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Haya.
Good morning 😘 here's a picture since you love to look at my face so much 😉😍

Amir.
Good morning baby. You made my morning better already ❤️

Haya.
😘😘 Are you already at work?

Amir.
At the palace, Suhoor just arrived so I came by to say hi first.

Haya.
Enjoy :) face time in the evening?

Amir.
Inshallah.

Haya.

It had been two days since she had arrived in Buredaan and yet there was no sign of her best friend and her cousin. She had gone from angry to worried to angry again. She knew that her cousin was still in the City, she was coped up at home as indicated by the workers at her place. Haya called her twice and sent countless messages, but apart from I'm fine, I'll visit in a day or two, Aaliyah hadn't bothered to reach out.

So Haya had enough of the drama.

She woke up, got dressed and decided to visit her friend before she could lose anymore of her own mind.

She was just about to get in the car when she found her brother getting out of an other car himself.

As if Aaliyah hadn't been occupying her mind already, her brothers were also keeping her busy.

Yusuf looked sullen and dull, not at all like a man who was just about to get married to the love of his life.

Illyas hadn't been home and she had just spotted him but the thought of him and Suhoor in Paris, it was concerning.

And Shahid? He had found a new obsession with music so the Prince would be coped up in his room all day, listening to all kinds of music. Haya knew that art was his life and he was a sweetheart but she also knew that he was a Prince.

While their father was usually calm and wouldn't question them over their life choices, she knew that it was about time that Shahid would get his fair share of lecture.

Family had always been important to Haya, she didn't want anything bad to happen to them or even around them.

She spotted the Prince in a long coat, as winters were harsher than usual this time.

She stepped away from her own car and walked towards her brother, entering into the foyer and stopping him as she called out his name.

"Illyas!"

Her brother turned around and stared at his sister, giving her a small wave.

"You're back." She gave him an obligatory hug, which he returned and chuckled when she saw the curious expression on her face already.

"Haya, you're here. Ugh."

He groaned, as if he wasn't happy to see her at all but he kind of was.

"Shut up," She mumbled, rolling her eyes at him.

"When did you come home?"

He already knew about her arrival but he just wanted to avoid the topic that she would clearly start at any moment.

He thought he would just make small talk, tell her that he was tired and would like to sleep and then disappear for as long as he possibly could.

"Two days ago. As usual, you didn't pick up and I had to contact your assistant."

"Yes and your behavior towards him sucked."

Illyas' assistant had meekly told him that Princess Haya had called three times already. She sounded angry and had even yelled at the man when he picked up and said the Prince was busy, again.

'Tell Illyas that his sister will fuck him up and his minions won't be able to defend his ass' she had said.

Haya crossed her arms, unapologetic as she stared at him awaiting clear answers this time.

"What were you doing in Paris?"

"Work." He replied in a curt manner.

"Is that what they're calling it these days?"

She cocked an eyebrow at him. He had lied to her enough. He needed to stop now.

"I'm serious, Haya. I was doing some business." He still lied.

"You were doing business or you were doing her?" She shot back, clearly not ready to buy any of his false stories anymore.

He needed to come clean and tell her how far he had gone with her. God knew what Amir would do if he found out that Haya's brother had slept with his sister. She didn't even want to think that he had slept with her, it would be too dramatic.

"Did you have sex with her?"

She asked, straight forward and saw the way he stared at her with a blank face. He wasn't ready to answer any of her questions when it came to his current relationship or whatever it was that he had with her.

When she didn't receive a reply, Haya threw her hands in exasperation.

"Please tell me you were careful."

He nodded.

"I was."

if there was one thing his team was extremely good at, it was being anonymous and making sure no one would see the women he was around with. He only let the people see what he wanted them to see.

Unlike Haya, who always had press coverage because she never planned ahead and didn't give a shit, Illyas always made sure to steer clear of the media.

However, his many visits to the US had actually made him quite popular there. People recognized him alot more than before and it was getting a little troubling now. 

"She's back home already." He heard Haya say.

"Who?"

She wanted to shove him hard. She only didn't because there were guards and servants around and well, he was kind of a Prince. Although, he was testing her limits too much right now.

"Are you still going to play dumb?" Haya questioned, a frown etched on her face.

Illyas shook his head, realising that she wouldn't stop bothering him until he talked to her and told her why he wasn't giving anything away.

