Dalila's Diary
| Entry 1, date unknown Dear Diary, This is my first day writing in a diary; this was given to me by my family to keep me entertained. I may as well introduce myself. My name is Dalila, and I am a 14-year-old Egyptian girl. My life has been pretty hectic – my mother continues to train me for the house life, cooking the dinners and cleaning the small adobe house we have; my father keeps insisting that I find a husband, for most other girls my age have been married long ago and already bear one or two children of their own. I, however, find that particular rule a foolish one and I don’t intend to willingly follow it. Since I am an only child with no brothers or sisters, I am also continually taught how to run a household completely by myself and successfully manage what I will soon inherit. Keeping up with the latest hair and fashion styles has been bothersome as well, since it seems to be always changing, never staying on the same style for more than a week. Unfortunately, since my father is a worker, we barely have enough money to feed us every night, let alone keep up with the latest styles. I am continually shunned and teased by the other people who look absolutely dazzling in whatever happens to be popular at the moment, for I have worn the same outfit for over two months now. I am actually very surprised that they could afford this diary for me. It must have cost them a fortune; paper is very scarce these days. I have to go – mother is calling me. - Dalila Entry 2, Date Unknown Dear Diary, The fashion styles changed again today. It’s about time; the old style had been popular for six days, that’s a new record. Braids are popular again for the women, and the men have to shave themselves bald for the second time in two weeks. The choice of clothing has changed very little, but the style of the dresses change often. This time the dress only has one shoulder strap instead of two. The one thing I can actually fit in with is the jewelry, and that is only because everyone must have some kind of jewelry; it’s a part of our culture. I have a large selection of earrings, bracelets, anklets, amulets, armlets, and rings, which I have saved up for and collected for my entire life. None of them are worth much, but they satisfy me. Apparently arm jewelry is popular at the moment, which is good because I just happen to want to wear my favorite snake armlet. The only reason I am aware of all the changes was that I was sent to the market to buy tonight’s dinner of bread, honey and beer and I noticed that the style had changed again. I also overheard from the local gossips that the weekly boat game in the Nile River is to be held tomorrow afternoon. I love those games; they are so fun to watch! There are two boats of men with long poles, and they have to try to knock the other team’s men into the water. It is extremely funny, watching the men get poked with poles. Have to go, it’s my turn to prepare dinner tonight. - Dalila Entry 3, Date Unknown Dear Diary, I do believe that I have just met the love of my life. I was sent to buy tonight’s dinner again since my mother is sick in bed with the flu, and the man who I bought the food from was the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life. He looked like a rebel; he had dark, curly hair, not the usual bald head other men have. His dark brown eyes were just so intense, and the way they looked into mine just made me shiver uncontrollably. He was so polite to me, not making any rude or sexual jeers or comments the other men make at me. And his smile...oh Hathor, words cannot describe the way he makes me feel. I was barely able to control myself by just looking at him, but when his hand ever-so-lightly brushed against mine when he handed me the food, the pleasant jolt I felt that traveled quickly throughout my entire body made me have to give him the money and get out of there very quickly in order to prevent myself from kissing him right on the spot. And I never even asked him his name. I didn’t use to believe in love at first sight, but now... I have to go, the boat games are beginning very soon. - Dalila Entry 4, Date Unknown Dear Diary, Tonight has easily been the best night of my life. After the afternoon’s boat games, some women announced that a party was going to be held later in the evening. Of course, my parents let me attend; they want me to make new friends. I wore my best dress, my favorite jewelry, and tied my long black hair in a high ponytail for the party. I hadn’t even been there for ten minutes when the mystery man showed up, looking even more handsome than he did in the markets. I avoided him for a few minutes at first, to make sure that he wasn’t going with anyone else, but he appeared to be alone. I walked over in his general direction and shyly smiled at him. I’m not sure what he did immediately after that since I was heading towards the dancing area, but moments after I felt someone softly take my hand. It was the mystery man. My heart leaped dangerously into my throat as he asked me to dance. I didn’t trust myself to speak, so I only nodded a yes. He smiled happily, almost seeming relieved, and gently led me over to where other happy couples were dancing to joyous music. We danced together for a good many songs, some fast and happy, others slow and romantic. I had felt as if I could have just floated in the air and soared to the sky to meet the gods, I was feeling so light inside. As soon as we stopped dancing, he and I just stood there, his arms around my waist, my hands on his shoulders, when he leaned in very slowly towards me and kissed me. I almost squeaked from shock and pleasant surprise, because I was most definitely not expecting him to do anything like that, and because I had never been kissed before. I must say, however, that it is easily the best thing I had ever felt in my whole life. As soon as he pulled away, he asked me in a very quiet voice, so quiet that I could barely hear him: “What did I do to deserve such a beautiful creature in my arms? I wish that I knew her name, for she has stolen my heart in less than a day.” As soon as I heard that, I wanted to cry from happiness. Nobody had ever said anything so sweet to me before. But I blinked back my tears and told him in a shaky voice, “Dalila. My name is Dalila.” “Mmm...” he said, closing his eyes and leaning in for another kiss. “A gorgeous name for a gorgeous woman.” He kissed me again, and when he pulled back he whispered in my ear, “My name is Tau.” I am now lying on my small bed, recalling what happened, never wanting to forget the feeling of being in his arms, and daydreaming about the next time we should meet. I have to close up for now, Dear Diary. It’s long past the time to sleep. - Dalila |