The late Hisham Al-Otaibi
Ilast met the late Hisham Al-Otaibi (Abu Manaf) in my house over dinner in his honor, following a long treatment trip to London towards the end of summer 2016, and despite the fact that his trip was supposed to be for a routine medical checkup, his health situation got complicated and he traveled to his preferred French city - Nice. I was in constant contact with his wife (Um Manaf) and sometimes with him personally, until he recovered and returned home, and we had a limited gathering of friends as we meet in my house every now and then.
Following the news of his death, and since the first moments, sadness got mixed with the love of going through memories, which made me review my mobile phone, where I found reminders to my friends to come to my house in honor of the late Abu Manaf. This was the first time I sent such texts, because it used to be just for reminding of the meetings once a month for a number of those who share a common passion, so the conversation was full of enthusiasm, originality and variety of opinions.
Abu Manaf was simple in his requirements, and answered all invitations except for Wednesday evening, as he was used to go to the cinema with Um Manaf. So it became known to all that Wednesday was cinema day for Abu Manaf, and should be excluded from weekdays. The meetings with the late Abu Manaf, particularly that last dinner, was not void of his participation in analyzing the country’s situation, particularly the economy, besides exchanging information about several matters.
The late Hisham was distinguished with excellent knowledge of lineage and Kuwait families, as there was not a name mentioned without Abu Manaf adding more details with a bright smile, which I see while I write these lines, and I do not think that it will disappear from the eyes of those who love him.
Hisham had two conditions - to serve dinner early because of the medicine that he had to take before meals, and the second condition was to make sure it was not spicy, so I was keen preparing his dish personally. Despite the failing health he appeared in while using a cane and a large drop in weight, Hisham was like he usually was - smiling, optimistic and longing to see all, and a man of will who fought disease for years. That evening, before all had left, one friend asked for a picture with the late Abu Manaf as if he knew that the dinner of that night will be the last with our friend and brother Hisham. He returned to Amiri Hospital at the start of Dec 2016, then died. Hisham left us, but his memory will remain in every place he visited.
— Translated by Kuwait Times