London.Life.Love

City love p. 16

2010-03-18T06:39:00.000-07:00

The more time Reem spent with Fahad, the more she missed someone else. Hamad. Whenever she saw him around, he'd give her a polite smile maybe a hello and rush off. I guess it was for the best, Reem thought to herself. He was unavailable and seemed so complicated while Fahad was available and always around. She didn't want to lead Fahad on, because she only saw him as a friend and nothing more where as he clearly was anticipating something more. So Reem kept herself busy with university work or going out with friends discovering new cafes and side streets that had promising secrets waiting to be uncovered.

The days got warmer and Reem happily took out her new spring wardrobe. She was meeting her friends for lunch. She choose an airy gauzy white dress with an embroidered neckline, a fitted light cardigan and her favourite pair of gladiators to adorned her small feet, her toes flashing in Essie's 'Short Shorts' nail polish. Lifting her Ray Ban Wayfarers off her face, she blinked profusely outside her street waiting for the girls to pass by. A smiling face appeared, it was Fahad. Her heart sunk a little, she did not feel like seeing him especially as she had avoided him for so long making up excuses about why she was busy.

Fahad: Halla walla, 3ash men shafech!

Reem: Halla Fahad (looking behind him, her heart did a flip) Halla Hamad.

Hamad(tucking his hands in his pockets quietly): Ahlain..

Fahad: Wainech? Walla we7ashteny! Yella ma dam you're here come with us, we're going to the park benitmasha.

Reem: I can't, an6er il banat.

Fahad(his temper rising): I've had enough of this. Whatever. Tara mo mayet 3alaich, you think you're the best girl around and everyone is dying for your attention.

Before he could finish Hamad stepped in.

Hamad: Fahad e7terim nafsik, 3aib tkalim il bint chithy.

Fahad: Walla ya5y ma t3arf shmsawya feny! A9lan why the hell are you defending her huh? Laykoon you like her?? (Hitting Hamad's chest)

Hamad: Calm down Fahad.

Reem (in her mind, dumbfounded): This seriously can't be happening.. This is not happening..

Before she knew it, Fahad had attacked Hamad, as Hamad forcefully held him back until Fahad had been knocked to the pavement.

Reem stood there shocked, not knowing what to do. Luckily Hamad grabbed her hand and pull her away saying 'Ta3aly, let's get away before this get worse."

She quickly shuffled through her bag to find her Blackberry to text a group message to her friends. " Sorry girls, something's come up. Go ahead without me."

City love p.15

2009-11-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hello readers, sorry I've been MIA for a long time. I was busy with the new school year and settling down in a new flat. Now that all that is sorted I hope I will be able to post more often. Here's the next part, it's not very long but I hope you enjoy it xoxoxox

Hamad paced back and forth the university’s hallways. He liked Fahad but he didn’t want Reem to be involved with him. To him Reem was the epitome of innocence, the way her tiny nose wrinkled when she let out a shy laugh or the way she looked when she was angry, sometimes he enjoyed saying mean things just to provoke her so he could see that adorable scowl and pout she tried to hide.

He was going to wait for her until she leaves her lecture and try to talk to her. At that moment, past the long corridor Hamad saw them Reem’s face glowing with a bright smile on her face while Fahad walked beside her devilishly laughing at her side. Hamad’s face froze in its place, he thought “Fahad’s already got to her”

The next few weeks, everywhere Reem went she bumped into Fahad, it was as if they were on the same schedule. He was nice and funny and Reem desperately needed the distraction. They talked about his hobbies: cars, horseback riding and travelling and hers: food, reading and painting all over lattes or risotto.

Fahad(tugging on Reem’s sleeve): Come on, I want you to see something!

Reem: What Fahood? I’m tired I want to go home.

Fahad: Wait one sec, its coming.

Suddenly the dark wintery night lit up with fireworks, red, blue, yellow, orange, purple!

Reem(shrieking): Oh my god fireworks! I love them!

Fahad(a grin on his face): I know, that’s why I wanted you to see them

Reem smiled, enjoying the view from the park. Fahad inched closer, wrapping his arm across her shoulder. Any girl in Reem’s place would be happy but she felt her spine straighten and she stood in her place wishing it was someone else…

City love p.14

2009-09-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

hello everyone, mbarak 3laikm el shahar, inshalla yn3ad 3laikum. sorry for the lack of posts, i was busy w/ ramadan, hope this makes up for it, more to come soon xoxox

Reem(cutting him off): Hamad, mafy da3y tgoul shay, 3arfa 3an your situation.

Hamad(sighing): Really, t3arfeen? Walla I’m so relieved.

Reem: Yeah..

Hamad: So where does that leave us?

Reem(confused): Nowhere, we’ll stay university friends like we’ve always been.

Hamad: But you know there’s more between us than that, you can’t deny it.

Reem(her tempter cutting short): Hamad, enta shfeek? Esh’hal 7achy, you’re an engaged man!

Hamad(confused as ever): What? Me, engaged? To who???

