After a while, I hear Adam’s phone ringing on the counter. I ignore it at first, but when it rings multiple times, I decide I should take it to him. I look into his cabin and see him sleeping peacefully. His phone rings again, with an “unknown” caller ID. I put the phone on silent and tiptoe out of his cabin so as not to disturb him.
I wonder what it is about Adam that attracts me so much. He is the first man, after so many years, whom I don’t mind holding my hands or embracing me with tenderness. I don’t feel uncomfortable dancing with him; in fact, I can never refuse if he asks for a dance. Why did I feel so protected, when he held me after my nightmare? Why do I believe him when he says he will always be there for me? Why do I even want to believe him?
After reading for three hours, I start to feel hungry. I check the time and it is almost five in the evening. I realize I am still in my nightclothes, so I head to my cabin and take a relaxing shower and change. I pick a black velvet long skirt with a pale blue blouse to wear. I look at myself in the mirror and wonder what Adam sees in me. Why does he think I am pretty? Is it because I resemble my mother, and I know she was very beautiful? But Adam has never met my mother.
Adam is still sleeping, so I sit at the corner of his bed, watching him. He looks much younger in sleep—not even thirty. He keeps himself in good shape, and I wonder how many girls have enjoyed his bed. I am completely engrossed in his beauty when he shifts and drops his hand in my lap. As soon as he touches my body, he opens his eyes.
INTEREST
♂
I move in my sleep and drop my hand on her. A current passes through my body and I open my eyes immediately.
“Hi.” She welcomes me with her gorgeous smile.
“You look so beautiful.” I pause and take a deep breath, looking at her lovingly. “Am I dreaming, or is it really you?” I touch her face to confirm it’s her. My action makes her smile again.
“It is me. I don’t think you have issues with nightmares.” She winks at me mischievously.
“If this is a dream, then I would like to stay in it forever.” My hand is still on her face and I start to caress her lips with my thumb. I want to kiss her passionately and let her know how precious she is to me, but I know I don’t dare to push the limits she has set on us. “Your fragrance will kill me someday. I can’t even explain the effect it has on me.” My tone is filled with passion, and I assume she is able to read my intentions. She shifts and looks away.
“You were drinking before sleeping?” She looks toward my glass of whiskey. I close my eyes, agreeing with her.
“I’m sorry. I know you don’t like it.”
“It is not about like or dislike. I have seen people turn brutish after this.” She still looks at my glass.
“I am not an alcoholic.”
“I trust you.” It is better to change the subject, so I look at my watch.
“Shit, I slept for so long. We should get something for lunch,” I say. She stands up from the bed immediately. “Please feel free to order anything from the menu,” I tell her. “I will join you in a few minutes.”
“When you were sleeping, your phone rang many times. I checked, but you were sound asleep, so I didn’t bother you.” She hands me the phone. I find twelve missed calls from… . Rania notices my expression changing. “Is everything okay?” she asks innocently. I nod in silence and head toward the washroom.
After a quick shower, I hear music. From the corner of the passage, I see her dancing in front of the flat screen. She doesn’t know I’m watching her, and enjoying the sight. There is a music video of Thriller Night on TV and she copies all the steps exactly, as if she has been practicing it for a long time. Her body sways like a flame in a wind, stunningly beautiful in a black skirt.
During one of the moves, she turns her head and sees me. She stops instantly, as if I caught her stealing something precious.
“Please, carry on. You dance really amazingly.” I walk toward her and she steps back nervously.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were…”
“If I told you I was here, then you would have stopped earlier. I would have missed it.” I look at her from head to toe and she skips her eyes away from me. “You look dazzling when you dance.” She blushes with shyness. Oh, that blush pink shade. She moves away from me and heads toward the bar.
“I am sorry, I couldn’t decide on anything for lunch.” She changes the subject. “I can’t have a proper meal at this hour.”
“No worries. We will have snacks, and then dinner at Winnipeg tonight. We have two hours’ stopover there.” I sit next to her. “How about a shake or a smoothie? And some fruits?” I check the drinks menu and then look at her. She smiles and relaxes, and we agree on smoothies and fresh fruits. I use my phone to place the order, and continue talking to her. “So, you know all the dance moves in this video?”
“I have been dancing to it since I was a child. This was the first video that started me dancing. My mother used to enjoy watching me.” I see painful and pleasant memories mingled in her eyes, though she smiles sweetly. It’s obvious that her mother meant a lot to her, but whenever the topic comes up, she becomes so vulnerable.
“What was your mother’s name?”
“Sarah.” She doesn’t say anything after that. I realize she doesn’t want to talk about it. Ali interrupts us with our snacks, and his presence surprises Rania. She doesn’t speak to him, but just gives him a smile. After Ali has left, I lift the smoothie glass in my hand.
“Toast to our friendship.” She smiles at me and accepts my gesture. The smoothie is really good. I don’t know how to break our silence, and luckily her phone chimes. She puts it on the speaker.
“Hi, Ben. Good evening.”
“Hey, Rania, how is your train trip going so far?”
