Plushness

As the day unfolded, Lama became more and more comfortable and more excited at the fact that she would see Hamad in London.

She left work, and went straight to Raya to find drop dead gorgeous clothes and shoes (guys aren’t really into bags). What would she wear on their first date? It would not be the first time he sees her, but the first time in this context. Where would the first time be?

Hamad called, and she could hear he was in a car and she could hear people talking in the background. He missed her, he is tired from beach all day and party all night program he’s been enjoying in the past 2 weeks. All of a sudden he wanted substance. He wanted Lama.

They have often talked about dating and her decision was always that she would not want to because she doesn’t believe in relationships and she’s seen too many fail. He never argued against her decision.

Hamad never pushed her. He was happy to be able to talk to her, to admire her. He loved her outlook in life. She made everything seem so rosy. He even started reading her horoscope to know more about her!

Lama found her heart beating faster, and her palpations would not stop. She laughed at herself and he laughed with her. But secretly she resented this feeling. She wanted to be in control. She does not want to get hurt. And she does not want all this excitement to be one sided.

Her phone rings again and its Faisal, the son of her parent’s friends. Of course for many years, her parents have hinted at how blissful they would be if she would marry Faisal. Lama and Faisal would always laugh it off. Faisal had just moved back to Kuwait, and they’ve been bumping into each other quiet often in social gatherings. The last time she saw him, he was a little bit flirty, which was unlike him, but she did not give it too much thought.

Faisal: Ha wainech?
Lama: Fil Raya.
Faisal: Ok I’ll be there in a few minutes.
Lama: You need something from here?
Faisal: No. See you in a bit.

Lama thought that was odd, because Faisal has never done that before, they have never ‘hung out’ not even as friends, but did not give it too much thought.

As she was leaving the Celine boutique, she saw him. He came up to her and in his eyes was a look full of admiration. And again Lama tried not to think of what was going on.

Faisal: Lets go have coffee.
Lama: Are you okay?
Faisal: Yes, I just want to sit with you for a bit.
Lama: Okay.

They sat at Waterlemon. She ordered hot chocolate. He did not order anything. His eyes said a lot. She couldn’t ignore it anymore. Lama started to wonder what has she done to call for that look of kindness and admiration. It was almost as if he was saying ‘I love you’
Without thinking, she blurted out ‘why are you looking at me like that?’

She wanted to kick her self, to jump to the ground floor. But he ignored her and a few seconds later he snapped out of it.

They went to see a few shops together, and he left to go to his 6 o’clock meeting.

She stood there, a little speechless, but smiling, and thinking ‘when it rains it pours I guess, or maybe this is a good buffer for me to not be too excited about Hamad and London’.