We heard a distant sound, as if someone was approaching, untied the knot of the tie from Sapphira’s wrists, she wiped her tears and we kissed, before we could try to understand each other, she lowered the dress still panting, embarrassed and rose quickly the stairs to the hall, leaving me alone in the garden with my demons, a heart tight inside my chest.
BIANCA
It seems that my prayers today unfortunately would not be answered, so much that I prayed for the snake Sapphira and his ordinary father to stay away from me and Nahan, and what we received as a gift? Not one, but the two of them, sitting at our table at dinner time. Armed looked at the untouched plate of Sapphira and rebuked her:
-Sapphira, eat a little, you have eaten practically nothing, what, one more of your crazy diets?
-Not Dad, I just do not want to eat mutton.
-But this is your favourite dish, lamb with herbs, try the rice with dates.
Sapphira denied, taking the napkin to her mouth to disguise that she was spitting the food.
The canine snake got up from the table in a hurry and marched into the bathroom, certainly wanting to make a scene of what was going wrong, Aff! Who bears such a thing? Rosa has the intention of getting up to go after Sapphira in the bathroom, but gives up saying she is terrified of viruses. I try to hold my curiosity, but it turns out that I disguise myself and say I'm going to the restroom. I open the door and I can hear the loud sound of vomit coming from one of the booths, I take the lipstick to pretend I'm touching the makeup. When I am about to leave, Sapphira emerges pale, from the cabin, she disguises and lifts her chin, taking a deep breath to contain another series of gnawing worthy of a horror movie. Sapphira can’t face me, but as I realize that unbelievably she was not making a scene, I pick up a paper towel and reach out for her to pick it up.
- I think I've got the flu.
- Uh, excuse me.
She holds my hand and her eyes are tearing, the snake is crying, is that right? I never knew snakes cried!!!
- Thank you, Bianca.
- You’re welcome, Sapphira.
I left her trying to gather her haughtiness that plummeted from her face, as soon as I closed the bathroom door, I left before the snake realized I saw her sudden crying crisis.
How do you tell the man you've spent your whole life despising him that you're pregnant with him? How do I explain to Dad that I can’t marry Nahan or anyone else, pregnant, and loving Jafar? Why do I have to feel guilty about not being the daughter he dreamed? And the biggest of all my questions, why did Mother die, without even letting me know her? Where was Allah! Who let me be raised by a man who hates me, who hates everything I represent... the death of the woman he loved? I just wanted answers for my life, I bring a seed inside me with such a heavy load of rejection ... Jafar will never believe that the baby is his, Dad will never accept Jafar as his son-in-law, for Mr. Khoury, no less than being the king's father-in-law, I can never live in peace with the man I love. Never, a common word in my life.
Jackal
I get out behind a palm tree and look around, no one is around, no one to disrupt my quick meeting with Fariq, he greets me quickly in a shake of his head and I continue to stare around in dismay.
- Salaam aleikum, Jackal. (Peace be with you, Jackal)
- Alaikum As- salaam Fariq. (Let it be upon you, Fariq)
-Something to serve you, sir?
- Yes, do not flatter me Fariq, I did not forget that you and your men failed, Ishna and the girl died, but Nahan is still alive, as I remember, the fortune I paid you was to help me dethrone the king, not to end up with his family. I have one last service for you, but this time Nahan has to be inside the car, I will not accept any more mistakes.
Fariq took the suitcase I held out to him, looked quickly at the amount of money, and smiled, reassuring me of his mission.
-Be assured, I give you my word that there will be no fault, for when is the service?
-It will not be long, get your men together, I'll be in touch, Fariq.
Fariq tightened his suitcase against his chest and left, I came back out of the parking lot, out of the shadows, wearing my party mask, I see Jafar climbing the stairs following Sapphira, Hum! This story is getting more and more interesting, it's good to know that Jafar has a weakness. I hide behind a tree and wait for Jafar and Sapphira to disappear, I climb the stairs with steady steps, having to endure being near this shitty little king, for me is a sacrifice, a hell party that does not end.
