Kidnapped by the Arab

In the morning, Ahmed left the usual note, only this time it was a little longer.

“Again, thank you for driving away my nightmares. From today until the wedding night, we should stay in separate places. I’ll stay at my mother’s palace so you can stay here. From now on, it’s forbidden for us to be alone. We’ll see each other briefly during the marriage contract celebration. I hope you have a lovely day.”

Aisha felt that she understood the Arab customs less and less. Perhaps they were not all the same; maybe it depended on the faith they professed. Ahmed had already explained to her that not all Arabs were Muslims; it depended on the country and each person’s belief, as well as how deeply rooted their culture was.

Later, Amira brought several boxes of different sizes. She took out a beautiful turquoise-colored dress embroidered with gems and a golden-colored hijab. From another box, she took out a red dress and a hijab of the same color, both much more beautiful than the previous ones. She handed Aisha some smaller boxes, and when she opened them, she was astonished to find exquisite gold jewelry and adornments inside.

“This is too much,” Aisha said.

“Nothing is too much for the future Sheikha, for the elder wife of my brother. The turquoise dress is for the contract celebration, and you can remove the hijab only during that time. We will adorn your hair with jewelry. Later, they’ll come to do your makeup. The black dress will be for the henna party. Nowadays, brides usually wear white, but my mother insisted that you wear red in the old-fashioned way.”

“Is there anything I can choose myself?” Aisha asked a little annoyed.

“I’m truly sorry, but my mother insisted on choosing everything. I don’t agree, but I have to obey her if I want to avoid punishment. From today on, tradition dictates that you cannot leave. You can only attend events related to the wedding.”

“There’s no difference. It’s not like I go out much from here.”

“Once you’re married to my brother, it will be different. You’ll have to accompany him to some commitments, and you’ll have to fulfill several on your own. You can engage in social work if you choose to do so. It all depends on how willing you are to collaborate with the associations supported by Ahmed. Try to see the positive side of things; one of them is that if you decide to work, what you earn will be yours alone, whereas what belongs to Ahmed will be both of yours, as our law states.”

“I see; I didn’t know that.”

“If you decide to accept that my brother has other wives, you’ll have to accept each one of them. In other words, you’ll have to give them your approval. If you don’t like them, you simply reject them, and he’ll have to accept it.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Interesting.”

“Have you thought about whether you’ll accept other wives?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, you only have a few hours. Mother insists on coming to talk to you, and I imagine she’ll do it shortly after Ahmed leaves the palace.”

The pressure Mía felt increased with each passing hour. She still couldn’t get used to being called Aisha; it would really be difficult for her to do so.

As soon as Ahmed left, Básima entered her room without even bothering to knock on the door.

“Finally, I can talk to you without my son interrupting us.”

“Tell me, ma’am, what do you want to talk about?”

“It’s not about wanting, but I have to do it. First and foremost, you’ll have to accept in the contract that my son can have second wives. Aracha has agreed to be the second wife since my son didn’t accept her as the senior wife. Although this time, she will announce herself as the senior wife to others.”

“I’ll have to talk about it with Ahmed.”

“You’re talking about it with me, and that’s more than enough. You’re a woman of very little value. The successor to Ahmed must be a child of Aracha and him. Someone of your blood cannot be it. It’s about preserving purity, so I’ll be providing you with some drinks to prevent you from getting pregnant. Logically, you know that my son shouldn’t find out about this.”

Aisha felt the ground sinking beneath her feet. This woman was like a hyena. How could someone so despicable be Ahmed’s mother?

Amira entered immediately and stood by Mía’s side. Her mother gave her a displeased look, but she ignored it.

“Mother, my brother told me to call him immediately if you dared to come to bother Aisha. He also asked me to stay here in the palace with her, so it’s time for you to go back to your own palace. The guards are on their way; the Sheik ordered that you be denied entry, and you know it.”

