Bitter Almonds (17 page)

‘Abu Wisam.'

Marwan winked. ‘What's your favorite brand of cigarettes, Abu Wisam?'

‘Me? I don't smoke. But everyone seems to prefer Marlboro.'

‘See you tomorrow.'

As soon as Marwan got in the car, he placed a hand on Shareef's shoulder. ‘Best not to give the women details about Omar's condition. Waleed either. He has enough to worry about with his wife.'

Shareef jerked his shoulder away. ‘I didn't expect it to be this bad.'

‘No need to get them worried when they can't come see him. Injured and recovering well should be enough.'

Shareef nodded. He tapped a new cigarette box with his index finger until a cigarette separated out. ‘Were you serious? Will you come here every day?'

‘I run my own business. I can close the store whenever I want.'

‘But why would you do that? Having to see Omar that way. He won't know you're here.'

‘I want to make sure he's well taken care of. I don't want him to have the same fate as my cousin.'

‘I don't understand the need.' Shareef shrugged his shoulders. ‘Your cousin died in the field. Not on a hospital bed.'

Marwan gave Shareef a thorough once-over. He started the car and took off. ‘Don't think too much of it. You will never understand.'

*   *   *

Rihab knocked on Marwan's bedroom door Friday morning. He closed the book in his hands and set it on his nightstand before he called for her to come in.

‘Get dressed. You have visitors.'

He swung his legs to the floor. ‘Who?'

She closed the door behind her. ‘Huda and Nadia.'

He sprang to his feet. ‘What? Here?'

‘In our courtyard.'

He thumbed his chest. ‘They want to talk to me?'

Rihab nodded. ‘I told them you were asleep to buy you some time.' She put her hand on the door handle. ‘Get ready and join us by the fountain for coffee.'

Marwan hurried to his closet, changed his pajamas, and ran a comb through his hair. He checked his reflection in the mirror, tucked his shirt down his pants one more time, tightened his belt, took a deep breath, and left his room.

He walked out to the courtyard at the center of the house and stopped short. Nadia sat by herself on the edge of the fountain, her hand making circles in the water.

She stood as soon as she saw him. ‘Good morning.' Water dripped from her hand.

‘Morning.' He cleared his throat. ‘You're by yourself?'

Nadia shook her head. ‘That question again?'

He winced, wishing he could take it back.

She wiped her hand on her black skirt. ‘Rihab and Huda are in the kitchen making coffee.'

He strode to a table and chairs under the orange tree, lifted one chair and brought it over to the fountain. ‘Please, have a seat.'

She stayed rooted in her spot, her eyes fixed on his. ‘My condolences about your cousin.'

‘At least we know what happened to him. Some families are still looking for their loved ones.'

‘Huda told me he had a young wife. Children?'

‘One-year-old boy.' Marwan motioned with his hand to the chair.

She approached, getting the hint he wanted to close the subject. ‘I've never been inside a traditional house before. This inner courtyard is amazing, and the fountain is very . . . serene.' She took the chair and crossed her legs. ‘You're very lucky.'

Marwan brought two more chairs, but remained standing. ‘My great grandfather built the house in 1870.'

‘Are the walls all marble?'

‘That's why it's cool here in the summer, even in the middle of the day. Trees provide ample shade too.' He held the back of one chair. ‘My grandfather had to improve on the kitchen and add electricity, but other than that it's still the same. I can show you around if you like.'

Nadia fiddled with the top button of her white shirt. ‘Mind if I ask how many rooms?'

‘Twelve.' He pointed to the doors behind her. ‘The ceiling in the winter hall is carved from walnut wood and has the original inlaid pearl shells.'

She twisted in her seat to look back. ‘And the window panels? Original colored glass mosaics?'

‘Those on the right are replicas. There was an accident when I was a boy.'

‘An accident with a soccer ball, as I remember.' Rihab approached with a coffee tray in her hands, Huda by her side.

Marwan greeted Huda, got another chair, and positioned it opposite to Nadia.

Huda pushed up her long sleeves. ‘I'll get straight to the point.'

Having come across Huda many times during her years of friendship with his sister, Marwan was used to her blunt attitude. He waited for her to say what was on her mind.

