Chapter 44:The End

2 years later…
Bond Street, London.
She opened the curtains, as if lightening had blossomed into the steadiest of comforting glows, comes the sunny day. She heaved a sigh as she looked out the window; it was bright, burning her eyes but she didn't care enough.
It was a sunny Saturday, filled with thrilling and remarkable voyage ahead. Today was Mahir's thirty-fifth birthday and she had something planned for the three of them… just her, Mahir and Naylah, their baby.
It was a set-up, at the beach just few blocks away from their new home in England.
The view before her was breath-taking. It has become a daily routine for her to just wake up, open the window and stare at the view until Naylah or Mahir interrupts the only alone time she has.
Bushra had never in her twenty-seven of years met people as clingy as Mahir and their one year old, Naylah. The only time she gets for herself is when she wakes up early before them, or when Mahir is at work or go on a business trip while Naylah is with her nanny or she's sleeping. Besides that, they're always with—all over her.
Suddenly, she felt his arms loop around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She closed her eyes and leaned back on his broad chest. She lets out her breath, surrendering to his touch as his hands caress her tummy. She swiftly held his hands as she felt the butterflies churning enthusiastically in her.
If only he knew…
She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. She smiled up at him, staring for a moment before she tiptoed up and kissed his lips. 'You're up already?" She said to him.
'You opened the curtains, Bushra and I woke up. I know you did that on purpose," she said jokingly. His hands caressing her back, down to her butt. He shoved his face into her neck and sniffed in the sweet scent of oud—he always loved doing that. He gently left small kisses on her neck as she giggled.
'I didn't do that to wake you up, babe… it's almost noon and… happy birthday."
'Wait… it's today? Work must've made me forgotten my own birthday," he said, making his way to the bed to fetch his phone.
'You always say that, every year. I don't see myself forgetting my birthday… ever."
'Ha! Wait until you have to handle four companies in different countries," he said to her as he scrolled through his phone. He had bunch of missed calls and texts from so many people he didn't care to call back—not when his family is around. They always come first.
He dropped the phone and walked back to where he left her. He wrapped his arms around her as she looped her arms around his torso, resting her chin on his chest. With yearning expression, they stared at each other.
'I appreciate you, always. You know that, right?" He made a reminder.
She smiled happily and nodded. 'I know. That's why my love for you multiplies whenever I stare into your eyes. Shows nothing but pure love and honesty."
His heart warmed up to her words. He loves it whenever she expresses her feelings to him.
Just three years back, who knew the greatest enemies would turn out to be the best lovers ever?
He loves her, from a place inside that he never knew existed. She has saved him in a way he never knew a person could be saved. She's the only one he wouldn't mind losing sleep for, the only one who he could never get tired of talking to, and the only one who crosses his mind constantly throughout the day.
He's the only one who could make her smile without ever trying, bring up her mood without the intention to and affect her emotions with every action of his.
There hasn't been a day that they stopped wanting each other and they haven't gotten out of each other's heads at all since they met—since they confessed…
He ran his fingertips down her back, leaving a trail of goose bumps. She leaned closer to him and closed her eyes. It was magic, the way his lips connected to hers. Reminding her of their first time at the balcony, in New York. They night had left so many memories that she would never want to forget.
They pull apart when they heard a soft knock coming from the door.
'Your daughter is up," she said, making her way to the door. 'Hey baby," she chirped in, scooping her away from her nanny.
'Good morning, Ma'am. She has eaten and I've given her a bath," they nanny told her. 'Oh, I can see that; the tutu dress and the big belly," Bushra spoke squeakily as she tickled her chubby tummy and kissed her cheek.
She dismissed the nanny, closing the door behind her.
Mahir offered to take her but Bushra declined. 'Go take a shower… today's a big day full of surprises and we have a lot to do."
Mahir chuckled as he shook his head. 'I hope it's not something crazy like the last time," he nagged, making his way to the bathroom.
Bushra laughed it off, having a reverie of his thirty-fourth birthday. She took him sky diving without knowing that he was afraid of heights. It was funny—the whole Mahir Dan-Musa was afraid of heights. After forming bold, arrogant and bossy.
It took her the time of the world to persuade him to hop on the plane and drop down thousand feet above. It was a great experience for her though she gave birth few months before, but it was a terrible event for Mahir. He threw up for two days straight blame her for every trivial discomfort or unusual circumstance that happens to his body.
It was funny but she had learned her lesson and chose to do something safe and peaceful. Though, she wasn't quite sure if he'd like what she has planned for him. Especially the part where she has to announce a very unforeseen news.
She took a deep breath and exhaled out—she could feel a churn in her tummy… just wasn't sure if it was only fear that's making her to feel that way.
**
Ruislip Lido Beach, West London.
5:00pm
Bushra grinned the moment they arrived and gained access to the open space she booked for them. It was an hour drive from their home, but it was worth it—she could tell by the looks on Mahir's face.
He looks around the empty beach; there was an already settled table with two seats, a large hammock, roses everywhere, red led lights…
'Happy Birthday, Baby!" She exclaimed, hugging his torso. He smiled excitedly, thinking of the effort she had offered to put everything together just for him.
She's indeed the keeper of his soul and the holder of his heart.
