Diamonds; Part 2

Alya

Tuesday, 5:00 pm

“How was last night?” Alya’s mother asked.

“It was good,” Alya replied, “Where’s Hind?”

“Upstairs. She’s about to go out with Shamma,” Said her mother

Mayed walked into the kitchen, “Halla ume.” He kissed his mother’s forehead. “Oh Alya, I almost didn’t see you there!” He smirked.

“Funny.” Alya said shooting him a glare.

He’d always find a way to make fun of Alya’s height.

“Alya why don’t you go out with your sister and cousin? You don’t spend enough time with your family.” Her mother said annoyed. She would constantly bring up how Alya would rather stay alone than make plans with any member of the family.

“Or how about you take a break from spending too much time with Hind and we could go out for dinner later?,” Mayed said, trying to save Alya from the lecture she’s about to receive.

“Let me guess, all your friends are out of the country?” Alya replied grinning.

“Kinda. You’re the one who decided to come back during summer vacation so you kind of owe me.” Mayed replied a little annoyed.

Alya giggled, “Fine, sushi?”.

Mayed nodded.

Abdulla

Abdulla was cruising around the roads of Jumeirah, trying to get his mind of his very sick grandmother.  He has recently hung up on Maha, his ‘girlfriend’', or she thought she was.  Even Maha, with her seductive voice and words could not get Abdulla out of his misery. He has tried to distract himself in multiple ways but something eventually would remind him of his grandmother.

Abdulla’s train of thoughts ended when his phone rang and the caller ID read Sultan.

“Hello?,” Abdulla answered.

“May I know why you left our grandmother all alone in the hospital today?” Sultan said, obviously very pissed.

“Wa 3laikm elsalam.” Abdulla replied to his older brother coldly.

“Didn’t we agree you’d wait until I arrived?”, Sultan said ignoring Abdulla’s cold answer.

Abdulla was silent.

Not because he had no answer, but because he respected his older brother too much to give back an excuse.

“You need to come soon. The doctor wants to speak to us.” Sultan said, calmly this time, “and I don’t think this is good news.”

Before Abdulla could say anything, Sultan has already hung up. He turned his car around and headed to the hospital.

“What do you mean there’s nothing you can do?” Abdulla said angrily. “You’ll just leave her there?” his voice was getting louder and people were turning. 

“Calm down,” Sultan said, “Go on.” He faced the doctor.

The doctor started, “What I mean is, there isn’t anything to do here, her health is getting weaker and the prescribed medicines and drugs have stopped taking effect on her health because of her old age. The only way your grandmother would get better is to undergo a surgery. But that would not guarantee a very good result.” He went silent for a moment.

“Which means…?” Abdulla was running out of patience.

“Look, she is a woman in her late ages, this kind of surgery would either save her or not.” The doctor said very calmly, while trying to choose his words carefully.

A moment of silence passed by.

“What are the chances of this surgery not working?” Sultan finally said breaking the silence.

“Again, the result of the surgery is indeterminate.” The doctor said.

“Take her to surgery.” Abdulla said sternly.

“What?” Sultan said facing Abdulla, “We can’t make this decision now, not without everyone else.”

Abdulla could not take it anymore, he could not stand watching his grandmother just sit there while everyone just stared, “She’s been laying there for months now.” He said furiously, “And nothing has worked for her, she needs help. Her only chance is this surgery so she must have it.”

“But we cannot just make this decision for ourselves Abdulla,” Sultan began, “I understand you’re hurt, we are too. This must be discussed with everyone else.” He turned to the doctor. “Thank you, but we can’t give you an answer right now.”

The doctor nodded and turned to walk away.

“WHAT?” Abdulla said raising his voice, “Our grandmother is in there on the verge of death and you can’t make a decision to help her NOW?”

“I told you we must talk about this first, with everyone else.” Sultan said calmly, understanding why Abdulla was angry. 

“Then let’s go.” Abdulla ordered. “NOW.”

He turned around to head to his car and drive back home while Sultan stared at his brother’s back.

He could understand Abdulla’s hurt feelings as she was also his grandmother, but Sultan being the oldest and the wisest, knew deep down that nothing could save her now. No medicines or surgeries. Only faithful prayers.

Alya

On their car ride back home, after five plates of sushi each, Alya looked around her now dark city and realized how much she has missed Dubai, and how much she has missed her whole family. Back in London, it was very depressing as it was just her studying alone. Her parents were very understanding people and took Alya’s choice to study abroad seriously for it was what she wanted, and being the open minded parents they were, they understood how it was Alya’s future and how it was not in their place to make her decisions for her.

“I want to come back home.” Alya announced.

Mayed looked at her confused, “You are home.”

“No,” She turned to look at him, “I mean I want to stay here and complete my studies. I miss everything about home, and I’m not very excited to go back to boring London.”

“I know you’re just saying that because you miss your older brother the most.” Mayed said with his boosted ego.

Alya could not help but laugh at him.

“You know,” Mayed said,” It’s not like they’ll stop you, like they said when you wanted to study abroad; it’s your future so you make your own choices.”

The only person who was against having Alya to study abroad was Mayed. Having his younger sister be all alone in the streets of London worried him, especially because most khaleeji men studied there. But his words and opinion were nothing next to his father’s; who’s words stand. 

Alya stayed silent and looked out her window; she would talk to her father about this tomorrow.