Chapter Twelve

                                           “Friend’s Betrayal”

Seeing Janaan was like another day filled with delight. Zayed entered the hotel with high spirits and hopes to lessen his distress but upon seeing her talking to a man and shaking hands with him, that mood gradually diminished. He made his way to them when the man was about to leave. She looked up at his approach and gave him a beautiful smile that reached her green eyes.

“You’re late.” She announced. Zayed walked up to take the seat opposite her.

“You don’t look like you’ve been bored!” He asserted, and slightly waved his left hand to the man who had just left. “You’ve had company.”

Janaan turned to where he pointed, “Oh him.” and blinked her eyes in realization. “That’s Nassir. He’s just a colleague.” She confirmed. But for some reason Zayed was a little annoyed at that. He didn’t like the idea of Janaan having meetings with unknown men alone. No matter how open-minded a woman may be, she still had her limits, he thought.

“So, how have you been?” Janaan broke the silence.

“Good.” Was Zayed’s simple answer and when he felt awkwardness spread in the air he added; “How about you? How’s the research been?” Janaan smiled at his effort of making conversation.

“It’s going good.” And then even she realized that he deserved a detailed answer. “Although I don’t agree with some of our norms at some point,” She proclaimed. Her reply made a slow smile spread across his lips.

“Off course you don’t.” He made fun and turned to look at the waiter who was approaching them.

“Hey, I am serious.” She defended.

“I know you are, the world never really works the way you want it to.” Zayed jeered as the waiter put the menu’s in front of them. He gave his order without looking at the menu and turned to Janaan, who asked for the same. She then thanked the waiter and turned to Zayed who wore a light smile

“No seriously. I could fill you in on my opinions and we could argue about it, but I know you don’t like arguments so I am letting it go, just this once.”

“You don’t have to keep all those hypothesis in your heart.” Zayed spoke. “Go on. Tell me. I’ll try and be patient with you.” He put his hands on the arm chair and looked at her, amused.

“Yeah, but be aware. Too much patience pressurizes the heart.” Janaan teased and then after a while she sighed. “There are too many barriers in our society.” She declared. “And I personally wish to unleash my reluctant self and let it wander in wildness.” The writer spoke, once again.

“So that’s it? You think you are being deprived of freedom?” Zayed guessed.

“No, not me. I have been free ever since I was young.” Zayed looked closely at her and realized that that was true. She hasn’t been following any of the cultural values and might not even be familiar with them. “I have seen people here, people who could do anything just to appease their families. In some cases it might come out of ones good character but mostly I feel like it is being thrust upon them. It sort of has become a duty.” She explained.

“So what’s the problem in that?” Zayed asked sincerely because he seriously couldn’t get what was wrong with that.

“Most people don’t want to do that.” She claimed.

“Do what?”

“Spend their entire lives to satisfy others. I mean why do the parents expect their kids to be Gandhi?” Zayed laughed at that. Janaan stopped to look at that smile and hear that voice and she wanted him to go on but he paused to listen to her. And now she had to carry on, she cleared her throat and began again. “They insist we have open minds and then want us to live life on the values that their great grand fathers set. How could that be possible in this century?”

“Not all the parents are like that.” Zayed defended, and Janaan rolled her eyes.

“Really?” She furrowed an eye brow. “Me and Rashid have been doing the research. Even he agrees with me.” That made Zayed frown.

“Rashid?” He asked, a bit surprised.

“Yeah, your cousin, Rashid. Since you are so busy with work, Badr suggested Rashid to help me out a little.” She informed.

 “I see,” Zayed’s words came in a whisper, followed by a slight nod. When the waiter arrived and served the tea, he forgot the topic they were discussing and Janaan didn’t want to bring it up again. She watched as he added some sugar cubes in his Moroccan tea and began to stir it. He liked his tea hot unlike her. She noticed his hands, his delicate fingers and his eyes that were fixed on the spoon but he wore a deep frown.

“What?” She asked making him look up and stare at her questioningly. “What’s wrong? You look a little disturbed!” Zayed picked up his cup and took a sip of his tea.

“Nothing much, just family stuff,” He said, absent mindedly. He heard Janaan grin.

“See, that’s exactly what I meant.” She giggled and they were silent for a while, then she insisted he tells her what was wrong and Zayed tried to ignore that question.

“What does you research suggest?” He played. “A man who has finished his studies and is now working, what could possibly happen to him?” He beamed at her. It took Janaan a while to realize what he meant, but when she did, her eyes opened to their fullest; “Don’t tell me?” She gaped at him and Zayed knew she had guessed it right without having been told.

