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Haya

"How's my favorite man in the world and when is he coming here?" Haya greeted, her voice much more cheerful than it had been in a while.

She didn't know whether it was because it was her birthday week or because she was back home in Buredaan, but she felt too happy today.

The only missing piece right now was the lack of Amir's presence. The Crown Prince had assured that he would arrive before her birthday though, she was just holding onto that.

Up until a few days ago, she was sure that she was going to spend her birthday in Maraaish. She was okay with that even, apart from the fact that she would miss her friends and family.

Still, when Amir convinced her to go home for a week and take off from work, Haya felt ecstatic.

She had been missing home since the beginning of the month but she was too stubborn to admit it out loud. She was glad that Amir had seen right through her and decided to send her home, telling her to spend her birthday the way she always had.

Now here she was, all giddy and excited..waiting for him to arrive as well.

"I'm okay, sweetheart. Salam."

She smiled, hearing his endearment but also wondering why he sounded so serious and firm. The word sweetheart didn't roll off his tongue in a tender manner today. Infact, it sounded forced.

Before she could question him about it, she heard him speak up again.

"Haya, I'm shutting down your new advertisement. I don't even know how it got aired in the first place. What was Nadia doing?"

He informed, sounding so fucking disappointed and mad at the same time.

She frowned, stopping midway.

She was just about to go downstairs for tea when she saw his call. Now here she was, standing in the hallway with confusion lacing her head.

"Wait, what?"

"I trusted Nadia enough to not let you cross a certain line. Yet, the ad went on air and created havoc for me. Thankfully, I can do damage control."

It wasn't what he said, it was the way he had said it.

His words made her angry but his tone made her almost sad.

"Amir, what the fuck?"

Haya cursed, not even understanding how an advertisement that she had worked so hard on, the one that she herself had got altered three times according to her own intelligence and her team's input, could still cause so much trouble.

"What are you even saying? Cross a certain line? Trusted Nadia? You didn't trust me?"

She enquired, repeating his words.

"Haya,"

"You're new here. You don't know Maraaish the way she does."

She didn't argue over his valid point, even though she couldn't get the word trust out of her head.

"Fine. What about the advertisement? What is so wrong in it? I thought it was perfectly fine, there was nothing that could've caused an outrage." She asked, Amir let out a sigh.

"You don't think in a way that people over here think. You wouldn't understand." He told her, not bothering to fill her up on more information.

Haya hated that.

She hated that there was such a big difference in the way people over there thought. She hated that she had tried to cross that barrier and make a difference but how could she ever do that when the people didn't even want a difference?

"Yes, I wouldn't. I'm not narrow minded and brain dead like your people."

She said bitterly, remembering the hours and hours she spent with Nadia to make the perfect first advertisement.

"Haya, stop." Amir murmured, clenching his own jaw upon hearing her choice of words for the people of his country.

"I am working so hard and this is how you're treating me? First the interview gets cut short and now the advertisement won't go on air?! What's the point then?"

She asked, her voice loud enough.

"Okay, calm down. Just relax." He tried to coax her still, she swallowed.

"Don't tell me to relax!" She exclaimed, rolling her eyes.

"Haya, relax. We'll talk when I get there." She shook her head.

She knew what he would do. He would sweet talk her, he would tell her all the things she would want to hear but do what he wanted all along at the end.

"No, we'll talk now." She insisted, Amir saw the paper work in front of him and shook his head.

"No, Haya. We will talk when I'm in front of you. I have work to do right now." He dismissed.

Haya clearly didn't like that.

"Oh yes, ofcourse you do. You have to ruin other people's hardwork." She taunted.

"You're upset, I understand that. Don't disrespect me because you are upset."

He firmly said, continuing when he didn't hear any response.

"And Haya, I won't tolerate you insulting my people next time. Be careful, please."

Her birthday was in a few fucking hours and he still hadn't arrived in Buredaan.

Instead, he was in Maraaish lecturing her over how he wouldn't tolerate her insult towards his people, the same people who were angry at her for trying to make their stupid lives better.