Reem: Don’t play dumb, it was bad enough you had to lead me on before but you’re still lying about it. Your cousin Lamya ba3ad mn!

Hamad: Oh Reem, Reem, you’ve totally misunderstood the situation..

Just as he was going to continue, Reem’s mother walked back and Hamad excused himself after feeling unwelcomed by Reem.

That evening Reem kept thinking to herself what could he possibly say, another lie akeed. Even Maha agreed, he hated seeing her friend getting so worked up over this guy.

The next few days was a series of wet rainy showers, that typical London weather that has you seeing four season in one day. Reem was already on the way to her class, Starbucks tall chai latte in hand when the drizzles she was tolerating turned into pouring, wet drops falling at a fast speed.

She squealed wrapping her cashmere cardiwrap closer against her petite frame as she paced faster towards campus, she was a lady she never ran.

A moment later, a huge plain black umbrella engulfed her, she looked up to see a guy she’s never seen before a tan,plain faced guy clearly from their part of the world beside her.

He smiled revealing a mouthful of braces saying’You seemed like you really needed an umbrella so I thought I’d offer you mine,it’s big enough for the both of us. So you study here too?’

Reem(hesitant about the stranger beside her): Umm yeah, thank you.

The guy: My name’s Fahad, I’m Hamad’s friend, you know him right,Reem?

Reem(shocked at this Fahad guy’s information): Yes Fahad I do.

Fahad: What class do you have now? I have my international politics lecture, wayd ymamel el professor!

Reem(checking her schedule to make sure of her class): Ohh ana ba3ad, ee he’s such a bore, thank god for my latte and BBM welaa I’d be asleep.

Fahad(laughing): Hahahahah, ee walla, look lazm ayeeb ma3ay kam mn Red Bull and you don’t even want to see the doodles I’ve made of the professor.

Reem(warming up to Fahad): Heheheh actually I do, show me!

As they arrived at the building and Fahad so gallantly opened the door for Reem just as she was about to enter, she saw Hamad.

Hamad(sighing under his breath): Reem

Fahad(still smiling): Halla Hamood, sha5barik? Turns out me and Reem have a class together, yella we better go, kfaya met2a5reen.

Hamad(in utter shock):Uh,uh, you two know each other? Umm ok, see you later.

He walked off, his face clearly unsettled from the moment he saw them laughing together.

This guy is really funny, Reem for a few moments forgot about Hamad and actually enjoyed herself.

Could this be the start of something new? ;)

City love p.13

2009-08-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

Reem sat in front of her mother at the Harrods Terrace Bar for afternoon tea. She had come to visit her only daughter. It has been almost a month since her last encounter with Hamad. She had not even seen him around campus, there were rumours that he had gone home for the rest of semester.

Reem’s mum: Enzain o ana glt 7ag 5altich la magdar ayey.. bs yadetich ma re’9at ..

Reem had somewhat drowned out her mum’s voice, she had gone on with life, she was always quite strong, but she couldn’t help but feel there was a missing piece in her life, Hamad held a place no one had ever had in her life before, he was a guy who was kind yet wasn’t sickly sweet, he had a great sense of humour even if it was teasingly at her expense. Something about him always drew a smile on her face, even after the day he clearly made any feeling he may have had for her clear: he did not like her in that way, he was in love with his fiancé Lamya.

A guttural yet sexy ‘e7em’ woke Reem from her daydream. Right next to their table stood Hamad, tall and broader than ever.

Reem’s eyes widened with surprise, she tried to mask her relief and happiness to know that Hamad was still around and fine.

Hamad: Halla 5alty, shlonach? Ana Hama Al-Flani, ana zameel Reem bl jam3a..Reem’s mum looked at him questioningly yet smiled warmly

Reem’s mum: Ahlain wldy, shlonak? Shlon il walda wl ahal?

Hamad(smiling revealing his gorgeous dimples): Walla klhum b5air

Reem began turning all shades of red,” Oh my god this could not be happening to her!” She thought to herself.

Hamad got along splendidly with her mum, it turned out that Hamad’s mum was old neighbours with Reem’s mother’s family.

Reem nodded on and answered in one or two word sentences, waiting for this awkwardly horrific event to end.

“Why is he even chatting with my mum? He has a fiancée, there’s no need to play Mr.Nice Guy, but then again I guess that’s just how he is..’ Reem thought some more..

Reem’s mum’s mobile rang loudly, she fished it out of her Hermes Kelly and got up to take the phone. ‘Oh el5adam yeta9loun, 5alny ashouf shfehum ba3ad..’ As she walked off to take the call leaving Hamad and Reem alone at the table.

Hamad(started off hesitantly): Reem, ana aby agolach shay…

city love p.12

2009-08-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Reem felt so guilty for what had happened earlier than night, she had to find a way to make it up to Hamad, ya3ny mskeen eshthanba if her cousin was slightly psycho? At least Jassem was travelling that morning o betiftak menah.

Slipping into leggings,a bordeaux loose cashmere sweater dress and accenting her small waist with a black Arrogant Cat box waist belt and some knee high grey leather Chloe boots, she was ready to go to university after a slick of winged eyeliner and a dab of a berry lip stain.

