The heat of Fou’ad’s body enveloped Yaseerah from behind as he rested his chin on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“Albi.” His lips lifted into a fond smile, when she automatically leaned back into his embrace. “She’s all yours, and she isn’t going anywhere,” he whispered into her ear.
“How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”
“Let’s just say I’m now a Yaseerah whisperer,” he chuckled, the sound sending warm tingles across her body.
“Is that so?” she chuckled wryly, thinking about all the things he was yet to know about her.
Despite the intimacy they shared, there were still parts of her life she had kept hidden from him. Not because she was scared but because despite how easy it was becoming to open up to him, there were still some things she couldn’t openly discuss with him.
“I’ve lost you, haven’t I?” Fou’ad’s breath tickled her neck, despite the veil she had on, as he sighed heavily, his arm tightening slightly against her waist.
“What?”
Deep frown lines made an appearance across her forehead, as she turned in his arms.
“You went still,” he explained, the twinkle in his eyes dimming slightly. “You always do that when you’re deep in your thoughts.”
Yaseerah blinked at him, the strength of his arms around her grounding her in the moment, as her lips parted slightly on an exhale.
“I was thinking about what sort of good deeds I’ve done in my life for Allah to bless me with you,” she uttered easily, once she had overcome the shock of his words.
Fou’ad tightened his embrace against her, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “I am the one who has been blessed to have you in my life, Albi.”
Yaseerah tilted her head up, her eyes searching his, wanting to etch this moment into her memory forever. “You truly believe that?” she whispered in a low, raw tone.
Fou’ad’s gaze softened, the twinkle in his eyes brightening, as he spoke sincerely. “I do, with all of my heart. You’ve brought happiness into my life in ways I never imagined possible. I cherish every moment with you, Albi.”
Her heart swelled with emotion, and she felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She reached up, gently cupping his cheek, her touch tender and loving. “I cherish you too, Azizem, more than you’ll ever know. You’ve brought so much light into my life, and shown me a kind of love I never knew existed.”
Fou’ad leaned into her touch, his gaze softening even more, as his lips curved into a smile that made the butterflies in her stomach flutter even more. “You deserve nothing less, Albi.”
“You know,” she began softly, her eyelids fluttering close, as she whispered a secret she had kept close to her heart for years. “I never dated to imagine that I could have a love like this. A love that is pure, and deep, and unconditional. But a part of me always dreamt about it, on days that were too hard to survive.”
Fou’ad’s expression was one of pure adoration, even as his heart twinged with the implied violence she had suffered at the hands of her father. “And now that you have it, Albi, what do you think? Is it everything you dreamt it would be?”
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her heart overflowing with love for this man standing in front of her, as she blinked open her eyes. “Now that I have it, I know that it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. It’s nothing like I thought it would be. It’s more, it’s better. And I thank Allah every day for bringing you into my life.”
“I thank Him too, every single day, for giving me you. You are my greatest blessing, Yaseerah.”
“You Fou’ad Muhammad Farraj are my greatest blessing.”
She leaned in, her lips brushing against his in the barest of kisses before she pulled back, a twinkle in her eyes that made his heart flutter.
His lips parted, with words he never got to say, because their phones chimed simultaneously in that moment with the call of maghrib adhan.
“Come on, let’s go in and pray.”
Without a word, he scooped her up into his arms, her surprised gasp like music to his ears.
“Fou’ad, what are you doing?” She sounded almost breathless, her laughter dancing through the air, as her hands instinctively wrapped around his neck.
“Trying to do things right,” he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and affection.
“What do you mean?” she queried, eyes wide open curiosity, and heart overflowing with love.
“You’ll see.”
Yaseerah could only roll her eyes, knowing that trying to get information out of him would be moot, so she would just have to wait and see, like he had suggested.
So, she leaned against him, feeling far too safe and cherished in his arms, the world outside fading into insignificance.
•—۵—•
“Welcome home, Albi,” Fou’ad uttered, once he was done saying the du’a for entering home, his voice whisper-soft and reverent.
Yaseerah’s breath caught in her throat, once they stepped through the double French doors that led them inside the farmhouse.
If she had thought the mansion in Maitama was breathtaking, or that her bedroom was pure magic, this farmhouse with its double height windows and inviting warm tones was a masterpiece of beauty and tranquility.
