A New Life

We took the train from the harbor to the city. It was very comfortable seat in the train. Women and men separated in different section of the train. So I couldn't see Layla and Anne anymore.

"I think your country is unique, Rey" I opened the talk.

Rey looked at me and smiled,

"What did you see to make you think like that, Dave?"

"Well, I think your men tend to hide your women. I always see different place for women either at the street, restaurant, or here in the train. Do your country thinks they're some kind of viruses or what?"

I was aware that my sentences were a bit offensive. But I couldn't hold myself to not asking. I was curious how this smiling guy would react. But surprisingly, he kept smiling. He patted my shoulder.

"It's a good question, Rey. You maybe think that we're pushing away our women like they're some kind of beasts. The fact is in the contrary. It's them that push us -men- away." Rey laughed.

"What do you mean?" I was kind of puzzled.

"My country looks men as beast that can harm women when they go crazy" Rey still laughed.

"Sorry, sorry. I was just joking. My country treasures women so much. Instead of being pushed away or hidden, the government pamper them with a lot of facilities that are not available for men." Rey said.

"Really?" I got more curious.

"Of course! Here, in Dawla men do most of the outing things. We work, we shop for groceries, buying anything the family need. While our women just need to babysit our children, taking care of the house doing things they want, or if they want to get a job, it's permitted. They can keep their salaries for their own. But most women in our country use their salary to backup the expenses. We treasure our women a lot. They're like diamonds that should be protected. But it doesn't mean they are not allowed to go outside and socialize. They have their rights just like men. That's why the caliph pampers them with many facilities so they will be safe whenever they need to go outside." Rey explained evwrything with serious tone.

"In other words, your country consider women as a weak creature that need to be protected everytime. So they are not allowed to meet men at all?" I was really curious.

"There is no weak woman in my country, Dave. Trust me, if you don't have any martial art skill, when you tease one of them... You'll end up beaten. Most women in my country are skilled with martial art. It's one of compulsory subjects in every school. We are free to choose either taekwondo, aikido, boxing, or other martial art option provided by school. So, basically our women are not barbie dolls who need protection from other. They are strong physically and mentally. But despite how strong they are, it's just natural that men are stronger. So, the caliph prevents any slot of danger by protecting them in public area."

I was amazed, then I remembered Layla. Well, maybe she was not as weak as I thought.

"So, tell me Rey...how did you meet Anne?" since there almost no chance of meeting the girls in public area, how they knew each other...this is a big question for me.

Rey laughed again.

"Well it's a long story, Dave. I'll tell you some other time coz we'll reach our destination in 5 minutes, we need to get ready."

He got up, taking the bags and got ready to leave the train. I helped him carrying some bags.

We left the train station with Rey's car. Fortunately he brought his cars to the station otherwise we needed to get a taxi. Layla was sitting behind me. I don't know why I kept being curious about her. Maybe because of her look or her brown eyes that always met mine whenever we met. Or I might be curious about her profession how did she managed to be viruses' analyst.

We arrived at Rey house at the afternoon . It was not far at all from the station. But ten days floating on the ocean really made us exhausted. Luckily Rey called his maid to clean the pavilion right after we left the ship so when I entered my room, I could throw myself on the bed.

It was a crazy journey I had. Who would guess that I would end up at the country that I never knew it existed! And it felt like it's just yesterday thatَ I needed to struggle to stay alive form gun shots. Who would know that someone would save me and gave a new life?

I tried to shut my eyes. Once again Layla's brown eyes appeared in my mind. The way her curious eyes saw me made me also curious about her. What kind of girl was she? I was drown in the image of one of Charlie's angels. Maybe Layla was some kind of them? The next minute I imagined Layla as Lara Croft or Xena. And I smiled unconsciously then fell asleep.

I opened my eyes. It was dark outside. I must be very tired. My stomach growled...I didn't know what to eat tonight. I looked my cell phone, of course it didn't work. I needed to buy local number to use it. The clock in my cellphone was also not updated. So I didn't know what time it was. I opened the refrigerator, nothing's there -obviously. I had no choice for now. I needed to ask Rey where I could get a meal tonight.