‘Tell me everything you know about Omar's condition, please. I know Shareef is holding back and I want to know the details. We need to prepare our mother and Fatimah for what's coming.'

Marwan watched Nadia, her face losing its color. He cleared his throat.

‘Don't worry, Nadia can handle it,' Huda said matter-of-factly.

Throughout the week, Marwan had been helping the nurse tend to Omar's wounds every evening, and though the nurse insisted Omar was sedated, sometimes his screams filled the room. No way would he give details.

‘How bad is it?' Huda pressed.

He took the coffee cup Rihab offered, thinking about putting Huda off her questioning, ignoring her sister's delicate nature. ‘Omar is getting better,' Marwan assured.

Huda glared at him. ‘That's not what I asked.'

‘I heard you.' Marwan maintained eye contact with her. ‘And I answered you. He is recovering well.'

Nadia placed her cup on its saucer on the edge of the fountain. ‘I want to see for myself.' She turned to Marwan. ‘Will you take me with you tomorrow?'

He shook his head. ‘Can't.'

She tilted her head to one side, spilling her ponytail over her shoulder. ‘Please? Just once?'

‘It's a military hospital. They won't let you in.'

‘But they allowed you, right? And you are not even a relative.'

‘I'm a registered volunteer. Military hospitals don't let women in.' Marwan was pleased with the excuse he came up with.

‘That's not true.' Huda spoiled his brief satisfaction. ‘Sameera's mother visited her son, Ahmad, in the military hospital.'

Marwan had to think fast. ‘It's different in Quneitra. It's a tiny hospital behind front lines, different than the main hospital in Damascus. They have their own regulations according to security needs.' He addressed Nadia. ‘They might transfer Omar here after his last surgery. Shrapnel pieces,' he caught himself. No need to tell them the surgery was near his heart. ‘Omar is well taken care of. I'm making sure of that.'

Nadia leaned forward, a hopeful expression on her face. ‘Will you stop every day at our house after you have seen him to tell us how he's doing?' She glanced at her sister. ‘Mama is very worried.'

Huda nodded. ‘It will ease her mind.'

Marwan rubbed his chin. It sounded like a good idea, but how would Shareef see it? He held Nadia's gaze, hoping she would understand the reason behind his hesitation. ‘It's late by the time I get back. Not a decent time for a man to make a visit.'

‘I'll go with you.' Rihab hid a smile behind her coffee cup. The amusement in her voice didn't escape her brother. ‘I would love the chance to visit with everyone.'

Huda set her cup down. ‘It's settled then. We'll see you tomorrow. What time?'

Marwan left his chair. ‘It won't be before nine, I'm afraid.'

‘Sounds good. Time to go home, Nadia.'

‘Absolutely not.' Rihab sprang to her feet. ‘We will have breakfast together. Marwan, did I hear you promise to show Nadia around the house?'

 

23

Thirty minutes had passed since visiting hours started at the military hospital in Damascus, and Marwan still hadn't arrived. Nadia stood on the balcony, looking up and down the street for his car. He was supposed to take them to see Omar for the first time since his transfer out of Quneitra.

She went inside and grabbed her mother's hand. ‘Let's go. We can take a taxi.'

Mama pushed off the sofa. ‘Sameera, stay with the little ones.' She adjusted the white scarf draped over her shoulders. ‘When and if Marwan shows up, tell him we couldn't wait any longer.'

‘But I want to see Omar.' Sameera's whiny tone sounded no different than the younger girls, only more annoying.

Her nerves frail, Nadia snapped. ‘Did your husband give you permission to go with us before he left for work?'

‘That is none of your business,' Sameera bit back.

Mama placed one hand on her belly, slapped the other hand over it and exhaled. ‘Well, did he?'

Sameera shook her head. ‘I didn't ask him.'

‘I would stay put if I were you,' Mama said, her voice dry. ‘You know how my son gets when you don't tell him beforehand where you are going.' She headed to the door. ‘I'm not in the mood to resolve another fight.'

A car horn sounded from the street. Nadia dashed to the balcony and came back. ‘Marwan is here. Let's go.'

Marwan apologized. ‘I had to take care of an urgent situation at the store.'

Mama didn't waste time. She took the passenger seat. ‘Hurry, please.'