She walked struggling with the two warm lattes in her hands and the bag of muffins in the other as she got closer to the campus.

‘Who’s the second latte for ha?’ Hamad appeared from behind her with a boyish grin on his face that made the gold flecks in his eyes sparkle, making her almost lose hold of the drinks tray.

‘For you as a matter of fact’ Reem smiled shly.

‘Me? Well, well, well it must be my day’ Hamad said sarcastically.

‘I just wanted to say sorry for the way my cousin acted yesterday, he was way out of line’Reem uttered.

‘Your cousin ha? He said inquisitely, while taking a drink from the tray and taking a sip.

Reem: Yeah, my mom asked him to check up on me,5ara3ny he came all the way to my flat with no notice.

Hamad: Ahaa, well thanks for the drink. Where’s my homework by the way? I need it (he mockingly teased)

He proceeded to walk off, coolly sipping his latte leaving Reem utterly shocked.

Reem: Bu,but..

It was too late, Hamad was already inside. She didn’t want to seem too desperate.

What had all that meant? Did he care? Was he oblivious?

After class Reem was still kind of down after the way things had went with Hamad. She decided retail therapy was the answer to her woes. As she walked around the buzzing yet somewhat comforting beauty department of Selfridges swatching vivid and bright lipsticks from MAC and Illamasqua, the type she loved and suited her pouty lips so perfectly she saw Hamad’s not so friendly cousin Lamya approaching! ‘Oh no, this can’t be good!’ Reem thought to herself, yet despite that she smiled and said..

Reem: Halla, shlonech?

Lamya: esme3eny 7abebty, tara don’t even think about getting close to Hamad. He would never go for a girl like you, tara hw y7ibny o 5a6ebny gabl ma eyiy London so a7san lach you back off.

Reem(shocked at what she was hearing): Umm, okay, but you’ve got me all wrong I, I don’t like your cousin.

With those words, Reem stormed off not wanting Hamad’s fiancée to see her in tears.She kept her eyes to the floor, hoping for once London would be big enough to avoid bumping into someone. At that moment her body collided with a heavy male body in a black fitted Prada jacket.

‘Reem??Shfeech?Why are you crying?’ Hamad cried out to Reem as he held her by her tiny slumped shoulders.

He looked away and saw his cousin, Lamya smiling and spritzing perfume testers close by.

‘Lamyaaa!’ He screamed as he marched off in the direction of his fiancée leaving Reem alone yet again for the second time that day.

I guess dreams don’t come true for everyone..

City love p.11

2009-08-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

At that moment, the phone rang jolting Reem from her thoughts.

Reem: Hello?

Sammy: Dear, there’s a gentleman downstairs for you, shall I send him up?

Reem(shocked): Hi Sammy, umm no its okay I’ll come down.

Reem was frightened and excited at the same time, could it be Hamad? She threw on jumper over her sweats and slipped into her Mukluks and she hurriedly made her way downstairs.

Smiling at the prospect of seeing Hamad, she tried to fix her hair which was in a little way too messy bun.

Reem: Hi, Ha—

She looked at the person before her, it wasn’t Hamad it was her cousin Jassem!

Reem(stuttering hoping he didn’t notice what she was just about to say): Jassem, what are you doing here?

Jassem: Bedal ma tgolonly el7mdallah 3ala ilsalamah, that’s how you greet me!

Reem: Laa mo ga9dy but I wasn’t expecting you. How are you?

Jassem: Walla tamam, you’re mom called me up o yom darat eny nazel London galatly ayey at6aman 3alaich.

Reem: Ohh typical Mama, hehehe..

Jassem: Enzain ma bt3zmeny fog?

Reem(hesitant, she just didn’t feel that comfortable with Jassem): How about we go out and get something to eat, you must be hungry?

Jassem: Sure, I am actually..

Jassem and Reem made their way out of the building, Reem awkwardly stuffing her tiny,delicated hands in her pockets.

After having dinner, they walked around some more talking. Even though Reem felt uncomfortable around Jassem, his stout figure and piercing,inquisitive eyes set off with heavy,thick knit angry looking eyebrows made her feel restless. She tried to make conversation and felt herself warming up to her slightly overprotective cousin.

As Jassem walked her back to her flat, Reem saw a familiar profile and soft,black hair that curled at the nape of his neck pacing back and forth outside her building. She thought to herself in a silent frenzy,”Oh God no, it can’t be …!”

Reem:Hamad

Hamad(a shocked and distraught look on his face): Reem

Jassem(his already angry looking face getting angrier by the second): Who the hell is this guy?

City love p.10

2009-07-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

From that day, Reem had only seen Hamad at university from afar, she avoided the places where she knew he’d hang out and it was obvious he was doing the same, although she had seen him glance towards her with a melancholy look on his face.

