(1)
Even Police Stations look different in Heliopolis; so clean and so much light. I tried to remember what time it was. I could not tell for sure. The last time I looked, it was 8:30 pm. But it seemd like it has been such a long time since then. I just got through the station front door and was practically dragged by anonymous strong arms. To where? I could not tell. We were moving quickly and a lot of people surrounded me, all talking at the same time. I understood every word they said but did not make anything out of it. My mouth kept on a monotonous murmur: It was not my fault; it was not my fault…
Finishing school was never really a viable option for me. Just passing my third preparatory year (at 17), my father sent me to take care of the Family Kiosk in Heliopolis. A prestigious, well paid job that made me the envy of almost every guy my age, and the desire of a lot of girls, in our desolate alley situated deep inside Imbaba. My day was fairly simple, I would take a Microbus everyday from Courniche to Heliopolis, open up to customers at around 9:30am and close at 9:30pm. Almost all my clients were regulars. The school kids from the private primary near by, people from the neighberhood and regular pass buyers consituted my day for almost two years. "You should start looking for a wife." El Hagga said. "It is still to early" I replied and thought to myself "Why stick to one when you can have a lot." I smiled sheepishely.
- I have never seen a similar car, wow... My friend Ahmed said. I tilted my head a little bit and he was right. An amazing big black 4x4 just pulled in font of us.
The electric window opened up and the man inside asked for a pack of cigarettes. I got what he wanted and put it on the selling board in front of me. Without even looking at me, and without getting out of his shining car, I saw him getting out the money of his pocket, stretching his hand to me.
Some people think they own this world. Even more, they think they own us with it; as an irrelevant bonus. I make less than 50 piasters profit per pack of cigarettes. If this moron thinks I'll leave my chair to serve him he is gravely mistaken. I continued my imaginary phone converstation.
- A pack of Lights please. I heard him say.
- .... So, Ahmed you said that the goods will be a little late. I went on my fake phone converstaion.
Incrudelously, he got out of his 4x4. He slammed the door, went all around the huge vehicle and gave me a 10 pounds note.
- We don't have change. I said. Do you have 50 P.
He gave me 50P. Grabbed the pack and was gone in less than a second. I despised him so much. I hated him, his smell and his car. No one owns me.
(2)
There is a king in everyone of us. I smiled to myself. Even this little bugger in this wretched Kiosk thinks that he is better than to pass me a pack of cigarette.
He does not look at me and even fakes a phone conversation just to avoid moving his.... and does his job. Egypt will never be a respectable country as long as these lazy worms live in it.
Everyone sees the new Chevrolet Blazer, dad got from Saudi when he came back, thinks that we got in bed with a Saudi Prince or something.
Twenty seven years of hard labor, twenty seven years away from his family and for what?? A small appartment in Helipolis, the big 4x4 and a small sum at the bank. Small business men in Egypt make more in a year then what he wasted his life upon. I puffed loudly the smoke of my cigarette.
Exactly in the middle, this is where I found myself getting into MIU. Needless to say, I did not make it in Thanaweya Amma. Nobody, I knew did actually.
This is why they have private universities, I told dad. He hated me for it. This is the last thing he wanted. Another absolutely useless expense to weigh on his Gulf savings.
However, getting to school, I realized that in the middle was a very awkward place to be. I didn’t fit with the rich crowed that spend the summer in Hacienda and went to the pool in Katameya Heights. Also, I could not get along with the struggling crowed fighting with grades, financial aid and barely making the tuition each semester. I was not super cool, intelligent or a Piano master. MIU definitely lacked the guy next door sort of people.
I was alone.
Everybody kept talking about the student body. Only God knows what that is.
- You either drink Coca Cola or tea. No one would willingly drink room temperature, tab water... I told myself
- Tab water, tab water... If this is who I am. This is who I am
I ran quickly to catch the school bus heading back to Heliopolis.
(3)
What is so wrong if I do not want to live and die in this dump?
The entire family exploded in laughter when I said that. However, when they realized I was dead serious, silence engulfed the room. My father was the first to burst back at me.
- And where shall we get the money to move elsewhere? He yelled.
- I know how much the kiosk makes and how much you saved, I responded challenging.
- And what about your younger brothers, your sister who is about to get married; are you damn stupid?
This was not going in the right direction. I just mumbled some dirty words and ran out of the room as he jumped and wanted to grab me.
Heading back to work next day, my father came to me “from next week, your brother will be going to the kiosk with you.
He said it like a spit on my face and left.
So, that’s it then. A power play. My brother was never nothing but a nag and a big loser. He’s coming to spy on me, to make sure that I don't "borrow" from the income or make something on the side.
