A Blind Marriage On Paper

Jurnee and Salman met right after they turned sixteen. King Muhammad flew to New York on a business trip. He brought his wife and Salman with him to celebrate their son’s birthday. Jurnee and her father were there waiting for them to arrive. When Salman walked off the plane and his eyes met Jurnee’s, the two were intrigued by each other. So much so that they were inseparable during his time there. Jurnee took him sightseeing every day, and besides breakfast, they ate every meal together. The day came for Salman to return home; he dreaded telling her, so he kept delaying the news until the night before. Jurnee cried and wrapped her arms around him. Salman was wrapped around her. Also, he promised her that they would always be together. Jurnee rode with him and his family to the airport. They were locked around each other until the last minute before the plane took off. Salman asked her if he could kiss her. He chuckled when she said, "If he didn’t, she’d die." That was their first kiss. King Muhammad was standing at the plane's door, watching the young couple. He regretted bringing his son to New York. He never expected the future King of Saudi Arabia to fall in love with a beautiful American girl. He motions for one of the guards to bring his son on the plane. When the guard interrupted the Prince and Jurnee’s kiss, Salman was angry and warned the man to stand back or feel his wrath. The man steps back and looks at the King. The King is stunned as he looks at his son walking inside the plane. His son’s behavior concerned him. Nazya, Salman’s mother, is looking out the window at her son walking toward the plane. He wiped his cheeks and took a deep breath as he walked up the stairs. When she looked at Jurnee, she felt sorry for the young lady, with tears running down her cheeks. Salman sat in a window seat and looked at a crying Jurnee until he couldn’t see her. **** Present Jurnee is the CEO of DePaiva Enterprise and the only child of Chamblee DePaiva. The main branch is in New York City. Jurnee works in Paris at a smaller branch of her father’s company. She is her father’s pride and joy. Her father’s wife, Lorraine, died of cancer two years before Jurnee was born. He vowed then that he would never remarry, but he wanted a child. Chamblee thought about adopting, but he wanted a child that had his blood running through his or her veins. One day, when he was interviewing for a maid position, a beautiful young woman came to interview for the position. Chamblee thought that Arliss was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, next to his departed Lorraine. Instead of the maid position she applied for, he offered her two million dollars to have a child with him the old-fashioned way. Arliss jumped at the offer. She thought that deep down, once the child was born, Chamblee would marry her. The day Jurnee was born was the last time she saw him. Chamblee raised Jurnee as a single father. He does date occasionally, but no one has captured his heart. Chamblee is concerned about his daughter and the Prince’s relationship because of their different beliefs about marriage. He was hesitant about his daughter dating the young man, but finally agreed to allow it. He would deny her that after looking into his daughter's eyes. All he saw was love for Salman. Chamblee hoped that the couple would marry; if not, he would be there to help her through the pain. He had confidence in his beautiful, strong daughter to deal with that situation and hold her head high. **** At first, Jurnee and Salman saw each other once or twice a year. That was when Salman traveled to New York. When the pair turned eighteen, Jurnee started traveling to Saudi Arabia three times a year, as Salman would travel three times a year to Paris to visit her. Jurnee opens her eyes, looking at a pair of hazel eyes staring at her. The handsome man kisses her nose. “Good morning, sleeping beauty. I was beginning to think that I would have to wake you up. My father is expecting us in forty minutes.” She takes a deep breath. “I’m not getting a good feeling about this. Jurnee rushes to get dressed. She knew that it would be impolite to keep King Muhammad waiting. She glances at the handsome olive-like complexion and low-cut black hair. He is wearing a white thawb, bishit, and a three-part headdress, which is the traditional clothing that Saudi men wear. Salman walks into the bathroom and holds up a white abaya and a shayla. "My forever love, I know you're not particularly fond of this attire. But wear it for me. At least my mother had you a white one made instead of the traditional black that the women wear here." Jurnee folds her arms and frowns. "I'll wear it for you. Do you think your father has changed his mind?" She's sliding the abaya over her head. " I'll wear a croker sack if I have to.” “You would still be stunning in a croker sack.” He wraps his arms around her. "I hope so. He and my grandfather had a long discussion about us last night. My mother said my father came to bed furious. " He turns her around and kisses her forehead. " Juju, regardless of what happens, you will be the only one to have my heart. I love you." She lays her head against his chest. "I will only love you too." **** Nazya, Salman's mother, is pacing in her room. She knows how hard-headed and cold-hearted Sazin can be. Sazin is Salman’s grandfather. Even though he doesn’t sit on the throne, his input still goes a long way with his son. King Muhammad feared losing face and his father’s respect if he went against him. She has sent Maha, her court lady, to eavesdrop on the meeting. She jumps every time she hears a noise. Nazya only wants her son to be happy, and Jurnee makes him happy. That is marrying Jurnee on his and Jurnee’s conditions. Nazya is King Muhammad’s first wife. The King has four wives and a total of seventeen children. Salman is her and Muhammad’s oldest son, and they have three daughters. Salman is also the only son of Muhammad, so he has a lot of weight on him. **** King Muhammad is also pacing, but in the majlis. He loves his son