"I can tell you every thing right now but it will make it all real to you," He explained, looking at his sister.

"If you know it through me, you'll feel guilty for not telling it to the man you're married to."

He mentioned.

If Haya knew the truth and hid it from Amir, it would eventually become an issue. If she didn't hide it from him, Suhoor would get into trouble.

"And that won't be good for someone I know." He vaguely murmured, Haya hummed.

"So you're protecting her," She noticed, he merely shrugged.

"And you, you idiot." He shoved her lightly, she smacked his hand away.

"It's gonna blow up some day and we'll all be affected."

She knew it would happen.

She knew secrets didn't remain for too long in their world.

She knew her brother wasn't the marriage type. He was the 'I like you, let's spend time together and not have any expectations' type.

"You think too much." He shrugged her away, even though he knew that he was walking on thin ice.

Suhoor wasn't a celebrity, she wasn't a family friend or a businesswoman. She was a Princess. She was Haya's sister in law. Amir's sister. She belonged to a highly conservative family. It was a complicated situation.

Whatever. He would deal with it if it got too bad. 

"Is Yusuf home? I need to give him some documents." He asked, she didn't really know if her brother was home or not. He probably wasn't.

"About that," She dragged.

"Is there something wrong between the two?"

"Who?"

"Yusuf and Sara. There's some shit going on and I really don't understand. They won't even spare proper glances in each other's direction."

Illyas clearly didn't take her seriously as he let out a chuckle.

"See, the thing about you coming home after ages is that you observe too much." He teased.

"I have a bad feeling." She still said, Illyas shook his head.

"You feel too much." He murmured, giving her a fake horrified look.

"You're not pregnant, are you?" She smacked his arm, not willing to let the opportunity go this time.

"Fuck off." She cursed.

"I guess not." Illyas simply laughed, as she turned on her feet.

"Where are you off to, by the way?"

"Just going to go and yell at Aaliyah."

She casually said. 

"Nothing big."

"You're smoking again." Haya had been observing her for more than a minute.

There was some show playing on the television, a tray table was placed on the bed with a plate of cake and what looked like coffee. She had a cigarette lit up. Haya hadn't seen her smoking since college.

She had developed the habit and then quit it before going back to Buredaan. Now here she was, inhaling and exhaling like it was nothing.

Haya hated cigarettes. They smelled weird. They made your lips darker and they made sure everyone else could smell it over you.

"Haya? Oh My God." Aaliyah gasped, not expecting Haya to be in her bedroom without so much as a knock.

She looked like a total mess. She was in her silk robe, her hair was messed up, her eyes were swollen. Haya had always seen Aaliyah look better than the way she did right now.

"What the fuck Aaliyah?!" The Princess entered the room, slamming the door shut behind her as Aaliyah stared at Haya, still surprised to see her here.

"Don't make that face with me." Haya snapped at her, observing her face for a moment as she took a deep breath.

"Okay, wait." She murmured, sitting down on the edge of the bed first.

"Are you okay?" Haya asked her best friend. She needed to know that Aaliyah wasn't in a too complicated situation, before going bat shit crazy on her.

Aaliyah, who hadn't out the cigarette away took a big puff, then exhaled and shrugged at Haya.

"I don't know." She replied, voice soft and hoarse.

"Can I yell at you first?" Haya asked, since it was going to be a long conversation.

"Go on."

"You fucking bitch! You cunt!" Haya cursed out loud, angry eyes staring at Aaliyah with disappointed and worry.

"You had me worried like anything."

"Why won't you come to me? Who the hell gave you the right to ignore me like that?! Bitch."

She cursed again. Aaliyah was fine with Haya cursing at her, she didn't mind.

"You said it already." She pointed out, Haya glared.

"Shut up." She pointed a finger at her, continuing when Aaliyah remained silent.

"You have been MIA for the past month. I always have to reach out to you."

If that didn't make her feel important enough, nothing ever would.

"I won't ever do it again." Haya warned, even though she knew she could never give up on a friend like Aaliyah. She was family.

Once Haya stopped talking, she stared at Aaliyah to say something. But she remained silent.

"Now speak!" The Princess snapped, not protesting when Aaliyah put the table away and threw the cigarette in the ash tray as well.

She patted the place next to her and Haya removed her shoes, leaning against the headboard and pulling the duvet over herself.

