That night, after Jamil and her father, had left for the airport, Yasmin felt utter, unexplainable grief. She had read something about separation anxiety. Could this be it? She thought. When she now feared being separated from Jamil? She's missing him already. And her father too, when she had just met him today.
Anyone would have easily taken the scene she saw this afternoon for granted, but for Yasmin, she was experiencing it for the first time. The feeling was simply indescribable. She was happy and content just watching Jamil and her father laughed the entire afternoon. When she joined them, her father seemed to be so eager to hold the seat for her, fill their glasses with cold orange juice, and serve her and Jamil with the snacks. They had laughed and smiled throughout the afternoon.
Yasmin had offered her father the other bedroom to rest a bit before he left for the airport that evening with Jamil, but he refused. He had preferred to stay outside, talking to or simply listening to their stories. Jamil and her father were leaving together that evening, so Yasmin prepared an early light dinner of grilled chicken salad sandwich and red wine. He served them coffee after.
Yasmin followed Jamil into their room when he prepared to leave. Much as Jamil would have wanted a quickie with her, he said, her father would be waiting. Instead, he kissed her with so much longing and desire, then hugged her tightly.
The more frequently they see each other, the harder the separation was between them. Coming out of the room, Dodi could see the sadness in their eyes. Dodi sensed Jamil could hardly leave Yasmin by the number of times he had pulled her to his chest for a quick embrace and a gentle kiss on her lips. Dodi could only feel for them. He wished he had those times with Zora then. It would have sufficed, he thought. But he hoped these two will have a better future to look forward to, and it had to be soon.
***
Dodi wasted no more time. As soon as he arrived in Dubai that night, he messaged Naseem to meet him for lunch the next day. He said he hoped he was not inconveniencing him, so he's giving him the option to choose the time and place, Dodi said.
Naseem replied, "Hang out." Dodi smiled. This means they could have the entire day to themselves at their favorite place. Naseem followed further with "Sky's the limit," referring not actually to time and the cost, but more to the secrets, or confidences they each would share. Dodi was ready to lay bare his soul to Naseem. His father was dead; his wife, too, and now he could have Zora and Yasmin back into his life.
Dodi would bully Naseem if he needed to, but he was very confident that Naseem would readily consent to Jamil and Yasmin's marriage. At last, their dream to be in-laws on their firstborn's marriage was finally happening.
It was such a coincidence too, Dodi thought, that Jamil and Yasmin had met in Manila as students and fallen in love. They met without their fathers' intervention. Love found them. He was glad that it was Jamil, Yasmin had met, and vice versa.
He was glad too that Amina wouldn't have to go through the anxiety of a forced marriage to Jamil. Amina will feel relieved. She had begged him not to force her into marrying Jamil. She wasn't ready; she said. And when she cried, she asked her father not to force her to love just any man. He understood her fully well. It had been the same for him too when his father forced him to marry Amina's mother. And he was already in love with Zora, and Yasmin had been born. While Amina was still single; never been in love, and could learn to love Jamil, but he couldn't even persuade her. She cried for days after that day, when she first met Jamil. The eight-year age gap between her and Jamil was too much, she said. She was almost like her big brother and she felt nothing for him; she cried.
Love happens at the most unexpected moments. It comes like a thief. No one can force love on anyone. Forced love won't even last a day. When two people should meet, love finds them, not the other way around. Love is freewheeling.
***
"Mr. Naseem Al Abdallah is inside," the attendant informed Dodi when he arrived at the All Men's Spa.
It seemed Naseem booked a spa room only for them. They must have known each other for so long that they could read each other's minds. Naseem was happy to see him as soon as he arrived. And now that they were facing each other, Naseem looked at his friend.
"You kept your secret for so long, I would never have guessed at all," he said.
"I had to, or my father would have deported Zora a long time back," Dodi replied.
And to think that both Jamil and Yasmin were born just months apart in the same year. Jamil on September 24, and Yasmin on November 12. Dodi narrated a lot of things to Naseem. The things he came to know about Jamil and Yasmin. How the two had met, and their days dating each other. He mentioned that their mothers have already met, and happily accepted both. Jamil even called Zora, "Mom", Dodi narrated.
