fahad joined him and said he has to meet his aunt too.

Both of them walked to the kitchen outside the main building because that was where Hamad’s mother was. They exchanged greetings and Umm Hamad was delighted to see Fahad. She also complained that he doesn’t visit much and Fahad was quiet because he knew that he had an aunt and as a family he must visit every now and then.

“Where’s Mahra? Isn’t she helping you here Khaloo (Aunty)?” Fahad asked his aunt. He questioned looking around, searching for a sign of Mahra. A voice in the back of his head said that what he did was wrong. He’s an engaged man and shouldn’t be asking about other people’s grown up daughters, but the damage was done because he just noticed that Hamad gave him a weird look, whereas Umm Hamad’s smile deepened.

“She is with Saleh inside. The moment she heard that you’ll be coming, she insisted you bring him with you.” Umm Hamad said, walking out of the kitchen to call her maid who went out to bring a carton of cold drinks and wasn’t back yet.

 ‘If you need any help, just ask. I am at your service.” Fahad said to his cousin.

“Of course I will. Isn’t that why we brought you here?” Hamad joked, patting at his shoulder and laughing.

“And here I was thinking you had really missed me.” Fahad rolled his eyes as they both started ordering the maids to finish up. They watched as the servants took the food to the Majlis one by one. When everything was done, they joined the other two men at dinner.

 *'♥♫*

After dinner they all sat talking, sharing memories and laughing. Suddenly, Rashid’s phone rang. Zayed looked up and a small smile crept over his face, he sat idly on his chair with one arm stretched over the armchair. “Is it your mother again?” He ridiculed, giving his friend a teasing look. Hamad laughed out loud but Fahad remained silent, looking confused because he didn’t know anything about Rashid’s “Mother’s” phone calls and no one bothered to fill him in. He looked from one to the other, somewhat disarrayed.

“Yeah,” Rashid grinned. “She’s been angry from the past two days because I forgot her birthday.” Zayed sniggered and felt sorry for Rashid’s girlfriend. Rashid was the only one in the group who still liked playing around with girls. Both Zayed and Hamad had grown out of it, a long time ago.

The phone rang again and Rashid looked at the screen, sighing loudly. “Now who will get rid of her for me. I wish there was a book that talked about how to satisfy a woman.” He said, taking a large sip from his glass of cold drinks.

“Even if there was, would you read it?” Hamad jeered, grinning.

“Yeah, you have a point there.” Rashid nodded and said after a while; “I think I should give all of this up now.”

“We aren’t talking about your mother are we?” Fahad asked innocently, still that obscure look on his face. They all burst into laughter.

“No, I am not.” Rashid declared, after recovering. Another moment’s silence followed in which Fahad was confused and the others wore light smiles, thinking whether or not to share the stories of Rashid’s games. Hamad and Zayed went back to some humorous memories, without realizing that they were making new ones.

 “I am just sick of playing around. I wanna get serious and get settled.” Rashid broke the silence. Both his friends stared at him as if he was going to add a joke to his sentence but Rashid remained quiet.

“Are you serious Rashood?” Hamad inquired, calling him by his childhood’s nickname.

Rashid gave an exaggerated nod. “Yeah man, I am tired of the life of a bachelor.” They all were a bit surprised. “But everyone says that married life is a trap too.” He notified, making his companions nod except Hamad. The word ‘Married life’ brought only one word to Hamad’s mind and that was ‘Mona’. He dreamed of living his entire life with her and knew that every second spent with that woman would be heavenly.

“Wait, Fahad. When are you going to get married?” Rashid asked Fahad, who had finally realized that Mahra doesn’t want him and had found a girl elsewhere.

“I am waiting to finish some work and then Insha Allah I’ll complete half my deen (Religion). But whenever it happens, you guys are already invited.” Fahad announced with a smile.

“Was it arranged or love…?” Zayed asked, out of curiosity.

As an answer Fahad chuckled; “C’mon brother. Love marriage doesn’t exist here. We aren’t living in America.” Fahad made fun and everyone laughed because they knew Fahad was joking but Zayed was dumbstruck.

“No, no.” Fahad clarified, with a smile in his voice. “I have known her from a long time. She is from my mother’s family. I had a liking for her, so I told my family to go and ask for her hand.” Fahad confessed still smiling at Zayed’s reaction.

*'♥♫*

Rashid left soon after having dessert and fruits, because of the urgent phone calls that he had received. Hamad got up to walk him to the door and Zayed walked over to the sink to wash his hands. It was to the left corner of the room next to the main door of the majlis. As he did so, he saw the young kid, who he had seen earlier, Saleh, run into the majlis laughing loudly, shaking an iPhone with a pink cover in his left hand. He walked passed Zayed and ran to his brother, Fahad.

“Saleh. Salooh.” Zayed heard a feminine voice call from behind the door. He immediately entered the sink area before they saw each other. He knew the voice very well. It was just this morning when he heard it. Though he always saw her but seeing her here in their house it was frowned upon. But what brought her here anyway!?

After knowing that she was Hamad’s sister, he had regretted his decision, and for a brief while had thought that he might have misjudged her. But the moment when he saw her scream and raise her finger at that Bengali man last week, as if she was threatening him, Zayed was finally assured that his first impression had been right.

