Majlis Midnight
"Interior designer Alia transforms traditional majlis spaces. When client Faris requests designs that honor his late wife's vision, creation becomes connection. 'Al majlis qalb al bait' (المجلس قلب البيت) - The majlis is the heart of the home."
"She had sketches. Dozens of them."
Faris Al-Rashid spread papers across Alia's design table—amateur drawings, magazine clippings, fabric swatches gathered by hands now still.
"Your wife was talented," Alia observed.
"She never got to see it finished." His voice broke slightly. "That's what I need."
Alia Al-Dosari had designed majlis spaces for royalty—blending tradition with modernity, honoring culture while embracing comfort. This commission was different.
"I'll need to understand her vision," she said.
"I'll tell you everything."
Sessions stretched into evenings. Faris shared his wife's dreams, her preferences, the home they'd planned to grow old in.
"She wanted space for grandchildren," he explained. "For family gatherings. For—" he paused, "—the life we didn't get."
"Al majlis qalb al bait," Alia said softly. The majlis is the heart of the home.
"She said that constantly."
At fifty-four, Faris carried grief like invisible weight. His wife's death two years prior had frozen his life.
"Why now?" Alia asked.
"Her sister said I was using incompletion as excuse." He smiled ruefully. "She was right."
"What will completing it mean?"
"Moving forward." He met her eyes. "Finding new life. Honoring old love by not staying frozen in it."
"That's brave."
"That's necessary."
As the design developed, something else grew. Alia found herself anticipating their meetings, treasuring his insights.
"You understand her vision better than I expected," she admitted.
"I watched her dream for years." His hand covered hers. "Now I'm watching someone else bring dreams alive."
"Faris—"
"I know it's soon. I know it's complicated." He didn't withdraw his hand. "But she told me, before she died, that grief should have an end. That I should find joy again."
"She sounds wise."
"She was." He smiled. "She'd approve of you."
The first kiss happened in the half-finished majlis—cushions not yet placed, but foundation solid.
"Is this okay?" Alia breathed.
"It's what this room was meant for." He kissed her again. "Connection."
They made love among design samples and construction dust—imperfect conditions, perfect connection.
"You're beautiful," Faris murmured.
"I'm covered in fabric samples."
"Interior designer chic." He kissed her curves. "I like it."
His mouth traced paths down her body like following design lines—purposeful, aesthetic. When he reached her center, Alia cried out into the unfinished space.
"Aktar," she gasped. "Faris, aktar!"
"Savoring the design."
She came in the room she was creating, pleasure resonating off unfinished walls. Faris rose, eyes bright.
"I want you," he confessed.
"Then have me." She pulled him close. "Complete what we're building."
He filled her surrounded by their joint creation, groaning at sensation.
"Inti hayati al jadeeda," he gasped. You're my new life.
"Not replacing?"
"Continuing." He thrust deeper. "Different story, same heart."
They moved together like design becoming reality—vision taking shape, dream becoming solid.
"Ana qareeb," he warned.
"Sawa." She held him close. "Ma'aya."
They crested together, pleasure filling the space like light through new windows. Faris held her as heartbeats slowed.
"Marry me," he said.
"In this majlis you're building?"
"Where better?" He kissed her forehead. "It's where new life began."
The completed majlis hosted their wedding—traditional design honoring the past, modern touches embracing future.
"It's beautiful," guests murmured.
"It's a collaboration," Alia corrected.
"Between three hearts," Faris added.
Above the fireplace hung one of his late wife's original sketches—honored, integrated, never forgotten.
"Al majlis qalb al bait," Alia would say, giving tours.
"And hearts," Faris would add, "can hold more than one great love."
The majlis, as if in agreement, welcomed everyone who entered—old memories and new, grief transformed and hope realized.