Bitter Almonds (19 page)

Everyone pitched in except Shareef and Sameera. Shareef made a fuss when he learned of the room switch and refused to lend a helping hand, complaining that he should have been given the option to move into his father's room. He stormed out of the house, accusing his mother of favoring Omar over him, her true son.

Sameera watched her husband's outburst from the doorway of her room, her arms folded on her chest. Leaning to one side on the doorjamb, she shook one leg, exposing her nervousness. The movements made her hips jiggle while she stood, as if she were dancing.

‘I bet this was your idea.' Nadia advanced on Sameera. ‘You're the one who put that nonsense in Shareef's head. He never talked to Mama this way before.'

Sameera backed into her room. ‘You're wrong. Shareef has felt like an outsider for a long while.' She raised her hand and pointed in the distance behind Nadia's back. ‘You all ignore him, talk about Omar day and night.' Moving her head from side to side, she raised her voice. ‘Omar needs this. Omar needs that. Poor Omar. What can Omar eat? How will Omar bathe? When will Omar go back to work? Omar. Omar. Omar.' She crossed her arms. ‘Well, what about Shareef, huh? What about the real man of this family?'

Dumbfounded by Sameera's verbal attack, Nadia didn't realize Huda had followed her into the room and closed the door. When Huda spoke, Nadia jumped in surprise to her ice-chilled tone.

‘You will lower your stupid voice.' Huda took deliberate steps toward Sameera, her stance menacing and dangerous. ‘I will not have Mama hear one drop of your poison.'

Sameera stumbled backward and sat on her bed.

‘Answer one question for me.' Huda bent down, forcing Sameera to lean back. ‘Who's paying the rent here, where you and your husband live in comfort?'

Wide-eyed Sameera opened her mouth, seemed to change her mind and closed it again.

‘Omar is paying for the roof over your head. Even from his hospital bed, he made sure we all have a home.'

‘Shareef studies and works all the time.' Sameera's voice shook. ‘He does his share.'

‘If Omar didn't provide for the family, Shareef wouldn't have been able to go on with his studies, don't you understand that? Shareef would have had to work full time and kiss his university degree goodbye.'

‘None of you give my husband the respect he deserves.'

‘Respect?' Huda laughed out the word. She brought her face closer, pushing Sameera further back until she braced herself on her elbows. ‘If it weren't for Omar, you wouldn't be the
respectable
married woman that you are now. Shareef would have been dead. One or all your brothers would have ended in prison.' She jabbed Sameera's shoulder. ‘So you thank God for Omar. You thank Omar for interfering on your behalf and taking pity on you, and you thank Mama for accepting you into this family.'

Huda straightened, keeping her intimidating stare on Sameera's yellow face. ‘Respect is earned,
girl
. Next time you use your charms on your husband, remind him of those facts. Remind him that the man of the family is the one who
takes care
of his family, not burdens them with his selfish whims.'

Squaring her shoulders, Huda nodded once. ‘Tonight, you will have Shareef kneel at Mama's feet. Show her how sorry he is for what he said.' She snatched Sameera's hand and tugged her off the bed. ‘And you will apologize to Mama right now.'

The following day, Huda, Nadia and Marwan helped Omar ease into the back seat of Marwan's car. Almost reclined, Omar left little room for Nadia to squeeze in next to him, Huda taking the passenger seat.

Omar tried to keep his legs from bumping into Nadia's. ‘Will Fatimah meet us at home?'

‘She can't.' Huda turned to raise her eyebrows at him. ‘I thought Mama explained Fatimah's condition to you.'

Omar scowled. ‘Waleed told me she was getting better.'

Nadia placed a hand on his bare forearm. He tried not to sigh. There she went again, absentmindedly touching him. She had done it many times in the past few weeks, sometimes without obvious cause or reason.

‘Fatimah can't climb the stairs.' Nadia's soft palm ran down his skin to the back of his hand. ‘She
is
better.' Her delicate fingers entwined with his. ‘She moves about her apartment now.'

Omar shifted his weight to his other side, allowing Nadia's hand to slip away. Did she not realize how flirtatious her touch was? When would this girl grow up? Open her eyes? View him as the man he was? She never touched Shareef in the same manner. He had been paying attention, keeping track when they visited. What was going on with her?

‘I want to see Fatimah.' He cleared his throat. ‘Can we stop at her place? Before we head home?'

