FAMILY. "A circle of strength and love. With every birth and union, it grows. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger."
"Family is the most reliable source of support in any situation because the love from the family is unconditional."
***
Jamil had needed both families' help to get Yasmin back. Without them, it wouldn't have been possible. Likewise, Amir was a welcome addition to the family. For despite Jamil's anxiety, Amir gave him a glimmer of hope.
The vacation in Nur Sultan of the two families had healed them all. With Yasmin's forgiveness of Jamil and her acceptance of Amir into their lives, both families have bonded and healed. Naseem and Dodi's families have become one.
That night, Jamil and Yasmin stayed in their apartment. As this was their first night together after Jamil's confession in Dubai, their families had given them the privacy to stay alone to talk and clear their hearts of bitterness and resentments; they needed to heal before they can focus on the positive aspects of their new relationship, which will now include Amir.
When Yasmin held her peace and not said anything hurtful to Jamil at the height of her emotional distress, she took the high road. And it paid off. Should she had snapped back or lashed out hurtfully at Jamil, she could have done irreparable damage to their relationship. Jamil was grateful, Yasmin had forgiven him and willing to start anew with him and Amir.
Their families stayed in the hotel that night and the next night. Jamil had booked a couple of suite rooms for their parents, a twin bedroom for Amina and Layla, a single room for Fayed, and likewise for Daisy, and with a baby's crib for Amir.
***
"I am ready to marry you," Mona said.
Mona joined Naseem on the balcony of their room in Nur Sultan. Naseem was looking into the gardens of the hotel below when she came from behind and put her arms around him.
Naseem must have been in shock, or he could have heard it wrong, he thought. He turned around to face her and was about to ask Mona to say it again when she kissed and hugged him.
When he didn't reply for what seemed like long minutes, Mona playfully and gently slapped his face and laughed. Only then did he pull her into his tight embrace. And now, he is in tears.
"Why? Why the sudden change of heart?" Naseem asked.
"I saw a different you in these days that I was with you since I stayed in your house. Maybe I should have stayed with you earlier before instead of staying away in the apartment. Gone was your old self. I guess I am ready to grow old with you," Mona replied.
Dumbfounded and now in tears, he pulled Mona's head to his chest. He said he really couldn't believe it. They stayed in that tight embrace for a long time. He had wanted this for so long, even before Jamil was born.
"I don't have a ring, otherwise, I could have knelt on my knees and asked you to marry me," he said.
"I don't need a ring. I just need your promise that you will stay this way, sweet and kind. I hope there'll be no reason for us to regret staying together," she said.
Naseem hugged her even tighter.
"No, I will cherish you for the rest of my life. Thank you. This is what I wanted. I have always loved you. You may not know that. You may think that it was only sex that I had wanted with you all this time. No, but you know me. I'm bullheaded. I feared to admit it was love because I was afraid that you may not feel the same way," Naseem said.
"I want to apologize too for tying you to that agreement on the alimony. I can't give you up. I know it wasn't fair to you, but I've loved you from our first night together that gave us Jamil. You may not believe me, but I do. That's why I love our son so much because he is part of you and me," he said.
"Are you sure of this? Are you ready to stay with me forever?" he asked.
Mona nodded while smiling and said, "Yes, I am". Then she kissed him.
"There must be something in the air of Nur Sultan. Yasmin has forgiven Jamil and accepted him and Amir into her life. And now, you," Naseem said.
Right now, Naseem said, he felt like wanting to wake up everyone to tell them about this, but it must be late. Mona told him to get a hold of himself. They'll tell them all when they will meet them at breakfast the next morning. But she would like Jamil to be there before they tell anyone, she said.
"I'd like us to celebrate with a bottle of champagne if you fancy a drink now. Otherwise, let's take a walk in the garden. Let's take advantage of the romantic atmosphere of Nur Sultan," he said.
"I'd prefer to take a walk. The cool night air is refreshing," she said.
Naseem kissed her on the forehead and hugged her once more before they moved out of the room. Naseem put on Mona's coat before he put on his.
And held hands, heading towards the gardens below.
***
The recent travel of Mona from Manila to Dubai with Daisy and Amir was the first time Mona stayed at the Al Abdallah residence. Upon arrival at the Al Abdallah home, Mona would have felt too uncomfortable hadn't it been for Amir and Jamil. As if Amir gave her a reason to be there and Jamil too because he had wanted her to take care of Amir.
She didn't know exactly where to take her luggage that day she arrived. So, when Naseem took them to the newly refurbished room meant for Amir's room and play haven, Mona had Daisy put her luggage in the corner because she was holding Amir. But it didn't escape Naseem. He carried her luggage to his room, the same room Mona will have to join from that night and onwards.
When later in the day Mona was looking for her luggage, Naseem told her he took it into their room. Wanting Mona to get used to using his room as their couple's room, Naseem took her upstairs.
He surprised Mona when he asked her to open her wardrobe and check the bathroom. He had purchased her usual brand of toiletries, cosmetics, some footwear, and clothing items.
Before she arrived, Naseem had consulted with his secretary, Erin, on the items he should purchase for Mona. Erin made a list, showed Naseem, and volunteered to do the shopping if Naseem wouldn't mind. She would just leave them with the Sales Supervisor of the department store for his payment and collection from the shop. He gave Erin the clothing and footwear sizes of Mona, her favorite colors, scents, and brands. Naseem thanked Erin for her help.
