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- Herausgeber: Hanan Ahmed
- Kategorie: Abenteuer, Thriller, Horror
- Sprache: Englisch
In the year two hundred and fifty after the Third World War, the events of this novel unfold, where love is mixed with pain and hope, beginning with a prophecy from a strange man to Holm, the girl who has always lived in her own world with her stories and memoirs.
Events accelerate, taking our protagonist on an exciting journey to find love when she meets two men in the city of Modernia. But which one will Holm choose, and how will she overcome the challenging issues from her past that emerge amidst unexpected events?
Will "Holm" finally find love and happiness with the help of her stranger friends, Mitano and Minata, or will she remain a prisoner of her past pains forever?
Das E-Book können Sie in Legimi-Apps oder einer beliebigen App lesen, die das folgende Format unterstützen:
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023
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Yarabia
Hanan Ahmed
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
Introduction
His foul breath slashed across her face as she tried again and again to push him away from her. She felt her strength slowly fading, and how not when he was twice her size and when the ferocity and lowliness that showed in his eyes had increased his strength many times over. She wanted to scream, but there was no time for that, for she had to keep resisting him no matter what.
"Damn, you! I'll make sure you regret what you did."
As he said this, the memories of what had happened kept rushing in her mind one after another, which made her even more and more terrified as she muttered to herself, "Why me? Why always me?"
But despite everything, Holm kept resisting even with all chances of her survival diminishing with every second that passed.
The Land of Sages, Three months earlier in the year 250 after World War III
Chapter 1
Holm sat down to write in her white notebook as usual.
"I feel better now. My beloved Sou'ad seems somewhat less worried about me, although she never stops trying to persuade me to get to meet people and to find someone, I can open my heart to, someone I can get married to. But I feel I couldn't care less because all my energy is focused on how happy I am to have found a daily routine that helps me be positive and productive at the same time. I have no desire to meet anyone, and just writing these words in my journal makes me happy and joyful and relieves my mind off the overthinking that brings me to a state of severe depression every time I contemplate my reality and..."
"Holm. Holm."
Sou'ad's voice interrupted her thoughts, reminding her that she should hurry if she wanted to catch her appointment with her supervisor at the university which was situated right at the heart of the historically rooted city of Moderenia in the Land of Sages, the city which is well-known for its prestigious education and where she chose to finish her studies as an expert on making herbal medicinal drugs. Holm left her journal on the bed and stood up in a hurry to catch her appointment. She had always loved nature and everything about it and felt a sort of intimate connection with it.
"Don't forget to buy the groceries, Holm, it's your turn today,"
Rang the voice of Sou'ad, her elder sister, again from the ground floor of the small house where they are staying temporarily.
Sou'ad was like a shadow to her sister Holm, who was two years younger, ever since she made herself responsible for protecting her sister against anything that could happen for over than 20 years, despite the fact that she was adopted by Holm's family, until Holm could finish her studies. Meanwhile, Sou'ad was saving good money off her work as an assistant to the manager of one of the largest clothing stores in the Land of Sages so she could open her own store in their mountain town where their grandparents lived, who raised them since they were young, after the death of their parents in the pandemic that spread back then.
"Okay, Sou'ad. I won't forget,"
Holm raised her voice while moving quickly around looking for her purse. Finally, her almond-shaped eyes, which rested in her oval wheatish face that was adorned with plump lips, fell on her bag, which she always left open, so she quickly grabbed it and zipped it closed as she said, "Now I hope I haven't forgotten anything, as there's no time to come back to pick it if I have."
Sou'ad's voice came again from below saying, "Don't worry about me if I'm late. We have a meeting with the manager today to discuss the new marketing plan."
"Alright alright,"
Holm said as she ran down the stairs to the kitchen, while Sou'ad smiled saying, "If you had slept early last night, you would've woken up early this morning and you wouldn't have been in such a hurry, but you're obsessed with reading and with that journal of yours, which I see no hope for you to leave."
"If you already knew that, why then do you have to say the same thing every morning, you smart assistant?" said Holm as she nibbled at the sandwich she made in a hurry, which made her words come out funny and hard to understand.
"Because you need to understand that life needs planning and organizing, not to live it randomly as you are doing now, and just as writing, reading, whatever it is, should not occupy the space of the important things in your life and...".
