No Boundaries: Chapter3.

Enjoy!


❥

-

It was like I had a routine, somehow I forgot that I was on vacation. I woke up again at 6:30AM and got up got dressed and went down to starbucks. In midst of the usual crowd I stood out, like always. I grabbed my coffee which was ready the minute I came in, you gotta love having a routine if it gives you free and fast coffee. 

Mark: vanilla latte with an extra shot, for the pretty lady who just walked in. 

I smiled and blushed at the barista's obvious flirting. As per usual, I went and sat on my corner table with a view of the road ahead. Like always, Yousef was just on time. He sat on the table right next to mine, and opened his laptop. Ever since the day he introduced himself, he has been extra annoying. It was the little things, his humming to the song he constantly listens to. The way he played with the weird thread bracelet he wore on his left hand. The drumming of his fingers on the table he was sitting on. Right now, it was the drumming that's running me out of my patience. 

Areen: Yousef, 9a7?

Yousef: ee n3m?

Areen: momkin twgf eli ga3d tsaweh ba9ab3k? Y3ny 9dg mali 5lg a7d yz3jni, w brj3 Jeddah b3d bokra w mar7 akon feh for the rest of the year, so please let me enjoy the last couple of days that I have. 

Yousef: ok ok. You could've simply asked w kan wgft, so bokra your last day huh?

I sighed a bit too loudly too. 

Areen: sadly, ee. 

Yousef: bjeblk mofaj2a ajal. 

I grew excited and I think it showed on my face, and that made him smile too. His smile was very different from Abdullah's. He didn't have one dimple, he had two and a lot of laugh lines that showed exactly how much he smiles. Unlike Abdullah's long beard, he had a dirty 5 o'clock shadow. His hair was so short, almost like he was bald, which was the exact opposite of Abdullah's slightly long curly hair. He was taller too, and Abdullah was in no means small, but Yousef was abnormally tall. His features were sharp, and they would make you think that he is very unfriendly. And his eyes were hazel, which is so light considering his hair is darker than the night sky.

Areen: Yousef?

Yousef: hmm?

Areen: km 6olik?

He laughed at my question, and his laugh was also not like Abdullah's. His goes straight to your spine and makes you shiver. Why on earth am I comparing them? 

Yousef: I'm 196.5

I think my face expressed how shocked I was. Whoa. Almost 2 meters. 

Areen: sooo? W n9? 

Yousef: walla jad. Ma tdren shlon 9a3b alga pants!

Now I was the one who was laughing. He was genuinely funny when he wasn't annoying the life out of me. 

And we talked, and talked, and talked... It was like time was passing by so quickly and we never noticed. Maybe it was because the coffee never finished, so we would use it as an excuse to . Never mind the fact that talking to him was more addictive than the coffee I had my fingers wrapped around. 

Yousef: ok, the craziest thing I have ever done was..

Areen: a7s stylek you hike when you travel, am I right?

Yousef: a7b aswy a lot of activities all around the world. W the craziest was hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro, w I'm trying to go swimming with whales.

I loved hearing about passionate traveller's adventure, I wished I could be like them. But sadly,  I never had anyone who would do such things with me. Abdullah was the total opposite he loved sitting in cafes that are full of 5aleejiyeen and just watching people who are walking in front of them. Basically, y7b ytmel7.  

Yousef: so, sh8e9tich?

Areen: wsh g9dk?

Yousef: awln, shm3na esmch?

Areen: ebtesamt elmo2men lma yd5l eljannah, or so I've been told.

Yousef: 7lo, nfsch.

I blushed, I don't know what it is about him but I've never been interested in anyone like him.

Areen: what else do you want to know about the very mysterious yet gorgeous Areen?

Yousef: who's the person that you call every day at 7AM and makes you angry every time you close?

Areen: anything but that.

Yousef: tgdaren t'th8en feni tra ha4i no judgement zone. Plus, e7na mo mn nfs elbld a9ln!

