Lovely Concubine

by Misha Anderson

  -Only Bianca to get you out of that blessed kitchen, is not it Thura?

  Little Thura returns the affection, kissing his hand.

  - And why leave my kitchen, to parade my abaya by the market, like Sofia?

  Nahan smiles and grabs my hand, leaving the seat.

  We arrived at the elegant restaurant of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, in the centre of Manama. One of the security guards spoke to the receptionist and we were led to a reserved area of ​​the restaurant, which at nightfall still had few customers. The manager of the Ritz then came to greet Nahan and wonder if Was being well taken care of. The man seemed nervous to welcome him and greeted us in a nod, leaving us alone soon after.

  I played with Nahan, teasing him:

  -Do people always get so nervous when they see you? What did you do to make them so tense?

  Before Nahan answers me, Thura puts more fuel into the fire.

  -He was hard to like, yes, don’t pretend to be a good boy to Malika Bianca, that good-looking boy face does not suit you, Nahan. It was not for nothing that people called him "The Bahraini dictator."

  Nahan laughs embarrassed and raises his hands, bouncing Thura's taunt.

  -And with whom have I learned to be like this, eh, Thurayya Abdul? It seems that you are that angel of candor, to Bianca. I was a difficult person to deal with, Bianca, but today I feel lighter, less demanding with myself, with others, I suspect that my change is the fault of a certain Brazilian who has softened my heart.

  Ah! How not to love him when he speaks these things that leave me with wobbly legs, suddenly my eyes fill with water and I get excited, thinking that the father of my baby is a man so different from the vengeful man, torn, that I met a few months ago.

  Nahan looks at the menu, looking at me curiously.

  -Is everything okay, halawi?

  -Yes, it's great, Nahan.

  The waiter comes to pick our order and Nahan asks if I want to order grapefruit juice, I agree. He asks for a grapefruit juice for him and me and a visne, a kind of cherry juice, for Thura.

  She plays with him, nodding.

  - You never forget my favourite juice, I adore visne.

  Nahan kisses Thura's hand, smiling.

  -I never forget the preferences of the people I love, Thura, as much as you're a fat, grouchy old woman, yet you're my fat, grumpy old woman, all mine. Thank goodness that that annoying Jafar is not here to complain, that jealous little guy, your son, ah! If he had not been my cousin, I'd already gotten him into the basement for some time. So, you're his mother? I've arrived before, I'm the oldest, he has to conform that he arrived long after me in his life.

  We laugh at the silly dispute between Nahan and Jafar, the two always live fighting, one hour is Thura's attention, another is horse racing, chess, these two look like two children fighting over the same toy. One and a half year after each other, but woe to anyone telling Nahan to get Jafar out of his security guards? He can take it as an insult.

  Nahan orders a mutton steak, with dates and tabule rice. I order a risotto with seafood and Thura interrupts me abruptly.

  -No, no way, seafood is bad for you, now.

  Nahan looks at Thura and at me without understanding anything and I'm totally ashamed, trying to disguise the Thura’s mistake, Nahan looks at me and asks:

  -Did the doctor forbid you from eating seafood? But why?

  Thura tries to get around the embarrassing situation that got me into.

  -It's because of the medication, it gives side effects, it's better to order a well-cooked meat, it's healthier for you, my dear.

  I order a kebak, a kind of roast beef with vegetables and saffron rice.

  Thura embarrassed, makes the same request as mine, giving a false laugh to both of us.

  - I will follow Bianca's request, they say the kebak here is delicious, have you seen Rachid, Nahan? I loved meeting his wife, Samila is a fantastic woman.

  We chatted happily, Thura told of Nahan and Jafar's childhood, of the romps they made when they were kids, their teenage years, and I talked about my parents, my mother's stiffness, and made them laugh a lot with my Crazy stories with Brenda, my big sister.

  We went to the house after a light night, full of pleasant moments. I emerged from the bath, wearing a long sweater and moss-green robe, finding Nahan lying on the bed, listening to beautiful Lebanese music, which I later learned was from a singer named Wael Khoury. He reached for me to lie down beside him and stroked my hips, staring into my eyes.

