Antonia widens her eyes, and I don’t need to dwell too much on explanations. From my apprehensive look she quickly realizes what is happening.
-You can tell me Nahan, is Hafiq coming to Bahrain?
I subscribe and complete:
-Yes, Hafiq comes in a retinue, they asked permission to land, in a few minutes they'll be here, Antonia.
Antonia stutters nervously.
- But ... but how? I did everything right, said I was traveling to Cairo, how did he know I'm here? Did he say what he came here for?
I stop on the climb of the stairs, anxious about what is to come.
-He sent word to Jafar that he's coming in peace, said he wants to greet me for the wedding. But I think he's coming after you, Antonia. He does not know my intentions, after all I've done, the way I brought Bianca here, he probably fears for his safety, which is perfectly normal, if it was with my halawi, I would do the same.
-So, I'll pack my bags, if I intercept him before he gets here, maybe I can ...
I don’t let her conclude, I have never been a man to escape from any conflict, I want peace, but if Hafiq wants retaliation for my act, then I will prepare for the war that is to come.
-No, Antonia, enough of running away, I've stolen Bianca from your husband's land, that's an affront to any ruler, it's only fair that I should portray myself. This does not embarrass me, to admit that I have made mistakes does not detract from my dignity; on the contrary, a good ruler must acknowledge his mistakes, it is the least I can do.
I go to the kitchen to talk to Thurayya and Antonia looks at me with a tense look.
-Thura, prepare a great dinner with all the delights of our land.
-So, any minute, will we be seeing you later?
-Sheikh Hafiq will be our guest, he and his entourage, get help from Nair, Fatimah and Jasmine to do it, if you need to order something out, do it any way you want, but I want an impeccable reception for my guests, All right, Thura?
Thura nodded, shouting for the cooks as I left the kitchen, Antonia and I followed the hallway in silence, I accompanied her to her suite, informing her:
-They must arrive in about thirty minutes, I'll tell Bianca that we will have visitors and then I'll get ready to receive them, no matter what happens Antonia, here in my house you will always be welcome, be quiet, this is now between me and Hafiq.
I went to Bianca's room and told her what was going on, she was nervous, but then I reassured her that no one was going to take her away from me.
- Calm down! This may not do our baby good, no one will take it from me, do not worry.
-I'm afraid of what Hafiq might want to do next, did he really come in peace?
I smile, thinking how my Bianca is still so innocent, of course I can expect any surprise from this visit, surely Hafiq is furious, but he is not stupid, would never try something in my lands.
What I need to do is treat him with all diplomacy and maybe convince him to accept my withdrawal, no matter how much Qatar is a country with a strong military force, entering an unnecessary war is certainly something he too doesn’t want.
I go to my suite, I look in my closet, a beautiful black galabia for formal events, brown and black kafia and aigal. I wear the galabia putting on my royal insignia, I put on shoes and I'm ready to face what's to come.
I call Jafar by having him reinforce our borders with Qatar, and I go downstairs to welcome my guests.
Bianca and I talked to our guests, sitting on the front porch, when the convoy bringing sheikh Hafiq parked at my door.
The door of the second car opens and Hafiq gets out of the car next to sheikh Karim Omar, Youssef gets out of the car and joins them. The three of them stop on the steps of my house. Jafar comes up and motioned to me that he is standing next to us, we both went down the stairs to greet our guests.
- Masa'u Al-Khair, Nahan. (Good evening Nahan)
- Al-Khair An-Nur, Hafiq. (Good evening to you too, Hafiq).
Antonia comes down the stairs quickly, stopping beside me.
- Hafiq, I, I ...
Hafiq looked at her and frowned, visibly furious, though he hid his anger behind a friendly smile.
-Habibi, I'll talk to you later. Nahan, how dare you invade my country, kidnap a visitor in my lands, and still, to get away with your mistake, having my wife lying to me?
I raised my voice so Hafiq knew he was not talking to one of his servants.
