Mediteranean Sunset

by Yvette Canoura

  “Where did that come from?”

  “You’re not answering my question.”

  “No. I’m not avoiding a pregnancy. I guess it just hasn’t happened.”

  “I want you to go see a doctor and check out what’s wrong with you.”

  “Oh, so now something is wrong with me. There’s not a slight chance that you’re the one with the problem.”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Why? Have you fathered any children I should know of?”

  “Fatima, I don’t like where this is heading. Just please your husband and go see a doctor.”

  “I’m leaving.”

  The man just infuriated me. I knew what the problem was. I had been using the pill without his knowledge. I could not imagine bringing a child into this farce of a marriage.

  My days at the hospital went by slowly. All I could think about was Brahim and the woman in his life.

  In a desperate attempt to find out if all the rumors were true, I went to his office. He wasn’t there but there was a card on his desk addressed “Brahim.” I couldn’t resist the temptation, so I opened it.

  “Thanks for the insatiable passion that we shared at the chalet. It was unforgettable. I await your call for a repeat performance.” It was signed “E”.

  I thought of every possible female name that started with “E” and kept wondering who this woman could be. Then I heard noises, so I stuffed the card in my pocket. I probably shouldn’t have done it; there was no need to keep tormenting myself. I had to move on, but how could I? I was losing the man that I loved.

  As I rushed out of his office, he walked in and grabbed me by the arm.

  “Fatme.”

  “Let me go,” I said, as I shook his arm off mine.

  I was hurt, and it was inevitable running into him. We worked at the same hospital and we were involved in the same projects. It probably would have been easier to give up my job. Fouad would definitely have approved. But I wasn’t a quitter; I had earned the respect of my co- workers and was making a difference. So I decided to get even. I had to pick myself up and make Brahim believe my life was better off without him.

  From that day on, I started looking my best, wearing everything I knew he loved on me, from my high heels to my perfume. I was ready to make him remember what he was missing. I went from making myself invisible to letting him know I was there. I hoped it was me he thought about every time he made love to her. Rumors kept swirling about Brahim and this mystery woman; this was the fuel that energized my every move.

  Over the next two weeks, I grew strong and confident again. As I was walking into the hospital cafeteria, I heard a woman’s voice calling my name.

  “Fatima, how have you been?”

  “Hi, Esmaa. What are you doing at the hospital?” I asked.

  “Just waiting for my fiancee to come out of surgery.”

  “I didn’t know you were seeing someone,” besides my husband, I told myself, “let alone engaged.”

  This explained why Fouad might not have been seeing her.

  “What happened to all that talk about work before family?” I asked sarcastically.

  “I guess you were right. The man of my dreams came along, and I just couldn’t resist.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “You know him. You guys worked together in that project with the clinics…”

  “Dr. Al-Kateb?” I interrupted in disbelief.

  “Brahim” she said.

  I couldn’t let my face give away my feelings for him. The “E” was for Esmaa. Brahim was going to marry my husband’s former lover, of all people. This couldn’t be happening. It was a cruel joke.

  “I’m late for an appointment. We’ll catch up later,” I said storming out of the cafeteria.

  I was devastated and disillusioned. There was no turning back the clock. There was no more future for Brahim and I. He had made his choice, but I had to see him one more time. Ironically, I was wearing the same dress I had on the first time we kissed.

  “Don’t read anything into me being here,” I said. “I just came to give these back.”

  I painfully took off the three bracelets he had given me. I needed to make a clean break.

  “What’s this all about?’ Brahim asked.

  “Do you have to ask?” I said agitated. “It’s over.”

  “Calm down, Fatme.”

  “Don’t ask me to calm down. How could you do this to me with her of all people? Are there not enough women out there that you have to settle for Fouad’s scraps? You make me sick. How did I ever believe in you? God! How could I have been so wrong about you?”

  “What are you talking about?” he said, grabbing me and pulling me close.

  “Don’t touch me. You disgust me.”

  At that point, Brahim pulled me close and gave me the steamiest kiss we had ever shared. It was a mixture of love, hate, lust, and hurt. I tried to break away but I was consumed by the moment. I wanted time to come to a halt. Finally, I pushed him away and slapped him.

  “That’s the last time that will ever happen,” I said slamming his door.

  As I walked down the hallway, I ran into Esmaa. “Your fiance is out

  from surgery,” I told her in a snappy voice and kept walking.

  I went straight to my office and locked the door. I stayed in there for hours, mostly crying and feeling sorry for myself. I felt so weak and alone. I could still feel Brahim’s touch. His scent was on my body. I wanted to shake off all these feelings, but I kept thinking about that last kiss. There was a knock on the door.

  “Fatima, are you alright?” Dalal asked.

  “Hold on,” I wiped my tears and put on a smile as I opened the door.

  “You look pale,” she said.

  “I haven’t been feeling well for the past couple of days. My stomach has been upset.”

  “Is Fouad stressing you out?”

  “Doesn’t he always? His latest obsession is that he wants a son.”

