The Honeymoon

Everyone keeps mentioning how honeymoons are so magical, and it is the time where the husband and wife connect the most. However, my honeymoon was far from magic; ever since I knew Rashed was Mohammed's step-brother I kept thinking how hard life would be. 

Eid, gatherings, parties, friday lunch, he might always be there sitting right in front of me. We had a strong past, and unfortunately I could not just give up my feelings on Rashed just like that. At the same time I did not want to be unfair to my husband who did everything just to keep me happy. 

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It was the last day of our honeymoon in Maldives, and we would be heading back to Dubai then directly to London for his work. However, Mohammed was not himself that morning when he woke up. He went and changed into his swimming outfit and asked me to come along and sit on the boat while he goes for a dive. I dressed up put on my shades and went with him, we got on the boat and he was so quiet, even though I kept talking he would not reply with a sentence, but only with a "Aha, okay".

It was just me and Mohammed, he asked the captain if he could drive the boat alone and they allowed him after seeing his boat license. He drove the boat till the middle of the ocean and stopped. Suddenly, he looked at me and said: "I know that you are not enjoying your time with me".

Me: What do you mean?
Mohammed: Latifa I know you were married by force.
Me: WHAT?! I wasn't married by force.
Mohammed: So you are saying you didn't love Rashed?

This was the part where I died, how did he find out that me and Rashed were in love. I did not have the guts to open my mouth or say anything, neither was I able to deny the fact that I had fallen in love with his step brother.

Mohammed: Don't worry, I won't divorce you. I only want a happy life, and it won't be possible with you. Since you are in love with my step-brother.
Me: Mohammed that was a past mistake and nothing happened.

Mohammed: I am not looking for excuses, there is no need to try to justify yourself. Rashed told me everything, showed me the pictures, the messages, everything! Minutes before I entered the wedding hall. So today is our last day as a happy couple, we are going to go back to Dubai tomorrow and then straight to London. In London you will meet my girlfriend whom I will get married to, remember the lady you saw in Mr. Chow? She is the one who I am talking about. Oh, and don't think of telling anyone or asking for a divorce it will all look bad in your part.

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I hoped that a shark would pass by and I would throw myself in the middle of the ocean, waiting for it to rip me apart. As after what I heard from Mohammed my life just turned into a horror! 

Mohammed jumped into the ocean and went diving, he left me there all alone thinking of what to do. I could not come up with any solution that would put an end to my misery. Maybe this was the price that I had to pay for what I have done... 

Tangled

I was all alone in the suite with Mohammed, our first night as officially newly weds. I did not know what I had to do, he stayed quite for a long time and did not speak much. I went to the washroom to freshen up and remove (lighten the makeup, could not remove it from the first day). I wore my silk night gown that I got as a gift from his family, shockingly he was sitting on his blackberry in the living room.

Mohammed: If you want to sleep, sleep! Because tomorrow we have to get up early the plane is at 12PM and we have to go to the airport by 9AM.
Me: Its okay, let's sit and talk?
Mohammed: What do you want to talk about...
Me: Anything.
Mohammed: Latifa go sleep, it is better so you won't be tired tomorrow.

I sat there and just wanted to cry, he seemed as if he had no interest in talking to me or anything in that matter. After a few minutes he got up, he changed, and he went to bed. While I was sitting there, he didn't even tell me if I was coming to bed.

After that I was sleep deprived, I did not know what to do and what made him so cold towards me. What was wrong with him now and what did he want to teach me.

Hours passed and morning came, I went took a shower and changed for the airport. He woke up and he went to dress up as well.

Me: Mohammed is everything alright, you don't seem happy?
Mohammed: Was tired yesterday, sorry! Are you excited for Maldives?! *smiles*
Me: Can't wait, always wanted to go there.

He seemed to be in a better mood than yesterday and he kept talking on all the activities he had planned for us during our stay; but my mind was still not with him. I wanted to ask him how he knew Rashed or in what way was Rashed related to him, but I didn't want to make it obvious that I cared.

As we were in the First class lounge at the airport, this girl came to Mohammed and started talking to him. After a while he realized he didn't introduce us, "Amal, this is Latifa my wife. Latifa, this is Amal an old friend". He had the guts to tell me she was an old friend?! the least he could do was say she works with him... I shook her hand and gave her the "I don't care smile" even though I never had that attitude. I was jealous that he had a good time talking to her and not me.

We boarded the plane and as soon as we sat in our seats, he started with:

Mohammed: "Were you shocked to see Rashed yesterday?"
Me: Oh ya I didn't notice him, I didn't see him for a long time after we stopped designing.  He is related to you?
Mohammed: He is my step-brother.

