172 - Mahjub Al-Makki

Mahjub Al-Makki

I stretched my arm and managed to grab my phone. I was startled to realize I had already missed the time for Sallat by a considerable amount. I got up slowly so as not to wake Hope, after all, it was barely five in the morning.

I moved away from the bed and went to the bathroom to purify myself. I had committed too many sins to simply step onto my prayer rug and pray to Allah. I put on a thobe and positioned myself facing Mecca with my masbaha in hand, beginning my prayer.

I recited my usual daily prayer with the added request that Hope always be under Allah’s protection. I was so focused and immersed in my prayer that I didn’t notice Hope had gotten up and was praying behind me.

“Good morning!” I said as soon as she finished her prayer.

“Good morning, why didn’t you wake me?” she said, her face still full of sleep.

“You were sleeping…” I turned to face her on the prayer rug. “I don’t expect you to follow the religion.”

Her smile grew, and I felt the desire rising again, but I pushed those carnal thoughts aside. We were in an intimate moment with Allah, and it was at that moment I truly understood Hope’s importance in my life, realizing how she had been prepared to become my wife.

“I may not have been born into Islam, but I learned from a very young age that I would be part of something very important, needing to understand and learn…”

Hope was wearing a small scarf, and I had no idea where she had gotten it. I moved closer to the prayer rug I had set aside for her. I wasn’t sure if she would use it, and seeing her now prostrated on it made me even happier.

I smiled and gently held her face, kissing her with all the love I felt for her.

“You always surprise me!” I kissed her lips tenderly.

We didn't stay there long, taking a shower filled with kisses and a few orgasms, mostly Hope's. Given the sacred period we’re in, I shouldn't have been making love to her.

Once she was ready, I wrapped my masbaha around my hand, and we left the room to join my brothers and our friends. Holding her hand tenderly, we walked down the corridor, and I heard a distant Sallat. I turned back, trying to locate the source of the voice.

“Your father!” Hope said, her hand covering her mouth and her eyes tearing up.

“Could it be?” I wondered, doubtful.

I was sure my parents wouldn’t leave Sudan just to wish me a happy birthday, especially with my grandfather in such a fragile state.

“Let’s wait outside. When they’re ready, they’ll come find us,” Hope said, placing a hand on my chest.

I stood there, looking at the doors, hoping to see one of them emerge from the room where the prayer was coming from. My thoughts raced, believing that Allah was restoring everything that had been chaotic over the years.

With a euphoric feeling inside me, I wondered, could Allah be returning my whole family to me today?

I felt Hope’s hand on my arm, gently pulling me outside. I noticed a certain urgency in her that I didn’t understand. I followed her as we took another exit from the yacht, which seemed strange since it meant we’d have to walk a bit farther to the breakfast table.

“Sit here with me for just a minute!” she requested, pointing to the cushions at the bow.

“Aren’t you hungry?” I asked, confused.

Just a little while ago, she was in a hurry for us to leave the room and go to breakfast, thinking everyone would already be there. She smiled and pointed to the cushion in front of her.

I did as she asked, still a bit confused about what was happening.

“You know, my prince, over these past four years, I’ve matured and realized some things I’ve lost!” I frowned, not understanding the purpose of the conversation.

“Tell me what you’ve lost…” I said, sitting behind her.

“Look there.” She pointed to the horizon. “The sun rises and sets daily; our actions can bring us closer to or push us away from the people we love.”

I wrapped my arms around her body, starting to imagine where she was going with this. A pang in my chest saddened me.

“You need to forgive your parents. I know they handled our relationship poorly, but you know as well as I do that they made a choice to be together…”

“It was wrong, Hope, the way they did it. They could have introduced us when we were children. Look at Leon and Ella, we all see they’re falling in love. Why not with us? I wouldn’t have hurt you like that!” I said, my voice rising a bit.

“Love!” Hope turned and swung her legs over mine, so we were facing each other.

“I also wish that had happened, but it didn’t!” I saw in her eyes what she was about to ask. “I want you to try to forgive them!”

She looked into my eyes.

“How can I do that?” I asked, feeling defeated.

Her request was so sweet and gentle that all the anger I felt began to fade. The same euphoric feeling I had when I heard my father Hassan’s voice returned.

“I know you love them, and the sadness you feel can be resolved with a conversation and an apology!” I widened my eyes at my fiancée.

“You think I should apologize to them?” I asked, somewhat confused.

“Don’t you?” she countered.

“Honestly, no. We were the ones hurt by their choices. I believe they owe us an apology,” I said, feeling my irritation rising.

“I understand your position, but if we’re going to get married, I believe I’ll be living in the same house as your parents, so I don’t want you all not speaking to each other,” she said gently.

“Hope, it’s not that simple. Even though Babi Hassan has started talking to me again, I know he’s still disappointed…” I trailed off.

I felt a tightness in my chest from not having my father by my side, from being so estranged. Allah knows the desires of my heart, knows how much I wish to reconcile with my father.

“I want to give you another present, actually, it’s more from Laís, Matheus, and Zara than from me.” A smile appeared on her lips.

“Mahjub, I grew up knowing I would be your wife, that I would be your princess, but I want you to be happy too, fulfilled and at peace with your family!” Her hand came to my face, and I closed my eyes.

I let her affection sink in, beginning to visualize everything Hope was telling me. I could see our life in the palace, with my brothers and nephews running around, and especially my parents by my side, blessing us and celebrating together.

Maybe Hope is the link that will unify my divided family, torn apart by their support for me. I brought our foreheads together and relaxed, all the tension from our conversation slowly dissipating with each breath.

“I love you, Mahjub, I’ve always loved you, and even when I tried to forget you, I still loved you!” Her declaration brought a tear to my eye.

“I need to leave you for a moment now, but I want you to know that I will always be by your side,” she said, moving closer for a kiss.

Her lips touched mine lightly, a touch so subtle I could barely feel it, yet I felt all her emotions.

“I’ll be at the table with your brothers and our friends. I love you, and happy birthday!” she said, starting to stand up.

I watched my fiancée rise in front of me, adjusting the dress she was wearing. I turned to look in the direction she was facing and saw my parents standing there, smiling and holding hands, with my mother in the center.

“Your Highness, I’ll leave you so you can talk privately,” Hope said, stepping away.

I stood up and began walking toward my parents, who were smiling at Hope as she passed by.

“Hi, Babi,” I said.