"Great. Is there anything else, Prince Amir?" Haya used sarcasm to hide her hurt.

"No, take care of yourself."

"I will, thanks." She hung up, not even asking him if he was going to arrive anytime soon.

Even a hot bath and pretty dress had not been able to lift her mood. She hadn't met anyone ever since her argument with Amir and now that she needed to have dinner with her family, she felt like her mood would spoil theirs as well.

Haya let out a sigh, knowing that she was already late and her family was probably waiting.

Although, her father didn't really care about such things..she knew that it was ill mannered to keep the man waiting.

As she entered the dining hall and mumbled a thanks to the staff who had opened the door, her eyes immediately went to the dining table.

Everyone's eyes were on her as she entered. They had clearly not started to eat and were definitely waiting for her.

"Oh look, it's Princess Haya in all her glory." Illyas greeted with a tauntative remark, ready to hear a snarky response from his sister but she didn't say anything.

She walked towards the dining table when she heard another remark.

"Finally decided to bless us with your presence, sister?"

It was Yusuf this time and although his comment wasn't snarky but filled with sarcasm, and even though she could've shot back at him with a much more sarcastic remark, she didn't have the heart to do so.

"Haya, we've been waiting for a while now." Her mother mentioned, finding her sit on the seat next to her.

"I'm sorry," She murmured, settling down.

The entire family frowned at her behaviour.

"Are you alright?" The Queen asked, staring at her daughter with concern filled eyes.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Haya replied, trying to assure her that she was okay but she really wasn't.

"Haya," She heard her father's voice, she looked up.

"Yes, dad?"

"That's not where you sit. Is it?" He pointed, finding it very odd that Haya hadn't sat next to him..like she always did.

Haya simply shrugged her shoulders.

"I know. But Yusuf is sitting there now." She responded.

Usually, Haya would make Yusuf get up and tell him to sit somewhere else. She didn't care whether he was eating or drinking or doing what so ever, she wanted him to get up and move.

"He did it on purpose, Haya. He wanted to tease you." She nodded upon hearing her mother's words.

"Yeah, I know. I am just too tired to care about that right now." She answered, looking at the food which was about to be served instead.

The King nodded knowingly. He didn't pressure her or insist upon knowing what had happened, he simply told everyone to eat.

"Alright, why don't we all have dinner first and then my beautiful daughter can go and rest."

Haya smiled at her father, knowing that although he knew something was wrong..he was okay in not knowing what it was.

"Haya." She switched on the lamp on her bed side, as she heard the door open without a knock and her mother's voice at the same time.

"Why are you still in bed?"

She wondered out loud, not understanding what had led to her daughter's upset behavior. She had been so happy since the past few days, and she was obviously very excited for her birthday like she always was.

And now when there were only a few hours left, she was lying on her bed and not giving a crap about anything else.

"Haya, turn around." She turned around on the bed to face her mother and the frown on her daughter's face was enough for the Queen to lean a bit closer to her.

"What happened?" She leaned up on the bed, placing her head against the soft headboard and looking at her mother.

"Nothing." She grumbled, checking the time.

The clock would strike twelve in three hours and she still had no idea whether Amir was going to be here or not.

"Your birthday is tomorrow. All your friends are downstairs, dying to take you out. Yet, you're here. You're not even answering Aaliyah's calls."

It wasn't until Aaliyah called her that the Queen realised Haya was still at home. She had figured that Haya would've left straight after dinner to lift her bad mood.

Clearly, she was much more upset than Haya had anticipated.

"What has got you so upset?" She enquired, hoping to hear the truth.

Haya sighed.

"I worked on an advertisement for women's equal pay. It got altered three times and I still didn't create any drama." She started off, knowing that she hadn't discussed work with her mother too much before.

"I kept on altering it and it finally went on air. Now Amir called me and told me that it has created issues so he's taking it off air."

She said, finding her mother's complete attention on her words.

"That's not even the part which hurt me. He told me he trusted Nadia, he meant that he had no trust within my abilities."

Her voice held the hurt as she narrated the story.