He is right, but am I ready to talk about it?

Areen: esma 3bdullah. Tgdar tgol hwa my best friend w atw83 7ob 7yati. I'm not really a people's person, zy ma tshof ma 3ndi friends ktheer. 7yaty 3ebara 3n omy, oboy, 3bdullah, drasty w recently 5wati. 3bdullah ha4a t3rft 3leh w ana 93'era, w kan blftra eli ahli twhom mt6lgen.

Yousef: so he filled a void?

I gave him a small smile, turns out talking to him is not so bad. He is a not so bad listener, and he understood.

Areen: tgdr tgol, ee he filled a void. Shwy shwy, kbrna w kbrt 3la8tna, 9ar akthr mn sh59 ymla fra3', 9rt a7ba. Then he went through tough times w 9ar sha59 thani tmaman. D5l m3 nas mo kwysa, w 3rfoh 3la ashya2 3'l6 b3den shwy shwy bdet a5srah g63a g63a.

Yousef: loving someone who suffers from addiction is truly energy depriving.

I wiped the tears that were about to fall, and gave him a tiny nod with a smile. Resting my cheek on my palm, I stared at him, I can feel my blush crawling up my neck. What on earth am I blushing at?

Areen: goly 3nk ent! Km 3mrk? Esh tdrs? Esh tswi fe London?

Yousef: 3omri 27 sena, Kuwaiti, I studied law and now I'm taking my PhD in forensic law, I almost did everything on my bucket-list, I travelled to 100 countries exactly, I appreciate art and everything beautiful especially the pretty lady in front of me right now.

I looked down and let my hair cover my embarrassed face, whoa. This guy is too good with words. I have to remember I'm in a relationship.

Yousef: w enti, shsalft eltattoo eli on the side of your left palm?

It had 'Independent' written on it.

Areen: b3d ma 9rt 18, I decided I needed something to remind me that I don't need anyone. I guess I was always independent in some way, and I just needed to make it clear. 6b3n oboy b3'a y4b7ni, mama ma hmha elmw9'o3 mrra as long as it's not some guy's name she is okay with it.

Yousef: any other tattoos I should know about?

I laughed, I have never talked about my tattoos with anyone. Abdullah doesn't really notice when I get one, and my parents just left me to be, and I always got one that meant something to me.

Areen: I have this one.

I pointed to my right wrist.

Yousef: 'Fahda&Sita'?

Areen: 5wati!

Yousef: mswya tattoo asamy 5watch?

He looked at me in awe, as if he never thought I'd have my sisters' names tattooed.

Areen: hma twins, 5wati mn oboy, they're only 5 years old, bes I love them so much. They give me so much hope in life. Plus, ma jw bs'hola, oboy has a bit of issues fa it's not easy for him to have kids, fa they might be my only siblings.

He nodded as if he understoond.

I lifted my left ring finger to show him the tattoo I have on the side of the finger.

Yousef: 'hope'?

Areen: ee, this tattoo is extremely private.

He looked confused and I don't blame him at all.

Areen: because of my parents divorce and their constant fights when they were married I never really thought I'd fall in love-

Yousef: w 3bdullah?

Areen: e9br! and get married. Even though I had 3bdullah, nothing ever felt stable enough. Swet hltattoo b3d ma 3bdullah's addiction started, because I needed hope that I might find love again. Whether it was with him aw la, so that's why I picked the wedding ring finger.

Yousef: you really are something ya Areen. Anymore hidden secrets?

Areen: two more tattoos.

Yousef: e9dmeni yallah!

Areen: I lifted my hair from my neck, and showed him the tattoo I had on the vein that would instantly kill me if it ever breaks.

He let out a long breath.

Yousef: الله?

Areen: ironic 9a7?

Yousef: kind of 9ra7a..

