My prince led me through the crowd, as they all spread apart and opened a path for us to walk through. My prince and I stepped outside where there must have been thousands upon thousands patiently waiting for our appearance. Nidal took my hand in his and raised it in the air, showing everyone that I was his choice of a bride. Suddenly everyone was applauding and cheering loudly. Rose petals were thrown at us as we walked down the stairs outside the long stairway toward the people.
I was overwhelmed. Nidal noticed and held me tight. The cheering grew louder and louder. The fireworks started as everyone stared and cheered. What a night this is going to be.
Little, wide-eyed children walked up to me, reached over, and handed me flowers. Hundreds of children were forming a circle around us, and they started singing a song. Soon the huge crowd sang along with them, and I looked up at Nidal. He was staring down at me with such love, adoration to be exact. I swallowed, not knowing what to say.
This welcome and acceptance I received from the people of Arabia, Nidal's people, touched me. It was easy to see that they loved their prince as he stood proudly and bowed to the crowd. The people clapped thunderously and cheered loudly with tears of joy that, at last, the prince brought a wife to them: a princess, their future queen. Finally, they accepted me, and I was overwhelmed with joy.
The fun had begun. There was dancing in the streets, and fires were ablaze everywhere as the cooks roasted the lambs on the spits. The mouthwatering aroma traveled in the air, making everyone a victim of hunger. There was wine, and everyone was drinking to our health, or so they said. It was a merry night. I looked up and saw the stars twinkle in the dark sky, as if they also danced to the song of approval. It was an unforgettable night.
Nidal never let go of my hand as we walked around the streets greeting everyone. The people were so kind to me. Their acceptance touched my heart. Nidal stopped and talked with everyone we encountered. He was genuinely happy, and his smile made his face glow with the love he felt for his people. I was so proud of him. My heart swelled with happiness.
Sometime later into the night, after we were stuffed with delicious food and wine and greeted about a million people, I felt exhausted, but Nidal asked me to dance with him. I could not deny him this. My handsome prince swirled me around the dance floor as all the onlookers applauded. I was getting a little dizzy, so I rested my head on his shoulders. Nidal pulled my body closer to his. The music slowed down, the song they were playing was slow and sensual, and we moved to the rhythm of the music, relaxing in each other's arms.
Nidal's lips touched my neck, kissing me softly, and I felt goose bumps go up and down my spine. I closed my eyes and lost myself in his arms.
Nidal squeezed me tight, and when I looked up at him, he leaned down and whispered hoarsely, "Loula, you are torturing me with that look. Let's disappear for a few hours. I need you now."
I kissed his lips in response, not caring who saw us. He pulled me closer to him, and I could feel his groin rubbing against my thigh. I closed my eyes, and his lips softly brushed mine.
"Please, Loula," he begged.
His hold tightened even more, and I completely lost my senses and almost fell to the ground. I was overwhelmed with love for this man, and I was not able to deny him a single thing. I wanted to disappear with my prince. I was also aching to lie next to him naked and feel his body touching mine. Just the thought of this made me crazy.
Just then, the king walked up to us and demanded I dance with him as he put out his hand for me to take it. I looked up at Nidal, and he nodded and released me from his grip. I walked over to the king, and he took me in his arms and whisked me away from my prince and onto the middle of the dance floor, giving the onlookers something to gossip about.
I could see Nidal from where I danced, and he did not look too happy that his father had taken me away from him. The king and I danced for a while before he passed me on to his men. They all took a turn with me on the dance floor, and I knew Nidal was upset. The cold look in his eyes gave him away. His eyes never once left mine. I knew he felt tortured watching me. He looked frozen as he stood there alone, watching and thinking with a moody expression on his face and hands stiff at his sides. He was ready at any moment to whisk me away from everyone.
If he could hide me away in a bottle and keep me to himself, that is exactly what he would do. He is that obsessed, and the funny part is that I would love every second of it.
The gentleman I was now dancing with, who was much shorter than I was, turned me around and was trying to keep up pace with the steps to the dance. My eyes traveled to where Nidal stood. I saw him sigh with distress as he motioned for me to go to him. So I smiled sweetly at the nice gentleman and pulled away.
