His name was Omar.
He was older than most, calm and gentle. He did not chase her with gifts or silly promises. Instead, he listened when she spoke. He asked about her dreams, not just her beauty. When he sent her letters, they were full of kind words. When they walked together, he never tried to touch her face. He never begged to see her without makeup. He simply held her hand and talked about life, about tomorrow, about building a home.
This made Nadiraa feel safe.
With Omar, she was not afraid. She thought, At last, someone who will not question me. Someone who loves me as I am.
And slowly, she began to love him back.
Days turned into months. Nadiraa and Omar were always seen together. They ate at quiet places, walked in gardens, shared long talks under the night sky. Omar never troubled her. He never asked for more than she could give.
And Nadiraa loved that about him.
For Nadiraa, this was enough. She believed she had finally found the one man who would never leave her.
So when Omar asked her to marry him, she did not hesitate.
She said yes.
Their wedding day came with laughter and music. The hall was filled with light. Nadiraa looked like a goddess. People whispered to each other, “How can she look so perfect?”
Omar stood tall, smiling with pride. He took her hand as if she were the most precious gift on earth.
The vows were said, the rings exchanged, and the crowd clapped with joy. Laughter, dancing, and cheers filled the air.
By evening, when the guests were gone, the music had faded, and the light had grown dim, Nadiraa and Omar entered their room together, husband and wife at last.
Now it was only Nadiraa and Omar in their new room, with soft light and burning candles.
Omar was filled with joy. He laughed as he lifted her in his arms, carrying her across the room.
Nadiraa smiled, but pulled her face slightly away whenever he leaned too close. She had done this all her life. No one could touch her face.
But Omar did not notice. He only laughed louder and said, “Tonight is ours. I have waited so long, and nothing else matters.”
Then it happened.
His foot slipped on the long carpet.
He lost his balance.
In an instant, Omar fell, his head striking the edge of the wooden bed. The sound was heavy. He dropped to the floor and went limp. His eyes closed.
Nadiraa froze.
For a moment, she could not breathe.
Then fear shattered her.
She dropped to her knees beside him. Shaking, tears spilled down before she could stop them. They rolled across her cheeks, carrying tiny streaks of powder with them.
Nadiraa pressed her hands against his wound, crying loudly.
“Omar, wake up. Please don’t leave me. Not tonight.”
The room was quiet except for Nadiraa’s cries.
Her hands shook as she pressed them against Omar’s head. Her tears fell faster, sliding down her cheeks, leaving dark, uneven lines where her powder began to wash away.
She did not notice.
For the first time in many years, she forgot about her face. All she saw was Omar lying still on the floor.
“Please, God, not tonight,” she whispered. “Don’t take him from me. I can’t be alone again. I can’t.”
Then Omar groaned.
His fingers moved.
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