Serendipity - 12

Nouf 

Next time i ask the world a rhetorical question, i might as well remember to be very detailed as to what i actually want. Surprise me universe, in a GOOD way. Dear universe, surprise me and make me happy, not otherwise.

The presentation was a disaster. First, it didn't work well on the screen and translated the template i chose into weird codes.
Ugh, the incompatibility between Macintosh and other computers can be very frustrating.

If this wasn't enough, Mr. Snobbish decided to change his facts last minute during the time he's presenting, putting me at a disadvantage of having the wrong facts. I tried to bullshit my way through it but it wasn't convincing at all. So you can guess that we didn't win, not even close to being on the top of the list.

Butti walks up to me with a genuine smile, "Its always good to screw up in a training program and learn than in the real deal. And ya3ni lets be honest, you told me to sleep, if you didn't we would've made the best embarrassing pair. so you get the credit for my presenting skills today," he winks at me and i laugh.

"I hope i dont bump into you again, Nouf. You're a troublemaker. First the shop thing, then this. So i'm glad to tell you, it was nice knowing you" he adds with a very serious tone. I'm really not sure if he's being sarcastic or serious. Anyways sarcasm always holds a little bit of truth in it. I'm suddenly feeling a bit down that he would not want to see me again. Am i over reacting? I dont like the feeling of being a burden...

"Don't you worry. I dont like embarrassing myself infront of the same people it gets old. New embarrassments, new people." i reply back with a smile, "Yalla, i need to leave."

"Me too, where's your car?"
We walked together to the car park and all along the way Butti was telling me about an embarrassing incident he had during high school. And that story dragged another, and another and another. I don't know for how long we stood by my little mini recalling stories and i was surely laughing out loud. At that moment two Emirati ladies passed by giving us a very disgusted look.

"Are those your other judge friends?"
"hahaha, i dont do this kind of judging, people do whatever they want to do"
"Even if you think its wrong, like drinking mthlan?"
"Its nothing to do with me, i wont do it but i wont judge them on it. Their life, their choices. And you have choices in the friends you chose." i shrug
"Wont you try to save a person you know from a behavior or path you find wrong?"
"You cant change a person that's not willing to change in the first place, they have to have the same will to change. People are not projects that you work on to fix. You could show them the way, but i think thats it, there's only so much you could do."
At that moment, the expression on Butti's face changed. It was like he was digesting every word i said. It looks like my words hit somewhere and I probably just said exactly what he needed to hear. I wonder whats it about.

No curious Nouf, keep your mouth shut.

"Kalam kbeer. I wouldn't expect this from a little one like you."
"i'm not a little one"
His eyebrows crease, "You're proving my point. You're pouting hahaha. Now cross your arms and stamp you feet and i'll rest my case."
i didn't notice that i was pouting. "I'm the judge here, and i say leave before we're judged by more people."
He winks, "okay boss!"

The two weeks after that were not very much exciting at all. All i did was study for my finals and work on team projects and meet deadlines. Its the hectic time of the semester. Very hectic.

The only entertaining thing was a couple of emails i got from Butti. I was working on a course project that envolved research about events planning companies. This time i get to use my own Wasta. It took me a while to convince myself to ask him for the favor. i didn't want to impose myself or be an annoying burden.

________________________________
From: Nouf
To: Butti
Subject: Request                                      
Good morning Butti,
I need a little favor please. Is it possible
to provide me with information regarding
the formal procedures your company
carries out during events planning.

Its a University related project.

Thank you so much, i'm waiting for your
reply.

Nouf
________________________________
________________________________
From: Butti
To: Nouf
Subject: Friends?                                    
Dear Nouf,
Good morning to you too. I'm questioning
the reasons for the formality in your request.
You sound like one of the annoying business
partners i have to deal with everyday.

Try again. I only do favors to friends.

Butti
A Friendly human-being.
________________________________
________________________________
From: Nouf
To: Butti
Subject: Your boss, remember?              
hey,
It looks like they don't give you enough
work.

I thought being polite is necessary when
asking a favor. Send me the information
dude.

Good enough?

Nouf
Formal Friend
________________________________
________________________________
From: Butti
To: Nouf
Subject: Nice try                                     

I'll think about it. Its dangerous to help
a troublemaker like you.

What do i get in return?

Butti
Selfish Friend
________________________________
________________________________
From: Nouf
To: Butti
Subject: and i thought i had wasta          

I think i only promised that you wont see
me again, but this is an email, so i guess i'm
good. I'm not trouble over email.

Definition of Favor:
1. An act performed out of good will
 and generosity.


Nouf
An impatient dictionary
___________________________  ____
________________________________
From: Butti
To: Nouf
Subject: Chill
Attachment: EventsForm.docx                

You missed a part of the definition. It says

out of mercy too. 

Here you go, for my litte friend. If you need

anymore info just ask. I don't promise i'll 

be helpful but i'll keep you entertained.

Butti 

Wasta Man

________________________________

________________________________
From: Nouf
To: Butti
Subject: Chillaxed                                   

Thank you!! I owe you one now. Its better

than knowing you did this out of mercy.

Its ok, next time i'll demand, i wont ask.

Nouf

A Little Friend

________________________________

It surprises my how much i'm at ease when talking to this person. My walls didn't last for long with him. Good friends always come from unexpected incidents. That's what i believe.
-----------------

Final exams went well, and i think i'm satisfied with what i did. I was just glad that they were over. I didn't have time to celebrate the end of the semester yet. There's shopping to do. The trip came just in time for me to celebrate and to take Lojain's mind off any misery she's living through. She still didn't hear anything, his sisters are also surprised.

The shopping spree with Lojain, Mariam and Haifa was a lot of fun. We managed to buy more than what we actually needed. You know, just in case, the usual excuse we use for over spending.

Such a weird world. Haifa used to be Lojain's classmate in high school and Mariam and I best friends in high school. Its strange how the world shuffles its plans to make different roads cross again in a way that your own day dreams wouldn't have guessed. Its magical.

Where are my roads crossing next?