Zeina awoke to find the one missed call from Manaf, not knowing if she was relieved he had even called or disappointed because it was just once she threw her phone to the side and threw her pillow over her head muffling her cries of frustration. Sh…

Later on that week at around midnight Zeina began getting ready for bed, she changed into her comfy pjs and washed up throwing herself into her bed and turning on her TV; she would curl up with a DVD for a while. It had become habit for her and Manaf t…

Later on that week at around midnight Zeina began getting ready for bed, she changed into her comfy pjs and washed up throwing herself into her bed and turning on her TV; she would curl up with a DVD for a while. It had become habit for her and Manaf t…

Zeina opened her eyes to a noise coming from behind her, turning in her bed, she glanced groggily around for the source; seconds later she found it, it was her phone vibrating. Lighting up what little space it could, Zeina squinted, picking it up w…

Zeina opened her eyes to a noise coming from behind her, turning in her bed, she glanced groggily around for the source; seconds later she found it, it was her phone vibrating. Lighting up what little space it could, Zeina squinted, picking it up w…

Hey guys ;* 3eedkum Mbarak (Wala Wahaaab? kaak ;p) oo taqabal Allah 6a3atkum! Hope you all had an amazing holiday (even though it’s not over yet!).. Stay safe oo please stay warm even though the weather isn’t that cold – I’ve been sick for the past 3 days oo lay3a chabdi :P Here’s your 3eediya! ;* A7ibkummmm jad jad..
_____________________________________________

Jawhara smiled uneasily and felt her pulse start to race. Her brain attacked her with thoughts – “Tell him! Be honest with him!” and “Don’t tell him; ra7 t6ee7een min 3aina!”
Mbarak cleared his throat and smiled, “If it’s taking you this long to answer, then it must be a ‘yes’.”
Jawhara lowered her head and took a deep breath, the icy air filling her lungs. She passed the KDD Cocktail juice box between her hands and finally looked up at Mbarak. She saw a warm sparkle in his eyes; how could she not be honest with him?
“Jawhara, shfeech?” Mbarak frowned, waiting for a response.
She tilted her head back and pursed her lips. “Yes, I did. But no one knew about it and I intend to keep it that way,” she shot him a glance.
“Is that what you think of me? Amshi wat7acha feech 3ind ilawadem?” Mbarak said incredulously. Though it was the nature of a lot of his friends, Mbarak was never the one to talk about the girls he knew or the one he was with, in good terms or bad.
“No, but I’m just saying,” Jawhara mumbled. Though she felt uncomfortable about being honest with him, Jawhara felt a great weight being lifted from her shoulders. Mbarak felt her anxiety and scooted next to her, bundling her in his arms.
“Can I know who he was?” he asked quietly, stroking Jawhara’s shoulder.
“No.. Maybe in time you’ll know. And anyways, I wouldn’t really call it 7ub; it was more like a living nightmare,” Jawhara felt tears stinging her eyes. She couldn’t tell whether it was her body’s reflex to the cold breeze or if it was her old emotions coming back to haunt her.
“Laish? Shsawa?” Mbarak asked in the most concerned and loving tone Jawhara had ever heard.
She let her guard down, “Kan yikallem 3alay.. I’d always catch him cheating. He was never nice to me oo he’d ignore me for days, oo then mita 6ag ibrasa he’d call me again. When he felt like I did something wrong, kan yisibni. Oo marra min ilmarrat, mad eeda 3alay.”
“WHAT?!” Mbarak let go of Jawhara and jumped off the truck bed and stood in front of her. “Shloon it5alleena yisawi feech chithee?! Mino uhwa 3ashan yisibich oo yimid eeda 3alaich!?”
Jawhara stayed quiet, instantly regretting telling Mbarak about her nightmare with A7med. She couldn’t even look Mbarak in the eye.
“6al3eeni!” Mbarak pulled her chin towards him and glared at her, “Don’t you ever let him come near you again. Fahamtay? Don’t you ever talk about him or bring him up again!!”
The look in Mbarak’s eyes scared Jawhara, and a salty tear threatened to fall from her eyes. Sensing her fear, Mbarak held her close and rocked her in his arms. “I’m sorry Jawharti.. I’m so sorry. I will never do that to you. OK? I promise.. I’m nothing like him.”
“I know,” Jawhara said, her voice quavering, “Please, let’s just change the subject.”
“Ba3ad galbi, I’m sorry,” Mbarak said, still embracing her. “Are you hungry?”
“Killish la2,” Jawhara stifled a giggle, “I think there’s enough food here. Thanks Barooki..”

