CHAPTER 6 Ami celebrates birthday abroad

Contrary to Rain’s belief, Ami did remember him on their birthday. She also saw a social media post but she ignored it telling herself maybe it is a one-off fling of Rain’s like in the past. She was busy typing an email required by her employer when Mabel barged into her room with a loud “Happy Birthday!” She was followed by Madam Mariam, Sir Abdullah, Ali and Mansour and their sister.
“Since your planned trip to Ferrari World did not push through because of my emergency meeting, I am giving you this day as a gift. “ Madam Mariam uttered. “Ali or Mansour is just too happy to escort you ladies.” Ami looked to Ali who winked at her and she just rolled her eyes to hide her blush. In all the six months that she has been with them, Mansour felt like a brother to her unlike Ali who seems to know her more and feels something far different from that of a brother. Despite the awkwardness in his presence, Ami feels closer to Ali compared to Mansour who is closer to her cousin probably because he is friends with Devlin or whatever the guy’s name is. That guy is quite a mystery to Ami. Whenever he is around, Mabel is agitated yet the gentleman is not doing anything besides staring at Mabel whenever her cousin wasn’t looking. Oh well, that is not her problem though. At the moment she is concentrating on not being emotional as she remembered the last time she was with Rain. What did she expect, she told herself, just because Rain kissed her passionately does not mean he feels something towards her other than being her bff. Maybe he was just stressed that night as he was acting strangely. Just then Mabel caught the look in her cousin’s eyes so she said too loud, “Ali, do you mind being Ami’s partner today while I go with Mansour?” “Habibti, of course. Do you doubt me?’ Ali countered. I will always stay with my Ami, she is special, don’t you know?” Ami blushed but in truth, she does feel special when she is with Ali. She was used to being left on her own by her male friends back home because they really think she is a tomboy. Deep down though, she wants to be treated like a lady. Here in the UAE, Ali treats her like a delicate crystal or flower or even like a princess. If she is being honest with herself, she is attracted to him. Whenever he is near, she seems to be more aware of him and his scent, a combination of aftershave and maleness.
“Mabel you don’t have to ask me, although we might have company, “ said Mansour conversationally as he also noticed Ami’s somewhat gloomy countenance. “I hope you do not mind.” “Of course,” said Mabel before Mansour had finished talking so she did not hear the tail end of his speech.
“Okay boys,” the madam said. Leave the cousins be so they can prepare. Just send that email to me Ami if you are done. “Yes, Madam, it is done,” replied Ami. “Sent.” “Excellent” uttered Madam as she shooed the gentlemen out of Ami’s room. Ami did not notice the Gonzales company url when she was writing the email. She just thought it was one of Al Zaheri’s many business contacts. Because of the image she saw on social media, her mind was too busy processing it that she forgot all about clarifying matters with the Sheikha.
When they arrived at Ferrari World, Ami’s eyes rounded. Ferrari World is a 9 hectare amusement park and Ami couldn’t take her eyes off the lovely Ferraris parked at the entrance. “This is opulence to the extreme!” she gushed to the brothers’ amusement. It was the middle of the work week so only a handful of tourists both local and foreign were there. “This is only but a few of the massive amusement parks here in the UAE”, the brothers said in unison. “Would you like to try the rides?” they asked. “Would I?” cried Ami excitedly. I would love it!”
Mabel said dejectedly, “Oh, be careful boys, she is not your typical screaming girl. She won’t even shriek no matter how fast the ride is.”
“Is that so? Then let us see, shall we.” said Ali tugging Ami along. Mabel was about to reply when she felt a prickling at the back of her head. She turned around coming face to chest with the American who held her gently as her head bounced off his chest. Mabel colored to the tips of her ears. To hide it she turned to Mansour who was looking at the two of them with comical eyes. “I thought you were referring to your Jamati friend, she whispered to Mansour. Mansour was unrepentant as he replied, “Serves you right to let me finish my speech next time Habibti.”
“Ali, Ami, wait!'' she cried running after the two who were about to enter what looked like a box tunnel leading to the fastest roller coaster ride.
