Butterfly Wings: An Egyptian Novel (Modern Arabic Literature)
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Ayman and Salwa went out with Hassan and his girlfriend Hala to celebrate Ayman having found his mother. Hassan invited them all to a café on Arab League Street in Mohandiseen, and then Ayman took Salwa home. As he was saying goodbye, Ayman said, “We’ve got a date tomorrow. It’s a trip to Tanta.”
Salwa looked at him in amazement. “I can’t wait,” she said.
Next day, Ayman bought two tickets to Tanta. He was half an hour early and stood waiting for Salwa inside Ramsis railway station. He did not want her to have a tiring journey by taxi like his when he had gone to see his mother for the first time. He sat in the station cafeteria looking forward to what was to come.
He had visited his mother again. She had spoken at length about her past and present life. Ayman had met her husband, who was a rural man with a good heart despite his conservative ideas. Ayman had told his mother about his life in the present and the life he was looking forward to with Salwa. His mother had asked to meet her.
Ayman grew bored of waiting. It was spring, so why had he stuck himself inside the dark and gloomy cafeteria? He went out to the station concourse again and into the daylight. He wandered around a little, waiting for Salwa. When she finally arrived, the train was whistling its imminent departure. Salwa apologized for being late; demonstrations were blocking the streets. He took her hand and they ran to the platform. Salwa had a long white silk scarf around her neck. The wind picked up its two loose ends as she ran to catch the train and they spread like wings.
As soon as they reached their carriage, they jumped aboard and the train pulled away from the station toward the wide welcoming horizon where the sun shone.
Glossary
Some personal names in the novel have a meaning that is plain in Arabic. These are included below.
Bey: Honorific, often used for political or security figures.
Doha al-Kenani: Literally, the high noon of Egypt.
Fatiha: The opening chapter of the Quran, central to Islamic prayer.
feddan: A measure of area slightly larger than an acre.
gallabiya: A loose robe-like garment worn by men and women.
Hagg: Literally one who has performed the Islamic pilgrimage, but used as a polite address for an older person.
Hagga: The female form of Hagg.
Hala Girgis Abdel Shahid: Her name indicates that she is from a Christian family.
hamdulillah: “Thanks be to God.”
Hanem: Honorific for a woman.
mukhbir: Either a police detective or a paid police informer and assistant.
Sheikha: Honorific for an older woman.
Ustaz: Literally teacher or professor, but used as a polite form of address for a man.
yansoun: Aniseed tea.
Modern Arabic Literature
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Table of Contents
Halftitle Page
Title Page
Copyright
1. Doha
2. Ayman
3. Dr. Ashraf
4. Hassan
5. Clouds Disperse in the Springtime
6. Hagga Hikmet
7. Salwa
8. The Fountain for Lovers
9. The Tiger
10. Abdel Samad
11. Nariman’s Room
12. Black and White
13. A Black Hole
14. A Ray of Light
15. The Decision
16. Dinner with Tchaikovsky
17. Father
18. Palermo
19. Kikhya Mosque Does Not Exist
20. Al-Bedawi Set Them Free
21. The Demonstration
22. Mushira
23. Amna
24. The Dream
25. Qasr al-Nil Jungle
26. Detention
27. Reconciliation
28. Yes, Sir!
29. Esmat Bey
30. The Minister of Defense
31. Release
32. Sunshine Express
Glossary