Serendipity 20

Nouf

I dont know whats going onnnnn.... what the hell is going on...... Fiance then this awkward long handshake.... I was glad he left my hands, and soon as he did i looked at Butti. He looked... blank. I don't understand his face expression.

As soon as the two boys, sorry men, yes men, big men, big handsome American men walked away, Butti started walking towards the shop were we left his mom, saying nothing.

"Who are those?" i started yet i got no reply. I wasn't just walking behind him, i was marching. Why is he stomping away?? what did i do?

"Hello, Butti, why was i your fiance again?" I tried my luck once more. "Are those Fares' friends?" i wondered out loud, "What if they ask him and he says we're not engaged and they'll see u as a liar, or he will think that maybe you know we're together or something.." i was talking casually to make him talk but it came out as a cry for help.

He stopped suddenly to turn to face me, "Stop. Freaking. Out, i'll make sure he knows you're available." I heard the bitterness in his tone. It hurt me on the inside. I couldn't say a word. I'm not that type of girl, i don't want someone to talk to me like that. I felt like i was choking on my own tears but i won't let them out. I'm not a brat.

We both walked in silence to his mom. She was preoccupied with the bargain at her hands and asked for my opinion as soon as i walked in. I kept myself busy avoiding Butti by engaging myself in all the bargains that his mother took part in. Two hours of shopping and walking around the souk passed by with me avoiding the existence of Butti. It was easy as he stood away most of the time.

"Um Fares called," said Butti to his mom, "She says they'll book in one of the restaurants for dinner tonight and they want to go on the Bosphurus boat trip in an hour, what do you think?" We decided to return back to the apartment to return all the shopping bags and freshen up before the boat trip.

The taxi driver stopped by our apartment. Butti's mother went upstairs as Butti and I carried the rest of the bags.

"Let me carry this" 
"I got it" I said pulling the bags and walked away. It was heavy but I dont need anything from him right now. His distorted annoying thinking head is the last thing i need to depend on.
I felt his hands grab the bags from my hand as i was struggling to walk up the stairs. I let go of them without looking at him.
"I don't know why you're mad at me right now..."
"You didn't hear yourself talking to me? why do you think you can talk to me like this?"
"When?" he looked genuinely confused. Well done Nouf, you were mad for two hours and no one even noticed. I felt my tears gather in my eyes ready for the great waterfall.
"Forget it."  I won't even bother explaining. I should stay with the girls more often to stay out of all this drama.

I walked into our apartment immediately and headed to change my clothes and calm down before anyone would notice. I'm on a vacation, no one is in a mood for some drama. I wore my army green jacket, layered knits under to stay warm, black jeggings, wedge sneakers and wrapped a grey scarf around my neck. I wish i could leave with my hair down, i look way better this way. sigh.

I joined the now-ready-to-leave girls.

"Where do you go when we're asleep?"
"You said it Lojain, ASLEEP" i rolled my eyes at her
"enzain wain?"
"The old souk with Butti's mom, we went shopping, its nice for vintage weird stuff, jewelry and fabric, see what i got" i said as i started emptying the shopping bags to show them.
"What wrong?" whispered Lojain to me. "You sound so not bothered. I know you well, this is not how you act after buying new things..."
"Nothing im just tired of all the walking" i faked a smile to let it go.
"I'll let it go if you promise to have fun"
"Promise" i said as i got out the pieces of fabric i got.

--------------------------------------------------------------

In the mother's apartment, Butti's mother was showing off what things she got to her friend and sister.
"It's a really nice place, Nouf and I had fun shopping. I even taught her how to bargain"
"She's a nice girl" added Fares's mother. "I was thinking that she suits Fares, what do you think?"
Butti's mother shot a smile of approval as Maryam's mother started mentioning how kind and friendly Nouf's family is.

"Let them come to the boat ride today alone, let them get to know each other." Added Butti's mom. "I'll talk to Butti too to arrange it with Fares"