Naseem could hardly believe that Jamil and Yasmin had met and fallen in love, without knowing that the two were their firstborn, and their fathers had promised them in marriage. Dodi should have told him he had an elder daughter, Naseem said. He can't because then, even Dodi didn't even know where to locate Zora and Yasmin. Anyway, Naseem said he was fully consenting to their firstborns' union. He was ready to sign the marriage contract if he will show him one now; he said.
Dodi admitted having arrived from Nur Sultan and having talked to Yasmin, with the help of Jamil. Jamil had asked for his help to ask for his consent to his marriage with Yasmin, and that's the reason he was meeting him now, he said.
"I have no objection," Naseem said at once.
The friends hugged and shook hands. Naseem and Dodi had spent the entire day planning the young couple's union, but first, they had to meet as one family to introduce the two to their siblings. Dodi agreed.
Amina would love to meet her sister. And Fayed and Layla will be as well, Naseem said. He will talk to Jamil, Naseem told Dodi.
And Dodi was glad to have a reason to call Yasmin. And he'll call her with Amina by his side. Amina will surely love to talk to her sister.
***
That evening, when Yasmin answered her phone and the caller wouldn't say a single word, she almost switched it off, thinking it was a prank. When at last, the caller asked if it was Yasmin on the line, and Yasmin answered, "Yes, it is," she introduced herself as Amina Ghanem.
Yasmin was quiet for a while. She hadn't expected her sister to call.
"Oh, hi! Amina," Yasmin greeted.
"Hi, I am calling here with dad. He is beside me. I heard that you've already met him." Amina explained.
"Yes, indeed. He came to Nur Sultan to meet me," Yasmin replied.
"I would very much like to meet you too in person. Will you be coming to Dubai this weekend?" Amina asked.
"Sure, I can try, but that will be on Thursday and Friday only. We have a holiday on Thursday and a weekend off on Friday. Will you tell dad?" Yasmin asked.
Yasmin heard Amina talking to her dad. But her dad took the phone from Amina and confirmed her travel to Dubai by Thursday. Yasmin confirmed. She said she'll arrive by Wednesday night.
Then Amina grabbed the phone from their dad and said, "Thank you for talking to me. I'm glad, big sister."
Yasmin smiled. "I'll see you on Thursday then, Amina, little sister," she replied.
Surprise caught Yasmin when Amina squealed while handing the phone back to their dad, "She called me little sister!!!"
And Yasmin can still hear her squealing longer at some distance the second time. Yasmin was smiling when she disconnected. That was very sweet of her little sister, she thought.
***
Naseem peeped into Jamil's office the following morning, but didn't see him.
He was about to go when Jamil arrived at the door and asked, "Baba, are you looking for me?"
His father didn't reply but hugged him instead, and his eyes were teary. "You want to come in?" Jamil asked, and Naseem nodded.
Julie was inside. But the moment she saw that the older Abdallah seemed reluctant to enter, she excused herself and made up an alibi that she needed to go to the other department.
As soon as the secretary left, Naseem told Jamil what he heard from Dodi; and that he was consenting to his marriage with Yasmin. Jamil smiled and hugged his father, thanking him for his blessings. He told Jamil that he also learned from Dodi that Yasmin will arrive that Thursday since it is a holiday in Nur Sultan and she'll leave by Friday evening.
Jamil laughed. That surprised his father. Jamil said it seemed he was the last to know. He hasn't heard from Yasmin yet; he said. But he thanked him for the information. And he laughed again.
He told Jamil that he and Dodi had planned for both families to meet at their residence. It would have been nice to have their mothers present, but it was such short notice, so they'll have another family gathering again with them present another time, he said.
On Thursday, Jamil and Yasmin will have to meet their siblings at lunch.
"Sure, Baba. We'll do that." Jamil concluded.
His father smiled and said they will talk again before Thursday.
