Omar

Life is nothing but a series of moments.

I may never be a perfect man, or have the perfect life, but with Madi, I knew I would always have the perfect moments.

Moments like the one where I finally saw her, standing across the road from me, as my wife, my soulmate, my guiding light. Her beauty and grace hypnotizing me. Even as it elated every fiber of my being, and fired off every nerve ending in my heart and brain.

I saw her, in her black work pants and turquoise silk button-down shirt, waiting for the pedestrian signal to turn green. Then I watched her hurry across the road. Her beautiful curls bouncing on her shoulders, her mesmerizing eyes focused on mine. She wasn't smiling, but her face was awash with a mixture of relief and longing. A second later, I felt her softness engulf me, as her arms wrapped around me and her exotic scent tingled my senses, bringing me out of my trance and back into the moment.

The perfect moment, where the two of us stood in a sea of travellers, embracing each other. Able to do so without hesitation, because we finally belonged to each other as God had intended us to.

I tightened my arms around her body, drawing her closer. She buried her face deeper into my chest. I buried mine in her thick, soft, curls, breathing in the fresh, flowery scent of her shampoo.

And we stood there, without a word, because words can never adequately describe a perfect moment. Such moments can only be felt deep within our souls. And so, we stayed still, our hearts beating for each other, our breathing rapid but in sync. We were one, two parts that made up a whole, and we had gotten there despite the world around us.

I have no idea how long we stood there. Or who was around us. But eventually she pulled back and looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears, even as her enticing lips turned up into a slight smile.

"Omar...", her voice was so soft, so sweet, I desperately wanted to cover her lips with mine. But this was not the place for it so I tore my gaze away from her lips and looked into those pretty dark brown eyes instead.

She gently placed a hand on my cheek and whispered, "I missed you so much"

"Come here...", I pulled her back into my arms, not willing to let go of that perfect moment just yet.

My voice was thick with emotion when I whispered in her ear, "I missed you more, Madi"

Her arms tightened around me again as her body melted into mine, and I closed my eyes. Silently praying to God to never let our love be diminished and to always protect my wife, the love of my life, from any adversity.

I could have stayed like that with her forever, except her pager went off, forcing us to pull apart again.

"I need to call this back", Madi said as she finally broke into a smile, "I can do that from the car though"

She grabbed my carry on, and let out a small laugh, "How much stuff did you bring back? I thought guys didn't travel with much"

I pulled the two larger suitcases behind me and carried my backpack to the car, as I replied, "All my things fit into that carry on. These bigger bags have your things in them...that Ami sent"

"My things? Oh my God she is so sweet...", Madi exclaimed before gushing over how much she had enjoyed having Sehr in Chicago and talking with my mom on the phone. Things that seemed impossible two weeks ago when I had left for Pakistan.

Life can be so magnificently unpredictable...

I drove Madi's car while she called the number on her pager. And then she went right back to chatting about how smoothly everything had gone off at the Nikah, and updated me on the plans for our Reception and Rukhsati later that evening. I tried to pay attention when she said something about Noor and Salman acting weird, but soon got sidetracked thinking about the way her luscious lips moved when she spoke and smiled, and I wondered what it would feel like to kiss her mid-sentence.

Maybe it will stop her nervous random chatter, and she'll tell me how much she loves me...or she would turn bright red and stop talking altogether...bold or shy...you never know which of my wife's personalities will come out!

She was talking about the patient that kept her back in the hospital and something about mosquitoes and a viral infection when I finally started absorbing what she was saying.

"The mosquitoes reminded me of you...", she glanced at me, her cheeks starting to get a hint of pink in them.

I had to laugh at the absurdity of that analogy, "How big were those mosquitoes that they reminded you of 6 ft me?"

That made her laugh, her authentic, straight-from-the-heart kind of laugh that had always warmed my heart. We had stopped at a red light and I gave into the temptation to reach out and place my hand on her cheek, stroking it gently with my thumb making her look at me with her lips parted and her cheeks bright pink.

"I love your laughter...", I told her, as her eyes fluttered and she leaned into me ever so slightly.

I want to kiss her so badly...

But then the car behind us honked, forcing us to break out of that moment and back into reality. Neither of us said anything for the next few minutes. But as we turned onto the street that would lead straight to my apartment building, she said in a quiet voice, "The mosquito wasn't supposed to be on the 40th floor, but somehow it got there. The woman had probably never imagined she would have gotten bit by it, but she was. Just like you were not supposed to be in this residency program, yet somehow you ended up here. And I never thought I would find someone to love at my workplace, yet I did"

We had reached my building and I parked her car in the visitor's parking spot before smiling at her again, "I get it now...I am like a mosquito in an elevator"

She laughed softly, drawing my attention to those lips again. I could feel my muscles tense up, thinking about what I wanted to do with her, when she spoke out again in almost a whisper.

"I can help you take your bags upstairs...before I go to Papa's house"

I desperately wanted to be in a private place with her. But we didn't have much time left before the start of the reception, all the way out in the suburbs. And I would have brought that up if it hadn't been for the way she was gazing at me. Her sultry lips parted again, as her eyes framed by those long eyelashes lowered to focus on my lips briefly before she looked up to meet my gaze again.

