Loving You

Chapter 25 - The Journey

We said goodbye to our families as they dropped us off at Birmingham airport with lots of cheers and prayers. When we finally went through security after a series of rigorous background checks and boarded our flight, I had butterflies in my tummy because of all the excitement.

Due to my disability, we were allowed to board the plane first. Ali pushed the aisle chair towards the seat at the end, put the brakes on and looked into my eyes lovingly. "Are you ready eshgham?"

"Bale." Ali cupped my face in his palms and he kissed my lips passionately. "Mm," I moaned as his lips were in a heated embrace with my own and I just couldn't stop kissing him and smiling. "Ay Khuda, man dooset daram." He whispered, our faces still so close in proximity as he beamed at me and caressed my cheek before he kissed my forehead gently. I kissed him again and we were so distracted that we didn't notice the flight attendants making final preparations for the flight. Just then, a super cool and sassy African American stewardess came over and hollered at us 'can the two lovebirds please hurry up cause this big metal bird gonna fly in a God damn minute. Also, you are two disgustingly adorable little hunny bunnies but get a room.' This made us both start laughing tremendously as Ali called behind her 'We're so sorry.'  Ali gently picked me up in his arms and put me in my seat, ready for taking off. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" "Yes, my love." He sat down in the seat next to me and we fastened our seatbelts. He gently kissed my cheek and held my hand. We were all ready to take off...

As we flew higher in the air, we experienced some major turbulence with the plane rocking backwards and forwards, shaking me up a bit. I scrunched my eyes closed tight and with every fibre of my being, prayed for our safety. Ali saw me tense up next to him, looking scared and anxious and without saying anything, he put his arm around me and I laid my head on his shoulder. "Azizam, don't worry, I got you." Said, Ali, as he gently kissed my forehead. "Thank you.  " I held onto his arm as tight as I could, not wanting to let go. "No problem at all, darling."

As we soared higher and higher in the sky, the violent movement of the plane stopped and we were gliding smoothly through the clouds. "Are you excited about our honeymoon, baby?" I asked as I sat up properly in my seat whilst still holding his hand.

He gently leaned in to get close to my ear and whispered: "well sweetheart I think we both know what I am really looking forward to doing together." He smirked with a big cheesy grin as he said those last two words. I giggled and smacked him gently on the arm. "Ali, come on, I'm serious." He chuckled gently as he stroked my hand before kissing my cheek.

"Eshgam, I was just joking. The best thing about this trip is that I get to introduce you to my baba's side of the family in Tehran. I honestly cannot wait for them to finally meet you, especially my mamani joon. She couldn't come to our wedding because of her health but Zahra, she is so sweet and she makes the best Jooje Kebab." "She sounds so wonderful, I can't wait to meet her."

"She'll love you, I'm sure of it. What about you? What are you most looking forward to, azizam?" "I cannot wait to visit and explore the beauty of Iran and to learn more of the language." "I'm excited to show you my beautiful country. As for learning the language, let me teach you some of my favourite words. Mitoonam booset konam?" He whispered in a hoarse tone as his lips were inches away from mine. "What does that mean?" He chuckled slightly at my naivety to his romantic gesture. He replied as he cupped my face with both hands gently yet firmly. : "it means 'can I kiss you?" "Bale," I replied in the affirmative as his lips captured mine in a passionate kiss. Ali whispered in my ear: "Sweetheart, you are my everything."

Suddenly, the flight attendant from earlier came along with her shiny lunch trolley and interrupted our little make out session. "Would the love birds like to have a bite of our premium sandwiches?" She asked in an extremely loud and enthusiastic voice. Ali intertwined his fingers with my own and gently kissed the back of my hand. "What sandwiches do you have to offer?" "Sir, we have chicken, tuna, beef, egg salad and cheese. All of our sandwiches are halal and are of the best quality." "In that case, I would love a chicken sandwich please Madam. Sweetheart, what would you like to eat?" "A Chicken sandwich please, honey." "In that case two chicken sandwiches please ." She handed me two chicken sandwiches, wrapped elaborately in cling film. "Anything else?" "How about two chocolate mousse cakes and two glasses of Coke." I replied. "Sounds delicious, darling." She served those and left with her bustling trolley.

After we finished eating, Ali suggested that we watch a movie together to pass the time. "What do you want to watch, sweetheart?" "Let's have a Disney Movie marathon." I replied. "Great." Ali smiled as I laid my head on his chest and kissed his cheek as he wrapped his arm around my back, rubbing gently. He kissed the top of my head/hijab as I put Aladdin on first. After Aladdin, we watched Mulan, then Beauty and  the Beast. By the time we finished watching the movies, we were about to land. "Perfect timing, azizam. Let our honeymoon begin." We landed safely whilst still cuddling together. As soon as all the other passengers left the plane, Ali carefully picked me up and carried me out of the plane and onto my wheelchair. "Are you ok, sweetheart?" "Yes thanks." I smiled as we left the airport and got our first glimpse of the beautiful city of Istanbul in Turkey...

Glossary:
Eshgham - my love in Farsi/ Persian. Used as a word of endearment towards one's spouse.
Bale - Yes in Farsi/Persian.
Ay Khuda, man dooset daraam - Oh God, I love you in Farsi/Persian.
Azizam - my dear/my sweet in Farsi/Persian.
Baba - Another name for dad in Farsi/Persian, Arabic and Urdu. Used as a term of endearment.
Mamani Joon - Mother dear in Farsi/Persian which can also be used to address ones grandmother.
Jooje Kebab - An Iranian dish.
Halal - Meat slaughtered according to Islamic laws, to make it permissible to eat for Muslims.