***
When Naseem met his household staff on the morning of Tuesday, he asked them all to do something for him. He asked them to prepare a little feast for them all on Thursday without letting on the secret to Fayed and Layla; he said. They shouldn't know until their guests of honor have arrived. He let them all into the little secret, except for his two younger children, Fayed and Layla.
He asked them to come up with meat, fish, seafood, vegetable menu, plus dessert and drinks. It will be just for 10-11 pax including themselves.
"Buy some fresh fruits too," Naseem said.
He wanted to see their set menu when he returned that evening for dinner. And he winked at them before he left for the office. The cook and her companions were very excited to join in the planning for this surprise occasion and immediately started on their given task.
***
Fayed and Layla went down for breakfast that Thursday morning to a houseful of activities. The driver and their three household helpers came from the market with baskets of fresh produce and bags of grocery items.
"What seems to be the occasion?" Fayed asked.
But their household staff just smiled and not said a word.
"Is it someone's birthday?" Layla asked the housekeeper, Cathy.
But Cathy answered, "Maybe, we don't know."
"Really???" Layla asked unbelievingly.
The two siblings wondered, but they couldn't do anything. Layla offered to help, hoping to hear something about it, and report it to her brother.
But Cathy said, "Missy, we are very sure, you are just being nosy. You just have to wait. You will come to know later today. It's an order, and if you're done with your breakfast, off you go."
The two siblings left the breakfast table hesitantly and looked back and again at the people in the kitchen, who seemed to hide a secret from them.
***
Amina asked her father again for the umpteenth time at what time they were going to the Al Abdallah residence. His father already told her they will be there for lunch. And again asked if indeed Yasmin will be there, too. Dodi stopped reading his newspaper and faced Amina.
"Eat your breakfast, wash your dishes, and do something else to keep you busy. You can take a bath now and prim yourself, to get ready to meet them. Yes, both Jamil and Yasmin will be there, and Jamil's brother and sister, too. You have seen Fayed, the groom supposedly at that engagement party. He is Jamil's brother," Dodi said.
At the mention of Fayed's name, Amina blushed, but thankfully, her father didn't notice that. Dodi didn't know that Fayed brought Amina home from the hotel that night; after, he ran after her sister, Yasmin, and her mother.
"And they also have a younger sister, Layla." Dodi continued.
But already, Amina was no longer listening. Her mind remembered that night he met Fayed at Sunbird Lawn. At the engagement, even before the ceremony started, and he was entering the venue, she was already thinking that the groom-to-be was quite handsome and cute, but dismissed admiring him further since he was already to be engaged and married, eventually. She even thought that the bride-to-be was lucky. Oh, how she wished she was the bride, she even said. That was before all hell broke loose that night and they cancelled the engagement. And then he saw the groom-to-be, jumping and squealing right after all the commotion, and was grateful that the engagement didn't happen. Deep inside her, she was just as glad as Fayed.
And when Fayed asked her to eat with him at the dinner buffet that night, she consented immediately. She was glad when she offered to take her home that night, but wished they could have stayed at the venue longer. Amina wanted to prolong their talk, and the time she will spend with him. It thrilled her to be talking with him that night. She caught him looking at her several times, and when she smiled at him; he blushed. It embarrassed him that Amina caught him stealing glances at her. She was wondering if he thought she's pretty. Because indeed, she finds him very handsome.
And now, she's going to see him again at his house! She hoped to sit right next to him at the dining table. She hoped Fayed will do that because it was his house. He had to take the initiative. And the crazy thing is, they are going to be in-laws! My goodness, she thought.
That would mean they could easily talk, people wouldn't think it strange, they're family! Good gracious! Or will that mean that if they are in-laws, they can't date? Will they become relatives and may not date at all? Oh, bull! And she thought it was a good thing that they will be in-laws. They will have a reason to talk with each other, or even just hang out with each other. Just a reason to connect, since their siblings will be husband and wife. She was so thankful to her big sister, Yasmin. She made it possible for her to have an excuse to talk with him or see him again. Can she possibly ask her big sister about this? But what will she say? Who can she ask at all?