Areen: I went through a lot of tough times in my life, I was into some pretty dark places. Bes emani bellah hwa eli 5lani I give up all of that. Ma agol I'm perfect, wla agol ena getting tattoos is okay, bes it is a way for me to cope. W ha4a eltattoo y4krni kl ma saheet ena mar7 ykon 3ndi hl7yat w hln3ma lw mo rbi.

Yousef: yalla one more, Areen.

Areen: the last one is one I got 2 years ago, when I finished therapy. I've been battling depression for years now, and just 2 years ago I was officially rid of it. So in celebration I got a tattoo saying: 'أحب نفسك أولاً ' on my right arm.

Yousef: ma y6al3onch elnas eb...

Areen: k2ni amshi mf95a?

He nodded embarrassingly. 

Yousef: especially since ento bls3oudiya... You know...

Areen: I get it, to be honest I'm not into society that much anyway. Plus, as long as I'm at peace with myself, I'm happy. 

Yousef: wow.. 6b m3lesh lw 9'aygch so2ali la tjawben, bes 9arlk m3 3bdullah 7 snen, wla?

Areen: ee?

Yousef: you don't have one thing that reminds you of him?

Areen: in some way, the hope tattoo reminds me of him. Bes in general, no. Elwgt l7ala mo m8yas, w mar7 a3lm 3la jsmi shy yg3d llabd 3shan sh59 ma a9'mna.

Yousef: e4a lhdraja m9'aygch lesh ma ttrkena?

Areen: Yousef, sm3t o3'niyat Nawal eljdeda?

Yousef: atw83 3rft ay w7da tg9deen.

Areen: sm3t eljomla ely tgol "لو هو بيديني تركتك بس بلاي و علتي اني من دونك أموت و إني معاك ماني حي" ?

Yousef: that's how you feel about him?

Areen: yes.

xo

No Boundaries: Chapter2.

I'm going to post every sunday! 

Enjoy!

❥

-


Areen: mama pleaasee! Stop gushing about the guy it has been exactly 12 hours since we bumped into him.


Mom: no, it's been 12 hours since you bumped into him, w hwa tanna7 ib wajhik!

Areen: ma tanna7 bwajhi, could we please move on with our lives! I didn't even see his face properly!

Mom: because he is so amazingly tall?

Areen: no, because he has a huge nose and that was all I could see from down here.

My mother was acting like a teenager, ever since I turned 20 all she could think about was me finally falling in love and finding the one. You would think since she got married to the guy she loved when she was 18 and got divorced she would want me to be a bit older to make a good decision, but like the true teenage girl she is, she always fantasised about love.

Areen: mama, ma 3omrik ndmti 3la zwajk mn baba at such a young age?


She gasped as if I offended her or asked if her Chanel bag was fake.


Mom: la 6b3n! I loved your dad, bla9a7, I still do love him. W zwajy mna 36ani a7la w ahm shy fe 7yati! Enty!

Areen: 6b why did you ever get divorced if you both love each other so much?

She sighed and suddenly she looked as if she aged 10 years. Even though she looks 30, she is really 39.

Mom: mdri, we drifted apart I guess. We wanted different things with our lives, we had different ideas about what's good for you, and the fighting became too much to bare so we decided to take our own paths.

She smiled while remembering the past.

Mom: bes ana w ubok daymn kna ki4a.. Whenever we were together we couldn't bare to sit without fighting, bes lw we were apart we would always miss each other or want to be together. Gbl ma nt6lg officially he used to leave home a lot, so would I. B3den we decided to put an end to this whole messiness. We had you to look after, and we had to be responsible. So 8rarna nt6lg.


I could sense that her tears were very close to making an appearance so I decided to change the subject.


Areen: mama, bs2lk shy!

Mom: hala 7bebti..

Areen: w7da mn 9degati 3ndha boyfriend w they were so in love, ok? Bes gbl snten ki4a ha4a elboyfriend went through tough times. Elmohem 9ar yshrb w ygolha klam mo zen, w she basically almost always feels uncomfortable around him,  bes hee mo gadra ttrka! T7s ki4a ena 7ram he was there for her so lazm t9eer there for him.

