A Joy That Portends Disaster

That morning the sun appeared with its bright golden light to announce the beginning of a new day and illuminated every corner of the palace. Yes, it was Al-Ameri Palace

which was ranked among the most luxurious palaces in the country, and inside one of the rooms of the palace this Yasmin slept in complete quiet (but this quiet would not last, dear reader 😂) only to wake up in pain, for there was someone sitting on top of her.

Yasmin said in pain and annoyance: "Girl, have mercy, I've told you a million times to stop waking me up like this. Do you have nothing to do except bother me?"

Malika said laughing: "What can I do, you said it yourself, I've got no one but you..." Then she looked at her with sadness and slyness and continued: "And besides, Yasmin, is it my fault that I wake you up early so you can have breakfast and not be late for all your errands, bride? Ha ha..." Then she looked at her questioningly and continued: "And besides, I want to know, are you not convinced that you're a bride?"

Yasmin said sarcastically: "No, you angel with wings, you never do anything wrong. Honestly, you've made me feel sorry for you, so I'm going to get up and kiss your head, just one second..." Then she grabbed the pillow and threw it at Malika's face... and continued: "And besides, just because I'm a bride you wake me up this early in the morning? What kind of bride am I, a sugar-doll bride?"

Malika said laughing: "Whoa, whoa, my friend, are we betraying each other now? But anyway, I'll let that slide. Come on now so you won't be late."

Yasmin said, exasperated and out of patience: "Girl, what time is it now?"

Malika, looking at the clock: "It's six thirty."

Yasmin said in shock: "Six thirty? May God deal with you, woman! All our errands start at ten and you got me up at six and tell me so we won't be late?"

Malika said thoughtfully: "You know what, you're right..." Then she counted on her fingers like a child and continued: "So that leaves 1, 2, 3, hmm, three and a half hours left. Okay, fine, get up so we can have breakfast so you'll have some energy, bride," then she winked at her.

Yasmin said, out of patience: "May God deal with you, woman, it's like I'm not even talking to you at all. Move, move, let me get up and do my ablutions and pray the morning prayer and be done with your nagging. And besides, why are you winking like that, you shameless girl? It's just a katb al-kitab."

Malika said laughing triumphantly: "Yeah, come on, get up. You people only respond to tough love. And besides, katb al-kitab or engagement, it doesn't matter, the important thing is you're a bride, zaghrouta! Hahahaha"

Yasmin looked at her angrily.

Malika said, backing off: "What, should we make it the purple eye then, would that work for you? I think I'd better save my skin before I get killed. Peace be upon you," then she immediately ran out of the room.

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(Yasmin) had green eyes and brown hair, was of medium height, with a lovely personality but somewhat stubborn. She was 24 years old, in her final year of engineering college, and she was the eldest daughter of the Al-Ameri family.

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(Malika) was Yasmin's cousin. Her parents had passed away, and she and her older brother lived in Al-Ameri Palace with her cousins. She had innocent green eyes and brown hair, and she resembled her cousin greatly, but her personality was very childish and cheerful. She was 23, also in engineering college.

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Malika left Yasmin's room then knocked on the door of another room, but this time she entered with complete respect and quiet.

Malika said with a beautiful smile: "Good morning, my dearest Amto Wafa in the world."

Hajja Wafa said with a smile: "Good morning, beautiful Malouka, you flatterer."

Malika said laughing: "Even you, Amto? Okay then."

Wafa said: "No, habibti, who else would we talk about but you? Tell me, did you wake Yasmin?"

Malika said: "Of course, would I miss that? The whole house is awake now. I went to each of them one by one until none of them can stand me, hahaha."

Wafa said laughing: "And where is Layl now?"

Malika replied, feigning shock: "Layl? No, him in particular I can't go near. I'm still too young to die, Amto. But anyway, he's been awake since early, training in his room, and he'll definitely come down on time. Only you are left, Amto."

Wafa said with a smile: "Okay, habibti, you go down and I'll finish my morning remembrances and come right down after you."

