Sweet Obsession (14 page)

The next day, we both woke up at the same time. It was a happy day. The sunshine poured in through the windows and sparkled its light everywhere as we dressed for breakfast. Behind me, Nidal buttoned my gown and allowed his hands to roam over my breasts as he caressed them gently. He pushed his groin against my thighs, and I purred in response. I turned my head around, allowing his lips to brush down on mine, and I struggled to tame the emotions that threatened to course through me. He kissed me more deeply. His tongue explored my mouth and drove me insane. If we kept this up, we would end up in bed again, and everyone in the dining room would wonder where we were. I pushed him gently away, and he looked in my eyes, questioning my abrupt behavior. He sighed in understanding and gave me another quick kiss, pinching my breast playfully, before he finally pulled away.

We were both famished as we walked briskly down the hall, hand in hand, to the dining room. We were the first ones there, and we took advantage of the opportunity and kissed each other passionately once again. When we heard voices outside the doorway, we pulled apart quickly and sat down in our seats.

As the queen walked in first, she immediately noticed the sparkle in our eyes and smiled joyfully with understanding. The king followed and gave a nod in our direction. Slowly after that, all the other guests came in, one by one, until the table was full with hungry people. We had a delightful time, chattering away, gossiping to no accord, and acting as if the last time we all sat together nothing dramatic had happened, as if it were all wiped under the table and we started fresh.

Billal was sitting in his usual seat. He was still sporting a few bruises on his face, but he had his head held high. To me, that was a blessing. I did not want him to feel threatened by Nidal. They both needed to work on their relationship. They were, after all, cousins.

Nidal did not even bother to look at his cousin, not once. In fact, he ignored him totally. At least they were not fighting today. All wounds heal over time, and I was sure that their relationship would survive this downfall someday.

After breakfast, Nidal and I took a stroll out in the rose garden. Nidal held me close to him as we walked and inhaled the fresh air. I looked around at the little wonders of the world. A butterfly flapping its colorful wings as it flew over a pink rose. A bunny hopping into the bushes chased its little friend joyously. Flowers bloomed in all their glory, showing off their colorful coat as they intertwined with each other, reminding me of Nidal and me, embraced by love. Little birds chirped as they flew playfully around us, and my gaze followed them around the garden. They stopped at the bay windows of the palace, and that was when I noticed Billal gazing out the window at us.

He did not look too happy. My heart went out to him. I looked up at Nidal and saw he was looking in the same direction I was. I felt him tense, and I immediately reached up and kissed his lips to reassure him that he had nothing to worry about. When I threw a quick glance back at the bay window, Billal had disappeared.
Why is life so complicated?
Sometimes, I wondered what lessons are being taught to us when we suffer. I hated to see Billal hurting so. I wished I could take his pain away. It did not seem fair to me that some people had all the luck in this world and some suffered throughout their miserable lives.

We walked throughout the rose gardens and then wandered off away from the palace. It was such a lovely day. Nidal pulled me gently off the road, and we ended up in a meadow. It was so beautiful that it took my breath away. It was full of trees of all shapes and sizes and flowers in full bloom in all shades of bright colors. We continued to walk across the green grass until we stopped under a willow tree.

This tree, I was told, was three hundred years old. It held a lot of secrets throughout the decades.
How many lovers had kissed here? How many duels had been exercised under this tree? How many friends had revealed their innermost feelings here? How many maidens had given up their reputations here?
There must have been a thousand and one stories to tell if the willow spoke a thousand words. But it just stood here, straight and proud, allowing it to be a stepping-stone for anyone who wished to use it, a quiet friend that spoke not of all it has heard over the years but loaned its bark to lean on to any passerby who wished to rest under it.

Nidal pulled out a carving knife from his pocket and carved a heart with our initials inside of it on the tree. He was so romantic, this prince of mine. He made me feel like a schoolgirl all over again. It was such a beautiful feeling. Our lips met once again as a drop of rain splattered on my face. We both looked up just in time to see the rain come pouring down. It was all so sudden. We stood under the willow and tried to stay dry, but we were soon dripping wet. The rain smelled so good. I looked up at the tree and spotted a few birds taking refuge on some branches. Looking around, no one was in sight except for the endless green pastures. We were the only ones within miles from here.

