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.