He turned the ignition. ‘Where's Huda?'

‘Work.' Nadia slipped into the back seat. She stared out the window, her thoughts drowning Marwan's small talk. Her hands hurt from baking thyme and olive oil pies all day with her mother. Flexing her fingers, she tried to hide her apprehension.

Marwan lied. Every evening, he sat in their living room with his sister and lied about Omar's status, hiding critical details. Everyone knew it, except her mother. For her benefit they participated in the charade and didn't press Marwan to say more. Nadia observed Marwan's face in the rearview mirror. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep his dark eyes from exposing the truth. Omar was in bad shape.

Shareef lied too. He lied about visiting Omar on Fridays. Nadia drew it out of Marwan one evening. Marwan thought Shareef visited Omar on his days off. But Shareef spent his weekends with Sameera's family. Shareef lied to his mother, his wife, his sisters, and to Marwan.

Nadia sighed. Did all men lie? Omar never lied to her, did he?

Omar was her rock. Everyone's rock. He must get better soon, come home. Things needed to fall into place, to where Mama didn't cry every night, to when life was tolerable, hopeful. Omar would know how to make Huda back off from nagging her about nursing school. Fatimah would smile again and look forward to having her baby. He would stop Shareef from acting like a tyrant with Sameera.

Marwan would have more reasons to come visit.

Nadia snapped out of her reverie when Mama slapped her hands on her lap. ‘Oh, Nadia. We forgot the thyme pies for Omar.'

Marwan shook his head. ‘He won't be able to eat them anyway.'

‘Why not?'

‘He's on a special diet. A liquid diet.'

Nadia closed her eyes. What else had Marwan shielded them from? What shape would she find Omar in?

Propped up in bed, his back supported by pillows, Omar worried no one would come. He must have misunderstood Marwan, an easy assumption since his brain was muddled with drugs most of the time.

Breaking through a fog, his eyes strained to distinguish details. A nurse stood at the foot of his bed, her white uniform too bright. She held something shiny in her hands.

Dear God! Don't let it be another needle. Omar rubbed his eyes with his right hand. The simple move pierced his body with pain, like a sword shoved between his ribs. He held his breath until it passed, releasing a couple of inventive curses. He gritted teeth. ‘No more pain killers.'

‘You sure?' The nurse waved the needle. ‘Your family is coming today.'

‘Don't want them to see me drool like a baby.'

‘Better than dirty their ears with your curses whenever you move,' the soldier who shared Omar's room said. ‘Take it, brother. You need it.'

‘Don't want it.' As long as he didn't move, he should be fine. ‘Aren't you supposed to meet your wife in the courtyard?'

The soldier wheeled himself out of the room. ‘Suit yourself.'

Missing the simple dignities he once took for granted, Omar sought the nurse. ‘Need your help again.'

The nurse brought a portable urinal and waited by the bed for him to relieve himself.

Omar looked for a small measure of privacy. ‘Could you lower the shutters?'

The nurse fumbled with the window shutters and returned to Omar's side. She shoved the full urinal under the bed and rearranged the covers.

‘Please take it out of here.' Omar worried the stench of urine might linger in the room.

Fast footsteps echoed in the hallway. Marwan and Mama Subhia walked in, Nadia on their heels. Omar didn't have a clear view of Nadia's face, his eyes adjusting to the dimmed light.

The nurse mumbled a quick greeting to Marwan and scurried out of the room, leaving the urinal behind. Omar suppressed a curse.

Opening her arms wide, Mama Subhia hurried over. Marwan raised his hand to stop her. Too late. She threw her plump body into an embrace, wrapping her arms around Omar's neck.

‘
Alhamdullilah
, you are home.' She cried and laughed at the same time.

Omar closed his eyes and bit his tongue to keep from cursing out loud. By the time Marwan managed to pull back Mama Subhia, sweat had drenched him from the burning sensation engulfing his body. He turned his head away, taking quick shallow breaths, a useless attempt to control the pain. What an idiot he had been. Where was that nurse?

‘What's wrong?' Mama Subhia dabbed at her eyes.

‘Give him a minute.' Marwan dragged the only chair in the room closer to the bed and offered it to Mama Subhia. ‘Here, have a seat.'