Words simply evaded her, as she took in the glorious sights before her, wiggling in Fou’ad’s arms until he set her down, eager to explore every corner of their new home.
The open-plan layout, reminiscent of their other house, gave the space an airy, spacious feel, yet there was a warmth and coziness that enveloped her like a familiar embrace.
The walls were painted in a soothing shade of warm beige, providing the perfect backdrop for the rich hues of the wooden furniture and the soft, plush rugs that adorned the distressed wooden floor.
“Come on.” Fou’ad tugged at her hand gently, pulling her towards a curved wooden staircase that led to both an upper and lower levels.
“There’s enough time to explore later,” he chuckled, when he noticed her pouting. “I promise, I’ll give you a full tour once we are done praying.”
Yaseerah’s pout didn’t disappear but she also didn’t protest his reasoning as she followed him towards what she thought might be the bedroom.
To her surprise, once they reached the last stair, the space opened into a mezzanine level that had been transformed into a beautiful prayer room.
The entire space was bathed in the warm glow of a lotus flower pendant chandelier, giving it a serene and inviting atmosphere.
The walls were painted in the same soothing beige as the rest of the farmhouse, and soft rugs covered the floor, adding a touch of comfort to it.
In one corner of the area, there was a large off-white cloud sofa, with three beige accent pillows on it, and a large beige bean bag facing it, with a wooden stool between them.
An entire wall was covered with large wooden shelves filled with Islamic books ranging from fiqh, hadith, tafsirs and lots more.
Two prayer mats were neatly laid out, facing the qibla.
“This is absolutely beautiful,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion, as she took in everything, her heart swelling with a mixture of awe and gratitude.
It was clear that Fou’ad had put in a lot of thoughts and care into creating this space for them.
Fou’ad smiled bashfully, a rosy hue decorating his cheeks, even as his eyes reflected her sentiment. “I’m glad you like it, Albi.”
He gestured towards a door in the corner of the room. “And there is the bathroom. You can go ahead and perform wudhoo before me, I forgot to reset the security system.”
Yaseerah nodded, feeling overwhelmed by the love and thoughtfulness behind his actions.
She was greeted by a warm ambiance once she stepped into the bathroom and once again, she took everything in with awe.
The walls were painted in a soft, pearl white, giving the space a clean and airy feel.
A large oval mirror hung above the sink, reflecting the warm glow of the lights overhead. The countertops were made of sleek marble, adding a touch of luxury to the room.
Without wasting much time, she performed wudhoo with a sense of reverence, the sound of water splashing gently calming her mind.
When she finished, she spared another moment to admire the elegant simplicity of the bathroom.
When she exited the bathroom, she found Fou’ad waiting for her on the sofa, his face wet, indicating he had also performed his wudhoo.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation as he took her hand, leading her back towards the prayer mats.
Together, they stood facing the qibla, Yaseerah behind him, as he began to lead them in prayer.
His recitation was melodic and heartfelt, each word flowing smoothly from his lips, captivating her with the beauty of his recitation.
A deep sense of peace washed over her as they prayed and she knew without a doubt she could spend the rest of her days just listening to him recite the Qur’an.
Once they had finished praying, and saying their supplications, Yaseerah couldn’t help but compliment him on his recitation. “Your recitation is so beautiful,” she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. “Allahumma baarik.”
Fou’ad blushed at her words, a shy smile dancing on his lips. “Ameen, thank you, Albi,” he replied humbly. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Yallah,” she urged, as she rose to her feet, folding the hijab she had used to pray neatly and placing it down on the prayer mat. “You promised me a tour.”
“So impatient Albi,” he tsked, as he rose to his feet, chuckling at her eagerness, as he watched her bounce on her feet.
Yaseerah’s excitement was palpable as they descended the stairs, her curiosity amusing Fou’ad to no end. Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, he led them towards a hidden door beneath the staircase, pushing it open, to reveal a short hallway with two doors facing each other.
“This,” he gestured to the door on their left, “is the bedroom. The other door leads into the den.”
Yaseerah pushed the door of the bedroom open and went in, taking in the beauty.
The bedroom was spacious and cozy, with warm beige walls and plush carpets. Off-white drapes covered large glass windows which opened directly towards the stable, offering a picturesque view of the horses.
A queen sized bed with soft brown covers and pillows was pressed against one of the walls, facing the window.