Mbarak hopped over to the driver’s seat of the truck, leaving Jawhara to munch on Hello Panda biscuits. “Wain raye7?” she called out to him.
In a moment, Mbarak came back and climbed onto the truck bed next to Jawhara. “Listen.. Ehda2,” Mbarak said quietly, kissing Jawhara’s hand.
The quiet air started to fill with soft music and rhythmic drumming. Jawhara listened intently as 3abood 5owaja’s voice floated out from the speakers, singing to Jawhara and Mbarak. “Tw7ashni Winta BeJanbi Washtaglik Lo Ti’3eeb.. Wa7sid 3alaik 7ata Nafsi.. Wa5sha Yemissik ‘3areeb..! Walla Ya A7la 3umri, B3yooni Ma Lik Mitheel.. Tsawi Il-Roo7 Oo Te’3la Oo Tkoon 3anha Badeel..!”

“Ee wallah!” Mbarak grinned, hugging Jawhara close and swaying to the music. A silent tear slipped onto Jawhara’s cheek, but she smiled anyway – it was comforting to her knowing that there was an 3abood 5owaja song for every way she felt. It was even more comforting to her knowing that there was a real man by her side that genuinely wanted to make her happy. She rested her head against Mbarak’s chest and listened to the beautiful song he’d dedicated to her. The sea stretched out in front of them like a neverending path that they were destined to walk through together. A flashing light from a distant ship that was passing by grabbed Jawhara’s attention, and her eyes followed it as it made it’s way across the dark horizon. There was nothing she loved more in the world than peaceful nights such as these, and what better way to experience them than in the safety of Mbarak’s arms?
The chilly gusts of wind swept above and around them, bringing them closer together. Mbarak suddenly felt protective of Jawhara – from her, he’d realized the magnitude of being in an abusive relationship and felt it was his duty to ensure that she never got hurt again; by him or anyone else. He checked the time; it was almost 9:30 PM. “We should head back,” Mbarak rubbed his cold nose against Jawhara’s amber tresses.
“Laish? Do you have something you need to do?” Jawhara inquired, upset that they’d have to end their lovely evening.
“Not really, bes ma abeech tit2a5erain. Plus, the guys are waiting at the diwaniya; ma ri7t ilyoom,” Mbarak smiled.
“Diwaniya, diwaniya! One day I’m gonna blow your diwaniya up!” she teased.
“Afaaa! Laish 3ad?” he giggled.
“So you won’t have to go there all the time and you can spend more time with me,” Jawhara wrinkled her nose, her warm exhaling breath making steam in the frigid air.
“You’ll always have me,” Mbarak cupped his frostbitten hands onto Jawhara’s face, “Diwaniya or no diwaniya. Mafhoom?”
“Mafhoooom,” Jawhara smiled, “Yalla, let’s get going then.”
“7abeebti,” he whispered audibly as he jumped off the truck bed and extended his hand to her. Jawhara slipped her palm into his for support as she slid off the truck and onto the ground. With 3abood 5owaja’s voice still quivering from the Bose speakers, Mbarak and Jawhara sat in their seats and drove a beautiful drive back to the city.

The peaceful darkness of Bnaider faded away and was slowly replaced with taller buildings, plants, and brighter lights. Mbarak watched Jawhara as she rested her sleepy head on the grey leather armrest between them and closed her eyes. “Ta3bana?” he asked over the soft music.
Jawhara nodded with a tiny smile and took a deep breath, feeling the vibration of the Silverado’s engine against her ear. Mbarak rubbed her upper arm with his right hand as they drove in silence, the only sound being 3abood 5owaja’s sharp voice against the cheerful melody.
They arrived to Kuwait City sooner than Jawhara had liked, turning into the curvy main street that led to the Qur6uba co-op. As Mbarak slowed down near Jawhara’s SUV, he nudged her lightly, waking her up so that she could get in her car and drive home. Jawhara stirred, somewhat embarrassed that she’d actually fallen asleep in front of Mbarak. She quietly apologized, smoothing out the creases on her sweater.
“Don’t be sorry, 7ayati,” Mbarak lovingly stroked her head, “Ridday ilbeit oo 7i6ay rasich oo namay; ana asayrich. OK?” Jawhara nodded with a tired smile and climbed out of the Silverado and into her own car.
Almost immediately, Mbarak called. “I’ll stay on the phone with you lain to9leen ilbeit.”
“Thank you, Barook.. Thank you for the amazing night, oo thank you for caring about me,” Jawhara sighed.
“Don’t thank me,” Mbarak replied, staring at her through his tinted window, “I had an amazing time, too.”
“Inshalla doom, moo yoom,” she smiled. As she drove through the backstreets that led to her house, Mbarak followed closely behind, making sure she made it there safely. He waited until she’d parked her car and was safely inside the gates of her home.

