Solmaz, the spunky, inquisitive, ageless beauty

They were about to leave, so he called her: You did not tell me what is your name, little one?
-Nubia.
-and he?
-Marwan.
He jokingly said: Your name is strange, while his name is not, perhaps he should look for another name.
Marwan: What does he say?
Nubia: He says your name is beautiful, but he is common, while mine is strange.
Marwan: Ask him about his name then.
Nubia: Sir, he asks you, what is your name?
He raised his hand in the air, proudly saying: It is written in front of you on the table, here, Baibars, Baibars’ ice cream.

They sat on a park bench, far from the seller.
She almost finished her piece, she looked at him, he wasn’t eating, the ice cream started to melt on his hand, she said: what’s wrong with you?
Marwan: Would you prefer if my name was different from this? As the seller said,” A strange name like yours”.

Nubia enthusiastically: Yes, what do you think if we choose a name for you that no one knows except you and me, a fictitious, secret name?
His eyes sparkled as he liked the idea: Well, I will have two characters, one with the name of Marwan, and the second with a different name, which only we know, like stories of spies. They laughed with innocent spontaneity until they giggled.
He added: What do you suggest?
Nubia: Wow, super spy, takes care of me, and protects me wherever I go.
She began to think, then the name popped into her head: Baibars, your name will be Baibars.

He was silent for a moment, then whispered in a low voice: My mother is likewise.
-What is the matter with her?
She has a second personality.
With the enthusiasm and curiosity of children, she said: How!
Marwan: Sometimes I hear her talking to herself, another woman inside her, her name is Hatshepsut.
-Oh, my God! Who is this?
-I once overheard her say, “You ought to have died with my mother, you ought not to have moved in with me.”
She opened her mouth, gulping down her saliva: Zainab, my grandma? Was Hatshepsut with my granny earlier? Does it pose a threat?
-I don’t know, one of them is kind-hearted and very affectionate, and the other is extremely cruel. I don’t know which of them is my mother, and who is Hatshepsut, but I think that Hatshepsut is the cruel one.

The girl fell silent, thinking about something…
Innocently she said: I want a second character as well, like you and my grandmother and aunt, how do I get one?
Thinks a little: why would you want a second character? Baibars will protect you, you don’t need her.
She responded with sadness and rage: “What is the objection?!”
She raised her head to the sky: Maybe one-day Baibars will need help, then my second character will be ready.
With enthusiasm, he replied: Well, great, we’ll find another name for you, let’s look for one.

He grabbed her hand and ran with her towards the wall of the compound, close to the street. He said: Look, let’s look for a name.
He motioned with his hand to a photograph of a woman with an unique haircut. He said, “What is the name of this store?”
Nubia: Solmaz Ladies Salon. Solmaz means “ageless young woman.”
-Nice, your second character’s name will be Solmaz.
They laughed with the naive spontaneity of children once more, and their eyes were so in tune that their shine shone brightly.

Days later, their bond grew stronger.
When they are alone, each of them assumes his alternate identity.
Baibars the wise, strong, and brave.
Solmaz, the spunky, inquisitive, ageless beauty.

From The Curse of Zainab Novel – Click Here And Read