CHAPTER 24
BIANCA
I feel soft lips on my feet, the feeling is good, but the laziness of opening my eyes is immense, the warm mouth rises from the toes of my feet to my ankle ... and continues to make its way slowly, putting wet kisses on the inside of my thigh.
- Hmmm.
-Wake up, Bianca, you're getting lazier every day, halawi.
I turn my back and when I remember that I'm naked, it's too late, Nahan mounts my buttocks and nibbles at my neck messing around. For a girl who barely flirted, waking up to a hot male and being kissed like that, really is not bad at all.
Nahan lies next to me and combs my hair with his fingers, I close my eyes enjoying being pampered by my man, so I decide to put the laziness aside, I give Nahan a kiss and I go to the bathroom.
I take the toothbrush and I put only a little toothpaste, this morning the sickness is stronger and stronger. I close my eyes to withstand the urge to vomit and it is useless. I vomit until I get tired. Nahan opens the bathroom door and stares me with an annoyed look through the mirror.
-Bianca, it won’t go over today, I'll have Thura take you to the doctor to see what you have.
I rinse with mouthwash and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, trying to soothe it.
- I'm already fine, you do not need to ...
-Do not argue with me, Bianca, for more than two weeks you're like this, Thura goes with you and please have a decent breakfast, you've eaten like a bird for days, I hope I do not have to force you to feed right.
I expect Nahan to rattle everything he wants and leave the bathroom leaving me at ease, I take off my nightgown and open the shower, after leaving the bath, Thurayya is already standing by my room’s door.
- Good morning, Bianca.
I dry my hair with the towel and Thura nods to me to sit down, placing a tray in front of me.
-It's harira, a strong broth based on lentils and chickpeas, it's strong, it'll keep you fed for a long time.
The broth looks good, I take a spoonful and the flavour is intense, but yummy.
-Hmm, it's good, Thura, but I think you put too much, I can’t eat it all.
Thura looks at me with a serious face, as I turn aside to disguise my nakedness and say,
-Well, you should eat it all, you better remember that now more than ever you need to feed yourself, talking about it, Nahan came down the stairs spitting fire and demanded I take you to the doctor today. What do you intend to tell him when we get there after the consultation? What is vomiting every day and your belly is growing every day more because of an upset stomach? He may be turned off, but he is not blind and much less dumb, how long will you hide the truth from Nahan, Bianca?
I wear a comfortable dress quickly and wedge a low-heeled sandal, sitting back in bed. Is it possible Thura can’t understand that this is not the time to talk about it with Nahan?
-At least until we get married, or do you believe Nahan will act discreetly when he hears the truth? Of course not, he will shout to the four corners of the world that I am ... I am ... you understand, Thura. You, more than anyone else, know how old fashion the people here are. What do you think they're going to say about me when they learn that I've been married like this in this state? Will they receive me like how? With open arms? Or will they say I put my hands on the king? You know how they will think, I will never have the respect of the people, besides, Nahan is living a delicate political moment, so unfortunately it will be so, even though I hate to omit anything from Nahan, if the doctor confi
rms our suspicions I'll hide it as much as I can.
Thurayya heard me vent in silence, thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement, finally nodding.
-You really said something right when you spoke of our rigid customs, it is a fact that the people would not receive this news in a liberal way, but if you are pregnant, you will not be able to hide the pregnancy for long.
-The time I have to hide, it does not matter, as long as people are getting used to me, that's the most important thing for me right now. It is better to wait for this political chaos to pass, then, after all this is settled, Nahan will know of my ...
- Of your pregnancy, I understand, let's go to the doctor after lunch and as soon as you confirm your pregnancy, do not think I'll give you an easy life, Malika Bianca, I'll watch you closely, to see if you're taking care of yourself.
