He was torturing himself and he knew it, cursing himself for being such a fool…
Dark, hungry, and almost predatory eyes watched as Hasna-Kamilah walked through the crowded marketplace with her friends as they went about their errands. A swell of longing surged up in Ardeth's beleaguered heart as his gaze skimmed over the oval shape of her face that was hidden by her burqa, and then lingered on the graceful hand that held additional fabric in place.
Ardeth stepped back into the shadows as he continued his forbidden surveillance of the woman who had so effortlessly captured him. Her regal bearing and winsome grace had been carefully hidden by her mother and aunts, lest it attract the unwanted attentions of a suitor. Her captivating eyes and alluring mouth held an endless fascination for Ardeth, and had led him to wonder what it would be like to sample the sweet taste of her lips.
Lips as red as a pomegranate and skin as soft as silk…Ardeth ached to touch what would never be his…what had been promised to another…
From the moment he had been re-introduced to Hasna-Kamilah, Ardeth had felt as if his soul had finally recognized its mate; the missing piece of his heart. It was truly a blessing from Allah that her frivolity and gentle demeanor had eased the troubling tension that permeated the meeting. He had been grateful for her teasing distraction and astute observation of his discomfort, enabling him to act accordingly in the presence of the Elders and her father as the petition for marriage had been submitted.
Stolen moments…chance meetings…Ardeth tried to reach for what would forever elude his grasp…
To see Hasna-Kamilah as a vibrant young woman of the village had been a shock to Ardeth, considering he had always remembered her as a gangly and awkward little girl. He had been initially drawn to her innate sense of humor, and her ability to make even the most arduous of tasks fun. Now he found himself coming up with the most pitiful of excuses to be around her, and her betrothed, until finally he could no longer hide behind the pretense of dignity and decorum. He wanted her as badly as he knew she wanted him…the urge to seize what he had considered his grew strong within Ardeth, until he was finally forced to take drastic measures ensuring that he would never embarrass Hasna-Kamilah, her family or her intended.
He tried to avoid her…tried to forget about the brief stolen moments in time when they had talked…or laughed…or had gazed wonderingly into one another's eyes…
Ardeth's life had suddenly dwindled down to denying the strong attraction they both felt for one another. Hasna-Kamilah loved him, and the temptation to marry him was strong. So strong that the possible ramifications of her impetuous actions would ruin the lives of so many. Her social standing within the Medjai community, the same status as Ardeth's, would not protect her from the wrath of the Elders. Her disobedience would extract a high price…one that Ardeth was uncertain she truly wanted to pay. The chains of duty were nonexistent…the laws of their people held no authority…Ardeth could have Hasna-Kamilah, granting both their personal preferences. And yet he did nothing. He resorted to watching her from afar, desiring a future that was not his for the taking. "Ija, Hasna," one of the veiled young women called out and beckoned for her to come over to the stall. "Never have I seen such lovely bolts of fabric before, truly they are worthy of being used to complete your wedding wardrobe."
Ardeth's eyes narrowed in speculation as the young women gathered around the vendor's stall, chattering excitedly and holding up various lengths of damask and silk for display. He seized the unexpected opportunity and materialized from the darkness, reaching out and snagging Hasna-Kamilah's arm as she hurried by. He quickly covered her mouth lest her scream of fright alert her friends to his presence and hastily pulled her against him, once again melting within the shadowed alleyway. To her credit, Hasna-Kamilah didn't cry out or struggle; her bravery in the face of adversity was an attribute that Ardeth had come to greatly admire. She remained stiff and unyielding until Ardeth turned her around, and then with the speed of a striking cobra, she lashed out with her foot and kicked Ardeth in the shin.
"Ruffian!" she cried and kicked out again. "Cur! Pig! Shame on you…" "Ow! Hasna, it is I…ow!" Ardeth tried to dodge the next blow, doing an awkward dance as he tried to maintain his balance.
"…harassing a poor innocent woman in the market place," Hasna-Kamilah ranted and raved, lifting her robes to deliver another strike to what she believed to be her assailant's ankles. "Enough!" Ardeth shouted and grabbed Hasna-Kamilah's arms. "It is Ardeth," he gritted out between clenched teeth and gave her a little shake.
