A Sheik's Spell

by Snoe, Eboni

  She found Kareem munching on a mango right outside the kitchen door and gave him her letter. He wiped his hands on his galabia top and placed the envelope in a large pocket in his pants, smiling all the while.

  The walk to the small house was refreshing. Some of the women who lived in the houses nearby were still about. Felicia greeted whomever she passed.

  “As Salam-Alaikoom. ”

  They did not seem to find her of interest, returning her greeting but continuing on with whatever they were doing without a second glance. Felicia knew she could easily be mistaken for one of the house servants, and her anonymity pleased her.

  She found the scrub brushes, soap and containers she’d requested inside the house. After making sure they were there, she pulled one of the wooden chairs outside under a lone tree and ate her breakfast

  The heat began to build within the would-be lab as Felicia cleaned windows and scrubbed floors. The white scarf-type wrap slid to the middle of her head as it bobbed to her arm’s rhythm. Closing her eyes and sitting back on her heels, Felicia tried to cool herself. She constantly plucked at the top of her dress, creating a nice sensation of air on her breasts.

  “So you are the one they call Felicia, are you?” Felicia’s heart leapt at the unexpected intrusion of a woman’s voice. Her English was clipped with a sultry sound. There, standing in the doorway, and blocking the only fresh air that Felicia had, was Waheedah Faruuk. “lam.”

  First of all, Felicia was irritated that her initial face-to- face meeting with Waheedah would find her on her knees. Secondly, she didn’t like the way the woman spoke to her. Like master to slave.

  “You don’t look like a scientist to me.”

  “I don’t remember asking your opinion as to what I look like. And if you don’t mind, you can move out of the doorway. It’s hot in here.”

  Felicia rose to her feet and removed her head cover. At least I can take this scarf off my head. Nevertheless, she knew her appearance piled beside Waheedah’s, with all her elaborate dress.

  Waheedah moved just inside the doorway, turning her nose up to show her distaste for the room and Felicia. “How long will you be staying in Karib?”

  “As long as I need to.”

  “Since your only true purpose here is to finish your project, I guess you should be gone in a few weeks.” “That is one of the reasons why I am here, yes. And if I have any other reason for being here, I don’t think it’s any of your business.”

  ‘ ‘Na’im is my business. And your room is in the same wing as his. I suggest you move your belongings into the guest portion of the house.”

  ‘ ‘Wait a minute. I don’t know who you think you are, coming in here and telling me what to do with my things. Na’im invited me here. He decided what room I should stay in. And since it is his house and not yours, I think I’ll stay just where I am.”

  ‘ ‘Oh. Pardon me if I seem a little... what would you call it...rude. I’m simply trying to spare you a little heartache. You see, the house and Na’im will soon be mine. I simply hate to see another woman being used as Na’im’s temporary convenience. That’s all. Or didn’t you know that Sheik Ahmed Salim Rahman has chosen me to be Na’im’s wife?”

  “No. I didn’t know anything about it. But I think Na’im is old enough to make his own decisions.”

  ‘ ‘This has nothing to do with age. In my country, when a woman has been chosen for a man of Na’im’s status, it is more a matter of tradition, money and influence. But since you are a foreigner, and ignorant of our ways, your misunderstanding can be forgiven.”

  “I don’t need you to forgive me for anything. It’s obvious that you are the one seeking understanding or you wouldn’t have walked all the way out here to find me. Yes, Na’im and I are lovers, but you can believe I’m getting as much satisfaction out of it as he is. So you don’t have to worry about me. I think you should be concerned with your relationship as it stands with Na’im.”

  “Well, I’ve done what little I can. If you insist on making yourself available to him until he announces the date of our joining, that’s up to you.”

  Felicia watched as Waheedah turned and walked through the door. She no longer felt like cleaning. The knowledge that Waheedah had been chosen as Na’im’s wife had immobilized her.

  Felicia childishly stomped on the servant’s uniform as it fell to her feet. There had been no need for her to stay at the lab. She couldn’t have worked another moment if she’d wanted to.