Nadia scooted forward, put her hand on Marwan's shoulder. ‘That would be a great surprise for Fatimah. Can we?'

Omar caught Marwan's eyes in the rearview mirror, checking with him. Damnation. Marwan had the same thought, apologizing for Nadia's carelessness.

‘If we make it a quick visit,' Huda said, unaware of the dynamics around her. ‘Mama will understand. I will call her from Fatimah's place.'

Nadia sat back, put her reckless hand on Omar's thigh. ‘Can you make it up the stairs?'

Omar nodded. He didn't trust his voice. Huda. He must have a word with Huda to explain the world of men to Nadia. But what did Huda know of men? Not much. Fatimah. She would be the perfect teacher for clueless Nadia. If he could articulate his concern to his sister without revealing his true feelings, and without coming across as a control freak like Shareef.

Draping one arm over Marwan's shoulders, Omar held the railing with his other hand. They took their time climbing the stairs to Fatimah's apartment. The girls went ahead.

‘Don't get the wrong idea.' Marwan halted his steps, giving Omar time to catch his breath. ‘About me and your sister.'

‘Nadia is not my sister,' Omar stressed, compelled to make that clear. He nudged Marwan forward, trying to end this conversation.

‘Well, yeah. You know what I mean.' Marwan moved with caution. ‘Nadia is very innocent. She . . . she has become used to me, I guess. I don't encourage her. I want you to know that.'

This was his chance. Omar could order Marwan to stay away from Nadia, faking the reaction of a jealous, hotheaded, ignorant, so-called brother. But therein lay Omar's problem. He was an honest man; his friend would see through his charade. And then Marwan would start to wonder, ask questions Omar wasn't ready to answer. By speaking up the way he just did, Marwan showed a solid character. How could he bring himself to deceive him?

Almost reaching the door, Omar stopped. He removed his arm from Marwan's shoulders and leaned his backside against the railing for balance. Taking a deep breath, he brought his body to its full height and endured a pang in his chest. ‘Your intentions?'

‘Honorable, of course.' Marwan didn't hesitate. ‘I know this isn't the right time. But I am ready to propose.'

Omar gave a quick nod, meaning to be reassuring, but his head jerked to expose his nervousness. He must find out if Nadia's girlish infatuation had taken a deeper turn. ‘And Nadia? What does she have to say?'

Hesitation seeped into Marwan's eyes. ‘I wouldn't talk to her about it without your permission, my friend.'

That summed up Marwan's character in Omar's mind. Traditional to the core, dependable to the tooth, chivalrous to the extreme. How could he deprive Nadia of an opportunity to be pursued by this good man? Omar shook his leg, trying to ease a cramp. His muscles tensed with apprehension. Fear. He had lost his parents, his homeland, his health, his friends, and his pride. God help him, was he to lose Nadia too?

Marwan wrapped a hand around his arm. ‘You need to sit down?'

He studied Marwan's trusting face. God may not be that angry with him, to grant him such a loyal friend. A moral man like Marwan could be kept away from Nadia. He waited for Omar's permission? Not in his most daring dreams.

Pressing a hand to his chest, Omar pushed off the railing. ‘Keep it to yourself for now. It isn't time to think about this yet.'

The disappointment that poured out of Marwan's eyes added weight to the hook prodding in Omar's chest. What kind of man was he? To keep his friend in torment, his Nadia from knowing she was loved by a decent man? What evil lay inside this cursed heart of his?

The front door opened. Fatimah's body filled the opening. She called out to Omar, her voice enveloping him with its familiar serenity and affection. He didn't know how he managed the few steps that separated him from Fatimah, but the instant he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her huge body and didn't want to let go. Fatimah loved him with unconditional, unwavering love. Did he deserve it?

The reunion unfolded by varying degrees. Fatimah's fragile state allowed Omar to keep her on her feet for a brief time, enough for him to recharge his emotional battery. They sat side by side on the sofa, holding hands and ignoring everyone else. Huda conversed with Um Waleed; Nadia and Marwan took opposite chairs.

Fatimah locked apologetic eyes to his. ‘I wanted to come see you at the hospital, but they wouldn't let me.'

‘Even if you could have, I would rather you didn't set foot in that hospital.'

‘Nadia kept me informed of all the details. Are you in pain now?'

