Chapter 7

 On the way to Alexandria.

 While they were traveling to Alexandria, Omar was driving his father's car, while Mahmoud was immersed in his dreams and fears, he was living the happy memories of his past that he lived with Amira Olwan more than twenty-five years ago, but he was also afraid of what might happen to her as a result of this situation that her memory has reached, he knows very well that she has another life and another family, Omar's voice interrupted his thoughts about Amira saying:

- What is wrong with you, dad?!

- Nothing, son, I'm just thinking of life.

- What about it?

- It's very strange, Omar. you are deprived of a certain thing at a time when you are in need of it or that's what you think then. What is strange is that that thing might come back to you when you have forgotten about it, or you are no longer in need of it.

Omar didn't get the point his father meant at that time, but wanted to make fun with him saying:

- I really don't know what you exactly mean or understand that feeling, however I think it's right that I may consider it a wisdom of an old man, dad.

- Do you think I have become an old man, Omar?!

- Never, dad. I am just kidding, you are in the prime of your youth.

Mahmoud laughed at his son's words then said seriously:

- Will you consider my advice to you, Omar?

- Of course, dad. Tell me.

Mahmoud looked to Omar intensely then asked him:

- What is the most important and most dangerous thing in life from your point of view, Omar?!

Omar who was looking forward while driving looked to the right where his father sits then answered:

- Perhaps money, love, or...

- The most important and most dangerous thing in the world is time, in difficult times if it passed then you might survive all the worries of life. Before your mother I was having or living a great love story, or that was what I imagined or thought then, but she was married to another one, traveled with him and lived her life. Her memories took over all my time and thinking, I lived in sadness and sorrow for days, weeks and some months, then I said to myself I need to kill the space that she had left in my life in order to escape from the deadly longing and killing memories.

- And was it easy to kill that space, dad?!

- The space was killed on its own, I worked and worked, I was preoccupied with myself, my work and my friends, and I thought that there might be a better future waiting for me, and after some time I knew your mother and was impressed by her personality and devotion to her obligations and duties, after that we had you and your brothers and all of you grew up and we grew up with you and time passed quicker than we have expected.

Omar found himself smiling proudly and asked his father:

- Are you happy with all you made and all that happened, dad?!

- Of course, very happy and proud, son. and if I am asked to choose between what I was in need of at the time and what I am in the moment, I would choose my life right now.

- May our Lord bless you, dad. We love you very much.

Mahmoud continued his valuable words to his elder son, Omar:

- Time passes, Omar, fast or slowly, it passes at the end. So don't stop or stay for a long time in a certain space of sadness or anger for something you missed, everything is yours at the time that our Lord has chosen, and everything in its time is beautiful, because it is not your choice; it is your destiny.

Omar was happy and proud with his father that he smiled lovingly to him and said:

- What a wise man you are, dad!!

I am really proud to be your son.

After about an hour, the car arrived in Alexandria, where everyone was waiting for them in the chalet of Nahla Jamil, Amira's friend, and her family where everyone was eager to know how this would be the first meeting between Mahmoud and Amira, who both are almost fifty years old, and after all these long years.

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In the chalet at the city of Alexandria.

Mahmoud and his son Omar arrived at the chalet in Alexandria and greeted everyone and got to know Sarah and Zina, the daughters of Hamdy Fayad, Amira was not present inside the chalet, which was divided into two floors, the upper floor contains two bedrooms, a living room and a bathroom, as well as the lower floor contained a kitchen and a large reception hall containing a TV and a small library.

Amira was sitting alone on the seashore, looking at the waves crashing on the beach in front of her, and the salty sea water caressed her face and hair from time to time.

Mahmoud asked Mr. Hamdi's permission to go to her to begin his specific task of helping her; but before he left, Hamdi held his hand and looked at him without speaking, as if his gaze said with sorrow and hope together, I want you to return my meek wife to me, and do not cross the boundaries, she is now my wife and the mother of my daughters and not your ex-girlfriend. Mahmoud understood the message from his eyes and nodded don't worry, I will do my best to return her to you as you are accustomed to know her.

Mahmoud walked to the first princess of his youth period as if he was going to see her for the first time, his heart was racing, and his feelings were mixed between nostalgia and whining, he walked to her staggering not knowing how to start, or to where he would go with this happening to him between Cairo and Alexandria, between Amira, Aaliyah and Huda.All these thoughts stopped when looked at Amira's mature face when he approached her and then said with a broken heart and mixed feelings:

- How are you, Amira?!

With all the nostalgia and longing of the planet between two lovers, she looked at him reproachfully and then eagerly rose to him:

- Where have you been? How could you leave me alone all this time, Mahmoud?!!

Mahmoud was astonished of her reaction despite Hamdy has explained to him her mental illness, He did not know how to act, in awhile he smiled to her and said:

- I am sorry, I... was here in Egypt, waiting for your return back from Australia.

- I've been here in Egypt for more than two weeks; Why are you so late?!

Mahmoud felt he is in scruple, he said:

- Two weeks?! You must mean two days, Amira?!

- I don't... remember, all I think about is that you forgot about me and abandoned me.

- Are you forgetting that you married Hamdi and traveled with him to Australia?!

- I... had to do this, I don't remember alot about that, all I remember now is you, Mahmoud and how we have recognized each other, Do you remember?!

- Remember?! I.... never forgot, Amira.