If she had been engaged to Fayed, she might not even have disagreed at all. Maybe she would have grabbed the chance to marry him immediately. Crazy world, indeed! She wished that the next time their fathers arrange another engagement, it will be hers and Fayed's. Please, please, let it be ours! She prayed. She'd better pamper herself now. She'll take a long perfumed bath and make sure that Fayed will find her beautiful and smelling fragrant today.
***
By 9 a.m. Cathy went to check on Fayed and Layla and asked them to get ready to dress up for lunch. She gave them the clothes they will wear. Fayed would have preferred to use one of his old clothes, but the instructions came from their father to use the provided clothes. Fayed finds the suit too formal, while it excited Layla to wear a gown. Frowning, Fayed wondered who they were dressing up so formally for and he was not pleased.
By 10:45 a.m. Dodi and Amina arrived at the Al-Abdallah residence. Cathy knocked at Fayed's door to announce that they have to go down to welcome their guests. Fayed was no longer happy. He peered downstairs and saw a pretty girl in a gown, too. When the girl turned and looked around her, she saw Fayed. He saw her too. Fayed couldn't believe his eyes! Was he seeing the lovely Amina again? Amina waved at Fayed. He waved back reluctantly and ran back to his room. Cathy smiled. She saw Fayed rattled, seeing the pretty visitor. Hmm… she was going to make sure she'll sit next to him at lunch, she thought.
Then Fayed came down and greeted Amina. Dodi saw Fayed and greeted him, and Layla, too. A little later, Naseem came down to greet his friend, Dodi, and his daughter, Amina. He called Fayed and Layla and introduced Dodi and Amina. Naseem asked everyone to sit in the living room, while they await their guests of honor. Fayed and Layla did not know that Jamil and Yasmin were arriving. So, when they hadn't moved to the dining table yet, Fayed was already wondering who they're waiting for.
Half an hour before 12 noon, they heard Jamil's voice. Fayed jumped from his seat.
"Jamil!" Fayed cried, even without seeing him yet.
Then Fayed saw Jamil enter, holding a woman's hand until the woman came into full view. Fayed clapped gleefully. He was so happy for his brother. He went to hug him and was about to hug Yasmin when he remembered to ask permission from Jamil first if he could hug her too. Jamil pretended to frown at him, and shook his head, but laughed and nodded to go ahead. Fayed hugged Yasmin while saying, Thank You, softly. Yasmin wondered and looked at Jamil.
Jamil whispered, "You saved him from that engagement. So, you can have him as a servant for a day, and he won't even complain. He owes you his life."
Fayed punched his brother's left arm and hugged Yasmin one more time. Amina and Layla were trailing behind Dodi to welcome Yasmin too. Dodi gave Yasmin a father bear hug and a kiss on the cheek. Dodi introduced her sister, Amina, who hugged her tightly too, thankful in her mind that she opened an opportunity for her to have known Fayed, and then Dodi also introduced Layla, as Jamil's sister.
After everyone had hugged and kissed Yasmin, Naseem came to welcome Yasmin into the Al-Abdallah family. And Yasmin said, "Thank you." Cathy was at the table, to assist them in their sitting arrangement. The two patriarchs took the heads of the table from either end. At the right of Naseem were Jamil, Yasmin, and Layla; and on his left sat Fayed and Amina.
Jamil, knowing that Fayed seemed to be infatuated with Amina, smiled at him for having the chance to sit beside Amina. He even winked at Fayed. Even Cathy saw Jamil wink at Fayed and she smiled. Layla, seated beside Yasmin, kept looking up at her.
Yasmin moved herself down to kiss her on the cheek and said, "Nice to meet you, Layla."
Layla smiled and put her arms around her neck and kissed her on the cheek.
Naseem raised a toast for Jamil and Yasmin and said aloud, "Welcome to the Al Abdallah family, Yasmin."
Dodi looked at Yasmin and toasted his glass to her and Jamil. It was indeed a happy family gathering for the two families. Conversations flowed easily and merrily until the end. They all sat in the living room, each one asking some questions from Yasmin and Jamil. Later, Jamil took a tour with Yasmin around the house, Layla showing her room excitedly to Yasmin; Fayed too showed Amina his room. They all went outside to see the garden, the swimming pool, the swings, and the dogs while relaxing on the settees.