Nidal reached below my waist, grabbed my wet gown, pulled it over my head, and took it off. It happened so fast that I did not have time to dispute it. I was not wearing a single thing underneath, much to Nidal’s delight. Then he took off his clothes, and we were both under the willow tree, stark naked.

Nidal’s hands worked their magic as they slid down and caressed me lightly. He dropped down on the wet grass and pulled me to him. I lay on top of him, feeling his groin ready to take what belonged to him. We made love out here in the meadow, under the willow tree. The warm raindrops splashed on our heated bodies as we enjoyed the fruits of love. It was such an experience as nothing we ever had before. Wet, spent, and exhausted, we lay in each other’s arms and allowed the rain to dance on our skins. It was a nice hot day, and we welcomed the rain as it splattered all over us.
It cannot get any better than this
, I thought with a satisfied feeling.

After a while, the rain eased up, and the sun came out, shining its way through the sky and on to our bodies. We dried quickly and put on our damp clothes. We just lay under the willow tree, admiring the beauty in front of us.

I leaned my head against Nidal’s chest and closed my eyes. I pictured mine and Nidal’s children running across the meadow playfully. Maybe a little boy who had Nidal’s charms and good looks and a little girl who looked like me. That would be all I would ever ask for in this lifetime. I had everything else.

“What is on your mind, Loula? You are so quiet. Is something bothering you?” Nidal asked, patiently waiting for a response.

He always wanted to know everything. I sighed. I did not like to share everything on my mind. I felt like a child when I was always told to say everything that I was thinking and not allowed to keep some treasures for myself.

So I lied. “I was just admiring the view and enjoying being here with you, Nidal.”

There. That was easy.

“You are keeping your thoughts to yourself, Loula.” Nidal was frustrated. “It must be something you don’t want me to find out about,” he accused as he pulled up his body and leaned against the willow tree.

“Will there ever be a day that I don’t get accused of something from you, Nidal?” I was hurt. “You seem to always want to say hurtful things. You must accept what I say as the truth and stop trying to figure me out, Nidal, because it will hurt our relationship if you continue this way.” I tried to make him see reason.

But Nidal was Nidal, and he was one of a kind. I knew he would not change. I had to accept him for who he was because I loved him so much. “Nidal, stop stressing when there is no need for it. Just live your life with me and be happy. Always think positive, and you will see how that can change your life,” I said simply.

Nidal tried to analyze my words of wisdom, but he had trouble understanding them. I looked up into his face, and he seemed troubled with thought as he sat there quietly. “Nidal, I love you so much. I need you to understand this,” I pleaded.

“Loula,” Nidal moaned my name as if he were in pain, “whether I understand it or not isn’t the issue here. What’s at stake here is bigger than understanding your logic. I think I love you more than you love me, and that hurts,” he whispered painfully. “I am always feeling this when I am around you lately. I know I cannot exist in a world without you. I’d rather kill myself than live without you,” he moaned and ran his fingers through his hair.

He shifted his gaze toward the sky. I looked up, and far away over the rolling meadows was a rainbow. Its colors were brilliantly displayed for all to see. I rolled over from my sitting position and stood. I looked down at Nidal, square in the face.

“Nidal, I too love you more than life itself, and I know you know this. You just want to hear me say it again and again,” I laughingly accused.

Nidal pushed his body up and stood in front of me. His face got serious as he reached over and pushed the falling strands of hair away from my face. “Maybe it is what I need to hear to feel satisfied, Loula,” he said softly.

“Nidal, you will never be satisfied! You need me to constantly remind you,” I said laughingly. “So here I go. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, and I love you! There. Do you feel better now?” I teased.