  -Halawi, I was about to ask you a question, but I forgot, did you menstruate this month?

  DAMN IT!!! I swallow hard and give him a smile, my face goes blank, nodding.

  -Yes, it was earlier in the month, remember?

  The smile died on Nahan's face, he looked at my whole body, his gaze swept me all over, stopping in my belly.

  - I did not remember, I thought ...

  I caressed his chin, his beard growing larger, gently scraping on my fingers.

  -You thought what, my love?

  Nahan's gaze suddenly became sad, he kissed my forehead, concluding,

  -No big deal, you fool.

  -You look worried, what happened?

  Nahan sits on the bed, smoothing her chin.

  - Mohamed and Sayd are concerned about the demonstrations of some political groups, they think that they can influence the people in a negative way, we are going through a delicate period, but I know that this crisis will pass, politics is like that, crises come and go , What matters is that I continue to work for the people and keep myself steady.

  I kneel behind Nahan's back, stretch myself to the bedside table and pick up a wonderful jasmine oil for massage. I put a little bit of oil, rubbing my hands to warm it and start massaging my man's taut shoulders, he gasps deeply and turns his face to me, eyes closed, beginning to relax in my hands.

  - Hmm, so hot this massage, I really needed it, you seem to guess what I need.

  I continue massaging his broad shoulders, his neck and his back, smearing more oil in my hands. I hug his back and kiss him on the neck, pulling out a low moan from Nahan.

  -That's because I love you, Nahan.

  He turned aside and pulled me into his lap in surprise, making me give a little shriek of fright. Then he hooked my hips, kissing me so yummy, his taste of mint and cinnamon invading my mouth. Ah! How I love the mouth of this man on mine, his kisses, his firm, soft hands traversing, stripping my skin. Nahan takes off my robe and my nightgown, with agile hands, kissing my mouth, while hooking his fingers in my panties.

  Since you love me and I love you, so when are you going to marry me?

  I smile with his mouth brushing mine, how crazy is that? We are already engaged, Nahan forgot that I agreed to marry him?

  -But I've accepted, my love, here's the ring in my hand!

  I reach out to Nahan and he kisses my ring, his gaze deepening.

  -I know, but I want to know when you are going to marry me, I want a date, no more sins, young lady, I am a virtuous man, I have been brought up in customs, I do not want to continue living with you without receiving the blessing From Allah.

  I do not know what to say, Nahan wants to set a date for our wedding, is it still not too hasty, with this crisis approaching?

  -Do not you think we'd better wait to get through this crisis?"

  Nahan denies, with a serious air, he caresses my lips with his thumb and gives me a chaste kiss.

  - I've suffered too much Bianca, I spent a lot of time alone, I promised myself that I will not allow my public life to prevent me from living everything I dream, and my dream now is to marry you, do you accept it or not?

  I look at Nahan and a huge fear takes me, I've always been a rational woman, I thought a million times before making any decision in my life, and what all this cost me? Years living the way people wanted me to live, doing, saying, wanting what everyone thought was right, the ideal for my life. And I? What did I really do that was of my will? Even for me to enrol in the Archaeo
logy course was a battle, because my parents wanted me to be a nurse. I should stop sabotaging myself, this man in front of me, even though he does not know it yet, will be the father of my son. Nahan is the love of my life, I never imagined that I could love a man as much as I love Nahan. A man torn by life, marked by so many pains, but who is here in front of me willing to risk, to try to be happy. All I have left is to hold his hand, close my eyes and throw myself at him with that heel, praying that we have a protective screen underneath. Life is a risk, from the first rays of the morning until dusk, the hours that pass are a mystery, no one knows what will happen in a minute. Basically, I think the only thing worthwhile is living next to the people we truly love. The rest, the rest there is no way to predict, is the unexpected.

  -I accept, when you want, my love!

  Nahan chuckles and laughs like a boy, snuggling between my thighs and pulling strands of my hair from my face.

  -Then I'll ask Thura to arrange our wedding in two weeks, two weeks for you to become my wife, and not a minute longer.

