Princess: Stepping Out of the Shadows, стр. 25

the wrongs committed by the royals, I jumped in. ‘Well, to shorten this story, Kareem sent one of our assistants to meet with the family. Once the parents heard the story of their daughter and how she was involved in a theft against a member of the royal family, the parents were instantly distraught. The mother pleaded for us to have mercy and not report Nawal to the police. The father turned against his wife, blaming her, as so many do in our country. Everything is the fault of the woman. We were told that the husband verbally attacked her and accused her of causing the problem by working in a shop where women’s unmentionables are sold. The wife was a bad example for the children, he claimed.

‘The husband did have a valid concern that if charges were filed he would be fired from his job at one of the automobile showrooms, where he worked as an accountant.’

In Saudi Arabia, as we all know, there is no leniency shown to those who get tangled in a scandal. Generally, the entire family suffers for the misdeeds of one.

‘Before the meeting ended, the poor wife was forbidden to leave the house until she had direct permission from her husband. Then the most grievous command was given when the husband said that their three daughters were to end their education once they had learned the basics – to be able to read and write.

‘At the snap of his fingers, all their lives were changed for ever. When we learned the distressing report, Kareem had our assistant return to that home to try and appease the man by reassuring him that no charges would be filed. Our family only asked that Nawal no longer see Medina. Kareem and I agree that the two girls are in an unequal friendship where one holds the power and the other wants to please. We feel that Nawal might continue being compliant in the face of such a strong personality as Medina.

‘The father was grateful that we would not file charges, but nothing could appease his anger at his wife, or his daughter Nawal – anger that had been spiralling out of control since he had first learned of the situation. He was still sputtering in rage, according to Kareem’s assistant, shouting that all should learn that freedom for women brings only shame to a family, for the women of Saudi Arabia do not yet know how to supervise themselves if given freedom. He asked Kareem’s assistant to pass on his advice to all the royals he knew.

‘In view of all that we discovered, we could see no benefit to further harm the women of that family.’

Maha’s eyes were flashing in a combination of sympathy for Nawal and fury at Nawal’s father. ‘Oh Mother, I am so glad I did not beat her up. And you and Father were right in this decision,’ she exclaimed. ‘Those poor women. A tyrant is their guardian.’

Sara, Haifa and Tahani also approved of our decision to be merciful.

‘Yes, Sultana,’ Sara said, ‘you were kind to those who need a little kindness.’

Haifa clasped her hands tightly together, still thinking of the husband’s ferocious reaction. ‘How fortunate we are to have husbands who respect their wives.’

‘Yes, respect, and this respect circles back from their wives,’ Tahani said, thinking of her own flourishing marriage.

Only Amani was uncertain as to the wisdom of our decision. ‘Mother, when a person commits a crime, despite the reason behind that decision, or the circumstances that arise from the crime, retribution must be made.’

‘I believe that this girl, Nawal, is suffering quite enough, daughter,’ I said, with a deep and wounded sigh. ‘The unfortunate girl’s act has created enormous problems for her mother and her two younger sisters. I am sure she is suffering a great torment even as we are having this conversation. I was told that she is a very good student, and now her studies will cease. This will alter the course of her entire life. I do not celebrate this outcome, for I consider it to be a great pity.’

How I wished for my daughter to loosen her rigid outlook on every aspect of life.

‘She has paid, Amani, and paid dearly,’ I said with raised eyebrows, yearning for my youngest to show some small gesture of empathy, even for humans who make wrong turns in life. Amani, an animal lover, forgives animals any naughty misdeeds they might commit, but her benevolence does not extend to human beings.

Amani puckered her lips, thinking, but at least did not put forth a heated argument against all that I had said. It has been my experience that when my daughter feels she is right, there is no deterring her from creating a scene, no matter who might be a witness to our dispute. For the moment, she seemed to be less intent on continuing the argument.

‘So,’ Maha said, ‘this conversation brings up the most pressing problem facing our new Crown Prince, does it not?’

‘And what is that?’ Amani said in a high-pitched voice, the one she uses when she is set to launch into a heated squabble with her sister.

‘Well, Amani, we finally have a bold man in line to be our king, a man who will not falter when making what I predict will be an unpopular decision with the vast majority of men in my country.’

Amani choked on her fruit, all the while glaring at Maha, as though her sister was a woman with two heads. When she finally caught her breath, Amani was off and running, her temper flaring at what she considered her sister’s grave hypocrisy. ‘Your country?’ Amani said with scorn. ‘Your country? Saudi Arabia is no longer your country. Your country is now Europe and I believe that means you can call multi-countries your home!’

How someone so beautiful could look so ugly was the question that came to my mind. Amani had such an unattractive expression that she no longer held the slightest resemblance