“My parents want me to get settled down.” He finally voiced both their thoughts.

“Oh,” Janaan managed to utter. Zayed examined her closely, looking for any sign of her discomfort related to this particular topic. He badly wanted to know her opinion about him but was afraid that if he asked she might not think the same way. Or that she might just say she isn’t ‘ready’! His pride made him waver because he didn’t want such answers.

“Do they have a girl in mind?” Janaan permitted herself to have a glance at him.

“Yes,” Zayed confided. His eyes stayed carefully focused at her as an astonished look took over her face.

“Do I know her?” She pressed.

“No, I don’t think so.” He said with a half smile. He didn’t know why he was talking about this to Janaan, why was he telling her about Mahra, even though he himself didn’t think of her that way. But she was the only tool he could use to know Janaan’s opinion.

“I think it’s a little early for you,” Janaan pointed out, her eyebrows knit together. “I mean you are twenty –seven years old and have just started work..” She trailed off.

“May be,” Zayed shrugged his shoulders. “But that’s not what my family thinks.” Janaan answered with a slight nod and after a moment of silence Zayed realized that that was the only answer he was going to get.

“And what about you?” He smiled widely. “You are going to be twenty-nine soon. Have you ever thought of getting married?” There. He announced his thoughts and waited for her answer now.

“I..” Janaan paused, getting uncomfortable. “I have worked really hard to accomplish this and now that,” she looked away from him, her eyes fixed on the table.  “Now that I am one step away from my dreams I don’t think I would put my interest in something else.” She said dryly. “And as you know, when I do something, I want to give it my best.” She mused and Zayed faked a smile, because he got her answer. She is too career orientated to think the way he wants him to think. Too concentrated, too ambitious.

*'♥♫*

After a few days

The room was dark and freezing when Umm Zayed entered it. She had knocked three times but Zayed didn’t open, so she let herself in. Now that she heard the sound of splashing water from the bathroom, she knew he was taking a shower. And just like a typical mother, she started organizing his messy room, opening the drawn long curtains, allowing bright light to spill into the room, and making the bed.

As for Zayed, after having taken a bath, he walked in the dressing room to get ready for work. He opened the wardrobe and started picking up his clothes. Selecting a white Kandoorah, he quickly slipped it in and was doing his buttons when he heard a slight movement in his room. He frowned.

“Mother?” He guessed, walking out of the dressing room. He saw his mother holding one of the pillows on the bed. She smiled when she looked up at him and set the pillow on its right place.

“Good morning.” Umm Zayed said with a sad smile, making his son worried. He could see the dark circles around her eyes. She looked a little worn out.

“Good morning,” He walked over to kiss her forehead then looked closely at her. “Why are you doing this?” He gestured to his bed.

“It’s okay. I miss doing it.” Zayed smiled at that motherly habit that won’t go away. “Cleaning your room has always been easier than Jassim’s.” He grinned at that, and bent to take his phone from the bed side table where it was set on charge. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed his mother sit on the bed. Her silence proved that something was wrong.

“What is it mother?” He stuffed his phone in his pocket and came to sit beside her, curiously. “Is something wrong?”

Umm Zayed looked up at her oldest son, tears shining in her eyes. “Your father, he couldn’t sleep last night.” She said, her voice shaking and something tightened in Zayed’s chest. “He hasn’t been eating well and has been feeling nauseas a lot these days.” She explained, and then sighed as if her heart got a little lighter by sharing her pain with her son.

“Why haven’t you told me this before? Why didn’t you come to me last night? I should take him to the hospital.” He stood up, making his mind.

“No, not you. Your father didn’t want you to get worried. Laylah took an appointment and Jassim’s going to take him to the hospital today. You should go to work, your father suggested.”

“Did he tell you that himself?” Zayed was concerned that his father might still be upset with him.

“Yes, he said you already have too much work pressure on yourself.”

“When is the appointment?”

“Jassim’s going to take him at 4 o’clock. He says he’ll skip his class.” Umm Zayed shook her head disapprovingly. “He’d be happy to do that.” She added, smoothing the bed sheet and not looking at him.

“How’s his blood pressure been?” Zayed inquired, taking back his seat next to his mother.

“It was normal when I checked it yesterday morning but it was high last night.” This time she looked up at him, with bothered eyes that, oddly, carried…hope.

“Don’t worry. He’ll be fine Insha Allah.” He consoled, but that look still remained in his mother’s eyes. Zayed knew his mother enough to know that there was more to the matter than just that. He could see she badly wanted to say something. Something she couldn’t put into words and her eyes couldn’t hide.