On my way, I fought with the Microbus driver. Two pounds fifty he said.
- It has been always two pounds.
He slammed the breaks “pay or leave.” I paid. They got me off more than 2 kilometers from the Kiosk.
It was incredibly hot today. Drenched in sweat, I saw him driving down the street. The same big black 4x4 with the same smug guy.
(4)
I have been driving aimlessly for the last two hours.
Her words kept bouncing back and forth in my head squeezing my heart. “You and me?!! You must be joking. When we talk and we laugh, I am not laughing with you. I am laughing At you...” She turned around and walked.
I just stood there, naked, defeated. Everybody on campus was behaving normally. How could they?
That evening, I drove and drove. It was extremely hot and humid, thank God for the AC.
- Two packs of Lights please...
No answer, and then it struck me. It is the same Kiosk and this same ass again...!!
And I felt it. I swear to GOD I Felt it. A huge brown eagle landed on my shoulder and he whispered in my ear. “Are you going to be forever anonymous, gutless and scared?”
That was it.
I stepped out of the car screaming, cursing and walked straight to him.
In a flash, he came out and I spotted it right away. A little shiny object in his hand. The realization struck me and in a desperate move I tried to block the blade.
It slashed the inside of my arm and I felt it through my left rib. The lightning bolt of pain was excruciating but it only lasted a split second. I stumbled and tried to lean on something but fell. My eyes, turning, got a glance at my big watch. It was 8:30PM.
It didn't feel that bad, just moving from one lonely place to another.
Actually, I felt nothing, nothing at all..
Showing posts with label A Pavement Story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Pavement Story. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Kings's Illness
Another interesting mail that I got from a distant acquaintance:
During the time of the Pharaohs Old Kingdom, it is said that King Khufu fell the victim of a grave illness.
His condition prevented him from eating, sleeping or entertaining his endless reserve of Harem. After lengthy consultations, the wise men of the Kingdom finally figured it out. The king had a disease exclusive to majesties. He was simply, but drastically, bored.
Hard working, low earning people do not have the luxury of getting bored.
Anyway, this is not what my letter is about. My family is facing a very strange and peculiar problem: My wife is the most impatient and easy-to-get-bored person on earth. This is not an exaggeration, she is.
We always eat our meals in room temperature as she cannot wait till late noon to cook. Also, she cannot wait the 2 minutes the microwave needs to heat. My white shirts gained a more or less yellowish colors. "It is such a waste of time to wait for the entire very long cycle to wash the Whites.." She sais.
Our vacations cannot be longer than 3 to 4 days and we go out of any movie after one and half hours whether it is finished or not.
We (more or less), as a family, adapted to this relentless half-cooked lifestyle. However, as a famous philosopher once noted: Since patience, in any case, cannot be depicted every moment in life can then become heavy and tedious. Six or seven months ago, my wife exhausted the last remaining tiny bits of her patience.
So this is what we are left with: Boredom... and a great deal of it too.
My wife is bored. She is bored from me, our kids, our home and the whole damn lot.
We go on a vacation, she cries on the airplane that she wants to get back. We go to a restaurant, the food is 10 minutes late and she insists to leave. Our home is permanent State of Emergency . Kids are severely punished for almost nothing and the squabbles with the cook, the cleaner and the doorman do not seem to end.
To make things worse, her mechanism to fight it all is to sleep. First it was an innocent kind of cuddly doze. Then it ended up by profound and sound sleep through family functions, pool parties, cinemas and clubs.
What started out as a small hole of impatience has turned out into a deep dark well of apathy and boredom. And unfortunately, it is very hard to build a pyramid these days...
During the time of the Pharaohs Old Kingdom, it is said that King Khufu fell the victim of a grave illness.
His condition prevented him from eating, sleeping or entertaining his endless reserve of Harem. After lengthy consultations, the wise men of the Kingdom finally figured it out. The king had a disease exclusive to majesties. He was simply, but drastically, bored.
Hard working, low earning people do not have the luxury of getting bored.
Anyway, this is not what my letter is about. My family is facing a very strange and peculiar problem: My wife is the most impatient and easy-to-get-bored person on earth. This is not an exaggeration, she is.
We always eat our meals in room temperature as she cannot wait till late noon to cook. Also, she cannot wait the 2 minutes the microwave needs to heat. My white shirts gained a more or less yellowish colors. "It is such a waste of time to wait for the entire very long cycle to wash the Whites.." She sais.
Our vacations cannot be longer than 3 to 4 days and we go out of any movie after one and half hours whether it is finished or not.