and Jurnee. Muhammad is cursing in his head when Salman and Jurnee walk into the room. He manages to smile while admiring that she is dressed in their traditional clothes. He points for the two to sit down. The King has his hands behind his back, pacing in front of the couple. Salman is holding Jurnee’s hands as they are looking at his father. Muhammad stops in front of them with his back turned to them. He takes a deep breath and turns around. He is about to say something when his father walks into the room and stands in the doorway. Muhammad glances at his father and then at Jurnee and Salman. “I'm not against the two of you getting married. But Jurnee cannot give birth to the heir of our country. Salman will have to take another wife from our country, and her child will be the heir. I know that you two are against my son having more than one wife, but that is how our culture is, and I cannot change that.” He looks at his son. “Not even for you. I’m sorry. Jurnee, I love you like a daughter. But I stand by this decision. I'm the King, and no one can change my decision.” Muhammad looks at his father. Sazin nods his head and backs out of the doorway. Jurnee felt as if her heart had just sunk. But she can't let the King know she's hurting. She nods her head and bows to him. Salman grips her hands and also bows to his father. “There is more news. In three months, my son will search for a bride to give him an heir. Salman will be married before the end of the year. Let me know your decision. I understand if you need time.” Muhammad tilts his head, looking at her. She raises her head. “Your Highness, I do not need any time. I will never share my husband with another woman. I love Salman. I have loved your handsome son since I first saw him walk off the plane. I respect myself too much to share the man I love with another woman. “Jurnee looks at Salman. “You know that I can’t do something that I don’t believe in.” She kisses his cheek. Salman gently places his lips on her and whispers, “I love you. I’ll never give up on us.” He looks at his father. Juju and I have discussed whether you disagree with us having a committed marriage instead of a polygamous marriage, as you and my ancestors have. Juju will stay here with me; then she will leave on the day that she had planned. But let it be known that if she ever needs me, I’ll be there. I don't care how many wives I have. Juju will be my number one priority. You may relay that message to my grandfather.” Salman stands up and helps her up. “We’re going for a ride and will not return to the palace tomorrow. “ The King stares at the couple walking out of the Majlis, thinking, “Damn it, what have I just done?” **** Maha is out of breath when she runs into Nazya’s bedroom. Nazya hands her a glass of water, looking at the woman impatiently. A few minutes pass before Maha can speak. She tells her everything that the King told the Prince and Jurnee. She even mentions that the former King was lurking around and waiting for the King to deliver his answer to the Prince and Ms. Jurnee. Nazya waves the woman out of the room and mumbles. "He just put a hole in our son's heart." “My dear, our son is furious with me.” Muhammad walks into the room. “My father is right. I couldn’t allow the heir to the throne to be half-American. I went against my father and offered to let them still marry." She is looking out the window at Salman and Jurnee riding out of the gate side by side on their horses and holding hands. “It seems that your father is still the King instead of you. Maybe one day you will be King.” "Nazya, you will not speak to me that way. I have always let you get away with more than the others. But I won't tolerate this from you. My decision has been made. Jurnee is a wonderful young lady, but I can't allow her child to overstay in my country." He is yelling and throwing pillows across the bed. "Oh, I see. Is it that you can't allow it, or is it your father who won't allow it? Muhammad, I have never gone against you before, but our son loves that young lady. You just destroyed him." She turned to look at him. "Well, all of this will be over with soon anyway. Jurnee refuses to marry him since he has to take another wife. Why is she so damn stubborn?" He sits on the bed. She's walking to the door. "Stubborn or respecting herself. I believe there is a difference. The only reason why I accepted your other wives is that is what was instilled in my head. Jurnee is an American. That is not the way she was raised to think. Stubborn? You should look in the mirror." "I can't seem to be able to get a break," He yells and rubs his forehead. **** Nazya is met by Sazin. He smirks and holds his hand up to stop her from walking past him. “Nazya, don’t go against me on this decision. It’s done. You are the mother of my only grandson. Therefore, I give you the highest honor and respect. But if you do one damn thing to force my son into agreeing to that nonsense that Salman has let that young lady install in his head. Then you will give me no choice but to take away many of your privileges and ensure that you will not be respected as the first wife or the Queen. Do I make myself clear?” She is gripping her abaya. “My husband has given them his, or should I say your, decision. So, there isn’t anything that I can say or do to change that. I only have one thing to say. Salman isn’t slow-minded at all; he knows that all of that came from you. The man he has loved, respected, and admired all these years. How do you think it will affect how he treats the man who took the woman he loves away from him? Do you know that he proposed to her on her seventeenth birthday with his father’s blessing?” Sazin is looking in disbelief. “I take it that you didn’t, nor have you ever looked at Jurnee’s finger. She’s wearing my engagement ring on it. The one that his grandmother wore. Do you remember her? Your first wife.” Nazya shook her head. “As you said, it’s done.” She walks away. “Damn, I might have lost my grandson’s respect. He’ll get over it one day. The throne is what is most important.” Sazin is thinking.