It had been just too long. My husband, Khalid, had accepted a job overseas with a major multinational company. He had been away for months already and I was wondering when he would be home or we could go see him. My young son and I stayed back in Ottawa, as the school term had started and given that Khalid was due to travel to a number of places for orientation and training prior to taking up his post as Director with the company in Karachi. His schedule had been such that we had to endure even the Christmas and New Year holidays by ourselves as he was busy in the Middle East.
Khalid and I had been married for about eight years and our son had recently started his formal schooling. He had moved to Canada at a very young age and, while he spoke and understood South Asian languages with ease, he considered this country his true home. Khalid had received his education in Western Canada moved east to start working. His parents were pleasantly surprised when he responded positively to their suggestion to arrange a marriage in Pakistan. Perhaps it had something to do with the lovely pictures of mine that a relative of theirs had sent from home.
At the time I was approaching the age of twenty and finishing the second year at college. I was considered the catch of the family, with a slim figure, long black tresses, lightly colored skin and pretty looks. To top this all, I had developed a keen dress sense and knew how to look good most of the time. Compared to most of my dumpy looking relatives, I was a clear stand out. My parents had kept a very watchful eye on me and my movements in the last few years before marriage were restricted between the college and my home. I certainly had my share of fantasies and longingly looked at the boys around the neighborhood. But there was never a chance that something would develop or that I would have a Hindi movie type of romance. Furthermore, since I had been educated in convent run schools, I had a pretty good command of English. This fact, coupled with my looks and eligibility prompted Khalid's uncle to make the suggestion to the respective families. Things moved fast thereafter and we were married shortly after my birthday.
II
Khalid called us at least twice a week to update on things and to check on every one's well being. I looked forward to these Wednesday and Sunday calls as I was missing his presence greatly. It was a real surprise when the phone rang on Monday night and Khalid informed me that he was attending a meeting in New York that week and would see about taking a few days to make it over to Ottawa. Clearly I was in seventh heaven. Although he implied he would be coming for just a short period of time, perhaps just a couple of days, his presence with us would definitely boost our spirits and renew my energy and ability to withstand the loneliness by great measure.
Immediately I began to chalk out the things that needed to be done to make his visit as nice as possible. The household chores would keep me busy for a few days. It was not that the house was messy, given my tidy disposition; I just wanted it to be extra nice when Khalid was around. Of course, he would like to have his favourite meals and those were soon ready and loaded into the fridge. Finally, and most appropriately, I figured what he would appreciate most was his wife. Visits to the beauty salon, hair dresser and to the mall, for some new clothes, were on the cards. So based on the day of his arrival, I had a sexy new outfit, a total body wax, and a sharp new hair style. Given that he liked to see every inch of me, I had decided on a bikini wax, leaving my pussy clean as could be.
III
Our marriage had been the usual glittzy Pakistani affair, running over many days with huge expenditures on both sides. Finally, it was time to depart from my parents' home and to join my husband. Despite all the preparation one could make and all the romantic notions in mind, it was a tough moment to stay calm and collected.
Khalid did not want to consummate the marriage at his home, since tons of relatives had decided to stay put there during the ceremonies, and were sure to be a source of embarrassment the following morning. Intelligently he had arranged for a suite at a 5-Star hotel in town and soon we were deposited there by his brother and friends. After the usual pleasantries, gifts of condoms and bawdy jokes, the hangers-on departed and I was with my husband alone, for the first time ever.
As awkward moments go, this one took the cake as neither of us made any move. Rather we started a truly inane conversation about the people at the wedding and the weather. After some time, I told him I was getting tired and wanted to change into my night clothes. Khalid helped me remove the copious amounts of jewelry that I was wearing but did not come any closer. I collected my overnight bag and went to the bathroom.
Damn, my sister had not packed the full length slip that I wanted. Instead I found a silky blue lingerie set with frills, accompanied by the shortest pair of panties I had ever seen. Where she had acquired these I did not know, but figured her college friends had something to do with this. I promised myself I would kill her the next day. Having no choice I put the lingerie on and came outside.
Khalid took one look at me and stood dumbstruck for a moment. "Put on a pair of high heels if you brought them," he suggested. Sure enough my smart sister had packed a nice pair which had laces that tied up halfway to the knee. Since I had not cleaned off the bridal make-up, I looked quite tantalizing to him. "Emaan, you look lovely," he said, asking me to come over to him.