Chapter Twelve: The Red Dress
1240 Words
Hanaa took Tehani to the most famous mall in Cairo, where Tehani was amazed by the mall's vastness and the number of shops. They went to one of the popular cafes and enjoyed heavy Turkish coffee, which refreshed their bodies and made them energetic enough to visit all the shops.
Tehani had such a good time with Hanaa that she forgot her worries and felt happiness and optimism about life again.
They saw a*****e displaying beautiful evening dresses, and Hanaa suggested that Tehani buy a new dress to help change her mood. Tehani happily agreed to her suggestion. She entered the store and wandered among the dresses, sifting through and choosing until she noticed a red dress calling to her. She admired its red color and details that suited her body shape. It was long, fitted, strapless, and open above the knee on one side.
Tehani left the store feeling happy and excited to try on the dress when she returned to her apartment. She thought of completing her look by buying shoes that matched the dress, so she entered one of the stores and chose a shiny black high-heeled shoe from one of the famous brands.
At midnight, Tehani and Hanaa arrived at the building. Tehani got out of the car, carrying her belongings with her spirits high because of her new purchases. In front of her apartment, Hanaa bid her farewell and wished her a good night. Tehani entered her apartment eagerly, closed the door behind her, threw her things on her bed, went to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and ran to her bedroom. She stood in front of the mirror, dried her hair with a hairdryer, and styled it in a chic way that suited her short hair. She took her makeup kit and began applying it, using eyeliner and mascara on her eyes, rosy powder on her cheeks, and lipstick on her lips. She added a shiny layer to her lips, and after finishing, she wore her red dress and high-heeled shoes. She returned to the mirror to see her final look and began adjusting the dress on her body with her hands. She turned and admired her beauty and elegance in the dress.
Tehani: "Wow, the color of the red dress enhances my fair skin, and its cut suits my body curves very well. Oh, this dress looks amazing on me!"
In her admiration, she blew a quick kiss to her reflection in the mirror.
Tehani: "Mwah, look at you, 'Tooto'!"
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Hanaa's Reflection:
Hanaa entered her apartment feeling happy that she could make Tehani happy and get closer to her. Soon, she would break down the barriers and get to know her better.
She heard the television loud, pleased that her children were up late, so she headed to the living room to tell them how happy Tehani had been when they went to the mall. When she entered, she found them sitting on the couch watching a movie, looking gloomy. She saw her aunt Badria coming out of her bedroom, and her heart sank. She understood the reason for her children's gloom, and she feared what would happen if Badria found out she had gone out with Tehani. She didn't have the strength to argue late at night, especially since she was tired from walking around the mall and wanted to go to her room to rest and sleep peacefully.
Badria greeted her with a frown, as was her nature.
Badria: "Welcome to your apartment. Didn't you say you had no work? So where have you been?!"
Hanaa - awkwardly: "I went to finish some papers for a tourist..."
Badria rudely interrupted her.
Badria: "Forget it. Come on, kids, go to bed!"
Ahmed stood up, astonished at her reaction, muttering to himself in a low voice.
Ahmed: "It's unbelievable; she treats me like I'm a baby in kindergarten, even though I've become a doctor!"
Ahmed got frustrated with Badria's control and decided that the time for resistance had come. He raised his voice to show her his strength.
Ahmed: "Mom, I'm going out. Do you need anything?!"
Badria - angrily: "Where are you going at this hour? Don't you see it's late? Go to your room!"
Amy quietly got up from her spot and went to her room.
Ahmed - defiantly: "I made plans with my friends to meet them downstairs!"
Badria - forcefully: "Who are these friends of yours who want to meet you this late?!"
Ahmed: "So what? I'm not a kid for you to tell me to sleep early!"
Hanaa feared for her aunt's reaction towards her son if the conversation escalated into a problem, so she intervened and interrupted their discussion.
Hanaa: "Okay, Ahmed, go out and see your friends, but don’t stay out too late!"
Badria - with disdain: "Yes, spoil him, and you will see the consequences of your pampering!"
Ahmed - sarcastically: "You should take care of your son, Nizar!"
Ahmed left the apartment before hearing her response.
Badria: "What does your son mean? That my son doesn't listen? My son was raised well, and he doesn't need guidance like your son!"
Hanaa - briefly: "My son is studying medicine and will be a doctor soon, God willing!"
Badria fell silent after Hanaa's harsh reply.
Badria - to herself, with bitterness: "... She is taunting me about my son because he is struggling in his studies. It's normal; he is slacking off because he helps me with my accounts and my work. Your son, the doctor, Ahmed, will see!"
Hanaa interrupted Badria's thoughts about harming Ahmed.
Hanaa: "So, Auntie, you said goodbye to us at noon and mentioned that you would come here at the end of the week. What brought you here?"
Badria - in shock: "What? Don’t you want me here?!"
Hanaa - quickly: "No, of course not! You can come to us at any time. Oh, I’m sorry, I meant you 'can' come at any time!"
Badria understood what Hanaa meant, but for her own sake, she managed to keep her cool and continued talking to her calmly.
Badria: "Then why the strange question you asked?!"
Hanaa: "I just wanted to make sure that if something bad happened to you, it wouldn't stop you from going home!"
Badria: "God forbid, I went home, but I found no one, so I felt a harsh loneliness and returned to your apartment to spend time with you!"
Hanaa - to herself: "... She means she can’t find anyone else to bother in their lives. It’s better for me to leave her and go to sleep and let this night pass without any trouble!"
Hanaa took her bag and keys from the table.
Hanaa: "Okay, Auntie, I’m going to sleep; I’m tired from work. Feel free to rest, too!"
Badria - sarcastically: "And from where will sleep come to me while your son is still out? You’ve already forgotten about your son, and it doesn't matter to you whether he returns or not. I will wait for him here until he returns safely and learn from him whom he met. What if he is out late with that lucky girl?"
Hanaa - surprised: "Who do you mean by 'that lucky girl'? Did Ahmed tell you who he likes?!"
Badria - angrily: "Like? I meant the unmarried girl who lives across from you named Tehani!"
Hanaa - annoyed: "Auntie, I’m going to sleep. Goodnight!"
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- Writer