"It's just,"

She heard hesitation in Aaliyah's voice, she tried to say something but then clicked her tongue.

"It's everything. You won't get it."

"Tell me anyway." Haya murmured, waiting for her to start again.

"I don't know why but I have suddenly started to feel like I won't get anywhere." She tried to explain, continuing as Haya only listened for now.

"There is this unexplainable sadness caused by a few things that I've experienced in the past month. I just didn't want to bother you with my shit,"

"I constantly wake up in the middle of the night and I can't go back to sleep. I am not depressed or anything, I think I just need some time to gather my thoughts."

Her explanation was vague. It was understandable but vague. Surely some things must have triggered the sudden way that she had started to feel?

"What did you experience that caused you to be sad?" The Princess enquired, earning a sigh.

"For starters, Yaman broke it off with his girl and never told any of us."

Oh yes. Haya had almost forgotten about that. Yaman's sudden plan to not get married was weird since he wasn't the kind to break off things just like that.

"I know. He said he wasn't ready."

"There's more to the story, Haya. He won't spill it but he never wants to chat or talk about it. He looks conflicted all the time, I don't get it." Aaliyah said, but Haya wasn't too interested in that.

She knew Yaman would tell her if she asked him. She wanted to give him some space for now. Besides, she already had alot on her plate with Yusuf being so weird and Illyas being a slut.

"I'll talk to him soon. What else happened?"

"My mother happened. She called dad and dad went crazy. He yelled and yelled until there was nothing left. He told me I was the reason that vile woman kept calling. I already chose him Haya, what else does he need from me?"

Her voice cracked, and Haya's heart ached. Aaliyah didn't have an easy childhood. She had already lost too much because of her stupid mother. She had trusted the woman and got nothing in return.

"Aaliyah, you could have called me. You could have said you needed me and I would have been here." She said, not understanding why Aaliyah would choose to go through all of it alone.

"My problems shouldn't be your problems." Haya heard her say and she wanted to yell one more time.

"Should I tell you to shut your mouth again?"

"No." She instantly replied, sighing again.

"And what else?"

"The Emirati guy I met up with? He said he wants to marry me this year. He's really nice but I literally don't feel anything."

Haya didn't know much about that man, since Aaliyah had been keeping her out if the loop but clearly he wasn't extra ordinary.

"I know that I can say no but how many more men can I say no to? My father is on his edge of patience."

Uncle Hammad was lovely. He was the best towards Haya and honestly, he was a good father. He had forgiven Aaliyah for something that not everyone could do that. Yes, he had punished her but he had also forgiven her. He hadn't ruined his daughter's life.

Still, he got angry and frustrated sometimes. And then he took it out on his daughter.

"Dad will handle Uncle Hammad. Don't worry." Haya assured, knowing that it won't be an issue.

When Aaliyah still didn't look too convinced and even a little hesitant, Haya gently patted her thigh and smiled.

"There's more, right? You can tell me anything Aaliyah. Tell me."

She insisted, because she had to know. She needed to.

"It's Khalifah."

Fucking great. What was it with the people who were important to her bonding with the people important to Amir?

"I had a feeling,"

Haya said, looking at Aaliyah with sympathy because the man was married and she had probably started to feel something for him.

Unlike Illyas, she knew that Aaliyah would atleast understand.

"There's nothing like that. I just had a few conversations with him and," She tried to tell her but the mere sadness in her eyes conveyed that there was more to her and Khalifah than she was telling.

"I can't tell you the things he told me, Haya. I made an oath to him."

How much had they talked already?

"But God, I can't get it all out of my head. I really don't understand why life is so screwed up."

What was messed up? As far as Haya knew, Khalifah was married and he had married for love. He had a child too, didn't he? He was happy. He looked happy.

"You know you can't feel anything, right? It will bite you back in the ass." Haya reminded her anyway, she swallowed.

"I know. I don't." Aaliyah wasn't too good at lying, unlike Illyas. He was a pro at it.

"You do," Haya replied, shaking her head.

"Just don't go forward with it. Yeah?"

She didn't want Aaliyah to get hurt.

"Yeah, I won't." The girl reassured, putting her head on Haya's shoulder.

Haya pushed her away, asking her to get up.

"Get up now."

"Why?"

"Because you look like shit. Go change." She instructed, frowning when Aaliyah didn't move and Haya had to push her again.