We (more or less), as a family, adapted to this relentless half-cooked lifestyle. However, as a famous philosopher once noted: Since patience, in any case, cannot be depicted every moment in life can then become heavy and tedious. Six or seven months ago, my wife exhausted the last remaining tiny bits of her patience.
So this is what we are left with: Boredom... and a great deal of it too.
My wife is bored. She is bored from me, our kids, our home and the whole damn lot.
We go on a vacation, she cries on the airplane that she wants to get back. We go to a restaurant, the food is 10 minutes late and she insists to leave. Our home is permanent State of Emergency . Kids are severely punished for almost nothing and the squabbles with the cook, the cleaner and the doorman do not seem to end.
To make things worse, her mechanism to fight it all is to sleep. First it was an innocent kind of cuddly doze. Then it ended up by profound and sound sleep through family functions, pool parties, cinemas and clubs.
What started out as a small hole of impatience has turned out into a deep dark well of apathy and boredom. And unfortunately, it is very hard to build a pyramid these days...
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Hidden Dangers of Karaoke Singing
I am quite comfortable with singing: Hardly the statement that a Middle Eastern man would concede to easily. But this is the truth. I have been playing the Piano for as long as I could remember. I do not have an incredible voice but I don't miss the tunes and I always used to sing.
Let me tell you a fool proof way to impress girls:
All throughout my university days, I used to take girls to the music room, play the piano and sing for them. The outcome of this feat, I would like to assure everyone is far more guaranteed than the most fancy romantic dinner.
The least I can say about Miriam is that she was incredible. Damn pretty -of course- with the unique talent of being angelic and naughty at the mean time. She was also a social animal and an amazing singer (of course!)
I spent most of adolescent life dreaming about just a conversation with her. But to my ultimate misfortune, for the known recorded history, Miriam only dated one guy. Yes, you guessed it right: I was not a close rival. Not even in the same league.
While Bassel was taking an active part in maintenance and medical assistance for the Pharaohs Rally. The closest I got to desert and off-roading was the Discovery Channel and Sport Auto magazine.
His dad owned half of Hurghada (including two yachts) while my friends and I took the bus and cramped ourselves in a 3 stars hotel at the utter most. To cut a long story short, it is the same old story. While they were the typical university star couple , I blended in oblivions in the background.
One day, it just happened. Miriam and Bassel broke up. To the present day -nearly 10 years later- the reason behind this break up eludes everyone.
What happened after that was like a dazed dream. An "unplanned" introduction by a mutual friend, casual talks while going back and forth on campus and finally, me gathering my wits to ask for a coffee together. Yes, just like that. One coffee, lead to the other and we were on the right track. Now, when I look back, I realize that these "coffees" were among the very few times in my life where I experienced pure -totally unstained- happiness.
We are all going to Johnny's this Wednesday for Karaoke Night, I told her. Interested?
Yes, sure. She replied.
So that was it, our first night out. It would be a smooth sail from this point onward I assured myself. I will talk to her, she will say yes… Bye bye Bassel… for good.
Got there, everybody was having a good time and she told me let us sing a duet together. The idea pleased me so much. Yeah let us do it.
The song started, she sang brilliantly and then I was up.
Over the following 6 years or so after that, I asked myself a zillion times: What the hell has gone into me that night? I missed the opening, got out of tune, sounded like a mule in labor and then got so nervous and missed the lyrics themselves. An absolute disaster.
Joining back the rest of our crowd, I saw it in her eyes right away: Hesitation.
No way, I kept assuring myself. No one in his right mind would decide the future of a relationship based on a Karaoke Song. She did.
Half an hour later, Miriam said it was getting late and that she had to go home. I never heard of her again, ever.
Ten years, A wife, Two kids and two Porsches later, I still do not sing Karaoke. The reason: No one knows.
Let me tell you a fool proof way to impress girls:
All throughout my university days, I used to take girls to the music room, play the piano and sing for them. The outcome of this feat, I would like to assure everyone is far more guaranteed than the most fancy romantic dinner.
The least I can say about Miriam is that she was incredible. Damn pretty -of course- with the unique talent of being angelic and naughty at the mean time. She was also a social animal and an amazing singer (of course!)
I spent most of adolescent life dreaming about just a conversation with her. But to my ultimate misfortune, for the known recorded history, Miriam only dated one guy. Yes, you guessed it right: I was not a close rival. Not even in the same league.
While Bassel was taking an active part in maintenance and medical assistance for the Pharaohs Rally. The closest I got to desert and off-roading was the Discovery Channel and Sport Auto magazine.