"But I study, my dear," replied Holm while still busy finishing her sandwich, "This is a kind of plan, although maybe one that falls short of your master plan, backup plan, and backup of the backup plan!"
"Life, you cynic, needs that. You must be prepared for all possibilities. If I left it up to you, we would be living in complete chaos now."
"I'm not that bad, Sou'ad. At least admit that. I mean just because I'm spontaneous in my approach to life and have no rich boyfriend to marry or business plans of my own doesn't mean that I'm a mess or that I'm lost in life. After all, who would tolerate my company and looking at my face for the rest of his life?! It's like a life sentence in prison, if you ask me! As I'm not you, the pretty girl with dyed blond hair, velvety skin, and slender figure, whom all men race to please."
"But you really are a mess! And what irritates me is that I know you can do better than you're doing now. You are smart, although you get on my nerves by escaping reality, and you can show your beauty better if you put your modest clothing style that has no accessories or embellishments aside and ... ".
"Sou'ad, my dear, I've come to the realization that I won't live a love story like yours and I've made my peace with it, and not just that, I can also live and experience what I want from the many exciting events in the stories I read and enjoy a lot, so no need to worry."
"Don't say such things, Holm. I'm sure there will be men who will want you if you just open the door for them instead of that tough attitude of yours, and this is your chance because there are a lot of educated young men here in the Land of Sages. Haven't you pushed away the young men of our town? And not just those, but also the educated ones in the nearby Land of Saints when we visited it? I mean, if you can't find a man now, I don't think you'll ever be contented with any of the other men in our town when we return after you finish your studies. Plus, you're thirty-one now and..."
"But I don't like them. They just want to be treated like children and to hold you accountable for their despicable thinking, and please don't get me started on the Land of Saints. Don't you remember the spiritual guardians there, their bigotry and their disgusting condescension to everyone as if they were created as a different kind from ours, we humans? If I had the power, I would throw them out all away. I don't see any use of them."
"Don't take the spiritual guardians as an excuse for not wanting a relationship. No one really likes them. What I mean is that you should plan for your life, for I won't be around all the time to take care of you."
"Sou'ad, please! I know I should be stronger and more prepared for life and depend more on myself, but I don't want to fall in love. I mean, I love the idea of love, but I don't want a lover."
"And why not?! wait a minute!" Said Sou'ad as she hurried towards a table that settled in the living room, and she grabbed a letter that seemed to have just been opened because its envelope was still next to it. Then, she began reading it excitedly to Holm, “My beloved Sou'ad, the one who epitomizes all the happiness of the universe. I yearn for you so much that I can nearly fall dead! But I assure you that I'll be in Moderenia in the Land of Sages two months from now and I'll see you then. I can't stand the idea of you being far from me, you, the most beautiful thing in existence and ..."
Here, Sou'ad's face turned red, and she closed the letter. She then said to Holm as her eyes shone bright, "I can't go on reading this for you, you're my younger sister after all, but..."
At that moment, Sou'ad drew closer to Holm, wrapped her arm around the latter's arm and, as if she was giving an important lesson that she was keen her listener would understand, said, “But whatever it is, you deserve to live such love. Love is beautiful, so don't believe the nonsense you hear or read about it here or there. I want to see you with someone who loves and takes care of you."
"I also want to see myself with someone who loves me and takes care of me, but this is impossible," said Holm while sighing as she pulled away her arm from Sou'ad's who tightly surrounded her.
"And why not? Stop talking like this." Said Sou'ad.
"I simply allow life to unfold, embracing the philosophy of 'que sera sera,'" Holm stated. "That, my dear Sou'ad, is my approach in a nutshell."
"But you have to be the one who makes her own decisions and getting involved in life, and not the other way around. This conviction of yours makes you passive and non-proactive in how you handle your own life, especially when it comes to your emotional matters and..." Said Sou'ad.
"And I should get going now because I'm late. See you, Sou'ad." Said Holm.
"Haven't you heard a word I said?!"
Sou'ad said angrily as Holm cheerfully replied, "Yes, but there's no time for this now. Bye."
Holm said this as she set off to her destination while Sou'ad muttered to herself, “God, have mercy on me. Help me God, for I'm so worried about her."
Chapter 2
Under the rare December sun in the capital city of Moderenia, in the Land of Sages, Holm strolled through the vibrant local market with a lighthearted demeanor in the evening of the last day before the weekend. Having completed all the necessary procedures for initiating her dissertation at the university, she felt an overwhelming sense of elation. Now, the only remaining task was to meet with her thesis supervisor the following week to embark on the actual preparation for writing her dissertation.
