"Baby."
It was a wonderful Saturday morning when Lily, the loving wife of Mark, heard this endearment from her husband. She was frying eggs and hotdogs for breakfast and preparing apple juice which they would drink together in the dining table.
"Yes darling," answered Lily.
"Could you hand me the towel I placed in the bed? I forgot to bring it here," Mark requested.
"Sure darling, just a minute."
Lily handed the towel to Mark who had just finished taking a bath. As she was going back to the kitchen, she remembered the first time she touched that towel, the first night they made love. "I'll never get tired of doing something for you, Mark" Lily whispered to herself while remembering the sweetest moment of their lives.
Mark is a tall guy with an African blood, hence has black skin color. Appearance wise, Mark is not the ideal man of Lily, a fair skinned Filipina, although she admitted his height and athletic body attracted her the most. Kindness, generosity, sweetness and caring are the other Mark's traits that make Lily stay in love with him in the nearly two years of marriage.
When Mark was already dressed, Lily put all the prepared food in the dining area and turned on the television for the CNN channel. It has been the habit of the couple to watch television while eating meals.
"Knock, knock,"
Mark stood up to open the door.
"Wassup man," said the guy in the door.
"Hey!... come in, come in," Mark reiterated showing the direction to the living room. He was about to finish the breakfast when his black fellow, Jim, came.
The two friends sat in the living room. Lily, who is aware of Jim's visit, took two bottles of ready to drink tea from the refrigerator to offer Jim.
"Hi Jim, we're glad you were able to come here today," said Lily.
"But of course, it's Saturday today, my only time to see brother," Jim answered.
The three discussed many things, from Jim's work challenges, to their Christian faith, siblings and fellow black friends. Few minutes later they were discussing travel plans as Jim wanted to take vacation to have rest from work's pressure.
"Lily, I heard there are lots of good scuba diving sites back there in your country, are people nice?"
"Yes, my fellows are actually friendly,"
"Ok so you mean there is no discrimination?" Jim asked.
"Brother, discrimination is everywhere," Mark intruded.
"Ehe, what I mean Lily is, are blacks welcome in your place, don't Filipinos look down on them?" Jim repeated.
"No, my fellows respect people regardless of color," Lily answered. She knew that it was the fear of Mark, Jim and their other black friends, to be racially discriminated. Isn't it the reason why they chose to live in Egypt instead of US and Europe (despite the presence of laws protecting the black's rights) where most Africans looking for greener pasture go?
"Well then, that must be the next country to visit," said Jim smilingly.
Lily paid back a grin. Few minutes later, Jim bid goodbye. Lily went back to their room to have some rest. While lying in bed she was still thinking of Jim's question about discrimination. She know to herself that she didn't lie when she said her fellows respect people regardless of color, but she was still bothered as she knew she was unable to answer his question completely, that his husband was right when he said "discrimination is everywhere". Isn't the reason why she came to Egypt as graduates of third tier universities like her could not have a well paying job in her own country? That the less financially privileged people like her have difficulty achieving justice once abused by the well-off and influential people, that poor are oftentimes less appreciated and loved by the richer relatives and friends? Truly she didn't say everything.
"Baby."
Lily stopped from deep thinking. Her husband was calling once again. "Yes, darling"
"Could you scratch my back, it feels itchy." Mark requested.
Lily stood up and gently scratched his back. After doing so, Mark kissed and hugged her tightly.