Nahan called after lunch to let me know he will stay in the office later because he has received information that leftist groups are preparing to pressure the government because of some measures that have been taken.
I took another bath, since I sweated in the morning more than ever, I chose a white floral coat, comfortable jeans, closed shoes and I went looking for Thura.
I found her on the porch, having tea, as soon as I arrived, she called Fatimah and sent word to the security guards that we were ready to leave.
- Can we go, Bianca?
-Come on, Thura, I'm ready.
Thura looked at me with a mocking air, as if to say that I am far from ready for anything, especially for the news that I know will change my life forever.
Three cars drove us to Manama’s centre, we parked in front of a luxurious clinic, one of the security guards opens the door and gives Thura a hand, then I get out of the car and thank him for the kindness to bring us in, talking in Arabic, the way Nahan taught me.
- Shukraan. (Thanks)
Samad replied with a smile:
- Ealayk. (you’re welcome)
We entered the clinic and went straight to the reception, the place was nicely decorated, discreet, Thura identified herself and the receptionist politely answered her, then a lady of about fifty years old came to greet us. She hugged Thurayya, greeted her, then spoke slowly in English with me:
- Good afternoon, Bianca Mattos, right? Nice to meet you, I'm Dr. Zahra Saadi.
I nodded and she greeted me with a handshake.
-It's my pleasure, Doctor.
Then she asked us to escort her to the office.
Before I entered, she asked me if I would feel more comfortable if Thura attended the appointment or if we were both alone. I asked Thura to accompany me, there is nothing the doctor can tell me that I do not want to share with Thura. We walked in and sat down, Dr. Zahra asked me how she could help me and how I was feeling. I explained it to her about the delay in my period, the nausea, and when I could not explain it to her because of my captive English, Thura translated into Arabic. The doctor asked me to remove my panties and return to the examination room.
Dr. Zahra calmly examined me and then performed a vaginal ultrasound, smiling at me as I threw away the condom from the transducer.
-King Nahan has asked me to examine you because I am his trusted doctor. I helped with Amira’s birth, Bianca. And I tell you that today I am very glad to say that after all this suffering that I saw him go through, our king will be a father. You are seven weeks pregnant, your baby is healthy, with all the right measures. I will pass some routine exams for you, you need prenatal care, nausea is natural, especially in this period, but if it persists, I will prescribe a medication for you to use that will greatly decrease your discomfort, Plus multivitamins that you have to take throughout pregnancy. Congratulations Mom, four weeks from now we can see if we can already know the sex of the baby.
As much as I mistrusted, my whole body screamed that I am generating a life, yet when you hear those words, there is no way, a woman is always surprised and a lot.
For me it is a surprise because I have always been the little girl of the family and now I have stopped being cared for, protected and spoiled, caring for a being that depends on me to grow, to become with all letters, a baby.
Thura holds my hand and when I turn to look at her, I see treacherous tears escaping from the corner of her eyes. My fairy godmother is happy and despite the realization that my life will change forever with the arrival of motherhood, I am also happy, more than I could even imagine. A son, a baby, Nahan's seed, growing inside of me, I will be a mother, speaking those words is as surreal as it is exciting. I get up to put my panties back on, I go to the bathroom and get dressed, then come back to the office. When I sit down next to Thura, my hand rests on my belly unnoticed, Thura looks at my hand and asks excitedly:
-Can I, Bianca?
I take Thura's hand and take it to my belly, she caresses my belly slowly and her so-called grumpy air transforms, Thura smiles like a loving grandmother, mumbling,
- A son, Nahan will be father, he deserved to be happy again, fate is giving my boy a new chance, he will go crazy when he knows.
I ask discretion to the doctor, saying:
-Dr. Zahra, for now, I would like to ask you to keep your discretion and do not tell Nahan about the baby. We will get married soon and the announcement of my pregnancy now will only cause greater resistance from the people in accepting me.
