KL, Out of the Office

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(A week after we booked our wedding date)

On the way out of the office, the first thing you notice is the overpowering presence of the majestic Petronas Towers in its glittering steel, imposing itself in the KL skyline. On the ground, at 8 in the morning, a veiled Muslim woman skips out of a motorcycle being driven by someone who I assume is her husband. Every part of her body, except for her face and hands, is covered with her clothing. Islam is a fascinating religion. Seeing it up close in people immerses you in the context of the magnanimous self-discipline it requires. A wife shows absolute loyalty to her husband, with her flesh never to be seen by anyone else. While some may not see it as liberated, it is but absolutely sacred. Perhaps I am caught in the web of my cultural ineptitude. All I know for sure is that what I saw seemed like loving with unquestionable loyalty.

Before I digress, I go back to the morning I saw the veiled lady unmount from the motorcycle driven by her husband. She fixes the folds of her clothes. As she stands, with all her flesh covered, you notice the purity so bold in her eyes. She takes the hand of her husband and kisses it. She moves her head toward her husband and kisses his left cheek, then kisses his right cheek. Finally, she kisses his forehead.

Seeing all that, my own face went warm with the rogue of their love. I looked away, holding off the scarlet blushing its way out of me.

And then I ached with longing, now that emotions are unfeigned.

The woman I love was so far away.