Reem started missing not only when he was sweet, but also his annoying remarks. She knew he was trouble but she couldn’t help but want him in her life, even as just a friend. That day after she had finished her classes for the day, she decided she’d go over and say hi to him the next chance she got. Excited and scared at the same time, Reem skipped down the steps in her Tod’s ballet flats, her complexion getting rosier from the cold,winter air. She saw him from afar chatting with someone, she smiled ready to make things better.

Walking confidently towards Hamad, she stood next to him, his model like height emphasizing her petite frame.

Reem(clutching her books): Halla Hamad

Hamad(surprised): Reem, ahlain, sha5barech?

Reem: b5air, how are you?

Hamad(still confused and surprised): tamam walla.. oh yeah(turning to his left), hathy my cousin Lamya, she’s visiting..

Lamya peered at Reem with her eyebrow cocked up and suspicious eyes , then slowly looked her up and down.

Reem(taken aback): Ohh hi, nice to meet you.

Lamya(unenthusiactically): You too.

Hamad(unsure of what to say): B’3aity shay Reem? Are you okay?

Reem(still in a daze): Laa salamtik, I’m fine. I just wanted to say hi, anyways I better get going, Maha is waiting for me.

Hamad: Okay, take care..

‘Shit, shit, shit! I’m so stupid, I shouldn’t have gone over there.’ Reem thought to herself. There’s obviously something going on. He couldn’t have possibly liked me, I guess I was imagining it, how silly of me.

Soon after I met up with Maha for a quick lunch at itsu. As we dipped our maki rolls into soy sauce and sipped our miso soup, I told her what happened with Hamad.

Maha: Ohh that does not sound good! What did you say her name was?

Reem: Lamya..

Maha: Oh my god, that Lamya! Reemo, hathy his cousin who’s totally in love with him, everyone knows.

Reem: Ugh just my luck,! And does he love her, is there anything going on?

Maha: Madry, why don’t you ask him?

Reem(shaking her leg nervously on the bar stool): Ask him??! Yanaity.. Then he’ll know I like him.

Maha(smiling mischeviously): Ahaaa, so you admit it, you do like him!

Reem(embarrassed and blushing): Mahooooy, stop! You know what I mean, as a friend, I’m just concerned because she seemed really rude, Hamad deserves better than that.

Maha(sarcastically): Suuuure, as a friend hahahaha..

I spent the entire night thinking about Hamad and what I should or shouldn’t do. ‘Should I just forget about him?’ Reem thought to herself.

City love p.9

2009-07-22T04:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile, I've been kind of busy, enjoy xo

The girls teetered around in their heels on the first floor of Harrods trying on various pairs of shoes in the Shoe Boudoir then later going upstairs on the fourth floor to get Juicy and e.vil tracksuits for university. To them it was all about comfort. After a few hours roaming around the store, the girls were exhausted and hungry, they needed to sit down somewhere for a meal.

Reem and Maha made their way downstairs and decided on the Pizzeria. To their mild disappointment, it was jam-packed with other students much like themselves coming to their home away from home: Harrods. Reem and Maha rolled their eyes at the random and cheesy flirtatious remarks they heard from guys around them, but it hardly bothered them, they were used to guys making idiots of themselves. They sat down and enjoyed their pizzas and chit-chatted and gossiped about the passerby’s.

Maha: Yummmah, shfteha shlabsa?

Reem:Hahaha yeah, mskeena, doesn’t she know that’s so 1990!

Maha: I’m guessing she didn’t’ get the message.

Reem: For sure..

Maha: Reem, don’t look ahead, Hamad is here!

Reem: Uff hatha shyaby!? Wain ma akoun waray!

Reem couldn’t help but look his way, his expressive eyes said it all, he looks hurt, angry and confused all in the same time. She looked away acting as if he wasn’t there.

The girls continued their meal in an awkward silence trying to talk like they had before but it was hard seeing as Hamad was sitting right in front of them.

The girls paid the bill and got up for one more round on the ground floor to look at handbags and jewellery. As they walked around, they could hear random remarks being made by typical 5aleeji guys.

Reem could hear one in particular inching up closely behind her. He whispered in her ear: ‘Bta5theen el ragm wela la?’

She ignored him and continued looking around.

He kept following her, until she felt suffocated and annoyed but she knew better than to talk back to such imbiciles.

‘Yella fdaaitch e5thy tarany zhagtt’ He said as he clutched onto her right arm.

Reem gasped in shock ‘He did not just touch me!’

Just as Maha was about to speak up, Hamad appeared out of nowhere and clutched the guy’s arms and twisted it and held it into place.

Hamad(his voice trembling with rage): Laish lemast’ha??!?Walla lo shftk mara thanya eby Harrods tsawy ely swaita feha aw fe bnt thanya, walla btshof shay 3mrik ma shfta

The guy attempted a feeble laugh and a shrug and walked off with his pathetic entourage.

Hamad rushed over to Reem and Maha who were in a corner looking afraid and distraught.

Hamad: Reem, are you okay?

Reem(in a slight daze as to what just happened): Yeah I guess..

Hamad: Akeed?

Maha: Yeah, she’s fine..Thank you.

