MARRIAGE. "A happy marriage is a selfless journey... the wife's happiness is essential to the husband's." Treat the wife with respect; love, and honor her for life.
***
Naseem was glad that they traveled to Nur Sultan. He truly believed that there was something in the air of Nur Sultan, he said smiling. He felt invigorated coming from there that he wanted to go to work today. Not only that, he wanted to plan something with his secretary, Erin.
In the past, Mona had always been feeling so shy when meeting his company staff, business partners, friends, and even clients of the company. That was why she preferred to stay in that secluded apartment and shunned staying in hotels. She felt like the other woman in Naseem's life being introduced as Jamil's mother, even if Naseem's first marriage had long ended. He didn't want that for Mona at all but they were not officially in a relationship, saved what's mentioned in the contract.
Now that they will get married soon, he wanted to announce proudly to everyone that she is his wife. He wanted every one of his staff, clients, friends, and partners to accord her respect as his wife and matriarch of the Al Abdallah family.
He and Mona are tying the knot in two days in a private ceremony attended only by them with the officiating imam. After that, he'd introduce her to everyone. And from thereon, she will have nothing to be ashamed of. No one should ever think of her again as his other woman.
***
As soon as he entered his office, he motioned Erin to follow him into his office. Erin brought with her a notepad and pen, her phone, and her mug of brewed coffee. She filled Naseem's cup with brewed black coffee, served it on the table with a platter of butter cookies before she took her seat opposite him on the sofa set.
Naseem told Erin he was planning to meet with the entire company personnel right after his marriage to Mona to introduce her formally as his wife. Erin gasped as she covered her mouth with her hand while smiling, and issued her heartfelt wishes. Naseem thanked her. They went through the motions and concluded that he planned it as a surprise for Mona and Jamil. They will hold it in the company auditorium. He asked Erin to ensure that everything will go as planned and the food catered, delivered on time, and served to everyone right after.
***
When the day came, it surprised Jamil that there was such a large crowd that day on the company premises and wondered what was going on. He asked Julie, who claimed not to know anything, but Erin had pre-warned her that Naseem had meant the event as a surprise for him and his mother.
Naseem arrived with Mona in tow just minutes before the event was to start. She did not know any of Naseem's plans. When almost everyone had arrived, Julie asked Jamil to grace the event after Erin informed her through text to bring him to the venue right at that moment.
Right in time, as soon as Jamil arrived, his father took center stage and introduce Mona, who was sitting in the front row. Naseem gestured to Jamil to escort his mother to the stage. Naseem had planned this exact scenario in his mind to show both mother and son to his entire staff.
Jamil approached his mother, took her hand, and lead her up to the stage where his father awaits her. Naseem took Mona's hand. The crowd clapped and issued their congratulations. Mona did not expect this at all from Naseem. He had never changed at all, Mona thought. He's always been proud of her and Jamil.
She remembered that when Jamil was born; he gathered all his family and friends when he showed Jamil, never caring what people may think. Naseem didn't even care that Jamil's mother was not local and that he would displease his parents.
However, Mona thinks this is also good. She won't be feeling ashamed about meeting anyone Naseem will introduce in the future. She is now proudly Naseem's wife.
It did not prepare Jamil either. He was just as unbelieving as his mother. But knowing his father, this is not new. He was proud and thankful to his father. His actions simply showed his love and respect for his mother, that he wanted everyone in his company to accord the same to her.
Jamil's required presence in the event sealed Jamil's legitimacy as the first-born son and heir apparent of Naseem and the Al Abdallah Group of Companies. Jamil knew that this was his father's purpose.
The day was an event that would grace the local papers later that day or tomorrow morning. Without Mona and Jamil knowing, the press had covered the event for tomorrow's publication. The day turned out to be a working holiday for the staff; for right after the announcement, Erin and the reception staff led everyone to the buffet table, and the entire personnel will remember the day even more because each had received a bag of gifts courtesy of the company. Naseem's happiness had extended to everyone working for the Al Abdallah group.
***
Naseem brought Mona home that day. Even outside Naseem's home, there were a few of the press and media people who were eager to get their photo as soon as they alighted from his car. Daisy was outside with Amir, enjoying the warmth of the sun. When Naseem took Amir from Daisy, he carried him to where Mona was and the three, grandparents and grandson, would soon grace the headline on the local paper the next day, even forestalling the earlier event in the Al Abdallah auditorium. The press people asked Naseem questions, and he had proudly answered.
Jamil would soon read the local paper the morning after, mentioning Amir as his son and Naseem's grandson. He had not expected this and now it worried him about what Yasmin will think, especially as his and Yasmin's engagement was earlier featured on that same local paper. It was too soon to have shown Amir. He wouldn't mind it on their wedding day because Yasmin herself had said that they will have to include Amir on their wedding day.