Malika said: "Okay."

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And on the other side, in a room far from all the rooms of the palace, a room devoid of colors, for it had dark, muted colors as if it resembled its owner, where he sat catching his breath after the harsh training he had done, then he got up to go to the bathroom to shower and get ready to go down, but the sound of soft knocking stopped him.

Layl said: "Come in."

Zain said: "Good morning."

Layl said: "Good morning."

Zain said with a smile: "Ready, beast?"

Layl said sarcastically: "As if it's my katb al-kitab that's happening. The important thing is that you lot are ready."

Zain said laughing: "You're right, by God. Don't worry, they all woke up early and Dada is preparing breakfast and they're all gathered at the table, no one is missing but you."

Layl said calmly: "Alright, you go down and I'll come down after you."

Zain said: "Okay, waiting for you..." Then he went outside.

Layl also went to shower and get ready to go downstairs.

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(Layl Al-Ameri) had sharp brown eyes like a falcon and a broad build. He was extremely athletic. He was 30 years old, the eldest brother of Zain and Yasmin, and ran the Al-Ameri Company with his siblings and his cousin, and was considered the mastermind and mainstay of the family since his father's death.

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(Hajja Wafa) was the mother of Layl, Zain and Yasmin. She was 60 years old, an extremely kind and affectionate mother.

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(Zain Al-Ameri) had brown eyes and black hair and a broad build as well. He looked very much like his elder brother Layl; they differed only in personality. He was 28 years old.

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And after a short while, they were all sitting at the dining table.

Malik joked: "The food, Dada Fathiya, quickly, please, I'm a groom and my appetite is wide open and I need to be well-fed."

Zain said sarcastically: "Oh please, give me a break, is that what a groom looks like at all?"

Malik said laughing: "Honestly, no, but don't embarrass me, that's just how I am, especially in front of my bride. Anyway, I'll get you back, Zain Basha..."

Then he looked at Mother Wafa and added: "Good morning to your beautiful eyes, auntie, you light up the place. No one in this house is convinced I'm a groom except you, I swear."

Wafa said laughing: "A groom and the finest of grooms at that, but if we're being honest, you're the one who lets them pick on you."

Malik said: "True, auntie, it's because my heart is pure and tender."

Malika said laughing: "Your heart is a gold ashtray, hahahaha..." Both Malik and Malika laughed, then they stopped laughing suddenly when they saw those eyes looking at them like a falcon, as if ordering them to fall silent immediately.

Layl said somewhat seriously: "Are you done joking? Can we eat in peace now?"

Malik and his sister Malika looked at each other and said in unison, "Yes, sir, at once." Everyone stifled their laughter at those mischievous siblings whom no one could control except Layl Al-Ameri.

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(Malik) had brown eyes and was of medium height. He did not exercise regularly and was the elder and only brother of Malika and worked with his cousins in the Al-Ameri Company. He was 28 years old, the same age as his cousin Zain, but his personality was very different, as he loved to joke.

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Wafa said seriously: "Did you call your brother Salem, Layl, to confirm with him?"

Layl said confirmingly: "I called him and checked on him and confirmed with him, and he booked the plane tickets and is coming in time for the katb al-kitab, God willing."

Wafa said: "Alright, habibi, may he arrive safely, he and his wife and his son. I miss him so much and I can't wait to see his son Faris."

Yasmin said: "Well, I've eaten, praise be to God, Malika and I should just go run a few important errands before our appointment. Come on, Malika."

Malika added while eating and filling her mouth with food: "Wait, why are you in such a hurry? Are we going to fly? Let's focus on the food first."

Yasmin said laughing: "Alright, get up, you monster eater, be ready in a minute. I'll wait for you in the garden."

Malika said grumbling: "Can't a person eat in peace in this house?"

Zain said: "I'm also going to get up and go to the company to take care of a few things until it's time for the katb al-kitab."

Layl said calmly: "Alright, I'll catch up with you, but take Yasmin and Malika on your way to wherever they're going, and I'll have the driver catch up with them because I'm sending him on an errand."