In less than a minute’s time, Jawhara had already called Fajer and recapped the events of the night in her croaky sleepy voice. “Fajoor, he asked me itha 7abait wala la2!”
“Oh God.. Please don’t tell me you told him about A7med,” Fajer moaned, “Please.”
“I did,” Jawhara said quickly, feeling a hard twist in her gut, “Was I not supposed to?”
Fajer groaned, “Shrayich, Jooj?” She loved Jawhara to death, but there was the hint of naivety that Jawhara could never seem to get past, and it bothered Fajer to no end.
“I wanted to be honest,” Jawhara tried to defend her stance.
“Kuwaiti guys ma yinfa3 wiyahum honesty. Honest wala moo honest; he’ll use it against you! You never know!” Fajer pushed.
Jawhara twisted the silky tassles on the end of her pillow between her fingers, trying to fight the way she felt. “Yeah, well here’s to hoping he doesn’t,” she sighed, throwing the pillow off the bed.
“Yeah, I hope he doesn’t either,” Fajer concluded as she tucked herself into bed. They continued their usual chatter until the exhaustion finally hit them. Fajer, as always, was the first one to fall asleep.
Jawhara made one last call before she went to sleep; she dialed Mbarak’s number quickly, hoping that he’d pick up and that she’d get to hear his voice before she went to sleep.

Mbarak threw down the last card in his hand, scoring him and his partner an extra few points in their intense game of Kout.
“Nice!” Fahad cried, pounding Mbarak’s fist and scribbling down their final score.
Mbarak’s mobile rested on the plush carpet between him and a player from the other team. Whenever it rang, the mobile would dance furiously in it’s place like a baby crying for attention, but Mbarak would always let it ring till the missed calls piled up – he never interrupted a good game of Kout for any phone call. But thankfully for Jawhara, she was an exception.
The loud ringtone rang over the clamor of the diwaniya, and when Mbarak peered over his knee, Jawhara’s name flashed on and off. He quickly picked up the phone and held it to his ear with his shoulder as he dealt the cards to the other players. “Hala walla,” Mbarak spoke into the phone, not wanting to give away the fact that he was talking to a girl.
“Barooki,” Jawhara said softly, “Ana banam al7een; I’m so sleepy.”
“Inzain,” he spoke gruffly, “Ana adiglik lama a5ale9.”
“Inshalla, bu ilshabab!” Jawhara giggled, imitating Mbarak’s masculine demeanor.
Mbarak laughed and quickly ended the phone call before his friends started to get suspicious, but 3ali, who was at his left, sensed what was going on.

“Mino sa3eedat il-7a’6?” 3ali teased Mbarak while re-ordering his hand of cards.
“Ay sa3eedat il-7a’6, yam3awad; hatha Ya3goub yabeeni aroo7la il-nadi.”
“Nadi al7een?” 3ali raised an eyebrow, a sly smile creeping upon his lips.
“Shdarani 3anna!” Mbarak shrugged, throwing down a card to start a new round of Kout.
“Mmm,” 3ali nodded apprehensively, digging his hand into a bowl of 7ab. He knew Mbarak better than everyone else thought he did, and his uncertainties never failed him. It was not that 3ali liked being nosey; he just didn’t like being lied to, especially since he told Mbarak everything.
By the time they’d finished playing 5 rounds of Kout, it was already 2 AM. Mbarak excused himself and said goodbye to all of his friends and walked out to his car, calling Jawhara on his cell phone. Her sleepy voice filled the other end of the phone, and Mbarak’s stomach flipped at the sound of her angelic mumbles.
“Ana rad ilbeit al7een, Jawharti. Tabeen shay?”
”Salamtik, Barooki,” Jawhara spoke quietly, ”Shway shway bil6ireej, ok?”
“Inshalla ya 3umri; intay namay, ok? Lat6eer ilnooma,” Mbarak smiled as he climbed into the driver’s seat of his car. In the cold darkness of his car, the scent of Jawhara’s exotic perfume lingered, and Mbarak filled his lungs with the traces of Ferragamo’s Incanto Dream.

