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@Haya : "atleast, we are under the same sky
Breathing the same air,
Counting the same stars,
And looking at the same moon.."

As Haya sat on the gold and white sofa, she could not help but look at the King, complimenting his country instantly. It was not just the fact that he was Amir's father, she truly was impressed by the architecture of the Palace, with the perfect balance of traditional and modern, the Al Ansar Palace was everything and more.

"Your majesty, Maraaish seems absolutely beautiful. Your Palace is a dream to look at." Haya said to him, smiling at him in such a way that the King could not help but smile.

Even Amir looked amused. Not many people had the ability to make his father genuinely smile. King Abdullah nodded, turning towards King Najaf.

"You've raised your daughter very well. MashaAllah." Haya only gave another polite smile, looking at Amir as her father talked about the Crown Prince.

"I can say the same about your son. Amir is like a breath of fresh air in our world." King Najaf said back, Amir only thanked the man in his native language, going back to checking the files that were in his hands.

The King only gave a nod, he was not one to show affection in public.

"He is doing the best he can." He replied grimly, going back to looking at whatever Amir was showing to him.

Haya stared at the exchange with curiosity and interest. Maraaish and Buredaan had so much trade and business going on with each other that it was hard to even remember it.

She looked at the Crown Prince, sitting on the opposite chair, facing her father and his own father. The two Kings. His hands moved in such a gentle way as he read each title and passed it onto his old man, making him sign it. There was an unflinching amount of trust between the two. King Najaf had two advisors with him, who read the papers one by one and then asked him to sign them, on the other hand, the King of Maraaish had no one other than his own son.

As the MOU's got signed, Amir began to explain about the current military policy, about how incredible it was to have Buredaan and Maraaish exchange it's military soldiers as a gesture of goodwill between the two countries. Every year five hundred military troops from Maraaish trained in Buredaan and the same amount of troops from Buredaan trained in Maraaish.

Haya noticed the way his eyes shone as he talked about various policies, political conflicts, economical things. He would use hand gestures, some times he would raise his eyes at an important word, and sometimes he would look at the ground in respect for both the Kings. When they talked, his head was always lowered as he grasped at every word.

Haya could never talk to someone with her head bowed down, she always made eye contact. She hated feeling inferior and talking to someone in a low voice, while looking at the floor, it screamed at her.

Then how did Amir look so manly and so controlling, even with his head slightly bowed.

He had not even glanced at her ever since they entered the room, as if she was not even there. It frustrated her.

Her stare was quite continuous for a while, she looked at him for so long that one of the King's translators, who was sat behind Haya..had to lean in and whisper to her.

"You're staring at him, Princess." He whispered, making Haya look away from Amir. She sat straight ahead, whispering back in the very same tone.

"But he's not staring at me." She pointed out.

She had dressed up for him. The least he could do was give her a smile and look at her.

"He's working. He has duties." He replied. Sadio, who had been the King Najaf's translator since a decade, knew much more than other people.

Haya couldn't help but milk him for information.

"What about their family? My mother always greets state guests. I don't understand why they don't do that here." She asked, her voice so soft that even Sadio had to concentrate very hard to understand what she was saying.

"Their traditions are very different from ours. They keep their women protected." His tone depicted that he appreciated the idea of it, that he liked this certain culture of theirs.

Haya turned her head back for just a moment before turning it again, eyes staring at Amir, her father and the other King.

"Protected? You like this tradition?"

"I have heard that women in Maraaish are very beautiful. The world is not ready for their beauty."

Beauty. Everyone always told Haya that she was perhaps the most beautiful Royal the world had ever seen. She knew it was not exactly true, there were people who were much more beautiful than her. But she didn't like to think about that. She liked the feminity that she had, the confidence that she took along with it. In her mind, she was the best. No one could really compare.

It was not vain to think like that. It was self preservation.

"Are they more beautiful than I am?" She still could not help but ask. What if Amir really liked someone from his own country? What would happen then?

She heard a soft laugh from behind as the man replied to her.

"I would have to see them first to give you an honest answer." He mumbled.

People working with his father were not suck ups. They respected the King, obeyed him but always made sure to give him their honest opinion without any fear. Her father listened to them and sometimes, he even changed his mind because of them.

