"Between Roses and Bruises"
1126 Words
Morning came carrying its scent while the girls were having breakfast.
Salima: Girls, who wants me to give her a ride? Hamza lent me the car.
Nour: What happened for him to give it to you?
Nadia: Yeah, really, what happened? Maybe he’s being blackmailed?
Salima: You two always exaggerate. Anyway, get dressed, I’ll drop you off on my way. I’m gonna be late, found a job.
Nour: Sugar mommy, she’s gonna start supporting us.
Salima: Yeah right, keep dreaming.
Nadia: I also found a job. I might be late.
Nour: So I’m the only unemployed one now? Wow.
They all went into their rooms.
Nour: Idiots.
She went to her room to change. They all came out at the same time.
Salima was wearing a white summer dress, Nadia wore grey jeans with a blue top and white Converse, and Nour had on a light yellow djellaba with a white scarf.
Salima: Damn, look at my sweethearts!
Nour: Missed you!
Nadia: This is harassment, personally. The last comment was criminal.
Salima: Anyone says one more word, I swear!
They left the house and hit the road.
The day passed, and Salima finished her hours and headed to her job at a big flower shop. She heard the bell ring, which meant a client walked in. When she turned around, he was standing there while a girl was filming him. The girl looked classy and full of herself, while he tried to act like he wasn’t surprised to see Salima there. She felt like he had played her and faked emotions that didn’t exist.
Salima (thinking): What illusion? You’re the one who fooled yourself.
The girl interrupted her thoughts.
Girl: Je m'excuse.
Salima: Oui?
Girl: La rose rouge est-elle disponible ?
Salima: Oui, il est disponible.
She started putting together a red rose bouquet for her. As she arranged it, another client walked in — a young man around his twenties, clearly from the same social class.
Client 2: First time I see a flower among flowers — and better than all of them.
She smiled lightly, which made the first guy glare at her as if trying to figure her out. She held in her laughter, finished the bouquet, and gave it to the girl.
Salima: Apprécier.
Then she turned to the new client.
Salima: How can I help you?
Client: A flower... that looks like you.
Salima: With pleasure.
She turned to prepare it.
The guy (the "boss"): Ghazlan, I’ll leave her and come.
Ghazlan: Ok bébé, je t’attendrai.
He walked in and grabbed Salima by the hand, pulling her toward him.
Boss: Didn’t know you liked handing out smiles. What do you think this is, “Smiling Despite Disability”?
Salima: Do what you want. And anyway, it’s not your right to interfere.
Boss: Do what I want?
Salima: Can’t you?
He suddenly pulled her head toward him, her mouth meeting his in a forced kiss, one hand behind her head, the other sliding down her thigh. He only let go when her face turned bright red.
Boss: Now finish the show.
He left her frozen in shock until she heard shouting. She ran and found him beating up the other guy brutally.
Boss: Go cry to your mom.
He let him go and walked out while the girl followed him. Two men came in and carried the injured client out. Salima stood there, stunned and speechless.
---
Somewhere else:
He left work and headed to a nearby restaurant. That’s when he saw her — Nour — and overheard her talking about looking for a job but not finding any.
Ber9ou9a: Nour, hey.
She looked up at him because of the height difference.
Nour: I’m fine. And you, Ber9ou9a, right?
Ber9ou9a: Yeah, you remembered. But seriously, what’s your real name?
Nour: What’s your real name?
He stared at her, unsure if he should tell her. This girl had started to play his heartstrings.
Ber9ou9a: Zayn.
Nour: Zayn? What a beautiful name, I like it.
Ber9ou9a: First time someone says my name’s beautiful. Keep calling me that.
Nour: It is beautiful — name suits the face.
Ber9ou9a: Are you flirting with me?
Nour: Who, me? God forbid.
Ber9ou9a: Are you looking for a job?
Nour: Yeah.
Ber9ou9a: Work with me? I need someone to design my clothes and help me out in life — you know, like be there when I need something. You’d also be helping yourself.
Nour: You mean like a servant?
Ber9ou9a: No, not at all. My assistant, my beauty hijab.
Nour: I’ll think about it. Give me time.
Ber9ou9a: I’m all yours, and so is the time.
Nour: End of times, indeed.
Ber9ou9a: You didn’t like it?
Nour: Not really.
---
In another place:
Maallem (the guy): I saw you wearing blue and I slipped.
Nadia: Into a hole, I hope. Why are you always around?
Maallem: Fate is sweet.
Nadia: Go find yourself a girl, please.
Maallem: Impossible. I found you. Now let’s go together. Tell me about yourself.
Nadia: Like what?
Maallem: Whatever comes to mind.
Nadia: You first.
Maallem: My name’s Mounir. I’m 28, own a restaurant near the beach. That’s my job.
Nadia: Nice. I’m Nadia, 22, still studying medicine but looking for a job.
Maallem: A job? Want to work as my secretary?
Nadia (laughing): Since when do restaurants need secretaries?
Maallem: I have a company too.
Nadia: I’ll think and get back to you, Mr. Mounir.
Maallem: First time I know your name’s beautiful.
---
Elsewhere again:
Nour: Alright, bye.
Ber9ou9a: Where are you going?
Nour: I’ve got errands. Can’t waste all day with you.
Ber9ou9a: Let me come with you, beauty.
Nour: You got nowhere to go? Stay outta my way, please.
Ber9ou9a: I swear, don’t walk around Casa alone.
She got up and left, and he followed. She turned around, saw him staring, and he gently grabbed her sleeve. She glared at him, but he motioned that he just touched her clothes. They arrived at a makeup store and went inside.
Ber9ou9a: What do you need here?
Nour: I told you I have errands. I’m a girl, in case you forgot.
Ber9ou9a: Fine, I’ll be quiet.
She started looking around, went to the lipsticks and blushes, trying different shades. She pulled him next to her and gestured for him to hold the sample stick while she held the other side. He tried not to touch her.
Ber9ou9a: What are you doing?
Nour: Chill, I’m not gonna bite.
She tested all the colors on his hand one by one.
Ber9ou9a: Nourrrr, I’m tired! Can’t we sit?
Nour: No, stand still — we’ve got errands!
Ber9ou9a: Babe, I’m done. I’m leaving.
Nour: You’re not going anywhere. Sit and help me finish this together.
- Writer