Malika said happily: "What, Zain is going to drive us? Okay, I'm done eating, praise be to God, let's go..."

Everyone laughed at this crazy girl, whose intense love for her cousin Zain they all knew about, but he was the only one who did not know and saw her as just like his sister Yasmin, merely a child.

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(Outside)

Malika went to Yasmin.

Malika said: "Yasmin, we're sisters and best friends, right?"

Yasmin said slyly: "Mmm, and then?"

Malika said: "So be a good sport and sit in the back and let me sit in front, God bless you, please, may God grant you success."

Yasmin said laughing: "Alright, alright, you're going to beg. Fine."

"I'll let you sit in front, but on one condition: you never come wake me up again, ever."

Malika said happily: "Of course I agree, as if you don't even live with me in the house at all."

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(Back at the palace)

Layl said: "I'm going to the company, and you, mister, aren't you going to go to the company and get to work too?"

Malik said: "There is no god but God, guys, what do I have to do to prove to you I'm a groom, put a sign on my clothes to remind you I'm a groom?"

Layl said with the same look and without any expression: "And then?"

Malik said fearfully: "Nothing, go ahead and I'll be right behind you. What groom anyway?... I'll go down and get to work too, I'm sorry."

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Everyone went to the company and time passed until the awaited hour arrived.

In the bride's room

Malika said: "Wow, I finally lived to see you as my brother's wife, and now I'll be your cunning auntie, hahahaha."

Yasmin said laughing: "Oh shut up and get up and zip up my dress for me."

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(And on the other side, in the young men's room)

Malik was wearing a towel and dancing to the song "By God, I'll love you to death and love Pisces."

Malik: "Come on, guys, help me put on the shirt and suit."

Zain said sarcastically: "What, are you paralyzed? Dress yourself."

Malik: "(in Mohamed Henedy's voice) What's this, what's going on, I swear, I swear"

"This is unacceptable, I'm the groom and I have the right to be pampered. Get me someone to pamper me."

A voice came from behind him:

Layl: "You want someone to pamper you? With pleasure."

Zain laughed: "Here he comes, the one who'll really pamper you properly."

Malik, feigning fear: "Pamper what, man? Shame on you, we're too old for that stuff. Where's the suit so I can get dressed?"

Layl laughed: "You should have said so from the start. Here's the suit."

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Downstairs, the maazoun and only the close guests had arrived and the celebration had begun, and in Yasmin's room

Yasmin nervously: "I'm so scared and nervous, Malika."

Malika: "Why? You're gorgeous, and honestly, tell me, is my brother Malik someone to be scared of?"

Then the sound of knocking at the door cut their conversation short as Malik entered with a wide smile, adding in amazement: "God has willed it, how beautiful you are, Yasmina."

Yasmin shyly: "Thank you."

Malik: "What do you mean 'thank you'? Does a wife say 'thank you' to her husband? Call me 'my love.'"

Malika said with a wink: "Oh yeah, love is on fire in here, huh?"

Malik said: "Whoa, whoa, what are you doing in here? Get out, girl!"

Malika said with a laugh: "Fine, fine, mister found-his-love-and-forgot-his-sister — I'm leaving."

Malik said: "I can't believe it, my Yasmin, that you're finally going to be my wife. I swear it feels like I'm dreaming, or some bratty kid is going to come running and slap me and tell me to wake up."

Yasmin said shyly: "No, you're not dreaming, don't worry, it's real."

Malik said: "Then give me a kiss so I can make sure it's all real."

Yasmin said angrily: "Excuse me?"

Malik said with a laugh: "No, I'm just saying, come on, quickly, the guests are waiting..."

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(Downstairs)

Wafa said: "Layl, your brother still hasn't arrived — can he really still be on the road all this time?"

Layl said with some worry: "Don't worry, Mama, God willing he'll be here any moment now..."

Then the house phone rang and Zain went to answer it. Only seconds passed before his whole face turned to shock as he said: "What are you saying? When did this happen? Are you sure?!"