"That is so mean." Haya said but there was a tinge of smile on her face, Sadio tried to apologise but she just shook her head, turning to look at him.

"Before we get into trouble for being ill mannered, I think we'll discuss this later." She would ask him all about Maraaish and it's people and it's beautiful women.

As Haya looked at the front, she heard her father's loud voice.

"I am glad we could make more progress than before. This will not only benefit the people but it will benefit us all too."

The King Of Buredaan said something in his native language, one that King Najaf could understand but Haya was not well reversed in. She knew the basics but she had not really learned it.

"You took the words right out of our mouth, Your Majesty. Thanks to the almighty, we're taking things forward." Amir said, shaking hands with the King.

"Alhamdullilah."

"Is there anything else?"

It was not asked as a question, it was just something done out of common courtesy. Every King asked that before the end of a meeting, just so no one could ever complain about not being given time to share any issue.

Haya knew it was wrong, using an important matter like this just to get Amir's attention. But it would probably do some good.

"Yes, your majesty." Haya interfered, swallowing the bile down her throat as she shifted nervously.

She peered at her father, feeling awkward at the sudden silence that had developed in the room.

Amir had his gaze on her too, the kind where his face was so focused on her.

"Father, if you don't mind, can I?" She asked King Najaf, her own father for permission.

He nodded.

"You've started already."

Haya smiled, looking at the King of Maraaish and speaking out.

"Some of our people have been stuck in the jails of Maraaish for petty crimes since a very long time. We have written to your ministers several times but they have not responded well. As my first job as the Human rights minister, I would like to take my people home, with your permission ofcourse. " Her tone was so humble and respectful that Haya herself was shocked.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, the King spoke.

"I am entrusting Amir to make sure that your wish is complete. He will take care of this."

Well, that was not expected.

She smiled at the King.

"Thank you, your majesty. Our people will be very grateful." She thanked.

She saw the exchange of looks between the father and son before Amir looked back at her.

"Please come with me, I'll need a complete report on the prisoners." Haya stood up, walking outside with Amir.

She had expected his attention, not his help. A small laugh escaped his mouth and she didn't think she had heard a more beautiful laugh in her life.

"Taking the matter straight up with my father? Bold." He said to her, a small chuckle escaping his mouth yet again.

He made her walk through the hallway, towards an office. Haya picked up the files on her way.

"I didn't exactly have the time to talk to your ministers again." Haya replied, entering a small chamber.

It was not as magnificent as the other rooms, it was just a decent sized room with a table and a few sofas. She didn't sit and neither did he.

As the door closed, Amir turned around to look at her.

"I felt you staring at me." He stated.

He had felt her stare, had felt the way she kept gawking at him, at the way she tried to read him. It felt like she was just trying to know who he was. It was hard to not look up at her but he had work to do, so he only smiled on the inside as a Princess stared at him like he was the only one present in the entire room.

"You're not so bad to look at." Haya teased, knowing that there was no possible way to deny it.

Amir just smiled, his dimple doing things to her heart.

"I have made all the preparations for tomorrow. We will be exploring some nearby areas." He informed her, changing the topic in a way.

Clearly, he was not very comfortable in knowing how he looked like.

"Sounds like you are eager to out with me." She was being playful, he enjoyed that about her.

Her personality was not fake, she was exactly how she appeared on those messages, on social media, on phone calls.

Except that Haya was pretending just a little bit. The clothes she wore, the way she talked to people, the way she tried to seem a little shy when she was anything but that.

Amir stared at her, at her brown eyes and the sparkle that existed in them.

"I wouldn't want your trip to Maraaish to not be memorable." He replied, a smile twitched at the corner of her mouth.

"Is that so?" She whispered, walking towards him. She neared him further, leaving a distance of a step or two.

Amir hesitated. What was she doing?

"Yes. It is." He confirmed, suddenly feeling uncomfortable at the proximity of her closeness. It made him think about things that he was not supposed to think about.

Haya pulled out the file in front of him.

"Here's the report you asked for, Prince." She gave it to him.

Amir exhaled a breath.

"Thank you, Haya. I will see you tomorrow."

He did not want to talk anymore. Not when she was so close. It was better if they just stopped talking for now, he needed some distance.

She was beautiful, it made it easier for him to sin. He did not want to sin.

Haya did not look the least bit deflated, she looked relieved in a way.

