Something Out Of Nowhere -7-

One half of me is yours, the other half yours, 
Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours, 
And so all yours.

-William Shakespeare

Mansoor walked making his way to the patio when he heard a rumble from next door. He quickly looked and saw Hadeel also making her way to the door when the load she was carrying crashed into the ground. He involuntarily paced towards her to offer help. As he made his way he stopped for a second and wondered, should I? Maybe I should just go back, he thought. But then, two seconds later he decided he wouldn’t waste anymore time hoping for something to happen. So he went on… he reached for a box that was on the ground with a million things that found their way out of it. He gathered everything trying not to say a word and once he was finished he lifted the box and said, “Can I help you take them in?”

For a minute she was stunned, two whole years have passed and they did not say a word to each other and now he’s asking if he can help her get the boxes in her house? But then again, nothing was his fault. Why was she treating him this way? She never knew. After a long silent minute of stares and absent mindedness she replied “Umm, yeah sure. Come in.”

Hadeel unlocked the door very carefully to not drop anything else on the floor, and led him to the living room.

“You can put the box right here.” Gesturing to the wide coffee table in the middle of the room

“Alright”

As he walked past her in his pearly white thob and messy hair caused by the long hours being covered by the ghetra and egal, which he threw in the backseat of his car as usual. His scent found it’s way to Hadeel. Once she took a deep breathe, nostalgia hit her. Every single good or bad memory with him crossed her mind. She wanted to hug him right then and there. She stopped herself though. She took another deep breath trying to capture every essence of him. She missed him, she knew that. But she would never have the nerve to let him know. After all, she was the one that pushed him away all these years. Mansoor put the box carefully on the coffee table and started brushing his hands over his thob to clean it, as he stood straight. Once he made sure that it was spotless he turned around to face her.

“Anything else you need help with?” he said with a light curve in his lips.

“No, that’s the last of the boxes.”

“Oh ok.” He stood there, hoping that this wouldn’t end like this, that they would talk a bit more.

“Umm well, thank you for the help.” She said to break the silence as she gestured towards the box.

“Yeah sure, no problem.” He realized that what he hoped for wouldn’t happen, so he started making his way to the door.

Hadeel followed him silently. She watched him step out the door and she knew deep inside she didn’t want him to leave.

“Mansoor” She said almost as soon as he stepped out.

He turned around. “Yeah?”

“Would you like something to eat? I was just going to make me a sandwich.” she asked hesitantly.

He stood for a minute as if arguing with himself if he should or should not stay. But then said “Only if it’s the turkey sandwich you used to make me when we were kids.”

He blurted the words, and soon after Hadeel’s cheeks turned into the brightest shade of pink. She smiled and led him to the kitchen quietly. After pouring both of them a glass of water, Mansoor sat at the kitchen table while Hadeel made the sandwiches. He couldn’t believe it; he was finally back into her house. The house that held a million beautiful memories, the house they played hide and seek in, and watched movies all day. The house he so badly wanted to be in more than a couple of time these past two years. And now he was in again. But what to do now? Was this just a thank gesture for helping her with the box or did she want to catch up with him. Did she want to get back to being the best friend he knew his whole life? Or was it just a hello and goodbye kind of thing. He didn’t know what to think. But hey, he was in her house, now it time to take matters into his own hands.

“So, how have you been?” he asked, hoping to start a conversation.

“I’ve been good, and you?”

“Am managing.”

She finished making the sandwiches and sat facing him on the kitchen table. That was when she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She wanted to know everything about him, everything that has been happening for the past few years, how was he, how was his parents, his brothers, she wanted to know every single detail. And he was nothing but thrilled about it. He sat there talking for hours none stop. Like it’ll all be over the next day, like they want to enjoy each other’s company before the day ends and whatever this is, ends with it. They kept talking and laughing, and every once in a while she would laugh and put her hand on his arm, and that’s when his heart would skip a beat. He smile, she laughed. He talked, she replied. And that’s how it was for 3 straight hours. Since her dad was working late that night and her brother was out with his friends, and her little sisters was at her cousin’s, the house was very quiet and they were alone. After talking for three hours, they both suddenly went silent. She looked down at the table and the empty plates while he looked at her. He kept staring at her and trying to download as much of her as he can into his mental hard drive, so that if this never happens again, he would remember how her long brown hair swayed when she talked and moved, also how her eyes would widen when she would tell an exciting story, and how her lips would move emphasizing every word she says. Everything about her was breathtaking and he couldn’t help but notice that.

“I’ve missed you so much” he whispered, in conflict of whether he should say so or not.

She looked up at him, eyes red from the tears she tried pushing back. “I miss you too.” She said with an even lower voice.

After a minute or so of silence, they got back to talking about everything in their lives and how they both have been, until it got dark outside. And that was a sign for Mansoor to leave.

He waved goodbye as he walked down the patio stairs and said, “We’ll talk soon, I hope.”

She smiled and replied “No doubt about it.”

Mansoor practically flew home and on to his bed thinking about nothing but her until he was sound asleep. And Hadeel? She had a weird feeling in her tummy that she couldn’t explain. But, it made her happy, and for the first time since the accident she felt that she didn’t have to let out her sadness on a paper because today she wasn’t feeling sad. She smiled wide, and went to sleep.

In The Other Neighborhood

Now I see why he’s crazy about her. She’s beautiful. Oh god why can’t I stop thinking about her? This is not right! I have to see her again, I just have to.

Khalid tried pushing out the thoughts of her, but alas, he couldn’t… that day, he went to sleep thinking about the girl he saw. Hadeel.

Copy Rights Reserved To Sulfur AlSayegh.