His dad owned half of Hurghada (including two yachts) while my friends and I took the bus and cramped ourselves in a 3 stars hotel at the utter most. To cut a long story short, it is the same old story. While they were the typical university star couple , I blended in oblivions in the background.
One day, it just happened. Miriam and Bassel broke up. To the present day -nearly 10 years later- the reason behind this break up eludes everyone.
What happened after that was like a dazed dream. An "unplanned" introduction by a mutual friend, casual talks while going back and forth on campus and finally, me gathering my wits to ask for a coffee together. Yes, just like that. One coffee, lead to the other and we were on the right track. Now, when I look back, I realize that these "coffees" were among the very few times in my life where I experienced pure -totally unstained- happiness.
We are all going to Johnny's this Wednesday for Karaoke Night, I told her. Interested?
Yes, sure. She replied.
So that was it, our first night out. It would be a smooth sail from this point onward I assured myself. I will talk to her, she will say yes… Bye bye Bassel… for good.
Got there, everybody was having a good time and she told me let us sing a duet together. The idea pleased me so much. Yeah let us do it.
The song started, she sang brilliantly and then I was up.
Over the following 6 years or so after that, I asked myself a zillion times: What the hell has gone into me that night? I missed the opening, got out of tune, sounded like a mule in labor and then got so nervous and missed the lyrics themselves. An absolute disaster.
Joining back the rest of our crowd, I saw it in her eyes right away: Hesitation.
No way, I kept assuring myself. No one in his right mind would decide the future of a relationship based on a Karaoke Song. She did.
Half an hour later, Miriam said it was getting late and that she had to go home. I never heard of her again, ever.
Ten years, A wife, Two kids and two Porsches later, I still do not sing Karaoke. The reason: No one knows.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Living in Cairo: A Little Tip
Today, I planned to take my wife to the movies. "We'll run just a quick errand on our way" she said. Being the good husband I am, I conceded. Leaving the building our Bawab approached me.
- Here is you laundry, he said
- Thanks Mohamed
- Aye Khedma ya Basha
I gave him a Pound
We drove to get a quick Birthday present for I don't know whom. Got in the shop, my wife was quick. Gift selected and wrapped. The lady packing the gift gave it to my wife and turned to me with a big smile.
- Koll sana wento taybeen..
I gave her a Pound
Getting out of the parking space, he appeared as usual out of no where.
- Ta3ala, ta3ala, ta3ala... Hop...
I gave him a Pound.
The roll of pounds in my pocket is getting thinner faster than anticipated, I thought.
We got in front of the cinema. Squeezed Calista between two humongous SUV's with customs plates.
We waited and they came. Two guys this time.
- Two pounds ya basha, one of them said
- Ok, when we re leaving, I replied.
- No.. Now, we are not going to wait till midnight, the other replied.
I gave them 2 Pounds
Get me some popcorn honey, I'll go quickly to the toilet.
While I was washing my hands, he appeared right over my shoulder with a small paper tissue in his hand.
- Koll sana wenta tayeb ya basha, he said in a husky voice.
I pushed the soap dispencer twice, rewashed my hands, hoping that he would go away. He didn't.
I gave him a Pound
And another Pound to the placeur (The guy who took you to your seats in the cinema, just in case you didn't know.)
Two hours and one dreadful movie later, getting out of the parking I spotted him running towards us from the very end of the road.
- Aywaaaa, Aywaaaa!!
The roll of Pounds in pocket finished. I just drove off.
I saw him in my rear view mirror curling his lips, weaving his hands in the air and heard him
- Bahwat Akher Zaman Sahih, Ekhss...!!!
- Here is you laundry, he said
- Thanks Mohamed
- Aye Khedma ya Basha
I gave him a Pound
We drove to get a quick Birthday present for I don't know whom. Got in the shop, my wife was quick. Gift selected and wrapped. The lady packing the gift gave it to my wife and turned to me with a big smile.
- Koll sana wento taybeen..
I gave her a Pound
Getting out of the parking space, he appeared as usual out of no where.
- Ta3ala, ta3ala, ta3ala... Hop...
I gave him a Pound.
The roll of pounds in my pocket is getting thinner faster than anticipated, I thought.
We got in front of the cinema. Squeezed Calista between two humongous SUV's with customs plates.
We waited and they came. Two guys this time.
- Two pounds ya basha, one of them said
- Ok, when we re leaving, I replied.
- No.. Now, we are not going to wait till midnight, the other replied.
I gave them 2 Pounds
Get me some popcorn honey, I'll go quickly to the toilet.
While I was washing my hands, he appeared right over my shoulder with a small paper tissue in his hand.