  I pull his face to kiss me and he gives me his lips, nibbling on my mouth.

  -Ah, Nahan, you're crazy, you know that?

  Nahan pulls the bottom of my panties aside and slides a finger slowly inside me as he kisses me.

  - Crazy for you, my halawi, you do not know how happy I am, you have made me the happiest man in the world, I love you Bianca.

  -And I love you more, Nahan.

  His fingers hooked into my panties and he pulled back quickly, brushing his lips against my hips.

  -Ready to be Mrs. Tarif?

  I writhed with the expectation of his touch, whispering excitedly:

  - Yes, it will be my honor.

  We made love without haste and I slept curled in the arms of love, thinking about how much my life will change.

  Two weeks from now I'll be married to Nahan and in a few months I'll be a mother, something that has always been a distant dream to me.

  Nothing in the last few months of my life was actually planned: my trip to Qatar, the confusion of my kidnapping, the way Nahan and I fell in love, my pregnancy ...

  Yes, fate really is a capricious god, I can only ask heaven to keep smiling at me with promises of a happy future, just as it has done until now.

  CHAPTER 25

  BIANCA

  One week, seven days are gone, Thura more than ever, grunts in the hallways of the palace, complaining that no one is doing the chores the way she ordered.

  - Fatimah, how many times I will have to speak, gerberas are a type of flower, sunflowers are quite different, the guests' tables will be decorated with sunflowers and lilies, at the altar of the ceremony I want to put desert roses, not gerberas, you made the wrong florist's request, call them again and undo this mess.

  I go into the kitchen and greet the clerks, they smile and go out of their way, each one doing a different activity. Yesterday I called my parents and told them that I'm getting married and as expected, there was an endless discussion with my mother and I had to endure her supposed fits of fainting. I still do not understand why I am a masochist in this way, it is obvious that she has not given a damn about blessing me, denying Nahan's proposal to pay for the trip here, saying she hates flying.

  I was disappointed and I cried hidden in the bathroom, it's so hard when you do not get the support of the people you love, even more so in a moment like that.

  Shit! They no longer attended Brenda's wedding, betting it would go wrong and now they did the same to me, that hurt me damn.

  Mom waited for Dad to distance himself, to tell me,

  -Bianca, when you wake up from this fantasy, it's going to be too late, go back to your job while it's time, can’t you see this man just wants to have fun with you? Where did you get to meet a king in a coffee shop? This is crazy, it has no place, he must be just trying to distract himself. Why don’t you retake your engagement to Miguel, my daughter? It's normal for men to make these little slips, go back to your quiet, simple life, everything was so right. I did not expect this from you, Bianca, you've always been such a balanced, responsible girl, was Brenda who turned you around with that nonsense? It's still time, wake up my daughter and come back to Brazil, you've only been sent word through Brenda for months, left us with no news, your head is turned over by this man, you quit your job in the museum, your life that Was perfect and all this why? To live an adventure? Why take that chance, Bianca?

  Even with the voice choked by the cry that I insist on controlling, I respond:

  -Because I want to be happy, Mother! I do not want to have the same life as you, who is still married to Daddy without ever having loved him. First you married Daddy because he gave you confidence, protection. Then you continued all those years married to him, enduring his love affairs because we were little. And now mother, what keeps you from separating from Daddy? I know it may seem crazy that I’ll get married so suddenly, I know it's a risk, but I want to be aware that I did what I wanted, the way I wanted it and what I want is to try to be happy with Nahan, even if this attitude to you seems fanciful, an illusion of a silly girl, of fairy tales, I still want to risk it. Brenda and Antonia have shown me that in order to be happy it takes courage, mother. And today, I feel more courageous than ever in front of a challenge.

  Mom choked on her voice and then spoke loudly to me, irritated by my audacity in questioning her.

  -Well then neither I nor your father will be on your side to see you commit such a stupid thing, Miguel is the ideal person for you, Bianca, a boy you've known for years, worked with you in the museum, he was your fiance. .