Two large suitcases sat near the empty walk-in closet and when she turned to him for explanations, he told her Hayat had helped them pack some clothes for their stay.
Yaseerah only hummed in response, marveling at how he had put into consideration everything they might need.
She moved towards the bathroom next, standing in the doorway to check everything out before she walked out, Fou’ad on her heels.
When she headed towards the door that led to the den, Fou’ad stepped in front of her, stopping her.
“We’ll come back to it later,” he said, his tone playful yet firm.
Yaseerah tried to protest, but before she could say anything, Fou’ad silenced her with a tender kiss, pulling her out of the hallway and back into the other area.
They headed to the kitchen next. It was modern and well-equipped, with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. A large pantry was stocked with all the essentials, neatly organized on shelves.
From the kitchen, Fou’ad led Yaseerah back to the living room, which was tastefully furnished with an L-shaped taupe sofa, overlooking a wall mounted flat-screen TV. A thick white Persian rug covered most of the wooden floor. Two lotus pendant chandeliers hung overhead, with black out curtains covering every wall. In the middle of the room was a wooden coffee table.
They toured the laundry room next, then back to the kitchen where they began making preparations for dinner, Yaseerah giving Fou’ad instructions on what to do.
•—۵—•
Hours later, Yaseerah stepped into the living room where Fou’ad had been waiting for her.
Her expression widened slightly, as she took him in, admiring the way he looked in the grey sweatpants and white shirt he was dressed in.
His expression however was unreadable when their gazes met, but there was a fire in his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine.
She had followed his instructions, and dressed in the soft pink button-front top, a cami top, and drawstring shorts, he had laid out for her on the bed.
She hadn’t thought much of the shorts but as she stood there, under his intense gaze, she couldn’t help but feel exposed, vulnerable in a way she had never felt before.
“Fou’ad?” Her voice was barely a whisper, unsure of what was happening, unsure of what he was thinking.
He didn’t respond to her immediately, his eyes roaming over her, taking in every detail of her appearance, the silence stretching between them, thick and charged with unspoken emotions.
Finally, when he spoke, his voice was rough with emotions. “You look... breathtaking, Yaseerah.”
The intensity of his words hit her like a wave, leaving her breathless. She had never seen this side of him before, this raw, primal desire that seemed to radiate from him.
“I still look like road-kill,” she mumbled, her voice trembling slightly, as she tried to dismiss the tension she was feeling radiating from both of them.
He took a step towards her, his gaze never leaving hers. “You’ll never look anything short of beautiful to me, Albi, no matter what you look like.”
“I–”
“It’s the mind that sees, not the eyes. And, I see you with my heart not with my eyes or my mind,” he interrupted, his tone earnest and filled with so much love and adoration for her.
“Fou’ad–”
“Please, have a seat, I’ll be right back.”
Yaseerah’s heart was pounding wildly in her chest as she sat on the sofa, watching Fou’ad as he disappeared down the staircase.
She couldn’t shake the fear and excitement that settled in the pit of her stomach, nor could she ignore the growing heat between her legs at the thought of what might be coming next.
Minutes later, Fou’ad returned, carrying a tray with two glasses of water and a small box.
He set the tray down on the coffee table before taking a seat next to her, their thighs brushing against each other.
“I hope you’re not too nervous,” he said softly, his eyes locking with hers. “I had all of these planned before the nikkah. I suppose it’s better late than never.”
Yaseerah’s heart skipped a beat at his words, her mind racing with possibilities. What could he possibly have planned? And why did it make her feel so... alive?
Taking a deep breath, she turned her attention to the small box on the table, her curiosity getting the better of her.
With trembling hands, she reached out and opened it, revealing the platinum bracelet he had given to her as a birthday gift. The bracelet she had thrown away, in a fit of anger.
“Fou’ad...” she whispered, her eyes shining with unshed tears, as she turned to look at him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I know you threw it away but I was hoping that you–”
“I loved it then,” she rushed to say, dropping the box back on the table, as she turned around to fully face him, clasping both of their hands together. “And I love it more, now. I’m sorry I threw it away, I couldn’t stand the thought that you deceived me and– well, thank you. It’s beautiful.”
Fou’ad’s smile was small when she let go of his hand. He reached out and took the bracelet from the box, gently fastening it around her wrist, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her body.
“Whenever you wear it, know that my heart is with you, always.”