  “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

  “No way. I’ve been taking precautions. A baby is the last thing on my mind these days.”

  “You might find motherhood very rewarding.”

  “If I had the right man by my side, maybe.”

  “Have you been crying?”

  “You know what, I’m exhausted. I think I’ll be heading home. Thanks for checking up on me, Dalal. You’re a good friend.”

  As I started to walk, I fainted. When I woke up, I was in a hospital room with an IV in my arm and Dalal by my side.

  “Well, good evening sleepy head.”

  “Where am I? What happened to me?”

  “I guess God heard Fouad’s prayers,” Dalal said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re pregnant.”

  “That’s impossible. Where’s the doctor?” I asked frantically. “I need to talk to him. Fouad can’t know about this. Please tell me you haven’t told anyone.”

  “No, relax. Dr. Hazem did the examination and I personally worked on your blood work”

  “Have you called Fouad?”

  “I left him a message to contact me regarding his wife.”

  “Dalal, call the doctor now. Please.”

  The door opened.

  “Dr. Hazem, I was just going to look for you.”

  “Doctor, I need your complete discretion in this matter,” I interrupted. “No one should know I’m expecting not even my husband.”

  “I respect your wishes but you are already two and a half months into your pregnancy, and pretty soon you won’t be able to conceal it.”

  “Thanks, doctor. I’ll take your advice into consideration. Just promise me you won’t tell anyone about my condition.”

  “You have my word,” the doctor said. He then exited
the room.

  “Fatima, this baby is Fouad’s, isn’t it?”

  “Dalal, this conversation cannot leave this room,” I said weeping.

  “You can trust me. Talk to me.”

  “This can’t be Fouad’s child. The father of my baby is a man I love with all my heart. I can’t believe this is happening, not now. I’m so confused. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Who’s the father?”

  “I can’t tell you his name. I can’t put you in any danger. The less you know, the better off you’ll be. If Fouad found out, there would be hell to pay.”

  “What are you going to do? You’re running out of time.”

  “I need to think very carefully. When Fouad calls you back, tell him I had to go help out at one of the clinics out of town, some kind of emergency, and that I might have to spend the night. This will give me some time alone to clear my mind. I know I should be happy. I know this is a blessing from God, but the timing is all wrong. I don’t want anyone to know I’m here, especially Dr. Brahim.”

  “Dr. Brahim? Oh no! He’s…”

  “Dalal, just go make sure Fouad gets the message before he comes looking for me.”

  “I’ll do that right now.”

  I cried. I cried tears of sorrow, but mostly tears of joy. God had brought a ray of sunshine into my otherwise pathetic life. This was the most beautiful gift I could imagine. This baby was the product of a love so deep and pure that I had no choice but to embrace it. All I could do was think about Brahim. I had hoped things between us would have turned out differently. I wished I could share this incredible news with him and his family. If we had only run into the sunset when we had the chance, today we’d be sharing the happiest day of our lives. I was a coward. Brahim was willing to take a chance on me, but my fear of Fouad drove us apart. Now, I had a tough decision to make; a decision that would affect not only me, but my unborn child as well. What was I to do? Fouad desperately wanted an offspring and Brahim had moved on with his life. At this point, the obvious choice was to have Fouad believe the baby was his. But I needed more time to make that decision.

  Dalal stayed by my side most of the evening.

  “Talk to me,” she said.

  “There’s nothing to say. The man I love, the father of my child is getting married.”

  “What? How long has he known this woman?”

  “That’s not the worst part. I found out who she is.”

  “Who? Do I know her?”

  “All too well. It’s Esmaa.”

  “No way. That snake! There is no way Dr. Brahim fell for her.”

  “Oh, but he did. I won’t deny she is very attractive and ambitious. I’m sure he is drawn to her but, marriage? How could he?” I asked while tears rolled down my cheeks.

  “I still can’t believe it.”

  “She told me herself and I found a card on his desk that confirmed their involvement.”

  “Did you ask him?”

  “Not in so many words.”

  “So, you don’t know for certain.”

  “Why would she lie? What would she gain? She doesn’t know about us.”

  “You have a point but still I thought Dr. Brahim was smarter than that.”

  “Well, he was on the rebound and I guess people do stupid things when they feel betrayed. We had talked about leaving together before Fouad came back but I was afraid of the repercussions. Then, my husband surprised me by showing up unexpectedly and Brahim walked in on us at the office. Fouad insinuated to Brahim that we had been intimate the night before. From that moment, we distanced ourselves.”

  “Does Jamila or anyone else know?”

  “No, and it has to stay that way. I can’t deny that it feels good to finally have someone to talk to, but the situation is too delicate to involve more people.”

  “How are things between you and Fouad?”

  “The same. He’s been spending more time at home, but I can’t trust him anymore. He has been unfaithful so many times that I’ve lost my trust in him. Now my heart belongs to someone else, and God has blessed me with his child. I will never be able to love Fouad. I might stay with him till death due us part, but he’ll never take Brahim’s place.”