Holm reveled in the peaceful diversity that surrounded her in the bustling market. People of various backgrounds and beliefs coexisted harmoniously, without any harm or disturbance inflicted upon one another. The delightful aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from a nearby bakery, blending with the lively sounds of carts and the chatter of the townsfolk. Reflecting on the past, Holm found solace in one aspect of the Third World War, which had taken place two hundred and fifty years ago, as described in the history books from that era. The conflict had severed humanity's reliance on cars, planes, and other polluting technologies that had fostered a belief in human superiority over nature. Instead, it compelled humanity to return to a simpler way of life, albeit at a great cost.
That devastating war had shattered the world's arrogance, humbling humanity in the face of nature's formidable limits. The civilization of the 20th and 21st centuries had crumbled due to human hubris and inflexibility. As a result, in the current 23rd century, communities began to reemerge, relying on the wisdom of their ancestors and approaching nature with humility, seeking forgiveness and rekindling the profound connection between humans and the natural world.
Holm's recollections extended to the stories passed down by her grandmother, who had recounted the immense earthquakes that ravaged the land, swallowing countless lives, vehicles, and buildings. These cataclysmic events were a direct consequence of the nuclear warfare waged by world powers and their allies, resulting in enduring genetic mutations and deformities among some of the surviving populace that can be seen until now. Earth, in its righteous fury, retaliated with ferocious volcanic eruptions, devastating hurricanes, and relentless earthquakes, decimating most of the humanity. The ensuing famines and upheavals forced the remnants of humanity scattered across the globe to unite, forming new communities that sought refuge in the collective safety of an organization known as the United Provinces.
Under this new order, the United Provinces facilitated cooperation and regulated relationships between the emerging communities, ensuring that the mistakes of the past were not repeated. For those fortunate enough to survive, peace and solidarity became the only viable means of continuing their existence and turning the page towards a future characterized by tranquility and mutual cooperation. Interactions between provinces were governed by respect and the equitable exchange of benefits.
Consequently, the world was divided into four primary provinces: the Land of Sages in the west, the Land of Chiefs in the east, with its revered territories like the sacred Land of Saints, the mysterious Land of Strangers located in the central province, the Alfaz province in the North and the Southern Siraj province. Holm possessed limited knowledge about the Northern Alfaz Province and the Southern Siraj province, the latter of which remained a mysterious enigma to her.
But all this is past. Now, all she needs to do is enjoy the beautiful weather and buy the groceries as Sou'ad asked, then once back home, take a warm bath to freshen her evening up as she indulges in one of the stories she recently bought, as she does every evening.
But her thoughts would only go back to the masses of people as she wondered: Is it possible for such a gathering of men and women, old and young, of all walks of life, to have an equal foot in her province, the Land of Saints, without one of the spiritual guardians watching closely over them even against themselves, disturbing them and monitoring their every move? Those saints who claims to have the power of God in their hands and under the command of their hateful whims?
But Holm soon pushed her thoughts away when she noticed a little girl with a beautiful face carrying a multi-colored bunch of roses in her little hands, and, unable to resist the beauty of the scene, Holm couldn't but buy the whole bunch. She then resumed her journey while smelling the intoxicating scent of the roses with strange enjoyment. She almost did not pay attention until she found herself next to a narrow, short alley and saw a strange-looking elderly man setting in the middle of it.
Although she was scared of the way he looked, Holm felt a sudden urge to get close to the man and to talk to him without embarrassing him although his appearance frightened her. It was only moments until she made up her mind and approached him, saying very nicely, "Sir, excuse me, I have bought a lot of roses and would like to give you some if you would allow me to."
The old man looked at her in a strange contemplative way before he lowered his eyes and looked away saying, "I'll only accept them if you accept my gift to you."
Surprised, Holm wondered what kind of gift such a destitute man would, as his appearance suggested, could offer, and she felt high regard for his dignified attitude despite his humble condition.
"Of course, I'll accept it, and I'll also pay for it. What do you think?" Said Holm.
"No, I don't want your money, for there are others more miserable than myself. But I'll give you your gift as I promised. Deal?" Said the old man.
Hesitantly, Holm replied, "Alright, as you wish." And she offered him three differently colored roses.
