No Boundaries: Chapter5.

Enjoy!

❥
-

I opened the door to my father's house in Riyadh as quietly as I could, and once I successfully managed to go into the house I took a deep breath. I loved how my dad's house smelled, it was a mixture of bu5oor and flowers. 

Describing it makes it sound weird, but really that was the only explenation I could find.  
My step-mother suddenly came down the stairs. She ran over to me excitedly, and hugged me tightly. 

Areen: ahlen 5alti! 

Abeer: hala glbii! Keefk? Etrkii shn6tk Mary t6l3ha fog! 

My stepmother as anyone might know is the exact opposite of what a cinderella stepmother is like. She's thoughtful, sweet, and caring. She never once offended me or my mother, honestly she is the best thing that happened to my dad since I decided to move with my mother to Jeddah. We chatted excitedly and caught up while going up the stairs. 

Areen: wow 5alti! 9b3'tk m3 ur tan t9y7! 

Also, my stepmother is like a slightly younger version of my mother. 

Abeer: 97? Elmrra eljayh lazm tjen m3na elCapri! 

Areen: akeed! Bs gololy meta btro7on w agolkm e4a agdar aji! Ween baba?

Abeer: 3nda monawaba elyom! 

Areen: ohh, ashofa el9ba7 ajl.. 

Abeer: so!! Goleli keef 3bdullah??

Did I mention that my stepmother also knew? Since he lived in Riyadh so I had to tell her. 

Areen: ble5, wallaa I don't think he'll get better 9ra7a. Fahdah w 9ita namo?

Abeer: they stayed up to wait for you bes they couldn't resist sleep any longer. W enty kman shklk t3banaaaa! Get some sleep! 

Areen: yalla al7in bro7 3'orfty. 



~


I jumped awake a couple of hours later to the sound of something crashing to the ground and breaking. I ran quickly to the source of the sound and saw my dad in his blue scrubs and white lab coat hanging on his arm. He looked exhausted, sleep-deprived, and scared.


I ran up to him, jumped on him, and hugged him tightly. He showered me with kisses and hugged me back tightly. 


Areen: baba eshtagtlk mrra efff! 


Dad: I missed you akthar ya glb ubok enti! Areen mama, jals'h t5ngeni! 




I got off of him, but still kept my arms around him. 


Dad: 3abeer bt4b7ni...


I laughed quietly, and let go of him.


Areen: yepp!


He laughed with me. 


Dad: so keefk?


Areen: kwysa, anyway baba we have all the time in the world to catch up, go sleep, shklk btnam w enta wagf gdami.


Dad: ee, the other doctor called in sick, so kant my shift 36 hours.




I gave my dad a sad look.


Dad: hey, I'm not complaining, I love my job.


Areen: true..


Dad: 6yb yalla mama goodnight. Esh rayk n6l3 nt3'ada bokra?


Areen: sounds nice, ft7t 3ndkom m6a3m jdeda blriya9'?


Dad: ana ma7b ela elfourseasons so malk ela hwa..


Areen: you sound so old! K2nk shayb 3omra 65 sana may3rf ela m63m wa7d!


Dad: ok ok, bn5li 3abeer t5tar lna m63m!


Areen: yjon m3na?


I loved my step mother and sisters, I would love nothing more than to spend time with them as well.


Dad: laa laa, abi nsolf ana w enti l7alna shwy.


Areen: ok?


Dad: shd3wa 5fti, ana obok mar7 asawelk shy.


I went back to bed with a smile, sadly all the sleepiness I felt vanished at the crack of sunlight that entered my room. So I tossed and turned until I gave up on ever going back to sleep. The nagging feeling in my stomach that something was about to go utterly wrong returned with full force. I decided to just shower and let it slide.

 I was brushing my hair when my bedroom door cracked open quietly, and two little pairs of feet paddled through the room. I pretended to not hear them so they could surprise me. My smiled stretched through all my face when two very tiny, yet very deliciously smelling bodies slammed into me. I hugged them as tight as I could, and they hugged back with all they might.

~

I traced the invisible circles on the coffee mug that was in front of me. My dad and I decided to get coffee after lunch, and I still have no idea what he wanted to tell me.

Areen: So baba, anyway you can tell me what’s happening?

Dad: ok.. Mdri shlon agolk hlmw9’o3, bes tra it is completely your choice. I will not interfere with anything.

Areen: baba? Jals t5wfeni?

Dad: Areen 7bbti fe wa7d tgdmlk esma 3bdullah Al-Flani, enti darya hom 3a2ela m3rofa w sm3t’hom 6yba, bes again it’s your choice whatever you decide I will be with you.

Areen: no.

Dad: hw mdak 8rarti?

What on earth am I saying? Did I just say no to a marriage proposal? From my 6 year-long boy-friend? I must be crazy.

Areen: hah.. 89di mdri twni 93’era..