- I suggest we go upstairs to talk, this is not the time and the place, I was cordial to welcome you ...
-My dear, I'm here to get my wife back and settle my bills with you.
I raised my finger in riste and he got even closer, Antonia tried to pull him by the arm, but it was in vain.
-And how do you want to settle our bills?
Hafiq took off his jacket and handed it to Youssef, I clenched my fists waiting for his attack.
- We can start like this.
A strong left punch hit my chin. I’ve never thought this fighting quarrel is strong, but not as strong as I am. I returned his kindness with a little more force, punching him in his left flank and before we continued to punch, Jafar and Bianca grabbed me by the waist and Antonia and Youssef pushed Hafiq away from me.
Thura hurried downstairs with a broom in her hand and struck Sheikh Karim's legs, claiming,
-Karim, stop being a fool and do something, will you let these boys crumble to the ground like two street urchins?
Sheikh Karim shrank back from Thura and shouted to the security guards:
-Don’t get involved, do you understand? Let them solve it Thurayya, you're a real fun crasher, they're men, boys solve things like this, you do not understand ...
-Well, if you do not get rid of this bullshit right now, you're going to see it quickly, Karim.
Sheikh Karim gave a single cry, catching us by surprise.
- Stop it, it's over. You are two kings, not school kids.
Hafiq pointed at me, shouting,
-This jerk started it, father..
I rebounded, giving him back the offense.
-You asshole. The responsible of this ridiculous quarrel was your son, sheikh Karim.
Thurayya went to Hafiq and stroked his arms, tearful.
-Don’t do that, Hafiq, please. Let's end this fight soon, you're a good boy, Malika Bianca can not suffer these scares, she's pregnant.
Brenda and Antonia asked Bianca if it was true, Bianca confirmed and sat down on the stairs, panting and defeated by stress.
-Is that true, Bibi?
Bianca nodded, lowering her head with watery eyes.
-It's true Brenda, I'm pregnant.
Brenda and Bianca hugged each other, Antonia approached them, smiling.
-You two agreed, did not you? They will have a child at about the same time.
Hafiq went to Bianca and took her hand.
-Forgive me, Bianca, I did not mean to upset you, I'm going.
-No, Hafiq, please stay with us, stay for my wedding, you and Nahan need to talk. There is no reason why you should continue with this nonsense. Bahrain and Qatar have always been allies, it is better for both countries to remain so.
I go to Hafiq and reach out his hand, he looks at my outstretched hand and at Antonia, she nods and he finally shakes my hand, annoyed by our fight.
-I did not mean to scare you Bianca.
- I know, and I did not want to confront you, can we talk?
He agrees and I invite him to come into my house, who knows today might be the day we will leave our differences aside for peace between our countries?
Sheikh Karim climbs up the stairs next to Thura, complaining:
-Is that how you welcome me, Thurayya Abdul, with the broomsticks? You continue with the same bad character as ever, woman from hell.
-Shut up, Karim, where did you see Nahan and Hafiq fight like two cocks?
-Leave the boys, Thura, they'll understand each other, do you have any karkadeh?
Thura looks at me over her shoulders, sti
rring my gluttony and responding to sheikh Karim:
-Not only karkadeh, do you like halawi, mahmoul, and fresh fatayer?
I look at Hafiq and he tries to hide the laughter, I never knew Thurayya was a friend of sheikh Karim. I ask him sheepishly:
-Do you like halawi?
-I prefer mahmoul, but can I try your mother's?
I deny, completing:
-Thura is my aunt, but she was the one who raised me. No one does halawi like her.
-After we talk, I could try just a little bit.
I invite Hafiq and sheikh Karim to come to my office to talk, we need to reconcile with each other once and for all, we can’t resolve our differences with punches, this is completely out of character, I don’t know what happened to me, taunting Hafiq and swapping him, as if I were a delinquent jerk.
Bianca walks past me with her head down, still tense, Brenda and Antonia suggest she go to her room to rest and they go with her.
