Jerusalem

Chapter 5 (Alone)

     Youssef went to this new place like Ali called it. All the way , Ali noticed that youssef's mind is elsewhere but he couldn't find out where are his thoughts. They got out from the car and got into a place called "leiali el arab". Youssef was trying to figure what could be happening inside the Arabian nights. When he entered the place , he found it designed in the old arabian furniture . There were short legged tables carved in a vintage way , there were coloured pillows around every table and the whole place was decorated by lanterns that gave dim light . There was music playing , youssef was searching for the source of it. It was almost an orchestra with a singer who is dressed in a suit and wearing a tarbuc above his head. He sang old arabic songs . Youssef didn't use to hear that kind of songs before but there was something about that slow warm music that gave him some peace of mind after his mind had been going crazy wondering who was that guy?. After they sat down , Ali called for the waitress who was dressed in a colorful long dress with a scarf that is tied around her head.  

"Let me order , I know your taste of food and I promise you won't be disappointed. "Ali said. 

"Do what you have to do . I don't care about food ."said youssef and he really meant it . He never gave much thought about what to eat and he practically ate enough to keep him alive. 

Youssef was impressed by their speed in preparing the food as it took them fifteen minutes only and the plates started coming. It was a famous meal apparently as a lot of the near tables had it . It was called kebab and kofta. It was served with lots of salads and dressings. And it's smell made them hungry. As they started eating, it was impossible to stop.  

Youssef was looking at Ali who started his endless talk, mostly about the army and the commander officers telling some jokes in between. Youssef thought how thankful he is that Ali exists in his life. Before he met Ali , he was standing at the edge. He was about to fall . But as Omar was the reason for it he was also the one that pulled him back from the edge. Omar never knew that because he wasn't there after what happened between the two of them , they both headed to college. Omar went to study medicine and youssef naturally went to study engineering. Back at that time , youssef was alone. His relationship with omar was damaged and he felt a feeling that only him and omar could understand. He felt that he was an orphan . It was an unbearable feeling, a feeling that he always tried to run from but there was no escape from that fact. There is no escape from all the facts in our lives. No matter how much the truth hurts , it is always better than a lie.  

"Are you planning to tell me what's on your mind?"ali asked. 

"Never mind . It's not important. "Answered youssef who kept his thoughts to himself as usual. After all that's one of the things that loneliness teaches you. 

"Ali, I need you to find out the identity of some guy for me . Can you do that?"asked youssef trying to act normal. 

"Sure, but who is that guy that interest you that much?"said ali. 

"He is a soldier in the army. I don't know his name or anything else but I think we can pull out his file from the data base. "Said youssef wondering what the hell he is doing . Why would he do such an immature stupid thing? He could just ask instead of running an investigation like a jealous guy . Jealous, what is that? Youssef thought:"no , I am not jealous , I don't get jealous, I don't even know her and I don't want to . This is crazy and it has to stop now. Right now." 

"If you want to know him so badly, lets go now and find out. I got the keys to the army data base . It should be easy enough Mr. Detective. "Ali said with a smile. He was always youssef's partner in the crime. 

Youssef called the waitress and paid the check. "Let's go, then."said youssef as his self conflict ended . He needed to know so he was going to.