"Thank you, child. Now, give me your hand." Said the old man.
She felt a bit of fear. What if this old man had other motives, now that she was in this alley where no one could hear her if anything happened to her, but the old man interrupted her thoughts saying, "Don't be scared, I promise on my honor that I won't harm you. Come on, give me your hand." Said the old man.
After she made up her mind and her curiosity overcame her fear, Holm extended her trembling hand to the man, who grabbed it and began to contemplate her palm with interest while muttering: “Hmmm. What a peculiar thing! I've never seen anything like this before!" Said the old man.
"You're scaring me! What is it? What do you see exactly?" asked Holm.
"A strange thing! It's actually not strange to see something like this in any young woman's life, but..."
"But what? Come on, enough with the introductions and tell me, what exactly do you see?" Said Holm.
"In your life there are two destinies, both of which have their roots in an ancient and influential family. One of these two destinies is openly crowned and the other is still waiting to be, and they are both in a struggle to win the crown of your heart." Said the old man.
"You speak as if my heart is a contested throne." Said Holm.
"Aren’t all women’s hearts thrones looking for a king to be crowned on them?”
Said the old man with a cunning smile, while Holm gave a short laugh and said, “But I didn't get what you mean by the word destiny? Do you mean someone, or some situation, or what exactly?! Said Holm, adding, “What I mean is that my life is limited and monotonous, and my acquaintances are very few, so are you sure of what you see? You might be mistaken." Said Holm.
The man replied briefly, "No. I've never been mistaken before, and I don't think I'm mistaken now."
When Holm saw how confident he was, she could not but surrender to his words, so she asked, "And what else do you see?"
"You'll be confused.” Said the old man. “The similar paths of these two seemingly contradictory destinies will bring your heart to a state of confusion, but you must know that our destinies are written, and our souls will settle where our destiny is fulfilled, even if we don't choose this destiny." Said the old man.
"So, you believe that we are driven, not free-willed, in our lives?" said Holm, wondering.
"We are driven in what we don't know, free willed in what we know. This is our situation in this world in a nutshell." Said the old man.
"So, the more you know, the freer will you have to choose. Isn't this what you mean?" Asked Holm.
"Sort of, yes." Said the old man.
"And which destiny will I choose? The crowned destiny or the uncrowned one? And on what throne is it going to be crowned? Do you mean my heart?" asked Holm.
"Not necessarily, for there are many types of thrones. There are thrones of countries, there are thrones of nations, and there are other types of thrones. But all these thrones lie quietly waiting for their rightful owners to claim them, like the thrones of hearts, for instance.” Said the old man.
"And how do I know which is my destiny? Can you give me some kind of a sign?" asked Holm.
“There are many signs along the path. All what you need to do is to pay close attention. Eventually, your heart will tell you the truth, as it always has. All you need to do is to listen carefully to your inner music." Said the old man.
"This is too vague. Give me at least one sign, please?" Said Holm.
"Alright. The destiny you'll choose is the one that will echo the sound of your inner music and the one whose music will, in turn, echo in your own heart." Said the old man.
"How romantic! Sorry, sir, but I didn't understand a thing! If you mean some person, would you at least tell me the first letter of his name?" asked Holm.
"Our true names are the scents of our actions, not the names chosen for us against our will, so there is no point in telling you, his name." Said the old man.
"Then at least tell me his most obvious quality so I can distinguish him." Said Holm.
"Well, it's the destiny in which the meanings of altruism and concern for others more than oneself will manifest, and so people will seek to push for his coronation over his throne despite his vehement and desperate refusal to do so." Said the old man.
"This is strange! I don't understand you. The way you put it makes me unable to say whether it's a person or an event that's going to happen! But I'm worried that, if your prophecy is true, I won't be able to read the signs and will lose my path. Believe me, I don't have the attention that can help me do that, for I like to spend most of my time daydreaming. Please, help me with something." Said Holm.
"Alright. If you need my help, you have it, but on one condition." Said the old man.
"No conditions, please! I don't like conditions." Said Holm.
"As you wish. No help, then." Said the old man.
"So, the prophecy isn't true, is it? Because if it was, you'd help me fulfill my destiny,"
said Holm in dismay.
"Believing me or not is your own business, child, but time can unveil the hidden events that can surprise you." Said the old man.