But sooner than that day? No! But it happened. What will Yasmin's family think? It could hurt them and Yasmin too, he thought. He had better call Yasmin before she gets to read the article on the local paper's website or anywhere on the internet.
Jamil called Yasmin, which she answered at once. It surprised her he was calling early in the morning.
"Sweetheart, Good Morning! Are you in the office now?" Jamil asked.
"Yes, I am. Wait, I'll go inside my office," she said. She was outside her room with her colleagues.
"Okay, I am here now. What's so urgent? This is the first time you're calling in the morning," Yasmin said.
"I am sorry, but this can't wait till evening," Jamil said. He told her about the news article and the picture of Amir with his father and mother on the local paper. Yasmin was quiet for a while. He knew it hurt her.
"Did it mention our engagement, too?" Yasmin said.
"Yes, it's there. That's why I called. I didn't know that this had happened. My parents came from the office where my father had introduced mom to the entire staff of the company. Some members of the press must have also waited for them outside the house. I'm sorry," he said.
"I'm just worried that they'd soon be wanting to know more or they would try to find out who the mother of Amir is," Yasmin said.
"I'll talk to my father. It shocked me too, to read this in the morning paper. I'm worried for you, that's why I called," Jamil said as he closed his eyes, looking up, and sighed.
"I understand you. I'm just worried that this will blow up in the next few days and soon they'll have the name of the mother on the paper," Yasmin said.
"No, I can't let them do that. It might be dangerous. She could have married and the husband will not take it lightly. Or, he may not even know that she has given birth. I'll talk to my father," Jamil said. And they said their goodbyes.
***
Jamil heard his mother's voice in the kitchen. He asked if he could talk to her alone. Mona followed Jamil to his father's study.
"Mom, this is bad. The local paper had shown your photo - the three of you - with Amir. They've mentioned he's my son, while mentioning my engagement to Yasmin. For sure, they'd follow up on that article and ask if Yasmin is the mother. But, for sure, they know she's not. They will want to know later who Amir's mother is. We can't divulge that; it could be dangerous. She could have married or is currently in a relationship with someone in her organization. The guy may not like it and it might hurt Amir's mother too," he said.
His father shouldn't have shown Amir this early. This hurt Yasmin too, he told his mother. Yasmin and he think it might not stop with that article and soon the press will want to know Amir's mother. Everything is now on the internet and read around the globe and it worried Jamil that this could blow up.
"Okay, I'll talk to your father. If he can stop this here. I'm sorry, Jamil. I'll apologize on behalf of your father. You know him, he must be proud to show off your son. This happened yesterday. He took Amir from Daisy when they were about to take our photo. He included Amir in the photo," Mona said.
"Thanks, mom," Jamil said. His hands covering his face at the same time.
Could anyone from the press be waiting for him too if he goes to the office now? He did not prepare for this at all. This will not only hurt Yasmin and Amara, but perhaps another person too in Amara's life if she has someone. Maybe that person does not know that Amara had given birth or if he knew she was pregnant before, that the baby was alive!!! Could it be? Could this possibly be the scenario in Amara's life? Could that person have thought that the baby was his? And she lost it? If such was the case, then this is bad! This could be scary, he thought.
Will Amara call him if she sees the article and Amir's photo on the internet? He would want to know if his fears were unfounded or real. Why did his father not think at all? This could endanger Amir, too. Could his father do something so this won't escalate into something unimaginable? Why could he even have thought of something like this? Maybe this thought is far from the truth, if not inconceivable.
"Julie, good morning. Could you tell me if anyone from the press is hovering around the building or anywhere there waiting for me to show up?" Jamil asked.
"Is it because of the article on today's paper about your son? It surprised me too. Is it true, Jamil? Because the reception desk asked me earlier if you are around and I am worried that a few people are waiting for you to show up today. I'll let you know. I'll ask them." She said.
Now, Jamil is more than anxious. Petrified is more like it. He couldn't eat his breakfast. As soon as he saw Amir's photo on the front page of the local paper, the first thing that came to his mind was Yasmin... and then Amara. But now, even Amir!
Why do things keep happening to him and Yasmin? Why does he keep hurting Yasmin? She had just accepted him back. Not again! Please, not again...
His phone rang. It's Julie.
"Jamil, yes, you have visitors from the press waiting. Will you still come to the office? Or should I tell them now that you won't be coming today?" Julie said.
"Please, Julie. Make them go away. I'll talk to my father. Maybe I should stay at home today. I will ask my father to be there. I'm sorry, Julie, but I don't want to talk about this," Jamil said.
"Okay, you just stay home today. Bye," Julie said.
Jamil went to see Amir in his room. Daisy had put him down while she went to make his milk in the kitchen. He took him in his arms.
"I love you, son. I do. But how I wish your grandfather hadn't shown you to the world this early. It could be dangerous for you and your mother, too. I hope this gets resolved soon and forgotten." Jamil wished sincerely.