Nidal just stood there staring at me, and suddenly he grabbed my shoulders, pulled me closer, and kissed me with such passion that he almost bit my lips. I matched him, a kiss for a kiss, as our passion reached the heights of the blue sky. No matter what, I knew that I loved him so much that I too knew there was no life for me outside his embrace.

Life is good
, I thought as we strolled back to the palace. The sun was about to set. We had been gone for most of the day. From a distance, I noticed the queen was sitting outside with the king and a few of his men. As we got closer to the palace, Nidal’s steps quickened, and his hand tightened around mine when he saw the king’s facial expression. The king himself looked mad, but the queen had a satisfied grin on her lovely face. She looked happy to see us together and in love.

As we approached them, the king did not waste a second. “Where have you been?” he asked furiously. “I called a meeting hours ago. Nidal, you know how important the meetings are!” he barked. He shook his finger in his son’s face. “Have you no respect for your king, your soldiers, and your country?” He turned flamboyantly and marched into the palace. All his men quickly followed him, including Nidal, but not before kissing me and whispering for my ears alone his love for me.

I watched him leave my side with sadness, knowing he would not return to me until early morning. I turned and looked at the queen apologetically, and she smiled at me with understanding.

“I have not forgotten what it feels like to be in love, Loula,” she said sweetly. “The king will get over it, and as for your prince, he will be back before you know it.” She took my hand and pulled me toward the rose gardens. “Have you ever visited the gardens at night?” she asked sweetly as I followed her quickly along the brick path.

Torches were lit along the garden’s path, and as we walked, I saw the fountains, magnificent structural gems, that graced the gardens with beauty. Roses of all colors sprayed their perfume in the air, and all this beauty took my breath away. The queen turned to look at me, and I smiled in approval of all I saw.

The queen tugged my hand to follow her, and she led me to a place behind a big rose bush. “This is where Nidal hid from me when he was a little boy and knew he was in some kind of trouble,” the queen said sadly. “Now he is all grown up, and his attention is elsewhere,” she said helplessly. “It’s not easy being a mom and watching your beloved child grow up and replace you with someone else.” She turned and faced me. A tear slowly rolled down her face, and then she smiled. “I’m so glad he brought you to us. The king and I love you so much. You are a beautiful addition to this family.” She gave me a warm, sincere hug.

Her words touched me. I felt welcomed in the palace, and it was good to know that the queen mother liked me. I hugged her too. I was glad that Nidal’s parents finally approved of me. We strolled in the gardens awhile longer before we decided to call it a night.

Chapter Eight
Loula

T
here was silence in the room when I woke up in the morning. Nidal was not in bed with me, and I looked around the room for him and saw him standing by the window. He kept running his fingers through his hair. I heard him sigh a couple of times as he stood rigid, staring out into the gardens.

I kept silent, knowing he had a lot on his mind. Something was bothering him, and I needed to know what it was. But knowing Nidal, he did not share stressful information with me, saying he loved me too much to upset me with stuff like that. But I had to know. I wanted to know everything that occupied Nidal’s mind. I guess I was turning into him, needing to know and understand him fully and in every way.

As I was getting out of bed, Nidal turned, and I saw the pain in his eyes before he quickly covered it up by throwing me a loving smile. We both walked toward each other and hugged. I felt loved and safe in his embrace. Our lips met, and he quickly scooped me up in his arms. We both landed back in bed, but I needed to talk to him and not get distracted by his kisses, so I pushed him away from me gently.

With a serious tone, I said, “Nidal, stop it! I know you are trying to distract me. I see you suffering, and I can’t stand it anymore. Have I caused this pain that I see in your eyes? Have I disappointed you in any way?”

Nidal’s expression on his face was full of love and concern as he grabbed me by the waist, pulled me close, and locked me in his arms. “No, my love,” he whispered softly. “It has nothing to do with you. I was just thinking about the meeting last night.”

His strong arms tightened his hold on me, and he brought his lips down on mine. This was his way of avoiding answering direct questions, and this angered me. He shared only the information that suited him and withheld the rest. I wiggled out of his embrace, tipped my head back, and looked him square in his eyes.