Reem(grabbing Maha’s arm): Lazim nroo7.. You know you didn’t have to do that, fashaltny o f’9a7tny jdam el nass.

She had just taken notice of the small group of people huddled around watching the confrontation.

Hamad: He touched you! I couldn’t just stand there o ma agoul shay..

Reem: You should have..

The girls walked off and went home. Reem had decided she had had enough drama for the day.

city love p.8

2009-07-14T01:31:00.000-07:00

A week of university went by in a haze, Reem felt so petty caring about a guy she barely knew, she could have sworn he was different, she felt something between them, something she had never felt before.

When it was finally Saturday and Reem other than going to university and the supermarket with Maha hadn’t done anything else, Maha decided it was time to take her out.

Maha: Yella Reemo 5alna ne6la3 n’3ayer jaww.

Reem: I don’t feel like it.

Maha: Please, I for one am going to go crazy if I stay in this flat any longer, at least Harrods mb b3eed, so at least if you change your mind we can come home bser3a.

Reem: Uhh, fine but I’m not dressing up.

Maha: Like hell you’re not, I can’t be seen with you if you look like a slob!

Reem(sarcastically): Gee Mahooy thanks you’re such a good friend.

Maha: A good friend doesn’t let her friends go out looking like crap, yella go shower I’ll pick out an outfit for you.

Reem(her cashmere blanket still wrapped around her): Enzain, nothing too crazy please.

Maha began rummaging through Reem’s closet. ‘Yes, this and this shall do. O 6ab3an Louboutin’s grabbing Reem’s favourite pair’

Reem stepped out into the room wearing a fluffy Egyptian cotton robe and her hair wrapped turban style with her towel.

Maha(jumping excitedly): Shrayich fe my killer choice? J Brand Skinnies,Paul & Joe blouse and these Loubou’s?

Reem laughed, her friend’s excitement always amused her and couldn’t help but make her smile.

Reem(smiling): Perfect, thanks hun.

The girls dressed up and put on their coats and grabbed their bags, they were ready for a girl’s night out without anymore Hamad drama.

city love p.7

2009-07-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

It was a lovely Sunday morning, BBC forecast predicted no rainfall and sunny intervals all day. Reem decided to ditch their boxes of Cheerios and Lucky Charms and have a nice brunch out.

The telephone rang suddenly, waking up Reem from her daydream and prompting her to get out of her warm bed to pick it up.

Reem(sounding sleepy and rubbing her eyes): Aloo? Ymmah, tawna ga3deen, baroo7 il supermarket ba3dain to buy groceries, la t7ateen..

The other line: Darling, it’s Sammy from downstairs, just wanted to let you know someone’s dropped off a package for you, shall I send it up?

Reem: Oh Sammy(coming to her senses), yes please, that would be great.

Sammy: No worries dear, have a lovely day.

Reem: Thanks ,you too.

A few minutes later, the package arrived. She opened it up eagerly thinking it might just be her Net a porter order she had placed a few days ago. Inside she found a load of bread, a white rose and a note. It read:

Reem,

Sorry if I offended you the other day. Didn’t mean anything at all. I actually have something I think you need. Please meet me at the park by the lake at noon.

Hamad

“Oh my god! I can’t go, it’s all a game to him. Don’t be stupid Reem “ Reem thought to herself.

“But he does have something I need, maybe he found my planner somehow, I’ve been so lost without it. I could go over there and get it and leave” Reem’s thoughts continued.

Reem tiptoed into Maha’s room.

Reem: Mahooya goomy, its 11:30, basich rgaad, goomy 3ashan ne6la3..

Maha(still asleep): Mmmm

Reem: Mahooy, please goomy.

Maha: Arghhh. Can’t. Way.Too.Sleepy. Go out bdouny, I’ll try to catch up with you later.

Reem began getting ready, making sure her Miu Miu patent bow headband was perfectly in place and that her blush screamed rosy flush instead of drag queen. She slipped on her trusty Tod ballet flats and she made her way out.

“Now where do I go? Left to the park? Or right to go have breakfast?” Reem quickly pondered.

She took a few steps and exhaled hoping she made a wise decision.

Reem took a right and walked over to Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Café, she liked their Eggs Florentine and knew the taste of poached eggs,spinach and hollandaise sauce would numb what her heart was feeling: disappointment for not going to see what Hamad had up his sleeve. But she knew better than to fall for a bonafide player, she was always a good two shoes and never involved herself with guys, she wasn’t about to start now.

The waitress came over and said, ‘What can I get you love?’

Reem(smiling meekly): Eggs Florentine please and some orange juice.

Waitress: Oh, I’m afraid we’ve changed our menu and we don’t serve Eggs Florentine anymore. Can I get you something else?

Reem(the disappointment visible on her face): Umm, no it’s okay, thanks.

She got up to leave and find somewhere else to go.

‘Hmm maybe I’ll go get some Hummingbird cupcakes, they won’t tell me they’re out of all the cupcakes altogether’

As she walked out and the cold breeze hit her face and caused her soft black hair which cascaded past her shoulders to fly around with the wind as she tried pulling it over to one side.