"Haya,"

"And tomorrow is my birthday. I've been here for four days now. He told me he'll come but where is he? I have no fucking idea!" She exclaimed, feeling her nerves rise at the same time as her hurt did.

"Alright, calm down."

"I am calm." She insisted but she was anything but that.

The Queen stood up and walked towards Haya's end of the bed, removing the duvet from her body and making her get up.

"See, all these things are going to be same tomorrow and the day after. You'll just regret not enjoying your special day later on."

She knew that.

She knew that she didn't need to be upset but she still felt that way.

She wanted him here the most and he wasn't.

It sucked.

"Come on. You and Amir will solve all of this. Just get dressed and come downstairs." Her mother insisted, chuckling when she saw the bitter expression on her daughter's face.

"You can even drink if that will cheer you up. Just come," She said, finding a raised eye in her direction.

"Okay, let me get dressed." She murmured, standing up and agreeing with her mother.

She saw her mother stand up at the same time, with a box in her hand.

"And here you go." She handed it over to Haya.

"What's this?"

"A little pre birthday gift to cheer you up." She opened the box and found her mother's most personal necklace along with the earrings.

Although it was a simple one, she knew her mother cherished it the most. She always wore it events that held meaning in her heart.

"That's your favourite jewellery." Haya mentioned, looking at her.

"Not more favourite than you."

She couldn't help but smile.

"There she is!" Yaman exclaimed the moment Haya stepped inside the living hall, making everyone's eyes turn towards her.

"We thought you went all spiritual and refused to see any men." Karib greeted, hearing no insult back from Haya.

"Haya," Aaliyah muttered, frowning as she saw her disinterested eyes and the fake smile on her face.

"Hey guys." The Buredaani Princess greeted.

"You're all here."

She looked around finding Yaman, Aaliyah, Karib, Yara and Mahrookh.

"Ofcourse. Aaliyah told us you were here and we were set to have your pre birthday bash."

She hadn't really been too much in touch with anyone other than Aaliyah. She occasionally talked to Yaman and sometimes, she would reply to their group chat but life had got so different that Haya didn't really feel too connected with her friends when she was in Maraaish.

Still, it was heartwarming to see that they hadn't forgotten her at all. They were still the very same.

"Because we truly don't know what your plans are for tomorrow. Are we having a grand celebration?" Yara asked, air kissing Haya's cheeks unlike Karib who had literally hugged the life out of her.

"I'm not sure actually." Haya replied.

"Now that's a surprise."

It truly was.

Usually, she had an entire week if birthday plans and here she was, completely unsure today.

"Things have been too busy lately. Anyway, I'm so happy so see you all." She said, smiling at the group.

Yaman, who had been at a distance so far came near Haya and embraced her too. Haya hugged him back, sighing as she smelled his familiar smell and the warmth of his embrace that hadn't changed since their childhood.

"Yaman," She whispered in greeting, again.

"Haya, missed you." He whispered back, she smacked his back.

"Missed you too. You don't call anymore." She accused.

He didn't call because she never called.

"Hey, I text." He defended, she shook her head.

"Yes, and you're so chatty in those texts."

"I'm exactly like you in this regard." He accused.

Haya didn't defend herself. She knew it was true.

"Where exactly are we going?" She asked, finding everyone up and ready to go.

"The island. We arranged a little something."

Two hours later, a few drinks in everyone's system with loud music blaring and her friends dancing like maniacs, Haya couldn't help but stand at a distance and watch them.

She was one of them.

She was exactly like this.

She drank and she danced and she didn't care in whose arms she was dancing in. But today, she didn't even want to dance. She didn't want to enjoy her own party and she hated that. She hated that she was letting things get to herself to this pathetic point.

"The last thing people expect from you is standing here all by yourself." Aaliyah mentioned, with a glass of wine in her hand and a frowned up expression on her face as she walked upto Haya.

"I know, I'm just not in the mood." Haya replied, looking ahead.

"Had a fight?"

"You can say that." She muttered, Aaliyah sighed and put her head on Haya's shoulder.

"Do you want to head back to the Palace and bitch about his family?"

She shook her head with a dry chuckle.

