They say when the sun lies low and the winds start to blow, its time for love and love-making, but for me, it just keeps me indoors, under covers and out of touch.
Nevertheless, I decided to set out for the sea to the city of love – Alexandria. I set up my gear in my favorite coffee shop which offers a mesmerizing view of the sea.
I ordered my coffee and waited and for a while – there was nothing but coffee blending machines disturbing the silence.
A well-groomed girl walked in and ordered her regular. Shortly after, she was followed by another.
I turned my seat around, and listened on.
“Hi Sally, have you been long? asked Doha
“No Khales I missed you … So … how was your trip?
Puffing, “work was hectic but I did manage a day of shopping. Pausing, she asked for a cup of coffee, and turned towards the sea, as if she was about to converse with the waves, she finally announced.
“You know going to Hong Kong I was so happy I will finally get that LV bag I was dying for, but the funny thing is I never got it.
Eyebrows stretching and contracting her friend’s eyes asked why in silence.
Doha smiled and said, “You know how I spent a lot of time with poor people in the countryside when dad was working up East, that life still has not left me. I mean how can I spend $1000 on a bag when I know with that kind of money a girl can get married in the village?
“How? she shrugged with her shoulders and ordered a coffee.
A group of laughing girls made their way in and shortly a tray full of coffee in all its forms appeared – it seemed everyone was a regular here.
“You guys are crazy, you want Khaled to divorce me? I mean, I know its Boogie’s bachelorrete and everything, but Sharm El Sheikh, no husbands, no kids, you really do want me to be single again?
“Eh ya Peri you don’t want us to relive university days? Jessie asked in surprise
With a clumsy laugh that made you giggle, Peri finally said, “That is exactly why I say you want me to get divorced!
“Guys, guys, enough joking, lets get serious we have five days left and a lot to plan, have you booked the flights? Peri, you can follow up on the cake and shirts, we want to make this a blast, Nadine said with pen and paper in hand.
The conversation drowned in the background as I turned towards the sea again, and ordered a new coffee,
People had started coming in mostly in twos or threes, which is why the man in the corner alone caught my attention.
He certainly did not look like the reading type, with a shirt open three buttons down, Ray Ban glasses over his head, and two phones next to his coffee, I shuffled around to get a closer look.
“Tamer Tamer, my man I was looking for you.. Yes, yes she had the baby, actually, she had two, twins, I am now a father of twins. Can you believe it?
Laughing out loud, he continued: “The house is a nightmare, with my mother-in-law as well, (giggle giggle), ya a’am, so what if she cooks, I certainly taste none of it, I go home when everyone is asleep and leave when they wake up.
“Why don’t you join me? Yes, I am alone, (giggle giggle) khalas, no more my friend, we have to straighten up you know with children, things change, and I want to be a good father, you know, have time to spend with the kids, when they are older..
“Mashi, ok, bye
With that he hung up the phone, and when he noticed everyone was entertained in watching, he laughed again, and ordered the bill.
Two girls walked in and sat close on my right, looking curiously around them, I held up a magazine, to appear occupied in concentration.
“Suzie, I don’t know what to do with him, do I confront him or do I just keep quiet? I know I am wrong to be checking his e-mail, but …
Patting on her shoulder, “its ok Dina, I would have done the same, really, so you are sure?
Looking suspiciously at me, she lowered her voice,
“Well, he was in the toilet, and left the computer open, I was walking by and just happened to see messages from her, I was scared he would come out so I did the save password option on the computer and checked later.
Tearing up, she continued, ” I did not find anything intimate, but he just sounds so happy and natural with her, I don’t know, is it me? Maybe he should have never left her. Does he find me boring, does he love her; I don’t know what to do Suzie,
Dina was crying now, and Suzie asked for the bill.
I sighed and turned towards the sea. Not much love I found in the city of love as they call it, so I decided on a walk by the water hoping to find a better remedy than the coffee shop talk.
I paid my bill and exited.
