Episode 8

"My dear... " Mrs. Zaira calls me. " Your future husband has just asked that you dress according to tradition, for the signing of the documents."

I look at the smile on Mrs. Zaira's lips, and her happiness in dressing me in traditional clothing was evident.

"But, I was not informed that I would have to wear traditional clothes. " I sigh, remembering that my suitcase only contains a few simple things, nothing suitable for a marriage with the son of a Sheikh. " I... I fear that I have nothing appropriate to wear. " I say, lowering my gaze.

I feel such sadness, in addition to being ashamed. How will I be part of such an important family, if I have barely anything to wear, and I haven't even completed high school?!

My concerns seem to be understood by Mrs. Zaira, who holds my hands and makes me look into her eyes, while she calmly says...

"Do not worry about clothes, adornments, and perfumes, those things I will personally take care of. For now, I will have some dresses and hijabs brought, made of the finest and delicate fabrics, because a delicate flower like you should dress in something light and beautiful, but that does not overshadow your natural beauty."

I smile, feeling joy fill me.

I always wanted to wear traditional clothes, but not the ones I used to wear, which were donated and I had to fix to be able to wear. I wanted to be able to wear colorful, beautiful, and good quality clothes, to feel beautiful as well, just like the girls I saw in the few magazines at my father's house.

"Will I be able to wear a new hijab? With embroidery? " I ask, excited.

"With beautiful embroidery, and the dress will be equally embroidered. And tomorrow you will have to wear two dresses, as we will have part of the ceremony in the morning, and another part after lunch, all before sunset."

"Thank you, Mrs. Zaira, thank you so much. " I get emotional. " My father told me that I wouldn't need any of this, since my marriage is arranged. " I sigh, sadly.

"Dear, forget what that vulture Omar told you. " she makes a displeased expression. " Your future husband, my son Samir, insisted that you have a dignified wedding, and I will personally ensure that you lack absolutely nothing! " she says, smiling. " In fact, I will now arrange for the virginal girls to come and paint henna on your hands tomorrow."

"Virginal girls? " I tilt my head to the side, confused.

"Yes, my dear, because according to tradition, only virgin girls can paint the bride's hands. " she looks at me attentively. " Are you pure?"

I am completely embarrassed by the question, but I simply nod.

"Do not be ashamed, my daughter. That does not matter to me, especially since my Samir did not remain chaste for the wedding. " she shakes her head. " But we have traditions to follow, and only pure girls can have their hands painted by virgins, do you understand?"

"I understand, Mrs. Zaira."

"For now, I will accept that you call me that, but I hope to soon hear you calling me mother-in-law, or even mother, like Hanya does. " she smiles. " Tomorrow, I will introduce you to your sisters, the wives of your brothers-in-law. " she seems to think. " If you wish, you can talk to Hanya, she is a good girl, but be very careful with Safira, she seems as sweet as a ripe peach, but she is cunning like a snake."

"I will be careful. " I affirm, but knowing that one of the sisters-in-law is someone bad makes me worried, because I don't want to be harmed within a family where the matriarch has taken me in with so much love. Reading my thoughts, Mrs. Zaira comforts me.

"I will be here for whatever you need, just as I defended Hanya when it was necessary, I will defend you, if necessary. " he says, but doesn't explain exactly what happened for Hanya to need defending, and that's something that makes me apprehensive. " Now, come on, get up and go to your bathroom, take a nice shower and use all the products I prepared and left on the counter. A woman should know how to perfume herself, and even though you and your husband will only share the same room starting tomorrow, after the ceremonies, your scent will stay imprinted on his mind today, when you're standing side by side signing the documents, and you won't be able to show your face, so only your gaze and your perfume should stay vivid in Samir's mind, and that will leave him intrigued and curious to see more of the beautiful wife he'll soon have in his arms."

"Mrs. Zaira... " I look away, feeling my face heat up, and I know I must be very red in this moment.

"My dear, don't be ashamed. " she smiles kindly. " I know your mother didn't have time to teach you these things, and I'm sure that foolish Ursula mustn't have said anything about it, am I right? " I just nod. " So don't worry, because I'm going to give you important lessons, things that my mother taught me and were very useful when I married my Yousef, and believe me, being the wife of a Sheikh is not an easy task, and sometimes we have to use our weapons, things that only a married woman can do, but you will learn that with time and living with your husband, and only he will be able to know your feminine secrets."

I nod, and as nervous as I am about signing these documents, I confess that I am even more nervous about tomorrow night, when I will have to become the wife of a total stranger...

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