“Never better.” She smiles and looks at me.
“Listen, do you know where Gibson is?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Oh yeah, how would you know. You are traveling. I was just wondering if he called you. I spoke to his assistant and she told me Mr. Gibson is out of town for the whole week. I was just wondering if he would meet you in Edmonton. But obviously, why would he do that? He is not your lover.” So if I am chasing her, is it because of love?
“Ben, please, don’t be so concerned. I am fine. How is the moving going?”
“Ah yes, we will be able to work from the new location next Monday. You carry on and enjoy the summit. I heard there are some fresh graduates attending as well. Try to meet them and see if any are a good fit for us. I trust you.”
“Thanks, Ben. I will keep that in mind.”
“I have emailed your hotel bookings and summit tickets. Just show them your phone. And one more thing.” He pauses for a moment. “Stay safe. He is a dangerous man, Rania. Keep your eyes and ears open. Your father is very concerned.” Me? Dangerous?
“I know he is concerned about his name. Don’t worry, tell him I won’t ruin it.”
“But Gibson is a man with power. He possesses what he wants. I don’t want you to end up being one of his possessions—” Hmm . . . Really?
“That will not happen, Ben. I will be fine. Take care. Bye.” And she hangs up the phone.
“Dangerous, huh?” I smirk at her. She stays quiet, focusing on her smoothie. “What’s his fucking problem? He’s not your dad.” I’m really annoyed now.
“There are many reasons. He wanted me to marry his son, that’s the first reason. Secondly, I believe he sees my mother in me. That’s what makes him more protective of me.” I look at her quizzically. “Ben and my parents graduated from the same university. They all met in Scotland. Ben was the first guy who proposed to my mother.” She continues with her smoothie.
“Seriously? He was your mom’s boyfriend?”
“Not a boyfriend. He was in love with her, but it was one-sided. My father joined a
semester later and he also put his heart in front of my mother. Belonging to the same culture and religion, my father had the privilege of marrying the beautiful maiden, right after their graduation.” She pauses for a moment, thinking. “I think he doesn’t treat me as Ahmed’s daughter, but he treats me as Sarah’s daughter and feels a responsibility to take care of me.”
“That is very surprising. And an interesting story. So, your mom and dad had a love marriage?”
“Yes, they did. My grandfather was not happy with the idea, though, because my mother was Egyptian and Father was from Lebanon. So, my grandfather wanted her to marry an Egyptian and stay in the same country.”
“Your parents told you their love story?”
“I was sixteen when my mother told me. Whenever she talked about Ben, I always saw sparkles in her eyes. It was a very strange affection.”
“So, you think your mom was in love with Ben too?”
“I don’t know—she never confessed that. All I know is my father had the advantage of being a Muslim. But he loved her. All my childhood, I never saw them arguing or fighting. My father is still in love with my mother. He never married again.” She looks down at her glass, toying with the straw. “Whenever I saw them together, I believed that fairytales do exist. Love exists. We just need to find the right person.” She takes a pause. “Mom had a very hard labor during my birth. My father wanted a son too, but he couldn’t see my mother in pain again. So he never demanded another child. I guess that’s what love is.” She smiles to herself, her eyes carrying a dream. I also see pain in her eyes, so I decide to change the subject.
“And what makes him think I am dangerous? I mean Ben.” I take a sip of my smoothie, looking at her.
“With all due respect, Mr. Gibson, your lifestyle says everything.” She laughs heartily and I join her.
“Do you see danger?” I ask on a serious note. She keeps looking at me with sharp eyes, not sure what to say, but her gaze tells me that there is something.
“I see danger. I won’t lie. But not for me.” She drops her gaze to the table. “You are risking your reputation, Adam.” She is back on the same topic, us. It’s time to change it again.
“You go to the dance school daily?” I ask her abruptly, and she looks at me with surprise.
“Yes, I do.”
“Don’t you get tired?”
“Why do you think I need a foot massage before I sleep?” She winks at me impishly.
“Then, why do you dance if it hurts that much?”
“I am not a gym fan. It is something I can’t do. So I dance to burn my calories. And it also makes me feel good. No matter how tired my feet get.” Our snack is almost finished, so we move to the couch. “You work out too?” she asks, giving me a strange look.
“What makes you think that?”
“Your body is in good shape. I’m sure you do.” She checks me out from head to toe, like I always do to her. I smile and nod in silence. It surprises me that she has even noticed my appearance. It makes me feel very special. She picks up the Edmonton weekly guide and buries herself in it. I sit close to her, to see what she is engrossed in. She reads the details about some opera show, and then checks her train schedule.
“You like live performances?” I look from the magazine to her.
“I have never attended one, but they fascinate me. Anyhow, it is tomorrow evening. It is not possible.” She closes the magazine and is about to put it aside. I grab the magazine from her and read it carefully.
“Don’t worry, I will take you.” I’m serious, but she laughs at me.
“It is tomorrow evening, Adam, and we don’t have tickets. By the time we get there, it will be over. So never mind.” She stands up from the couch, looking for something. I grab her hand tightly.
