"Alhamdulillah. You still managed to shop earlier." Raka said as he placed the grocery bags on the dining table.
"I only managed to buy tofu, tempeh, and spinach. I didn't buy chicken. Sorry, honey."
"It's okay, dear! Just seeing you safe already makes me so grateful."
"Thank you, honey," Laras said, hugging her husband from behind.
Raka turned around and embraced his wife. All his love was only for Laras.
"I was really worried earlier. That's why I wanted to come inside with you. But you wouldn't let me."
"It's just that you have no patience when it comes to shopping."
"Alright, let's get some sleep. My eyes are really stinging."
Laras nodded. They changed clothes, washed their hands at the sink, and headed to the bedroom. Soon enough, both fell into a deep slumber. They had no idea that while they slept soundly, the contents of their refrigerator became completely packed with all kinds of food.
"You don't need to shop anymore, darling. As long as you always have time for me."
The Middle Eastern figure smiled smugly. He would do anything to please Laras. He was determined to make his beloved surrender to him again.
He then entered the bedroom, lifted the sleeping woman out of the room, and vanished.
---
"Ah, where am I?"
Laras woke up shivering, completely naked, on a large bed with a thick mattress. Her eyes scanned the room. The walls were golden, with enormous glass windows framing the sky and everything in it.
A large chandelier hung directly above the bed. Laras quickly grabbed a thick blanket neatly placed on the soft, feathered pillows and bolsters. She buried herself under it.
"You're awake, darling?"
A handsome figure dressed in Arabian Nights attire smiled gently as he approached the bed and kissed Laras's lips softly.
"You? Where are my clothes?"
"Oh, that. Anything you wore from your original world disappears the moment you enter our world."
"And?"
"Relax, darling. Just a moment."
The handsome man clapped once, and immediately, two female servants appeared carrying a golden chest.
"Place it on the bed."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The two servants approached and placed the chest next to Laras. They bowed to the bewildered woman, then turned and vanished.
"Wear the clothes inside the chest."
"Clothes inside a golden chest?"
"Yes, darling. Only the most beautiful things for my most beautiful woman."
Laras opened the chest, and her eyes nearly popped out when she saw what was inside.
"All of this is mine? Really?"
"Yes, my darling. Go ahead and wear them."
The handsome man smiled, showing his perfect white teeth. At last, his beloved had been brought into his world.
Laras's eyes sparkled as she looked inside the chest. It was filled with breathtaking gowns embroidered with strings of gemstones, an array of gold jewelry set with diamonds, elegant sandals, Arabian shoes, and a diamond-studded tiara.
She looked up at the Middle Eastern jinn standing a few steps from the bed.
"Zahir," Laras called softly.
"Yes, Jamila?" the jinn replied, walking over and sitting in front of her. Laras was still wrapped in the blanket.
"My name is Laras, not Jamila."
"Jamila means 'beautiful'," Zahir answered, his eyes glancing at her body beneath the blanket.
The handsome figure blew gently at the blanket covering her. In an instant, the thick blanket flew off and landed on the floor, even though his breath had been barely a whisper. Laras's bare body was now fully exposed before him.
Zahir gave a mischievous smile as Laras panicked and tried to grab another blanket. He blew again, this time a little stronger, sending the second blanket flying far away.
She quickly reached for one of the gowns, but before she could put it on, Zahir's hand caught her. His arm stretched impossibly long — more than a meter — and pulled her naked body straight into his open bisht.
Zahir had deliberately skipped wearing a thobe underneath. He clearly wanted the rich musk scent from his body to reach Laras directly.
(Bisht is a traditional Arab men's robe worn over the thobe)
Laras, completely entranced by that intoxicating aroma, went limp in his arms. She pressed her lips to his broad, hairy chest and kissed it softly.
"You like it?" he asked, voice low and teasing.
Laras looked up, nodded without hesitation, and in the next second Zahir shrugged off the bisht, letting it fall to the floor. He now stood wearing only his underwear.
She tightened her arms around him even more. Zahir was a jinn who knew exactly how to make a human woman weak with desire.
"Let's play for a while, beautiful," he whispered.
He lifted Laras effortlessly and they soared into the night sky. Above the clouds, bathed in moonlight among the stars, the two very different beings made love.
Their cries and moans blended with the sound of the night wind, creating a wild, beautiful harmony. After several powerful thrusts, Laras collapsed weakly in Zahir's arms. He smiled, looking completely satisfied.
"You're my houri," he murmured. "I'll always be here for you."
"Thank you, Zahir."
Zahir carried her down into a deep canyon and dove with her into a crystal-clear river that smelled of musk. The moonlight in his world was completely different from the human one — it shone as bright as sunlight, yet felt gentle and warm. This realm had no daytime, only an endless starry night.
Even though Laras couldn't swim, he took her all the way to the riverbed. Miraculously, she never ran out of breath. She could walk along the bottom as easily as if she were strolling on land.
"Jamila, it's time to go back," Zahir whispered tenderly in her ear.
He carried her back to the surface, then flew them both to his palace. Once again, a soft breeze caressed them and their bodies dried instantly. Zahir's strong feet landed gracefully on the bedroom carpet. He gently laid Laras down on the large bed.
"Now put on your gown, Jamila," he said, kissing her cheek.
"Are we going home? Can I take this chest with me?"
"Of course. It's yours, Jamila."
Laras quickly chose one of the beautiful gowns and slipped it on. She didn't dare wear any of the jewelry — she didn't want Raka to suspect anything. Zahir disappeared, leaving her alone.
Once she had finished dressing and fixing her appearance, Zahir reappeared, now dressed like an ordinary human man. He smiled, clearly pleased by how radiant she looked.
"Zahir, will this gown disappear when we get back?"
She imagined herself suddenly appearing naked in front of Raka.
"No, it will stay on your body. A handmaiden will escort you home. She'll disguise herself as your friend."
A moment later, a very familiar figure appeared.
"Tami! Is that really you? It's been so long!"
Laras rushed forward and hugged her tightly. Tami had been her best friend in junior high before moving away with her parents. The woman in her arms simply smiled.
"Jamila, this is the handmaiden in disguise," Zahir said.
Laras instantly let go of the hug.
"You know everything about my life?"
"Yes, I know it all. I've loved you since you were still in your mother's womb."
"How old are you?"
"Four hundred years."
"Can jinn even die?"
"We can. Just like humans. Our lifespans are just much longer — thousands of years."
Laras smiled at her secret lover's explanation. Zahir pulled her into his arms and kissed her full lips one last time.
"I'll visit you whenever I want. And you can call my name anytime you need me. Don't tell Raka anything about where you went. Let the handmaiden explain everything."
After he finished speaking, Zahir vanished. The handmaiden took the golden chest, folded it until it was tiny, and placed it in Laras's palm.
"Open it once you're safely home, Princess — when no other humans are watching."
Laras smiled and nodded. The handmaiden then embraced her, and in an instant, they both disappeared.