Getting married is like taking a leap of faith. No one really knows what will happen, it can either be good or bad and the face behind the mask gets unveiled after getting to live under the same roof for long.

Rufaidah is mildly surprised at how Al'amin treats her like an egg for two days that they started living together as man and wife. She kept insisting that she is well rested and he keeps saying that she's not, she still need to regain her strength. Mama sends food three times a day so none of them had to cook or order take out.

"What will my Malikah want to do?" He asked removing his cap shortly after he came back from the mosque.

"What do you suggest we do? Should we go and visit our parents?" She asked innocently making him laugh so hard.

"They might think something is wrong. We are not to visit them until after a month or two. That's what newly married couple do" he teased with a poker face and since she's not privy to all those details she believed him.

"That's too long Malik. Please we should go after a week. At least they will be happy to see us"

Al'amin sat beside her hugging her to his side, he took a sniff of her body mist making her shiver before pinching her nose "you're such a baby Noor. I wonder why you act matured one moment and act like a new born the next" he entwined their hands together, drawing her as close as he can get her to his side as her heart beat accelerated.

"I want to do so many things to you Noor, I've dreamt and fantasized on having you here with me, in our own home, loving you, making you happy, pampering you, making you laugh, I can barely stop myself from actually showing you how much I love you but you're being cute and innocent and it fuels me up " He whispered huskily in her ears.

Rufaidah couldn't say a word, she started trembling in his arms. She understand what Al'amin meant by his words but she will never show him that she did because God knows she's scared of what will inevitably happen sooner or later. She might as well use her time well before his patience wears thin.

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"Noor Al'amin, The Malikaah of her Malik " Zuby's chirpy voice hits Rufaidah's ears a month after their wedding while she was cleaning the kitchen shortly after her husband left for  work.

"Allahu yahdiki Doctora. How are you and everything? You guys are pure evil, none of you think it is important that you check on me huh?" She pouted as if Zubaidah can see her.

"Are you sure you wanted us to come seeing that you are in your honeymoon phase and all. We decided that we don't want our innocence to be taken away from us. Hence, why we didn't even think of visiting you Noor"

"What do you mean by that? I hate you 99.9% of the time wallah"

"Don't tell me you are still like us?" Zuby gasped in horror.

"Like what? Am I supposed to change into something? What the hell are you talking about?"

"You look smart, but you are dumb 99.9% of the time. Have a good day bride" she retorted before clicking off the call. Laughing to her heart's content.

As Rufaidah is making dinner with so much love in her heart and questions in her mind, she mulled over what her cousin just said. What is her husband waiting for? Why is he holding himself back even though it clearly shows that he want to exercise his conjugal right on her. Should she give him the go ahead? Tell him it's okay even though she is scared but then it's Al'amin, he won't hurt her, not deliberately at least. He has been treating her well during the one month they spent together alone, he is attentive, caring and down to earth. She knew he is a bit funny but not to the extent that he showed her. He is religious too, never miss fajr nor qiyam al lail, he is conscious of his aakhirah more than he is of the world and it makes her proud that she is going to spend the rest of her life with a good man like him.

He kisses her forehead every chance he gets, peck her cheeks but always avoid her lips. He blows azhkars all over them every night before he cocoons her in his arms which is now her favorite place. He picks out clothes for her while she's in the bathroom, help her put on her necklace, surprise her with threats when he goes out and compliments every little thing she does.

They visited their family the 2nd week of their marriage and had so much fun. Yaya Shams teased her to his fill. Mama is still the same caring Mama she knows, nothing has changed in the way she treats Rufaidah, she even gave her some condiments as a gift before they left hand in hand whispering sweet nothings during the ride back home.

Just then, an idea came to her mind. If Al'amin can't take what he wants, she is going to give it to him. That's the least she can do to show him that she trust him, loves him a lot and is willing to do anything that makes him happy. She hurriedly arranged the table, washed the utensils she used, made sure that the kitchen looks like it hasn't been used during the day, burned some incense and went into her room to take a bath, pray and get ready to receive her beloved Maalik.

Meanwhile, Al'amin closed from work earlier just to come home and see his Noor, but then he can't give in to his urges so he decided to branch over to his in laws and seek the counsel of his closest friend who happens to be the brother of his wife. He knows that Shams is a cool guy and it won't be awkward.