He had known a lot of women in his life but none had ever been like this one. Mahra was courageous, for sure, but that courage and confidence was put in false means. She might be smart enough to make her way to things that are beyond her reach without having any assets but she sure as hell doesn’t have anything in common with Hamad. Say for instance; Manner of speech, care and caution, ‘Which are qualities every woman must bestow.’ Thought Zayed

 *'♥♫*

Fahad’s eyes widened when he heard Mahra’s voice near the men’s Majlis. He stood up rapidly and strode to see what brought her here. He wished and hoped that Zayed hadn’t heard her voice but knew very well that he had. Fahad planned to scold her but upon seeing her all of his rage melted away, like it always does. Just the way she lowered her gaze and adjusted her scarf on her head made him loose his train of thoughts.

“What are you doing here?” He demanded. Despite the fuzzy feelings in his heart, the possessive side of him was a bit harsh, which was something Mahra didn’t like.

“Don’t forget you are in my house.” She retorted, making him frown.

“Mahra, the guests are still here.” Fahad managed to keep a calm tone. Mahra narrowed her eye brows and took a step backwards to take a glance at the main door.

“But I just saw Hamad leave with someone.” She defended, but now a bit of awkwardness colored her tone.

“No. One of them is still here.” Fahad answered.

“But it wasn’t my fault, Salooh took my phone and escaped. I came to..” Fahad didn’t let her finish and walked into the Majlis again. After a few seconds he returned with her phone in his hand. He looked at it with a small smile. “Pink?” The smile widened and reached his eyes. “When are you gonna grow up?” He teased.

“I left growing up for you people.” Mahra remarked taking her phone from his hand and turned to leave. He watched as she took quick steps to the house door. A huge smile played on his lips as he sighed, but then reality kicked back in. He remembered that he was engaged. He had promised to stay loyal to his fiancé. This was wrong. Astagfirullah.

  *'♥♫*

After a long day Zayed finally reached home. He entered the dark living room locking the door behind him and making his way to his room but stopped when he saw his father sitting alone on the sofa.

“Father.” He called, walking towards Waleed as he smiled weakly at him. “What is it? Why are you here alone?” Zayed asked, concerned.

“Nothing. I couldn’t sleep.” Waleed spoke trying to console his son. “And I had something to talk you about, but you weren’t here.” he stood up slowly. “Come with me to the study room.” Zayed was surprised but didn’t show it. Why would his father sit till one in the morning waiting for him to talk? What did he want to talk about? whatever it is, it must be important.

They walked together, towards the study room. Zayed grabbed the door for his father. They both then took their seats, the father looking at the son with proud glinting in his eyes. As for Zayed the man in front of him was everything he had. A father, a model, a teacher and a carer; for him his entire world meant to devote his life for this man and his family, to rise up to his expectations and become more.

They both studied each other for a while one appreciating the other admiring. And at last Waleed broke the silence; “How has everything been going on?” He questioned. Zayed ran a hand trough his hair, which had been covered with his Safra all day, but he took it off in the car and forgot to bring it with him. He then began updating his father on some work details that he hadn’t been informed of. But turns out that wasn’t what Waleed was asking for, he listened to Zayed until he finished and then said; “Good. But that wasn’t what I was talking about.” He stated, making his son frown.

“What is it then?”Zayed asked, shifting a little in his seat. He had grown uncomfortable, afraid that his father might touch the topic that he was trying to ignore the most, at least with him, ‘Marriage’!

“Now that you finished your studies and are working too.” Waleed spoke in a hushed tone, “Have you thought about getting married?” He brought it straight to his son without any twists or turns. The effect of this hadn’t been that great on Zayed because he, for some odd reason, had seen it coming. Without realizing his face had turned into a deep frown, and he looked as if he had been thrown to face some obstacle.

 That seemed to bother Waleed. Normally, most guys are quite eager to get married and wait for this day most ardently. He thought of many reasons for such an uninterested behavior and couldn’t think of any.

“Son, do you have a particular girl in mind?” Waleed inquired. Looking closely at his older son, the man had reached to the reality and without being told had guessed it right, there certainly was a girl in Zayed’s mind. Janaan, the name that ran through his brain, but was he going to confront his father about it? He wasn’t ready, they both weren’t!

Zayed shoved the thought away, just for now, knowing that if he told him ‘Janaan’ is the ‘It Girl’; they’d probably be getting married next month. Besides, their relationship hadn’t gone that far, as close as they both are but they still come in the friends zone.

“No.” Zayed fidgeted in his seat and finally looked up to meet his father’s gaze who was smiling, lightly. “I don’t have anyone on my mind yet.” He lied, thinking this might put it off for a later time.

Surprisingly, the smile on Waleed’s face broadened; “Well, I have been thinking of someone for quite a while now.” He announced. Zayed simply narrowed his eyes at this little problem in his future plans.

“Who?” He asked, his heart beating a little faster, waiting impatiently for the upcoming words.

“What do you think of Mahra as your wife?” Waleed announced.

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Dear readers, Here's the chp that u all have been waiting 4 so long. We r again sorry 4 being so late beause of school homework & stuff. But we r never going 2 stop writing this story 'cause both of us love the characters and the plot so much. And we also know that some of you eagerly want to know what happens next. To do so, you have to be a little patient with us. We write really long chps just to give u some satisfaction after such a long wait. We love you all a lot. Hope u keep reading our work and wish that you like it:)

~Lots of Love from the writers ~Witty and Witch