Two weeks had gone by, and Arshi's departure date was quickly approaching. She had a lot to prepare, despite the fact that she would never be without anything because she was going to the palace. She needed to find something else to focus her mind on.
"I shall be taking my leave now, mother." Arshi kissed her adoptive mother's hands to receive blessings.
"Be sure to come back early."
"Okay, mother."
Kaseem, who was waiting for her outside their mother's chamber door, looked at her intently but did not smile. He was not adept at expressing his feelings, but he genuinely cared about his family and always did his job as the only son because he was his father's sole heir.
He couldn't let his sister go out on her alone, despite the fact that he had a lot of work to do. It was simply not feasible for a lady, or any female, to leave the house and wander the streets. Instead, she required a male escort for safety and to prevent being kidnapped or sold as a slave at auction.
"Salam, baby brother," Arshi said with a big smile on her face that made dimples emerge on both her cheeks.
"Salaam. Shall we take our leave?" he requested with an expressionless face.
She was so used to him being like that, so, she did not mind him at all.
"Very well," she stated calmly.
*************
"Lady Arshi! Gentleman Kaseem!"
A tall, gorgeous, and attractive-looking man appeared alongside Arshi and gazed at them with his jade green eyes. He seemed to be in his twenties. He was quite tall, with mid-brown hair and an olive complexion that appeared tanned.
"Oh, my goodness! Salaam, Gentleman Hathi. How are you doing?" As soon as she saw him, her cheeks flushed.
"Are you okay, lady Arshi?" He questioned in husky tones as he turned to face her.
"Yes. Yes, I'm alright "She averted her gaze from him, covering her heated cheeks.
"Salaam, Gentleman Kaseem." Hathi greeted him with a smile.
"Salaam." Still indifferent.
"What brought you here to the market?"
"My brother and I... well, we decided to go to the market together. There are several things I shall miss."
"Are you perhaps going somewhere?"
"Yes," Arshi replied avoiding eye contact with him.
"On a journey?"
"Indeed, a very long journey."
There was an awkward silence, and the three stared at each other.
"I need to buy something for myself, older sister. Will you be okay if I left you here for a bit while I seek for it?"
"Will you be alright on your own?"
"Yes, will you?"
"If you may allow it, I could keep your sister company in your stead until you finish your shopping." Hathi intervened.
He did not particularly mind, since Gentleman Hathi was a well-known person and could not dare to harm his sister. However, an unmarried woman and unmarried man walking together hand in hand would cause problems.
"I appreciate that you have your reasons for doing so, Gentleman Hathi, but, really you do not have to do this, since it is my duty as a brother to always protect my sister."
"I will be fine, baby brother. You can go and enjoy your shopping and we will wait for you until you are done. So, take your time."
"Okay, please take good care of my sister, Gentleman Hathi."
After Kaseem had vanished from their sight, Hathi turned to face Arshi. "Where will we go now, Lady Arshi?"
"Please surprise me, Gentleman Hathi."
"I feel like kidnapping you right now. Aren't you a bit scared?"
"Oh, yes, I am. I'm so terrified right now that my heart feels like it's about to burst "she said playfully.
Hathi laughed. "But first, Lady Arshi, I should get something for you. That is, if you allow it."
"I do not mind at all. Thank you for your generous offer,"
"You are quite welcome. So, what should I get? "While inspecting the market stalls, he joyfully inquired.
"How about an ear of corn?" Arshi teasingly proposed.
"Goodness! Do you have a food shortage in your home?" He sarcastically cheered. "I could buy it and have it delivered to your house right now. I can only image your father's expression when he received the corn."
Arshi tried to keep her chuckling to a minimum but ended up breaking into a fit of shockingly girlish laughing. Hatim gazed at her tenderly since she was extremely appealing to him, and who could blame her, with her adorable dimples and aquamarine eyes? She could feel him staring at her, but that didn't stop her from laughing
"I have a question for you, my dear lady."
"Please ask,"
"How are you?"
Arshi's laughter died away, and she continued to walk ahead of Hathi, not looking back. She had intended to divert her attention elsewhere, but Hathi's question had an impact on her. He trailed after her as she continued to walk. She was relieved he didn't see her reaction.
They came to an alley, and without warning, Hathi softly grabbed Arshi's hand and forced her against the wall. He lowered his head, brushed his lips against hers, and kissed her passionately as if he craved her. He wanted to devour her and not let go. Arshi wished for his lips as well. His aesthetic body was pressing up against hers. She rose on the tips of her toes, crossed her arms around his neck, holding to his robe for support, and savoured his warm lips on hers, oblivious to the fact that they would be seen by passers-by. They were immersed in their own universe. She wasn't supposed to be doing such things, but she was.