- Koll sana wenta tayeb ya basha, he said in a husky voice.
I pushed the soap dispencer twice, rewashed my hands, hoping that he would go away. He didn't.
I gave him a Pound
And another Pound to the placeur (The guy who took you to your seats in the cinema, just in case you didn't know.)
Two hours and one dreadful movie later, getting out of the parking I spotted him running towards us from the very end of the road.
- Aywaaaa, Aywaaaa!!
The roll of Pounds in pocket finished. I just drove off.
I saw him in my rear view mirror curling his lips, weaving his hands in the air and heard him
- Bahwat Akher Zaman Sahih, Ekhss...!!!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
On The Second Time (Part 1)
(1)
Even Police Stations look different in Heliopolis; so clean and so much light. I tried to remember what time it was. I could not tell for sure. The last time I looked, it was 8:30 pm. But it seemd like it has been such a long time since then. I just got through the station front door and was practically dragged by anonymous strong arms. To where? I could not tell. We were moving quickly and a lot of people surrounded me, all talking at the same time. I understood every word they said but did not make anything out of it. My mouth kept on a monotonous murmur: It was not my fault; it was not my fault…
Finishing school was never really a viable option for me. Just passing my third preparatory year (at 17), my father sent me to take care of the Family Kiosk in Heliopolis. A prestigious, well paid job that made me the envy of almost every guy my age, and the desire of a lot of girls, in our desolate alley situated deep inside Imbaba. My day was fairly simple, I would take a Microbus everyday from Courniche to Heliopolis, open up to customers at around 9:30am and close at 9:30pm. Almost all my clients were regulars. The school kids from the private primary near by, people from the neighberhood and regular pass buyers consituted my day for almost two years. "You should start looking for a wife." El Hagga said. "It is still to early" I replied and thought to myself "Why stick to one when you can have a lot." I smiled sheepishely.
- I have never seen a similar car, wow... My friend Ahmed said. I tilted my head a little bit and he was right. An amazing big black 4x4 just pulled in font of us.
The electric window opened up and the man inside asked for a pack of cigarettes. I got what he wanted and put it on the selling board in front of me. Without even looking at me, and without getting out of his shining car, I saw him getting out the money of his pocket, stretching his hand to me.
Some people think they own this world. Even more, they think they own us with it; as an irrelevant bonus. I make less than 50 piasters profit per pack of cigarettes. If this moron thinks I'll leave my chair to serve him he is gravely mistaken. I continued my imaginary phone converstation.
- A pack of Lights please. I heard him say.
- .... So, Ahmed you said that the goods will be a little late. I went on my fake phone converstaion.
Incrudelously, he got out of his 4x4. He slammed the door, went all around the huge vehicle and gave me a 10 pounds note.
- We don't have change. I said. Do you have 50 P.
He gave me 50P. Grabbed the pack and was gone in less than a second. I despised him so much. I hated him, his smell and his car. No one owns me.
(2)
There is a king in everyone of us. I smiled to myself. Even this little bugger in this wretched Kiosk thinks that he is better than to pass me a pack of cigarette.
He does not look at me and even fakes a phone conversation just to avoid moving his.... and does his job. Egypt will never be a respectable country as long as these lazy worms live in it.
Everyone sees the new Chevrolet Blazer, dad got from Saudi when he came back, thinks that we got in bed with a Saudi Prince or something.
Twenty seven years of hard labor, twenty seven years away from his family and for what?? A small appartment in Helipolis, the big 4x4 and a small sum at the bank. Small business men in Egypt make more in a year then what he wasted his life upon. I puffed loudly the smoke of my cigarette.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Cairo: The Last Days (Part 1)
Part 1:
June 17, 2015:
I got stopped again today at a security check point. The soldier who stopped me was merely a boy in his 17, 18 at the most. His beard hair was no more than pale patches here and there on his face. But, The old desert green uniform and his Afghani soft wool hat gave him a menacing look.
"ID,.." he said averting looking at me directly. He checked the ID and looked at me quickly. "Hide you hair woman!" he said harshly while handing me back the document. Hastily, my hand ran to push the fallen hair lock under the veil and I walked away as fast as I could.
Since, the last couple of explosions down town, security measures have been very tight. Even here in Heliopolis (Haii El Safa, they now call it) there is practically a check point on the corner of every major street.
Tarek came back very late from work. His pipes manufacturing business has been doing very good lately. However, his problems also increased dramatically. He always shared some work details with me.
