‘Ready.’ Without waiting for his reply, I step through the open door.
Beyond, the courtyard is secluded and intimate by virtue of high, pale stone walls. A large wooden arbour stands at the end of a length of ivory carpet, its edges sprinkled with pink-tinged rose petals. Glass hurricane lanterns light the way through the lowering daylight. And beneath the heavy canopy of deep green vines and candlelight, stands my husband.
My Kai.
As my toes touch the carpet, my eyes feast on his appearance and devour his lean angles and casual grace. Clean shaven, his dark tousled hair is brushed back from his face throwing his high cheekbones into sharp relief. As I draw near, his eyes reflect my devotion, shining in their amber lustre, and with each of my measured steps, I feel the weight of his love shining in that gaze.
This is the moment.
And this is forever.
Niamh takes my bouquet as I reach the arbour. Our small party of five closes behind me and the priest steps into place.Is he a priest? A minister? A parson?I’m not sure of the correct address, though he could be an actor, resplendent in vestments stolen from a fancy dress shop, for all I know.
Kai holds out his hand, guiding my body and lips into his. His lips touch mine, gossamer light and my eyes fall closed as his touch steals the breath from my lungs.
Distantly, someone masculine clears their throat.
‘We haven’t gotten to that part yet, I’m afraid.’
The smattering of soft laughter causes my cheeks to heat as our lips separate.
Words are then spoken. Words of faith, without affiliation; pronouncements of the sanctity of marriage, without deference to religion or creed.One God. One love. And as Kai glides a delicate band of diamonds onto my finger, we are decreed joined.
A brief ceremony but more than I could ever have imagined. Though if asked to recall my favourite part, I doubt I’d be able to repeat one word until, that is, my head is cupped in Kai’s palms, his gaze intent on my own.
‘I’ll call you my wife, not because we are married, but because you are everything to me. You know me better than you imagine, better than anyone in this world, in fact, and yet somehow you’ve still decided to love me. I will remain true and by your side because you are my everything.’
I don’t have a prepared declaration—no carefully worded vows, but he might’ve plucked those words from my mind. So I repeat to him the one thing that matters most.
‘I love you, Kais Al Khalfan.’
He kisses me then, thoroughly, and in that moment I know soulsdomeet on lovers’ lips.
Arm in arm and wreathed in smiles, we leave the courtyard, our guests following behind.
A perfect ceremony, and I’d’ve been happy for it to have ended right there; maybe an intimate dinner with our family before escaping off alone somewhere. But that’s not the Khalfan way. Theadanis called from nearby mosques, the melodic tenor as fitting a backdrop as any. We traverse a maze of bay trees, entering into a clearing festooned by fairy lights. Circular tables sit at one end of a larger courtyard. A raised stage housing a band sits at the other, the pale sandstone flooring in between designated as a dance floor. White linen, white flowers, candles and green vines; the whole effect is understated and utterly gorgeous.
Our guests stand as we enter, clapping and cheering, some scattering petals as we pass. It seems the Dubai glitterati are out in full force tonight, only this time, I feel like I’m one of them, rather than the odd one out.
The evening passes in a blur—the sun setting on the horizon blazing gold and apricot, making way for twilight and the oncoming night. A magical night filled with the scents of jasmine and illuminated by twinkling lights and a million stars beyond.
‘Darlings, I’m so incredibly happy for you both.’ Wreathed in wide smiles, Mishael kisses us in turn. ‘Can I steal your bride for a little while? We should show our faces in the banqueting hall.’
‘What’s going on in there?’ I ask, slightly panic-stricken at the thoughts of having to ingest more food.
‘In deference to the more conservative of the guests, we’ve reserved areas for segregated gatherings, for those who felt unable to attend the mixed event,’ Mishael adds.
‘Separate for women and men?’
‘Yes. We ought to pop in and show the ladies how beautiful you are. Kai will come and join you in a little while. Right, darling?’
Kai’s smile is a little sad. ‘I don’t relish giving her up.’
‘Me either. Last time Geoff stood on my toes!’
‘That’s because you both have two left feet,’ he teases. ‘But if I must, I must. I’ll follow you invery—’ twining our held hands behind my back, he kisses me. ‘—veryshortly.’
Mishael gathers my mother and Niamh and the four of us take a private elevator to some distant floor. As the doors slide open, the cool air is a welcome respite; although the weather is lots more gentle this time of year, especially the evenings, it still is pretty warm.