"What exactly are we doing, Hathi?" She attempted to shove him away. "Someone is going to notice us."
"I don't mind. I'll inform them that you are my wife." He moved her hair from her shoulder and continued kissing her then proceeded to her neck. He knew that once he kissed her neck, her resistance would instantly dissolve. She could feel his breath against her skin and connect with him. Then she glanced down at him, her expression screamed at him, 'Do not let go of me!' She began to quiver and shudder, then gasped as he dropped his head to her chest, revealing her beautiful breasts. His tongue came into contact with one of her teats before he could completely cover it with his mouth. She shuddered even more as a result of this. Hathi locked his focus on her as if he knew she wanted precisely what he wanted. She'd never had a sexual encounter with a man like that before.
"Please…don't. Let's stop."
She needed to come to her senses and splash cold water on the sexual heat that was now torturing her.
He kissed her warm lips again, and before she could break away from him, he grabbed her arms and held her wrists above her head with one hand.
"You're trembling..." he groaned, the corners of his lips turning up. He eased his grasp, and Arshi was able to break away from him.
"Do you have to make a joke out of everything?" she said. "I'm trying to be serious here," she added as she adjusted her clothing.
"You are surely not serious?" He kissed her soft, innocent, rosy lips momentarily before pulling his head away.
"I... I am..." She turned away from him, her face flushed, and she was panting hard.
"Look at me, Arshi." He gently caressed her neck with his strong fingers.
"Please…I'd rather not."
"Look at me," He commanded gently.
Normally, she would not have dreamed of acting the way she did, but what she had just done was deemed improper behaviour and may bring embarrassment to her family if she was seen or recognized by anybody. Young females had no right to meet with men, but she had been meeting with Hathi in secret.
"No, you made me angry."
"What did I do now?" he said as he kissed a section of her hair.
Arshi saw the look in his eyes as his mouth curled downwards.
"Do you remember when I kissed you for the first time?" He gave her a serious look before wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her towards him. "I recall you straining hopelessly in my arms last year, oblivious to what you were doing. You did not push me away or object."
He drew her into his crushingly powerful manly arms and kissed her temple.
"Hathi… Can I ask you a question?" she replied, turning to face him, unable to take her sight away from his mouth.
"If you may," he said smoothly.
"I wish to know… what are your intentions in regards to me?"
"Do I need to answer that?" he asked.
"Of course, it would be a problem for me!"
"Why?"
The tone of the conversation abruptly shifted from romantic to solemn.
"I am just trying to protect myself from getting hurt." She gave a nonchalant shrug.
"You're simply putting up barriers that don't need to be there," he scowled without looking at her.
Arshi could see how much she had offended him. She took a deep breath.
"It was not my intention to make any accusations. I was simply stating what I feel," Arshi defended herself. "Did you hear? I will be going to the palace soon. My father received an imperial decree."
"Yes, I did hear. I really didn't believe it at first, so I wanted to check it with you in person."
"It is true. she sighed. "I will be leaving home soon."
"You know… you do not have to go."
"Is it possible that you've lost your mind, Hathi? What if you're overheard?" She clasped his mouth with her hands while looking around for anyone. "Of course, I oppose the ruling," she sobbed, "but my family is more important to me than anything."
"How about me?" he said, gently withdrawing Arshi's hands from around his mouth. "Were you planning to abandon me without warning?"
"I am truly sorry, Hathi. I do not know what to do anymore."
He grasped her hands and whispered something into her ears. "Well, then, marry me!"
Arshi's eyes widened with disbelief. She could not believe what he had whispered to her.
In the kingdom of Aleppo, the Sultan himself enacted a rule that no man may marry a lady who already had a spouse. No one, not even the Sultan. If she married Hathi, no law or punishment would be imposed on them. She would have nevertheless made her family proud by marrying a man who was thought to be from a good family and was also seen to be a noble.
"Are you serious?" she asked, still confused. "I am sure you are just saying that out of pity. How long do you think this will go on without stronger sentiments to back it up?"
"You are accusing me of toying with you? Why should I bother to do that?" he asked Arshi softly. "Have you any idea just how insulting you are being?"
"We've known each other for so long, yet you've never told me that you love me. You always hide what we have as if you weren't serious about us. What do you want me to think, Hathi?"
The two individuals challengingly looked at one another.
"So, it's proof that you want?" He drew his lower lip between his teeth and pulled his hair back.
Her mouth opened, but she quickly shut it again. Instead, she simply nodded softly.
"If that's what you'd prefer, then follow me."