This Is It!

we meet again

Aaliya
I still couldn't believe he was back. Why now? He is probably back for some work. He is not here for me. He probably doesn't even remember me.

It was at around 10pm when the phone rang.

"HBA at your service." I said and the automatic fake smile played on my face.  Men, this smile that is obviously fake needs to wear off.

"Hey can I have tea sent to my room. And please add as many Arabic herbs as possible."

Dang it! Did he really have to call.

"Mm... Sir, to what room?" Did I just ask that.

"I think am in room 36D."

"Right away, sir."

"Do you have to say Sir in every sentence?"

"Huh?" I pretended I didn't hear him.

"Never mind." He said and hang up. The town was not really safe so most of the hotel workers left at around 9pm. The only people around was me and Ali, the Butler. The security people were there but I knew they wouldn't help. I asked Ali to stay at the reception in case there is a call. I took my key which can open any door at the hotel, and find my way into the kitchen. I made tea the way my mother taught me. Oh, how I miss you Mama.

I had to beg Ali to take the tea upstairs to haytham's room. I kept on praying that midnight reaches so that I can get away from all this.

Time seemed to be dragging by slowly after midnight as I looked at my watch every minute. Jamila was late again. I was tired but the coffee I took was keeping me awake. Just when I thought things can't get worse, it did.

"You want what now?" I almost laughed. Does he think he is in a clubhouse in London?

"A hot towelette." He repeated.

"It's past midnight and I don't think that's available."

"Do I need to call the manager?"

"Just give me sometime I will have to improvise. We don't have hot towelette. "

He scoffed and I felt disgusted.

Haytham.
I was almost sure I knew that voice. Jem looked at me and shook his head, he probably thinks I am crazy.

"I have a diagnosis for you. You are suffering from 'flight trauma' . all you have to do is lay down for a while. I prescribe a lot of sleep."

"This is not a joke man. I know it's her, something inside of me tells me it's her." I sat on the bed and waited for her. I didn't want to drink tea but I still ordered for it because I wanted to see her. I wanted to confirm the truth.

I jumped out of the bed when the door was knocked. I held the doorknob and took a deep breath. This is it. For a moment the headache was gone and all I could hear was my heart beating faster than usual.

I almost dropped in disappointment as a man walked in with a tray. Jem immediately started laughing.

"I told you men, she doesn't work here. We'll start looking for her tomorrow OK?" He patted my shoulder and left. Then the headache was back, as horrible as before.

I was still not satisfied so at around midnight I called her again and ordered a hot towelette. I held my breath as she knocked at the door. She   had her hair covering her face again so I couldn't see her clearly.

"Place it on the table." I said. She dutifully put it down and started to walk off. "Aaliya." I called praying that my hunch was right. I watched as her shoulders tighten with nervousness.  At that point I was sure it was her.

"I know it's you." She still did not turn around but was standing still. "Hey, look at me."

She slowly turned. I couldn't make out anything of her futures. It was a little dark and her dark hair was dangling on her face. She sighed and again the headache was gone, there was only my heartbeat.

"Hello." She said while tacking her hair behind her ears, giving me a full view of her face. Despite of the darkness I could easily tell she was blushing. She looked older and prettier.

"We meet again." I said with a smile. She simply shrugged her shoulders.

"I thought it was you at first but had some doubts but when I drank that tea, I was sure as hell it was you." She smiled a little and I could tell she wasn't faking it. "It kinda reminded me of your mother." I added.

I don't know if I imagined this because of 'flight trauma'  but I think she hugged me. She then softly sobbed in my arms. Weird as it might sound, she then simply apologized and walked out. I was too dumbfounded to say a word.

Whatever had happened to her was not good at all.