Holm said in surrender, as her suspense reached its limit, “Sorry, I didn't mean to underestimate your words, but what you're saying seems far-fetched and difficult to achieve. So be it, I accept your condition.” Said Holm, adding, “by the way, are you one of the people of revelations?"
The old man laughed at Holm's openness and said to her, "The revelation is there for those who want to see. After all, your lack of knowledge or physical experience of something doesn't negate its existence in life. Right, my child?" Said the old man.
Reflecting on his words, Holm answered, "You're right. I've always believed in this because the universe would be very limited and boring if we knew it only with what we know. No matter how much humanity knows, there is still a lot that we don't know." Said Holm.
"Do you still need help?" The old man said again to remind her.
"Of course. Bring it on."
So, the old man said, "When you feel confused, just put your hand on your heart and listen to what it says to you. It'll tell you what to do, so trust it."
"Aha, I get it now. I'll do this and see how it goes." Said Holm.
"Don't forget that you have to fight for your destiny, or else you'll spend the rest of your life regretting having lost it." Said the old man.
Holm drew a quick smile on her face while trying to keep her mouth shut instead of telling the old man to stop his nonsense, for nothing really deserves to fight for. The old man smiled at Holm and said, ushering the conclusion of their conversation, "It was a pleasure to see you and talk to you, child."
"The pleasure was mine. Thank you for your kindness, sir." Said Holm.
"Listen to your heart and pay attention to what it tells you. Always remember this." Said the old man.
"I will. Thank you."
Said Holm as she was about to leave the alley behind along with the strange prophecy of the man she suspected might be one of those people who had lost their minds, though she admired his perceptiveness. However, and to her surprise, she heard the old man uttering incomprehensible words as he moved away, and she also heard a woman passing by and commenting to her companion saying, "The poor man, his condition is heartbreaking; since he lost his wife several years ago, he also lost his mind."
In silence, Holm wondered, "Does this mean that his prophecy was the mere illusion of a man who lost his mind?!" she said, shaking her head sadly and walking off in turn, completely distracted from what had just happened. Or more precisely, she tried to turn a blind eye to it but could not, and she recalled that very old movie that she had watched in that ancient cinema, which talked about a girl who was given many signs that directed her to her fate and to those involved in it. Does she have any resemblance to her?
Chapter 3
Holm was running with her rushing steps, which her few childhood friends used to compare to a penguin's to tease her. She was pacing the university campus, which had been built many years ago and still retained its breathtaking nobility. She shifted her gaze between a piece of paper on which the address of her professor’s office, whom she was supposed to meet in half an hour, was written, and those signs in the building that spread around her in elaborate arrangement.
"His office must be close by. Damn it! Is there anyone I can ask in this place?"
Holm said in exasperation as she re-read the address paper lest she had made a mistake, and suddenly...
"Oh! My head!"
"I'm so sorry, miss. Are you alright?" Said the young man.
Holm raised her eyes at the person she bumped into, rubbing her forehead in pain and saying, "Don't worry, I wasn't looking ahead. Ouch! But you, mister, are solid as a wall!" Said Holm.
"Sorry again, I wasn't looking either. Are you alright?" Said the young man.
Holm contemplated the young man. He was tall, at least compared to her, with blond hair and an athletic body, and seemed to be from the provice, and who looked at her with a pitying smile, which made her say, “I'm fine. Don't worry, it was my fault." Said Holm.
"No, it was mine. Allow me to take a look at your forehead." Said the young man.
Holm replied nervously, "I'm really fine, there's no need for that."
The young man smiled at her saying, "So be it, but may I invite you to a drink as an atonement for the harm I've done you?" Said the young man.
"No, sorry, I'm in a hurry." Said Holm.
"Please, I feel bad for what happened to you." Said the young man.
The tenderness of the young man's voice made Holm respond to him with similar tenderness, although she she did’t agree with his request since she hardly knew him, and she said, "Maybe later."
"Alright.” Said the young man, adding, “I'm Henry, by the way. Pleased to meet you."
"And I'm Holm. Pleased to meet you too, Mr. Henry." Said Holm.
"Just call me Henry, and I'll, in turn, just call you Holm. Agreed?" Said Henry.
"I don't see any harm in that," said Holm, widening her charming smile.
"You're new here, aren't you?" Said Henry.
Lowering her eyes as if to hide her embarrassment, Holm answered, "Is it so obvious?"