Dad: 7bbti, you’re 21. Not that young anymore, and it’ll only be a couple of months before you graduate. So atw83 jaa elwgt eli tfkren blmw9’o3..

So this is what the nagging feeling has been about. Abdullah’s proposal. Wow, as if this summer couldn’t get crazier. What is really tiring me is that my first reaction was to say no. Something is utterly wrong with me.

Areen: mdri baba a7taj wgt afkr...

Dad: ok, elmohim lazm arj3k elbeet I’m on call in 2 hours, w 3abeer 3azma zojat a9de8a2i w bnat’hom 3shank.

I slapped my forehead, this is totally not what I needed right now.

Dad: sorry 7bbti but she didn’t know about the proposal thing, so ma gdrt agolha la t3zmenhom and you know how much she loves throwing a party.

Areen: she’s just like mama.

Dad: I guess I have a type then.

Areen: very funny, but yes you do. How did I turn out to be the exact opposite of both of them?

Dad: you turned out like me, just more of a loner than I am.

Areen: you’re very mean for a dad. Did you tell anyone else then?

Dad: no, bes omk, bes lazm agol l3aber!

Areen: I know how much you hate keeping secrets from her, so 3adi tell her.

~

I straightened the non-existent crease on my pleated skirt, and loosened my curls. A soft knock on the door brought me back to reality, and I smiled. I went to the door and found my step-mother smiling hugely, and I knew dad must have told her.

Areen: galk baba?

Abeer: ee! Ya allah mrra mt7mstlk!

Areen: 5alti, you know ena I haven’t decided 9a7?

Abeer: adri, bes still. Why would you refuse him anyway, he’s like the perfect guy.

Areen: 5alti, pleaaase just give me time.

Abeer: ok ok 7bbti, anyway, yalla nnzl?

Areen: ooh, 6l3ti el5watm elkbera, meen jay?

Abeer: thek elbzr elbthra eli mtzwja Rakan 9deg obok.

Areen: eli 3omraha 28?

Abeer: ee.

Areen: wsh byjebha? A7sbk 9degat zojta elola akthar.

Abeer: el9dma, ena elzoja elola hiya eli btjebha.

Areen: reality tv material right there.

Abeer: mrra!

An hour or so later, I opened the door for more guests, and was met by a very friendly and calming face that seemed so familiar.

?: OH MY GOD! Areen?! Ha4i enti?!

Areen: ee?

I gave her a small scared smile, and I think I was a bit embarrassed because it was obvious she knew who I was but I didn’t know who on earth she is.

?: ma tt4kreni 9a7? Ana Nouf, bnt S3aad 9deg obok.

Areen: Nouf?! Wow mrra t3’yrti mashallah, e7lweti zyada!

Nouf: b39’ ma 3ndk ya glbi, wsh 4al zeen?!

And we spent the night catching up!

xo

No Boundaries: Chapter4.

Enjoy!

❥
-

I woke up the next day happier than I have been in a while, and excited. It's been a long time since something made me this excited. This Yousef guy is definitely affecting me more than he should. I was overthinking again, what if I found a new friend? He is a great guy. I won't even have to see him again anyway. It's just so nice to have someone to talk to. 

I got dressed quickly in an actually nice and preplanned outfit, huh, who would've thought. I made sure my natural waves were tidy, and my make up was on point. I didn't even realize I was so into the way I looked, until my mother pointed it out. 

Mom: ewa? Sh3ndk 9a7ya gbl 39afeer el9b7 w mtjhza w ksh5ah? La ykon el7beb jaa?

I blushed, and shook my head vigorously. 

Areen: MAMA!

Mom: wsho? Mn 7agi a3rf!

Areen: 6b3n mar7 a6l3 m3ah! 


Mom: ajl ween ray7a?

Areen: Starbucks ely t7t bes!

Mom: bes?!

Areen: yes! 

Mom: wl make up 3shan men? Thu wla Mike? 

Areen: I just feel like looking pretty! 

Mom: ahm shy la twr6en nfsk m3 a7d, w la tgablen 3yal 6ay7en fe m9ayb.

Areen: akeed! Flnehaya enti rbeteeni! Have some faith in me. 

Mom: wath8ah feek million blmeya!

Areen: love you, bye! 

I kissed her cheek and even took out the nice bag that my mom got me, I heard her sigh so I turned around. 

Areen: mama feek shy?

Mom: laa wla shy.

Areen: ok-ay?

Mom: have fun, be safe!

I walked to Starbucks with a little jump in my step, I felt happy and I'm sure I looked it too. Little did I know that this would open the doors of something way above my league. 

I walked into starbucks, smiled at Thu, and nodded to Mark while he handed me the coffee this time with something a little extra written on it. 

'You'll be missed, Ari!' 

Aw, so sweet of them. They know I come back every month with my mom even if it was for a weekend, but they always do that to cheer me up on my last day. 