‘Maybe I’ll go take a peak in the park to see what Hamad was planning’

She walked quietly listening to her ipod with M7amad 3abdo’s voice oozing out:

‘kil zaina shaheda wntm ba3eed mnwty laitak ma3y, o en sahert el lail hojask b3ed hal lajlak madma3y. enta hajes 5a6ery o enta…’

She saw him sitting on a bench looking exasperated, a bouquet of white roses by his side and her beloved agenda.

‘Oh my god, he had it the whole time!’ Reem thought to herself.

While deciding if she should leave or storm over there and take her agenda, Hamad looked around the park and caught her in the midst of her thoughts. Before she could make an exit, he rushed over to her one hand in the pocket of his black jacket and the other holding the bouquet.

Hamad: Reem, please don’t go anywhere, I have your agenda planner thing.

Reem: Yeah I know, couldn’t you have given it to me a little earlier? I really needed it!

Hamad: I’m sorry but after that day when you blew up in my face I didn’t know what to do, so I wanted to do something nice for you.

Reem(trying to say calm and collected): Mashkoor, bs ma kan lah da3y.

Hamad: La kan fe da3y, a3arf eny ‘3arbaltch shway ever since you knew me, bs walla I don’t mean it, I cant help it, its just the way I am.

Reem(getting more aggravated with his façade): It’s okay Hamad, I know all about you, I’m sure I’m not the first girl you’ve done this to. Can I just have my agenda and I’ll forget all of this ever happened and you can leave me alone?

Hamad(utterly confused): What? Reem, what are you saying?

Reem: You know perfectly well what I’m saying, everyone knows about your ways with girls, you didn’t fool me, please just give me my planner and let me leave!

Hamad(dumbstruck): Ohhh.. So that’s what you think. Here, take it, bs 9adgeny you’re wrong o beyiy yom o bt3arfen the truth.

Reem took the agenda and walked away, tears streaming down her face. ‘How could I have been so stupid?’ She thought to herself. Not even a box of Red Velvets could make her feel better.

He hadn’t even bothered to give her the bouquet in his hands, she thought some more, goes to show how he really is, Reem thought her wide, brown eyes unable to stop shedding some tears.

City love p.6

2009-07-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

Weeks passed and Reem had not seen Hamad. While she knew she had to stay away from him, she secretely wished the shocking news about him wasn’t true. In her mind, Reem came up with excuses for what she had heard but the more she thought of it, the more his actions fitted the description Maha had given her of him.

Even when she finally did see him, she did not give him the opportunity to chat, she made an excuse or simply said she had to go and walked off. Hamad did not think much about it once, twice, but the third time around when he suggested lunch at a nearby restaurant and she declined with no excuse, he couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong with Reem.

Hamad: Reem, shfeech? You seem different from when I first met you.

Reem: Mafeny shay, enzain lazm aroo7, bye.

Hamad: Wait! Wain ray7a? Going to feed the ducks ?(laughing as his joke)

Reem(with a annoyed glance): Ha ha, very funny, actually no..

Hamad: At least I know you still the same with your short temper.

Reem(unable to hide her anger): Ufff, gltlk I have to go, bye.

Hamad: Please wait. What happened, did I do something?

Reem: Let’s just say I’ve got you figured out o le3bik ma yamshy 3laiy.

With that statement, Reem stormed off not noticing that her Hermes agenda had fallen right before Hamad.

Hamad kneeled down to have a look at what Reem had just dropped, it seemed to be a planner. ‘Why do girls always buy such useless things? Writing your homework on your hand does the job.’ Just as he was about to call after Reem to give it back to her, he got a brilliant idea.

Hamad(with a devilish grin on his face): I guess I might just have to give it to her later. .

City love p.5

2009-07-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

I've been excited with the way my story is going, there's more good stuff to come. Enjoy my lovelies xox

Hamad: Reem, hey! Why aren’t you at uni? Don’t tell me you’re skipping classes from the first week (his eyes sparkling in the afternoon sun)

Reem(laughing softly): No, actually I don’t have any afternoon classes on Fridays, lucky me huh?

Maha(nudging Reem gently): Umm, Reem you forgot to introduce me to your friend..

Reem: Oh ya Hamad, this is Maha. Mahooy this is Hamad..

Hamad(smiling): Pleasure to meet you..

Maha(somewhat suspiciously): You too.. Well we have to go, yella Reem (grabbing her arm and pulling her away)

Reem(confused): Uhh see you..

Later on:

Reem: Mahooy, what was all that about? Why did you act all weird and rush us to leave?

Maha: Reem, I don’t know what to tell you but your dream guy is a bonafide player. Ma3roof ena he charms girls and breaks their hearts when he finds another that suits his fancy. At first I couldn’t pinpoint why he seemed so familiar but after I put two and two together..

Reem(shocked): Seriously? I mean he is charming but he’s annoying too, remember all the stuff he said to me!