It was late afternoon when Dodi invited all of them to his house. But Naseem begged off as his right leg and knee were hurting again. He'd do it another time, he said. All the three younger siblings rode in Jamil's car, so Dodi had to drive to his house by himself.
***
It was the first time for Yasmin to see Dodi's house. Amina held Yasmin's hand to guide her inside. She said she's so happy to have met her at last and hoped to get to know her in the days to come. Dodi welcomed her and Jamil into the house. The household help served them drinks.
While Jamil and Yasmin seated themselves on the sofa talking with Dodi, Amina led Fayed outside their house to show him their lawn. Unlike the Al Abdallah's, they don't have a pool but they have a beautiful garden with a fountain. They have a labrador dog and some birds at the back. They have a barbecue grill, an oven, and a gas stove. They always love a cookout, said Amina.
Layla was looking for the two when she saw them at a distance. Layla saw Fayed holding Amina's hand, and the two lovingly gazing at each other. She called to them, and the two freed each other's hands fast.
Dodi went into the kitchen to check with his cook if he could prepare dinner, and he agreed.
Layla went to sit beside Yasmin and told her brother that she saw Fayed and Amina holding hands in the garden. Jamil put a finger to his pursed lips to hush Layla. He told her he'll talk to Fayed alone.
Jamil and Yasmin looked at each other smiling, and Jamil whispered to Yasmin that their fathers were going to get more than what they had bargained for. They won't have only one couple from their children but two, he laughed. Poor Layla, Jamil said, she'll just have to find someone outside the family. Yasmin smiled.
The dinner had been fun, Dodi couldn't help glancing at his daughters across the dining table. He thinks the two seemed to look alike. Yasmin is more Arab than Asian, he thought. When he verbalized his thoughts to them, Jamil confirmed that indeed Yasmin looks like Amina when in college. Amina squealed, then apologized immediately when she realized Fayed was sitting beside her. She blushed. Fayed told her, it's okay. She must be proud and happy, he said, to have confirmed that they look alike.
Everyone smiled except Layla, who didn't understand yet the undercurrents of a blooming love between the two. Dodi and the couple, Jamil and Yasmin, smiled and winked at one another. Dodi wouldn't mind at all, he said, if this younger couple would follow their older siblings. Already, Dodi thought, it would delight Naseem to know that Fayed and Amina may soon become a couple, too. Towards the end of the night, they planned the next day's activities. Yasmin suggested that she and the two girls would bake in Dodi's house. She said she saw the oven in the backyard, and she looks forward to baking some cookies with her sisters. She'll buy the ingredients tomorrow morning before she proceeds to Dodi's house the next day.
Jamil found a chance to hang out with Fayed and talk to him regarding today's 'holding hands' scenario. He'll stay in his father's house with Fayed, he said. It will be nearer to pick up Yasmin and Layla after the day's baking. Fayed looked forward to spending time with Jamil. After his foiled engagement, he had been on Cloud 9, and what better way than to spend it with his brother. He owed it to his brother's girlfriend that he had avoided that unwanted engagement. He could also ask his big brother about a lot of things he didn't know yet in a relationship. Just a while earlier, when he held Amina's hand, he felt a stirring in his heart, and he could have held Amina's hand longer had Layla not called them. Talk about wrong timing, he thought. After the long dinner talk, Dodi and Amina had to let their dinner guests off sadly.
***
After taking Yasmin to the supermarket to pick up the things she will need for today's cookie baking, fetching Layla, and finally dropping them off in Dodi's house, Jamil went back to his family's house. Fayed was already awake so early. Jamil joined Fayed at the breakfast table, ruffling his already disheveled hair as he passed by him. Fayed was all smiles, and Jamil couldn't help returning his infectious smile, and he laughed. Jamil thought his brother seemed so happy after his crazy engagement night. Not only was he able to prevent being engaged, but he also met Amina Ghanem that night.
"You're awake too early. It seems rather unusual," Jamil teased.