“You don’t trust me? If I say I will take you there, I will.” She looks at me with surprise.
“You have got to be kidding me. I was just reading it. Nothing serious.” She sits down next to me, watching me with astonishment. “Adam, I know you can make anything possible with your wealth, but please don’t make it so awkward. Even if you could make it possible, I don’t want you to spend a rubbish amount of money to do it.”
“I just want to see you happy. If I don’t spend it now, I will spend it some other day. The money and me are a package. You might as well get used to it.” I gaze at her deeply and tuck her hair behind her ears. She shakes her head in bewilderment.
“I have always liked your surprises, Adam, but this is—”
“Done, we’re going then.” I check my watch and say, “You need to go now and pack your stuff, and get ready for the surprises.” I stand up and lead her to her room. She is still in shock. “Do you trust me, Rania?” I block her way and whisper closely in her ear. She looks up at me with dazzled eyes.
“Yes, I do.” And she escapes into her room.
THE FLIGHT
♀
I enter my cabin, still surprised at Adam’s remarkable offer. Is he serious?
I don’t have much to pack, except for my medication, basic makeup and nightclothes. I am still lost in what Adam just told me. After a few minutes, I hear another voice coming from the bar area. I poke my head out of the room, and find Ali and Adam talking. As soon as I come in, Ali waves to me and leaves.
“You don’t have to do all this. Please don’t spend a hideous amount of money on the show. We can see it some other time.”
“It’s all done. And it is not much. So relax.” He smiles and continues, “But I like this sparkle in your eyes when you are surprised. You look very innocent and charming.” He watches me very lovingly, which makes me feel special.
“Thank you for all your surprises, Adam, but this is making me feel bad. I feel I am using you, and I can’t even do anything in return.”
“Don’t ever say that again.” He gets angry instantly. “You are not using me. I’m doing all this because I want to.” He takes my hand in his and continues. “You don’t know what you do to me. Your presence is what matters to me most. You trust me… that’s all I want from you. So, we are, in fact, in a give and take relationship.” I just don’t get it, what he sees in me. There is no point in arguing with Adam, though, because he always wins. I should have been more cautious before looking into the magazine. Adam starts working on his laptop, so I get up and decide to check my email. I settle myself by the window and start reading my office emails on my phone.
An hour later, an announcement is made for Winnipeg Station. Adam has disappeared, so I go look for him and surprisingly, I find him in my room. He carries my trolley bag and guides me toward the exit. The city is densely covered with snow, with a temperature of minus seventeen degrees, but it’s decorated with holiday lights and Christmas trees, which makes it more welcoming. Adam hands our luggage to someone, then grabs me tightly by the shoulder as if I am a child who might get lost in a crowd. There is a BMW waiting for us outside the station. It is very warm and cozy inside the car. Adam dusts off the snow from my face and hair.
“God, your face is freezing.” He cups my face with both hands. “Let’s get you a coffee or a tea to warm you up.” He asks the driver to stop at any of the coffee shops on our way to somewhere. I start to enjoy the royal treatment Adam is giving me. His little concerns and worries about me are making a special place in my heart. No one has ever made me feel so much appreciated since my mother. Since the day we met, Adam has given me the feeling that I am playing a substantial role in his life, though the truth is, he is the one to be treasured.
He takes care of me with a hot chocolate.
Adam is busy with his phone calls and I am sitting next to him, enjoying the warmth. I have spent two days with him, alone in a train compartment, but not even once was I fearful; in fact, I felt very protected. Being in his arms gives me the feeling that I am invincible, and no one can harm me. He told me I was having an effe
ct on him, but should I tell him that the feeling is mutual? I could never have imagined sleeping in a man’s arms like that, even with Mike, though he is my best friend. Adam told me he wanted to attain Mike’s place in my heart, but should I tell him that his place is more valuable and treasured? He is the very first man in my life who has made me feel so special. If my little desire to go to the opera is so significant to him, then what will he do if I really ask him for something? I am starting to feel like a woman once more, only because Adam is igniting all the flames in my heart that I extinguished years back.
I close my eyes once again, afraid of what will happen when Adam learns the truth about me. He has always taken me to be a pure and innocent person who has some painful past. I wish I could tell him that along with all my nightmares, I have encountered demons in my life. I wish I could tell him how tormented my soul is, and now that he is in my life, he is secretly picking up all the burned and broken pieces. I want him to be in my life, but I know if he gets to know more about me, he will torture himself and spoil his reputation in society. My burned pieces will burn him too. I wish I could tell him I am not the girl he always sees.
Our car stops in front of the Winnipeg Airport.
“We are taking a flight to Edmonton,” he says. “It’s going to take an hour. That way we can attend the show tomorrow.” He speaks generously, while adjusting my scarf around my neck. The wind is hard and cold, so we rush inside the boarding lounge. After all the clearance and check-ins, we are asked to wait in the business class lounge.
“We already had bookings for the train. Are you in the habit of wasting money, just like that?”
A Silent Prayer Page 14