A True Story - Part 3

i'd like to apologize for the inexcusable delay..most of you have probably given up on me, and i wouldn't blame you. not only was i very busy, but i was also impeded by my uncertainty of how to end this. being the last part of my very first story.. i sure took my sweet time.

1994 April 5th

it's the Birthday of her Brother's daughters. Lubna had just turned four, and Arwa was already three. Omar decided to hold the Birthday Party at Hardee's. it was the trend to have birthday parties at Fast food restaurants back then.

Layla was getting her girls ready for the Party. she was helping Reem put on her new white dress with the purple floral prints. Reem wasn't sure she wants to go..
"Mama, do i have to? i don't like parties.."
"Yes honey you have to. you'll have lots of fun, they have games, loads of Burgers, and two huge birthday cakes!"
"but i've been feeling sick all day..i don't feel like eating anything.."
"yeah right! once you smell the food, you'll be the first to eat!" Noor said as she was putting on her new pants.
"no i won't!" shouted Reem ..she turned to her mother with a worried look. "Mama? you're coming too, right?"
"yes honey, of course i am." she planted a gentle kiss on her daughter's nose. smiling in relief, Reem went to check her hair in the mirror.
she was now trying to tie her hair up in a pony tail. ever since Noor had managed to tie her hair all on her own, she's been trying really hard to do the same. Layla smiled as she watched her try over and over again.
"you'll never get it right, your hands are too short" Noor was doing a perfect job making Reem think her hands are shorter than they already are.
"Noor! would you do us the honor and zip it?" Layla said angrily
..come here sweetie, you need to look your best today, i'll tie your hair today, and we can both sit and practice tomorrow, alright?"
"..alright." Reem smiled, her arms were getting sore from holding them up anyway.
as the girls were running down the stairs she checked her watch "we're going to be late, where is that little Devil? Dana!!"
a shout came from downstairs. "yeaaaas?"
"come up here this second!" Layla shouted back.
Dana was mumbling and laughing with her sisters as she was running up the stairs, when she saw her mother's frowning face, she froze.
"i'm.. i'm sorry! the show was about to end i swear, but then they had commercials on and.."
"okay okay, come!" Layla sighed in impatience.
Dana ran to the room and saw a dress on her bed. she turned to her mother in disbelief. "but mama! i can't wear a dress! Abduallah is coming to the party. he's gonna laugh at me if he saw me in a dress!"
"but we don't have anything else ready."
"okay then, i'm not going.."
"what? get into that dress right now!"
Dana was on the verge of crying when her mother let out a sigh. "if i'm going to go crazy, it's all your fault.. okay, grab the new blue trousers and the shirt that goes along with them."
"thank you!" she jumped on her mother. "it's in the lower drawer. hurry up now, or i'm going to change my mind."

"oh well, looks like we're going to arrive late again..just when i thought today was going to be the day." Layla thought.

2 hours later

Layla was sitting at one of the tables, having a laugh with her sister-in-law when Fatma walked in with her little girls all holding on to her Abaya..
"Abla! (teacher)" she yelled to Fatma. "you look tired!"
"of course i'm gonna be tired! i'm pregnant again!"
she said as she was looking at Omar's wife "wallah if it wasn't for Muna i wouldn't have attended."
Muna said through her famous chuckle "thank you! we don't have parties like this all the time you know. your girls are going to have so much fun with the kids! i knew it was a good idea to have Omar hold the party here.
Bragging about almost every little thing she has, was something Muna has always found complete joy in.

Fatma was now reciting a funny incident that happened to her at school. Layla has already heard this one on the phone before, so she turned to check on the kids. Dana and Abduallah were standing on one of the tables and trying to reach a big blue balloon that was stuck to the ceiling. "Dana! get down this second!" Dana jumped up in startle. Abduallah jumped off the table and ran to the other side of the hall. Layla was fuming as she was getting her daughter down. "if i saw you doing anything like that again, i'll take you home right away!"
Dana seemed like she wasn't even listening. "mama, you're tall enough. if you got on this chair you'll be able to reach it."
"that's it! i'm taking you home right now!"
"no no! i don't want the balloon anymore. really!"

as she was returning to her seat, her eyes met a familiar face. a short Colombian Lady walked into the Hall. she was in her mid forties. blonde short hair, a little chubby. she was holding the hand of a little two year old girl in a pink dress who looked just like her mother.

she never knew what is it he saw in her, he stayed unmarried for so long, and then came back home one day married to this old average looking hag.
Muna called the lady to come sit with them. Layla forced a smile as she greeted her. "Hello..yes i'm fine, thank you."
talking to her has always made Layla feel uncomfortable. to avoid the conversation, she took Rana in her arms and went to sit in the table next to them.
she cradled Rana's face in her hands, and looked at her with adoration. for some reason, knowing she was his daughter, she adored the girl to bits. Rana was now trying to pull off the beads on her dress. "no no, cariño."


2006 - August.

It was past midnight. Layla was driving back home from her parents. "Mama? can we have Rana sleep over at our place? she said she wants to tag along with Ruqaya next weekend." Dana said.

"i don't think it's a good idea honey."
"Why?"
"your father doesn't like her father. i'm not sure he's going to be comfortable having his daughter at our place."
Reem who was 20 years old by then said: " i just saw her father two weeks ago. he's handsome! how old is he, mama?"
"a couple of years older than i am i guess."
"really? so he's about the same age as dad, he looks so much younger! i heard he's the head of this huge company. i wish i could find a man like him" Reem sighed.
Layla smiled as she took the turn to the left.

ever since Yahya found out that Layla and Ahmed once had feelings for each other, he started avoiding Ahmed and told her not to have anything to do with his family. how did he found out she never knew, but she never confirmed his doubts.
she agreed to whatever it is he said regarding Ahmed. there is no point arguing about something that had died more than 20 years ago, she thought.

"why doesn't he like him mama?" Dana asked.
"you know your father 3ad Dana.."
"but what are we going to tell her next week?"
"how about you all sleep over at your uncle's instead?"
"But!"
Layla gave Dana 'the look' over the rear-view mirror.
"fine.." Dana sighed. her brows met in anger and confusion.
" if you keep doing that you're forehead is going to be covered with wrinkles by the time you're 20." Layla said jokingly. everyone chuckled except for Dana, who's got more upset her brows got even closer.

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open ending! =D
lol, not really..i know that open endings are almost always unsatisfying. but this is a true story, and so far, it's pending.
disappointed? my apologies.
and who knows what the future holds? :p if there was any developments in the future, i'd be more than glad to share.

note: all names mentioned in this story are fictitious.