Bitter Almonds by Lilas Taha Page A

hands.’
    â€˜Why did you let Huda brew the coffee in the first place? Aren’t you the one who’s expected to do it?’
    â€˜I asked her to pour the coffee after I made it,’ Fatimah sighed. ‘She must have added the salt when I turned to fill the water glass.’
    Nadia leaned closer, stealing a look at the door. ‘Omar knows Huda is responsible.’
    â€˜How do you know?’
    â€˜I just do. He will make her pay for this. Wait and see.’
    â€˜No, he mustn’t. And you will not talk to him about this foolishness. It’s between us girls. Promise me.’
    Nadia heaved a long sigh. ‘You’re too kind.’
    â€˜I’m just trying to put myself in Huda’s shoes. This is very difficult for her. She’s the oldest.’ Fatimah held the tray. ‘Let’s get this evening over with. We’re about to serve the
kanafeh
experts what they will only find lacking. More things for Um Waleed to criticize.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’
    â€˜They’re from Nablus. Famous for their unparalleled
kanafeh
. And what do we decide to serve them?’
    â€˜Store-bought
kanafeh
.’
    â€˜Not from one of the best dessert stores, either. Mama Subhia is beside herself. Now prepare the plates and follow me in ten minutes, please.’ Heading out the kitchen, Fatimah turned and added in a hushed voice, ‘Make sure you keep your shoulders hunched a little, maybe cross your arms over your chest. That shirt is too tight for you.’
    The dessert service passed without incident. Um Waleed was gracious enough to take one bite of her serving, make a half-hearted commenton how good it tasted, and set it down for the rest of the evening. Waleed devoured his piece while conversing with Fatimah by his side. Nadia balanced herself on the arm of Mama’s chair, opting to keep her arms crossed rather than eating her dessert.
    Toward the end of the visit, Um Waleed asked Fatimah, ‘Do you welcome my son’s courting?’
    Fatimah lowered her head, clasped her hands in her lap and kept quiet. Seconds passed in silence. Everyone stared at Fatimah, her face turning bright red.
    â€˜Silence is a sign of approval,’ Mama said.
    â€˜Shall we read the
Fatiha
?’ Waleed’s voice was reserved, but his enthusiasm to seal his proposal with a verse of the Qur’an showed clearly enough.
    Expecting her father to respond, Nadia was surprised to see him staring at Omar instead. Poor Omar, he was beyond uncomfortable, the creases between his eyebrows turning white with his scowl. He hated being the center of this official business. Balancing his body at the edge of his chair, he looked ready to bolt out of the room. He cleared his throat.
    Fatimah flashed him a glimpse and then returned her gaze to the floor.
    Omar nodded. ‘Very well then.’
    Everyone put their hands together, flipped their palms upward, recited the
Fatiha
in unison, and wiped their faces with their palms.
    Mama told Waleed he would be welcomed in the house every Thursday evening to spend time with Fatimah. Should they decide to go out, Waleed would have to coordinate with her brother and Shareef to be chaperoned.
    Nadia thought the whole process unnecessary, even absurd. Fatimah and Waleed could always meet in his place when she went there to work, his mother a proper chaperone just as it had been so far. Nadia brought this up after everyone had left.
    â€˜It’s important for people to see the couple with a member of Fatimah’s family in public to indicate the official status of Waleed,’ Mama explained. ‘Should there be another young man thinking of approaching Fatimah, he would know to hold back and wait.’
    Â 
    10
    Omar was in no mood to learn more about cultural traditions. His mind was racing and he wanted to confront Huda about her involvement in the theatrical performance of Mama Subhia. However, seeing Fatimah’s face glow with