Kuwait City was vibrant as usual.

The luxury cars were cruising the modern high ways, and everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Business meetings, banking, office work.

Kuwait was a city, a mirage built in the desert. People looked prosperous, and the office building towers were definitely imposing: they could rival easily with any business towers of London or New York.

Yet the difference was felt as soon as one entered any office, and that difference was in the smell of the place: there was the gentle aroma of the Arabian coffee or tea prepared with French cinnamon and mint. The Arabian hospitality was at its best, and the foreign businessman was treated with several cups of strong Arabian coffee; indeed in the business guide dealing with the Arabian customs, it was mentioned to never to refuse a cup of coffee or tea as this was considered bad manners.

Peter had arrived from London to take up a new position that had been offered to him, at the Kuwait Refinery Company. His contract was a very substantial one, and the salary mentioned there was 10 times what he would earn in any Western city. He had been told that life was harsh, but so far he could not think clearly: all he saw was affluence and abundance everywhere.

The Mandoob (the peon) of the company was at the airport to welcome him. The young man wore a full suit and a tie. And as soon as Peter cleared from the immigration gate, Sayyed greeted him:

"Good morning sir, I hope you had a good journey, my name is Sayyed and I am here to help you."

Sayyed informed Peter that a porter would carry his luggage to the car, not to worry. They proceeded to the parking area. Sayyed went up to a Grand Motor Limousine Caprice, and opened the door for Peter and told him to sit on the back seat. They were going to the apartment allotted for Peter, as per administrative orders of the Headquarters.

It was very hot, inspite of the air-conditioning, Peter was sweating heavily, and pondered at how Sayyed was remaining so unaffected by the heat, how he managed to remain cool, not even sweating. Peter's clothes were soaked with sweat.

The place looked marvelous, it had palm trees and flowers, and luxury cars were everywhere, he had not seen a single smaller car model such as a Ford Escort.

After a while, Sayyed parked besides a luxury building, and addressed him with a proud look on his face:

"Sir, we have arrived."

They took the lift, and Sayyed opened the door to allow Peter to enter first.

It was a gorgeous place, the apartment was indeed grand, and would suit him and his family when they were ready to arrive, school was still on and his wife Virginia had decided to stay back until the kids had finished the school year. It was a great offer, and they had decided together to go for it.

The floor of the apartment was marbled, there was a huge balcony, and Sayyed handed over to him the keys. Sayyed took leave. The young man said pleasantly:

"The receptionist speaks English, but here is my mobile number do not hesitate to call me any time day or night in case of need. Tomorrow I shall collect you at 12noon to take you to the headquarters."

Peter was happy.

There was a swimming pool on the rooftop and he went to take a swim, it was like a Paradise Island. Then when he felt hungry he rang the receptionist and asked for the meal of the day, the food bill was on the company, he could order anything he wanted to.

The food trolley came very fast, within ten minutes the doorbell rang and the kitchen boy hurried to set the table. Peter ate comfortably, then he called the receptionist to let the kitchen boy come up again and take away the dishes.

"Yes sir"", the receptionist replied, " my name is Abdul-Aziz. Please be advised that the flats get cleaned in the morning and I am personally responsible for the safety of your belongings. Leave your laundry in the laundry bag."

Peter felt happy and called his wife to tell her what a good reception he had been given so far. Virginia, his wife, had been a bit anxious over this new move in Peter's career. Back at home she had heard so many funny stories about the Arabian Gulf. She inquired with anguish over the phone. Peter understood and reassured her and said:

"Really Virginia, it seems to be a nice place. Just wait to see the apartment we have been given."

There was nothing much to do for the day, so he switched on the huge Television set: he could access all the channels of the world, as the TV was connected to a satellite dish.

Oddly late in that evening, there was a ring at his door, he went to open, his neighbor, a gentleman from Iraq, had come to welcome him in the building and he handed over some dates on a tray. The neighbor smiled as he left and said:
"If you need anything at all,let me know."

Peter went to sleep very happy, the bedroom was gorgeous, but then everything was so luxurious: the bathroom was so huge, there were two toilets, but the whole flat was so spacious with three bedrooms, a reception hall, a dining room, a sitting room and large kitchen.

He set his alarm clock and knew that yes, this country he was going to like a lot.

The next morning, Sayyed rang at his door and enquired whether Peter had faced any problem and whether he was ready to go to the headquarters. Peter was ready: they left the residential building.

Sayyed drove some twenty minutes, away from the city in the desert area, They had reached. In front of them, there was a huge compound in the middle of which an impressive building was standing white and silver. Sayyed explained to Peter that this was indeed the headquarters, the building had about ten floors.

The building was very similar to the one Peter had an apartment in, the architecture was the same. Sayyed explained that the apartment building belonged to the company and they had used the same architect. As soon as they stepped in, Peter was taken aback by the buzz of business, everyone looked very busy. The Indian secretaries were typing non-stop on their computers keyboards, men in suits kept moving from one office to the next office; some workers with helmets were seated outside the administration office. It had indeed a very busy look.

