92.
-Hey guys, decided to let you know, so it won’t be like I’m defying normal Moroccan culture and maybe offending anyone.
For the customs I wrote about in the previous chapter and the ones that I’ll soon be writing about, you should know that most of them actually are from my imagination given that Zagreh is a fictional place. I create customs for them and mix them with real Moroccan customs.
Example:
The scarf stuff, days without seeing each other, being accompanied by maids and men wherever they go, are all from my own thoughts. Even the way the dowry ceremony held. But the dowry gifts are from real Moroccan customs. I mix them, both my fictional and the real traditions. Xoxo -
Writer’s POV:
The halls, gardens and surroundings were decorated for the upcoming birthday party and engagement ceremony.
The future husband and wife were taken back to their rooms while waiting for night time.
--
“That dowry ceremony was so touching. I literally had goosebumps,” Salma giggled.
Saïda was in her room, surrounded and taken care of by her maids.
“I know right. Gosh, the way the Prince looked at you Saïda. Goosebumps!” Aisha cooed and the girls giggled.
Saïda reddened and smiled to herself at the thought.
“He could hardly take his eyes off her. We could actually feel the attraction and tension between both of you,” Yasmin said.
“True. It’s still so surprising. Just the way he looks at you, proves how much he loves you,” Salma poked Saïda playfully. “And you were literally eating him up with your own eyes, Saïda.”
Her friends cooed and Saïda giggled shyly.
“I can’t help it whenever he’s around,” she admitted with red cheeks. “He is just so handsome.”
“Mmmmm, you who used to mock us for finding him attractive,” Yasmin teased with a chuckle.
“I know right,” Saïda laughed. “I disliked him so much that I refused to actually find him attractive.”
“And now you’re melting.”
“So bad,” Saïda admitted and her friends giggled like little girls.
“When he arrived with the dowry gifts, I could hardly breathe right. I just wanted to jump on him.”
“It was so evident. And when you gave him your scarf, goosebumps again. Girl I wish I was you right now,” Aisha dragged and her friends laughed.
“I know right! Everyone was.”
While her friends were still commenting, Saïda grabbed Asahd’s scarf on her bed, close to her, and put it against her nose. She inhaled deeply, goosebumps covering her skin. It smelt of him. His natural, sweet body scent as well as his perfume. The perfect mix.
′Gosh let’s get married soon. I wish I could wish you a happy birthday. But I had no right to speak.′
“I’ll tell him tonight,” she muttered to herself.
′I didn’t have the time to find a gift for you but I’ll do so the upcoming week.′
--
Asahd’s POV:
Lunch was brought to my room for my friends and I. We thanked the servants who then left.
“She was so pretty,” I said with a smile, putting a spoon full of rice in my mouth.
“Man, the way she looked at you nonstop. Her eyes said it all. What did you do to the once innocent Saïda?” Landry laughed and we chuckled.
“She’s still innocent,” I replied, wiping my mouth with a table napkin. “There are a lot of things she’s still new to. Or still shy and uncomfortable with.”
“And you, bad child, have already began teaching her the unthinkable, here in Zagreh. Creating a naughty side in her,” Amir mused and they laughed.
“I think she’s always had that naughty side, but didn’t know it. That is, until I came around,” I said proudly and we laughed. “I just helped her discover it. And now, life definitely is more interesting and exciting for both of us.”
“Mmhmm. You didn’t even let her ex fiancé create that in her. You are a case,” Kanaan laughed.
“He kissed her first. I think that was enough. I’ll take it from here,” I mused.
“You already have taken it. You did that even back in New York. It still baffles me!” Landry said. “I underestimated you, Asahd. How did you get strict Saïda to give up a lot and let you do things to her?? Like even back in New York when she was still speaking with Noure and probably didn’t even love you.”
I laughed.
“Four key words,” I mused. “Friendship, patience, determination and seduction. But if you really want it to work, like I did, it has to affect you both mutually,” I told them.
“It affected me too because Saïda seduced me. She seduced me without even knowing it. The moment I kissed her for the for time, was the moment I decided to seduce her intentionally. But the question is, what made me kiss her in the first place? I was already seduced. Even before we kissed, she’d seduced me. Though I wasn’t sure of it.”
“And immediately you had the slightest opportunity, you kissed her.”
“Yup. I was a little guilty after. For a day or so. But then my desire to kiss her again drove any feeling of guilt and then, I decided to seduce her intentionally. Didn’t care about her being betrothed. Never did.”
I ended and they laughed at my last phrase.
“You are terrible, Asahd. You just steal someone’s woman and now you are marrying her,” Amir said and they burst out laughing. I chuckled in amusement and ate my food, undisturbed.
“Destiny,” I replied causally. “Even the sky knows he would’ve never made her happy.”
“Maybe he would’ve, if she’d continued to be deeply in love with him,” Kanaan mused.
“Mm. We’ll never know,” I shrugged and they laughed.
“I might have changed, but I’m not perfect. I wanted her, I did everything to have her. I know myself. I ain’t no saint or perfectly moral figure that everyone can look up to. Yes I stole his fiancée. But I couldn’t help it. Wasn’t my fault that I fell in love with her, my heart decided on its own. You know me. When I want a girl, I try to get her no matter what.
Saïda was a very special case because she makes me feel what no other woman has, and trust me, I’ve known a lot. Noure wasn’t lucky, that’s all. I set my eyes on her, shots were fired, I won. Sorry not sorry.”
I ended and continued eating. The guys stared at me in amusement and with slightly opened mouths.
“That definitely is true love,” Kanaan joked and we laughed out.
“I’m literally obsessed with her,” I chuckled.
“Facts, man. Will you go on a honeymoon?” Landry asked.
I looked at him, a brow raised.
“Are you kidding me? Of course! The hell?” I mused and they chuckled.
“Poor girl. She better prepare,” Amir mused.
“Asahd will not spare her.”
“I will,” I chuckled. “I don’t know when, but I probably will. I’m not sure, but maybe I will.”
They laughed again.
“Give a clear answer,” Landry said.
“I don’t know. But I don’t think I will. Damn, I’m confused,” I laughed. “All I know is, it’ll be every night. We miss a night, we make up for it the next morning or afternoon.”
“Hahaha! Can she take it, Asahd!”
“She better. We’ll be gone for a week, only. Sex everyday of a week isn’t bad, is it? She’ll find a way,” I sipped my drink, leaning back into my chair and staring at my amused friends.
Her scarf still hanging from my neck, I raised it and inhaled her sweet smell on it. It was enough to send the naughtiest thoughts and all I was planning to do to her, into my mind.
′She’s probably gonna be sore throughout.′
I thought, a very mischievous smirk drawing itself on my lips.
“In other words,” Amir started. “You won’t spare her.”
I stared at them.
“I won’t spare her, indeed,” I smiled devilishly and they laughed.
“Poor Saïda.”
~~~~