'You did all this… for me?" He'd forever find it difficult to believe that he actually has someone that truly loves him for who he is not for what he has.
'We've decided on forever, right? So, I'd do what it takes to make you happy," She dedicated, looking up at him. 'C'mon, there's plenty of surprises I have for you," she cheers and pulled his hand towards the table.
They settled down and she called in for their food. 'We have to eat first before anything, right?" She said, taking a forkful of her meal.
**
'Ok, Ok my turn… would you rather be infamous or unknown?" She asked, anticipating his answer. They've just finished eating half an hour ago and started playing ‘Would you rather'. And so far, they were enjoying the silly questions they've been asking each other.
'I would rather be unknown. It's exhausting," he said and breaths out air.
She threw her head back laughing, knowing fully well what he goes through now that he was ten times famous than he was for the past two years. Dan-Musa Global Trust is more known that it has ever been. In such short period of time, he has achieved so much—launched two new companies abroad. She could never be more proud of him for how he has been working so hard to make sure his family is comfortable.
'Would you rather go back ten years into the past or go forward ten years into the future?"
She shoulder shrugs—'this is so easy. I would rather go forward and see how the future would be, where we'd be in ten years. I have zero regrets on my past so future it is…" she finished off with a grin.
'Would you rather have a thumb for tongue or a tongue for a thumb?" She could see the annoyance in his face. She had already won the game three times before they've even gone far."
'Your questions are so weird and unfair. Pass…" he took the slice of lemon and instantly winced at the soreness.
'I learned from the best… you…" she stuck out her tongue at him.
'Let's play a different game, shall we?"
'Yes please," he said and heaved a sigh of frustration.
'Truth or dare?" She said and he paused for a moment to think of the right answer. 'Truth, can't that take risk with you."
Bushra laughed, a very appealing, purely feminine sound. 'I'll go easy on you, I promise."
'Who are you most jealous of and why?"
'Haha, it has to be Naylah… whenever she's around, she has all your attention, plus she gets the mommy-milkers whenever she wants."
Bushra gasped in disbelief. She threw her head back laughing, falling on her back off her chair. 'You.. you cannot be serious. Aww common, stop being such a baby." She cooed, getting up to hug him. 'You were my first love and you are still my first love, nothing changes that, okay?" She spoke with pledge as she hugged his head to her chest. He closed his eyes and smiled mischievously—this was exactly what he wanted and his has gotten it.
'Plus, Naylah no longer has them, so… you still got'em."
He smirked and shook his head.
She settled back down and they went on with the game until the last question she asked.
'What do you think about while in the shower?" She asked him. He smiled playfully and answered without any hesitations. 'How to get you pregnant again… I mean immediately. Just that I doubt if you'd want that to happen so soon."
Her heart dropped to her stomach and her stomach churned. Her whole body didn't know how to react, it just shut down. She froze to a point where she was hardly breathing. The sandwich she had eaten not long ago threatening to gush out of her. She felt sick… happy sick if that was a thing.
'You um…" Her voice falters. 'You want another baby?" She finally asked the question.
'I know it sounds insane especially what you've gone through giving birth to Naylah and she's only one year and a month. But it's your body and your choice, so I can't…"
'I'm pregnant," she blurts out, cutting him off.
He pauses for a moment, trying to register what she had just told him. 'What?" He whispers out in disbelief.
'Surprise…" she chuckles nervously. His shocked expression wasn't helping the matter. He wasn't talking nor giving her a sign that he was happy or not.
'I… I wanted to tell you when I found out last week but I was afraid you weren't ready for another baby. I don't even know how it happens but all I know is that I've missed taking my pills and lots of doctor's appointment…" It was all so weird. Her chest was still constricted and her stomach was flipping, and she couldn't tell if its from Mahir staring into her soul or the pregnancy hormones kicking in.
He got to his feet and helped her up. Her breath was taken away, not from the light squeeze but from the realization that his arms were finally around her. She breaths out, releasing the tension that had built up in her chest. She hugged him back, burying her face in his chest—this was what she needed.
'I love you… I love you so much. I love Naylah, I love the unborn baby already. I am so so happy about this, Baby."
She felt a tightening in her throat and the water works immediately began their work. 'I was so scared that you weren't going to accept the baby," she cried out, hugging him closer. 'But now you've proven to me that you're such a supportive husband and the best father any child could ask for."
He took her off-guard by joining their lips together, taking her breath away but she never cared. Reality faded as his lips moved with hers. His breath was hot as his kisses trailed down her neck. His hands held back as she arched, begging for more.
He chuckled softly and pulled away. 'Best we save that for later," he suggested and laughed, nodding her head.
He hugged her closer and kissed the top of her head. It was a moment of exceptional bonding.
'Hey, so this means we're not flying back home for the wedding, right?"
She immediately raised her head up to look at him. She furrowed her brows. 'Of course, we are. We haven't been home for more than three months and everyone is missing Naylah. Plus, I promised Sadiq we were coming."
He heaved a sigh of defeat and nodded. Anything she wanted; she gets it.
'Anything you say."
'This Is Us. Blended and Blessed…"
THE END…
Book Completed: 18TH JULY 2022.