They didn’t hear her so she had no choice but to stay with Mansour and his American friend while they waited at the viewing platform for Ali and Ami’s ride. Even if she was tall for a girl, the two men still towered over her as they stood on either side of her. Mabel kept her face forward, not daring to look at the man on her right. Even if he held her gently earlier, she felt an electric shock up her arms. Maybe it was only static, she thought to herself. She nearly missed Ali and Ami’s car as it went through the loops of the roller coaster at a dizzying speed. Ami doesn’t seem to be bothered by the speed, she appears to be grinning at Ali who seemed to be the one looking green. “Look how brave she is,” she suddenly blurted out, forgetting who her companions are. “She certainly is,” answered the guy to her right. “How about you Mabel?” he asked, looking at her. “Oh despite her height, she is one scaredy cat” exposed Mansour which earned him a not so gentle whack on the shoulder. “Sometimes I forget that you are my employers’ son,” Mabel defended hotly. “Ouch, watch it!” cried Mansour. “And I forget you are not my sister either. “ he continued laughing while she blushed again for the second time that day. The American chuckled and took pity on her so he said, “Would you like me to remove Mansour from your sight, my lovely?” “No, thank you and I am not your lovely,” she retorted.
Unaware of the tension between Mabel and Devlin, Ami was laughing with Ali as they came out of the rollercoaster station. “Wasn’t that fun!,” she said cheerfully. ”I wish Rain was with me,” she blurted out unexpectedly. Realizing her mistake she covered her mouth and shut up. “Rain who?” asked the brothers. Mabel came to her rescue saying, “Oh just a friend back home.” Ali wasn’t fooled and he felt a bit jealous so he suggested, “Why don’t we go grab lunch at Texas whatever resto is. I promise you Ami, you will forget whoever is bothering you if you tasted their food. “Is it that good that you even forgot the restaurant’s full name?” teased Ami. It was Ali who colored this time. “Come on guys!” he managed to say. “With all these restaurants, you don’t think I would memorize all their names?” “Thank God, this proves he is human after all, “ another dig from Ami. “Well at least I made you smile, didn’t I? Now you owe me.” he teased Ami back. Ali is not fighting his attraction to her anymore, when Ami is happy, he feels happy. He gently held her elbow as he said, “Shall we?” Ami smiled back at him and nodded. She knew Ali is attracted to her in the same way she is to him. Who wouldn’t be? Ali has a face more suited to that of Hollywood movies, high cheekbones, deep set black eyes, aquiline nose, lips that begged to be kissed and he is always clean shaven unlike some of their acquaintances who always sport beards and mustaches although trimmed. How can she not, aside from being handsome, he is all that’s sweet and gentlemanly. For the first time in six months, she felt better. With Ali, she felt cherished and a lady.
As they were enjoying their lunch of succulent ribs and steaks, Mabel excused herself saying, “I will be back guys.” She pointed her finger at Ami as she said “You, stay!” Devlin was about to volunteer to accompany her but Mansour beat him to it. “Hey, our mom told us not to lose either of you so I am coming and you have no say on the matter.” he exclaimed. Mabel had no choice but to agree. As soon as they were out of earshot, Mansour asked, “What are you up to?” Sshhhh, do not be too loud, whispered Mabel. I have no gift yet for Ami so I plan to buy her something without her suspecting. I can see she is still upset over whatever happened six months ago so I want to buy her a huge stuffed toy.” “You should have told me earlier,” Mansour replied. “We could have gone to Warner Brothers so you can take a pick of the lovely gifts they have there.” “We can go there next time, quickly, I saw a stuffed Ferrari at Ferrari World, let’s go get it,” she said.