"You're coming with me. And I'm not letting your ass leave until I go back."

"Okay."

The boy on his side looked so innocent, with his pouted lips and ruffled hair. He reminded Amir of Akbar at the same age, since his son Badr seemed like a carbon copy of his own father.

Because of how much work he had to do every single day, he didn't remember spending alot of time with his own family. It had lessened even further after his marriage.

When his mother insisted that he stay at the Palace again until Haya returned back home, the Crown Prince was happy to oblige.

He had been living here for two days only but it almost seemed like nothing had changed. He felt like he was back to the older days. His mother greeted him at the foyer, he handed his things over to the staff, entered the hall and found the family sitting with their concentration on different things.

Waleed and his wife were in a deep conversation. Adil was nowhere to be found. Suhoor and Najma were looking at something on the laptop. Akbar's son Badr was being fed by the nanny.

He greeted everyone as he entered, smiling at his nephew when the little guy came and decided to meet his uncle the proper way.

He had recently learned how to meet and greet properly, so now he was excited everytimd he had to do it.

The Crown Prince bent down, smiling in amusement as he got greeted by the little guy. After a few more chuckles, Amir kissed his head and asked him to go back to eating.

He sat on the sofa, drinking a glass of fresh juice as it got served. He was only halfway done when he saw a pair of innocent eyes on him.

He turned his head, finding Badr's curious eyes on him. Not on him actually but on the glass of the fresh juice that he had been drinking.

Amir gestured him to come near, laughing when the little guy jumped in his direction and quite literally sat on his lap.

Amir brought the glass near his lips, watching him drink the entire juice in a matter of a few seconds.

When he was done, he wiped his face with his own hand and gave Amir a toothy grin. Amir couldn't help himself as he kissed his nephew one more time, before letting him go and play.

"Seems like good news is on the way, brother. You've never been so attached with Badr before."

It was his brother Waleed, who had noticed and then commented on it too. He found his mother's wide and surprise eyes. She looked elated already.

"Haya's pregnant? Why didn't you tell us?" Suhoor asked, standing up as she walked towards her brother and sat by his side with a huge smile on her face.

"I can't believe my own son didn't tell me. Amir."

So now his mother was teary eyed and complaining at the same time.

The Crown Prince shook his head.

"She's not pregnant." He mumbled, looking at his mother.

"I can't even play with my nephew before someone asking if I'm having one of those too."

"Because,"

"You're the oldest in the family. You're the Crown Prince. Your legacy matters." His mother explained, sitting down on the other side of the sofa.

Amir shrugged, turning his head towards his sister.

"And what do you think?"

He asked Suhoor, who let out a sigh and put her head against his shoulder.

"I think I'd really like to hold your baby."

"And spoil him, of course." She further added, chuckling.

"Although I think Haya will spoil the baby anyways." She looked up to see her brother, continuing when Amir didn't say anything and only stared.

"Can you imagine Haya as mother yelling 'what the eff are you doing?"

The Crown Prince couldn't help himself. He laughed out loud, not too opposed to the idea of a child.

"All in due time, if God wills." He patted his sister's shoulder and stood up, the sudden feeling of having a child of his own embraced him.

When his mother walked upto him, he couldn't help but talk.

"I haven't really talked to Haya about a child. I'm afraid that our opinions might not be the same." He expressed, she let out a sigh.

"I understand,"

"But you wouldn't know unless you talk to her, right?"

He hummed, sitting back down as a bowl of soup got served to him. He took a few sips, still pondering over the matter.

He greeted his mother as she entered, his step mother. She smiled and kissed his head, asking about his health and if he was feeling better now.

He had a severe headache just yesterday.

Amir only nodded and told her he was fine, going back into the conversation as his mother asked what they were talking about.

"We're talking about our brother having a child."

"Haya is expecting? Wallah?!"

The surprise and glee in her eyes wasn't missed. Amir shook his head.

"She's not." Amir said, shaking his head.

"But wouldn't it be nice if she was?" Najma piped up, earning eager nods from around.

"It's been seven months of marriage, Amir. But what can we say? You're the one who chose to marry someone from a whole different country."

"It doesn't matter. Haya is lovely." It was his mother who defended Haya, from his step mother.

"I know she is." The woman replied, continuing.

"But she's also a girl with ambition, who won't accept the fact that she needs to give an heir to the family. She wants attention and spotlight, she won't sit at home and take care of a child. She won't want that life."

