Wait and see.

Another one of my stimulating conversations with my father, which, as usual is at once morose and comical.

Dad: Tariq & Hazim just called-they are driving back from skiing

Me: what?? they went without me!! Hazim didn't want to go last weekend

Dad: Well anyway, I asked if they need anything from here since D. is coming to town and back for some work. He said he wants bharat idra*, za3tar* and dugga*. Regarding skiing: They went this morning and now on their way back.

Laila: I see. (and I am silently plotting how to exact revenge...).

Dad: Tariq fell and had a big bruise in his leg

Me: oh no!! Are you sure its just a bruise?? I was just kidding about that revenge thing you know...did you hear that? It was supposed to be a silent thought!

Dad: This is what he said. He is on the phone with mama. He says it is just a bruise.

Dad: Breaking news- Ma3bar Rafah was closed this evening as there is a threat to bombard it. There is a red alert here.

Me (in disbelief): what??

Dad: Yes. They sent the children home from schools this afternoon. There a rumor that Israel might hit again. So we just have to wait and see. Wait and see.

* Bharat idra: a 10-spice mix widely used in Gazan cuisine, particularly in its namesake dish, ruzz idra (spiced rice in a clay pot).

* Zaatar: A spice blend consisting of dried thyme leaves rubbed with extra virgin olive oil and mixed with sumac and sesame seeds. Eaten with kmaj/pita and olive oil or used as a rub. Regional variations abound (in Gaza, sage is mixed in and the resulting mixture is much lighter in colour).

* Dugga: Not to be confused with Dagga, the legendary Gazan hot chili tomato relish-salad, Dugga is sort of brown Zaatar specific to Gaza. It consists of pulverized roasted wheat, sesame seeds, ground chickpeas, and a variety of warm spices such as coriander, cumin, pepper, dill and caraway.