Sylvia

One afternoon shortly after we moved to the villa on road 17, I met a girl who would become my best friend.
On that particular afternoon I went outside and sat by the back door eating peanuts. There was nothing to do. Between Ateya telling me what I could not do, and the lack of any friends, I was bored. Salem had left on his bike somewhere. There was no one to talk to. She looked down at her pile of peanuts. “I see you are eating peanuts” a girl’s voice came from beyond the hedge. My head jerked up fast and my heart was pounding. The girl had spoken in English and without a strange accent! Was she American?
“Whose there? Where are you?” I demanded trying not to sound too excited.
The girl giggled. “My name is Sylvia and I am just on the other side of your gate.”
I went over to the gate and opened it. There stood the tiniest girl I had ever seen. Sylvia smiled and said “Your gardener came over this morning while I was doing chores in the kitchen. He said we were the same age and that you needed a friend”
Well that was interesting I thought especially since Salem didnt talk very much.
“I thought he did not speak English”. I replied.

Sylvia giggled. “He didn’t…I am Egyptian, so we spoke in Arabic.”
Now it was my turn to laugh, “Well If you are Egyptian, where did you get an English name?”
Sylvia laughed back. “My father wants me to move to the United States so he gave me and my sister English names…. But my family calls me Viva.”
I smiled at her and introduced myself, Hello Viva, im Erinne.
So we stood there looking at each other til I thought I was standing there looking daft. I did not know what to say to her.

Sylvia giggled again and said…”Well can I come in?”, just as I remembered my manners and said “Do you like to eat peanuts?” We laughed and answered each other simultaneously again……..I said “Yes” and she answered “love them”

We took the peanuts to the backyard and sat under a huge Mango tree.
“I cannot stay long” said Sylvia. “Auntie Mary does not like me out of her sight for very long”
“Who is Auntie Mary?” I asked.
"She is my stepmother. She has taken care of me since I was 2.I am not allowed out very often. This is like heaven!"

You are not allowed out?? Why ever Not!" I demanded to know, feeling very outraged on my new friends behalf.

“My father wants me to go to the University so I have to study very hard and make good marks on all my papers.”

“What are marks?”
“Oh they are what Americans call grades.

“Well how about I call you on the telephone. “

Auntie will not allow me to call or speak on the phone for very long. It is not proper that I should do that. Also I can only come over on Friday’s in the afternoon. If we meet at any other time it will have to be by chance, unless Auntie gives her permission…..OK?" she had a wistful pleading look on her face that begged me to agree to the rules laid down by Auntie Mary.

I was horrified, but what could I say. Sylvia was now my only friend, so I nodded in agreement. I thought privately to myself, I will meet her by accident alot!

I heard the sound of a woman calling “VeeeeeeVaaaah”
“That’s Auntie” whispered Sylvia.
Then more loudly, she yelled “Ana Gayya ya Auntie” (i have to go) But I can see you friday if you like."
I smiled. “ I would like that….but I will find a way to see you sooner.”
Sylvia giggled…”I must go to the market tomorrow morning and then on Friday morning I go to church. “

“You go to church on Friday?”
Sylvia smiled and quickly explained that the Coptic Church had services on Friday as well as Sunday.
Auntie Mary called and yelled something; Sylvia replied “Haahderr ya Auntie Mary” and she left running.