My mother gave me a very understanding look as she nodded, and I knew that I was definitely busted.

Mom: well awlan, she shouldn't be in a relationship where she isn't appreciated. Thanyan, did he do anything physical to her?

Areen: NO! 6b3n, she's not stupid, ever since he started drinking she stopped all face to face contact with him.

Mom: kwys.. Honestly, loving someone with an  addiction is energy draining. Whether his addiction was to drugs, alcohol, or even to work it is mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. You have to move on you tried your hardest to make him get back on the right track but if he isn't listening, then what can you do? Especially when you live across the world. He has easy access to the one thing that consumes all his thoughts right now, so even if he still loves you, the addiction is all he can think about. 

Areen: I know, but I can't find it in me to make it all stop.

Mom: listen, you were in this relationship at such a young age. At the time, you both barely had any idea of what love even was! But you had him at time  where you were confused, and you had an emotional void to fill, and he helped. Ever since then, tw3dti 3leh. Also, you're kind of a loner, so you never needed any actual friends since you had him. Now, you grew up, and he never did. He turned to the bad side to ease his pain, you weren't the one he went to, and that is a sign. It was and still is the biggest sign, that you have to move on. Even if it takes you a lot of time. 


All I could think about was, how on earth did my mom find out about us? 

Areen: you're right..

Mom: akeed, I'm a mother.

I loved motherly mama, she was so calm and mature. As you may have guessed, the only actual person I spend time with is my mother. She is truly amazing, and she is the all-in-one package. She is a  mother when I want her to be, a friend almost always, and an uncontrollable teenager all the time. I am truly blessed. 

Areen: mama, 3adi we book an early flight to go back home?

Mom: leeh?

Areen: goly walla ma tz3len! 

Mom: mshtaga il abok?

Areen: yeah.. 

She sighed, I know that she was having fun here, especially with all the shopping. 

Areen: aw ana arj3 l7aly w enty stay here?

Mom: maby ag3d l7aly hena! 

Areen: 5la9 it's okay!

Mom: laa laa, bdwrlk raj3a w ana adbr nfsi.

I hugged her tightly, and jumped from excitement. 

Areen: walla you're the best!

Mom: adri!

~

I woke up the next morning at 6:30AM again, so I decided to go down to Starbucks again. I threw on the first items of clothing I saw in front of me, and ended up wearing what looked like my mother's leather black leggings, and my extra large sweater. Nice I really out-did myself this time. 

I walked into the Starbucks, and gave Thu the usual half-smile and nod, but this time I actually kept my sunglasses on. I felt like this day was not heading to a good start. Just like the days before, I looked like an outsider to the people swarming this coffee shop at 6:45AM who are mostly businessmen, students, or joggers. 

I found the usual corner table I sit on, vacant I started believing that it actually had my name on it. My phone rang, and I sighed. I already knew the caller without looking at the ID.

Abdullah Calling

Yay! Lucky me, Abdullah is calling. 

Areen: hala..


Abdullah: hala bl7ub!

Areen: allaah! Sh3ndy m979e7een w raygen!

I regretted saying it the minute it came out of my mouth, Abdullah hated when I mention his drinking problem. 

Abdullah: Areen, la tl3ben blnar. Kam marsah gltlk la ttklmen 3n 4almw9'o3?! Ma tfhmen enti? 7mara?! Wla wish blak enti ha? 

Areen: ok ok asfah. 3bdullah, mshtahya a9b3' sh3ry!

Abdullah: goli 7beby mo 3bdullah. La t9b3'en, ana 3ajbni ha4a elloon.

I took a deep breath and gritted my teeth. I honestly have no idea why I'm in a relationship with a guy who treats me like I'm some piece of shit that got stuck on his shoe. 

Areen: ok whatever.

Abdullah: be nice.

It's because I love him, he loves me that's why I'm still with him. He just doesn't know how to show his love. I know that he has issues, I just can't bring myself to admit that it's affecting me too. 