"See you." She whispered to him, letting the people guide her as she got escorted to her room.

Haya slipped under the covers, laying awake and thinking about a man who made her heart race so fast.

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_______________________________________

Amir.
I hope you're asleep.

Haya.
Well..you know I'm not.

Amir.
You should rest.

Haya.
I am resting, just not sleeping.

Amir.
And why is that?

Haya.
I guess someone stole away my sleep.

Amir.
Can't have that now, can we?

Haya.
Depends.

Amir.
I hope today was okay for you.

Haya.
It was very nice.

Amir
Alright then, I am going to get some sleep.

Haya.
Already?

Amir
Yes. I have a promised a certain someone that I will be a tour guide. A tired tour guide is not really a good thing. Is it?

Haya.
I guess not. You should sleep then, a certain someone does not appreciate tired tour guides anyway.

Amir
I figured. Wake up early tomorrow. We leave before the world is awake.

Haya.
I'll be waiting.

_______________________________________

When the morning sun rose, Haya was already dressed. She sat on the sofa, waiting for a knock, waiting for Amir to arrive. She didn't want to text him, knowing that it would sound desperate and so very off.

She bit her lip as Sana entered the room, telling her that Prince Amir was waiting downstairs, for her.

She understood why he could not come up to her room and take her, it would cause people to gossip and he clearly was not the kind of person who got involved in silly rumours.

She was so excited about the day that she did not care much, walking by Sana's side. The girl walked upto a certain point, at a completely opposite exit than what Haya remembered.

She was about to question her but Sana excused herself and Prince Amir came out of a room, greeting her with a smile.

"Good morning, Haya." He greeted, walking towards her.

"Good Morning, Amir." She replied in the same tone. She knew he saw her, saw what she wore and appreciated the way she had tried to look modest.

Amir, who was surrounded by women who did not even show their hair, still appreciated the effort Haya had made.

The pants that she had worn were not tight, Haya hated not wearing tight pants if she ever wore them. Her pants were lose, as if she had deliberately tried to hide her curves and her legs. The yellow shirt that she wore was full sleeved, slightly tight around her body but she kept a shawl around herself, it suited the outfit, it did. But Haya would never wear something like this back home, she wore it for Amir.

Amir gestured her to walk along and so she did. She felt that this was one of the many entrances of the Palace and the Prince was probably taking her to the one that was away from prying eyes.

"Did you sleep well?" She heard his question.

I didn't. I thought about you, about your smiles and your eyes, about how nice it would be to have you in my life. I thought about falling in love with you, if I ever do. I swore to never fall in love but would it be so bad if I did?

"Yes. I did." She lied. The first of many lies she would tell him.

"Shall we?" He pointed at his car, making her sit at the front seat.

"Yes." She muttered as she put the seat belt on around herself. She didn't usually do that, she just wanted him to know that she was not reckless.

Amir sat on the driving seat, Haya only saw two cars..one in the front and one at the back. His Royal guards were in a very normal clothing, clearly Amir wanted to make this day as normal as possible.

But was he not a crown Prince? Haya would never go out with this less security but she trusted Amir and she tried to trust whatever he had planned.

She felt him start the car, as he stared straight ahead and the car started to move.

"I personally worked on the report you sent me. We will be sending the prisoners home by tonight." He informed her.

What? It took every ounce of effort she had in her body to not jump off the seat and hug him. She just smiled, as if she was not surprised but glad that he had done that.

"Amir, I don't know how to thank you ." She whispered, the dimples formed on his side again.

Haya exhaled a deep breath. Amir turned his head at her, then back on the road.

"Your smile is enough." He murmured.

Haya had people flirt with her, say things that no one would expect men to say to a woman who belonged to Royalty. She had dated men and heard them say all kinds of romantic things. It never had any affect on her.

But this, your smile is enough. It made her heart feel all warm and fuzzy. So Haya smiled, at him, at the day and at the fact that she was actually on a date with a Prince.

Wait..this was a date, right? She shrugged the conflict off.

"You're very kind. I didn't expect you to take this matter so seriously." She said instead, Amir shook his head.

She didn't know him. Not at all.

"Haya, I knew that this was important to you." He answered.

Haya only stared at the road, her cheeks actually felt like they were burning. What the hell was this man?