"Yes, to some extent." Said Henry.
Henry said smiling, while Holm felt a strange feeling about his smile, but she soon remembered her appointment with her supervisor and said, "I have to go now, see you soon, Henry." Said Holm.
"I hope so. Be careful next time." Said Henry.
Henry said with a smile as Holm turned away, heading for her destination.
"Wait." Said Henry.
Holm turned to Henry again with a surprised look on her face.
"You dropped your notebook. Here it is." Said Henry.
Holm looked at her crimson notebook, not remembering how she dropped it. She always forgets her bag open, and it must have fallen when she bumped into Henry.
"Thank you," said Holm, embarrassed of her carelessness.
“No need to be thankful, just be more careful in the future. I hope to see you soon." Said Henry.
In happiness tinged with shyness, the reason for which she did not know, Holm replied, "I hope so too."
Chapter 4
Holm was sitting calmly and dreamily in the beautiful autumn weather, which was about to pass for winter to take its place, in the garden in the middle of the university campus where she was completing her studies, while her bag, semi-open as usual, was lying carelessly next to her on the old wooden seat.
Her thoughts were set on the young man she had met half an hour before she went to see the professor supervising her dissertation to obtain her degree as an expert. "He's obviously new too," she said to herself, "otherwise he'd have at least one girl with him, for he's so handsome, and his gentle smile was kind of cute, and..."
"You've dropped your notebook."
Holm woke up to a deep voice next to her and saw a hand stretched out to her holding her crimson notebook, feeling as if he was trying to snatch her out of her daydreams with that deep voice of his.
"What?!"
Holm responded with a hoarse voice, which she soon followed by an audible hem, in a desperate attempt to moisten her dry throat as she looked at this intruder who knocked on the doors of her imaginary world without permission.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” Said a young man. “I take it from the annoyed look on your pretty face that you were in another world. Weren't you?" Said the young man.
Holm began to quietly contemplate that young man. He had hair that was as black as the darkness of a wild night, penetrating eyes and a graceful figure, then she shook her head and defiantly said, “No, you didn't do that. You just startled me, that's all." Said Holm. contemplating him in silence for a few moments, before adding in belated anger as she shook her head in clear disapproval, “And how come that you allow yourself to call me pretty?! Who do you think yourself, mister?" Said Holm.
With a sarcastic look in his eyes, the young man said, “How come that your realization that I called you pretty came so late? Have you been charmed by my deep voice, miss?" Said the young man.
“What?” Said Holm, adding, “who do you think yourself, you...?"
"It must be the only explanation since you're repeating yourself," he interrupted. “Don't worry, this is expected. Studies have shown that women prefer men with deep voices and even remember them better than others." Said the young man.
Holm realized that she was really repeating herself, so she said in an attempt to launch a counterattack, yet an improper one, “What? What are you saying? And what are you talking about, you arrogant?!" Said Holm.
"There is a study that really proves that you can look at it in the university library, and moreover..."
"Enough. Who are you and what do you want from me?" she interrupted.
The young man looked at the angry Holm with sarcastic astonishment and said, "I handed you the notebook that you dropped, and I even called you pretty, miss. And, in return, you didn't even thank me but rather attacked me without a clear excuse!"
He concluded his speech by extending one hand in a gesture that meant he wanted to know what more could Holm have possibly wanted him to do, while in the other he was carrying her notebook that had fallen from her bag.
Holm suddenly felt a flush of hot blood in her cheeks, which were as full as those of a three-year-old child and realized that she had done the young man injustice although she still believed that he had no right to call her pretty.
"I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude to you," she began, "Anyway, thank you, but you should know that you provoked me a lot when you called me pretty because you have no right to do so."
She said so as she extended her hand to take her cherished notebook, wondering why, of all her other stuff, it always fell out of her bag so persistently.
"Why? Don't you see yourself as pretty?" he asked.
In a quick disapproval she answered, "Yes I do, but I don't want you to call me that; I don't know you."
"Well, let me introduce myself to you, then."
The young man bowed in a theatrical move, placing one of his hands behind his back and extending the other towards Holm, as if he was asking her for a dance, and said,
"I'm Ahmed. Pleased to meet you Miss...?"
raising his eyes to her inquisitively.
"I'm Holm. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Ahmed," she replied.