"His family's not so bad. I'm actually getting along with them now." Haya mumbled, knowing his family's wasn't the one she wanted to bitch about today.

Before Aaliyah could say anything, she found Yaman coming towards them with two glasses in his hands.

"Drink, babe?" He offered one glass to Haya, she shook her head instantly.

"I don't think I should."

"You're not in Maraaish." Yaman replied, Haya shrugged.

"I know, I kind of had a deal with my mother that I won't drink,"

She mentioned, suddenly remembering that even her mother had told her she could get a few glasses into her system just so she would get a little cheered up.

"But I actually got out of that today. Still, me and drinking don't mix well."

Haya refused, Yaman looked at her in confusion.

"You can handle one." He assured, knowing that he was the one who used to sneak her some alcohol at fifteen years of age just for the sake of fun.

"Amir wouldn't want me to drink." Haya clearly said it this time.

"Did I hear that right? You're not drinking because your man won't like it?"

Aaliyah groaned, hating the entire conversation.

"Yes, Yaman. That's exactly why. Leave her be." She snapped, shooting him a glare that told him Haya was upset and his entire questioning session was stupid.

"Okay. Would you like to dance then?"

Yaman asked instead, holding out his hand.

"Will it be so bad to say I'm really not in the mood?" She asked, a pout on her face.

Yaman clicked his tongue and held her hand anyway.

"Haya, you look beautiful. Your birthday's in a few hours and here you are, pouting." He murmured, continuing.

"If you're upset about something, figure it out. We haven't spent any time with you ever since you got married." He mentioned, putting a hand on her waist at the same time.

"And your birthday is usually your favourite time of the year. Stop acting so strange."

Haya knew she was being strange for her friends. She was being moody and cranky.

She sighed, looking up at him.

"Come on, dance with me." Before she could even protest, he was dragging her in the middle of their friends.

The music went from soft to high and upbeat..making him twirl her around faster.

"See, you're already smiling." He mentioned, finding her smile at last.

Haya nodded, enjoying the moment and forgetting about anything else.

A few songs later, they found a stumbling Aaliyah and a half drunk Karib coming towards them.

"Aaliyah, how can you be drunk already? You had two glasses!" Yaman exclaimed.

"I'm single and hungry. Ofcourse I'll get drunk fast." She defended, Haya let out a laugh.

"For a second I thought she said horny." She mentioned, laughing as she saw the horrified expression on Aaliyah's face.

"Me too. I was going to offer my services but I'm engaged so.."

He held up his engagement ring as a gesture, Aaliyah smacked his shoulder and stumbled into his arms as she lost balance.

"Wow, you really are horny and desperate." He joked as he stabled her.

"I'm pretty sure she is numb down there at this point." Haya teased, knowing that Aaliyah hadn't been with anyone in quite long.

"See, this is why I hate when you two are together. You gang up on me." She whined.

Haya sighed, fondly remembering the good old times.

"Don't be such a baby."

Karib teased, pulling at her cheeks because even though Aaliyah was of the same age, she still acted like an innocent kid at times.

"Alright people, gather around. Ten minutes to go." They heard Yara say as a few people set up the table and Haya could see a cake with candles all over it.

She swallowed, looking at her phone to see whether there had been any calls or messages by Amir.

There weren't.

She was still looking at her phone when Aaliyah stepped close to her.

"I can hold your phone." She said, Haya shook her head.

"No, that's okay. I'm expecting a call." She replied, hoping and praying that her husband would come through at the very last moment.

"Ten, nine, eight,"

She stood in the middle with all her friends gathered around.

"Seven, six, five.."

She wished she could have been in stupid Maraaish instead. Atleast then, he would be there with her.

"Four, three, two.."

She hated this. She didn't even want to cut the cake. She didn't even like that she was here anymore.

"One.."

"Happy birthday!"

Haya gripped her phone tight in her hands, hoping that it would ring but it never did.

And even when the fireworks went off, she just didn't have the heart to smile and thank her friends for all their love.

Everything felt useless..because the one person she truly wanted to hear from..wasn't there.

---

Thoughts??