"He's gotten better since he first came here."he said, offering her his arm, and leading her to the dining room.
"I wouldn't have thought he would have lasted as long as he has."
"Well, determination can do wonders. Such wonders that someone like Achmed will work in the fields."
"And be worth his weight in gold?"
"I don't think he's worth that much."
"I don't think he's worth much. I don't think he's worth anything, period. He's always been a stuck-up, arrogant, conceited, vain, egotistical snob."
"Whoa, with those adjective, there won't be any doubt in anyone's mind as to what kind of person he is."
"Just by meeting him once is more than enough to know what kind of person he is. Just by looking at him."
"You don't like him. And it's clear that you never will. I'm just glad I don't have any reason to feel jealous of him."
"I should hope not. I'd hate to have a jealous husband."
"Look who's talking. It is I who suffer the misfortune of having an extremely jealous wife."
"Oh, you…"Aida couldn't find anything to say.
They went inside, laughing.
"It looks like Aladdin and Jasmine are coming, after all."said Francisco, smiling.
"Are Ali, Janan and Aaliyah coming, too."asked Badr.
"I should think so."Francisco told him.
"When can we eat milanesas?"asked Saba.
"When you behave better."Francisco joked.
"Ha ha!"Sabdallah laughed.
"Can Carpet give us a ride, too?"
"That's up to Carpet, but then, knowing your mother here, I don't think Carpet will be too keen to come."Francisco told them.
"Mother, you have to stay away!"
"That's not fair."said Aida.
"But Carpet won't come if you're here."
"Oh, yes he will. He always goes wherever Aladdin and Jasmine go."
"So he will come?"
"I guess so."
"Let me correct you. You hope so."
"Ah!"
"I'm glad Aladdin and Jasmine are coming."said Josefina, still a spinster. "They are always such pleasant company."
"You'd have much more pleasant company if you were ever to get married."Ignacio told her.
Josefina hung her head.
"Oh, don't worry. Perhaps Josefina just isn't meant to be married."said Francisco delicately. "Perhaps she's just better off single."
"I don't know what she's playing at."said Ester. "Que pretende esta hija mia! Quedarse a vestir santos?"
Ester shook her head.
"Well, it's probably better that way, Mother."
"Why does Aunt Josefina have to be married?"asked Badr.
"She doesn't."his father told him. "Grandma and Grandpa here, though, are just obsessed with that idea. I don't know why, but they are."
"I would like to be married, Franciso."said Josefina.
"You should."
"Now, Father, let's just leave it at that. Now, let's see. It looks like they'll be here in just a few days. And yes, Ali, Janan, and Aaliyah are coming, too. However, no more of those practical jokes, please. Janan couldn't sleep for weeks after you told her that there were monsters under the bed!"
"There are monsters under the bed!"said Sabdullah. "I've seen them. They haunt your room at night. That's why you have to sleep with Nana next door. If Nana isn't there to scare them away, they'll get you."
"You've been listening to your mother's stories, again."sighed Francisco.
"Oh, now, you know I don't believe in bad things, Francisco, just good ones."
"You believe in anything, Darling, as long as there's no proof and it's not real."
"You're offending me!"
"I'm not offending you, I'm just trying to say the truth."
"Well, the truth is offending me, then."
"Oh. I never knew you grudged hearing the truth. You always seemed to embrace it before. Nana, perhaps you should take these three up to bed."
"Yes."
Sabdullah, Badr, and Isra followed Clara upstairs.
"Now, you wouldn't believe just what I heard in the fields this morning."
"What?"asked Aida, picking up her knitting.
"What else, but that it looks like Armando, Margarita's father is just about ready to murder Achmed."
"Why? Armando has always seemed all right."
"Well, it turns out that he thinks Achmed is interested in Margarita."
"You can tell him not to worry. Achmed wouldn't be interested in anyone that's not himself."
"I guess not."
A few days later, Jasmine, Aladdin, Cassim, Jasmine's father, Genie, Carpet, Abu, Ali, Janan, and Aaliyah arrived at Dzonot. Genie had to force Iago to come, since he didn't want to.
"Three are bad enough. If there are seven children I'll be dead in less than three days!"he had exclaimed.
"How did you get Iago to come this time? Last time he said he wasn't coming back!"asked Aida.
"Oh, you know Genie."
"That's right."
Sabdullah, Badr, and Isra came out to greet them, with Nana Clara behind them, carrying Saba.
"Ali, see, come see my room. Father got me a new pony, too. I can't wait until I'm big enough to ride on a horse!"
Sabdullah and Ali were about to leave, when Genie stopped them.
"No, no, no, boys, no. No one is to leave this perimeter, unless it's together."
"Genie! You promised not to be so overprotective."Aladdin told him.
"Not overprotective, Al, just…careful, you know."
"Well, don't be careful, either, Genie. There are plenty of people here to keep an eye on them."
"And how many can you trust?"
"Just about all of them."
"Jasmine! Aladdin!"exclaimed Josefina, coming to meet them. "We are so glad you could come."she said.
"Us, too. It's very nice to get away from everything every now and then."said Aladdin.
"Well, for that, this is the perfect place."
"Any parties again, this time, Francisco?"
"Very special parties. Especially one. And there's very good news. This year, the fair is coming early, so if you'll hold out, you won't have to make another trip."
"Oh, that's great."
When Aida had gone upstairs to feed Saba, Francisco told Aladdin all about the plans he had for Aida's birthday.
"A year doesn't go by when you don't come up with something new, Francisco."
"No, and I doubt I will ever run out of ideas. Or at least, I hope not."
"Is it all right for me to think that the reason the fair is early this year is because you had something to do with it?"
"It is all right. Because there's a possibility that you are right."
"Oh, great. Now that is one hell of a birthday gift."
"What can I say? I would have done something much more, but…I thought this was enough for one year."
"Not to mention the gifts you give her everyday on the kids' birthdays!"
"Well, I have to show my appreciation for the fact that she gave me such wonderful children, don't I?"
"Now you're going to make me think I don't appreciate Jasmine!"
"I'm sure Jasmine knows. Besides, each to his own."
"I guess so, but now, you don't mind if I steal some of your ideas?"
"Oh, my! A Sultan a thief!"
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I know."
"And what about Nahil and Haifa?"
"They're fine. Very happy, both of them. It does look like Nahil has finally put the past behind him. It's taken him a while, but there you have it."
"That's good. And Achmed?"asked Aladdin, smiling slightly.
"What can I say? It looks like he's really changed. He just doesn't like being reminded of the fact that he was once a prince, you know. I think it makes him sad."