Maha: Ee adrey, its part of his act..

Reem: Oh my god,how could I have been so stupid and actually buy it??!

Maha: Ma3alaih you couldn’t have known.. Yella ta3aly (placing a protective arm across Reem’s shoulder) let’s go get some gelato..

Reem(with a hurt look on her face): Oreo?

Maha: Akeed 7abebty!

City love p.4

2009-06-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, hope you're liking the story so far, i know many of you have let me know. but let me kno if you have any suggestions, it would be much appreciated..

a bientot..xox

It was Friday afternoon and since Reem and Maha only had early morning classes they decided to enjoy the rest of the day the way girls like to, by shopping. They stepped into American Apparel deciding they could never get enough leggings all the while discussing the week’s events.

Reem: Did I tell you what happened?

Maha: No! What? Mn mta t5isheen 3any things?!?!

Reem: Mahooy shfeech, its not a big deal bss men ta3ab this first week I didn’t have time to process what happened.

Maha: Yella inzain goolely, your killing me!!

Reem: Well remember the guy I told you about on the airplane and then in the park?

Maha: Eeee!

Reem: Well it turns out he studies at our university..

Maha: Oh my god! Love story in the making! (grinning and twirling around between the rows of colourful leggings)

Reem(laughing): Calm down…

Maha: Did anything happen? Did he profess his love to you on the building’s steps? Did you share a romantic lunch for two at the cafeteria? (sticking her tongue out)

Reem(laughing some more): Hahahah no! Eww mn wain you get these thougts? Cafeteria 3ad, chan glty somewhere nicer at least!

Maha: Reemo seriously 5abreny sh9aar!

Reem: Okay, okay.. Well I was at the library and was lost trying to find a book for my paper and he passed by o 3raft’ha and accidentally blurted out his name and mskeen he started helping me and found me the book..

Maha: Awwwwwwh that’s so cute, akeed akeed he likes you!

Reem: Laa shda3waa, he was just being polite..

Maha: No honey trust me…

She girls skipped out of the store with their purchases in hand and continued enjoying the lovely weather knowing it would not last for long..

From afar Reem saw him, his glossy black hair and tanned athletic physique singled him out amongst the shoppers.

Reem: Mahooy,Mahooy(tapping her shoulder)

Maha: Haa shfeech?(letting out the biggest yawn, she had an early day)

Reem: That’s him, that’s Hamad (diverting her eyes in his direction)

Maha: Oh my god, that’s him. Why didn’t you tell me, he’s THAT Hamad??!

Reem(confused): Why..?

Maha(talking between her teeth): He’s coming towards you, I’ll tell you later..

City love p.3

2009-06-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Maha had finally arrived in London and the girls had finally properly settled into their flat and university was beginning in a few days. They were excited especially Reem she was eager to meet new people and get away from the society she came from where everything was all about gossip and drama. Reem made the transition quite easily making friends from all over. She was actually quite glad there weren’t many Arabs in her university, so she could be herself and not worry about what she said, did and how she looked.

One day after getting her first semester assignment, Reem went to the university library trying to find books about her topic. The coding system was really confusing, every time she tried to look for a book she couldn’t find it. Tired and exasperated, she sat down on the floor her knees bent up and her arms hugging her legs. ‘This is way harder than I thought..’ . Her eyes looking down, Reem noticed a guy passing by wearing a pair of Dior Homme trainers that caught her eye, after all that is such a 5aleeji guy thing to wear! She looked up quickly and gasped softly ‘Hamad!’, Hamad, who had not noticed her then turned his head at the call of his name making his soft hair sway softly and dance along his neck. He smiled revealing dimples which contrasted with this chiselled jawline which was covered in a messy yet adorable five o’clock shadow.

Hamad: Oh hi! You study here??

Reem: Ummm yeah I do, it’s my first year..

Hamad: That makes sense since I’ve never seen you around here.. By the way, I feel really bad about that day in the park, sam7eny ma kan ga9dy shay..

Reem: No, don’t worry about it ..(her already naturally rosy cheeks getting rosier by the minute)

Hamad: It’s not fair you know my name and I don’t know what yours is, I might just have to call you crazy bird/luggage girl (breaking into a big smile)

Reem(laughing at herself): No no, its okay you call me Reem ..

Hamad: Ahaa Reem.. 3ashat el asamy..

Reem(flustered again): Uhh 3ashat ayamik..

Hamad: So what seems to be the problem here?

Reem: Nothing.. I’ve been trying to find this book(pointing to a post-it note) but I haven’t been able to , walla mb 3arfa 3ala this stupid code system!

Hamad: Tara wayd sahel, you’ll get the hang it, let me see the paper(holding the paper, he squinted making his terribly long thick lashes even more prominent), is it… (rummaging through the bookcase) this book?

Reem: Yes! Oh my god, thank you so much! You saved me from being here for hours..

Hamad: Don’t mention it..

Reem: Well I better get going, have to start this assignment soon..