To which he said, "Don't call me by a title, I don't like formalities. Plus, I feel like a very old man when you talk to me like this. Just call me Ahmed. Come on, let's start over. I'm inviting you to a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, it looks like you like it."
Her red flush became even redder because of his accurate perception of her taste, so she said obstinately, "No, I've just met you."
"But you like hot chocolate, am I right?" he asked.
"Most girls like it, it's nothing new," she answered.
"So, how much should I wait before you agree to have a cup of hot chocolate with me? I mean, when will you have known me enough to accept my invitation? A week? A month? Another coincidence? Or maybe three would be enough?"
He said smiling and looking at Holm who clenched her fists in displeasure as she stood up and said,
"No, not a month, nor ten coincidences. I'm the one to decide. And till then, I wish you a good day and good luck, Mr. Ahmed."
"Mister?" he marveled, "Alright, as you wish. But I'll see you again. You study here, don't you?" Said Ahmed.
She felt upset at his incessant attempts to prolong their conversation, and she replied,
"Yes, so see you when I see you, Mr. Ahmed. Farewell."
She waved her hand goodbye as she quickly sprinted away from that strange young man who had suddenly landed on her from nowhere.
"You're wrong, it's not a farewell but a see you again sooner than you think,"
Ahmed said while tucking his hands in the front pockets of his pants and watching Holm as she walked away, not seeing the smile that shone on her face because of his strange persistence.
Chapter 5
After Holm had finished discussing the progress of her thesis with her supervisor and listening to his comments and suggestions of what she should do about a particular stumbling block she faced. She asked him permission to leave and said goodbye. He was sixty years of age, which gave him a fatherly disposition that somehow reassured Holm's heart and earned him a special place of appreciation inside her.
While walking down the hallway to the university campus yard, Holm watched the snow that had begun to fall lazily, announcing the official start of winter and tempting her to have a cup of hot chocolate. It occurred to her to invite Henry to one in the cafe near the university. It had been three weeks since she first met him, and it would be nice to invite him to have hot chocolate in that weather. Yes, she had to do that and listen to her intuition.
"Finally found you! Happy me!"
Holm took a quick disapproving glance at the voice behind her to find Ahmed as if he always insisted on snatching her out of her daydreams that she enjoyed.
"Can I invite you now to a cup of hot chocolate, miss?" said Ahmed.
"Ahmed! You scared me this time!" she said.
"I'm sorry."
Ahmed said, gesturing with his palms as he took them out of the pockets of his black coat, which gave him a unique, attractive look, especially since its color somewhat matched that of his wavy hair like a black waterfall, and he added,
"But I'm thrilled to see you. I've been looking for you my whole life."
He said while stretching out his arms towards her, with a broad smile on his handsome face.
"Oh, lucky me!" was her reply, "I bet many girls would kill to be in my place and to listen to these words from you."
Ahmed replied in his deep, calm voice, and with speed arms intended to tease Holm while continuing to smile as he winked at her with one of his eyes, "Of course, but I chose you, my serene madness and my ultimate destiny. You're my being and my entire existence."
Holm turned red at this elaborate flirtation and agitatedly said, “I have to go to the library to get some references. Excuse me, sir." Said Holm.
As soon as she set out towards the library, she found Ahmed in front of her, extending one of his arms and resting its palm on the opposite wall, blocking the way in front of her and saying, "Good, let's go together since the library is my destination as well."
She raised her eyes towards him in disbelief at his speed and boldness in approaching and intercepting her as such. She wanted to scream, but her voice stayed trapped inside her, and she was enchanted by the scent of his perfume that settled in her lungs.
"What do you say? Shall we go, or do you prefer that we stay outside and freeze?" he said.
Drawing her attention to the fact that she had been staring into his eyes, her cheeks flushed red again, and she lowered her eyes embarrassingly and replied, "Okay. But don't you dare bother me! I warn you, Ahmed."
"Perfect," he said, "I think it's finally okay to have that cup of hot chocolate with a company of an army of books. So the library is your safe space, isn't it?" Said Ahmed.
Holm felt her blood almost gushing out from her cheeks because of Ahmed's second correct reading of her character. She asked herself, “Am I that simple and easy to read?! Damn you, Ahmed!"
They set out towards the library while the snow was falling around them. Ahmed was joyfully whistling a timeless song which Holm quickly recognized, so she said to Ahmed harshly, "Stop singing this song."
