Chapter 4

"Dalal, come down your uncle is here." Flora said.

"Ok," I said as I got up. I left my long hair flowing down my back, slipped on my jeans and a casual top then headed downstairs to greet them.

The first person I saw was my uncle. "Dalal?" He was surprised.

I smiled and went up to greet him, my aunt and Jana.

I never really liked Jana. My parents would always compare me to her. She was the perfect kid. Jana used to always put me down, calling me fat, yelling at me when I used to eat too much. But I didn't care, we were kids then, she's mature and she's changed.

The next person I saw was Bader. I was awestruck and I just stood there looking at him for what seemed like a minute until I felt someone poke my arm. I looked and 7amad and smiled as I kissed his chubby cheeks. "Hi 7amad, shlonik?" I smiled.

"Zain." He said shyly, revealing his smile.

Ma salamt 3ala Bader properly. I just smiled and he returned the smile. His jaw had a strong lining and when he smiled, his eyes lit up. His hair was a chocolate-y brown, his hair was short, but not army-cut short. His eyes were a shocking combination of green and hazel. I had a pint of jealousy and envy because he got them from my grandfather Allah yr7ma.

When we were kids, I never really used to care what color his eyes were or anything. All I cared about at that time was whether he found out that I don't have a water park in my sewer because I used to lie to him all the time.

I remember when I talked to Bader on the phone to make him jealous.

"Ee walla walla 3indy water park bilbaloo3a!" I used to tell him.

"Abi ashoof may9eer!!" He used to say. And when I finally got tired of his nagging, kint aroo7 il 7amam ou aba6il il 7anafiya.

"Bye Bader batza7lag bil water slide maly o akalmik later." Then I hung up and chuckled as I turned off the tap.

I looked at him sitting in front of me now, mayloug he was the kid I used to think was a naive idiot.

"Ha Dalal kubartay!" My uncle said, interrupting my train of thoughts. I just smiled.

"Ee walla Dalal tha3fana mashalla, at'thakar gabel kintay nutella addict." My aunt said.

"Mashkoora." I said.

I snuck a glance at my mother, she eyebrows shot up and she gave me a smirk.

"La bas zain sawaitay 7abeebty. Shlon tha3aftay hal kither?" She asked and I was quiet for a moment.

"Yatlaha fatra she lost weight unhealthily bas la al7een 7imdilla wayyiha 9ar a7san ou she gained weight and she's eating healthy now." My mother answered instead.

I could feel Bader's eyes lingering on me.

Too much information, mama. Too much.

Mika was barking like crazy outside, I excused myself and thanked him for getting me out of this awkward situation. When I sat outside with Mika, my phone rang.

"Aloo?" I answered.

"Hii!" She squealed.

"Reeeem! Intay mitta radaitay? 7mdilla 3ala il salamaaa!" I told her.

She chuckled. "Allah esalmich! Walhanna 3alaich!" She said, her enthusiasm was able to be heard over the receiver.

"Ana akthaar!" I told her. I lost track of time talking to Reem on the phone and 5aloodi came out to tell me that I should go in.

And when I did, I started talking to Jana, she studies in America and claims that she has a 'perfect' life. I added her on bbm before they left.

Jana: Hi!

Me: Heyy

Jana: 9ij you used to be thinner min al7een?

Me: Ee:p

Jana: A7la 3alaich, th3fay zyada ma3alaich minhom lat9ereen chubby again deeray balich. Tara you're not skinny so don't let them put that into your head.

A7. And who is she to tell me whether to gain weight or not?

Me: Ana 3al 7affa a9lan, shway ou a9eer underweight bas mabi.

I wanted to tell her that, but I didn't. Because I'm not even skinny, she said that herself while everyone else is telling me to gain weight.

But deep inside, I did want to be underweight. But I was lying to myself. Jana was getting on my nerves because she was triggering me in ways no one could ever understand.

She was skinny and short, when you see her, the first word that'll come out of your mouth is "beautiful." Her hair was jet black, the almost-navy kind of black. She thinks looks are everything, and she was totally okay with putting others down to make herself feel confident.

I decided to go to bed early that night, but I got a phone call instead.