I took a deep breath, and unclenched my fist. 

Areen: 7beby I need to go.. Bnam..

Abdullah: goleli enk t7beni ya a7la ma fe dnyty.

Areen: I love you.

Abdullah: laa, abek tgolenha bl3rbi.

Areen: a7bk. 

I closed the phone instantly. I got the usual goosebumps, and I was filled with disgust and self-loathing. A insanely weird girl like me, only needs an emotionally abusive relationship to add icing to the cake. My parents are great, but their divorce gave me attachment issues, the only other person I really loved is Abdullah. He is a terrible person right now, but he has his moments. 

?: sh7agga ch4abti?

I jumped out of my seat, I forgot that I was next to my new silent non talking buddy. 

Areen: ma atw83 my conversations are none of your business. 

?: ahlen, ana Yousef.

Areen: ok? Wsh asawelk? 

Yousef: 9arlna esbo3 njls jmb b39', atw83 w9lna mr7la lazm nt3rf.

Areen: uh? no?

Yousef: ok, keefich. Brd elsh3'li.

Talk about w-e-i-r-d-o.

~

I curled the most stubborn strand of hair in all of my skull, and it still won't work out. To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. My phone rang and |I turned around to take it and the curler touched my neck, burning it a bit. Sh*t. That will not look good at all. Exactly what I needed, I'm skyping Abdullah in 5 minutes, and he will kill me the minute he sees this. The minute I thought of his name, the laptop started ringing with skype's ringtone. Yay, my luck is just so over the top right now. I answered, while taking a deep breath. 

Areen: Hi baby.

Abdullah: hala walla, wsh 4al7lawah?

Areen: I got dolled up just for you..

He smiled his cute one dimpled smile and I felt my cheeks turn bright red, and the minute I turned my face to other side from how shy I was he started screaming. 

Abdullah: AREEN?! What the f*ck is that?! 

Areen: wsho?

Sadly, my voice broke which didn't help my case at all. 

Abdullah: 7mar gdamk ana?! Goli el9dg ya klba! E3trfi ya glelat elshrf wladb! Wsh ga3da tsawen?! Ha4a ely y7bla bot ma 7olha rgeb. Ana mdri ssh mg3dni m3k len al7in, walla eni dari enk wa6ya. Walla Khaled gayly enk g*ba bes ana elklb eli df3t 3nk zy elahbl. Wa9'7 ena mob jay mnk wla 5eer w kl sh3'lk yjeb stad elwjh ya wa6ya. 

He actually spat on the screen as if I was in front of him. I was appalled.

Areen: I BURNED MYSELF TRYING TO WAVE MY HAIR TO LOOK GOOD FOR YOU, YOU SICK BASTARD. HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME AND THINK OF ME AS SOMEONE WHO IS CHEAP WHEN YOU'RE THE ONE OUT DRINKING ALL DAY AND SPENDING THE MONEY YOUR DAD WORKED ALL HIS LIFE TO MAKE ON THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE THE DEVIL ASHAMED. 

And with that I slammed the laptop shut. Wow, that felt, nice? I never thought I had it in me to say those things out loud. I guess I'm losing my patience with him. 




xo

No Boundaries: Chapter1.

When inspiration hits at 1:28AM, what do you do? You get up, open the laptop, and write. 

Been a while since I wrote, and I miss it so much! I have tons of work to do, but I'm trying to make time for my hobbies. This story is a whole lot of things. It's about love, games, lies, family, friendships, and finding yourself. Okay so rules have to be made, I'm extremely busy with university and studying. I tried writing as much of the story as I could, but I didn't exactly meet the deadline I set for myself, but I promised you guys to post the story on a certain date so I will post it. Also please give me feedback!

Enjoy!

