I asked, «Why so?»
He looked at me as if Id been crazy. Though I wasnt. He didnt say anything.
Then, I said, «And why are you asking? Lets say its my own business!»
«Err Do you run a business?»
He seemed to be deaf! And I seemed to be crazy
«What business do you mean? I said, its up to me to decide if Im all right or not!»
He chuckled.
«Of course, it is. And may I know your name?»
I answered nothing. I didnt want him to know my name. Hed tell Mum I was here.
«I wont tell you.»
«Why? Youre so beautiful! And I definitely must know your name.»
I blushed. Never in my life did anyone tell me I was beautiful.
He took my hand. I was about to melt with joy. Or with happiness.
«Hey! Whatre you doing?» I pulled my hand out of his.
«Sorry. I didnt want to. Ive just Ive just fallen in love.»
«With whom?»
«With you.»
I didnt expect him to say that. So, I blushed even more.
«Why are you saying this? We dont even know each other!»
«And what? I fell in love just when I saw you!»
«You mustnt have to. Im a usual girl. And I guess nobodys perfect. Me neither. I have lots of issues. So theres no reason to fall in love with me.»
«Why?»
He looked at me as if Id been drunk. Though I wasnt.
«Because Im English. And youre Arabic. We live in different worlds. We have different religions. And your parents wouldnt accept me.»
«Well see that! I bet they would!»
Indeed, would they?
«Ill introduce you to them, and theyll love you when they first see you!»
«Really? I dont believe that!
«Lets come with me!»
Strangely enough, he stepped back and stood like this for a minute or two. I didnt know what he was thinking about. But I didnt want to go to his home. First, Mum would be worried about me. And second, his family would be worried about him! Because if he had met a girl like me, he would have been considered a complete idiot! And, well, third, I want to stay alive for some more time!
«Im afraid I wont. Mums waiting for me.»
«Okay. And what if Ill tell her how I was saving you from death?» he chuckled.
I startled. He had no right to tell this to my Mum! Or Id choke him with my own hands!
«No, you wont. Youd better tell it to me.»
He squinted.
«Well, then, maybe you will tell me your name? My names Mohammed, little girl.»
«Im not little! Im already nineteen!»
Who did he think he was? Not a Prime-Minister for sure. To talk to me like that!
«And you have no right to talk to me like that! I wont tell you my name! No way!»
«But thatll be unfair, dont you think?»
He smiled.
And I got confused. Indeed, would that be fair?
«Okay. You win. My names Janet.»
«Oh, nice! What a beautiful name! Like you yourself.»
I blushed again.
«Why do you think Im beautiful?»
«Because I fell in love with you when I first saw you. Youre my queen! So, do you agree to be my queen?»
I laughed.
«Ill think about that. But I also think its high time for me to go home. Mum mustve been waiting for me for a long time.»
«I think she isnt worried. Our beach can be seen from the hotel windows.»
«Your English is so perfect! Have you studied it somewhere?»
Indeed, had he..?
«I studied only at college, here in Morocco. Not in Agadir. I went to the capital, Rabat. But I think its all right for me. English is good.»
«Yeah, I agree. But maybe Ill go.»
«Okay. See you.»
My God! I didnt know what to think. Everything happened so quickly! And hed fallen in love with me so quickly! I couldnt believe that! Turns out men can fall in love as soon as they see you for the first time!!! I was shocked!
I also wondered how a BOY (or already a MAN) could have spoken to me! Never in my life had boys even talked to me!
And never in my life had boys fallen in love with me!
I was so overwhelmed!
But what should I tell Mum? She would be angry with me for sure.
6.
«Where were you, Janet?» Mum asked angrily when I just crossed the threshold of our room. «Though I know everything! So, dont even try to hide anything from me!»
I was taken aback.
«But Mummy, I didnt do anything that could harm me!»
«Indeed?» my mother looked snake-headed. «While you were coming to yourself, I was there too! Helping this man save you, my foolish daughter!»
«But I didnt want to»
«Listen to me: why did you go there at all?»
«I dont know. Maybe I was sleeping or something»
«Dont hand me any more of that jive!
«I dont!»
«You do! Listen to me, Janet: do you love him? I know everything!»
How can Mum know everything? Wow! I was really surprised! Mums a real superwoman! I cant stop admiring her!
«Yes, Ma. I love him very much. So much Id give all my life to him. For him to be happy.»
«But, my darling, do you know its me who ran there first when you were drowning?»
«You did?»
«Yes, me! Not him!
«Then where was he?»
«He ran when I shouted that you had been drowning! I dont know how to save lives!»
«So, then, he pulled me out?»
«Yes! Only then, did he pull you out of the water!»
«Err Did he go away when I saw swimming?»
«I dont know. Maybe he was in the shower. I dont know. Dont ask me that.»
«O-o-okay. I wont.»
«Janet, I want to warn you: hes not for you. Hes not your type. I can see that clearly.»
«But, Ma, why do you think so?»
«Im afraid he isnt taking much interest in you. Maybe he doesnt even need you.»
«But, Mum, I love him!»
«I know that, my dear. But, please, be careful.»
I couldnt understand anything.
«What do you mean to say, Ma?»
«Just dont come up to him so often. You better go to the beach with me, not alone, when Im in the shower. My darling, Im so worried about you! I know what you feel, but its my duty to take care of you, even if youre already nineteen.»
«But he told me he loves me!»
«Janet, Arabic men always say thing like that. So, its not much of a rarity for tourists to hear something like «I love you, or «Be my love, or «Be my wife. And then, it turns out he already has a wife, and maybe, not one! So, please, I beg you: be careful. You might be disappointed in your «love in the future. Although I can understand how you feel now.»
I couldnt help starting to cry. Mum approached me and hugged me.
«My dear Janet, youre my only child, and I dont want to lose you. When you were drowning, I thought it was the end of the line! Imagine my feelings! Im a mother,» she said, sobbing. «Im your mother! And imagine what a mother feels when she loses her child! Whats more, her only child!»
I could understand her now.
But still, I had a right to my happiness as well. I told this to Mum.
«My dear, youll surely find your special someone. But not here. Look, theyre all poor people. They have nothing but their huts»
«But he must have a big house!» I interrupted.
«How could you know? He mustve told you a lie!»