Rebound Chapter 43: Hope vs Disappoinment

   She was completely disappointed. For a second there she felt like she got her life back. She thought this was it, she can finally get the chance to forgive him. But as she saw the dark set of eyes staring back at her she couldn't stop the ache she felt in her chest.
 
    These eyes were different. It was a new world. A different world. She couldn't read them. She didn't understand them. They were saying something but the only thing she could see was excitement. She instantly dropped her head back down and looked at the floor. She was back to her old self. The one who didn't care about this night. The one that prayed this visit will end shortly.

   "ilsalam 3laikum" Razan's tone of voice was low and soft. "w 3laikum ilsalam" She heard a woman's voice that sounded so sweet, so kind but she didn't want to look up to put a face to the voice. Not knowing was better. She kissed three women on the cheek as she was introduced to them by her mother, all the while not looking at there faces. The first seemed like a young girl and she was right, it was his younger sister. The second women was his mother. When she spoke she knew she was the one with the peaceful voice that stood out. The third women was his aunt. His aunt didn't speak much. She felt an evil vibe radiating from her. The only word she got from his aunt was 'salam'.
 
   Razan woke across the living room to where he was sitting. She felt him standing up and he was tall, very tall while she was petite. He held his hand out for her "Salam". His voice very deep, very thick, very manly. She wondered how loud it would be if he got mad and shouted. It probably would very loud and scary. "W 3laikm ilsalam" she shook his hand.
 
   They didn't fit together. Their hands didn't belong together. His was big, his fingers were very long. Her hand was small and very feminine, very soft. They weren't made for each other. "Razan shlonech?" Suddenly she realized she didn't know his name. She was about to panic. How could she not know his name. This was too embarrassing. "7mdila b5air, inta shlonek?"
 
   Razan could hear admiration in his voice. She looked up for a second and she was right. His eyes were sparkling. "Walla tamam 7mdila". She went and sat between her mother and her aunt. The whole time she wasn't speaking, she wasn't engaging with them in their conversations. After all, she wasn't interested why should she make an effort and give him hope.

   30 minutes later her mother told her to sit in the other living room with 'him' to get to know each other a bit. "7bebti Razan, gomay ma3a M7med il9ala ilthanya e5thaw ra7tkum shay..." Thank god! esma M7med!! ma b'3aw ygolon esma 3shan ma atfashaal! "Inshala mama.. tfthal" She showed him the way as he stood up and followed her. Their conversation was like any other formal conversation you would have with someone you're getting to know.

M7med: Shlonech?
Razan: 7mdila tamam intay shlonek?
M7med: Ana b5air damch eb 5air....
Razan:....
M7med: Galole inch laima al7en tadrsen.
Razan: Ee inshala bugaly sna w a5araj
M7med: allah ywafgech inshaala.. bs magltay wain tadrsen?
Razan: Adrs eb Amreeka
M7med: Ahhaa walla its a lovely country to be studying in akeed your enjoying it there.
Razan: Eee 7mdila wayd mrta7a

   And that's how their conversation went. He told her he worked for a large marketing company and that he was 27 years old. He was indirectly promised to be promoted to vice chairman on the company. Everything about him was interesting. Everything was great but he isn't 'the one'. Razan couldn't feel any sparks although she was certain he felt like there was chemistry. M7med couldn't stop smiling the whole time. Whereas she didn't show any feelings or any interest. She wasn't trying to be rude but she just really didn't want to go through with this.
 
   After what seemed like ages, they excused themselves saying it was a pleasure to have met them and all the other formalities. They said the usual, they would call soon with good news hopefully. They hope everything turns out well.
 
   Razan, her mom and aunt went back into the living room again. Razan kicked of her heals and poured herself some tea to ease her nerves. "Walla chnhum 5osh nas, wla shraych Razan." Her aunt was trying to know if Razan was excited as much as they all were. "Hmm... Mmmm ya" She wanted to say no to him right then and there but she decided to stay patient. She would reject him once they call back, if they call back.
 
   After about 20 minutes she excused herself to go to her bedroom. "Yalla t9b7on 3la 5air ana ray7a anam al7en ta3bana." She stood up and went kiss her mother and aunt good night "wntay mn ahla 7bebti good night." Razan was bending down to grab her heals when something caught her aunts eye.
 
   "Razan mashala 5atmech ehabel, mn wain??" That question was not expected. She forgot she was wearing the ring. She forgot to take it off. "Aahh mashkoora 5alty, hatha Aseel yabtlya as a birthday present mn cartier." For the first time ever, she managed to pull off a lie like that. "3laich eb alf 3afya mashala sh7lata 3laich! inshala enshofch labsa 5aatm mlchtech soon ya rab!"
 
   Razan looked down at the ring remembering that night again. She remembered the full moon and the yacht. "Allah y3afech, yalla t9b7on 3la 5air." She made her way up the stairs as she dialed Aseels number but she didn't pick up. She dialled one more time but again she didn't pick up. She threw her phone on her bad just as she entered her room, dropped her heals on the floor, grabbed her towel and headed to the bathroom for a quicky shower before jumping into bed.
 
   She did her usual shower routine. Turned on the hot water allowing the bathroom to be filled with steam. She lathered her hair as the smell of her shampoo filled up the entire place. She gently scrubbed her body clean then turned off the tap. She stepped out of the shower and dried herself off.

   After changing into her nighty, brushed her hair, applied her body cream on her arms and legs, applied her face cream she was ready for bed. She heard her phone vibrating so she rushed to pick it up. "Hii Aseel!" The other end was quiet. "Allooo shfeech?"
 
   Still no answer. She looked at the screen to make sure it wasn't disconnected, it was still connected. "Umm Hii..." Razan was surprised. She looked at the screen again, that wasn't Aseel's number. "Your not Aseel..."