  -Sassy, ​​ordinary, who betrayed me to any one who wore skirts and moved.

  Mom yelled even more, trying to defend Miguel.

  -Yes, he's wrong, and what about this man, do you happen to know who this man is?

  -Yes, Mother, this man is going to be the father of my son and gives me so much love, as I never thought I would receive in all my life.

  Mom gasped at the words, wondering in surprise:

  -You're pregnant with him, that's why he's going to marry you that fast.

  I denied it, she could tell Brenda, I do not want anyone to know about my pregnancy, at least for now.

  - No mother, it's a say, he will be my husband, it is obvious that will be the father of my son when I get pregnant. I'm going to hang up, I'm sad that you as a mother can’t bless me, but then let it be, any day, I'll call you.

  - Bianca, do not hang up.

  I hung up the phone and went to the shower, crying hidden from Nahan.

  But it looks like he has a radar that warns him when I'm not well, he hit the bathroom and put his head through the crack of the door, asking,

  -Have you talked to your parents yet? I heard a noise, are you crying, halawi?

  I wiped my face as I opened the shower for a shower.

  -No, it's your impression, I'm getting out of the shower."

  Privacy? This word does not exist for Nahan, when it comes to how I feel, he is stubborn, as long as I do not say what is bothering me, he will not leave me alone.

  He came toward me and stopped in front of me, complaining,

  -I do not like it when you lie to me, Bianca, what happened to you, with this sad face?

  I go into the shower and close the stall, turning my back to Nahan not to see that I'm crying. I get the first jets of warm water and feel Nahan's arms wrapped around me. I look at him over my shoulders and he is already naked, nursing me, stroking my hair as if I were a child.

  The feeling of being cared for by him fits me well, today I needed that kindness, the conversation with my mother shook me more than I can admit.

  My nerves are shattered, all I wanted to do was share my anxieties about my early pregnancy, but I must not expose this subject now, not this week, not when Nahan is being hit with so many demands. It would be the perfect opportunity for Nahan's opponents to leave him in a delicate situation if they found out I was pregnant before the wedding.

>   Whore will be praise, a sweet nickname, close to what these vultures will be able to say to offend me. I turn to him and hug him tightly around the waist, counting superficially a part of the conversation I had with my mother. We finished the bath and he hands me a robe, saying next:

  - Bianca, we knew it would be difficult, but I do not want to see you sad like this, in a while your parents will get used to me, we can even visit them in Brazil in a few months, they will accept me, like I also know that as soon as my people get to know you better, they will welcome you with open arms.

  I agree with Nahan to end this matter, even though knowing this is impossible, my parents are very strict, hard to deal with, but I do not want to think about it now. Nahan dresses and hands me the cell phone, filling me with joy when I say,

  -Call Brenda and invite her to the wedding.

  I pick up my cell phone and before dialing Brenda's number, I worry about my sister's safety coming to Bahrain.

  -And you guarantee her security by coming here? I do not want to put my sister at risk.

  -I've already talked to Mohamed and Sayd, while there's nothing against the Qataris, Brenda will be my guest, I guarantee her trip safely, our staff will meet her at the airport, stay calm.

  Nahan left me alone and I called Brenda.

  - Brenda, it's me.

  -My sister, I miss you so much, how are you? Are you okay, this Nahan guy is treating you right?

  Brenda barely lets me talk, so much joy, I ask her to let me talk, I take a deep breath and she asks worried:

  -What, has something happened?

  I say suddenly:

  -No, I'm trying to find the courage to tell her the news: I'm getting married next week and I really wanted you to come.

  Brenda was silent, then started screaming like crazy.

  - Blimey Bianca, you swear it's true? Ah! I was so happy for you, Bibi, of course I want to go to your wedding, do you think it's safe?

  - Nahan guarantees your trip in safety, nobody will do anything against you, the security guards will pick you up at the airport, will you come?

  Brenda confirmed her arrival in Bahrain and told me she would arrive the day before the ceremony, we talked for a while and when I hang up, I held my cell phone to my chest, my heart beating, because my sister will be with me, on that Important day of my life.