Fayed gestured with a quick headshake to mean yes. Jamil continued to smile at him. Fayed smiled back. They seem to understand the meaning. Jamil is teasing him because of Amina. Then, Fayed looked around them, not wanting anyone to hear, and asked Jamil if he could ask him some questions later - in private, he added.
"Sure, I'll be in my room," Jamil replied with a smile.
After their breakfast, Jamil went into his room to use his laptop while Fayed quickly took a shower and changed. Then went into the kitchen to get some sliced fruits of watermelon, and cantaloupe and put them in a bowl before knocking at Jamil's bedroom door.
"Come in, Fayed," he said.
Jamil wondered at the bowl of fruits he brought with him. It was Fayed's first time to see his brother in his room privately; his first time to bring him food, and, first time, even to have already showered at this time of day. He seemed to have changed in a matter of days, Jamil wondered, after his engagement brouhaha, which had been the hotel's talk of the town for days.
Fayed sat on the lone soft chair beside his brother's desk and put the bowl of fruits in front of him. Jamil closed his laptop and now focused on Fayed. His younger brother seemed fidgety and couldn't find the words to start the conversation.
So, Jamil asked him about what Layla saw yesterday afternoon. Fayed couldn't look into his brother's eye. He held his hands together and told Jamil that indeed; he held Amina's hand, but he said Amina didn't object. He told Jamil that he could feel that Amina likes him too. Their feelings are mutual, he said. Since that night at the dinner buffet, he could feel that Amina wanted to stay with him longer, and talked with him too, just as he wanted. He can't be wrong. They both like each other. And now talking with Jamil, he wanted to ask him a lot of questions about being in love, of kissing, and the things a boyfriend should do to keep his girlfriend happy.
He looked straight into his brother's eye and blurted, "Do you think I am in love with Amina?" Jamil looked at him but couldn't help himself from smiling.
Then, Fayed continued, "I felt this on the night we ate together at Sunbird Lawn. My heart was palpitating. I can't help glancing at her face whenever her attention is elsewhere. I was feeling so hot all over. If I knew how to kiss a girl, I might have even kissed her then. But I don't know how."
And a long silence ensued. Fayed didn't know how to continue what he wanted to ask of his brother. But he thought Jamil would certainly understand as always, just like in the past, when he would confide about his crushes in high school.
So, he continued. "I want to know how to kiss a girl, that's why I brought the fruits."
Jamil had never been more surprised by Fayed's confessions. He couldn't help but laugh at his brother. He found him hilarious this time. But Fayed was serious. He bowed his head, then looked at Jamil when his laughter subsided.
Fayed took a fruit with the fork and showed Jamil how he thinks they do kissing. Jamil laughed again. He couldn't help but laugh and laugh, but Fayed wouldn't surrender. Jamil has to teach him and he won't leave his brother's room until he has learned. He also has a lot of questions that need answers. He can only ask Jamil, no one else. They have lots of fruits in the kitchen which he can use for demonstration, Fayed said. If he still hasn't learned from this bowl, he could go down to the kitchen and cut some more.
By hook or by crook, he should be able to learn something today. He was going to get his sex education from Jamil today, and he promised to be a very attentive student. Jamil can only submit to his brother's request for his good. Fayed couldn't be irresponsible, and risk displeasing Dodi and Yasmin, if Fayed accidentally impregnates Amina, or humiliates her in public when their passion takes over them.
Outside Jamil's bedroom door, one would wonder what Fayed was doing or saying to make Jamil laugh so hard the entire day. Downstairs, the people preparing lunch in the kitchen were just left wondering.
***
Yasmin and the two younger girls were so happy and excited. Yasmin will not only bake for them today, but she is going to teach them how and make them do it themselves. When Yasmin and Layla arrived, Amina had showered and already dressed for today's baking session. She was in an apron and was holding two spare aprons too for her big sister and Layla. They all went directly to the backyard, where the oven and the cookout appliances were. Yasmin loves it, that there is something like this in her father's home because she too loves to cook outside, as she always does in Nur Sultan with Naira and Anya.