With his habitual smile, Ahmed said, "But I love it. Who on Earth wouldn't love Fayrouz?"
He said this and started singing, with an audible voice this time.
"I'm in love with you... I'm in love with you... I'm desperately in love with you... And your eyes... And your eyes smile at me... And your roses tempt me with delicious kis..."
"Stop!"
Holm cried out, trying to hide her embarrassment that insisted on announcing itself with every word Ahmed said in his calm attitude and provocative smile.
"Take it easy, girl! It's just an innocent song." Ahmed said tauntingly, obviously enjoying himself immensely and teasing Holm that much.
"If it's just a song, as you say, then save your talents for some other time because I don't wish to be entertained now."
Said Holm, trying to fake a calm voice this time and telling herself that it would work with Ahmed, although she was not so sure she had ever met someone like him.
She then noticed that they had reached the entrance of the library.
"Finally."
She said in relief, giving out a deep sigh. She then addressed Ahmed saying, "No singing in the library, understood?"
He nodded in agreement and said, "As you wish, librarian."
Holm tried to ignore his sarcastic comment by looking in the opposite direction only so her eyes would fall on the most delicious spot for her. "Very well, here's a place that sells hot chocolate. Let's go,"
She said as they both walked towards the chocolate place to buy some. However, when Holm reached for her handmade wallet in search of money to pay for her cup, she suddenly felt an intense pressure on her bag from the outside, preventing her from even trying. It did not take long until she realized it was nothing but Ahmed's hand and his stern voice as he said, "I'll pay. It's outrageous that you pay while I'm with you."
Stubbornly she replied, "No. If I don't pay, I won't drink."
"Yes, you will,"
he said as he handed the money to the seller, taking two cups of hot chocolate from him and handing one of them to Holm.
"I told you I wouldn't allow you to pay for me," she exclaimed, "I'm not one of your mistresses, whom I know are entirely a bunch, so you can spend your money on me. Do you understand?" Said Holm.
"So, you feel jealous?" was his answer.
"What?! What insanity is this? And why exactly would I feel jealous?" she said defensively.
"Take the chocolate, then, and let's go," he said.
"I will not,” she said, pouting her lips in displeasure, folding her arms around her chest, and looking away.
"Everyone is looking at us. Will you embarrass me in front of everyone, me, your kin? I mean, we both speak the same dialect, and I can almost swear that you also come from the Land of Saints."
Said Ahmed tenderly this time, which made Holm look at him angrily before she took the cup from his hand, saying,
"Alright. Just this time. I'll never accept this again, even if you resort to the United Provinces Council itself! Do you hear me?" Said Holm.
Ahmed replied with a big smile, raising his hand to his forehead as in an army salute and saying, "I hear you very well, commander."
Holm shook her head, knowing there was no use in arguing or squabbling with Ahmed as he seemed to know everyone's keys.
"How did you know that I'd take the chocolate if you mentioned that we come from the same place?" she asked him.
"Because you seem to be the kind who still believes in the land, dreams of homeland and chanting of hope," he answered.
"Why?" she said, laughing, “Do you think I'm like those fans of that famous club whose opposers were accused of dissenting from faith, religion and patriotism just because they cheered for its opponent in the Regional Cup?"
Ahmed replied, "You realize that this is absolute nonsense, right? I mean to abstract a great belief and an entire country to the heartfelt feelings of a team in a particular sport; this is sheer absurdity. And what is even more absurd is the nonsense of those who hold the rank of the patriarch in faith and defend such delirium!"
"Let's leave this aside now and tell me: Have you lost hope in the homeland, you lover of Fayrouz?" Holm asked.
"No, there's no life without hope. But I'm a realistic, practical man," he answered.
"And now you're realistic and practical!" she exclaimed, adding, "Don't make me laugh! You do nothing but tease me and have fun by provoking me."
"And what do you think this means?" he asked her.
"It means you're extremely realistic and immensely practical, of course!"
Holm said with a laugh that she followed by a quick, enjoyable sip of the hot chocolate in her hand, not noticing the disappointed look on Ahmed's face because of her sarcastic reply as if he wanted to have a serious talk or was about to reveal something to her. Eventually, he said,
"Which floor of the library are you going to? Let's go to the open courtyard on the second floor, where food and drinks are allowed." Said Ahmed.
"Alright, let's go," she agreed.