The woman narrated.

"Haya has done alot of things that no one expected her to do, mother. I'm sure she will make an incredible mother, when the time comes InshaAllah."

Amir replied, drinking a few sips.

"I'll go to father for a while."

He said, standing up and excusing himself because the more he sat around his family, the more they would push the idea of a child.

What would Haya say if he asked her he wanted to start a family now?

"Haya, what are you thinking now?" She heard her mother ask as Haya was sat deep in thought, her legs folded under her lap as she stared at the fire place and her mother entered the room.

The Princess shook her head, gesturing her mother to take a seat.

"Yusuf doesn't seem happy, mom. I don't get it." Haya said, frowning as she remembered how sullen her brother looked during breakfast today.

"He's fine. You're thinking too much."

The Queen knew that something was bothering her son but she didn't want to question him just yet. If there was a problem, Yusuf was adult enough to handle it. She wanted to wait a few days and if things still didn't seem better, she would ask him.

However, Haya didn't seem like she would let it go anytime soon.

"Look, you remember how happy he was at the engagement party? How can he act this disinterested now?" Haya enquired, not understanding the sudden distance from his wedding plans and his fiance.

"Because he's a man, Haya." Her mother continued, watching Haya stare at her with a confused face.

He's a man? What kind of an explanation was that?

"He wanted to make sure that Sara was his and now she is. It's not magical anymore."

While she understood the logic, she didn't think that Yusuf was that kind of man.

"No, you're wrong. There's something more to it. Maybe he's having second thoughts about her." Haya mumbled, her mother chuckled.

"And maybe you're reading too much into it because you don't like Sara. Couples fight, Haya. They'll patch up."

But it had been four days and Yusuf still looked the same. They should have patched up by now. Right?

When she didn't respond, the Queen took a deep breath and smiled at Haya.

"I'm not sitting here with my daughter to talk about Yusuf and Sara. How's everything between you and Amir?"

She hadn't been able to sit with Haya for a proper moment and ask if she was doing alright or not. When she had visited Maraaish, she had realised that Haya was much more compromising in nature than she had even thought.

Maraaish was extremely traditional and conservative compared to Buredaan. If anything, the Queen was happy that Amir had decided to stay with Haya in a separate home. The Palace was grand and luxurious but Haya wouldn't have fit in.

"They're great. He's lovely, you know that." She nodded, seeing the light in her daughter's eyes everytime she talked about Amir.

"He is."

"Do you have plans to start a family anytime soon?"

She wasn't being curious. She just wanted to know if Haya had given a thought to it.

Amir was a Crown Prince. He belonged to Maraaish where the entire purpose of a marriage was to have a child. She wanted to know if Haya was facing any pressure regarding that. She hoped that her daughter wasn't being coaxed into something she wasn't ready to do.

"What?"

"A baby, Haya. A child."

"I know what you mean. I just don't understand the sudden question." Haya replied.

"They're traditional. He is a Crown Prince. It's surprising that no one has questioned you about it."

"Because Najma and Suhoor mentioned something of this sort months ago and I shut them up."

She chuckled, remembering the day.

"It's something between Amir and I. I don't think we're ready yet." Haya professed, the idea of being a mother so soon sounded terrifying.

She felt like she hadn't completely matured herself, not the way a mother was supposed to be.

"And I'll also advise you to not start a family just yet." Her brows lifted in surprise.

"Really?" The Queen hummed.

"Yes, of course. I had Yusuf in the second year of my marriage. The first year should be given to strengthen the relationship between a husband and wife."

"It should be about the love between you two, the understanding. It shouldn't be about a baby."

Haya smiled and let out a sigh of relief.

"I think so too," She whispered.

Amir as a father would be adorable but they had all the time in the world.

"I mean, I'm not opposed to having a child but not so soon. I want to work and do something concrete for now."

She told her mother, hoping that Amir wouldn't talk to her about this subject for a long time atleast.

"Anyway, you should really talk to Yusuf. Maybe he'll tell you if something's wrong." Haya went back to the earlier topic, her mother agreed without any protest.

Haya was stubborn. There was no point in trying to convince her.

"I'll ask him once and then you'll stop talking about it. Okay?"

"Fine. Okay."

She said, even though she wouldn't stop until she found out the reality.

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Thoughts???