“What else is bothering you, mother?” He came clean. His mother shook her head again, this time with annoyance.

“Mona,” She blurted out the word, like she couldn’t wait to complain about her. Zayed frowned.

“Why ? what has she done?” He stared at her, quizzically.

“There’s a great proposal that came for her day before yesterday. The boy is a doctor and from a great family as well. But your sister is not ready to even think about it.” Umm Zayed explained, putting her hands on her laps.

“Who are they? Do I know the guy?”

“He’s your father’s friend, Mohammed’s son.” Umm Zayed informed. Zayed thought of it and remembered that his father’s friend Mohammed had four sons, three of them were married and only the last son, Yusuf wasn’t. He was younger than him two or three years but as far as Zayed knew Yusuf was a great man.

Zayed didn’t know what to say to his mother that’d make her feel better. His mind still wandered around his father’s health and what he’d asked of him. He couldn’t possibly forgive himself for being upset with him for three long days. And there, in some part of his brain, another disturbing thought lingered as well, the conversation they had had last week and what Waleed had asked of him!

“When I talked to her about it,” Umm Zayed continued. “She headed to her room and locked herself up there, without even giving me a reason.” She took a deep breath. “And yesterday Khawlah said she had seen her crying. I don’t know what’s wrong with that girl.” At this her voice sounded disturbed.

Zayed reached over and grabbed her soft hand in his, making his mother turn towards him. “Why are you so worried? She’s been overly cosseted, besides I think it is part of what girls do. She just needs someone to talk some sense into her, that’s all.” His words were a bit harsher than what he intended them to be so he added. “And you don’t worry, I’ll take it from here.”

“What are you going to do?” She asked, examining his eyes.

“Like I said, talk some sense into her.” The corner of his lips twitched into a small smile. “Don’t distress yourself too much, this problem is mine to solve.” He added, meaning every word he said. In this state he was the one who had to step up and end matters for his mother, since his father wasn’t able to do that.

Umm Zayed stood up and blessed her son with her prayers. She kissed his head and felt his damp hair with her fingers. She tsked and shook her head in disapproval.

“Dear, your hair’s wet.” The mother said with mere concern. She walked up to close the air condition in his room, which had made the room freezing cold. “You are going to catch a cold.” She said, concern oozing from her tone.

“It’s okay. I am used to the cold mother.”

*'♥♫*

Zayed went down soon after his mother had left. He went straight to the dining room where he saw his family gathered at breakfast. His father sat at his usual seat of the head of the house. He looked up at his sons approach and smiled, showing no signs of anger or agitation towards him. Zayed on the other hand, was a bit flustered to have done what he had done. He hadn’t been talking to his father as he usually did. And it felt rather awkward to do so now.

Putting aside all of his vain thoughts, he walked up to greet his father and the others. He sat next to him and noticed some swelling in his legs and feet. Zayed inquired about them and upon asking Waleed informed him about the pain in his back as well. He also said he had been feeling restless a lot these days. That stung Zayed. He didn’t like seeing his father in such a form.

 Today, he spent more time with him at breakfast than he normally did, to be contented of his father’s health. He insisted that he’d take him to the hospital. Though Waleed kept on refusing but he agreed to it in the end. Zayed told him he’d be coming back early from work and take him for his appointment. Laylah volunteered to accompany them and Jassim grew sad because he’d be attending his class again.

“Jassoom,” Zayed called his younger brother with his nick name. Jassim looked at him and he gave him a wicked smile. “That means you won’t be skipping any classes.” He joked, making him grunt and his father laughed. Zayed turned to look at him and smiled along.

No matter how much Zayed tried to ignore it, but there was something different about the way his father looked at him. Like he waited for Zayed to please him, there was something hopeful in his eyes. He liked that, but not when that hope had anything to do with Mahra.

And yet again, the same name rang in his brain, never wishing to go away.

Mahra.

He saw her that day — at work, when he had finished earlier and got out of his office at lunch time to get home soon. He was in the elevator, heading to the ground floor but before he could do that, the elevator stopped at the sixth floor. The doors opened and there she was, again.

Mahra was busy in her own world. Talking on the phone and searching for her car keys in her bag as she waited for the elevator. She was headed to the ground floor as well, because she wanted to go to the nearby restaurant and have lunch. She was talking to Hamad who complained about her having taken his car without his permission.

“That was your payment for doing what you did day before yesterday, jerk.” She poked fun at him, grinning at her brother’s annoyance. Mahra looked up when she heard the elevator bells ring, her eyes slightly widened when she saw a tall figure standing stiffly in the elevator, waiting for her to get in.