"I'm practically paying everyone I deal with", he said, disgusted, during supper. "The labors' office, the social insurance, taxes, local authorities,.." are all on my private payroll. "I'm doing all the work and everyone else is getting the profit…"
Tomorrow, I'll go to visit mom. She moved very far at the very end of Nasr City. Now, with the new, unwritten, law preventing women from driving. I'm only left to the wretched Microbus to take me there.
July 10, 2015:
I am so bored.
Tarek spends most of his day at work and I'm left trapped here at the house. It is true I never really worked since I got married 15 years ago but in the old days there was so much to do. Even on an absolutely empty day, I could still read the papers, watch TV or even sometimes surf the net. Now, I'm a little bit living in a closed sphere. Since the National Front came to power 4 years ago, they have been bit by bit restricting our exposure to the outside world. It all started with the very strict law against satellite dishes and cable networks.
"They only undermine our faith, promote imperialism and show sex and nudity films and series," The Guidance Office announced. An ultimatum of 2 days was given to get rid of all dishes. These who did not respond got a 20,000 LE fine and 20 lashes.
So, I'm left stuck with 2 TV channels that only talk about the after life and a paper that has the unique job of promoting the Guidance Office ruling members and mentioning every day some fake facts about how Egypt is the greatest country on earth…
July 28, 2015:
I got a letter from Adham today. It was dated June 15, 2015. Well, it did not take that long. I heard from some friends that it takes at least a month for a letter to get through the huge pile up at the Central censorship office. It was his words but the hand writing was of a grown up person…
It has been now almost a one and half years since we sent Adham to his Aunt.
"Schools here are crap. Besides, he will get a chance to see the world. Do you remember the World honey?"
Adham is only 12. At 12, a kid should be with his mom. I put the letter in my closet drawer and cried.
Three years ago, I was so mad when I noticed the surge of people and businesses, local and foreign, leaving Egypt.
"Nothing has changed." I used to say to my friends. "They can never be more corrupt than their predecessors!" "At least, this government was chosen by the people. They are men of faith as well as politicians." I used to repeat this over and over.
Tarek, on the other hand, had more insight.
Once the old government was overthrown, my step sister who she and her family happened to have Italian Passports, left the country almost immediately.
"We have too much at stack here and as you said nothing Really has changed." Said Tarek to me.
However, I noticed that little by little he is shrinking his business and reducing his "heavy" belongings. He sold his office and worked from the factory. He sold his parents house and an empty lot of land he owned. He even tried to sell our little house in Marina. I was so against it and even cried hard to dissuade him. I wish I hadn't. Now, Marina is a ghost city and the house is worth nothing...
June 17, 2015:
I got stopped again today at a security check point. The soldier who stopped me was merely a boy in his 17, 18 at the most. His beard hair was no more than pale patches here and there on his face. But, The old desert green uniform and his Afghani soft wool hat gave him a menacing look.
"ID,.." he said averting looking at me directly. He checked the ID and looked at me quickly. "Hide you hair woman!" he said harshly while handing me back the document. Hastily, my hand ran to push the fallen hair lock under the veil and I walked away as fast as I could.
Since, the last couple of explosions down town, security measures have been very tight. Even here in Heliopolis (Haii El Safa, they now call it) there is practically a check point on the corner of every major street.
Tarek came back very late from work. His pipes manufacturing business has been doing very good lately. However, his problems also increased dramatically. He always shared some work details with me.
"I'm practically paying everyone I deal with", he said, disgusted, during supper. "The labors' office, the social insurance, taxes, local authorities,.." are all on my private payroll. "I'm doing all the work and everyone else is getting the profit…"
Tomorrow, I'll go to visit mom. She moved very far at the very end of Nasr City. Now, with the new, unwritten, law preventing women from driving. I'm only left to the wretched Microbus to take me there.
July 10, 2015:
I am so bored.
Tarek spends most of his day at work and I'm left trapped here at the house. It is true I never really worked since I got married 15 years ago but in the old days there was so much to do. Even on an absolutely empty day, I could still read the papers, watch TV or even sometimes surf the net. Now, I'm a little bit living in a closed sphere. Since the National Front came to power 4 years ago, they have been bit by bit restricting our exposure to the outside world. It all started with the very strict law against satellite dishes and cable networks.
"They only undermine our faith, promote imperialism and show sex and nudity films and series," The Guidance Office announced. An ultimatum of 2 days was given to get rid of all dishes. These who did not respond got a 20,000 LE fine and 20 lashes.
