Jerusalem

Chapter 41 (Hot and Cold)

"Jerusalem is celebrating. Now that they have their new president, it's having it's first national party in years. No doubt that the guest of honor is no one else but Youssef Mohammed, the great leader. And Omar Mohammed, the former president of Egypt. Also the brave soldiers that fought a courageous battle. And won the glory of victory.

Every citizen in Jerusalem is invited to the party!" Salma read the headline page of the newspaper out loud.

"So, are we going?" She asked me smiling.

"You can go, I don't want to. Besides I have a lot of work to do."I said avoiding her eyes

"Oh, really. And I thought you're dying to go, why did I think that?"

"I don't know, maybe it's your twisted little mind"I shot back

"No, it's the ghost that haunted the hotel room, working, sleeping, barely eating in SILENCE. Oh and crying to sleep every night, thinking that no one can hear her."

"You heard that. I'm so sorry, Salma. I know I'm acting crazy, hell, I'm crazy."

"Don't do this. I know ..I know you think that your feelings are nothing compared to mine. I know you think that I'm the one supposed to be crying. But don't think that. You are my sister from another mother. And what you are going through is as important as what I'm going through. I can feel your pain and anger. You should never be ashamed of your feelings. Feelings are all we have, Mariam." My sister said looking like the angel she is.

I threw my hands around her and hugged her deeply that she couldn't breath but I wouldn't let go.

Of course I went, Salma insisted that we don't wear black for that day, after all we're celebrating the freedom of Jerusalem, the dream, our dream that came true at last.

So Salma wore a brown dress, black high heels and a coffee-colored veil. She looked beautiful as usual.

She picked my dark rose dress and I bargained to wear my black veil that matched the black belt around my waist, I put on my black high heels and Salma, all but tied me to the chair and started putting on my make up for me.

"Oh, you're definitely going to catch his eyes. You're courageous."

"A lot of people can catch his eyes, I want to catch his heart."

"Girl, you have his heart. It's yours and that's what's driving him insane. You are the queen of his heart and he has to be in control."

"I don't think that's true." I said, Youssef is always in control.

"We'll see about that"Salma said pushing me out of the door.

The party was just cozy, expensive suits, glamorous dresses and classy music. The place was surrounded by trees and a huge dancing fountain in the middle, a huge mansion was in the background. There was a huge banquet in the honor of the guests.

I stood there mesmerized by my surroundings, Salma left to get something to drink. And my eyes were flying around, searching all the faces to find him.

Suddenly I felt arms wrapping around my waist, I screamed out loud. If it wasn't for the music, this would've been a scene. I pushed the hands away and turned around to see my sister, Mayar.

"Oh my God, Mayar. What are you doing here?" I cried out, holding my sister, I missed her tremendously.

"Omar decided to come see his brother and I decided to come see my sister. Is it a crime?"

"No, I miss you, sis" I said and hugged her again. I'm turning to a hugger now but what can I do, when words seem so worthless.

My eyes did another round and caught Omar that smiled immediately and came to greet me .