Chapter 8

Mahmoud tried his best to remind Amira of her husband and daughters and how much they love her and care for her, but all she cared about was those old days when she met Mahmoud 25 years ago or more, She returned back to Alexandria city where they met and their love story ignited.

She looked at his face that became older and his head that is filled with white hair and said longingly:

- I forgot many things, but I thought of you, I still think about the way we got to know each other for the first time on that sea, but not here, we were on the coast road of Alexandria; during the university trip that you were not used to join it, so that we had the chance to meet and start our love story; Do you remember, Mahmoud?!

- I still remember, Amira. There are memories that time failed to remove, cancel or ignore them, even erase a small thing of their details. These memories inhabit in the deepest point inside the heart.

- I still remember when you refused to accept my invitation for lunch because your wallet was lost on the coast road and you didn't want me to pay for it.

Mahmoud could not prevent his smile when he remembered that moment and said:

- That wasn't the truth, I had no much money so that I could pay the lunch bill that day.

- I realized it when you paid for the ice cream by the way.

Amira laughed when she remembered that day as if she was that pretty young girl of twenty years old which made Mahmoud laugh too.

He then moved his eyes towards the chalet where Hamdi and the children were staying and said:

- When I met your husband, engineer Hamdi, I could understand it, this man can't be refused as a husband, your parents were right, he is the most suitable person for marriage.

Although I have met him only yesterday, I really admired him.

I think we can be friends sooner.

- Is it him who asked you to come here?!

- He wants to have his wife again, the pretty pleasant lady he married 25 years ago. Also Sarah and Zina are waiting for your return back to them to care for all of them again, by the way Zina resembles you very much.

Amira could not prevent small drops of tears that moved in her eyes, and also could not prevent her tongue or her heart to say sadly:

- I don't remember one month of the 25 years I've lived away from you, I only remember the two years I knew you before we graduated from university.

Mahmoud gathered all his force and feelings which must be realistic not visionary and said quietly:

- I suppose... You know, I'm married and I have 3 children, one of them– Omar- is here with me and staying at the chalet.

Amira pouted, and her face contracted as soon as Mahmoud mentioned the matter of his marriage and talking about his children, and she pointed her face away in the direction of the vast sea that her eyes do not reach, she understands that he must be married and have children after all this long age, may be she wanted him to share the dream of the twenties with her and not return her back to the reality that has fallen from her memory, even temporarily.

Mahmoud knew what he was doing; he wanted to remind her of their reality that would not leave them even if they left willingly or against their will.

Here he is, Mahmoud, is going through the autumn days of his life, he misses love again and again, he misses his wife Huda, the normal wife that loves her family and simply can pay her life to defend them or make them happy.

Love is simple and amazing, you may miss something or some one, may love another one, and may think you can have a third one when you imagine he really loves you and perhaps make you happy and active, He kept thinking of love, admiration and ego. Did he love them all or just loved himself?! He thought about Huda who lived a lifetime for him and dedicated her life for his children too, and he misses Amira who was not the best love story he wanted and hoped to have and live, he knows that his feelings to Amira is only of pity and kindness, he wants to help her, wishes he can do something that might cure or treat her illness, as she remains the only woman he loved before his marriage to Huda.

Then there is Aaliyah whom made him think that he is still the same young man before 25 years, the same strong, active, life loving man that is capable of facing and fighting every thing to reach his goals, especially goals of being passionate, being alive.

May be he thinks he has bigger ego than before, but he thinks he deserves it and deserves everything he had now and later.

He seeks marriage to younger woman, more beautiful, fashionable and fascinating one that satisfies his needs regardless not being the same young man as his father, mother and wife thought.

While he was thinking and sinking in his matters, Amira looked at the sea trying to restore all her memories with Mahmoud from it, the sea witnessed the birth of their relationship and the seed of their love that lasted for two years before she got married and traveled to Australia.

She didn't want to listen to Mahmoud's speech telling her about his wife and children or even her husband and daughters.

She is stuck in a certain period of life and she is pleased with it, and enjoying every moment of it eventhough this period doesn't exist.

What an illness?! Mahmoud looked to her sadly and thought only about her suffering even enjoying fictional memories that wouldn't come back, he thought also of her family suffering being deprived of her smile, her love and help being a wife and mother.

Now he asks himself how to act and what to do to treat her, Hamdi told him that there is no quick medication or treatment or even surgical operation can help, doctors told him that patience and tranquility should be always committed and never leaving her alone under any circumstances.