Touched by his thoughtfulness, Mona thanked Naseem. He gestured for a hug by opening his arms and Mona gave it to him, and a kiss on the cheek.
Likewise, Mona remembered to thank him too for the baby's room. Indeed, it was a thrilling surprise even for her and Jamil. Having the room on the ground floor near the living room and the kitchen was indeed very convenient for everyone. They could all look after Amir, she said.
With Amir in the picture, and at Jamil's request, Mona will have to stay longer in Dubai now. Jamil told her mom that he feels more confident that Amir is in safe hands if she's with him. Naseem seconded. Indeed, he said. Having her in the house and with Amir puts them at ease.
Since Mona started staying at the Al Abdallah residence, she saw the other side of Naseem. If his younger self was aggressive and controlling; now, he was gentle, caring, and more considerate. She can see clearly that Naseem loves his children dearly, Jamil most especially. But of course, she'll tell no one that. She can see from the way Naseem regards Jamil. He treats him with so much love and respect.
And with a grandchild from Jamil, even if it wasn't Yasmin's, Naseem showed to be a doting grandfather for Amir. From the moment, he goes down from his room in the mornings; he heads straight to Amir's room to laugh and play with him before he would even have breakfast, or when Amir was asleep; he stays sitting beside the crib, just staring at Amir's sleeping form.
Mona couldn't deny that from the day she stayed at the Al Abdallah family residence, her relationship with Naseem had taken on a new meaning. It didn't escape the discerning eyes of the people in the house, even with Naseem's staff. Naseem and Mona love each other and they could feel it too.
Having a matriarch now in the house, Cathy had switched guidance from Naseem to Mona on decisions about the household needs like the menu, shopping schedules, grocery lists, and more. Naseem likewise was happy and very much relieved that Mona gladly took on the responsibility of running the household.
With her presence in the house, the atmosphere was happier, cozier, and warmer. It was a normal and complete family with both parents present.
Amir's presence made their household even livelier. Amir's laughter and baby sounds and Layla's squealing and giggling the entire day with him filling the house were truly infectious.
Most of the time, even the household help couldn't stop looking into the room to play with Amir. He truly was a sight and a sound to behold.
Jamil had become a fixture himself in the Al Abdallah residence because of Amir's presence. Jamil seldom goes to his flat now. He had added a small table by the window of Amir's room for his laptop and works there while the baby was asleep.
And should he leave the room and go to his room upstairs, he switches the baby monitor on and carries the other pair with him to make sure that he would know when Amir would wake up.
Mona could see that Jamil was slowly turning into a very protective and caring father for Amir and she was glad. By the time, he'll have another baby with Yasmin, he'll soon be a seasoned father.
***
Mona was awake by 6 a.m. the following morning and texted Jamil if he and Yasmin could join them for brunch in the hotel at around 11 a.m. Being their only child, Mona had wanted Jamil to be there when she and his father will tell everyone about their plan to get married. She was sure that Jamil would welcome the news with an open heart because then she'll have reason to stay in Dubai for longer and she'll be round about to oversee Amir.
Everyone has seated at the long breakfast table in the garden when Jamil and Yasmin arrived. Yasmin kissed and hugged her parents first, then Mona and Naseem before taking Amir from Jamil, who went straight to take the baby from Daisy. Jamil did the same afterward, greeting both their parents, Yasmin's, before his parents.
Before Jamil could move away from his parents, Naseem held his left arm while he stood up, to tell everyone that Mona and he will soon marry. Surprised, Jamil hugged his father tight and teared up. It surprised Naseem when Jamil sobbed. Mona stood up and hugged Jamil's back. Jamil pulled his mom with his right hand while his left hugged his father and all three of them stayed in that tight trio embrace for a while.
Dodi was smiling wildly. For the first time, he saw his best friend with the woman he must love, Dodi thought. So, Naseem must have felt this way for Mona from the start, but his friend had always been so proud to admit to his feelings. He had never thought of his friend as capable of loving a woman for real. He's thrilled to see this scene. Naseem has found the right woman for him, Dodi thought.
He stood up and took Zora with him to approach Naseem and Mona. Yasmin's parents congratulated them. Yasmin carrying Amir approached them as well. Jamil pulled her and Amir into his arms. It was a very poignant scene this morning. Naseem's other children, Fayed and Layla, were smiling. Amina was open-mouthed and smiling, and so was Daisy.
The two families had stayed in the venue until the early afternoon. Amir was already napping in his stroller beside Daisy. Layla had laid down her head on Amina's lap while she sat beside Fayed on that wooden garden bench under the shady tree. The older couples and Jamil and Yasmin stayed at the long dining table talking and laughing together.
Capturing the entire family scene would make for a warmhearted image that will surely tug at the heartstrings.
Jamil had booked the families for a three-day and two-night stay in Nur Sultan and this is their second day. Naseem and Dodi had planned for them to roam the city the entire day and tomorrow they'd stay in the hotel, ready for their night flight on the same day.
Naseem teased Jamil, saying he and his mom will have to be married before him and Yasmin again, and hope that the next one would be his and Yasmin's and not Fayed's and Amina's. Jamil hugged Yasmin tight laughingly while Jamil teasingly jested that no way will Fayed and Amina go before them, threatening Fayed with his fist. They all laughed.