Princess: Stepping Out of the Shadows, стр. 15
Although I have become sympathetic to Dunia’s obsessions, over the years she has still created a lot of shock in my mind. Dunia’s unreachable desires are not limited to appearance alone. As I mentioned in an earlier book about my life, she has long been gripped by a passionate desire to create a jewellery collection to rival the famous assortment amassed by the movie star Elizabeth Taylor; her jewels recently auctioned for the enormous sum of $100 million. In fact, on the day of the auction my sister was the recipient of three of those jewellery sets, purchased by an agent so that my sister’s name would not be known to the world. In our royal family, excessive publicity when spending large sums of money is not admired, particularly for the females.
The previous year, in fact, Dunia had pleaded with me to come to her palace to view her collection, but I could not gather the interest necessary to spend an entire day feigning excitement and complimenting my sister on her jewels.
The final analysis is that my sister Dunia is one of the most miserable women I have ever known. Her manic obsession for remaining youthful leaves her unsatisfied because there will always be a woman younger and more beautiful. Her second obsession of collecting jewels is nothing more than a desperate attempt to fill the void in her life with useless items that do nothing for the good of our world. A self-obsessed manner, greed and a constant striving for impossible goals has led to great unhappiness.
There have been occasions when Sara or I attempted to interest Dunia in financing schools in poor nations, adopting some poor families to support or sponsoring young women in their educational quests, but Dunia’s eyes go blank and her face freezes rigid when one reminds her of the joy of charity. Other than her children and grandchildren, never have I known Dunia to help anyone. I am certain that the combined worth of my sister and her husband must total at least a billion dollars. What a pity they share nothing of their wealth to help those in need.
I am of the belief that an auspicious birth and a fortune to rival most in the world bring an obligation to be generous and open-hearted to others.
In the midst of this gathering, with Maha still attempting to stifle laughter and Amani gasping in disbelief, I look around to find Sara. My closest sister since I was a child is able to read my mind. After our eyes meet, she rushes to release me from Dunia, pulling her away to view the beautiful and priceless collection of Bedouin jewellery displayed on one full wall. I hear Dunia make bizarre squeaking sounds and suddenly realize that her new lips will not allow normal cries of joy. But I am most concerned that she might believe it possible to take some of the rare pieces of Bedouin jewellery for herself.
Hoping that Sara will keep her honest eyes on Dunia, I turn to my sisters Haifa and Tahani, who are holding hands and laughing gaily. The two have always been close and as children would weep if Mother suggested they sleep in separate beds. I recall those nights well when their cries would keep me awake.
I have a strong memory of slipping into Haifa’s bed and whispering, ‘Mother has gone to bed. She will never know if you return to Tahani.’ My sisters were all obedient when it came to Mother’s instructions. Haifa would gasp and turn her back to me at the audacity that I would suggest she disobey our mother, despite the emotional agony the two girls endured at having to sleep alone – separated from one another.
Haifa’s reaction puzzled me, for although I dearly loved my mother I suffered no remorse at disobeying orders from any adult, even from my mother. I would only experience sorrow if my disobedience was discovered.
But Haifa was always a dutiful child, and since Nura’s death Haifa is now the eldest sister in our family. She relishes the position, as she believes it gives her the justification to know all about our activities, and to suggest changes in our business and personal lives. But Haifa is such a precious woman, gentle and kind, and no one takes offence when she digs into our personal affairs or business matters in order to assist with various recommendations, none of which her sisters accept – although we each smile and nod in agreement with whatever suggestions she makes at any given moment, leaving Haifa to believe that she has helped us with her ‘words of wisdom’ and has saved each of us from what she believes are destructive habits.
Haifa’s life appears to be happy, and she and her husband enjoy their seven children and nine grandchildren. Generally, her family spends most of the year in the south of France at their beautiful villa overlooking the sea, so it is pleasant to see Haifa in my home, despite her inquisitive ways.
‘Sultana,’ she now says with a frown, ‘please, while I am in the kingdom, let us make time for me to come over and help you balance your charity books. I believe that you have taken on more than you can manage.’ I chuckle and affectionately hug my sister, content to let her believe that I cannot successfully administer my accounts without her assistance. I smile in amusement but would never want Haifa to be aware of how she entertains me with her attempts to interfere.
‘Of course, Haifa. You are too kind, sister. For sure, we will speak about this later.’ I know that Haifa will forget the details and convince herself that she had indeed helped