“Thank you,” she sniffed, raising her hand up, her lips tilting into a smile as she noticed the charms sparkling under the light.
He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. “There’s one more thing,” he whispered, his voice sending more warm tingles down her spine. “Close your eyes.”
Yaseerah obeyed, her heart pounding in her chest as she waited, her senses heightened. She felt his warmth, his presence, so close to her, and she longed to reach out and touch him, to feel the heat of his skin against hers.
And then, she felt it. His lips on hers, soft and gentle, yet filled with a passion that spoke of love, of desire, of everything she had never known she wanted.
When he pulled back, she opened her eyes, her gaze meeting his, her heart almost filled to the brim. “You are my greatest blessing,” she uttered, echoing her earlier statement, making him smile, as he took her hand and pulled her to her feet.
“Where are we going?”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he led them towards the den. Stepping aside, to let her take in what he had planned for the night.
Yaseerah’s eyes widened in surprise and delight, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the set-up.
The den had been transformed into a cozy and romantic setting, perfect for a movie date, with a king-sized mattress decorated with soft blankets and pillows sitting across a large TV screen.
Electric lanterns floated overhead, casting a warm and magical glow around the whole den.
A small table was set up with different snacks and bottles of different drinks adding to the enchanting ambiance. The room was filled with the sweet scent of vanilla and cinnamon, enhancing the romantic mood.
Yaseerah turned to Fou’ad, her eyes shining with happiness.
“Fou’ad, this is... amazing,” she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight embrace. “Thank you, it’s perfect.”
“Come on,” he pulled her towards the mattress. “Let’s settle in.”
He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as they snuggled together under the blankets.
“What movie did you choose for us?” Yaseerah asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Fou’ad grinned, as he reached for the remote. “What do you think?”
“Tangled?” her eyes widened, a girlish delight sending warmth across her entire body, as he pressed play on the remote.
Yaseerah settled against him, her eyes fixated on the cartoon she had watched a thousand times yet couldn’t get enough of.
Halfway through the movie, Yaseerah could feel her entire body tingling, awareness pulsed to life in her veins.
His proximity and the way they were pressed to each other distracted her so much, she had no idea what was being said on the screen.
And Fou’ad damn him didn’t even seem like he was aware of what was happening to her. Or perhaps, he was just ignoring it, the way she couldn’t ignore it.
“Focus, albi,” he teased, as he drew a circle around the exposed area of her stomach.
Yaseerah’s breath hitched at his touch, her skin tingling where his fingers traced gentle circles.
She tried to focus on the movie, but his closeness was making it nearly impossible.
“Fou’ad,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the movie. “What are you doing?”
He paused his movements, his hand coming to a stop above her navel.
“Nothing,” he replied innocently, his voice low and husky.
“Stop it.”
She turned to him, her heart pounding in her chest. His eyes met hers, a flicker of something intense passing between them.
Without breaking eye contact, he slowly leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a feather-light kiss.
Her eyes fluttered closed, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she melted into his touch.
The world around them faded away, leaving only the warmth of their embrace and the gentle sound of their breathing.
Fou’ad deepened the kiss, his hand moving from her stomach to cup her cheek, his thumb caressing her skin tenderly.
Yaseerah’s heart was racing, her mind filled with a whirlwind of emotions, as he pulled her onto his laps so she was now straddling him, deepening the connection between them.
She could feel the warmth of his body against hers, sending a shiver down her spine, as his hands roamed gently over her back, pulling her closer, as they lost themselves in the moment.
Only the ringing of her phone had her pulling back from him slightly, a frown marring her lips.
“Ignore it,” Fou’ad whispered, his lips hovering above hers, eyes heavy-lidded and thick with desire.
The ringing tone broke through the haze in her brain, and without preamble, she pushed away from him, haphazardly searching for her phone between the blankets, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Bilal?” she questioned warily, once she’d located the device, accepted the call, and pressed it to her ear.
Fou’ad stared at her quizzically, an emotion akin to jealousy prickling his chest as he watched her converse with the male who had called her.
It was only when he noticed the absolute devastation on her face, and her crestfallen expression as her phone clattered to the floor did he move from his relaxed position on the mattress, all thoughts of jealousy leaving his mind.
****
Whew!!!
That was a long one!
Two updates in one 🤭
Anyhoo, see you next week in shaa Allah.
Xoxo, Jidderh ❤️