Areen: aw! I love you guys! You know I will keep this with the rest of the cups you guys always decorate for me before I leave. 

Thu: well this time be back quick, 'cause Mark is leaving by christmas!

Areen: no! 

Mark: yep! I'm heading back to the states. 

Areen: awh!

Mark: I got a job offer once I graduate it'll be in LA! Maybe I can keep an eye on that boyfriend of yours that you're forgetting about ever since you met The Hulk that sits next to you.

I know Mark was teasing me, but his words were true to a certain point. Ever since I met Yousef, my thoughts about Abdullah lessened.

Laty: hey! Be nice, she deserves better than that scum anyway. And did you see the guy? I would forget about my husband if I saw him, too. Hell I do every time he comes here. 

Thu: Laty is right, Abdul has not been very good to her these past couple of months. Ever since she met Yousef she's been happier, can't you see?

Areen: hello people, I am standing right here?

Laty: it's only because we love you sweetie. 

Areen: I know, I know. Hey, what do you think about us all having lunch once you get off work?

Thu: sure, but you rich Saudi is payin'!

I laughed, they meant well. It wasn't said in a mean way.

Areen: of course!

Laty: now, go, The Hulk has been waiting for you since we opened today.

I blushed, and poked my tongue out at them. Those sweet people have been working in this Starbucks for 5 years now, and little by little they became very close friends of mine. Thu was from China, Laty was from Ethipoia, and Mark was American. They all had other jobs of course, but I met them through Starbucks. They know everything about me. 

I sat down at the table across from Yousef, and he instantly looked up from his laptop and smiled at me. He was wearing black thick rimmed glasses today, they made him look even more handsome. What? Handsome? Mn meta afkr ki4a?

Yousef: ma hgait ench btyeen hni! G3dtay tsolfen wyahm wgt 6weel.

Areen: ygolon they'll miss me w ki4a so lazm ag3d m3hm shwy. 

Yousef: ready for your surprise?

Areen: duh! 

Yousef: t7ben elhdaya?

Areen: akeed! 

I squealed like a kid, and a few heads turned around to give me a weird look. Yousef laughed quietly, and pulled out a little wrapped gift. He placed it on the table, and motioned for me to wait. I couldn't contain my excitement, it's been a while since I got a gift.

Areen: so what is it?

Yousef: yah! Mako 9br enti? 

Areen: laa, mo mrra.

I gave him a shy smile, as if I was a kid who just got scolded.

Yousef: ha4i elhdya lch, mamno3 tb6lenha gbl ma a6l3 mn hlmkan. Ok?

Areen: it's not like a bomb or anything, 9a7?

I whispered the bomb part don't worry, it was bad enough ena we were Arabs. Again, he laughed that laugh that goes through your spine from how deep it is and makes you shiver. 

Yousef: 9j habla. Elmohim n6ray l7dat ma a6l3, ok? W don't follow me! Till next time Areen. 

And with that he walked out of Starbucks. Wait, what? That's just it? He's not going to give me his number? Or an email? Or anything? How are we supposed to communicate? I felt tears clouding my vision but I kept them in. 

I unwrapped the gift slowly, and found a leather pocket size notebook. Not one, not two, but five. Wow. They all had little things engraved on them, each notebook was titled by my tattoos. 

I opened the first one and a found a note:

'Read the first page of every notebook. This is not the end for us, we will meet again. Till next time, Areen.'

I opened the first one, 

Hope

'For you, 

to write the thoughts that take you across the oceans and through the continents.'

Second one,

الله

'For you,

to vent about the demons that constantly fight in your pretty little head.'

Third one, 

Independent

'For you,

to make sure you achieve everything you set that pretty little head to.'

Fourth one,

Fahdah&Sita

'For you,

to remind yourself everyday of the little things that give you hope in life.'

Fifth one,

أحب نفسك أولاً

'For you,

to remember that you are a beautiful soul, and a breath-taking person.'

Without even realizing it, I was crying my eyes out. A guy who has known me for a week, did the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I wiped my tears, gathered my stuff, and ran back to my apartment. I was met by my mother right before I opened the door.

Mom: Areen? Wsh feek?!

Areen: t3ali jwa bwrek.

And we went in, and I showed her everything Yousef did for me, and I told her that we've been seeing each-other every day in Starbucks and that we talked a bit. She smiled. 

Mom: atw83, e4a mani 3'l6ana, you started falling in love with him..

I was shocked at such a thing. I know that I was starting to have feelings for him, but I could never be with him. He is not Abdullah, and I always have to think of Abdullah. No matter how bad of a person he might be, he still was there for me through the toughest of times and he needs me now so I will not bail on him just because I met a sweet guy. 

So I decided to freshen up, forget all about what happened with Yousef, and continue going on with my day. I went on with my day, but I felt like there was something nagging on me the whole time. I don't know what it was, but I felt like something utterly wrong was bond to happen. Allah ystr. 

xo