Princess Sultana's Circle

gentle
sister was too kind to pull away. So, I was relieved that Huda was
staying behind.
    Our walk to Bergdorf
Goodman took only minutes, but for me, it was an exhilarating walk,
for I never tire of such simple freedoms taken for granted by most
of the women of the world. Here I was, in broad daylight, dressed
in a form-fitting blue Armani jacket and skirt, walking down a city
street crowded with men. Here, women need not fear the sudden
appearance of the Mutawwa, the Saudi religious police, with their
sticks to strike any woman immoral enough to dress in such
provocative attire.
    I felt a great gaiety, and
not a little vain. I have always been sad that I was not blessed
with long limbs, as are my sisters. Yet my legs, although short,
are shapely. Now I was well aware that my matching blue high-heeled
shoes displayed my legs to a good advantage. A breeze blew through
my long wavy hair, which I deliberately tossed as I chatted with
Sara and Maysa. I felt exuberant and happy to have the freedom to
show my face, display my lovely clothes, and walk the streets of a
large city—and all without a hovering male escort!
    I thought that Western
women are indeed more fortunate than they realize. This thought led
me to Afaaf. I knew that she must be enjoying this sweet day of
freedom, even more than me.
    I glanced at Maysa and
smiled. She had not taken particular care with her personal
appearance. Yet, an expensive black suit covers many flaws. Sara
was dressed more demurely than Maysa or me, in a modest dress of
crème silk with a high neck and long sleeves, but as always she
looked stunning.
    I felt deliciously feminine
and pretty when I became aware of several men staring at us as we
walked down the street. While my flamboyance drew their initial
attention, I noticed that their eyes lingered longest on Sara, who,
of course completely failed to notice that we were the focus of so
many appreciative glances.
    Once we entered the
department store, I followed my usual behavior when confronted with
such a dazzling display of merchandise: I purchased every item that
caught my eye! In a short time I had selected fifteen expensive
evening gowns to wear to parties and weddings. There is much
competition among us Al Sa’ud women, so I shopped for the newest
and most original styles. I did not take the time to try on these
dresses. My custom is to buy many, many clothes, and then give away
what does not fit or I do not like.
    I was not totally selfish,
though; I also found many wonderful gifts for my children and
Kareem.
    As soon as I informed a
clerk that I would take a dozen silk blouses in one style and
color, she quickly determined that we were members of the royal
family of Saudi Arabia, and called one of the store managers. After
that, we were accompanied by the manager as we examined Bergdorf
Goodman’s huge collection of designer wear.
    Soon, more than ten
employees had been summoned to carry our heavy shopping bags. It
was evident in the faces around us that our spending spree at
Bergdorf Goodman’s was a most exciting event.
    Although Sara and Maysa’s
purchases together filled no more than five shopping bags, I
required more than thirty bags for the items I had selected.
Surely, I thought, Kareem would need to replenish my special card
with additional funds; I was astonished when the manager said that
my total expenditure at Bergdorf Goodman’s amounted to only
$388,000.
    Sara was not surprised when
I told her of Kareem’s gift, as most members of our family are
fabulously wealthy, and on our shopping trips we buy anything we
desire. Still, our purchases are trifling compared to the real
estate and business deals our husbands were conducting even as we
shopped.
    Maysa had been born into a
Palestinian family of modest means, so her reaction was one of
disapproval at my extravagance. I overheard her when she murmured,
“Multiply your possessions, increase your burdens.” Maysa looked at
me and shook her head sadly. “If Allah chooses to bless me with an
additional hundred years of life, I will never adjust to the
reckless spending that goes on in this family. Really, Sultana,
surely by now even you are wearied of buying endless party dresses
and fine jewelry?”
    I was not offended by her
words. Who could be angry with a woman who lived such an exemplary
life of selfless generosity? I knew that Maysa preferred to spend
her husband’s wealth on the poor. Once I heard that Naif and Maysa
supported over eighty