Jerusalem

Chapter 2 (Ali)

     

      Youssef had his morning coffee then he rushed out of the house . On his way to meet Ali , he kept womdering why did Ali chose that place to meet but the question was why did he agree . The real question was why did youssef come to Egypt in the first place ? And the only answer he could find is Ali and his relationship with God . Being a Muslim , youssef knew the basices of Islam but he was never close to God .He barley knew God and he didn't use to pray either. And that wasn't strange as he lived most of his life in America and he didn't think his life would ever change until Ali went to Egypt to attend his friend funeral that was in the time of the 25th revolution . When he came back , he was a changed man .

     Ali was a remarkable engineer who majored electricity in College where he met Youssef . Both of them were Egyptions , naturally that brought them together . No sooner had they known each other than they became best friends . Ali was his person , he was the only one that understand youssef with no words . He knew youssef more than he knew himself . And ever since they were inseparable . Ali kept telling youssef all that time that he should have been his brother and not omar . But to youssef ali was his brother and he didn't need blood to prove it .  

     Youssef stood infront of the mosque admiring it's architectural beauty then he took off his shoes and stepped inside . He went to a mosque before when he was a kid with his dad and omar but he didn't notice the details back then . Now the picture was clearer and he could sense a strange feeling inside of him . It was like a heartbeat except that it was more louder than normal.  

"What's on your mind , sir? I know you are not used to these places but it's warm don't you think?" Ali said smiling as usual  

"It is warm in a wierd way . I guess the temperature is higher around here "said youssef 

"Very funny . But the truth is Egypt is a warm country and that's because everyone here is nice and friendly . I promise once you know them , you will love them and there is no doubt about that ." Ali said in a very strong believing tone . 

"Okay we'll see about that but why did you bring me here? "asked youssef. 

"There's someone I want you to meet . He is the guy that made me a whole new person . His name is Hassan ." Said ali 

"Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings"ashikh Hassan said greeting them . From his eyes you could see that he is a really kindhearted person . It was written all over his face . 

" How are you my son ? I hope you are okay "continued ashikh hassan  

" I am fine . This is my good friend youssef. Do you remember him ? I talked a lot about him" 

"Of course I remember . You are someone that can't be forgotten. So did you get to see Egypt?" 

"Not yet. " answered youssef wondering what the hell he is doing there .

Days and months passed and almost eveything was changing not just around youssef but within him as well . He was heading to a country house where a former officer of the army is living . His name was Mr. Tarek and he was well known for his patriotism and good reputation . He had a long honorable history in the army . Youssef reached the house and it was vintage , old and cozy . Youssef liked the house for no specific reason . Maybe because it was different from his empty cold house , maybe that was the reason he found himself attracted to Mr. Tarek house . When he entered the house , he found Mr. Tarek greeting him and then he led him into his office . It was a very organized room , full of books on the shelves and there was a large disk that had some files on it . It wouldn't surprise youssef if his file was one of them . Mr.Tarek offered him a seat and said "what do you like to drink?" 

"I will have coffee, sir . Black coffee."answered youssef trying to be consistent .  

"Mayer, please bring me two cups of coffee both black"called out Mr.Tarek 

Five minutes passed in silence , youssef wasn't sure what should he say in this awkward situation and his guess was that Mr.Tarek didn't find the right words as well. 

A girl walked into the room . She was of medium height , brown eyes and an innocent pretty face. She was veiled. Being veiled is a part of Islamic regulations , youssef knew that but he haven't seen any veiled girl in his life before he came to Egypt. It was clear in Islam that every adult girl should be veiled, despite that there were muslim women that weren't veiled. Youssef used to think of it as it's the right way. He thought that it makes every girl special and interesting . It protect girls because girls are valuable jewels.  

Mayar stood by the door and youssef stood up for her. Mr. Tarek introduced them to each other by saying " This is doctor mayer , my daughter . She is a pediatrician and that's Mr. Yossef Mohmed . He is an officer in the army and an engineer. " 

"Hi , sir " she said. 

"Hallo, ma'am" youssef said while his eyes were fixed on the ground .  

Then mayar put the coffee on the table then turned to her dad and asked if he needed anything else , to which he said no. 

"Yes . The answer to your request is yes "Mr. Tarek said . 

"Are you serious , sir ? I mean that's , thank you . I can't tell you how grateful I am . It's only a matter of time like you know it is just a paper marriage . It's only a cover and once we finish , I will divorce her immediately." Said youssef but he couldn't hide his amazement . He came here expecting to get a punch in the face or even much more after all he was asking a guy to marry his daughter (a girl he had never seen before) as a cover for a mission in the army . So he didn't see an approval coming at all . Youssef was shocked and he couldn't stop himself from asking "why , why did you say yes , sir ? You could refuse . It's all up to you ." 

"I read your file , youssef and it meant nothing to me . If you want to know the reason why I said yes, I will tell you. Because this country deserves our sacrifices. I am not sure why , but I believe you can make a difference . I can see it in your eyes and I simply decided to trust you."answered Mr. Tarek but the look he had in his eyes is the only look that youssef wanted to see all his life . It was a look of trust from the eyes of a father to his son . Something that youssef didn't know of . 

"I don't know what to say . Only that I will do my best to deserve this trust. I will never forget your help. "He said but it wasn't enough , nothing he could say would be enough. 

"Well, you don't need to say anything . Let's call the marriage clerk and finish this already. " said Mr. Tarek holding the phone . 

"What about her ? I mean your daughter. What does she think about that ? " asked youssef. 

 "Do you think I will make her marry you against her will ? She knows and she said yes for the same reason I did . So don't worry ." 

    After quarter of an hour, Mr. Tarek and youssef spent talking about the army and how to make it better. The two men seemed to understand each other very well . After all soldiers speak the same language. The marriage clerk arrived, he came to the office and took a seat on the couch where Mr. Tarek sat on his right and youssef sat on his left. 

     It was only ten minutes , isn't it funny and strange how our poignant moments pass so quickly. In making the marriage contract , youssef found out her name , age and degree. Her name was mariam , she was 24 and a graduate from economics and political science college. He knew that Mr. Tarek had two daughters and he wondered why Mariam ?why her and not Mayar?.  

     On youssef's way out of the house , there she was , standing by the door . He looked at her a general look like when you look at someone passing by you in the street but then he stopped and the look turned into details. From her grey boots with a knot at each side to her dark blue jeans up to her grey,blue and brown pullover that is a bit long and reaches her tighs. She wore a golden brown veil. What attracted him most about her , her lips , he thought but no . What really pulled him in was her eyes, her wide and expressive eyes . It was dark black eyes that sparkled in the sunlight. It was so deep like the sea, so warm as the sun . He could see the flames in her eyes . But what was it , the thing that stopped him . His look turned into a gaze and he could clearly see now . He saw the impossible in her eyes.