The Girl from Baghdad Read Online Free

he took her chin between his fingers, ‘If I ever want to get married a second time, you ought to know that the first wife has to always give her approval. If not, no other woman can come into the house.’
    â€˜Don’t even joke about it!’ Jana threatened angrily.
    â€˜You don’t have anything to worry about. Apart from my grandfather, no-one else from our family has ever been married more than once. People of our class practically never do anymore.’
    â€˜And your last name?’ she asked, changing the subject. ‘Is there a story behind that too?’
    â€˜Nouri means “light”. It is a Persian name from an esteemed Sunni family. The nobility of the past wasvery different from the nobility of today. It used to be enough to be better off and wiser than your neighbours to be considered important. The family escaped from Iran during the time of the shah persecutions. They settled here and prospered, becoming rich and powerful.’
    Jana stared at her husband, entranced. How many more things didn’t she know about him? Would she ever know everything about him? When they were alone, she bombarded him with questions. That’s how she discovered that, thanks to their elevated class, Mohamed and his siblings had studied at the best universities. He had a degree in economics from Cairo. His brother, Kassid, was a surgeon. All three sisters worked in commercial offices in the city. None of them remained hostage to domestic life.
    Jana spent the first fifteen days in the house with the other women. It was customary to spend time together, drinking tea on the living room couches. The house was luxurious but smothering. Heavy, dark velvet drapes adorned the walls. An enormous crystal chandelier, so large it occupied most of the room, hung from the ceiling. They stayed in that room for hours while the bowl of salted watermelon seeds passed from hand to hand, as did small glasses of tea. They never stopped chatting. Jana guessed from their gestures it was one endless gossip between women, but she still did not understand their conversations. She felt alone and uneasy. What was more,nobody cared. The only one who seemed to notice was Ahlam. Every once in a while, filling her glass, she slowly repeated some Arabic phrases, hoping Jana would start to understand. Then Bibi would make an abrupt gesture with her hand and Ahlam, alerted by the jingling of Bibi’s bracelets, would stop and serve the others too.
    The highlight of each passing day took place at night when she was finally able to be alone with Mohamed. In his arms, she tried to pretend that everything was going well. One evening, however, two weeks after their arrival, she finally opened her heart, ‘You know, I don’t think your sisters like me. I’m afraid of making a mistake … They don’t want me here.’
    â€˜My love, you have to give them time. And, besides, Ahlam took to you immediately. She really looks after you.’
    â€˜Yes, she’s very kind. But I always feel uncomfortable around Kasside – like I’m under examination.’
    â€˜Don’t exaggerate. It’s normal that she pays attention to what you do. After all, she is responsible for many things in the family. You’ll get used to it eventually, it won’t seem so bad,’ he reassured her. Mohamed closed her eyes with a kiss before adding, ‘I have good news for you: everything is almost ready for the wedding.’
    â€˜What wedding?’ She had completely forgotten.
    â€˜Ours! My mother and Kasside have made the arrangements for the banquet, and the sheikh is ready toconduct the ceremony in the town hall in two days. The whole family has already been invited. It’s going to be a magnificent party. Aren’t you happy?’
    â€˜My love!’ She held him even tighter. Maybe after this second wedding the in-laws would finally consider her one of them. She closed her eyes, dreaming of