Thura spoke to Dr. Zahra in Arabic, quickly, gesturing a lot, until the doctor told me,
-All right, Bianca, it's your right as a patient to choose the time to tell your baby's father about your pregnancy. But I confess to you, that this will make it very difficult for me, because surely King Nahan will ask me about your state of health and I should not omit anything from my king, Bianca.
-I know, Doctor, but I prefer it to be so, at least for now.
After we left the clinic, I got a call from Nahan, heavens! Is it not possible, did Dr. Zahra betray me and tell him something about the pregnancy? I decide to probe to see if Nahan knows anything.
-Bianca, are you all right, halawi?
- Okay love, any problem?
Nahan sighed for a long time and I soon realized that something was going wrong.
- No, just some manifestations of some political groups that are worrying me, but I do not want you to worry you about these annoyances, did you like Dr. Zahra?
- I like her, she was very attentive.
Nahan surrounds and finally asks:
-And she examined you straight, asked for tests, told you what's wrong with your health so you're so weak?
I stammer and take a deep breath, answering him in half truths.
-She examined me, it's okay, it's no big deal, it could be weakness, stress, stay calm, Nahan.
Nahan insisted, complaining,
-How can you be calm if you are only indisposed in these days, are you sure you do not want to be seen by another doctor, did she examine you right?"
Ah! My God, if I go to another doctor and he decides to tell Nahan about the pregnancy, no! No other inquiries, but what a stupid man!
- It's alright love, she gave me some medications, in a little while I'll be more than well, you'll see.
-I have no meetings now, tell Samad to bring you to the government palace, we can have dinner at a restaurant I know, I'll have Jafar book a table for us.
Getting away from that palace looks good, but then I remember that I'm with Thura and I'm warning Nahan.
-I can’t, I'm with Thura.
Thura is entertained staring at the white dot on my sonogram with a smile from ear to ear.
Nahan replies laughing:
-Bring Thura, good that this old woman leaves the palace, to drag her from there is always so difficult, it will be good for me to steal her a little bit from Jafar.
He and Jafar take turns vying for Thura's attention, they look like two jealous, little boys because of my chubby one.
I'll speak to Thura, quickly.
-Nahan is inviting us to have dinner with him, do you want to go, Thura<
br />
Thura gives makes a pout, her trademark and then responds without looking at me, still distracted by the photo of my sonogram.
-If it's not one of those eateries with those fancy foods, then fine.
I smile and hold her hand, she gives me the ultrasound and laughs showing her very white teeth, looking at the landscape through the window. I love my grumpy old woman, if she did not complain about anything, then it would be strange, I would think she's sick, ah! Thurayya. I answer to Nahan who is on the other side of the line thinking I hung up.
- We're going there now, bye love.
- Bye, halawi.
Thura and I arrived at the government’s headquarters and were met by Semira, Nahan's secretary, she smiles at me and Thura and I get a little embarrassed, the other time I came here, I was not on my best days. For a little while I did not go over there, then it was that damn shack between Nahan and me, surely, she must think I'm crazy, for coming here in such an untimely manner. Thura curls her lips at Semira trying to be nice and then whispers in my ear:
- This Semira is a graft, I do not know if I like her, she always looks at me with that mummy face, it seems she's already dead and does not know.
I gasp with laughter, that Thura is even teasing, I bet this is all jealousy because Nahan praises Semira's work, sometimes Thura looks like a child, full of silly jealousies of Nahan and Jafar.
Semira asks us to enter the office and Nahan greets us, picking up a briefcase on the table, coming toward us.
-Halawi, Thura, how are my girls?
I smile, glad to see you after that intense day and he kisses my forehead, wrapping my waist.
- Are you hungry?
I pick up his leather briefcase and kiss his chin.
- A little and you?
He nods and releases me quickly, holding Thura by the shoulders and giving him a smacked kiss on the cheek.
Lovely Concubine Page 21