She wants this too.

That realization took away any self control I had.

That's it...she is my wife, there are no barriers between us now, her parents can wait

'That would be great, thanks", I muttered as I quickly got out of the car and took my bags out.

We grabbed the luggage and headed in. A large family, complete with little kids and a crying baby were already standing at the elevators when we got there. The doors opened and we let them get into the elevator, fully intending to catch the next one.

I needed to feel her, caress her, touch her...now. I needed a freaking empty elevator.

"We'll catch the next one", I heard Madi tell the family in a breathless voice.

"No, no...we have enough room in here...come on in!, the father said in a warm, loud voice as he ushered his kids into a corner.

Madi looked at me for a second, but then walked onto the elevator. And I had no choice but to follow.

We were going to get off on the 25th floor, the family was getting off on the 11th. That meant 14 floors of being alone.

Ok...14 floors should be plenty of time for a brief kiss on the lips...right?

I don't know, it's not like I have ever kissed anyone before

But the doors first opened on the 3rd floor instead, and in walked Mrs Patel. My 70 year old next door neighbour who recognized me immediately and proceeded to position herself between me and my wife.

Oh come on...

"Omar, you are back from visiting your family!", she exclaimed, "How was your father?"

"Good...Mrs Patel, he recovered", I replied to her, trying to hide the impatience in my voice.

But then I felt like my words had come out more rudely that I had expected so I also added, "Thank you for asking. I hope you are keeping well"

She nodded at me but kept on eyeing Madi suspiciously, as we all rode together in an awkward silence. Finally, as we reached our floor and stepped out, she asked Madi, "Who are you? And what are you doing with Omar? He never brings girls to his apartment...he is a very decent boy"

Mrs Patel is worried about my chastity...now?...seriously?!

Madi looked at me and chuckled. But before she could say anything, I answered for her, "It's ok Mrs Patel. She is my wife. I got married two days ago. But is there anything we can do to help you right now?"

I was desperate to get into my apartment...and Mrs Patel and her suspicions about my private life were not going to stand in my way.

"No...", she said, but I was sure she had plenty of other comments to dole out to us, so I quickly said goodbye to her and led my wife down the hall towards my apartment, leaving my neighbour standing there staring at us.

"I like Mrs Patel...", I heard Madi laugh, but that didn't slow me down.

I was on a mission and I intended to accomplish it...right away

The door clicked open, I pulled my luggage in and Madi followed, closing the door behind her. Shoving the heavy luggage in a corner, I turned to look at her. But she seemed to be frozen in place. Her back was against the closed front door, her gaze on me unfaltering. Her seductive lips moved subtly with each hastened breath.

"I didn't tell you this earlier...but I really like your apartment", she said in a small voice, as her eyes broke away from mine and wandered to the large windows in the living room with a view of the city and the lake.

"Our apartment...Madi, it's our apartment", I reminded her, closing the gap between us.

She gave me a shy smile, "I like our apartment"

Her innocence, her voice, the way she was looking at me...were all doing things to me I couldn't even express in that moment. But they all drew me to her, closer and closer till her intoxicating smell enveloped me again. Till I felt lost in the love and adoration emanating from her captivating eyes, and the warmth of her body lit a fire inside me that I could barely contain.

She reached out and ran her fingers through my hair, closing the final few inches of gap between us. My lips hovered just above hers, when I heard myself moan her name, "Madi..."

"Kiss me...Omar...", she whispered.

That was the permission I needed, before my mouth crashed onto hers, and my arms slid around her petite waist holding her in place as I felt my body pushing hers against the door. My lips felt coarse and rough over her soft, plump ones. But she met every stroke of my tongue with equal fervor, deepening our connection, heightening the intense passion of the moment.

We pulled apart, to catch our breath, and she whispered in her tantalizingly hoarse voice, "I love you...so much"

I tried to put some words together, but all my senses were completely and utterly overwhelmed by the emotions this unbelievable woman was invoking in me. So instead, I pulled her close to me again, placing my lips on the crook of her neck, reveling in the feeling of her silky, smooth skin. I unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse, trailing my mouth down to her collar bone, making her moan my name this time.

Her hands dipped under my shirt, gliding over my abdomen, making my muscles twitch with pleasure before she pulled my shirt off completely. I too had hurriedly reached out to open the rest of her buttons, when I noticed the wild and lustful look in her eyes.

A sudden realization hit me then, and I broke contact with her skin taking a step back.

She looked perplexed, even if she looked more sensual than any woman could possibly look, with her bright, pink lips and wide brown eyes, and her bosom rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. I averted my eyes from her white lace bra that peaked out through her open shirt.

What the hell am I doing?

"Madi...wait...we have to stop", I took a couple of more steps backwards.

"What? Why?", Madi asked, a distraught look coming over her gorgeous face, "Do you...do you not find me attractive?"

What?

"Oh my God, Madi...why would you think that? Especially, after what just happened. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and I swear...I can't get enough of you...", I quickly pulled her into my arms again and kissed her forehead

"It's just that we need to be at the reception soon...and we haven't had a Rukhsati yet...", I started to explain

"I don't care, Omar...Rukhsati is just a cultural event, we are already married", she looked at the clock in my kitchen, "If I can leave in 15 minutes..."

