This Is It!

finally, a break.

"We are going to play singsong ping-pong," he started with a smile. "It's an easy game, all you have to do is -"

"I know, can we just start."

"Let it be like Texas, no rules." He gave me a daring smile which I waved away. He cleared his throat and started singing. "Hum tera bena -"

"What language is that?" I snapped.

"Hindi." He smiled.

"I don't speak Hindi."

"I know."

"That is not fair."

"Remember, no rules."

"OK then, I guess that's a point for you."

He smiled and bit his lips. He is really losing it. I thought as I smiled back.

"Can you smell it?"

"Smell what?" I gave him a questioning look.

"Victory," he smirked. "I am gonna kick your ass in this one." My eyes almost popped out when he said that. His eyebrows went up and he looked suddenly serious.

Did he just...? Wow if I was a typical Arab girl who had never set foot in the Western countries I would probably have hit him real hard.

"I shouldn't have used that phrase. I am sorry."

"No, it's OK." I said still surprised he said that.

"I really forget that am in the Middle East every time I hang out with you. I get to be the real me."

"What do-?"

My question was drowned by the loud woofers outside.

The curfew has been lifted. everyone is allowed to go outside. You all have three hours to go and do anything you please. I repeat, you Only have three hours. So all of you should be inside by 9:40pm. Enjoy your freedom.

"Wow, quite the freedom we have been waiting for." I said sarcastically. "How could they lock us in for a whole week and give just three hours of freedom at night? They probably want to kill us in the cover of the darkness."

Haytham got to his feet and walked to the window. He watched as the heavily armed solders drove past our home.

"I better leave. I have really got to take off these clothes, they are really uncomfortable." He was wearing Yazid's old pair of jeans and one of my long sleeved shirts. I understood why he'd want to take off my shirt, it was clearly too small for him but what was wrong with the pants? I didn't ask.

"I heard the curfew is off for just three hours." It was Mama who was already dressed in her full Abaya. "I have to go to the market. You should run to the supermarket and get enough foodstuffs that would last us a week."

"But Mama you're not well. Ahsad and I will attend to everything. You should relax."

"No habibty, I want to breath some fresh air." She quickly gave me money and said goodbye to Haytham who was smiling all along. She left despite my protests.

"I love her spirit." He said bluntly. I smiled unconsciously with a feeling of pride.

"She needs to relax a little."

Ahsad quickly run out of his room and walked outside. I ran after him and grabbed his shirt.

"Where do you think you are going?"

"Outside, I have been lying down all week, I could use a little exercise."

"Ahsad please, don't do anything stupid. I swear this time if you get yourself in trouble Mama will have a heart attack and die. You don't want to kill her, do you?"

He stared at me for a while and for a split second, he was the Ahsad I always knew.

"Don't worry ukhty, I won't get in trouble again."

I smiled and for the first time in months, my smile was not a traitor and I was not betraying my feelings.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye." I started with the smile. Haytham smiled back at me. "I mean it's not like I will never see you again or anything like that."

"I'll come around In Shaa Allah, and  I'll bring something great with me."

He left and I was pretty sure he was not coming back and whatever it is he was to bring would not be here since he will disappear.

Oh no I have to run to the supermarket. I am sure it will be packed. I thought and ran up stairs to dress up. Three hours is hardly enough but we are better off. I heard Ramalah had a curfew that lasted for a whole month and a lot of people starved to death.