How she wished her sisters and Fayed too, will one day see their apartment in Nur Sultan. She was wondering what's keeping Jamil busy in his family's home now. She hoped that he and Fayed were having a nice day, too. Yasmin stood there giving Amina and Layla some instructions and the two girls were just squealing and giggling every step of the way. They were having fun. Layla made Yasmin promise to visit them weekly in Dubai. Amina couldn't help but kiss Yasmin on her cheek, smearing flour on Yasmin's cheek. She quickly apologized and tried to wipe off Yasmin's face but made it worse and even ended up smearing her nose and hair as well. Yasmin laughed and smeared both girls with flour on their faces, too. They finished just before lunch.
Dodi wasn't home. His two friends had picked him up for Friday prayers at the mosque earlier today, before Yasmin and Layla arrived.
Their housekeeper served lunch outside for the three of them, knowing that they would prefer to eat outside. While they ate, Yasmin laughed and listened to the girls' stories.
After lunch, Yasmin can see that Layla seemed very sleepy. Amina took her inside the house, to her bedroom, where she made her lie down and sleep. She promised she'd wake her up when they will be leaving. Layla was asleep already by the time Amina closed her bedroom door.
Amina went back to join Yasmin but saw her bringing their dirty dishes back inside the house. She offered to wash the dishes from her, but the household help came to their rescue. They were told not to worry and just to relax outside. Yasmin and Amina went back out to sit and relax. They had baked the cookies and brought them inside the house for the people inside to taste and try out.
When Yasmin and Amina resumed relaxing on the rattan reclining chairs, Yasmin put her arms on Amina's shoulder and pulled her closer to her. Amina smiled as she looked up at Yasmin lovingly. Yasmin was not even prepared when Amina kissed her again and said, "I'm so happy to have met you. I've always been wanting to have an older sister while growing up."
Yasmin kissed her on the forehead while saying, "Same here, Amina. I'm so happy to know that I have a sister too. It's been fun today. I'd be happy to be around you, too. I hope one day you can come to Nur Sultan. I would like to show you around town." Then they hugged.
Yasmin asked Amina if it was okay to ask her some personal questions. Amina nodded shyly. Yasmin took Amina's hand in hers. She asked Amina if she feels something for Fayed. Amina covered her face with her hands while she blushed. Yasmin told her not to be ashamed because it was just normal. She told her she met Jamil at about the same age as her now. They were in a relationship while in college. So, at her age, to feel something for Fayed was okay. However, she said, she and Fayed need to act responsibly. Although kissing couldn't make her pregnant, the kiss could become so heated it could drive them to go beyond the kiss, and that's when it becomes dangerous.
Yasmin talked to her about a woman's monthly period, the ovulation and fertility period of a woman, how to protect herself from being pregnant, and a lot more. Just like Fayed being educated by Jamil, Amina, too, was getting her sex education from Yasmin.
Both older siblings had advised their younger siblings to come out into the open and tell their fathers about their feelings for each other. It is better so they could prevent any mishaps or hitches in their relationship. Yasmin convinced Amina that she had nothing to worry about, because their fathers, would surely be very pleased with the news. Already, she told Amina that their father was smiling yesterday evening at dinner time. He had sensed that there was some attraction between her and Fayed. And Fayed's father would be as elated, she said. Who knows, when after some time, she and Fayed felt they were ready to get married, their fathers would surely arrange that quickly.
Yasmin asked Amina if this was the first time she's having these feelings for a man. Amina looked her sister in the eye and nodded before saying yes. Yasmin smiled. First Love seems to seize the hearts of the Ghanem women - her mom, herself, and now, Amina. They must be very lucky.
When the time came for Yasmin and Layla to go home, and Jamil had arrived to pick them up, Layla was still asleep. Amina asked Jamil if she would wake her up, but Jamil stopped her. Jamil carried his sickly sleeping sister from Amina's bedroom into his car.
Yasmin kissed Amina on the cheek, asking her to tell their dad that they hadn't waited for him anymore as she will leave for Kazakhstan in the evening. Dodi hadn't returned yet from his Friday outing with his friends. When they arrived at Jamil's family home, Yasmin held the back passenger door open for Jamil to pick up Layla to bring her inside the house and into her bedroom.
