Cinderella? NO

ABDALLAH

After crying for like an hour, I got my answer. I decided to be normal and not wait for her or even waste my time thinking about her. I cannot remove her completely from my thoughts but I don't lose myself thinking about her. In the morning I decided to jog for an additional hour so that I think things through. Today I saw someone in her place after several weeks someone, with the same eyes. I went closer and it was her, without niqab (I know by now she must label me a psycho). Her beauty, just like the oil in sesame, is invisible but you cannot describe her without mentioning beautiful. I started acting normal whenever I see her. The problem is whenever I try to dodge her, I bump into her. Our meetings increased. I tried so hard not to cross paths with her but she is everywhere. I ditched the garden for the beach but I met her there, like she was following me. I stopped taking my favourite Caribou coffee because of her presence but I met her at Starbucks ordering the same drink as me. I stopped blaming her. Maybe that's the answer I asked Allah to give me. I asked him to make things clear and easy for me and that's it; Allah is connecting us. Everything about her feels right. The meetings, the bumping into each other, the feeling; I cannot control it, it is from Allah and I have to accept it. After all I asked for his counsel. But how do I talk to her, or ask her if she feels the same?
I met mum crying again. Dad slapped her, her cheek was red and she was cursing him. Mum would never tell me the reason for dad's violence, so I cannot even judge because I don't know who is at fault between them, but I know whatever she does, she doesn't deserve a slap especially not from him. I consoled her, that's all I can do(always). I never stood for her or myself. I want to but never even tried. I don't like drama but dad is hurting all the people that mean so much to me. From Mum to aunt Maryam to Imran, I don't know if 'she' is next but I don't want her to suffer especially not from my family. She doesn't deserve it. My family is not worth enough to hurt her.
Imran invited me for some Friday gathering at his house with his family, I went and enjoyed the typical Egyptian dishes by his sister. Their grandmother told us old Arabic jokes and I laughed so hard that everybody was shocked (except Imran obviously). Gadha even told me she used to think I am a snub. Her grand mum saved my image. The old woman also told us about her encounter with the girl Imran told me about. She seemed to like the girl so much, the whole time she was talking about her she was smiling. She said something that stayed on my mind; "There are people you meet in life and in few minutes you will realise that you can take a bullet for them and cannot live without them." Maybe the old lady can take a bullet for a stranger because she has already enjoyed the dunya(world) enough but I don't think I can. All I know is that I have met someone and she has become a big part of my life. Either ways, she likes the girl so much. The afternoon at Imran's made my whole day. I was so happy, Imran brought the idea of visiting an old orphanage nearby and we went. We bought clothes and blankets for the kids. They were happy and embraced us. On our way out we saw a group of kids screaming and jumping with excitement, they surrounded a lady which happened to be distributing toys and candies. All the kids left us for that woman. We people tend to forget that orphaned kids are also normal kids, we think all they need is shelter, but we buy toys and chocolates for our kids at home. This lady removed her Sketchers and all the kids did the same, they ran round a circle and played for at least an hour. Me and Imran were watching the whole time. We ended up getting seats and drinks. I even thought she was working there but we were told she comes every week and plays with the kids. The woman there told us the lady's name is Maryam and that the kids count down to Friday just to meet her. The lady told us that the kids run away from adoption because they do not want to go away from Maryam. Imran said we should go and talk to her so that we learn something about her charity program. We approached and Imran was shocked but I was more shocked because there she was standing in front of me. We exchanged salaams(greetings) and before I could say anything, Imran said she was the girl he has been telling me about. "The grandma girl. Remember?" he tapped me "I do." I shook my head. Her eyes turned black with a sprinkle of honey. I had never seen eyes so white and clean. And she was also the girl I told you about. I said in my mind. Imran was so excited and said we should talk over tea. She called someone to join us I guess she's her friend. Imran called his grandma over the phone to speak with her. Her smile was beautiful (very beautiful) I tried to lower my gaze and I did(Alhamdulillah). Imran asked her if she was working in some charity organisation and she replied in the negative. She said she loves making people happy and that's her happiness. "Just like people run after other things to be happy, I am also pursuing my happiness. I just wish I can do more for them." She looked in the distance and smiled. She was almost in tears and when I looked at her, her eyes turned the normal brown colour, one you can find everywhere. Imran introduced us and I found out she's a Masters student in Middlesex University and she's almost done (broke my heart).  Imran was discussing some grandma issues with her and the whole time they were talking I was just there seated, looking down like some guilty kid. She asked about me and Imran was about to answer when I said "I can speak for myself". I told her I'm Emirati and I work in Dubai and live in Dubai. She looks curious, wanted to know more but I refused to expose my crown, that's why I prevented Imran from speaking. We exchanged salaams and were about to leave when she told me to stay behind. I was shaking all the time she was talking "Now I remember where I saw you for the 1st time, Mall of the Emirates 7am, right? And we have met several times after that, is this also a coincidence?" She gave me a look that scared me and I saw the eyes of a falcon, she also frowned. She intimidates me I cannot lie about that but I tried to act macho and said "Yes it is." She smiled and the look she gave me was the look of trust, she believed my three words in 1 second without arguing further. People don't believe these days, we doubt. But I believe it when people say 'good people always see good in others'. Imran asked about the whole thing because he saw me smiling, I was so embarrassed and told him until we reach home.