Hafiq and sheikh Karim enter the office and I ask them to sit down. An awkward silence surrounds us, I squirm in the chair, ashamed to admit it, but at last I break the silence.
- Hafiq, I deeply regret the way this happened, I would like to retract and apologize for my disrespectful act of invading your land and kidnapping a visitor. As soon as the attack on my family occurred, I had them investigate thoroughly until they reached the principal. The result of the investigation of the attack indicated that you, Sheikh Karim, were involved in this crime. A mercenary negotiated with the intelligence service of Bahrain and accused you of being the principal of the crime. Now I would like you to put yourself in my place, I was completely upset by the loss of my wife and daughter, when I read the report, all I wanted was to take revenge on you, sheikh Karim. But you had already abdicated the throne for your son, so I decided that it would make you feel the same pain I felt.
Hafiq interrupted me still irritated:
-So, you believed that damn report, without even looking for us to talk and decided to kidnap my wife, obviously to kill her, just like they did with your family, am I right?
I will not lie to Hafiq, of course that was my thought: to kidnap the queen of Qatar and to kill her, just as you they with my wife, today I see the consequences of my untimely, desperate attitude, but I can’t deny that That was my plan.
-Yes, you're right, Hafiq.
Hafiq stood up indignantly, raging with sheikh Karim:
-Did you hear, he admits that he intended to kill my wife and says it like that, in my face. Our countries had a friendly relationship, we Nahan, we were never friends, but we had a great diplomatic relationship, where did you get the idea that my father killed your family, give me only one reason for him to commit such an atrocity?
I speak louder, trying to defend my point of view:
- According to the report, the reason was to destabilize us to take the oil reserves close to our borders. You have children, don’t you? And I think you love them more than your own life, right?
Hafiq nodded and I continued to pour out all my frustration of being made a fool by my enemies and believed in these fake reports.
0-My Amira hadn’t completed three years when this attack took her away from me, I was doped by the doctors and I could not go to the blast site because I had pieces of my daughter and my wife everywhere. Do you have any idea what this is? How did I feel? And you, what would you do in my place, sheikh Hafiq? The man always so measured, so balanced, what would do if I had blown your Antonia, your children, up? Would you analyze a damn report calmly and impartially, or would you tear guts up and down?
Hafiq sat down and looked at me seriously, bowing his head in despair.
-I would cut them to pieces and spread them all over Qatar, that's what I would do Nahan.
Sheikh Karim calmed our spirits, speaking low and firm:
-I would do the same as Nahan, Hafiq, and I would not think twice about getting my revenge. I came here to assure you Nahan that I would never do anything against his family. Our families have known each other for years, before Bahrain became an independent country, our relations were even closer. I was a friend of his father, King Abdullah, the three of us knew each other when we were young: Thurayya, he and me. And since then we have always been together, supporting us as sister nations. Our oil reserve is more than enough to ensure the progress of our country, I would not need to attempt against the life of your family, to acquire a few more barrels of oil. Youssef has a partial dossier in which he collected enough evidence against Ali Borkan Daulic, according to that dossier, Ali hired mercenaries from the north-west of Sitra and paid them in cash to organize the attack on his family. Youssef went over this dossier to Jafar the day before, to find out what the progress of the investigations is.
So, it really is true, Jafar and Youssef were right when they suspected that this attack was architected here in Bahrain. I look at sheikh Karim and Hafiq and am ashamed to think that I ordered the kidnapping of Antonia and why? You're welcome. The snake that attacked me, my true enemy is in my country, probably closer than I can imagine.
Hafiq stood up and held out his hand, in a firm and strong grip, like his personality.
-Let's forget about these last few months, Qatar is still a sister nation of Bahrain, we are together with you in this investigation, I will not rest until we get our hands on the bastard who took your family away. And I am sincerely glad to know that in the midst of this whole mess, you have been able to find true love, Bianca is a special woman, I just ask you to take good care of her, my friend.
