187 - Mahjub Al-Makki

Mahjub Al-Makki

My heart was skipping with happiness; there were only minutes left until I saw Hope entering the grand hall, and my anxiety was almost out of control. I was desperate with longing and just wanted her by my side.

Matheus and Zara were next to me, trying to keep me from running off to find my swan. I saw my parents dancing joyfully, and it was impossible not to feel the same enthusiasm they were feeling at that moment. Even the imam was festive; he was dancing among my family members.

Then the music changed, and I turned towards the same doors I had entered just a few minutes ago. I felt my hands sweating, and then I saw my beautiful swan. She was wearing a dress that revealed she truly was a princess… 

My princess!

Hope was in her completely sparkling white dress, making her the center of attention. The voluminous skirt prevented her from dancing more freely as she entered the hall alongside her parents, with her siblings right behind them. 

As is our culture, the two families meet amidst much celebration, dancing, and music to give their children in marriage. I smiled when I noticed that the hijab on her head was the same one I had given her as a gift, making her look stunning.

I wanted to get close to my fiancée, touch her face, and ease the longing I felt for her. I had learned my lesson, and the four years I spent without my wife by my side were enough to know I couldn't bear to have Hope far from me.

We watched her dancing in front of us, and I joined in the same spirit, dancing together alongside all those we loved. I held the tips of her fingers and saw her happy and smiling. Her parents were showing all their joy in finally seeing our wedding and celebrating after everything that had happened.

After a few hours of celebration with music, the imam approached and conducted our wedding ceremony.

“It's beautiful to see these two families coming together,” he began.

Hope's parents were right behind her, and I could feel the presence of mine at my back.

“As you know, Mahjub and Hope's marriage took place a few days ago; today, we will finalize the matrimony!” he said, smiling at everyone in the grand hall.

Our ceremony wasn't long; only a small detail that the imam hadn't mentioned days before remained.

“I have already presented the duties and responsibilities of both of you in the relationship. Among the general commitments of marriage that must be fulfilled, let respect and love between you be essential for the maintenance of the marriage, and remember to respect the precepts of the Quran,” he said.

“May Allah bless you, prosper you, and multiply your lineage, making it as numerous as the grains of sand in the desert surrounding us.” I turned to face Hope, who was smiling at me.

“I would like to say a few words!” I said, looking at the imam.

“Of course!” he said, stepping aside.

“Hope, may our life be happy, sweet, and peaceful. Know that your dreams are my dreams, and we will fulfill each one of them together.” Her smile grew even wider. “In front of all our family, friends, and guests, I give you my word that you will be the only woman in my life!”

I spoke from my heart with such conviction that I heard many sighs around us. I wanted her to be certain that I would never look at another woman besides her.

“Mahjub, I am sure that you will do everything possible and impossible to make our home blessed. I commit to our family and the community, and I will teach all our children about the Quran, that Allah is the greatest, and that our laws must be followed, as the wife I was raised to be!” she said.

I knew that Hope wasn’t born into our culture, but she embraced it with love and care to become my wife one day. I will do my best to ensure that my culture isn’t a burden for her or something so difficult that she questions if she really wants to stay by my side.

I moved closer to her, and even though I wanted to kiss her lips, I respected our privacy and kissed her forehead, calming my heart that only wanted her in my arms.

Our family approached at the end of the celebrations, and we started dancing right there. I held my wife’s hand and didn’t let go, not even to hug my parents. No more distance.

Before I could say anything, we were led to our first dance among all the guests, who made way for the musicians and dabke dancers approaching and dancing around us.

“Can we escape?” Hope asked as she came closer, shaking her scarf in the air.

“Just a little longer, and I promise we won't even change clothes!” I said, joining in the fun.

“I’ve already sent our bags to the jet, so we can make a French exit…” I twirled my masbaha in the air.

Matheus, Ruslan, and Guilherme came up beside me and started throwing money over our heads, along with my parents and my uncle Alex, who patted my father Bruno on the shoulder, probably sharing some joke between them.

I danced as much as I could beside my wife, who was adjusting her hijab. I could see on her face how exhausted she was after four days of celebration and a trip earlier in the week, with no time to rest between nights of partying.

“You grew up seeing how your parents took care of me and the family; I expect nothing less from you with my daughter-in-law!” my mother said, kissing my cheek.

“Always obey the commandments, and everything will be blessed for you!” my father Hassan said, hugging me.

After a while, saying goodbye to all my siblings and Hope saying goodbye to hers, I approached her and held her hand.

“How about we escape from here?” I whispered in her ear.

“It was supposed to be a French exit!” she exclaimed.

“Yes, let’s go now…” I said, pulling her by the side of the hall, escaping from everyone.

The night breeze began to caress my face as we left our wedding party. All I wanted was to head towards the private jet that awaited us. The warmth of the celebration still pulsed in my chest, but now it was replaced by the anticipation of what was to come.

We left the party laughing, with Hope holding my hand, and got into the car that was set to take us to the airport. Since there was a driver, I restrained myself from putting my wife on my lap at that moment.

It didn’t take long to reach the airport.

“Are we making any stops?” Hope whispered.

I narrowed my eyes, trying to find the reason for her question, and smiled when I saw her biting her lower lip, making her look so sensual.

“Only if you want to; the plan is to get to Dubai today,” I said.

It’s only a five-hour flight, and it wouldn’t be too tiring.

We felt the car stop in front of our family’s small aircraft, and I turned to my wife.

“Are you ready to start our married life?” I asked, like a loyal puppy.

Ready to obey the orders my wife gives me, just like my mother does with my father and my sister does with my brother-in-law.

I gently held her hand and brought it to my lips as she nodded. I got out of the car and carefully helped my wife out, still in her luxurious dress, and I wanted the pleasure of taking it off as soon as we took off.

We boarded the jet, and I gave the order for the pilot to take off. It didn’t take long before I heard the engines echoing around us as we settled into the cabin. I watched the door close, isolating us from the outside world. The anticipation made my pulse race with the intensity of the moment approaching.

We were aware of the safety procedures, but I had just gotten married, and I desired my wife, just as she seemed eager for our moment. I closed the door to the private cabin and turned towards her.

My princess stood in front of the bed, her hands resting calmly in front of her. I lifted my hand to my lips and kissed my masbaha with devotion, placing it on one of our bags.

“Mahjub…” Her voice came out in a whisper.

“I know,” I said, approaching her.

With a gentle gesture, I raised my hand to remove her hijab, delicately undoing the ties of the scarf, allowing her hair to fall freely over her shoulders. Her eyes met mine, overflowing with adoration and desire, and my heart danced in response to the love I felt for her.

My hand caressed her face, and Hope held my hand tenderly, her eyes seeking mine in a profound connection. It was as if our souls spoke the same language, sharing dreams, desires, and promises in an eloquent silence.

Our love manifested in a passionate kiss, our lips meeting in an encounter as intimate as it was celestial. I tried to convey through my embrace that she would always feel safe and complete.

Every touch, every sigh, was an expression of our boundless love. At that moment, we were not just Mahjub and Hope; we were a fusion of souls, united by the most powerful bond of all: true love.

Still kissing her neck, I ran my hand over her shoulders, turning her to remove her from that dress.

In the silence of the cabin, we surrendered to the ecstasy of passion, allowing our hearts to intertwine in an eternal dance of love and devotion.