Princess: Stepping Out of the Shadows, стр. 16
Tahani glances at me and winks, knowing exactly my thoughts. Tahani is the sister who is so charming that all believe her to be the dearest friend in the family. Tahani does not have even the smallest particle of meanness in her body. Her only shortcoming is her inability to be on time for any appointment – be it a family business or leisure engagement. She is flighty in conduct and is always rushing to one missed appointment after another. That is why Haifa generally asks her driver to take her to Tahani’s palace prior to any social engagement. With Haifa as her chaperone, Tahani makes our family gatherings on time.
Tahani is the mother of two sons and three daughters, and she enjoys an unusually close relationship with all her children, who insist upon seeing their mother at least once weekly for an extended visit. They love to gather together to entertain Tahani and share all their family news.
Tahani has a lovely face, with big expressive eyes and a bright smile. She does battle weight issues, but her husband constantly praises her beauty and threatens to leave her if she loses a single kilo. Their relationship is playful and delightful. They suffer none of the tense battles I knew in the early days of marriage with Kareem.
Sara often says, ‘Lucky Tahani is on a life-long honeymoon with her husband.’ It gives my family great satisfaction to see such contentment.
At that moment, Dunia pulls away from Sara to rush at Tahani, telling her, ‘Darling sister, you must come with me to Switzerland. I have the most fabulous physician who performs miracles with liposuction.’ Dunia pats Tahani’s tummy with her hand. ‘In three sessions, this tummy would disappear.’
Confident Tahani strokes her own tummy, laughing. ‘And what then, Dunia? Lose my husband? He adores me just as I am. No thank you, sister.’
Haifa and Tahani share the funny moment and walk away once again hand in hand. Dunia stares after Tahani with a disapproving look. ‘I cannot believe that I have an obese sister. It is a scandal, Sultana.’
Dunia then looks at me, glancing down at my body. Instinctively, I find myself pulling in a deep breath and holding my stomach as flat as possible, then realize what I am doing and exhale. Although I am not overweight, I am not the slim girl I was when I was a bride. Happily, I have no regrets at not making my appearance the foremost goal in my life. As a middle-aged woman, I have accepted that I will never again look as though I am only twenty years old. Being healthy is my first concern, for I would like to live an extended life and enjoy my children and grandchildren for as long as possible.
Sara takes Dunia by the hand, leading her away. ‘Dunia, dear sister, you must not say such hurtful things. Not everyone can be as perfect as you.’
Dunia purrs with happiness that Sara has recognized her perfection.
My sister Sara once again has the ideal response to another’s cruelty. Although it is a reprimand and Dunia recognizes it as such, there are no awkward reactions. Sara has gained the respect of all who know her as a great diplomat. As such, if she admonishes, everyone listens.
That’s when Maha and Amani leave my side to join their cousins. I smile with pride as I watch my beautiful girls walk away. I am a realistic woman and can admit that while both have personality defects that have created havoc in our home more than once, I have lately seen signs of maturity, with a welcome lapse of their constant bickering. It makes me happy to think that perhaps each of my girls can finally enjoy the other’s company.
The joyous sounds of young women at a party escalate noticeably when my daughters begin to greet all their cousins. I admit that I take special joy in hearing the loud talk and laughter of the next generation fill my palace.
Hors d’oeuvres are soon served. Although I have chefs who are artists in the kitchen gallery, on this occasion I have catered the affair from one of Riyadh’s finest French shops. I am so pleased when I see that everything is impeccably prepared and beautifully displayed that I feel a tinge of regret that all is to be eaten.
I have no opportunity to study Dunia’s munching capabilities with those large lips, for my sister refuses all the tempting morsels, accepting only a glass of cold apple juice, from which she never sips. I should have known that my sister would refuse all food, for, as I have explained, Dunia is terrified of gaining an extra kilo.
After refreshments, Maha makes a loud announcement, which is easily heard above the boisterous chatter and noise. ‘Everyone! Follow your favourite cousin, please! My mother has something very special to show you!’
All those in the room laugh, for Maha is certainly unique and can be entertaining and witty if she is in a good mood. Her bold and forthright temperament has delighted her cousins more than once. In fact, all present would select her company over that of Amani, who even as an adult takes great pleasure in giving pointed advice to everyone around her. To my sorrow, Amani is an obstinate girl who truly believes she knows better than all and views every female cousin as a project. She likes to dispense advice with such haughtiness that it makes my daughter an unwelcome companion to most. I am sorry that my nieces think of Amani as someone to avoid, although I am pleased that on this evening Amani has softened her fanatical observations and annoying advice.
All assembled guests dutifully follow Maha and gather in Mother’s Room. Amani walks quickly to accompany me, holding my hand. Once inside, I savour the moment, for I can easily see that all are