Chapter 4: Partying deep in the Oasis

House parties back in the U.S took place when someones parents went out of town and we had the house to our own. Or if someone moved to an apartment close to university, it definitely would call for a get together. But out here in the Gulf it was such an exclusive event. Most parties took place in Villas or Chalets. The wealthy owned them and partied there each weekend.

From what it looked like, Nouf and Talal were an item. The term boyfriend and girlfriend was not really used in the Gulf. Terms of endearment were more frequent. Nouf had been driving down, what the locals called Love Street at around 6 pm and so was Talal. He drove up next to her car making sure to stay at her speed. Showing her interest, she remained next to him only glancing over so often. Then she sped up and turned on her hazard lights, which means "follow me". Of course she had to give him a bit of a run around, to see if he was truly interested. Talal followed her until they reached a cold store, where she parked and asked the attendant to get her a Moussey drink and Galaxy bar. And Talal asked for the same and for the attendant to hand Nouf a small piece of paper with his number on it. And from that day on they've been talking. They seem like a cute couple. Both very charismatic and outgoing. Talal looked after her making sure she was comfortable. He wasn't shy to show his affection towards her in front of the guys. I really admired that about him.

The guys played music and danced with each other, which i couldn't help but laugh at. They were good dancers but it was different to see a bunch of guys dancing with each other. The girls and I sat around the kitchen island and sipped on our drinks. I was being cautious about how much I consumed. Eventhough back home I wasn't much of a drinker, I decided to drink tonight because I was trying my best to loosen up. I didn't want to seem so awkward. I wanted to have as much fun because I was full of excitement to be amongst this lively bunch. I was just struggling to bring out this side of me because things were unfamiliar to me. I was trying to absorb everything.

"Sooo Lulu, tell me, do you have anyone 'special' back home?" Nouf asked me.

I was a tad hesitant. But what difference did it make now. "I did."

"Sheno sar...?" asked Zain, wanting to find out more information.

"We couldn't keep a long distance relationship. It would be difficult. Besides, he started to act weird when I had mentioned that we were moving here. He made it seem like I was longer like him. I became foreign and forbidden. Such is life..." I explained.

"A'adi habibti...there's a huge sea of fish that you can choose from...we live in the Gulf, so finding a guy shouldn't be difficult." Zain added, and she was right. I was excited to meet new guys. But I had to make sure I perfected my arabic first!

Khalid walked over to us and swung his arm around Noor, who smiled and blushed at his touch.
"I'm sorry ya binat, but I must take my girl for a while." He said to us with a huge grin on his face which made me think he had something intimate in mind.

Khalid held Noor's hand and played a song that was really foreign to me. Just then Noor nodded her head and and Khalid said "Yalaaaaaa, 3ashani..do it for me."
Noor looked at him disapproving and again nodded. Khalid walked over to Abdullah and Talal that were standing by the mini bar and asked them to go out to the balcony for a bit. The guys didn't question and walked out for a smoke. Noor smiled at Khalid and took down all her hair. Her dark beautiful hair cascaded down her shoulders to her lower back. Zain and Nouf cheered and snapped their fingers as Noor prepared herself. Khalid sat on the couch, glad that he had convinced Noor to dance. He turned the volume up and that's when Noor swung her hair wildly. She shook her shoulder enthusiastically. This is was whole different Noor. I had no idea that this quiet, shy girl was capable of dancing in such a provocative way. I was completely amazed. Khalid got up and danced around Noor making sure not to take his eyes off of her backside, which had a rhythm of its own. The girls got closer to Noor and danced around her as well. I stood near them but really had no idea what to do. I clapped my hands to the beat of song. Zain pulled me closer to them and I felt so out of place. I could not dance to this music if my life depended on it. Luckily the song ended and the guys started to knock on the door wanting to come back inside. I ran to my drink hoping that the girls wouldn't comment about my inability to dance.

"Lulu! What was that? I'm thinking you're just a little rusty. And we're all here to re-introduce all this stuff to you. It's in your blood, in no time you'll even be better than Noor!" Nouf said jokingly, patting Noor on the shoulder

I knew I would never be better than Noor. She had Iraqi blood. Iraqi babies practically dance their way out of their mother's womb. But I was determined to re-learn to dance. And Nouf was right, it would be fun. It would definitely be a part of my work out.

Just then, Talal's phone rang. "Ya akhouuuuuuy! Come right up, bro. We already started the party, but have been waiting for you to make the night even better! Yala!"

Talal looked straight at me and raised his eyebrow. I wasn't quite sure what he meant, but for some strange reason my heart started to beat fast.