It's 2 after midnight, Jamal couldn’t sleep yet. He got into bed 4 hours ago and still can’t catch any sleep. He would stay up until dawn, prays Fajr prayer then somehow manages to sleep for about 2 hours; by then he will have to wake up for work. While he was laying there, he looked to his right and for that moment forgot about how tired he is or how frustrating it is to be deprived from sleep. He was gazing at his sleeping wife beside him. She was sleeping on her back, so he was staring at her face. He thought that this would be the only advantage about his sleeping problem. He would simply keep staring at her all night. Can’t help but feel a sensational emotion surrounding his heart. An angel she must have been; an angel in disguise. These were peaceful moments he counted and treasured, because he would seldom have any when she is awake.
Few more hours passed and the sound of the Athan reached his ears from that distant mosque to where he lives. He started feeling sleepy, but knew he had to get out of bed or else he would fall asleep and miss praying on time. He went for cleansing (ablution) and then prayed, after that slept right away.
“Jamal! Wake up, you will be late for work as usual”, that sound of siren broke through his ear drums and jolted his mind, once he understood the message and realized its coming from reality, he opened his eyes slowly, just to be stroke by the bright lights hanging on the ceiling. It was his wife alright; she was rushing from left to right; she was everywhere. Getting ready to leave to work almost done; in her last stages of preparation; putting on the Abaya and when she was about the walk out of the bedroom, she looked back at Jamal felt sorry for herself and left.
Jamal was awake, but preferred to stay in bed until she walks out. He had his eyes slightly open. He appeared asleep, so he didn’t miss the impression on his wife face, when she looked at him before she left. His heart crumbled at that moment, felt it was surrounded with knifes piercing it. He thought [what happened for things to turn out in such way].
20 minutes later he left the house on his way to work. He was 10 minutes late, when he passed by his manager Rashid’s office, the latter looked at him with disappointment for being late. Jamal wasn't much bothered; it happened many times already, he wouldn’t feel disturbed by that look anymore. He saw a couple of his colleagues in the small kitchen of their department preparing tea, so he walked towards them instead of his desk.
“Salamu Alikum” he said, both Mohammed and Fadhil replied: “Wa’alikum elsalam”, while he greeted them with hands shakes. Fadhil asked Jamal, while looking at his swallowed eyes: “Couldn’t sleep?” Jamal was taking out his cup from the cardboard to pour tea for himself in it. He replied sarcastically: “Is it that obvious”, both Mohammed and Fadhil didn’t sense his sarcasm. So Mohammed commented: “One day your eyes might just pop out from the stress, you should take more care of your health”. Jamal wasn’t much bothered to reply back. Took his tea and left silently. Got settled on his desk. He had things arranged accordingly. Few books on the left, computer screen in the middle and few files and papers on his right. It was a semi-circular desk, so he made quite good use of its space.
A special tone he heard, it was coming from his mobile. He suddenly got excited and reached to his pocket quickly to check, what his wife has sent him as a sms message. It said: “Sorry about the morning, I had a terrible feeling, I miss you Jamal”. Jamal was about to reply back to such a wonderful message, he already knew about the feeling she mentioned. And he quite understands where it’s coming from. And wishes if he can take it all away. He was staring at the cursor blinking in the blank screen on his mobile, thinking of what he would reply with. Then instead he put the mobile back in his pocket. Finished drinking his tea. And went to his manager office. “Rashid” he called once he entered the office, Rashid looked at him wondering. Jamal reached in front of Rashid’s desk by then and said: “Am taking the day off” Rashid surprised: “What! Are you feeling well? You haven’t taken a day off since you joined our team, three years ago, you always said that you don’t need it, something huge must have happened!” Jamal tried to think of something to avoid answering that question, but couldn’t, so instead he said: “It’s about time to change some bad habits”, that was more then enough for Rashid to understand. They go way back since University days. 9 years ago. “Great, just finish the paper work and take as much days as you want, but make sure to be back before 2 months! We have the Integration project coming up by then” Rashid responded.