Sayyed was greeted by everyone, and as he introduced Peter, Peter understood that Sayyed was in fact the private driver of Yusuf, the chairman of the Kuwait Black Oil Company.

Peter was briefly introduced to the Administration Manager, and was ushered hurriedly into the palatial office of Yusuf, or Abu Hamad as he was nicknamed traditionally-father of Hamad, his first born). They said Abu Hamad does not want to wait.

Peter sat down in the leather sofa in the room of the private secretary to the Chairman: A middle aged Palestinian man, Hassan, also in suit, looking very stressed, not daring to look at Peter.He kept his head down and continued working his head down…There was an oppressive feeling all around, and the secretary kept answering calls, he had some six sets. Peter could hear him saying: "Haider". (An Arabic word that meant, yes with respect to you), Abu Hamad, yes, in a very subdued voice. Peter noticed that everytime the red phone rang, the secretary's face became stressed and panicky, his hands trembled.

Meanwhile Sayyed had opened the heavy rosewood door of the chairman's office, he went inside, and no sound could be heard. Then Sayyed came out, his face pale and stressed. He told Peter:

"Please sir wait, our chairman shall receive you in a minute. Here is Hassan his private secretary, he will take you in the room and when your meeting is over, you can come downstairs in the Administration office so that we set you up in your office."

The silence interrupted by the phone calls was oppressive, an office boy was coming and going with a tray on which stood a crystal glass full of water, waiting outside, again knocking stressed at the door and returning to Hassan's room with the empty glass…

Then the ring came and Hassan said to Peter:
"Yes sir, please do come in."

Peter was introduced into the office of the Chairman.

It was impressive; the walls were paneled with expensive wood, decorated with antiques. But Peter found it so shocking to see that there was nothing on the desk, not a paper, not a magazine, absolutely nothing, not even a pen, a bare and very expensive desk. Then he noticed a huge leather chair in which a man in the traditional dress of the country the long pure white dishdasha and the white cloth set with a black rope around the skull was seated. He was still mystified by the bare desk, only later would he understand that the true sign of wealth was the absence of a need to do anything at all. And this that was one of the many symbolism of prestige of the very wealthy of those countries.

He looked at Abu Hamad and was unsure how to start, but as he focused on the face of the man, he saw a face heavily marked by stress and a very sharp pair of eyes, not unkind, the pair of eyes of a business tycoon. He could relate to that man, yes he felt it in his guts, he could indeed relate to Yusuf.

Abu Hamad said in very good English:
"So Peter, welcome to the company. How was your journey? "
At this point the trembling office boy came in and served coffee to Yusuf and Peter. Yusuf said:
"Drink my friend."

Peter could relate to that man. As they drank coffee, Yusuf asked:

"How was your journey? "
Peter replied:
"Thank you, the flat is lovely. "

Yusuf turned his face away and Peter understood that this should not be discussed here.

Yusuf asked him about his hometown in England. He seemed to enjoy Peter 's conversation, ten minutes had elapsed and Yusuf reached for a button under his desk, it was a ring for the secretary to come in. Immediately, Hassan came in with an anxious look on his face and without looking at Yousuf told Peter:

"Yes, Sir let me show you your office."

Peter understood that the meeting was over. Yusuf did not move, and Peter made an awkward exit, Yusuf has ceased to acknowledge his existence and was looking through the window. Peter hesitantly and unsure just said:

"Thank you, I am pleased to be working for your company."

Yusuf did not respond or shifted his gaze from his window.

Hassan closed the door behind as they exited with utmost care, not to make a sound, so it appeared to Peter.

As soon as he exited this area, everything seemed so relaxed. And he settled down in his job, his office was good. Everything that was promised in the contract he had signed back in England was granted to him.

He loved his job. Though he had to go to the oil refinery plants everyday. And the heat was hard to bear at first it was so hot, very very hot, but he had been given a great car, brand new, and the air-conditioning system was strong. His office at the plant was also fully air-conditioned.

His family has recently come to join him, the kids were going to the New English school, the company driver were in charge of driving them there and bringing them back

Life was luxurious, entertaining, and the money was great.
They had made a very good decision.

A year had elapsed, Peter did not get to meet Yusuf again, he was never called in his office, and none wanted to speak about him. Yusuf was a multi-millionaire; his staff loved him but feared him at the same time. Nothing was known about him except that he had several houses all over the world. Peter did not question; somehow he understood that questions were not welcomed when it came to Yusuf. Yet he could remember the sharp and intelligent look in Yousuf's face, the sophistication in the way he spoke to him.

None knew when Yusuf would be in the office, or whether he would come at all, none would raise a word.