My heart stopped, what was he saying! How didn't I know that they were half brothers, was this even possible. All these thoughts kept rushing through my head and I had no idea on how to defend myself anymore, I wanted to tell him the truth but I realized I was on my way to my honeymoon.

Me: Oh I never knew you had a step-brother.
Mohammed: His mother was my dad's first wife but she passed away when he was a baby, so my dad got married to my mother. He doesn't spend much time with us, he is usually in London. We had a small fight that is why when I saw you with him, neither of us said hi to each other.
Me: Oh I see, he didn't mention also that you were his brother.
Mohammed: Ya we were having a small fight, but now it's okay. By the way he was telling my dad about a girl he met in London and he wanted to marry her, some girl who was from Abu Dhabi apparently do you know her?
Me: No we only spoke business.

Was this really happening, the guy who had my heart was my husband's step brother. What was going on, what did I do to get all this drama.

The plane departed and me and Mohammed were on our way to our honeymoon, while I was tangled in some complicated drama.

Reality Strikes

I stood there standing in shock! As Mohammed walked in the wedding hall, I saw Rashed walk behind him (along with a few other men from my family and Mohammed's). How was this possible Rashed saw Mohammed in London and so did Mohammed, but they both didn't mention that they knew each other, especially when I lied to them both.

Every step they got closer the more tears kept flowing, I could not make any move. As all the cameras were pointing towards us, and the 2000 ladies were sitting happily staring at the stage and the huge screens. I wanted Noora to come on stage and do something, I wanted the kosha to break apart, anything that would save me from this misery.

In a few minutes, there they were Mohammed my husband and Rashed the guy who had my heart, standing next to each other just beside me while the cameras kept flashing. Suddenly, Mohammed held my hand and said "I think you know Rashed you both were working on a fashion line?"

What was I supposed to say... I kept quiet and kept looking at the cameras, while I was burning from the inside. The female family members from both sides came up for pictures, my sisters noticed that my face had changed and I no longer was the bride who was happy. However, what was there to say right now, everything was sealed and I was a few hours away from my honeymoon.

Rashed kept looking at me from the side of his eyes, it seemed like him and Mohammed had a long talk as both of them weren't themselves when they entered. I wanted him to say something or at least indicate that everything was okay, but he didn't.

After a while the men left, and Mohammed stayed for more pictures.

Mohammed: You look beautiful Latifa, I am so glad you are my wife.

I held his hand and smiled, while from the inside I was afraid and nervous. I wished that time would just stop, I could not be in a room alone with him. I did not know what he knew happened, or what he had in mind to say to me; the only thing I knew is that Mohammed looked at me differently.

The ladies told Mohammed to leave and to come back and take me by 4AM, so I stayed and he left. I immediately saw Noora run up the stage and came to the Kosha.


Noora: Was that who I think it was?!
Me: Yes, Noora tell me what should I do!
Noora: Omg this is so bad Latifa... do you think he knows the whole story.
Me: Noora I am worried I can't go on the honeymoon alone with him.
Noora: Latifa you have to go! There is nothing we can do now, let us just hope he doesn't know what happened between you two.

I was worried and was no longer in the mood to sit on the kosha and smile at the guests. I wanted to leave go up to the room and find out what he knew. At the same time as every minute passed I got more nervous and my heart started beating.

It was 4AM, the wedding hall just had close family now; all the other guests left. Mohammed walked in and hugged his family, and my family came to take me down to him. I started crying and I hugged my sisters so hard I did not want to go.

Mohammed took my hand and sort of dragged me out of the wedding hall, just before we left they got my coat so that I would be able to pass through the lobby.

We went up to the suite and the whole trip in the lift he just stared at me.

The Big Day

Few months passed and today was the day I was officially getting married. It all happened so fast, and I forgot about Rashed and was ready to spend a happy life with my husband. 

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We went to the hotel from 8AM and my sisters started getting everything ready, while my mother and aunts made sure the wedding hall was perfect!

The flowers kept rushing into my suite from family members, friends, and people from the grooms side, all wishing me a happy life.

Time flew by quickly and it was 8PM, all my family members went down to the wedding hall to start greeting the guests that would be attending. While Noora sat up with me and decided she would go down by 10PM when I make my entrance. We let Hamda keep us posted on what was going on in the wedding hall, she sent us pictures of how it looked and it was like my fairytale had come true.