  Waheedah had completely upset her. But she was proud that she hadn’t shown her how she really felt. As she rehashed the confrontation she’d had with the uppity Egyptian beauty in her mind, her old adrenalin started to flow. I’ll show her and everyone else around here. They don’t know who they ’re messing with, do they? She could just see the servants gossiping and telling Waheedah all about the foreigner who slept in Na’im’s quarters.

  She stepped down into the tepid water that filled the sunken bathtub. It wasn’t very large, but definitely large enough for her. As Felicia lathered her body, her mind conjured up images from her past

  Felicia had always loved dancing. As early as the third grade, she’d gone to the library and checked out one of those do-it-yourself books on ballet, and from it she taught herself plies and jetes. By the time her mother had decided to allow her to take dance from a former dance student, Felicia had trained and practiced to such an advanced level her instructor felt she was ready for point work. Yes, there had always been a side of her that wanted to shine. But that had its down side as well.

  She was one of those girls who the other’s never liked. The older she got, the worse it became. ‘ ‘She thinks she’s cute,’ ’ they’d say. All the time, she wished they’d only get to know her. She wanted friends so badly, but they all tended to keep their distance. Until she met Deesha.

  Deesha knew where she wanted to go and what she wanted to be-an actress. Through Deesha’s eagerness to explore life, Felicia began to blossom as well. Plays, recitals, contests and academic endeavors-she tried them all, and succeeded at most. The more she succeeded, the less popular she became. But it taught her something-to hold her head high when adversity struck. If they must talk, give them something to talk about. And that’s exactly what she planned to do tonight.

  There were many outfits to choose from in her closet, but there was only one that would fit her needs tonight.

  Felicia sat in front of the dressing table not far from the bathtub and turned on all the lights she could find. She stared at her image in the mirror, and thought of how she could transform it Actually, Felicia derived pleasure at

  times like this. It was like an actress putting on her makeup for her greatest performance. Everything would have to be just right

  She opened the tiny drawer to her left and found an assortment of makeup-bases that would fit any shade of brown, blushes from light peach to dark plum, eye shadows designed to bring out the best in skin with color.

  Felicia took a small section of hair and tied the rest back in a ponytail that clung to the nape of her neck. She considered her face as an artist would a blank canvas, and with the makeup she created the image she wanted to present.

  The base gave her deep brown skin a matted finish, revealing not even the smallest imperfection of her skin. A rich magenta blush accented her cheeks and brought the contours of her facial structure alive. High cheekbones bespoke of a heritage synonymous with royalty. The gentlest of violet and royal blue made her eyes the focal point of her face, with kohl that traced their almond shape back to a past known only in the Orient. Full lips, colored like wild berries, whispered the old saying, “The blacker the berry, the sweeter toe juice.’ ’ Felicia smiled when she thought of it. Deesha never liked that saying. Her skin was a creamy yellow with gold overtones.

  Felicia piled her midnight black braids high on her head and let the massive ringlets fall as they may, only arranging those that needed it. Her hair echoed her free spirit, but one she knew how to direct.
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  Long, melodious earrings donned her ears. Now she was ready to slip on her dress.

  Felicia felt it was a masterpiece in femininity. Never before had she seen material like it. It was a shimmery white with rosy incandescent flecks throughout; so light.

  even the slightest breeze would send it into motion. A high draping collar graced its neckline; followed by an oblong slit that showed the slightest hint of chocolate skin beneath. The full-length sleeves clung to Felicia’s arms like kidskin gloves. The garment lay against her shapely frame as if it had been made for no one else, molding her breasts, waist and hips into smooth alabaster.

  And now for the finishing touch-tiny, pearl-embossed handmade slippers.

  As Felicia gave herself one last look in the mirror, she liked what she saw. Purposefully, she sauntered off to Fatimah’s room, feeling good about herself.

  Felicia found Fatimah finishing her hair.

  “You look wonderful,’ ’ Fatimah said, with true admiration in her voice.