“Hamad, I’ll call you later.” She said and cut the phone. Zayed’s hazel eyes were staring at her, impatiently. She managed to fake a smile and got in the elevator accompanied by no one but him.

“Salaam Aliakum,” She greeted in a whisper. Though Zayed hardly heard her but he answered her anyway. He hadn’t seen her in days and surprisingly, upon encountering her, he didn’t feel as bad as he thought he’d feel.

As for Mahra, she felt that there was something about his eyes that made her lose it all. Something about the scent of his perfume in the elevator that made her head spin.

“It’s been a long time we haven’t seen your fa…. Mr. Waleed.” She broke the silence. He turned to look at her, amazed at her courage and intrusiveness. “I hope he is well.”

Zayed allowed himself a few seconds to look at her. For the first time he noticed her. Her big brown eyes, that were the same color of her bangs, which slightly shone from under her shailah. She had a normal height and had become a lot slender than how she was when she was younger.

He didn’t know why but he wanted to smile at the turns fate took. Who would’ve thought that the girl who he, Hamad and Rashid used to play around with now works under him? And fates games don’t stop there, she is also someone whose name has been attached to him!

“He’s fine. Alhamdulilah.” Zayed replied, not wanting to fill her in with the latest details.

Zayed could feel her uneasiness and her hard trials to make light conversation. It led him to think that she was either too over confident or just someone not fond of silence. Fortunately for her, the elevator came to a halt. The doors opened and he beckoned her with a slight hand gesture to leave first. Mahra gave him a genuine smile, a bit surprised at discovering his new etiquette and politeness. With a brush of hesitance, she got out and led the way.

*'♥♫*              

As promised to his mother, Zayed called his sister, Mona to ask about her classes. She told him that she’d finish until 1 o’clock and he told her he’d pick her up today instead of the driver. It kind of made her awe-struck that Zayed would come and pick her up, but she liked it as well. He hadn’t done that in a long time.

After getting out of his office, he made his way to her university and was there at exactly 1:05. He kept on waiting for twenty minutes, but Mona didn’t arrive. It maddened him a bit and made him impatient. He wanted to call her and scold her because like every other man he wasn’t fond of waiting, but just for the sake of his mother he ignored that thought.

A few more minutes passed by, and then finally the passenger’s seat door clicked. Zayed turned to see his sister smiling at him apologetically. “Salaam Alaikum,” She greeted, getting in the car.

“Alaikum As Salaam, why didn’t you tell me you were going to finish at one thirty? I could’ve done a lot of work in this half hour.” He teased. She grinned putting her books and bag on her laps.

“Actually we were supposed to finish at one, but that idiotic teacher of ours changed her mind at the last minute.” She said, looking at him. “Sorry. How long have you been waiting?” Mona asked, biting her lower lip.

“About an hour or so,” Zayed pretended to be serious when he looked in her eyes. Mona stared back but when she realized he was kidding she turned to look ahead, smiling.

“Your eyes are too honest.” She said, glancing at him. “Don’t ever try that with your wife.” That made Zayed chuckle.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He said between laughs and drove out of the university in silence.

“So,” Mona began after a while. “To what do I owe this great pleasure?” She questioned.

“You’ll know soon,” Zayed answered, staring at the red signal which they had just stopped at. When it went green Mona thought he’d take the right turn and go home but Zayed turned left which confused her and before she could ask, he went ahead; “Where do you want to go?”

His question took Mona by surprise; “I thought we were going home. You must be tired.” She said, her eyes narrowed.

“Well, as you can see,” he paused and took another turn left. “Change of plans.” He stole a glance at her and saw her smiling ear to ear.

“Okay, in that case I am up for it. If you’ve come so far I can’t possibly let you go without spending some money.”

 “InterContinental or Al Qasr?” Zayed gave her two of his favorite hotels in Dubai, to choose from. Mona considered her options for a few seconds and then chose the first one. Zayed nodded and made his way to InterContinental. Though he didn’t want to go to hotels or anywhere outside because of his father’s state, he wanted to go home and make sure if he’s fine but they could still be back by the appointment.

Once at the hotel entrance, he handed his car over to the parking valet while Mona was being escorted by another. They both then headed to the Vista lounge where a young lady was playing the piano. They took a cozy table next to the full-length windows, through which light flooded during the day. The place wasn’t too crowded, Zayed was grateful of that. He could easily talk to Mona now. He looked at his sister who stared out at the view of the Arabian Gulf, she looked at the sea’s waves and its blue skin. He joined her and soon realized that he’d missed it too.