  “A relationship with Dr. Brahim is a dead end. My advice to you is to forget about him and move on with Fouad. Maybe the baby will bring you together and will make Fouad devote himself to his family.”

  “How could I forget Brahim when I’m going to have a constant reminder of our love?”

  “You’ll have to try, one day at a time. Time will heal your broken heart. You might consider taking a leave of absence, putting some distance between the both of you.”

  “I’ll think about that. It’s probably the best thing I could do.”

  “Get some rest now. You have to take care of that little one. I’ll be back in the morning.”

  I managed to sleep a few hours. I had so much on my mind. Dalal was in my room bright and early.

  “Fouad called. I told him you’d be home by noon. I thought I would buy you a little more time.”

  “Thanks but I’d rather go home. Hopefully he will be at work and I can relax till the evening.”

  “Good luck, my friend. Call me if you need anything.”

  I headed home, hoping not to see Fouad. It was too early for a confrontation. I noticed a car close to the house. It reminded me of the car I had seen by the chalet. I walked in quietly and overheard voices. It was Samira’s day off so I knew Fouad had to be talking to someone else.

  “You’re sure she didn’t spend the night with her lover?” Fouad said.

  “Not a chance. She probably went somewhere to lick her wounds. You should have seen her face when I told her that Dr. Brahim and I were engaged. It was like a rug had been pulled out from under her.”

  “Good. The whore deserves to suffer.”

  “I must say it was a perfect plan. It just took paying off a few nurses to spread the word, then parking the car at the chalet a couple of evenings. That lusty card on his desk was a stroke of genius, and to top it all off, our accidental meeting at the hospital where I brought up the wedding. It was all brilliant, if I do say so myself.”

  “You were brilliant as usual,” Fouad said as he kissed her. “That’s what I love about you: Machiavellian brains and a body that no man would be able to resist.”

  “Thank you, I’m flattered. How about we put this body to work?”

  “Bastards!” I said to myself.

  I had heard more than enough. I silently exited the house and left them to do what I knew they did best. They were truly perfect for each other. In some ways, I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. I was elated that Brahim was true to me, that our last kiss was as real as it felt. He loved me as much as I loved him. The problem was that Fouad knew about our relationship and I suspected this little plot was just the beginning of a much more elaborate plan to destroy us.

  I wondered how they found out. Obviously, Esmaa was instrumental in the orchestration of this set up. Now I understood why Fouad had come home all of a sudden and had made a point to let Brahim know that our marriage was back on track. Unfortunately, I knew it would take more than staging a relationship between Brahim and Esmaa for Fouad to avenge his injured ego.

  This unexpected discovery made my options clear. It was impossible for this monster to rear my child. Fouad would have serious doubts about his paternity. Therefore, it was imperative that he not learn about my pregnancy. He was more than capable of trying to harm the baby. This made me feel trapped. I needed time to come up with a plan.

  Death & Suspicion

  It was Thursday evening, the day of Fouad’s weekly gathering at the house with the guys. I was surprised that he had given Samira the day off.

  I arrived home a little late, hoping the men were there and I coul
d avoid an argument. I doubted he would make a scene in front of his friends. Besides, I was sure that he was still gloating about his successful scheme, so he probably wouldn’t bother harassing me.

  I entered the house, quietly hoping to go undetected. I heard a voice in the study and was reassured to know someone was with him. As I got closer to see who it was, I realized he was on the phone and decided to eavesdrop on his conversation.

  “We are doing this tonight. I’ll keep him here a little longer than usual and call you when he leaves.”

  Now that we were alone, I knew I’d have to to make my presence known. I headed back towards the main door and began to rattle my keys. As I walked past the study, Fouad stopped me.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Fouad, this again? Didn’t Dalal call you and explain the emergency?”

  “Yes. Still, I was expecting you home much earlier especially because your behavior was unacceptable. Do you remember what happened the last time you didn’t sleep at home?”

  “Yes, and I hope there won’t be a repeat performance. I’m sorry. It all happened so fast, and I knew Dalal had spoken to you...”

  “I was gone for four months and a clinic is more important than me,” he said in anger, ready to strike.

  This was going to be another way to release his wrath because of my betrayal. Luckily, the bell rang. I rushed to open the door. It was Rauf.

  “Hi brother,” Fouad said, composing himself.

  “Let me help you with those bags,” I told Rauf as we headed to the kitchen.

  “I thought we’d give Samira a break today and try some food from this Greek restaurant that just opened in the city.”

  “That was very thoughtful, Rauf,” I said.

  Fouad headed to the study to look for some papers he wanted to show Rauf. The phone rang and I could hear Fouad in the background.

  “I really appreciate you not telling Fouad that you ran into me in D.C.”

  “I truly want to apologize for that night. It wasn’t my finest hour. I hope you’ve forgiven me,” he said.

  “It’s all forgotten. You’ve been very kind to me. I consider you a friend.”

  “I got those reports you wanted to see,” Fouad shouted from the study for Rauf to join him.