"You look worried man, what happened ?" Shams observed after they exchanged pleasantries sensing that something must be wrong for Al'amin to visit him instead of going home to his wife.

"I don't know how to tell you this but am in a fix and we are more friends than in laws. Promise me you're not going to make me feel awkward or embarrass me in the future" he rambled, removing his cap to wipe off the sweat trickling down his face.

"Woah, whatever it is, must be pretty intense for you to be this worked up. In shaa Allah I will offer you my best advice and pretend it never happened the moment you step out of this house" Shams said, sitting opposite his friend.

"It is about Noor. We have been married for a month now and am finding it harder to stop myself from making love to her. I don't want to hurt her you know, but I can't help the attraction I feel towards her, am a man after all and it has come to a certain stage am scared of going home so as not to lose control and ... You know " he racked his hands through his hair in agitation and Shams listened attentively.

"If I understand what you are saying Al'amin is that you haven't consummated your marriage with my sister and you are scared of going home simply because you don't want to do just that. Rufs isn't sick is she? And as a woman you can't expect her to come to you and tell you to take what you wanted, she's naive and young and never had friends apart from Reedah and our cousins so she doesn't know all these if you don't teach or tell her but I'm sure that she knows what happens between husband and wife.

It is actually funny that upon all the love and I can't live without you looks you gave each other during your wedding my sister isn't pregnant with your child. As your friend and brother, I suggest you keep all these unnecessary thoughts of hurting her aside, talk to her, make her understand how it works or whatever and just get on with it man. She is your wife bro. Own her" he patted his back stifling  a laugh and feeling proud of Al'amin's strength. He knows that if it were him, he can't even wait a day, but this too good to be true kinda man is still scared after a month.

Al'amin thanked him and left, saying all sorts of duas in his mind for control. He don't want to mess things up with Noor. He want her to trust him completely first but then Shams is right. Maybe consummating their love will strengthen their bond.

Rufaidah thought that Al'amin will be home before she comes out of the bathroom. She dialled his number but it was off. Not wanting to panic just yet, she rummaged through her lingerie section looking for a perfect dress to wear. She found a see through knee length strapless dress which will serve the purpose she has in mind. She happily came back to her vanity to get ready. She put on a light make up just as he likes it, spritzed as many perfumes as she can lay her hands on and combed her black wavy hair leaving it to fall on her shoulders. She brought out some scented candles and light them up before doing the last minute check on everything.

She came back to the living room spraying a different room fresh with her phone in hand trying to call her husband again when she heard the rustling of door and his Salaam afterwards. She replied with a huge welcoming smile on her face forgetting about her appearance and the fact that she's supposed to wear an after dress over it. Al'amin was shocked to see his Noor dressed like that but he hid it well opening his arms wide for a hug.

"Welcome home Maalik. You look disturbed babe, what's wrong?" She asked touching his face.

"Nothing just had a hectic day" he replied avoiding the topic and the fact that his mind is telling him to ravish her there and then because she looks enticing in that dress and her scent is teasing his senses.

"Yahsalam. You're not going there tomorrow then, call in sick and rest. I don't want you to be stressed out. I called your line earlier but you're off" she led him further into the living room holding his suit case in one hand and his hands in the other.

"As if that will be possible. I would want nothing but to be here with you all day everyday. But we have to eat hence the sacrifice of being without you for some hours each day. Your boss told me to tell you that your break is over" He gave her his signature wink she's getting accustomed  to.

"Tell my boss that I actually have a phone and can choose to either come back or stay at home to take care of my husband" She retorted.

She asked if he wanted to take a bath first before dinner or the latter before the former. Al'amin was listening to her but his mind is on her lips, so instead of giving her an answer he dragged her to his lap and for the very first time connect his lips with hers in a subtle kiss.

"Am sorry, you look so beautiful I can't help myself" he started to apologize. The answer he got was Rufaidah connecting their lips together giving him full access. When they come up for air, he picked her bridal style, food, bath and the whole world forgotten but the sound of their heart beating rhythmically in sync. It is the beginning of a new chapter which they will never forget in their lives.

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This is actually very hard to write. Whew !!!

Shukran Jazeel.