Noora kept looking at me as if she felt something was not right. I didn't want to ruin my day with bringing old memories back, so I just ignored her.

By 9:30PM I was nervous, my heart started beating faster, my sister Roudha came up and so did the salon ladies once again to add the final touches, before they put on my jewels. As they were getting me ready Noora got a call, and she rushed to the other room. Which was weird as Noora always answered her phone in front of us.

I was set and ready to go, they just had to put on my crown and veil and I was ready to make my entrance in front of 2,000 women who attended to witness my marriage.

As I woke down the aisle and the women stood up, I got goosebumps, I held one of the flower girls hands just to stop my hand from shaking, while my other hand held the flower bouquet. My mother and aunts stood on one side in happy tears, while my sisters kept telling the photographers to rush and take good photos, the grooms family on the other side looked like they were proud of who their son was marrying.

The dancing began, dinner was served, and the night went beautifully that was until 1AM when Mohammed had to enter...

The Date

I had to wake up early the next morning, I felt as if I had a hangover from last night. It all felt as a dream, and I was going through a mixed emotions phase. I was now officially his and he was mine, we are meant to live our lives together till death do us part. 

I started getting ready as Mohammed would pick me up by 12PM and would take me on a surprise date as he stated. 

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It was 12PM and he was right in front of my house, I picked up my Celine bag and went down to his car. He came with his all black G65, I expected him to get down the car and open the door for me but he just rolled down the window and said "Halla" (Hi).

We headed to Dubai,  our first stop was La Petite Maison for Lunch. Over lunch something got over Mohammed and he started talking about the day he saw me in London sitting with Rashed.

Mohammed: How is your fashion line going with that guy?
Me: Oh I stopped designing.
Mohammed: Aha
Me: It was a hassle and not a good time to start.
Mohammed: Start a fashion line here on your own.
Me: Will see how things go.
Mohammed: Who was that guy by the way, how did you meet him?

Here my heart stopped and I had to make up a believable lie. 

Me: He is the brother of one of my classmates in university, she told me that he is looking for someone to start a fashion line with.
Mohammed: Ah okay... next time when you meet with a guy you should take one of your brothers or sisters with you. Just so people won't get the wrong idea.

I felt as if he was sending me a hint that he felt we were on a date together in that restaurant, but I had to act as if nothing was going on. So i just agreed and tried to get the focus on him while we continued with our lunch. 

After lunch he took me shopping to choose some outfits for him and myself for when we go to London for his work, he made me feel that I was officially his wife...

The whole day was great I really enjoyed being with him and not for a second did I doubt my decision... Until I got home that night and got a message from Rashed which said:

"Congratulations, I hope you haven't taken a decision so quickly as me and my family were supposed to come to ask for your hand in marriage during this week. I am in Abu Dhabi, please let me know if you would like to meet." 

My hands were trembling I was so nervous and irritated that he would go this low and send me a message saying that, even though he knew I was now off the market. I immediately deleted the message, in an attempt to hide every trace of Rashed.

Mohammed's Entrance

The DJ told the ladies to put on their abayas and shailas, as the groom would now make his entrance. All the ladies rushed to cover themselves (except the ones who Mohammed could see without Shaila and Abaya, and this time unfortunately I was one of them). 

I stood all alone nervously waiting for him to enter, I hoped Noora or one of my sisters stood by me on the stage. However, it was not right and it would not look good. 

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There he was Mohammed my husband, walking towards the stage his mother and sisters were filled with joy, and he walked with a smile on his face.

All that I could think of, what if it was Rashed who walked in right now. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard the wedding cheers of the ladies. He got closer and closer, and my heart started beating harder.

When he reached he kissed my head and then stood by my side and held my hand. The photographers started taking pictures of us, while we both stood there as husband and wife.

We then sat down and he said "You look beautiful tonight" I just smiled at him. I was nervous and I did not know what to do.

He then got up when his mother gave him a sign and then they brought in the huge Tiffany jewelry box, his sisters helped him put the huge necklace around my neck, and then they got the perfect Princess Cut Diamond Ring from Cartier and he put it on my finger.

My sisters then came on stage then got me his Cartier ring to put around his finger, and now it was official.

We sat down for a few more minutes and then I had to go up to my room with him, after the Milcha the bride only sits and talks to her husband, but does not move to the husbands house (even though she is now officially his wife).

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I was so shy and I did not want to go up to my room with him, but it would be awkward if I made him sit in the living room between the young girls.

In my room, he sat down beside me and he started talking and telling me how happy he is that his family found a girl like me for him, and how he thinks he is lucky.