It took Jamal 15 minutes to finish all the paper work and get the right signatures on it, did a quick check on his desk and if there was anything he need to take, then off he left. He applied for 25 days; he thought that would be good enough.
He was driving on his way to his wife’s work place. It was only 17 kilometers away, so it would just take him 10 minutes to get there, if the traffic was light. Yet there was traffic he didn’t expect. Usually he would be working this time and barely needed to get out such time of the day. It was a long line of wait to reach the traffic lights, it seemed forever. While he waited, his thoughts took him forward in time to his destination… He was entering Faisal’s office his wife’s manager, he asked him to take a seat, which he did. After the usual greeting scenario, Jamal asked for applying a 25 days leave for his wife. Faisal was quite surprised that Jamal came to ask for it instead of Lamees. Jamal explained that it was a sudden decision and he wishes for Faisal’s cooperation. At that point Faisal smiled viciously and said: “No, I won’t approve her leave” Jamal felt sudden pressure in his template and asked slowly: “What’s your justification for such decision?” Faisal laughed devilishly and said: “Do I need one? Though I don’t need to explain myself to you, but lets say am taking my leave and am assigning her as the active manager” Jamal felt rage rushing within him and stood up while pushing Faisal’s desk that moved forward for few inches towards the latter. Faisal felt scared for a moment then stood up as well and said: “If you attempt anything beyond this I will make sure to get you jailed!” Jamal felt he was looking to an insect while saying: “I have nothing more to say to you, I will be talking directly to Suleiman” then walked towards the door to leave the office. Faisal terrified said quickly: “Oh, Mr. Jamal, why all of this commotion! I was just kidding with you” Jamal looked backwards without turning and said: “You can explain that to Suleiman” walked out and slammed the door behind him. Lamees was walking out of one of the offices going back to her own, when she saw Jamal going towards the stairs, she called: “Jamal, Jamal…” Many Honks were yanked at that moment in disapproval for Jamal’s vehicle staying static while the cars in front of him moving further ahead, Jamal back to reality moved quickly and finally crossed the traffic lights. And it was a matter of minutes before he reached Lamees’s workplace. He felt awkward though, seems all as de ja vu. Knocked on Faisals office door and entered, but there was no Faisal. He went to the office beside it to ask about him, they told him that he was on leave. Jamal felt worried for a moment. And decided to go meet Suleiman. After Suleiman’s secretary informed him that Jamal was there to meet him, he entered. Suleiman was standing behind his desk smiling and once Jamal got closer he raised his hand so they can shake hands. Jamal informed him of his request and there were no objections at all. Suleiman without knowing Jamal’s intentions recommended him to such vacations as often as possible. Because in the end, all the hard working hours they put in at work, has to pay off somewhere. And what better then a vacation for them to both relax and enjoy their time. Jamal couldn’t but agree. He thanked Suleiman, whom asked him to hand the form to his wife to sign and let her submit it to the acting manager of the department. And he will take care of the rest. Once Jamal left the office he felt relieved as he was feeling bad about the weird day dream he had a little while ago about this. And Thanked Allah that everything is going well and smoothly. He went to his wife’s office, which she shared with 2 other women colleagues of hers. They all were working and talking at the same time. But the moment Jamal stepped in, they all went quite. Lamees felt surprised and shockingly happy to see him. He smiled upon her and asked her to get her things together; he took 25 days leave for her. They are going on a vacation. She was in shock again, couldn’t understand such sudden new development, but went along and passed on her work to her colleagues who gave her a certain look, while she walked out with Jamal.