I opened the door, there's a note sticking on it.

Please go to our house when you wake up. We had prepared the food for you. You must be hungry.

L.

L?

Layla?

Did she bring me food this afternoon?

Suddenly my heart beat faster. Why? What's wrong with me? Maybe because I was starving.

I knocked the door, I hoped I didn't disturb anybody. Someone opened the door. I recognized the beautiful brown eyes. It's Layla!

My heart beat even faster. Was I really that starving? Layla had a fair skin, a bit different from Rey. Their nose and lips were similar. But Layla was true beauty even when she covered her hair with dark veil. And now she's even more beautiful when she smiled.

"Oh it's you, Mr. Leighton. Come on in. I'll heat the food for you. I'll wake my brother up." she opened the door wide enough for me.

"It's fine, don't bother. Rey must be exhausted."

"It's okay. Beside I must wake him." Layla went upstair.

I looked at the clock on the wall. It's 8 o'clock. These people must be exhausted to be already in bed at this time. I hope I didn't disturb Rey's peaceful sleep.

Layla's back with Rey. She's wearing long sleeve gown and directly went to the kitchen. Rey smiled at me.

"Hi, Dave. Did you have a good sleep?"

"Ah, yes I do thanks to you. I'm sorry that you need to wake up for me, I had said to your sister to leave you be..."

Rey cut my sentence,

"It's alright, Dave. It's not good also to be alone with a girl at night."

I got the point why he needed to accompany me.

"So, Dave...do you mind to start working tomorrow? Or you need one more day to rest?" ah, I totally forgot about the job.

"Ah, right. I'm okay to start working. I'll have enough rest tonight, I think. What time do I need to go and how?" I didn't know anything about my job.

Layla came with meat and tomato stew, some cut fruits, and some breads.

"Please enjoy, I hope it suits your taste." she said that in cold tone.

"Oh, thank you. It's more than enough."

"Please enjoy the dinner. Since we don't have the same taste, maybe it will be a little different with what you usually eat. I don't have any idea what Layla cook. Since she lived for a long time at your country, I asked her to cook whatever taste good for you." Rey laughed.

"Ah, I see. That' s why it tastes delicious, thank you. I'm sorry for bothering." It was really delicious. Maybe because she cooked herself back then.

Layla sat on the couch reading a book.

"Miss Layla is a doctor?" I asked question to break the awkwardness.

"Well, basically yes but she doesn't work at the hospital. She works at the research lab. Will you start working tomorrow, Layla?"

Layla looked at me then replied,

"No, but I need to report to the office about my arrival. Maybe I need a ride to the office."

"Okay, then we need to be prepared at 6 o'clock." Rey looked at me. I had just finished my bowl.

"If you're ready at six, what time will you wake up, Rey?" I asked silly question to Rey.

Rey laughed.

"I always wake up at 2 in the morning, Dave. I will wake you up at five tomorrow. Oh, I forgot...do you have any cellphone? It will be difficult for us to communicate if you don't."

"Ah...I remember that I need to buy a local number for my cell phone."

"I think you need a new phone also Rey. We use different system for cellphone here. It may not be the same as yours. Layla can you take my phone in the drawer at my office?"

Layla got up then walked to a room and back with a cellphone in her hand. She put it on the table in front of me.

"For tomorrow, you can use mine, Dave. I'll get you a new phone after work tomorrow. And you need to study Arabic too coz most of the people can't speak English. If you don't know Arabic it will be difficult for you to work. We'll get you registered tomorrow." Rey looked at the clock. It was 9 already.

I finished my meal quickly and took my leave.

"So, I need to wake up at five and get ready at six tomorrow? I get it. Thank you for the meal. And have a good rest tonight, Rey...Layla..."

I saw Layla nodded at me with poker face.

"Alright, Dave. You too have a good rest tonight. Just go directly to my house when you've dressed properly tomorrow. We'll eat some breakfast at my house before we leave."

"Okay."

Rey accompanied me to the door and we parted. I needed to sleeo as soon as possible. I never woke up so early. I needed to work hard to pay back what Rey had done for me though he didn't ask me to.

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