As Ouahib arrives in town , carrying the weight of a family that has weathered hardships, including parental separation, and the lingering echoes of a once vibrant home, he embarks on a new beginning, yearning for a different chapter.
In contrast...
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In the morning, I retrieve the gift I've intended to give her last night and return to the room where she is lazily gazing at the garden from our balcony.
"Good morning!" I wish her and sneak my arms aroud her waist, from behind. She instantly put her hands on mine and leaned back.
"Good morning!" She whispers, tilting her head to kiss my cheek and I close my eyes, momentarily, enjoying the moment.
She giggles and I open my eyes to find her cutely looking up at me. I lean in and peck her addictive lips. Her giggle dies down and it's my turn to smirk at her.
Pulling back I turn her around, "Close your eyes for a moment, please," I tell her, intending to give her the gift.
She does so and smiles, "By the way, you could have also kissed me, without telling me to close my eyes!" She giggles, while I get the gift box.
"That, I will do too, don't worry!" I retort, coming back. "You can open your eyes!" I inform her, my heartbeat increasing, as I await her reaction.
She removes her hands from her eyes and rubs them lightly before settling them on me. She frowns a little and then looks down at my hands, noticing the box.
"Is this a gift, for me?!" She squeals, clapping her hands, excitedly. "No, it's for my other wife." I deadpan and her smile fades. Oh no!
"Don't joke this nonsense again!" She glares my way and stumps away, to the other side of the balcony. Oh god no! How dumb can you be Ouahib?
I walk behind her and grab her arm, which she jerks away. "Liyati, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you! You know, you're my only forever!" I try explaining and she crosses her arms over her chest and stares at the garden, without sparing me a glance.
"Liyati, please?!" I plead again, but she shakes her head negatively. I step forward and block her sight. "Please forgive your silly husband?!" I ask again and she sighs.
"Ouahib, on the very first morning of our vacation, which is supposed to be just us, you're already bringing a second wife into the conversation?" She asks, disappointed. My shoulders slump and guilt washes over me.
It's true. I even handed my whole work to Ishaq to make this trip just about us, but here I'm making her upset on the very first morning, becaue of my silly mouth.
Can't I just shut it?! Sometimes, I really need to think before blaberring.
"I didn't mean it. It just slipped and you know I can never think of anyone else besides you! You're it for me. I just wanted to joke about the rhetorical question you asked, because I was standing infornt of you with a gift. So who do you think it is for? Surely for you!" I exclaim and put the gift box forward again, hoping she would give in.