❥

-

I woke up automatically at 6:30AM as if I wasn't on a vacation, and I tried as hard as I could to go back to sleep, but it didn't work. At 7:14 I was dressed and ready, even though I had no where to go. I opened the door to the apartment, and walked out of the building. After seeing that everyone awake was either on their way to work or school and some were out jogging, I decided to just go to the nearest starbucks. I went in, and the guy behind the counter 'Thu' smiled automatically at me, and I waved back. He started working on my usual order and I found a table to sit in. The only seat I found was one in a far corner in front of the window, so I took it. Sadly, I'm not exactly the most sociable person, I only have one close friend, her name is Lulu and she is the exact opposite of me. So, I don't have many people to talk to at this time of the day, or any time of the day anyway. Strangely enough, even though I was a bit of a social outcast in real life, I had a ton of friends on social media websites. I know it's not enough, but I have serious attachment issues, my only best friend is Abdullah, who is also my boyfriend. I started staring out the window, and I was lost in my 17th dream when I was engulfed with the smell of caramel and coffee. 


I looked up and smiled to the sweetest waitress I have ever met, and asked her if she could sit down. Sadly, it was rush hour so she couldn't. I wrapped my hands around the steaming cup of deliciousness, and as if I wasn't weird enough I inhaled deeply the addictive smell of coffee and sweetness. Suddenly, someone who seemed to stand out from the crowd passed by the window. I don't know what was it exactly but something made my eyes follow him. I was brought back to the place I'm in by hearing my ringtone. It was 8:20 already! Wow, time does fly by when your mind drifts. 

Mama Calling

I let out a sigh, she probably woke up and noticed that I went out. 


Areen: hala?

Mom: mama Areen weenk!

Areen: sorry mama nseet agolk gbl a6l3, gmt bdri w nzlt atmsha..

Mom: aha, 6yb ana brj3 anam shwy, e4a rj3ti elshiga la t6l3en a9wat. 

Areen: ok!

Mom: i love you.

Areen: me too..

I clicked off, and then my phone rung again. Can nobody get any peace or quiet anymore? 

Abdullah Calling

Great, exactly what I needed. I want nothing more than to ignore this call, but I can't.

Areen: heyo!

Abdullah: hala bglby w ro7yyyyy


Oh wow, as if it couldn't get any better I get drunk Abdullah.

Areen: 3bdullah! 9a79e7 b3den t3al klmni! B3den elsa3h 2 elfjr 3ndkom bLA! Wsho twk raj3 elshiga?

Abdullah: ee.. babe!

I sighed.

Areen: hala..

Abdullah: tell me something that will make me go to bed happy...

I felt my whole body get covered in goosebumps from his tone. Lately, the Abdullah I fell in love with and made me feel like I was the only girl in the world, vanished. Now, there was only this disgusting piece of trash, with the lowest morals in the world, and the worst part is I can't find it in me to break up with him. I still have hope that the guy I fell in love with will come back. 

Areen: get your sh*t together then come talk to me! 


And I slammed the phone on the table, loudly. Everyone turned to look at me, and at that moment that guy that my eyes followed when he passed by the window went in. He looked at my funny and I blushed the darkest red. I quickly got up and slammed 5 pounds on the counter closest to Thu. 


So as you all might have guessed, I'm in a relationship with a horrible terrible guy who studies in L.A. The sad part is, he wasn't like that when we first met. We actually first met, when I was 14 and he was 16, we were sitting on the steps leading to my apartment in London. My parents were only just divorced, and he somehow seemed to ease the pain. He was sweet, considering, funny, and everything I needed at that time. We started out as friends, and he even met my mother. Then we took to another level a year later. Now, here I am 21 years old, fresh out of  university, thank god for summer courses! And that sweet perfect guy who I fell in love with, first started drinking, and lost his father and his best-friend in the same year, and then dropped out of university. It's been 2 years and he only keeps getting worse, whenever I try reasoning with him he keeps saying how he inherited millions, companies, and investments that he could live off for the rest of his life. 