By the time they got back, Ali was just settling the bill while Devlin humored Ami of his adventures in the Philippines. “I have been to Boracay, what a paradise!” he shared. “Lucky you,” answered Ami. I have never been to the Visayas, let alone the whole of Luzon. But maybe in two years, I have enough money saved that Mabel and I can explore. “She volunteered. Devlin’s eyes lit up at the mention of her cousin’s name but he said nothing, just absorbing whatever information Ami is sharing. Ali for his part was not liking it when Ami was all smiles at Devlin. He felt jealous and possessive of Ami but he knows he has to keep the emotion from his face because he has no hold on Ami yet. Maybe when the time is right, he thought.
Mansour and Mabel waited for them outside the restaurant grinning happily at Ami. Ami was intrigued. “Why are you guys grinning?” “Shuhada,” said Mabel. Is it bad to grin here? Is there a sign saying ``Grinning is banned? Oh no, where is it? Is Mansour going to pay? “ she asked in rapid succession. “Silly goose,” Ami scolded affectionately. I am just wondering why you are grinning. “ “Tada!” exclaimed Mansour, shoving a big bag into her open arms. “Ami nearly dropped it before Devlin came to her rescue. “It’s our birthday gift to you,” blurted Mabel happily. Ami looked inside and then jumped happily as she hugged the Ferrari stuffed car. “Oh, thank you, thank you!” she cried. “You made my day.” Ali scowled at Mansour and Mabel.” Why didn’t you let me know? She didn’t even jump after that rollercoaster ride.”
Mabel smiled sweetly at him, missing Devlin’s dagger looks at Ali. “If we told you, we are sure you would ruin the surprise. You are a gossipmonger. “ “No I am not!” defended Ali. Their group was attracting some attention so they started moving. “Wait!” shouted Ami, “Selfie or Groupie she said taking out her phone and snapping pictures. “There”, she exclaimed, “posted! They wanted to visit Warner Brothers when Ali’s phone rang. “Hello Mama,” he answered. After some nodding and some rapid Arabic, he whipped around and said to the group, “We are told to go home now as Mama has some urgent matters to attend to and as much as she hates disrupting Ami’s birthday, she wants to start early tomorrow. Sorry habibti” he turned to Ami. Ami was in such a cheerful mood that she didn’t care if her day was cut short. Her happiness shone in her eyes that all Ali wanted to do was grab her and kiss her but he knows it is not possible yet. Unlike other Filipinas he met, Ami is almost always covered. She never wears shorts or skirts, she always wears pants and shirts which added to her allure. Lucky is the man who would be able to wed her, he thought imagining himself that man. He sighed thus attracting Ami’s attention.
“Is anything the matter, Ali?”
“Nothing Habibti, am just thinking of something.”
“Not worth sharing with me?”
“You might run away if I tell you and I do not wish that to happen. You are becoming precious to me is all I can tell you.”
“Ohhh, you really know how to make a girl fall for you. I will not be surprised if one of these days you will be bringing home a bride.”
Ali grimaced and pulled Ami gently away from the group and whispered
“Would you like to be my bride, Ami?”
Ami was taken aback by his declaration that her eyes went wide. She was tongue-tied and did not know how to respond.
Ali realized what he just said so he blurted, “Got ya!”
“You foolish man!” cried Ami although she felt hurt that Ali seems to be just toying with her. Was he serious or was it all a joke. Ali saw the hurt in her eyes so he told her jokes to make her smile again. After some time, Ami was smiling again as they all headed to the carpark to go home.
Once in the villa, after delivering the ladies safely to their floor, Ali paced his room. He really wanted Ami for himself but what about the guy she said was her best friend waiting back home in the Philippines. Every time he sees Ami, he forgets his duty of marrying another Emirati. Will his parents allow him to marry one of their employees? Although his parents are open-minded, they still have a strong sense of tradition. Only one way to find out, so he went in search of his parents. He found them having coffee in their private sitting room. Seeing his expression, his mother asked him to say what he wanted to say. Upon learning of his intentions, they advised him to try wooing her first and if she returns his regard, they will allow him to marry her but as his second wife so he should marry his very distant cousin first. Ali did not really want to marry that distant cousin no matter how beautiful she is but he just agreed so he can start his wooing immediately.

Back home in the Philippines, it was a different story.