“You’ll come back with me. I won’t allow you to stay here with this woman. Aracha will see it as a betrayal on your part, and I’m trying to smooth things over with the Amin family.”

“It’s an order from the Sheik. Besides, you’re very attached to traditions, and they dictate that I should obey my father and brothers before you, mother.”

“You ungrateful daughter, you’ll see that when I choose a good husband for you, your pride will disappear.”

“I’ll never accept a forced marriage. You know that I can refuse, even if I’m standing in front of the wise men. He will never agree to marry me if I tell him he’s forcing me.”

“Do you see what your friendship with this woman has led to? Soon, you’ll behave like her.”

Ahmed knew this would happen, so he had sent guards to escort his mother out of the palace. The obese woman left the palace in a fury. How much he missed his father; he wouldn’t have allowed all of this to happen. She went to Ahmed’s office in the Sheik’s palace.

“What are you doing here, mother?”

“That woman must accept that you can have second wives. You also have the right to have a harem with as many women as you want. Aracha has agreed to be your second wife, as long as she’s announced as the first wife in public events. Also, your successor must be a child of yours and Aracha’s.”

“Haha, mother, how far do you want to control my life?”

“Don’t be disrespectful; you know very well that woman is not worthy of you or the position you intend to give her. I don’t know what was going through your mind when you decided to get engaged to that girl,” Básima scolded.

“Enough, mother. I don’t want to see Aracha Amin anywhere near the palace because if she does, then I’ll give the Amin family reasons to act against me,” Ahmed retorted.

Básima left extremely upset, wondering what was going on in her son’s head.

Arkhan observed all the commotion hidden in the shadows, pleased to know that Ahmed wasn’t around to protect Aisha. He headed towards the other palace without realizing he was being followed by Ibrahim, who didn’t trust him.

Arkhan arrived at the palace where Aisha was staying and went straight to her room. When he got there, he discreetly knocked on the door.

Mía opened the door immediately, expecting to see Amira. She was surprised to find Arkhan in front of her, observing her with a contemptuous smile.

“As-Salaam alaykum, sister-in-law,” Arkhan greeted.

“Let’s skip the formalities, brother-in-law,” Mía replied, feeling uneasy. After saying this, Arkhan pushed her into the room.

“What are you doing, Arkhan? Stop it,” she pleaded.

“You know that just by being alone with me in your room, the Tribunal would order you to be whipped, especially because you can’t be alone with another man, let alone on the eve of your wedding,” Arkhan sneered.

“Please leave,” Mía said, fear evident in her voice.

“It’s not fair that my brother always gets what I want. This time I won’t allow it to happen. If I make you mine right now, you’ll have to marry me, and perhaps that way the Tribunal will forgive your transgression. If you accuse me of rape, you’ll be publicly punished with 200 lashes, so it’s better not to try,” he threatened.

Arkhan lunged at her, desperate to claim her as his own. In his haste, he forgot to close the door, and Ibrahim entered just at that moment. Ibrahim went after him, pulling him away from Aisha, who was crying desperately.

“What’s wrong with you, brother? Do you want to get yourself executed?” Ibrahim exclaimed.

“Stay out of this, Ibrahim. Ahmed always manages to take away what I want,” Arkhan grunted.

“You’re mistaken; she’s here for him, not for you,” Ibrahim retorted, protecting Aisha.

Amira arrived with two guards amidst the commotion.

“What happened, brother?” Amira asked, concerned.

“Nothing, sister. Arkhan just came to pay his respects to Mía,” Ibrahim replied, trying to defuse the situation.

Amira noticed Aisha’s nervousness and tears and dismissed the guards, saying their presence wasn’t necessary.

“I don’t know what you’re looking for here, Arkhan, but it’s better for you to leave. If Ahmed finds out, he might order your execution. Don’t test our brother’s generous heart,” Amira warned.

Arkhan left furiously, frustrated that his plan had failed. If it weren’t for his meddling brothers, Aisha would already be his at this moment.