Taking Emily’s hands in his, he asked the question that would forever change the course of their lives. Emily, my love, will you marry me? The world seemed to stop. The scent of roses, the gentle hum of people nearby, it all faded into the background.
In that instant, it was just the two of them, their hearts beating as one. When Emily looked into Abbas’s eyes, she saw everything she had ever longed for, love, respect, and a true partnership. Yes, she whispered, her voice soft but certain.
Yes, I will marry you. The kiss they shared afterward felt like a vow, a promise of a new beginning. As Abbas slid a diamond ring onto her finger, Emily knew she had finally found her place in the world, her oasis in the vast desert of life.
The ring on her hand sparkled with the brilliance of a thousand desert suns, a constant reminder of the new life she had chosen. The days following Abbas’s proposal were a whirlwind of emotions, plans, and shared dreams. Dubai, with its fusion of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity, seemed the perfect backdrop for their love story, one that crossed borders and cultures.
Sarah, glowing in the final stages of her pregnancy, was over the moon for her cousin. I knew it, she’d exclaim repeatedly, her eyes gleaming with joy. I knew the two of you were meant to be together.
Her enthusiasm was infectious, and soon Emily was swept up in the flurry of wedding preparations that blended the best of her Mexican heritage with Abbas’s rich Arab traditions. Abbas was as attentive and loving as ever, anticipating Emily’s every need. He introduced her to his extended family, a sprawling, warm-hearted group who welcomed her with open arms.
The women, especially the matriarchs, guided Emily through local customs while the men regaled her with wild stories of Abbas’s youth. Yet, despite all this joy, a shadow still lingered in Emily’s heart, Mike. Though distance and time had passed since their breakup, Mike’s presence still haunted her.
His texts and calls had not stopped, swinging between desperate pleas and thinly-veiled threats. One night as Emily and Abbas dined on the terrace of their new apartment, with a breathtaking view of the Burj Khalifa, her phone buzzed with another message from Mike. Don’t think this is over.
What we have is stronger than any desert mirage. A chill ran down Emily’s spine, but she chose not to tell Abbas. She didn’t want to cloud their happiness with the ghosts of her past.
As their wedding day drew closer, Emily buried herself even more deeply in her new life in Dubai. She took up Arabic lessons, explored the city’s hidden corners, and marveled at how the desert and modern metropolis co-existed in perfect harmony. Every day brought new adventures, and with each one, Emily’s decision to stay felt more and more right.
Yet nostalgia for her homeland and her family in America crept up at unexpected moments. The smell of a dish that reminded her of her mother’s kitchen, a America song playing in a passing taxi, or the sight of a America family touring the city would tug at her heartstrings. In those quiet moments, Emily couldn’t help but wonder if she was giving up too much for this new love.
It was during one of these reflective moments that her phone rang, delivering the news that would shake her to her core. Her mother’s voice, frail and strained, broke through the line. Your father had a heart attack.
He’s stable, but the doctors say he needs surgery. We need you here. Emily’s heart dropped.
The weight of her worlds, old and new, suddenly collided, leaving her caught between the life she had built with Abbas and the family she had left behind. The news hit Emily like a bucket of cold water. Suddenly, the distance between Dubai and America felt impossible to bridge.
Without a second thought, she began packing, determined to fly out that very night. Abbas, ever understanding, insisted on coming with her. Your family is my family now, he said firmly.
We’ll get through this together. The journey back to America was long and tense. Every minute felt like torture, as Emily’s thoughts fixated on her father lying in a hospital bed.
When they finally touched down in Montana City, the contrast with Dubai couldn’t have been sharper. The chaos, the noise, the familiar smells, everything hit her like a wave of both nostalgia and anxiety. At the hospital, the scene was heartbreaking.
Her father, once so strong and full of life, now lay connected to machines that beeped in a steady rhythm. Her mother, with dark circles under her eyes and a face etched with worry, embraced them both tightly. Thank God you’re here, she whispered.
The days that followed blurred into one another. Endless medical consultations, hushed conversations in hospital hallways, and sleepless nights spent keeping vigil by her father’s bedside. Through it all, Abbas was a constant presence, offering quiet support and earning the respect and affection of Emily’s family with his kindness and unwavering dedication.
One night, while Emily sat alone in the hospital cafeteria, sipping a lukewarm cup of coffee, she came face to face with Mike. Time seemed to freeze as they locked eyes, years of shared history and recent wounds hanging between them like an unspoken barrier. So it’s true, Mike said, his voice heavy with a mixture of pain and resignation.
You’re marrying him, aren’t you? It wasn’t really a question, it was a realization, something he had finally come to accept. Emily found herself speechless, struggling to find the right words. How could she explain that her heart now beat to the rhythm of a new life, a love that made her feel complete in ways she had never imagined? Mike took a step toward her, his hand reaching out as if to touch her, but then he stopped.
I hope you’re happy, he said, his voice breaking slightly. I really do. And with those words, he turned and walked away, taking with him five years of memories and everything that might have been.
That night, as Emily wept in Abbas’s arms, she knew that a chapter of her life had closed for good. The pain of letting go was intertwined with a deep sense of certainty she was on the right path. In the days that followed, her father’s health slowly improved.
The surgery was a success. And with each passing day, Emily saw life returning to his eyes. One quiet afternoon, as they sat alone in his hospital room, her father took her hand and glanced at the ring on her finger.
He’s a good man, he said, his voice soft. I can see it in his eyes, in the way he looks at you. He truly loves you.
He paused, his eyes filling with tears. You’re going to be very happy, my girl. And even if you go far away, you will always be our daughter.
Those words were the final push Emily needed. With her family’s blessing and a heart full of certainty, she made her final decision. She would move to Dubai permanently and begin her new life with Abbas…