***
Inside the house, Fayed was there, ready to hug Yasmin again as soon as she came inside the house. Jamil looked at him, frowning and teasingly scoffed at his brother, telling him not to get used to it. Yasmin and Fayed laughed. But Jamil retorted he was indeed serious. Another laugh came from both.
When Yasmin took a seat on the living room sofa while Jamil brought Layla upstairs to her room, Fayed talked to Yasmin. He thanked her again for mistaking him for Jamil and eventually saving him from his engagement. Fayed said that he was not ready to be engaged at all. He was afraid to face marriage so early. He can't take care of a wife and much more of a baby. He needed time to be prepared.
Yasmin smiled. She apologized too, for having mistaken him for Jamil. She wasn't even thinking when she's already wearing an engagement ring from Jamil. But she was on her way back to the wedding venue on the other side when she caught sight of him in the corner of her eye. She really thought she saw Jamil, and she just ran towards him at the venue. Jamil hadn't mentioned that the brothers almost look alike.
Fayed smiled shyly and told Yasmin that she must love Jamil so much she can't bear to see Jamil marry another woman.
"I do, Fayed. I love your brother. We've been apart for five years already. I wouldn't want to lose touch with him again. This time, I want us to be together," Yasmin declared.
Fayed hugged her again. Then Yasmin told Fayed that she had talked to Amina. She knows about him and Amina having mutual feelings for each other. She said she's happy for them. Fayed smiled to hear that from Yasmin. He has now confirmed that Amina has feelings for him. Yasmin told Fayed that she has advised Amina to tell their father and encouraged Fayed too, to admit to his father that he has feelings for Amina. It would be best for them, she said. Yasmin told them they were indeed lucky their fathers would accept their relationship easily and they could openly date with their blessings. Fayed was nodding. He told Yasmin that Jamil had also advised the same thing today. Yasmin held Fayed's hands, saying it would be best for them all.
Playfully, Fayed kissed Yasmin's hand as Jamil was about to join them. Fayed received a playful but strong strike at his nape from his older brother, before he even heard him say, "Don't you even dare!" Yasmin could only laugh at these two brothers' constant jostling and banters.
***
Jamil told Fayed that they needed to leave now. Yasmin has to rest for what's left of the day before her flight late that evening, he said. Their father must have gone to the office again. Knowing his father, his business is as important as his rest day. Or, he must have gone out with his friends, like Dodi. It must have been his father who fetched Yasmin's dad early that morning.
They bid Fayed goodbye and went back to Jamil's flat. As soon as Jamil had locked the door, he carried Yasmin into the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and kissed her lovingly. He asked her how the baking day went, and she told him the two girls loved it, with Layla making her promise to fly to Dubai every weekend. She told him about the talk she had with Amina regarding her and Fayed. Yasmin admits to Jamil that she's seeing their past in Fayed and Amina now. For sure, she said that these two will be as passionate as they are. But they are different. These two should get married first before experiencing any passionate relationship between them. They have to be married first.
Jamil countered, "Not before us though, we've waited long enough. They can marry the year after us," he repeated, while kissing her again and again. When Yasmin asked Jamil how his day went with Fayed, Jamil laughed so hard again. He said it was hilarious with Fayed wanting to learn how to kiss using the cut fruits to show him if he is doing it right. Yasmin couldn't help but join Jamil in a peal of hearty laughter.
They had a long foam bath, then took the rest of the day to nap and make love. Jamil admits to Yasmin that now that his father had accepted their relationship, and taken off all those bodyguards within the periphery of his vision and touch, he felt reborn. He was having a new lease on life, and there was no longer that ticking pacemaker inside him, waiting to blow up any minute. He can now relax despite Ibrahim's presence even within arm's length. Yasmin is safe; his fear that Ibrahim will harm her is now a thing of the past. He can finally lay it to rest and live a more normal, tranquil, and very relaxing life.
Alhamdullillah. Praise be to God, he whispered.