  “Thanks. I thought maybe you were ready and we could walk down together. I didn’t want to face the opposition alone.”

  “Sure we can. Just give me a few more minutes. Did you know Na’im is back? He had some business to take care of in the library, but he should be in his room dressing by now.”

  Felicia could feel the excitement building in the pit of her stomach. She was as ready as she’d ever be to tackle Na’im and Waheedah together, no matter what happened. If he announced the date when they would marry or simply ignored her because of Waheedah’s presence, her self- confidence was at its peak and she could handle whatever they dished out.

  Anxiously, Na’im entered the sitting room that joined his bedchamber with Felicia’s.

  "Aros al bher."

  Last night had been long and cold without Felicia’s warm body next to his. He had regretted getting up so early the previous morning and leaving without saying goodbye. But he hadn’t known that his business outside of Karib would take so much time.

  He knew that Shabazz and the others would be released as soon as he left the village, but there was nothing he could do about it. He would have taken them to another township that wasn’t under Hassan’s thumb, but he had the appointment in A1 Kharijah with the Office of Economic Development the following day. The paperwork had already been delayed a day after his problem with Hassan.

  The sheik would be pleased when he found out that Na’im had found a way to secure them government subsidies. Yet Na’im knew in his heart that was not the only reason he had offered their estate to Felicia for the research project. Even if she had decided against it, he would have found a way to keep her in Karib.

  Na’im stepped inside Felicia’s bedroom and called for her once again. Disappointment settled on his handsome features when he realized she was not in.

  Tired from hours of riding, he eagerly bathed and dressed. He too chose white for this occasion-a white pantaloon suit with billowy sleeves and pant legs. The jacket crossed at the waist, permitting wide expanses of Na’im’s muscular chest to be seen as he moved. He made quite an alluring picture as he made his way to the drawing room.

  Waheedah wasted no time in crossing to meet Na’im as he walked in. She had been waiting alone, sipping a sticky, dark sweet tea laced with ginger. She was pleased with her luck to have a few moments alone with him.

  Na’im, on the other hand, was frustrated to find the drawing room empty except for Waheedah. But he could tell by the welcoming smile she gave him that she was pleased with their unsolicited privacy.

  She was quite attractive in a tantalizing black dress revealing much of her shoulders and bust line. Diamonds highlighted her throat and ears. Her hair was placed in a classic chignon.

  ‘ 'As-Salam-Alaikoom, Na’im.”

  ‘ ‘Alaikoom-Salam.’ ’

  “It is good to see you back safe and unharmed.”

  “It is good to be back.”

  “I also want to thank your family for showing me such hospitality. I have found my stay here quite nice, though I think I would have been more comfortable in the west wing. You see the sun rises directly in my window and I find it hard to sleep to my normal waking hours.”

  “I will make sure the servants put darker colored drapes on your windows, Waheedah. We cannot have our guests inconvenienced in even the slightest way.”

  The comers of Waheedah’s pretty mouth showed that was not the answer she expected. It perturbed her even more because she knew Na’im was aware of her implication, but he preferred to feign ignorance.

  ‘ ‘I understand there will be scientists milling about the grounds for a couple of weeks. Do you have any idea how long they will be staying? I’m used to my privacy, you see, and quite unaccustomed to being in such close quarters with foreigners.”

  “I don’t think Na’im can answer that. As I told you before, this project involves so much, it would be hard to predict a time frame.”

  Na’im and Waheedah both turned as Felicia, Fatimah and Ilyas strolled into the room. Felicia looked to be the epitome of calmness as she glanced first at Waheedah and then Na’im. A smile began to pull at the comers of her mouth, but she fought it. Obviously, Waheedah had expected her to come to dinner in one of the servant’s uniforms, her face showed such great surprise. Na’im, standing by her side, appeared a little stunned, though he recovered quickly. Felicia felt as if she had struck a direct hit against her enemy in their silent little war.

  “I must agree with Felicia. I’ve never been a man to disagree with anyone who looks as perfect as she does tonight,” Na’im smiled approvingly.