Pain? He had forgotten about pain. ‘I'm fine.' He nodded toward Huda. ‘Are you seeing a doctor?' he whispered.

‘Waleed insisted,' Fatimah whispered back. ‘Don't worry, Huda understands. Her services are still needed, but I plan to deliver in the hospital.'

Omar squeezed her hands. ‘Good.'

‘I want you to be there. For Waleed. He's very scared.'

‘Of course.' He worked his throat with difficulty. Waleed was scared? He was terrified.

Fatimah patted his hand. ‘Don't worry. It will be fine. I know it.' She placed his hand on her belly. ‘God will help me.'

Omar would make sure God didn't have another plan for his sister. What did it take? A seasoned doctor in the delivery room? No problem. More than one? He would manage that, no matter the cost. He would stop at nothing. He snatched his hand away. ‘Wow!'

Fatimah beamed with a wide smile. ‘You felt that? Baby is letting you know he loves his uncle.'

‘He?'

‘The way her belly is low, and looks like she swallowed a soccer ball, means she is carrying a boy.' Um Waleed nodded with authority. ‘If it's flat at the top like a shelf, then it's a girl.'

Omar caught Huda rolling her eyes. ‘Of course.'

Um Waleed shook a finger in Huda's face. ‘Mark my word. It's a boy. I told Waleed to buy a ram and get ready.'

Fatimah tensed. ‘There's no need.'

‘Of course there is.' Um Waleed's voice vibrated. ‘I will not have my first grandson join this world without one.'

Confused, Omar swung his head to Marwan asking for help.

‘The
aqeeqa
,' Marwan clarified.

‘It's good to follow traditions.' Omar couldn't help but side with Um Waleed. ‘Slaughtering a lamb and distributing its meat to the needy honors the baby.'

Um Waleed waved in Omar's direction. ‘See? Even your brother agrees with me.'

Fatimah pulled on Omar's hand, showing her irritation. ‘Like Omar said. It's a social tradition, not a religious obligation. Uncle Mustafa didn't do it for any of the girls.'

Omar shook his head. ‘Uncle Mustafa couldn't afford it.'

‘
Aqeeqa
is usually offered when the baby is a boy.' Marwan averted his eyes to the floor. ‘My uncle did it for both his sons and daughter.'

Um Waleed put a hand on her waist and tilted her hips. ‘Even if it is a girl, I want Waleed to distribute
aqeeqa
in her name. What do you want the neighbors to say about us?'

Fatimah glared at her mother-in-law. ‘They will say we are smart not to go into debt over an ancient tradition.' She turned to Omar. ‘Waleed will be upset to know he missed you. Can't you stay until he comes home from work? Can't we eat together? Stuffed zucchini, one of your favorites.'

Omar picked up on her desire to change the subject. ‘Don't worry about this now.' He willed himself to his feet. ‘Mama Subhia is waiting on us.'

Fatimah's hand still in his, he tried to pull her with him, but the effort hurt his ribs. He winced despite himself. Nadia came to his aid and helped Fatimah off the sofa. Fatimah wobbled in her spot and tugged on Omar's hand, causing him to bend forward. Sharp pain traveled down to his abdomen. Gritting his teeth, he doubled over and his head landed on Nadia's shoulder.

Nadia shot her arm to his back to steady him. ‘What's wrong?'

A groan escaped Omar's throat when the pain spread to his hips. Pressing both arms to his midsection, he twisted away and almost fell to his knees.

‘What's happening to him?' Fatimah's voice shrieked with panic.

Marwan pushed past her and Nadia, slipped his strong hands under Omar's arms and eased him back onto the sofa.

Omar lay flat on his back, buried his face in his arms and held his breath. Clenching his jaw shut, he suppressed a nasty curse begging to give him false relief.

‘Tell me. What can I do?' Marwan's tone was business-like and confident.

Omar dropped his arms and breathed. ‘Get them out of here.'

‘I'm staying.' Fatimah tried to insert a pillow under his head. ‘I want to help.'

Nadia wiped his brow with her hand. ‘Me too.'

He opened his eyes to Nadia's petrified face. ‘Leave,' he yelled, his control gone.

Huda pulled Fatimah away. ‘Marwan knows what to do. Come.' She looked over her shoulder. ‘Nadia, you too.'

Nadia shook her head, generous tears flowing. ‘No,' she mouthed, her voice absent.