Once they approached Lamees’s car, Jamal asked her to go back home and he will shortly be there. She tried to find out, what is really happening but he didn’t say. So she headed home. 20 minutes later she was parking the car at the houses garage. Got into the house, changed to something comfortable, washed off the light make up she had on. And sat in the sitting room. She turned on the TV to check if there was anything interesting to watch. But there wasn’t. She couldn’t help but try understand what is Jamal doing, why did he take a leave for her? Why the rush? If he was planning for them to take a trip, he could have called and asked her to do it instead of coming to her workplace and doing all that. It just didn’t make sense. It was very sudden and that’s not something Jamal does, at least not the Jamal she knows. She remembered that he was like that back in the early days of their marriage though. Little more then 3 years ago. He is far different since then. She truly loves him, but he is different now, more different then she could handle or understand. It gradually happened a little over a year ago. It all started on his Birthday, it was such a great day. She prepared everything and invited his parents and siblings, they all came and the cake which she made for him turned out perfect. He was happy as well. The only disappointing thing that happened is that he had to leave back to work, as he had an emergency call. He didn’t even get to cut the cake.
She heard the sound of a car engine getting close; it must be Jamal finally back. After few seconds he was entering the house, she looked at him seeking the explanation he promised. He just went and sat beside her and didn’t say a word, laid back and relaxed his head on the sofa. She began to loose her patience; it was killing her to not know what’s happening or understanding anything. Without any further delays, she asked: “What is this all about Jamal?” He remained laid back and eyes still closed. It seemed as if he was sleeping, but instead he said without opening his eyes: “How long have we been married for?” She didn’t expect a question; she wanted answers but thought that replying might make it closer for him to answer her back. “Since 3 years and 4 months” “and 14 days” Jamal added to her answer. She felt astonished that he even remembered the number of days, but said nothing. Jamal asked: “We have changed since then and things aren’t the same like before. But despite the change, I feel we have grown massively apart, what happened?” She thought [What happened! You don’t even know what happened, how typical…] She said: “Many things happened and you kept them happening” Jamal thought [Me? Am I the only to be blamed here! Women!] He said: “Does love matter?” She said in a flash: “Of course! What do you think makes me wake up everyday and look at your face and still be able to carry on with my day” Jamal smiled and said: “Are you saying that you still love me?” Lamees thought [oh no! Now he will get all cute on me, but once this moment ends he will forget about it] she said: “Maybe, why do you?” He thought [aha! She had to ask, she couldn’t resist letting it go, without saying why] He said: “Maybe I don’t know that as well” She thought [He couldn’t resist his twisted answers, now if I ask again he will ask me again, forget it] She said nothing. Jamal then stood and held her hands to help her stand as well. Then said: “Let’s play a game” She wondered [what on earth is he thinking] She said: “what game?” he replied: “Husband and Wife” from tomorrow, we will play it. Jamal: “Dear, how about we go out for lunch and discuss this?” Lamees still feeling clueless: “Sounds fine by me”.
About 45 minutes later, they left to one of the restaurants they used to eat at. It was around 11 am, still not lunch time. So they just ordered a drink for each. Lunch would be open for serving by 12.30. Which means they will have plenty of time to talk. Jamal started: “The rules are simple, we forget everything, that happened between us since we meet until this day. And starting tomorrow, we are a new couple that got married without even meeting each other. So we don’t know anything about each other, we will get to know each other, what we like, what we hate, basically everything that crosses our minds. 25 days we dedicate for each other” Jamal paused there as he was out of more words to add. Lamees stayed silent and just looking at him in a way to understand this new idea of his. Jamal added: “What do you think?” Lamees replied: “I don’t know, I’ll need to think about it. You cant just come suddenly pull me out of work and get all excited with ideas and expect me to be able to respond to that immediately” Jamal: “You don’t have to reply now, we have plenty of time until the end of the day” Lamees: “Lets say I went along with this, what’s the point of it? And you still didn’t tell me what made you plan this out” Jamal: “The point is to be able to find each other. There is something wrong happening between us. That’s what I felt and I don’t want to let it carry on like that forever, wanted to create a changing point and this is it” Lamees took a grasp of air and said: “fine”.
