Chapter 34: Coming And Going

“Darling Nicola, I won’t be here when your son is born. I am leaving tomorrow to take up Stanford’s offer of a research post. I’m going to try for a D.Sc. there.”

“So when I see you again, it will be Dr. Sharifa?”

“Oh, I’ll be back for holidays, but eventually ... I hope so. And there will be no more of the Ms. Sharifa Abdullah nonsense that I used in Oxford. Americans are so snobbish that I shall travel and study as the Princess Sharifa, and at least four of my bodyguards will go everywhere with me. That will impress them.”

Nicola laughed, “Do you remember after we graduated and you turned up in Cardiff in a Rolls with your bodyguards? It seems like years ago, now.”

Sharifa giggled, “Yes, and your friend was so upset when one of the bodyguards watched us as he fucked me behind your sofa...”

The two of the giggled uncontrollably for a little while.

“Oh, Sharifa, stop it. It makes me feel sick if I laugh too much. It doesn’t seem as though it is only four months since we graduated; so much has happened,” and she patted her tiny bulge affectionately.

Serious again for a moment, Sharifa said, “You know he will make you a Princess when your son is born, don’t you? He may even marry you.”

This set Nicola off giggling again, but she managed to splutter, “Then mam would be his mother-in-law ... and I would be your wicked step-mother, wouldn’t I? In that case I shall take my slipper to you, and make you sleep on the floor in the kitchen like Cinderella if you are rude to me, so watch it.”

“Ah, maybe I’ll have a Fairy God-mother to help me and a charming Prince to sweep me off me off my feet,” retorted Sharifa and both girls laughed.

When their laughter subsided Nicola spoke again. “You mentioned bodyguards. Is Bahir going too?”

“Of course, life wouldn’t be the same without him.”

“Well, you’ll be safe with him. Do you remember the day we were in that awful basement and you threatened my landlord, and Bahir went for his sword?”

Both girls giggled again. “He would have used it too, you know?” said Sharifa.

“I have no doubt.”

Nicola suddenly put her hand down to her side and produced a small rectangular package in gift wrap paper and handed it to Sharifa. “I just wanted to give you a little going away present.”

“Oh, this is beautiful,” she declared after unwrapping her present. It was a set of golden pens with To Sharifa, good luck in Stanford inscribed on them.

“It’s only a small thing. Your father ordered them for me when I told him I wanted to give you something for your journey.”

“That was sweet of you, thank you.”

“Well, this is it then,” Nicola could no longer keep her emotions in check, “Oh damn, Sharifa. I swore I wasn’t going to cry,” she said as the tears streamed down eyes.

Sharifa comforted her, “There, there now. I told you before. No matter where we will be we will always remain in touch. Besides, I have a little brother to get acquainted with,” she said as she gently patted Nicola’s tummy.

“Do take care of yourself, Sharifa,” said Nicola as she hugged her friend one more time.

“Of course, I will. And you do exactly the same,” responded Sharifa before leaving.

Grabbing some tissues beside her Nicola wiped her eyes. Then a hand touched her shoulder and she looked up.

“Oh, Zub, I’ll miss her so much,”

“Of course you will, my dear,” said Princess Zubeydeh as she let the mother-to-be weep on her shoulder, “I, too, will miss her. She is my granddaughter after all. And she will miss us also, but Sharifa also knows you have greater responsibility towards your son and my grandson. I will be here for you and the girls won’t let you down so you will never be alone no matter what. Now, rest, Nicola. You will feel better after a little nap,” finished Zubeydeh after she coaxed Nicola to lie down.

It was the first time she remembered Princess Zubeydeh use her name, at least in a motherly and affectionate manner. Nicola continued sobbing and Princess Zubeydeh, who sat beside her, held her hand until she finally fell asleep.