"I'm very grateful." She uttered, looking at the road.

"No security?" Haya pointed out.

"We're not going among people. But yes, we do have people watching us continously. Your father is very protective over you."

Yes. She knew that Prince Amir had actually took permission from her own father, telling him that Princess Haya was keen on seeing Maraaish and it would be an honor to show her around, if he allowed it.

The King could not help but say yes.

"He is." She affirmed.

"How is your work at the ministry going?"

"Getting these prisoners released will be the first work that will be written under my name." Haya replied.

It would be a good memory. Her first ever work and Prince Amir had helped her, because he knew this was important to her.

"You know, my first job was at the Human Rights ministry as well?"

That did not shock her. She had actually researched him completely. She knew about his first job.

"Really?" She feigned.

Amir nodded.

"Yes. My father told me that if I wanted to own my title, I had to feel the pain of our people, I had to understand about their lives, about their problems, about who they are. I could never do that in the Palace, those golden walls could never tell me the stories that actually should be heard."

The King sounded like a good man. Except that Haya completely disagreed with some of his policies.

"So what did you do?" Haya asked, and the car came to a still.

She looked outside, not realising that they had actually reached somewhere. This was just a cafe. What even? Had he brought her to a cafe?

"I'll tell you. Come." He opened the door for her, she got out of the car.

They entered the cafe, the only source of light being the sunlight coming from all over the place.

As they entered, a man was right at the entrance, enthralled upon seeing the Crown Prince.

"Prince Amir, we have been waiting for you. Your table is ready and set."

Amir only nodded.

"Thank you, Ejaz. This is Princess Haya of Buredaan." He introduced, Haya took out her hands to shake with him.

She felt Amir clench his jaw.

"It is an honour to have you at our humble cafe."

"Thank you."

Amir gestured her to walk.

"Come, Haya." The Princess followed the Crown Prince, as he took her to a corner, covered by a wooden opening, two comfy chairs were placed in front of each other, the table..perfectly set.

"This place is not very secretive for a crown Prince." Haya pointed out as Amir relaxed.

"It's not." He agreed, remembering that he had to tell her the story about his first job.

"This was the first place I came to after I started working at the HR ministry. This was the place where I sat for hours, just observing people." He continued, seeing how Haya leaned forward and put a hand on her chin listening to him.

"No one could notice me from this end, but I could see everyone. It just became my secret place after this. The owner became my friend and the cafe became my morning coffee place."

He had brought her to the place that he loved, to a place he had memories attached to.

"I wish I had a secret place like that. Cameras follow me wherever I go and then my face is plastered on the magazines." Haya joked.

Amir did not reply as they got served with coffee. As the man left, Haya did not touch the hot liquid.

She was always cautious about eating in a public place. Amir shook his head, drinking a sip from the coffee. Haya still did not drink from her cup.

He chuckled at her facial expression and passed on his coffee to her, he dragged her cup towards him.

So Haya picked up the cup, drinking from the cup that was Amir's.

He smiled, relaxed.

"This is why we have certain restrictions on the media of our country. Their freedom can become the reason of demise for thousands of people." He responded to her earlier words, Haya shrugged.

"Maybe. But I agree with freedom of speech anyway." She said, he raised an eye at her.

"The freedom to say anything you want to say? That is dangerous." Haya couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, it's clear that both of us have different opinions on many things."

Amir agreed, they were very different human beings.

"That is the reason why we started to talk, is it not?" He questioned her, gazing at her as she drank her coffee.

Haya gulped under the stare and put the coffee cup back on the table. There was something about him that made her feel so incomplete, so different.

"Yes." She whispered.

"It's a good thing that our opinions differ then." Amir said to her.

He meant that their difference of opinion was the reason why they were here, talking like this. Haya liked people who were good enough to respect difference of opinions.

"Are you done?"

She wasn't. She wanted to sit in the place and stare at him.

But Amir had the entire day planned.

"Yes, I am." She murmured, standing up.

"Shall we leave?" Well, she had stood up. Hadn't she?

She stifled a laugh and he did too. Except that his dimples poked out much easily.

"What have you planned next?" She questioned.

The Prince just gave her a dazzling smile.

"You will see."

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@Haya :  happy in the glory of this beautiful world.

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Thoughts?