Fajer stirred from her sleep, realizing that Wahab hadn’t called or messaged her in hours. She furiously punched at her phone’s keypad. Wahab’s phone beeped with a message from Fajer right before he was about to take a bite out him Subway sandwich. It read: “too busy to call or message? gnite ;r”
Wahab put his sandwich down and quickly walked out of the diwaniya, sitting on the cold marble steps outside the gate. He dialed Fajer’s number and as soon as she picked up, he tried to explain himself. “Fajoor, ana bildiwaniya ya3ni – may9eer kil shway adig oo adiz messages! Fashla jidam rab3i kil shway 6ale3 oo asolef bilphone!”
“Ana ma giltlik nam 3al telephone wiyay, Wahab,” Fajer shot back, twirling the phone charger’s wire around her fingers. “I’m just saying a message would’ve been nice.”
“I’m sorry, bes walla loya hnee!” Wahab sighed, rubbing his arms from the cold.
“Fine. T9be7 3ala 5air,” Fajer replied callously.
“Bitnameen? Shfeech im3a9ba?”
“Moo m3a9ba, Wahabi; bes you’re busy and I’m tired so banam. Ok?”
“3ala ra7tich. Te9ba7een 3ala 5air,” Wahab mumbled, “I’ll call you once I leave.”
“Ok,” Fajer replied, and with that, she hung up and tried to sleep. She tossed and turned in bed, her thoughts clouded with annoyance at the fact that she and Wahab were not on perfect terms. She thought about calling him back, but instead sent him a long-winded text message apologizing for her over-reaction and explaining that she couldn’t sleep knowing he was a little upset with her.
Unexpectedly, Wahab called her right back to let her know he wasn’t upset and that it was just a misunderstanding. His sweet words and kind voice made Fajer forget everything, and as if drugged with joy, Fajer fell into a deep sleep.

Jawhara rolled over in bed, bunching her flat pillow in her arms and trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. But she knew very well that it wasn’t the position that was depriving her of sleep; for the first time in months, A7med was tackling her thoughts again.
She thought of all the wonderful times they’d had together and how he’d begged her for forgiveness when she finally mustered up the strength to leave him. He apologized for the harsh words, the cold neglect, and the inaugural slap that signaled the end of their roller-coaster ride. Tears wet Jawhara’s lower eyelashes, ready to roll down her cheeks whenever she remembered the moment in which she realized her ordeal with A7med was truly over – she would never be sure if they were tears of joy, relief, shock, or disappointment, so she decided to roll them all into one giant emotion that explained the way she felt.
But what really ate her up inside was the fact that Mbarak knew – she didn’t know if that was the best for their relationship, but only time would tell. Silently, Jawhara prayed to God that A7med wouldn’t come between her and Mbarak, and that the mention of him tonight was the first and last time he’d ever be brought up again.

+++++ 3abood 5owaja – Min Far7i Ab’3a A6eer (Ehda2 5a9 ;*) +++++

9.15 amBeep: JooJoo.. ma bagdar ayeee beetkom.. I need to do something with my mom.. love you.. Jory was disappointed, she was looking forward for their Friday routine, last week they haven’t spent time together, and she have planned so many things tod…

She made her way through the campus, heading towards the building where her class was going to be held, she had called Manaf and he hadn’t picked up. Entering the classroom, she glanced around at the few girls already taking their seats, she foll…

She made her way through the campus, heading towards the building where her class was going to be held, she had called Manaf and he hadn’t picked up. Entering the classroom, she glanced around at the few girls already taking their seats, she foll…

Exactly two days later, I called 5alty um-3abdallah.“Bashray Hayooo”“I like your suggestion 5alty”“3albaraka!”“Bs 3ndy shar6 wa7ed”“Tamreen amr 7beebty”“I won’t do anything gabl la ag3ad m3 3aballah face to face and have a serio…

عيدكم مبارك وعساكم من العائدين والفائزينWish you all the best in this joyous occasion.May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night.

