Journal of a Single Gal in Q8 - Episode Nine

From last episode..

"Maybe she should've known that they may not end up together based on the way they'd met. Sometimes it was hard to believe that they actually met that way.

It all began a few summers ago when she had been visiting her sister in the States."

It had been a fun summer. Her sister would attend her classes while she discovered that cooking for someone you love was actually fun. She was not one to cook but knowing that her sister would come back hungry from college made her motivated to actually enter the kitchen and make an attempt. She would read from her favorite Kuwaiti cook book knowing humuoursly that it was actually written for expatriates but it was perfect. She'd found it at the Kuwait Bookshop at Muthana and she loved the picture of the cover with the Dallah and coffee cups.

Her sister, who was a great cook would often compliment her on her cooking which used to make her laugh. She just couldn't see herself as a great cook. She believed her cooking was an expression of love and that was the only reason she was in the kitchen cooking. Other than that, she knew that cooking was just not for her. When her mother would ask her what she planned to do when she got married, she'd smile and say "Catering from my sister, of course!"

During the free hours she'd have, while she'd finished cooking and waiting for her sister, she'd often log on the net and explore sites. On occasion she'd even visit chat rooms. She would judge her interest with the people she chatted with based on the first three sentences. If they asked the right questions, she'd continue chatting but if they asked lame questions, she'd just disconnect. It didn't take long that she found one particular nickname that caught her interest.

They'd discuss various issues like politics, music, career and everthing else that she felt passionate towards. They would agree on so many things and argue for hours on other things and she loved it. He was intelligent, patient and interesting. A combination that no doubt caught her attention.

When it was time for her to leave the States, she'd shared her secret admirer story with her sister. They were driving down the highway heading to the airport as she spilt the beans.

"I told you never to give up, someone is out there for you. Maybe it's him," said her sister with a smirk on her face. "Like I said, I believe that story about the coins. You know, the one that God threw half coins from the sky and for every half coin there's the other half that you have to find. Maybe he's your other half, who knows" she comforted her.

Her sister knew that lately she'd been feeling very down about finding someone special in her life and that she was on the verge of giving up. It had only been a few weeks ago that she'd given her a lecture about never giving up. "He's out there somewhere," she'd say but that was always her, the optimist.

When she'd finally reached Kuwait, she kept roaming the streets wondering what he looked like. They continued to chat on line for six months when they'd finally agreed to meet. Luckily, it was Christmas time and her sister was home for the holidays and they were both excited that she was finally going to meet him. She needed the comfort of her sister.

"What do you think I should wear?" she desperately asked.

"Just be yourself, wear what makes you comfortable," answered her sister.

"Then it's got to be jeans," she replied.

She stood infront of the mirror as her heart began to pound. She wore her stone washed jeans, a black top with a black blazer and her favorite black cowboy boats.

"You're going to wear your cowboy boats?!" asked her sister looking horrified.

"You said wear what makes you comfortable and besides, if he doesn't like my style then he aint my style! Right?!" she replied.

Her sister smiled, nodded her head in agreement and finally added "Call me as soon as you're heading home. Oh and where are you meeting exactly? How are you gonna know each other? Shall I follow you, just in case?"

"We're meeting at the club by the Squash courts so it's a public place and so I'm safe. He told me he'll be carrying a red rose with him. Oh my God, how cliche! I can't believe I'm doing this! God! Ok, one more question and I'm gonna chicken out." she replied.

It was time she was on her way and she quickly kissed her sister goodbye and heard her yell out behind her "Good luck!".

As she drove to her destination, she could hear herself think. "Oh God, what if he's ugly? Looks aren't everything but what if he's gross? Looks aren't everything. What if he stinks? Looks aren't everything. OK. I can't breath. Damn it. Please God, let him be cute. Don't be so superficial for heaven's sake. I know. I know but please, make him cute anyway!" Her mind was going so fast that she couldn't keep up with it.

By the time she parked her car outside the club, she was a bundle of nerves. She took a deep breath and had her final conversation with God. "Whatever happens God, please don't let him be a psychopath!"

She stepped out of her car and walked slowly towards the entrance of the club. "Slowly, slowly, don't look rushed" she heard herself say.

From a distance, she could see someone standing at the reception and he looked like he was waiting for someone.

To be continued....