366 days had passed. One morning, the Administration Manager came in his office and said:
"Hi Peter, how are things with you today?"

Peter smiled he liked the guy, he was a good man, an Egyptian, he saw how he treated the field workers and the office staff, he was a fair man, a kind man. He said:

"Good morning Abdul-Rahim, how are things with you, have a seat, take a coffee with me."

Peter had learnt fast how to deal with people of this region. Abdul Rahim sat and said:

"Well Peter, I have a very good news, Yusuf called me and instructed me to raise your rank from chief-engineer of the plant to the rank of General Manager and your salary is doubled."

Peter was shocked.

How would that be? After all, he did never meet with Yusuf after that first meeting. But he did not ask questions.
Abdul Rahim continued:

"Well tomorrow morning, I will come to the field and meet you at your field office, and I shall bring the new contract with me for your signature. The terms are the same, except that your rank has been upgraded and your income doubled."

Peter was very pleased. He called his wife and told her the news: he said we should go to the Sheraton Hotel tonight and have a party. They had a lovely time by the pool, a barbecue party.

Next morning Peter drove to the field, and went on with his work. It was a hard work, and they were testing the new pumps for the oil refinery plants.

At about 11am, a car that he had never seen before came in the area, the guard did not check the id of the driver as he usually did, and immediately opened the gate.

The car coming in was a Mercedes of golden color. The windows were dark, and Peter could not see the face of this visitor. Was it an inspector from the Ministry? He was not sure but everyone came out, and stood outside. He was bewildered.

Then the Mercedes stopped in front of Peter's office and Abdul-Rahim came out, ran to the backside and opened the door; Yusuf stepped out of the car.

In the daylight, Yousuf 's clothing was so very white, whiter than any white clothes he had ever seen. He saw the dazzle of the diamond dial of the Rolex watch on Yusuf wrist, and the traditional Tasbih (traditional beads string) in his hand, that were dazzling too, they were precious stones. Yousuf looked younger and taller than Peter remembered him.

Everyone stood outside and bowed their heads, their chins on their chests. None moved or said a word.

Abdul Rahim hurried ahead and opened Peter's office door and addressed Yusuf:

" Please Abu Hamad come in."

At once Peter rose, and Abdul Rahim proceeded to clean the chair in front of Peter, and Yusuf sat silently.

Abdul Rahim addressed Peter:

"Here is your contract, please sign."

Peter did not dare to read the contract, the gaze of yusuf was hypnotic, and the emanation coming from that man was of strong inner strength and a will of steel.

Peter signed the papers and looked again in Yusuf 's eyes, for the second time since his arrival in this country. Once again, he felt himself impressed by the muted intellectual sharpness in the Tycoon's eyes. Peter just uttered:

"Thank you, Sir."

Yusuf did not reply.

Abdul Rahim felt contented as he took the contract papers away, things were fine.

Then Yusuf said in his sophisticated english:

"Since I am here Peter, I might as well see the new pump we purchased."

Peter was surprised: How and why the tycoon knew of this tiny insignificant purchase, a few thousand dinars that he had recommended. His mind raced. But Yusuf had already stood up, Abdul Rahim was signaling him to hurry, and so Peter went to show the new piece of machinery.

Yusuf was shown the new purchase.

Yusuf said:

"Well yes, I see it. But how does it work? Show me."

Everyone was still standing outside motionless, heads bowed, inspite of the intense heat. None had moved.

Peter said:
"Yes, I will show you, of course."

He proceeded to show the mechanism of that engine and switched it on. But then something happened that Peter would never forget in his life.
The engine ejected a flow of oil and one tiny drop went on the white robe of Yusuf.

All of a sudden, the day turned into a nightmare.
It was an insult;

It was something that was not done. Yusuf's face had become very hard and cruel.

Peter felt himself being seized by a group of workers and Yusuf retreated to his Mercedes with Abdul Rahim. Abdul Rahim spat on Peter and tore the contract he just signed. Peter's mind went wild; it was but a tiny so tiny spot. Why were they behaving this way?

The Mercedes drove away, and Peter felt blow after blow and he was left badly beaten up in the sand. He laid unconscious for a few hours, on regular interval, he felt people passing by, spitting on him.

The evening had come. Sayyed had been sent to pick him up, his wife and children were in the car, very pale. Sayyed pulled Peter from the sand and pushed him in the back seat of the car, like a dirty laundry bag.

Sayyed said harshly to Virginia:
"Clean up your husband, do not say a word, I will help you, and I am taking you all to the airport, just leave."

Peter heard the hostess in the plane to London asking:
"Sir, are you all right?"

He said:
"Yes Miss thank you. I had a bit of an accident. Nothing much, I will be all right."

In the microphone, the voice of the captain was heard:

" In a few hours we shall reach Heathrow airport, the weather is cool, and we expect no delay."

Copyrighted Rahman,Brigitte Arlette