As she opened her eyes Zeina tried to remember saying goodnight to Manaf, she couldn’t. Assuming she had fallen asleep on the phone she began reaching under the covers looking for her mobile…within seconds she found it on the lower left side of…

As she opened her eyes Zeina tried to remember saying goodnight to Manaf, she couldn’t. Assuming she had fallen asleep on the phone she began reaching under the covers looking for her mobile…within seconds she found it on the lower left side of…

Again courtesy of my friend Moods

It had been raining for more than a week, so much rain it made everyday seemed so restless and gloomy. Rayah called Barrak and said she was coming up. It was the third time she came up to see him that week. Barrak carried her excuse of why she came all…

It had been raining for more than a week, so much rain it made everyday seemed so restless and gloomy. Rayah called Barrak and said she was coming up. It was the third time she came up to see him that week. Barrak carried her excuse of why she came all…

*Shereen*

*Bzzzzzt* “Movie, Southbank, 7:15, be there!”
I sat in my stripy bathrobe, staring at my phone’s screen. Today was meant to be my stay-home-and-chill day! My face-mask-and-nail-polish day…and I guess it just turned to my mo…

Zeina sucked in a breath of air as the magnitude of his question sunk in; Mr. X’s eyes watching her expectantly. It was as if the world had stopped turning and all was still, the only noise she could hear were the heavy beats of her heart. Then like …

Zeina sucked in a breath of air as the magnitude of his question sunk in; Mr. X’s eyes watching her expectantly. It was as if the world had stopped turning and all was still, the only noise she could hear were the heavy beats of her heart. Then like …

To say I was stunned would be the understatement of the millennium. Never in a million years did I imagine that 3abdallah would think of me like that. We’ve been talking nearly everyday for the past 2 years, and he never even made a gesture that impl…

Zeina looked at her reflection for the hundredth time as she got ready for her date with Mr. X, her phone lay on her bed and she was expecting a text from him at any minute telling her how long he’d need before he got to el deera. She had spent t…

Zeina looked at her reflection for the hundredth time as she got ready for her date with Mr. X, her phone lay on her bed and she was expecting a text from him at any minute telling her how long he’d need before he got to el deera. She had spent t…

Later that night Manaf had excused himself to go catch up on some studying and Zeina was finding herself extremely bored. She hated when Mr. X went to il shalaih, she missed him a lot. She enjoyed Manaf’s attention to a certain degree but she longed fo…

Later that night Manaf had excused himself to go catch up on some studying and Zeina was finding herself extremely bored. She hated when Mr. X went to il shalaih, she missed him a lot. She enjoyed Manaf’s attention to a certain degree but she longed fo…

Why did worspress change their dashboard interface? Im kinda lost ishwaya…
Yesterday we made a little trip to birmingham. For some reason shopping in their selfridges is more fun than shopping in the Original London Selfrigde even though it hass less collection, but the stuff does stay neat and tidy and not many people attacking it. [...]

4.00 pmWallah ena 3roog galbee kilha terta7lik, leetik ela methil ma 5atht byadik 5atht byadee, min lemast eedik wanaa atfadak watfada halik, ma dareet en elhawa wel3eshg bellams e3adee.. Jory stared at her phone screen, she read the letters F A H A D,…

Minu nazil Dbai ib ijazat il 3eed?? Ana baroo7 on Monday inshallah. I really need a break and wanna get away from Oman.I wanna go crazy have some fun and not think about anyone or anything.I wanna meet new people and change everything about my life.

A huuuuge hank you to Jewaira ;* for passing on the Superior Scribbler Award to me. I’ve always been a huge fan of yours and you’ve inspired me endlessly. Also along the way I’ve stumbled on some pretty amazing blogs, and each and every one of you has me hooked!

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

I’d like to pass this award on to:
1. Jewaira
2. Lovestruck Flana
3. Glitter
4. Peony
5. Sham3at Al Jillas

Have you ever passed by a cheap bar or gone into one of those restaurants with Karoake or even one of those places that have bands. The kind of bands that stay for a month and leave?? Well we have a few of these places here in Oman. The bands are usual…