After crying so much and feeling completely empty of any kind of emotion, I walked slowly to the bathroom and let my body sink into the hot water, but my body felt numb.
I know I shouldn't have expectations in this marriage, after all, I had already heard rumors about my husband being involved with several women. But after seeing him defend me in that way, honor me in front of everyone, shower me with so many gifts, and even care about my Meher, something I didn't even know I would receive... oh, Samir, how wrong I was.
"I really wanted us to have a chance to build a love between us, Samir... but once again, I dreamed too big!"
I take a deep breath and leave the bath. I put on a fresh nightgown and lie down on the soft bed, curling up under the thick blanket.
I hear Mrs. Zaira knocking on the door, letting me know that dinner is served, but I pretend to be asleep when she doesn't get a response and enters the room.
I don't want to have to look at Samir, I don't want to see the victorious smile of my sister and stepmother, because I know I'm not strong enough yet to hide my feelings.
Unfortunately, sleep takes a while to come, and when I finally fall asleep, it's already dawn, and I look at the beautiful moon in the sky, praying to God that at least I won't be hurt even more tomorrow.
《••••》
Early in the morning, a girl comes to my room to bring me breakfast. I thank her for that, but I know I won't be able to avoid my husband for much longer, after all, at sunset, we will be concluding the final ceremony and heading for our honeymoon.
I close my eyes, squeezing tightly... I need to be strong!
After eating only a few dates and drinking a good cup of hot tea, I get up and get ready for the first ceremony of the day.
Just like yesterday, I bathe and perfume myself, and a young woman helps me with my hair and also the dress, which today is all in red, with many embroideries and details in gold, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
*reference to Yasmin's dress.
In this ceremony, only women are present, and the bride is the center of attention.
Women gather and celebrate the formation of a new family, there is a lot of music and dance, and at this party, henna tattoos are made on my hands and feet, and I chose a delicate design...
*reference to dance and traditions with the bride.
I sit on a separate couch specially made for me, and unmarried and virgin girls begin to paint my hands and feet.
I was happy to participate in this whole preparation process to finally meet my groom and reveal my face to him, but those images kept coming to my mind all the time, and again a strange feeling invaded me and all I could manage was a forced smile.
"Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Hanya!" a young girl with a beautiful smile approached. "Welcome, new sister!"
"Thank you, Hanya! My name is Yasmin." I smiled as best I could.
"You are so beautiful, for sure, my brother will be infatuated as soon as he lays eyes on you, at the end of this ceremony."
I stare at her, confused, because I thought my fiance would only see me at the next celebration. But she seems to understand my questions.
"In some cases, the groom can see the bride, but only at the end of the second ceremony, and from what my husband told me, your husband is so eager that he asked my father-in-law to grant him that permission." I smile a little more upon hearing such words, so he is eager to see me?
"My husband did that? Asked for this permission? Are you sure, Hanya?" I hold her hands, and she smiles.
"Yes, sister, I'm sure. And I'll tell you a secret, but don't tell anyone." I nod and she leans in closer, speaking in a low tone so that only I can hear. "According to my husband, Samir spent hours in the garden yesterday, sitting and staring at the window of your room. And when you didn't appear for dinner, he even wanted to go get you himself, but our mother Zaira wouldn't allow it, because it wasn't proper." She chuckles. "The groom is so eager to see the bride that he even wanted to break the rules. My husband said he's never seen Samir so anxious and nervous at the same time, he seemed restless, constantly looking towards the dining room entrance, waiting for you to appear."
I squeeze Hanya's hands tighter as she looks at me with a loving smile, and I feel a strong affinity and affection for her.
"Yasmin, I truly wish for us to be friends, and anything I can do for you, you can count on me," she sighs. "But don't trust Samira, she's not a good person, she has a hard heart and a bitter soul. Don't be fooled by her sweet words, because I believed her and..." she doesn't finish the sentence, as we hear a soft and truly sweet voice.
"Well, well, isn't our new sister precious!" the young woman approaches and takes hold of my hand, pulling me away from Hanya. "I am Samira, the older sister, first and only wife of the oldest brother of the Harmud family, so I will welcome you, dear younger sister!" she says, using exaggerated gestures that I find excessive. "Come, sing and dance in honor of our new sister!" she says loudly, and the typical cry of Arab women is heard throughout the room. "I hope our beloved sister Hanya didn't say anything foolish," she glares sharply in Hanya's direction, and I recognize that look, as Najla and Ursula have the same venomous gaze.
"Hanya was just asking me a bit more about the household routine and some customs, since I was raised outside of our culture, in a foreign country, I need to be careful not to make mistakes and embarrass my husband," I lie, and I'm even surprised at how quickly I reasoned and gave a response. "But I also hope to have your help and teachings, sister Samira, since you are the oldest of the sisters, you must have a lot to teach."
"Oh, of course! I'll be delighted to teach you everything you need to do to be a good wife and a good daughter in this house..." she smiles.
Something tells me I should keep my distance from this woman, as I am well acquainted with treacherous snakes!
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