Serendipity / صدفه

8

I arrive early at Bateel in Dubai Mall for our scheduled date. The weather outside is just breathtaking. Isn't winter in Dubai the best thing ever? Its nearly 20 degrees outside!

My delicious date pudding and Arabic coffee order arrives before my friends, to keep me warm and busy. Arab timings, i roll my eyes. I hate sitting alone in restaurants. Its always just awkward for me, and eating alone, that's even worse.

Just in time, the Dubai Mall's greatest phenomena, the fountain, starts dancing. I will look busy looking at it.

"You look so lonely..."

"Uff, finally!! leaving me for more than half an hour... where's Lojain?"

Lojain pops in with a faint smile. I squint my eyes to see her properly, are those red eyes i see?

"Whats wrong?" - Lojain is never seen like that, she looks devastated. something huge must have happened.
"Nothing. Just..." her voice starts breaking, "Khalifa. He.. He le..left."
"I thought he talked to his mom about proposing..." - I'm trying to understand. Khalifa and Lojain had a cute little story. They have been an item ever since they were kids. They're family friends and to be honest a match made in heaven. Everyone knew about their relationship. They were practically engaged.
Lojain's tears started racing down her cheeks. Hamda held her hands and all we were able to say were some words to comfort her. I was lost. What's happening?

"He called me and said it was over and won't reply to my calls.......... Nouf, all of a sudden walla, we didn't even fight!!" she explained when she was able to speak again.

"Love" she added with a sarcastic tone.

I know i cannot imagine the feelings that she's going through, not even close. But i see and sense her pain from her tone. The strong Lojain is suddenly all weak and vulnerable because of a guy. Someone she trusted for a long long time, been her everything and now, bam, gone.

"No more boys, ok?!" I announce. "His loss, end of story." I've got to pull her back together. Maybe make her forget what happened. He'll probably call her tomorrow to explain. It wasn't just a fling. He was very serious about her, he made everyone, including their parents, know that they were together. To me thats commitment.

We spend our day trying to avoid Lojain's painful story. We talk about everything and anything thats not related: shoes, bags, travel and even cats, but no boys, no love, no couples and no people. It lifted her mood for now, but i can see its going to be days of long sleepless nights.

________________________________________

He runs his hands through his hair. This time its far worse than every other time. Why can't he see the pain he puts his mum in. Butti is always the one to take the responsibility and try to fix the mess his cousin gets himself into, and every time, he promises himself its the last time he gets involved, but his aunts pleading always manages to find a way to tamper with his decisions.

"Fares, please answer your phone" was Butti's only thought while driving around the roads of the Palm.