So, I'm left stuck with 2 TV channels that only talk about the after life and a paper that has the unique job of promoting the Guidance Office ruling members and mentioning every day some fake facts about how Egypt is the greatest country on earth…
July 28, 2015:
I got a letter from Adham today. It was dated June 15, 2015. Well, it did not take that long. I heard from some friends that it takes at least a month for a letter to get through the huge pile up at the Central censorship office. It was his words but the hand writing was of a grown up person…
It has been now almost a one and half years since we sent Adham to his Aunt.
"Schools here are crap. Besides, he will get a chance to see the world. Do you remember the World honey?"
Adham is only 12. At 12, a kid should be with his mom. I put the letter in my closet drawer and cried.
Three years ago, I was so mad when I noticed the surge of people and businesses, local and foreign, leaving Egypt.
"Nothing has changed." I used to say to my friends. "They can never be more corrupt than their predecessors!" "At least, this government was chosen by the people. They are men of faith as well as politicians." I used to repeat this over and over.
Tarek, on the other hand, had more insight.
Once the old government was overthrown, my step sister who she and her family happened to have Italian Passports, left the country almost immediately.
"We have too much at stack here and as you said nothing Really has changed." Said Tarek to me.
However, I noticed that little by little he is shrinking his business and reducing his "heavy" belongings. He sold his office and worked from the factory. He sold his parents house and an empty lot of land he owned. He even tried to sell our little house in Marina. I was so against it and even cried hard to dissuade him. I wish I hadn't. Now, Marina is a ghost city and the house is worth nothing...
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Drifted/Let it Snow
(1) Sherif, in his bed, 10PM.
It all started with a mediocre fantasy.
I got home, showered and slipped right into bed with Samaa. It had been almost a week since we were together. Admittedly after 4 years of marriage, our encounters are a little less but passion still remains.
In the heat of the moment, she suddenly came into my mind. A vivid image of Sara just materialised out of no where. She was wearing her black one shouldered blouse, and her brown eyes radiated. How come I never noticed before her incredible dark lean figure?
I shook my head to get her out of my mind. It did not work.
(2) Sara, Heliopolis Club, 3PM.
They say that life is full of choices. This is not true; at least for me. I did not choose my parents. I got bad grades in high school, so I did not choose my university and I met Tarek through the family. When I get pregnant I will not be able to choose whether it is a boy, a girl… You just do not choose anything that matters in your life.
Tarek, my husband, and Sherif are best friends. Although they share a lot of traits among them, they were also very different. While Tarek is always loud, always late and just loves to go out all the time and mingle; Sherif was more discreet, calm and reserved. In my opinion: more refined.
On any given day, I would have chosen Sherif.
3) Marwan, Grand Café, 8:30PM.
I saw them. I swear to God I saw them…
When we arrived at Grand Café, I said hi to Sara
- Where is Tarek? I asked
- He’s running a little bit late at work. He’ll be coming soon.
Right next to her sat Sherif and I saw it: For more than a couple of minutes their legs were leaning against each other. Only from where I was sitting this could be seen. At first, I could not grasp what’s happening and then I started to notice more. All so casually they touched a few times that evening. She would laugh and hold his elbow. He would be teased and punch tenderly her shoulder. No one seemed to notice, is it just me..?
Tarek and Sherif had it all: Money, wits and their own businesses. They do not wake up to their mobile phone alarm. They eat breakfast and have their own parking space. I run in panic every day at 7am and pray to find a squeeze for my old Calista 2 Km from work. As if all of this was not enough now they are hitting on each others wives; a typical businessmen drama if you ask me.
4) Sherif, his office, 1 PM:
I read in an article once that there are 3 major forces that control one’s actions: emotions (Love, hate, anger…), time and boredom. If you control your emotions and stand absolutely powerless to the passage of time one factor will remain: Boredom.
I opened my mail, 20 messages, all work.
For the last couple of months, once or twice a week I would receive an SMS or a call from her. What is happening? Or where are we from the thin red line? Sincerely, I did not know. I am completely intoxicated by her.
Just last week, we met at a wedding. While I was kissing her hi, I just twisted my neck slightly that I half kissed her lips. Perhaps one of the most stupid things I have done in my entire life. She smiled and walked away. She did not talk to me the entire evening and then, while I was standing on the edge of the dance floor, she came from behind me “Don’t stair at the girls, I’m watching you.”
5) Sara, her parents’ house, 11AM
Scented salt bath and then 15 minutes of Jacuzzi makes you totally rejuvenated. I rubbed my entire body with Victoria’s Secret lotion.
To do anything, all you need is the right timing and the right set of circumstances as I once heard in a movie. So, what should I wear?
- Hi Sherif, I’m at my parents’ house and there is a very strong smell of gas. I don’t know what to do.
