Cinderella? NO

MARYAM

I almost shouted when I turned and saw a guy by my side. I hurried to get a scarf then I remembered that I was married. I thought everything was a dream. He looked so innocent and good looking. How could someone look this good while sleeping. I touched his lips, then his cheeks, then his jaw line. His hair looked so curly and thick...and beautiful. Is his hair even natural? I was about to touch it when he opened his eyes. I quickly got off but hit my leg and fell down. He hurried and lifted me to the bed. You know how in Hindi dramas where the boy would lift the girl and drop her on the bed and fall on her body and a song would play? That's what happened to us, but in our case, no song played and the foolish Romeo instead of acting like one, he said "You are heavy that's why I fell. I'm sorry" I hit him and pushed him away. I made brunch while he showered. I went to my room to take a shower, I entered my towels and locked the room, I entered the washroom and locked when I heard water running. It was Abdallah in a towel, brushing. I quickly turned and asked what he was doing there. "I just finished taking a shower" he said "I thought you were using the other bathroom" I said and hurried to the door. I tried but it refused to open. He came to help and instead of telling me to move aside, he put his hand on mine but the door refused the open still. I could feel his heat all over my body and I felt like screaming and made a silent prayer 'Ya Allah please hold my towel, for you are the most powerful' I turned and was about to talk when something caught my eyes; his abs, my mouth almost dropped. I thought the heat I was feeling was due to the hot bath he took, but no, it was because of how hot he is (naturally). I almost lowered my gaze but I remembered that the body belongs to me. And Samia? "Subhanallah, your hair is sooo..." he started 'commenting' while I looked at him smiling "short." He concluded. You know the heart emoji, the one with a crack. That's how he broke my heart. I am Fulani (a tribe) we are the most beautiful in Nigeria and other countries, and have the longest hair but this man thinks I have a short hair. Among all the Nigerians I know in Middlesex, I can bet I have the longest hair. "My hair is not short." I frowned "It is for now, let it grow longer. Stop cutting it." He said applying deodorant "I don't cut my hair and it won't grow more than this" I said, tying it with a rubber band "Why?" he said, giving me a quick look "Because Abdallah we are different. Our hair has a limit of growing. Not like you people" I said smirking "Good then, I love it like this. It's cute and..." he came closer and removed the band while I looked down "black" he concluded looking at me "I need to shower" I swallowed and released a breath I didn't know I was holding.
We landed at some private airport and flew another bird to Abdallah's family house. I was with Abdallah so of course everything went well until we entered and met his dad. I used to hear about his sickness but when I saw him, I almost cried. He wasn't the guy that took me on a 'ride'. He has lost almost all his meat and he looked pale and weak. I greeted him and was about to leave when he called me and said "Don't go. Tell me a story" he said sitting upright. I was so happy, I went and sat near his feet. He told me to sit next to him and I did. He held my gaze and my hands and prayed for me. He didn't say sorry (ego is a disease). The mum came and stood on his head smiling. "So now we are going to do a proper luxury wedding. Choose a date." She was so excited "No please. What we did is enough. Now we just need blessings and we got them." I said "No that's not done. No one in Dubai knows you or your niqah(marriage) with Abdallah. People have to know." she explained "They'll know, you can announce it if you want but not another stress please." I pleaded "I have to talk with your husband first." She said and left. Hearing 'your husband' on her lips feels good.
Abdallah asked me about another wedding but I told him I don't want. He said that's good then, he'll tell his mom, no wedding. Abdallah asked me where I want to live and I told him with his parents. I can't live with Samia, I don't want to hurt her more. Abdallah's mum decorated Abdallah's chambers for me and made it to my taste. Strangely I loved the palace. Abdallah told me to meet Samia without him but Samia came instead. She met me and looked at me for minutes without moving her gaze. "Sorry, I'm just trying to see what Abdallah saw to go gaga about you." She said "You can't see that because you are not him" I said and she laughed. She hugged me and added "Don't take everything, remain some of Abdul's love for me too." She said in a pure American accent. Are they even Arabs? "I might have everything but lack what Abdallah wants. You are beautiful Maryam and modest...I see why Abdallah chose you over all the luxuries in the world. May Allah bless us all." She kissed me on my forehead. I felt like a baby.
"Samia is sweet and honest. I see why you agreed to marry her." I said "I'm sorry Maryam, I never thought someone would come between us. Forgive me and thank you for accepting me nevertheless." He said with moist eyes "It's a sacrifice you made to be with me, and Alhamdulillah Samia is great. You didn't do anything wrong. You fought." I said and held his gaze "I love you Maryam...you are all I need. I can't ask for anything more." He said and kissed my forehead. I just looked around and he shook his head.