Hasna-Kamilah blinked in surprise as the tension abruptly left her body; she sagged for a moment and then stiffened again with the shameful realization that she wanted to impulsively throw her arms around the handsome but foreboding warrior that stood before her. "Ardeth," she breathed as she nervously glanced up the alleyway to make certain no one could see them. "What are you doing here?"
Ardeth felt a wave of sorrow pierce his heart as he watched the myriad of emotions dance across Hasna-Kamilah's face. Fear of discovery conflicted with joy, delight was tamped down and defeated as practicality took over, and Hasna-Kamilah took a step backwards. His greedy gaze drank in the sight of her, committing the vision to memory in the hopes that it would sustain him in the long, lonely nights to come. "I have come to say farewell," he finally replied, his voice sounding hoarse and hollow.
Hasna-Kamilah arched an eyebrow in surprise from the announcement. "Farewell?" she echoed and then shook her head. "I do not understand. Where are you going?"
Ardeth shook his head as a wan smile danced across his face. He reached up and tenderly trailed his fingers down her veil covered cheek. "Ah, ya hulu Hasna, your candor and curiosity may get you into trouble someday. I pray to Allah that your husband-to-be will be able to handle and appreciate this aspect of your charming personality." Hasna-Kamilah blinked in surprise from his caress. "You know who my betrothed is, Ardeth," she stated quietly. "And you have given Kedar and I your blessing for the union. Flattery will not make me forget my question – where are you going?" "Hasna-Kamilah, where are you?" a feminine voice suddenly called out over the din of the market place. At the same moment a tall and imposing warrior appeared at Ardeth's side, his dark eyes sweeping over Hasna-Kamilah in a swift perusal and immediate dismissal. "Ya ra'is, we must go," his voice rumbled up from deep within his broad chest, sounding like distant thunder.
"Ardeth?" Hasna-Kamilah asked and reached out to touch the sleeve of his robe.
Ardeth offered Hasna-Kamilah a small sad smile as he adjusted his face covering. He motioned to the other massive warrior that he would be along shortly, and then turned back to the one woman he had ever wanted…and had decided to let go. "Kedar Ishaq is a fine man, an exceptional warrior. He will be a good husband for you…" he faltered as visions of Hasna-Kamilah as a happily wedded young woman flood his mind. She was surrounded by her children, all of them happy and healthy, resembling their father in their behavior, favoring their mother in their coloring. "Kedar is your best friend, Ardeth. You cannot leave without saying your farewell to him," Hasna-Kamilah said and held her hands in supplication. "At least tell me where you are going so I can inform Kedar."
"Hasna-Kamilah, is that you?" the same voice asked as she now stood in the entrance to the alleyway.
Hasna-Kamilah turned to reply to her friend and knew in that instant that Ardeth had disappeared. She spun around and was saddened to see her suspicion confirmed. Alone, she sighed and gathered her robes about her as she walked towards her friend. She paused before stepping out into the crowd, and searched for any sign of the elusive warrior she had known since childhood. The chosen one…the leader of the Medjai…warrior for God…protector of man…
"Peace be upon you, Ardeth Bay, and may He grant you your own heart's desire, and soon," she whispered. "Just as He has granted mine." She placed her fingertips against her lips, kissed them and then brought them down in a gesture of goodbye. As Hasna-Kamilah was absorbed back into the crowd, surrounded by her friends as they escorted her to the fabric vendor, a pair of dark eyes watched her leave… …and reflected on the choices made…the loss of a love…the friendship between warriors…and the uncertainty of what his future may hold.
A/N - I know I've said in the past that I wasn't going to add on any more snippets but this was part of a writer's challenge on the mb that I moderate. And the premise to write a snippet or short story based on this:
He must be in love - or lust [lust works too] with her
She must be strongly attracted to him; whether she is in love with him or not, she's tempted to marry him.
She's a natural born Medjai, no Europeans or Americans in immediate bloodline, and in the same social standing as Ardeth.
No duty or otherwise keeping either from marriage, or forcing into one. They're free to choose by personal preference.
And preferably, but not absolutely required:
She is not a warrior but rather an ordinary Medjai woman
And finally, it should include these words:
Regal… Frivolity… Fun
I think I did pretty good and many thanks to my beta, Serena, for her help. Ali, here's your short story, I hope you like it. ;-)