After that they talked about different random topics, until it was time to order. They had a meal then went back home. Each of them got busy with their own thing. Lamees did some cleaning, while Jamal watched the different news channels. They had an early sleep, both of them felt nervous. They felt like strangers, the idea of starting over again wasn’t as easy as it seemed. They will wake up the next day as strangers to each other and that will be weird.
Day 1:
Jamal didn’t get much sleep, neither did Lamees. It was early morning around 7 am. They both woke up earlier for Fajr prayer and tried to sleep again, which didn’t much happen. By 7.30 am Jamal slowly turned to his right as he was laying on his back, he turned until his whole body was facing his right side. Facing Lamees, he said: “Good morning, my name is Jamal. What’s your name? Imagine we got married and we never meet nor knew each others name” Lamees was laying on her right side, so once she heard his voice she turned around to face him as well, she felt shy for some reason, she thought [We are playing pretend, ok that’s fine. But why am I shy!] She said: “I am Lamees, glad to finally meet you Jamal” Jamal smiled and said: “Are you hungry?” Lamees: “I am starving!” and giggled, Jamal’s smile got wider, while saying: “How about we both go prepare something to eat. I hope we have what we need to do that.” Lamees: “Sure, but you go ahead first, I’ll be right there. Do you watch TV?” Jamal wondering: “Yes, I do” Lamees: “Then watch some TV, until I come, don’t start doing anything on your own!” Jamal laughing: “Of course, I’ll wait for you. Will you take a lot of time?” Lamees: “Will try not to” After that Jamal went to the bathroom, 10 minutes later, he came out fresh after a mega quick shower then changed his cloths and went to the sitting room and turned on the TV.
About 30 minutes later, Lamees walked into the sitting room. She felt embarrassed for taking so much time. Jamal was following the latest news in one of these famous news channels, he noticed her presence so turned off the TV and walked to the kitchen, but then looked at her and asked: “Is it the hair?” Lamees replied: “It’s the hair”. He smiled and said teasing: “You have beautiful hair, so you can get away with that”. Lamees giggled then said: “Only when you can be patiently waiting”.
Then Lamees looked around then asked Jamal: “What do you want to eat?” Jamal answered with a question: “What can we make and eat?” Lamees thought for few seconds then said: “How about French toast?” Jamal excited: “Great! I love those”. So for the next 15 minutes Jamal and Lamees paced around in the kitchen preparing a delicious meal to enjoy. Lamees cracked the eggs and soaked the slice breads in them and Jamal fried them with a medium level fire. Once done they sat on the table in the kitchen beside each other and ate slowly and silently…
Jamal wondered in himself [Now what!], Lamees little excited thought in herself [What does he have planned after this?], Jamal after finishing his first toast said: “I missed eating those”, Lamees with a mockery smile said: “I missed watching you eating them”. Jamal looked at her and said: “I can’t deny that I have a unique style of eating”. Lamees giggled and said: “You surely do”. Jamal ended up eating 2 and ½ of the slices and 1 and ½ for Lamees, which were more then enough for her.
After that Jamal washed the dishes and pot, while Lamees dried them with the cloth. Then Jamal held Lamees’s hand and gently dragged her towards the sitting room. Once they sat comfortably. Jamal said: “Lamees, tell me about your life. Tell me everything. From the moment you were born, until the moment we just had French toast for breakfast” Lamees astonished: “That will take forever!” Jamal: “Take as many days as you need to tell me, skip the details you want to pass, but tell me everything you want me to know” Lamees looked at him wondering where to start or how to start. She felt lost in words and there wasn’t anything clear in her mind to start talking with. Jamal noticed her confusion and said: “How about you start with your parents? What type of parents were they, what did you learn from them? What makes them special to you? Or what makes you special to them –of course beyond the obvious that you are their daughter-”..
Lamees, relaxed back in her seat and said: “It all started when my father decided to marry my mother….[to be continued…] ”