But I had to interrupt her and cupped her face in my hands, "Madi...you have rights over me, if you want to go all the way right now, I will go with you. But I want to savor our first time, I want to feel all of you, every curve of your body, I want to make you feel things you have never felt before...and that will take more than just 15 minutes..."

She was blushing a deep crimson color which made her adorable freckles stand out, and I could feel my own cheeks burn after what I had just said. I never thought I had it in me to talk so freely about being intimate with her. But I needed her to know just how intensely I was attracted to her and why I was pulling back now. I needed more time with her. Time to do the things I couldn't stop myself from thinking about on my 20 hr flight here. Not to mention, I didn't want to go completely rogue on cultural traditions either.

"I hate it...when you are right...", she broke out into a small smile, and I reached out to button up her shirt.

But she moved back and started to button it up herself. Then she laughed and looked away from me, "For God's sake, put a shirt on...and I need some water"

We could have both used some cold water, to calm ourselves down. So once we were fully clothed I led her to the kitchen, thankful that I had cleaned up before I left. The lack of usual kitchen counter clutter is probably why she noticed the brand new espresso machine, still in its box that was lying next to the sink.

"Since when have you started drinking enough coffee that you need an espresso machine at home?"

"It's not for me...it's for you", I told her. I had bought it one day when I was feeling especially dejected and pessimistic about our future. It had been my way of rebelling against the universe, a way to show that I was determined to make this apartment hers...even if no one else in the world agreed with me.

She gave me a sweet smile, and moved closer to me, tempting me to place my lips on her again, "I have to admit Omar. I never really thought you would be such a romantic person. I mean most desi men are not..."

I pulled her even closer and put my hands on her waist, lifting her up onto the kitchen counter in front of me, her legs spread around me. She put her arms on my shoulder, clasping her hands behind my neck.

"I never thought I would be either. But...you make we want to do things and say things that are completely out of character for me", I placed my lips on her perfect jawline, then trailed them to just below her earlobe. I could feel her carotid pulse, quick and even, matching my own.

"You bring out parts of me, Madi...I didn't even think I had, and I can't ever thank you enough for that", I told her as I felt her fingers weave through my hair and her legs tighten around my waist.

She was breathless again but pushed me back playfully, "Omar, if you don't want me to drag you to bed...stop making me feel things"

"Then stop being so fucking irresistible...", I blurted out, already craving the feel of her heated skin.

She looked at me for a couple of seconds, biting the side of her lower lip, as if trying to fight temptation. Much to my delight, she gave in, pulling me closer again.

"One more kiss...then I need to tell you something before I leave"

Tell me something?

But her lips were already on mine, lightly caressing them, delicately tasting them, like she was relishing the long overdue union of her moist, heavenly lips with my hungry, desperate ones. Once again, I found myself lost in her. Her warmth, her sensuality, even her boldness, taking me to heights of ecstasy I could never have imagined. And I knew, the best of that feeling was yet to come...tonight.

When she pulled away from me, she was flushed, but her eyes were bright and mischievous.

"I can't wait for this reception to be over...", she whispered.

Damn it Madi...stop making this so hard

I had to pull her into my arms again. But one more passionate kiss later, I helped her down from the kitchen counter. She really did need to leave now, otherwise we would be extremely late and I wasn't sure I wanted to face her parents' questions on why that was.

She was gulping down her water, when she stopped suddenly and looked at me uncomfortably, "By the way...Faraz may be at the reception..."

"What? Why? No way in hell is he coming there...", I looked at her aghast.

"Omar...", she interjected calmly, "I know it is not ideal, but he is my sister's brother-in-law. He will always be a part of my family. And we have to move forward"

I wanted to think that I was not one to lose my temper easily, but the mention of that man had always irked me in a way that it was difficult to stay objective, and right then had been no different, "He tried to take you away from me Madi...I don't bloody trust him near you..."

"But I am yours now, Omar, unquestionably yours. Look at me...", she tenderly placed her hands on my cheeks, "No one can take me from you now"

The only thing that calmed me down was Madi, and her love for me. Love that was deep, and real and unrelenting. And she was right, I had already won!

"Fine, but if he so much as looks at you in the wrong way...he will have to deal with me. And I am not going to care who he is or how he is related to you"

She nodded, but before she could reply my phone rang. It was the security guard at the entrance of my building, letting me know that my guests had arrived.

"Oh shoot...Yes, James. I completely forgot to let you know they were coming. Please let them come straight up", I told the guard.

"I completely forgot that I had told Salman and Noor to come here first", I explained to Madi.

The original plan had been to have Noor go to the suburbs after getting off from work to meet up with Madi and her sister, and a friend of Noor's was going to be looking after Ayah. But after Madi got delayed in picking me up from the airport, I figured it would be easier for Noor to just ride with Madi from my apartment, while Salman could come with us as part of the 'baraat' (groom's side of the family). That had been a good plan, and I had meant to update Madi, but as Salman soon pointed out, I was a bit busy with other things.