I'm pretty sure any sane person would've broken up with him after he became the lowest of lows, but I couldn't find it in me to do so. He was there for me when I was going through the toughest time I ever had, how can I not be there for him? Also, to be fair, when he isn't drunk he isn't bad. 

Through all this thinking I didn't realise that I was standing in front of the door totally zoned out. I opened the door and sighed. 

Mom: AREEN!

I took a deep breath, I love my mother, really, but she could be a bit too controlling at times. 

Areen: smi? 

Mom: wsh rayk t9b3'en sh3rk ash blonde? Aw bronde?

Did I mention that my mom worked in fashion too? So she was always into the newest trends, and I know she secretly wished that I was a girl who is interested in being extremely stylish. I know how to dress up, but I don't like to do it, a lot. 

Areen: Mama! 3ajbni sh3ri the way it is! 

Mom: bes, the blonde you have on now doesn't suit you anymore. 

I know, but Abdullah likes it. I might wear a lot of stuff that he likes, don't ask me why, I'm very much a feminist but you know I want to look good for him. 


Areen: let's discuss it later. So, esh swety ams? 

Mom: shopping, coffee with those horrible ladies that I call friends, then more shopping, and then lunch with 5altk 3abeer, and- oh! Shftlk shoes, you'll love them. 

Areen: walla?!

I got excited about shoes, that is probably the only thing I have in common with my mother. My excitement couldn't become more than this, but it doubled when I saw the gorgeous nude coloured winged Giuseppe Zanotti sandal heels. 


Areen: oh mama, it's gorgeous!

I almost cried at how beautiful it is, I know they're shoes to some people but to me they were pieces of art. 

Mom: want to know the best part?

Areen: what?!

Mom: I bought your size in all 4 colours!

Also another thing I share with my mom, the wasting of money. 

Areen: MAMA! We said we will try to become more 'economic' and try to 'save money'. 

Mom: el5eer el7mdellah wajd, so we don't have to save money! 9adgeni!

Areen: 'kay. 

Mom: b.t.w-

Areen: not cool mama, mara not cool. 

Mom: okkk, by the way, ubok yb3'ak tro7enla blriya9' as soon as we arrive in Jeddah. 

Areen: walla?!

I was probably a bit more excited than my mother hoped I would be, but I missed my dad. Their divorce tired me out, especially since I was an only child, but the minute I decided to move with my mom to Jeddah I could feel and actually see my dad's heart break. He remarried soon after we moved and he had 2 daughters, they were twins, and the cutest ones to be honest. I was glad that my dad moved on with his life, but somehow I had a feeling that he was never really over my mom. Even though she was very over him, she always told me that she felt suffocated when she was with him. Their divorce might have been the hardest thing I ever went through but I know it was for the better.  


Mom: you know that he loves you more than anything, and you picking me over him really broke his heart.

Areen: adri, bes you're my mother and I couldn't leave you alone. 


I kissed the top of her head, and she suddenly stood up.

Mom: yalla! 5n6l3!

Areen: ok let me just grab my bag!


Mom: ki4a btlbsen?

I looked down at what I was wearing, what was wrong with it? I had light washed off ripped jeans paired with a button down worn out black shirt I got from Abdullah, and the most beautiful but also painful Valentino studded black heels. 

Areen: the shoes are pretty!


Mom: true..

Areen: yallaa let's go! 


Mom: at least wear the bag I bought you yesterday, pleaseee!

Areen: no, it's way over the top mama.


We walked out of the apartment and my mother was still begging me to wear a fancier bag, and clothes that didn't make me look homeless and I was absent-mindedly nodding my head to her rant while I was typing a very angry text to Abdullah. When suddenly I ran face first into someone who was walking in front of me. I should never text and walk. 

Areen: ouch.

?: sorry, ma shftch. 

I looked up, and up, and up, and up, and until I couldn't crane my neck anymore to see that guy from the coffee shop. How did he know that I am Khaleeji?! And how on earth is he so tall?! He looked normal while I was sitting. 

xo