He was very charming once I got to know him more, he was a polo player, works at a huge firm, and loves to travel. While his looks for pretty good as well, he was white but not pale, had hazel eyes, and thick dark brown hair, he was fit, and had a lovely smile.

We talked for more than 2 hours and I felt happy, his sisters then gave him a miss call to indicate it is late and he has to get out from my room now. Before he left he kissed my cheeks, I wanted to kiss him back but I felt shy so I just looked down and smiled.

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After the groom's family and guests left, my sisters rushed to my room asking me what happened and all that. Then they dragged me to open the gifts the groom's family brought with them.

There were dozens and dozens of beautiful jewelry from huge necklaces, rings, watches, bracelets, etc. Another box had all haute couture designer dresses that was made just for me, then the designer bags, and then I found a Bentley car key as well in one of the boxes. His family had just showered me with gifts and money. Not to mention the AED1,000,000 dowry they paid!

At this moment I had to forever stay loyal to him and make sure I never did anything wrong. As this showed how much I meant to his family, as they were not forced to give me this many gifts.

Later on I got a message from Mohammed where he said " I would like to take you out tomorrow from the afternoon, I have planned the day for us". 

Unstable Feelings

As my milcha was getting close, I anxiously waited for more than a letter from Rashed something that would make the wedding stop and for a light to spark that will give me hope for me and Rashed to be together. 

I didn't reply to his letter as I had vowed that I would leave the drama in London, but that didn't mean I wanted Rashed to stop. 

After a while I felt I was the only one who had feelings and was in a one sided love story, maybe Rashed moved on and forgot me. He had my numbers but he never texted, he might as well have moved on... 

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Time passed quickly and soon did I notice that it was the day of my Milcha. My sisters woke me up from 8AM and took me to the spa to get pampered for the evening. The wedding planner had come to our house to set up the arrangements, the caterers were planning how to set up the food, my mom and aunts were all over the place making sure everything was perfect.

The wedding contract signing would take place in the evening, and then the party would be later on in the night.

I came back home and the salon ladies were there, they did my hair and makeup. I got ready and wore a Moroccan Jalabeya (Arabic Dress) for the signing ceremony.

My sisters, cousins, and my two best friends stood by my side. While the older ladies of the family also came for the signing ceremony. The ladies sat in the main house majlis, while the men were in the outer majlis.

My heart started beating fast, I just realized I am giving myself away to Mohammed just like that. One signature and I would be his forever (I never want to be a divorced woman). 

We waited for the grooms (Mohammed) family to arrive, and once they did everyone was amazed. The ladies of his family entered our house, with huge lovely boxes with M&L being on the top of each box. There were around 25 boxes with them, they also had a huge gold box with them, the gifts were all placed in the guests room for us to open later.

All my family members were amazed by how many gifts they got me, and each one could not wait for later tonight to see what was inside.

In a few minutes, my eldest brother came in with the wedding contract for me to sign. They handed me a pen and around 50 ladies kept staring and had their cameras ready for taking a picture of my hand when I sign the contract.

I was shaking and I did not know what to do, this was it. My eyes filled with tears, and my two elder sisters standing on top of my head telling me to sign the contract faster; it suddenly happened I signed the contract.

The house was filled with joyful ladies congratulating each other, while I just sat there in tears. 

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I went up as soon as possible to get ready for the party that was taking place during the night, I wore a Haute Couture Elie Saab dress, had lovely makeup on, and my sisters got me a beautiful Louboutin heels.

It was now 8:30 PM more than 400 ladies were slowly entering our house, group after another. I could hear the songs and girls dancing. Noora and Hamda were there by my side sitting, no matter how much I told them to go down to sit with our university friends they said they wanted to be with me.

My eldest sister Sarah came up to ensure I looked perfect, and had the salon ladies do some final touches before I made my grand entrance at 10PM.

Noora kept looking at me as if she felt sorry for me, but I couldn't say anything since Hamda was sitting there.

Time passed quickly and it was time for me to go down. They started my entrance song and my sister Roudha came to walk by my side, while Noora and Hamda walked behind me.

The ladies started the wedding cheers, they all stood up for my entrance. I saw the groom's family looking at me happily and examining every part of what I wore.

I had to walk the whole catwalk that felt like 5 Kilometers, until I got to the stage (kosha). Once I reached the close family relatives from both sides slowly kept coming on the stage to take pictures, while others were dancing. I can't say I didn't have fun, I did!

My heart could not stop beating when it was midnight, as it was time for Mohammed to make his entrance to see me for the first time as his wife.