- Close the valve and open the windows. Also, don’t touch the lights, I’ll be right there.
I wore a white tank top, white shorts and flip-flops. I looked at the mirror “girl you look fine!” A flash of fear squeezed my heart.
6) Marwan, in his car (Calista), Noon
My father was right about one thing “A career in accounting kills your soul” Today, I just had enough. “My sister is really ill and I have to go to attend to her” I told my alien-faced boss.
I was just getting to Le Café, “What is Sherif’s car doing here at mid-day?” I thought for a few seconds. This is Sara parents’ house, it hit me. Her pre-wedding party was there, I remember well. I’ll be damned. This is huge… Well, I’ll be damned if I care!!!
Out of no where, a strange Christmas carol came to me “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…”
It all started with a mediocre fantasy.
I got home, showered and slipped right into bed with Samaa. It had been almost a week since we were together. Admittedly after 4 years of marriage, our encounters are a little less but passion still remains.
In the heat of the moment, she suddenly came into my mind. A vivid image of Sara just materialised out of no where. She was wearing her black one shouldered blouse, and her brown eyes radiated. How come I never noticed before her incredible dark lean figure?
I shook my head to get her out of my mind. It did not work.
(2) Sara, Heliopolis Club, 3PM.
They say that life is full of choices. This is not true; at least for me. I did not choose my parents. I got bad grades in high school, so I did not choose my university and I met Tarek through the family. When I get pregnant I will not be able to choose whether it is a boy, a girl… You just do not choose anything that matters in your life.
Tarek, my husband, and Sherif are best friends. Although they share a lot of traits among them, they were also very different. While Tarek is always loud, always late and just loves to go out all the time and mingle; Sherif was more discreet, calm and reserved. In my opinion: more refined.
On any given day, I would have chosen Sherif.
3) Marwan, Grand Café, 8:30PM.
I saw them. I swear to God I saw them…
When we arrived at Grand Café, I said hi to Sara
- Where is Tarek? I asked
- He’s running a little bit late at work. He’ll be coming soon.
Right next to her sat Sherif and I saw it: For more than a couple of minutes their legs were leaning against each other. Only from where I was sitting this could be seen. At first, I could not grasp what’s happening and then I started to notice more. All so casually they touched a few times that evening. She would laugh and hold his elbow. He would be teased and punch tenderly her shoulder. No one seemed to notice, is it just me..?
Tarek and Sherif had it all: Money, wits and their own businesses. They do not wake up to their mobile phone alarm. They eat breakfast and have their own parking space. I run in panic every day at 7am and pray to find a squeeze for my old Calista 2 Km from work. As if all of this was not enough now they are hitting on each others wives; a typical businessmen drama if you ask me.
4) Sherif, his office, 1 PM:
I read in an article once that there are 3 major forces that control one’s actions: emotions (Love, hate, anger…), time and boredom. If you control your emotions and stand absolutely powerless to the passage of time one factor will remain: Boredom.
I opened my mail, 20 messages, all work.
For the last couple of months, once or twice a week I would receive an SMS or a call from her. What is happening? Or where are we from the thin red line? Sincerely, I did not know. I am completely intoxicated by her.
Just last week, we met at a wedding. While I was kissing her hi, I just twisted my neck slightly that I half kissed her lips. Perhaps one of the most stupid things I have done in my entire life. She smiled and walked away. She did not talk to me the entire evening and then, while I was standing on the edge of the dance floor, she came from behind me “Don’t stair at the girls, I’m watching you.”
5) Sara, her parents’ house, 11AM
Scented salt bath and then 15 minutes of Jacuzzi makes you totally rejuvenated. I rubbed my entire body with Victoria’s Secret lotion.
To do anything, all you need is the right timing and the right set of circumstances as I once heard in a movie. So, what should I wear?
- Hi Sherif, I’m at my parents’ house and there is a very strong smell of gas. I don’t know what to do.
- Close the valve and open the windows. Also, don’t touch the lights, I’ll be right there.
I wore a white tank top, white shorts and flip-flops. I looked at the mirror “girl you look fine!” A flash of fear squeezed my heart.
6) Marwan, in his car (Calista), Noon
My father was right about one thing “A career in accounting kills your soul” Today, I just had enough. “My sister is really ill and I have to go to attend to her” I told my alien-faced boss.
I was just getting to Le Café, “What is Sherif’s car doing here at mid-day?” I thought for a few seconds. This is Sara parents’ house, it hit me. Her pre-wedding party was there, I remember well. I’ll be damned. This is huge… Well, I’ll be damned if I care!!!
Out of no where, a strange Christmas carol came to me “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…”
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