  The awkward silence that followed was broken by the servants serving tea. Waheedah insisted upon dominating all of Na’im’s attention after he had openly complimented Felicia. Felicia, in turn, felt more at ease conversing with Fatimah and Ilyas. Actually, Fatimah served more as an interpreter, since Ilyas spoke very little English.

  Occasionally, Felicia felt Na’im’s magnetic eyes on her face. His look smoldered with more than the heat from the small cup of tea.

  One of the servants entered the room, excused herself, then spoke briefly with Na’im.

  ‘ ‘It seems we will be having guests for dinner,’ ’ Na’im announced.

  No sooner had he spoken than three men were shown into the drawing room. The ambiance immediately changed from restrained and quiet to an exuberant display of old friends being reunited

  “Fil-ly!” Phillip exclaimed as he hugged and kissed Felicia, nearly picking her up off the floor. ‘ ‘Let me look at you. You are tres magnifique. Egypt agrees with you,” he proclaimed in English accented heavily by his native tongue, French. “I expected to find you scrawny and sad looking, not looking like a princess.”

  Felicia hugged Phillip for dear life. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed him. Tears came to her eyes as he held her at arms length, still chiding her.

  “Ooh la la. Had I known you’d miss me this much, I would have stayed away from you sooner,” he grinned.

  Dear Phillip. Being nothing but his old devilish self and meaning no harm. When she had first met Phillipe Moncharde, they became very good friends. His fun- seeking personality made it easy, but after awhile he’d made it known that he wanted to be more than friends. Felicia had just broken up with Alvin, and she was not ready for another relationship. At the time, Phillip said he understood. But from time to time, in his playful manner, he still reminded her of how she had rejected him.

  “Hello, George and...William Ashley, isn’t it?”

  The older man nodded his compliance. In her jubilation at seeing Phillip again, Felicia had completely forgotten her manners.

  ‘ ‘Oh, excuse me, please. Phillipe Moncharde, I’d like to introduce you to Na’im Raoul Rahman. His family owns die estate here where we will be working. Na’im, this is George Mercer and William Ashley, the other research team members.”

  Na’im responded graciously to the introductions, but Felicia detected a hint of resentmen
t in his eyes as he shook hands with Phillip.

  Everyone else was introduced after that, and in good time, because dinner was ready to be served.

  Numerous wall sconces were lit in the informal dining room, which featured an eight-piece dining room set with gilded armchairs. Fatimah informed them the formal dining room could seat as many as fifty people. Everyone appeared to be duly impressed, except Waheedah.

  “It is customary in our country for families with status such as the Rahmans to be prepared to entertain visitors from other sheikdoms. We are a people rich in more than tradition.”

  Na’im was seated at the head of the table, with Felicia at his right and Waheedah on his left. By now, Felicia had made up her mind that the less attention she gave Waheedah, the better off she’d be. She found the woman to be completely annoying and stuck on herself. And if Na’im intended to marry her, good for him.

  Several dishes were placed in the center of the table.

  ‘ ‘So what do we have here?’ ’ Phillip inquired, pointing at a pastry-type substance.

  Na’im sat back quietly, forcing Fatimah to play hostess.

  “This is called tahini. Sesame seeds are ground into a paste for this dish. And this is hummus, made from finely ground chickpeas. They are both very good.”

  Felicia and the others watched as the natives dunked their pita bread into the liquid concoctions, and then proceeded to imitate them.

  “It is so kind of you to allow us to complete our research here on your grounds. I can’t imagine how Felicia has convinced you to do it. Providing housing and food for four strangers is really rather noble. And seeing that you’re getting nothing out of it, I must commend you.”

  ‘ ‘Well, I wouldn’t say I’m getting nothing out of it, Mr. Moncharde. A true businessman always finds a way to benefit from everything. Besides, I have found Felicia to be very resourceful in many ways.”

  Na’im turned a dark, veiled glance in Felicia’s direction that revealed little, but his words had implied much.

  ‘ ‘By the way, is the site for the lab actually in the main part of the house?” Phillip asked.