Chapter 13

On the way back to Cairo.

The situation changed on the return trip from Alexandria to Cairo, where this time Omar was the wandering theater person on his face; he looked confused and immersed in some dream or illusion, but Mahmoud realized that he had to talk to him in order to attract his attention to the road, which was also crowded with cars returning with summer trips of Alexandria and also passengers between the two biggest cities in Egypt Cairo and Alexandria. Mahmoud said kiddingly:

- Say that what's in my mind is not true, Omar.

- It's not true, dad.

Mahmoud smiled and said:

- So what is it, son?

Omar laughed and said quietly:

- It's what you think about, dad.

- This means you got it, son.

- No, dad. I just tell you what you want me to say.

Mahmoud looked at his sons' eyes deeply then said seriously:

- Your words mean that you understand what's in my brain, Omar. Am I right?!

Omar felt confused then said:

- I thought you were busy all the time with uncle Hamdi and aunt Amira, so you may not...

Mahmoud interrupted Omar saying:

- I... just let you go through your adventure and experience by yourself, but you should have told me how it ended or to where you have reached.

Omar thought about his fathers' words while he kept an eye on the road in front of him then said:

- This may be because I have not reached yet, dad.

- But being that wanderer shows something else!!

Omar looked to his dad then asked:

- So what do you think of it, dad?

Mahmoud thought for awhile then said quietly:

- The girl is beautiful, her personality is cheerful and strong, and her parents are respectful as you have seen.

Omar wanted to take some experience from his father about women, so asked again:

- Then what do you think about the strength of a woman's character in general, dad?

Mahmoud thought again then answered his son saying:

- It is a good question. Strength must be associated with wisdom, patience and humility, otherwise it will remain a corrupt, corrupting to the person himself and the relationship too. Do you understand it?

- I understand you, dad. Generally, I and Zina got close to each other and talked a lot so that we could get to know and understand each other, but it is too fast for both of us to decide something.

- Fine. These matters need quietness and thinking reasonably and never forget my first advice to you regarding time, take your time and think with your heart and mind and balance your affairs well, not just in matters of love and marriage but in all your life affairs.

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In one of the big banks in Cairo.

Mahmoud was very eager to see Aaliyah and talk to her, as he missed her a lot during this short period that had passed for him as an age, and he also wanted to reproach her for not asking for him, but even not calling for a few seconds.

He no longer understands what happened to him, he did not miss Huda and his children in the same way he missed Aaliyah, despite all the feelings of love and longing that came over Huda's face when he arrived his house yesterday. Huda, there is something that concerns him about Huda, why didn't she ask him about this woman he wants to marry?! This was what he expected from her since he told her about his desire to get married to another woman, but this did not happen that day nor yesterday after he returned from Alexandria, Does she know about Aaliyah? Has she been preoccupied with what happened with Amira in Alexandria? There are things that are not clear to him in everything that is happening to him these days,There are unrelated strings in all these events.

Mahmoud entered his office and asked for his coffee which he always likes to take in the morning to wake up and start his day with concentration and activity, and as soon as he finished it, he heard a gentle knock on his office door and the coming was no one but Aaliyah herself, whom he has been thinking about a few moments ago, he knew her knocking and said in longing:

- Please come in, Aaliyah.

Aaliyah entered the office after she heard his voice giving her permission to get in then said firmly:

- Good morning, sir.

- Sir?! Good morning, sir too.

- Thank God for returning back safely, sir.

- Thanks, however I wished your caring for my safety was days before.

- Caring?! I'm sorry, you're back from vacation, I mean it's normal to say that.

Mahmoud felt that Aaliyah is nervous or tense because of something related to him, so he asked quietly:

- Oh, right, you have a right, but I think there is something upsets you. Are you okay?

- I'm fine, I just want to have your signature on the paperwork of some overdue loans since you were on vacation.

- Of course, no problem but I want to know what exactly happened making you feel upset like that.

Aaliyah felt embarrassed or bothered then said:

- We should finish our delayed work at first, after that we may talk about personal matters.

- Really?! Just give me this file.

Aaliyah opened the file when Mahmoud picked up his pen and quickly looked at them then started to sign all the papers.

He finished signing all the required papers, but he was focused and immersed in Aaliyahs' eyes, which resemble gazelles eyes that take the hearts to hidden worlds of beauty, tenderness and magic, he finished them quickly to find out the secret of her obvious annoyance and then he said softly caressing:

- Here are the papers that made you honor me to see you, majesty.

- Thanks.

Mahmoud smiled to her then asked in obviously loving manner:

- What is wrong with you, Aaliyah?

Aaliyah hesitated before saying:

- I am... I'm not comfortable with our relationship and it needs to end as soon as possible, needs to end right now.

Signs of distress and pavor appeared on Mahmoud's face, who was afraid and sorry to say:

- Why, Aaliyah?

- Because... I can't bear the injustice to your wife and children with no fault or sin.

- And what... what about me?!

Aaliyah's face turned red and felt sorrow to say:

- You have to stay for me Mr. Mahmoud, the great employer, respected husband and the virtuous father, I'm sorry, sir.

- Sorry?!

Mahmoud felt nervous being shocked and broken, his voice began to raise up saying:

- What has really changed from the previous week?! What really happened? It can't be that easy to say you are just sorry. I need to know what happened, Aaliyah.

Aaliyah could easily notice his voice change as being shocked of her speech, so tried to calm him down saying:

- There is no need for shouting, sir. I have been thinking for a long time about that matter you talked with me about a week ago, and I have come to a decision that I can't accept this marriage. You have a good family loves you, and you love them too. I thought I can't bother them or be that bad woman taking their father. I never promised you to accept that situation. I thought about it as agreed with you, but couldn't see you other than my boss and colleague. Also I...

- What? What do you want to say, Aaliyah?

- I... I just consider of getting married to someone who is close to me, my... my age, my dreams... my life.