Bitter Almonds by Lilas Taha

power over families. It wasn’t just her dry personality that kept people at a distance. It was the secrets she held. Did she know his secret? A chill went through his body.
    â€˜I can discreetly sell a few of my things and take up new clients in other neighborhoods,’ she continued. ‘Make sure you let Father knowa modest dowry can be secured. If things work out right, the girl’s mother will help from her end.’ Huda smoothed her dress over her knees. ‘No matter what you think of Shareef, he has good qualities going for him.’ She held up one hand and started ticking off one finger at a time. ‘A promising future once he gets his diploma, an easy-going nature, a good family behind him, a teacher for a brother-in-law.’ She stopped at the last finger.
    Omar touched it. ‘And a sensible older sister.’
    Huda stared back, lowering her hand. ‘Do you think you can pull it off before you have to leave tomorrow?’
    â€˜Not enough time. I’ll talk to Uncle Mustafa, set the wheels in motion. Shareef has to arrange for the formal visit as soon as possible.’
    â€˜Eid is next week. Maybe Shareef can work something out right after the holiday.’
    â€˜You’ll let Mama Subhia know?’
    Huda took a deep breath. ‘Yes, but after Eid is over. Let her enjoy it.’
    Relieved by the somewhat amicable encounter, Omar relaxed his shoulders. ‘Better to leave the others out of it.’
    â€˜You mean Nadia?’ Huda’s voice again took on a sharp edge, adding more of a questioning tone underneath.
    Tension returned to Omar’s muscles. He clenched his jaw. Was she testing the waters?
    â€˜I don’t want Fatimah to be compromised with her husband if word reaches them,’ he explained. ‘I don’t want Waleed to think less of Shareef.’
    â€˜And Nadia?’ Huda repeated.
    â€˜Is too young and innocent to face this about her friend, soon to be her sister-in-law.’
    â€˜Sixteen is not too young.’ Huda rose to her feet. ‘Your concern about us is very touching.’ On the threshold, she turned to look down at him. ‘For someone who is not our actual brother.’
    Huda’s words were meant as a slap to his face, Omar was sure of it. Did she know they had the opposite effect? That they stoked the simmering cinders in his chest, igniting a raging fire? What more validation did his tortured soul need? He was
not
Nadia’s brother.
    Â 
    15
    Marwan left the busy market mosque and stopped at a bakery to pick up lunch. He carried steaming hot
sfeeha
into his store and called his employees over to take their break. The smell of onions and pomegranate syrup wafted as soon as he spread stacks of the flat meat pies on a table in the storage room along with a pail of yogurt. He closed the door behind him and took his place at the front to man the store.
    Normally he would give his workers a two-hour break, but it was the last day before they closed for Eid and Souk Elhamedieh was overcrowded with people looking for good deals to purchase last-minute gifts. The day’s sales would top the entire month’s revenue. Marwan welcomed eager shoppers and prepared to deal with bargaining women who tried his patience with their stubbornness. His merchandise of men and women’s clothing stood out among his competitors because of its superior quality, and he knew women’s eyes caught the distinction. They haggled anyway.
    Needing a break mid-afternoon, he left his main assistant in charge and leaned onto the front doors to catch a breath of air. Schools had let out and the streets were filled with young girls in uniforms of gray skirts and white blouses. Young men trailed not far behind, throwing compliments to gain attention—a dance he witnessed every day around this time. The guys’ efforts went unnoticed most days, however on rare occasions a girl would cast a quick look back, duck into one of