Episode 16

I confront the woman in front of me, who, by appearances, is no more than a young woman, beautiful like the sunrise, and delicate like a rose petal, but sadness overflows in her eyes...

My heart has seldom experienced feelings as intense as now. I feel a deep compassion for her, but I need to be cautious with such feelings, as I have been deceived once.

I hold her delicate chin and look into her eyes.

"Wife, do not let this fear steal your smile." I say, serious. "As certain as the sun rises every morning and sets at dusk, so will be my promise that I will not return you to those who have caused you so much suffering." I see her take a deep breath. "I confess that my thoughts about this marriage were not the best, for just like you, I did not desire it, but for now, I ask that you enjoy all the joy of the celebrations of our wedding, and do not let the plots of those who tried to hurt you succeed." She looks at me, surprised.

"How do you know?"

"I just know." I affirm. "But believe me when I say that, from the moment I accepted our union, I have made the decision in my heart to remain faithful for as long as we are married. So, I will explain everything to you after our second ceremony of the day, but I ask that you be happy and not let anyone steal your smile. Can you do that?"

"Is it a promise that you will not return me to my original family? And that I will not be the betrayed and humiliated wife?" She asks, apprehensive.

"Yes, it is a promise!" I affirm.

She takes another deep breath, and then gives me a slight smile.

"Then I will trust your words, my husband."

"That's better." I caress her hand. "I need to go now, I just wanted to reassure your heart. I'll see you shortly, at the next ceremony. I'm sure you'll be radiant, my beautiful zawja!" She smiles timidly. "You have a beautiful smile, did you know?"

"Thank you, my husband... You are also very..." She bites her lower lip, and that makes me want to kiss them, but I restrain myself. "Handsome." She looks away and that makes me smile discreetly... so beautiful and blushing in her shyness.

"And my beautiful wife looks even more beautiful like this, with her cheeks flushed from shyness." I raise my hand and gently caress her face, and I see her blush even more intensely, which leaves me satisfied.

"My son!" I hear my mother's reprimanding voice and smile to myself... I knew she would scold me. "You only said one or two words, boy!" She says softly and I see my wife smile discreetly.

"Happy?!" I question and she looks at me, surprised. "I was scolded to make you smile, my beautiful, so make my sacrifice worth it." She smiles even more and blushes even more. "I'm going to change." I kiss her hand and inhale the delicious scent that only she has.

I stand up, with my mother by my side, ensuring that I will not do anything wrong again.

I bow slightly to my sweet Yasmin, and as I turn around, I can see the expressions of anger and envy on Najla and her two snake-like companions.

I am thankful that I got rid of this girl, or I would have brought another snake into my parents' house. We already have to deal with Samira!

I leave the courtyard and, as I pass, I can hear the whispers and sighs of some girls and even older women, but today I do not care, because the one who truly matters to me is already promised to me!

《••••》

"I never thought I would live to celebrate your wedding, but you have surprised me, my son." my father touches my shoulder. "I am proud that you accepted my decision, and I confess I am grateful as well. You will see that having a wife is not a punishment, but a blessing."

"Thank you, father. I know you only wanted the best for me with this arranged marriage." I exhale forcefully. "But I insist on saying that Mr. Omar should be deprived of receiving the dowry as punishment for all the physical and psychological abuse he inflicted on his deceased wife and his own daughter. Honestly, I am glad to have married Yasmin instead of Najla, for I would not have peace with a wicked girl like Mr. Omar's eldest daughter. It would be like having a version of Mrs. Ursula sharing the same bed, and worse, I would be feeding a cunning serpent that might bite me in the future."

My father smiles faintly, which is rare to see, but today he seems strangely happy.

"My son, you have no idea how my heart rejoices to hear you say such words. I feel that you will be a husband who honors and protects his wife." he sighs, thoughtful. "Your mother told me some things that happened to Zipora, your wife's mother. Omar was truly a terrible husband to that poor woman, and influenced by Ursula and Najla, he mistreated his own daughter. Can you believe that poor Yasmin didn't even finish her studies?" he shakes his head. "I ask you to have patience with this girl, my son. She was not raised according to our customs and traditions, so it may take her a while to adapt." I asked your mother to teach her everything necessary, but that can only happen when you both return from your honeymoon.

"You can rest assured, father. I will be patient." I take a deep breath. "And what about Mr. Omar?" I inquire.

"According to our laws, the dowry must be paid, there's nothing to be done about that." we both scoff. "However, I will make sure he doesn't manage to recover with that money. I have ways to impoverish him, and I will do so." he says firmly. "Your mother was a close friend of Omar's deceased wife, and she suffered greatly when her friend died, and even more so now, as she discovered that poor Yasmin was mistreated, even physically abused when she was younger."

Knowing such things makes me very angry.

"Father, make him pay for the suffering he caused, and if you need my help, I will be glad to participate."

My father sighs once again.

"Don't worry, my son. I will take care of it myself. I have known Omar for many years. He used to be a good and fair man who loved his deceased wife, but as soon as Ursula came into his life, his judgment was thrown to the wind and he became ambitious, cunning, and wicked, just like Ursula always was. It pains me to see that a man I once called a friend has become such a detestable being, capable of selling and mistreating his own daughter. But I am a Sheikh, and I will act as such, seeking justice! Omar will suffer the consequences for his wickedness, and it will be done my way."

I nod slightly, for if I know Sheikh Yousef Harmud well, I wouldn't want to be in Mr. Omar's shoes...

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