Hamad: Good luck, it was nice seeing you.. Reem.. (the sound of her name on his tongue sent shivers down her back even after she made her way out the library)

‘London is going to be way better than I expected…’ Reem thought to herself ;)

City love p. 2

2009-06-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

Reem quickly settled into her new flat which she was to share with her best friend Maha. Maha was supposed to fly in with Reem but a death in the family meant she had to stay home for another week. Reem didn’t mind much, she liked being alone sometimes and relished her walks through the Hyde Park. She especially loved waking up extra early, buy a loaf of bread from Waitrose and walk over to the park and feed the birds. As much as she loved to, they kind of freaked her out, so she’d keep her distance and throw the pieces of bread as far away as she could so she wouldn’t find herself surrounded by a whole bunch of aggressive birds fighting for some bread.

Since it was September the weather was getting chillier and the last traces of London’s summer weather were disappearing. She pulled on her super soft black leggings, an oversized navy chunky knit jumped that draped her knees and her trusty bronze leather Uggs, a must for London’s cold weather before wrapping her long neck in a Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse leopard cashmere scarf. Throwing her keys in her Balenciaga city bag slung lazily on her shoulder, she walked out of her building and made her way to the supermarket for a loaf of bread and then Paul’s for their amazing chocolate chaud to go. Walking over to Hyde Park, she enjoyed seeing the athletic runners going for an early run before changing into their suits and clammer out of Green Park station. Arriving by the lake, she took a seat at an empty bench and sipped her warm hot chocolate savouring the warm thick consistency that tickled her taste buds and kept her warm in the cold, windy London weather.

She then began tearing up the pieces of bread and throwing them to feed the birds , at first it was two, then came four, then seven until she was surrounded by so many she lost count, Reem shrieked in fear and ran dropping what was left of the bread to be devoured hungrily by the pigeons and other birds. She heard a hearty laugh that sound so familiar, glancing to her right, there he was, the same guy who had helped her with her bag on the airplane.

Him (laughing): Are you okay?

Reem (flustered and trying to disguise her embarassment): Yeah, yeah I’m fine..

Him: Are you sure? You didn’t seem so fine a minute ago..

Reem: Laa bs I got a little scared from the birds..

Him: A little bit…? , smiling showing off his pearly white teeth..

Reem, abruptly: ‘Yes. I have to go..’

Him: Wait..Where are you going? Laykoon ze3alty..?I’m just teasing you, but I must admit it was pretty funny..

Reem: No I didn’t.. She stormed off not wanting anything to do with this guy..

Him, walking beside her: ‘Look I’m sorry, anyways my name is Hamad, it was nice to meet you… ‘ And disappeared in the other direction..

Reem walked towards the park gate, furious with this so called Hamad, how dare he talk to me like that? Men ehwa 3ashan ykalimny che?! Seems like London is smaller than I thought. I hope that’s the last of him! Only thing was, why did he have to be so cute in the process of being annoying??’

City love p.1

2009-06-25T02:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, I've had previous blogs before but this time I felt like writing a story reflecting the kind that I like to read, I hope you enjoy it. Feedback would be much appreciated! :)

City Love Part 1.

Reem’s eyes shot open as she heard the airplane’s wheels descending onto the platform marking their arrival at London Heathrow Airport. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and stretched her slender arms, she was finally here. Ready to start her new life, ready to let go of her haunting past. Running a hand through her shimmering black hair, she unbuckled her seatbelt and began gathering her things in haste. She was on her own now, everything had to be done by her, no more maids, cooks, drivers and all the luxuries she left back home. Reem noticed that not only was her cream coloured Diane Von Furstenburg blouse was wrinkled from her slumber, but putting a hand to her cheek she had gotten face marks from sleeping as well! She shrugged them off thinking ‘Who cares, no one knows me here!’ and proceeded in opening the overhead luggage compartment to pick up her carry on being somewhat petite she struggled, standing on her tippy toes trying to get ahold of her luggage cursing the fact that no flight attendant was in sight. Reem grabbed the edge and inched it forward pulling it closer towards her until her thin arms lost control and the bag fell forward taunting to hit the closest person in the vicinity. Reem shut her eyes to avoid seeing this catastrophic event unfold until she felt a hand brush hers and opened her large, gold flecked brown eyes to see a tall, bronze guy reach out and catch her bag swiftly. Reem looked at him in awe, she wasn’t sure if it was because he had just saved her from causing a huge scene or because he was utterly the most gorgeous guy she had ever seen with his perfectly tanned skin, slender Arabian nose and beautifully wide eyes with a full set of dark sooty lashes that would put any girls to shame, not to mention soft shiny black that curled up into tendrils at his neck. Shaking herself out of her daydream, Reem managed to stammer ‘Ummm uhhh mashkoor’ . The guy laughed and said ‘La 3ady, don’t mention it, couldn’t have you make a scene or injure someone namely me..’ Reem’s face turned a shade of crimson as she laughed hesitantly no sure what to say. She thanked him politely again and made her way out pulling her Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Pegase 55 in silence thinking ‘Please God, let things go smoothly from now’. London here I come!