- Bianca was my sunshine in the middle of this storm, she brought me back the joy of living and to complete my happiness, she now blessed me with a son, Hafiq.
We leave the office, satisfied that harmony has returned to our realms. Thurayya accompanied Hafiq and sheikh Karim to the rooms she prepared to host them, and I went to look for Jafar to find out how the investigation of Ali Borkan is unfolding. Hell, where's Jafar? I've looked everywhere, I go to the garden and ask Bianca and Brenda if they saw him, Bianca tells me that he went passed her rather hurriedly.
-I think he's having a problem, Nahan, he got a call and left here upset. He said he only comes back later. Talk to him, Nahan, he's your cousin, you were raised together, if he does not open up to you, he will not let it out with anyone else.
I was sitting in the garden, taking a breath and talking to Bianca and her sister, when I receive a direct and distressing message from Sapphira.
Thank you for all the beautiful moments that we lived, but I need to take my life in my hands, until some day, with love.
Your Sapphira.
Is she leaving? How dare she, leaving me alone for months, getting back into my life, messing up everything around me and then running away again? No, not so easy, Sapphira. I call insistently, until she answers and she is silent, Sapphira is crying, what is happening to her anyway? She has been very strange for some time.
-Sapphira, tell me where the fuck are you.
- Jafar, I just did not want to leave without saying goodbye, I'm already going to the airport, when I come back, we'll talk.
But over my dead body she will leave me here, I ask, my voice coming out more desperate than I would like.
- When you return? When Sapphira, six months from now? Is that what you want to do with us? Are you still at home? Wait for me there, do not leave without talking to me.
-I'm not home, goodbye Jafar.
I think of a shortcut to the airport and run down the stairs, I go to the garage and climb into my Harley, flying on the road, sewing the pavement like a hallucinator. A few meters from the Sapphire jeep, we are less than ten minutes from the airport. I overstep her car making her stop on the road. I get off the bike and I'm coming towards her, the driver rattles at me for blocking the car, and I tell him to shut up. Sapphira looks at me pale, her hands tightening a suitcase. I growl in the cold voice:
-Get out of the car now, Sapphira.
-Are you crazy, Jafar, and what if I hit your
bike?
I turn around at the car and open the door, motioning for her to come out and accompany me.
-Let's go, you'll hear what I have to say.
-Get out of my way, Jafar, hell, I'm going to miss my flight.
-Do not provoke me Sapphira, you will not board that plane, this time you’ll stay here! Come with me.
Two cars behind us honked, nudging me, I pulled her by the hand, put a helmet on her, buckled her, and held her hand for her to get on the bike. Sapphira sat on the motorcycle and wrapped my waist, surrendering at once.
We arrived at the palace, and Sapphira got off the bike, thumping my arm, furious with me.
-What do you think you're doing, why did you bring me here?
-Come with me or do you want to discuss our lives in front of everyone?
Sapphira folded her arms, irritated, defying me as she always does.
-Take me back to my house, I already said we do not have anything else to talk about. I'm tired of being your fucking friend, you complain that I do not take you, but you do the same to me, you're ashamed to take me. Coward, that's what you are, a coward Jafar.
-If that's the way you like it, I'll do it.
I grabbed her knees and threw her on the shoulders, up the steps of the doorway, as she thrashed like a sheep about to go to the slaughter.
I entered the living room and came upon the astonished looks of Nahan, Sheikh Karim, Hafiq and Mama.
I gave everyone a good afternoon as I had a good education, and before going upstairs to my room, I counted the rage that had been repressed years ago by Sapphira, slapping the back of this frustrating woman.
I opened the bedroom door and kicked it to close it, taking down Sapphira from my shoulders. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she toasted me with a beautiful kick in the shin.
-Who do you think you are to treat me like this?
I stepped on top of her like a starving Bedouin, tearing at her thin satin blouse and plunging her mouth into her breasts.
-Your male, your man, that's what I am, Sapphira.
Lovely Concubine Page 26