“It’s been a long time I haven’t been out with you.” Mona spoke.

“Yeah, you say it like you missed it.” Zayed played.

“Oh I swear I did.” Mona came clean. “Going with friends is good but this one’s different.” She said with a smile in her voice.

“Hasn’t Jassim ever taken you out?”

“Please, if his friends ever leave him alone he’d spend that time sleeping.” They both laughed at that.

“So, you are finishing in three weeks. We can almost call you a graduate.” Zayed said.

“Yeah, I am having exams in two weeks. Wish me Luck.” And Zayed did that.

“What are you planning to do afterwards?” He inquired his eyes sweeping her. “Join me at work?” He suggested, with a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

“No,” Mona shook her head. “I don’t want to work. I just wanna take a long rest after all these years of hard work.” She said, idly.

“That wouldn’t go on for a long time. You’re gonna get bored in two months and change your mind.” Zayed stated. She answered him with a smile and his sentence hung in the air.

Soon a waitress spotted them and came to take their orders, they both ordered coffee. When she was gone Zayed realized it was time he’d open the topic. Mona was gazing at the piano girl, and he at her.

“Mona,” He called for her attention. She turned to him with a quizzical look on her face. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.” He began.

“Finally,” Mona smiled. “I was waiting for this. I knew you had something on your mind. Allah Yester!”

Zayed tried to pass her a smile. “I heard something this morning and wanted to make sure if it was true.” Mona nodded and waited for him to complete but he didn’t so she asked.

“What is it?”

“You tell me! I heard there is a great proposal that came for you and you have refused.” He saw Mona’s expressions change at once. She took her eyes away from him and her cheeks reddened.

“Is that why you brought me here? To manipulate me?” She asked. Zayed frowned at her getting the wrong idea.

“I wouldn’t call it manipulating. ‘Negotiating’ is the right term to use here.” He tried to lighten up the situation. “Do you even know what you are refusing?”

“I don’t know and I don’t want to know.” She said, collectedly. They both hushed when the waitress brought them their orders. The cups sat at the table, untouched.

“Mona as your brother it is my duty to tell you that Yusuf is a great guy.” He asserted after a while. Mona shook her head, looking as if she wanted to leave the place.

“He might be and I wish with all my heart that he gets the best girl who’ll make him happy but I am not that girl.” She remarked. Zayed stared at her for a good two minutes, trying to read her eyes and to get the real meaning of her words.

“Why is that?” He questioned, his eye brows knit together.

“I just don’t want to get married.” She shrugged her shoulders. Zayed sighed a deep sigh.

“I never thought you’d give me such an idiotic reason. I thought you were smarter than that.” He declared. “Chances like these don’t come again. You shouldn’t take them for granted.” He looked at her for a reply but she stayed silent, staring at her cup.

Seconds ticked by and they stayed as they were. Zayed read her disturbed face, her hesitance of saying something but she couldn’t. He wondered what reason there was, seeing as they were always open to each other before, sharing secrets and an understanding. Then he came up with a conclusion and waited before voicing his thoughts.

“Is there someone else?” He observed. This made Mona look up at him and her eyes gave her away. Zayed nodded without being mad. He was open to the idea of her sister having an interest in someone else.

“Who?” He noticed that question made Mona uncomfortable in her place. She shook her head and avoided his gaze. “Do I know him?”

“I can’t tell you,” Mona spluttered.

“Is it both sided?” Zayed pressed. “Is he aware of your interest in him?” Mona nodded slightly, feeling it is time she came clean.

“Has he made any promises to you? I mean, is he serious about it?” He asked, trying to control any brotherly feelings that arose in his chest. “Tell me who is he?”

“I can’t. I have made promises.”

“I thought we were closer than this. I thought you trusted me!” Disappointment colored Zayed’s tone.

“I do trust you, but it’s him I am worried about.” Mona said, her voice shaking.

“Who is this ‘him’ you’re so worried about? You do know that at some point you need to tell someone!” He insisted.

“You know him,” Mona jabbered. “You know him very well.” She said with an uneasy smile. It was Zayed’s turn to frown now. “But I have made many promises. He told me he’ll tell you himself.”

This made curiosity burn in Zayed’s mind; “Then why doesn’t he man up?” The brother got annoyed.

Taking a moment to organize her thoughts and making her mind Mona began; “Zayed, promise you’ll be patient and listen to me ‘til the end?” Zayed tried to nod and she took a deep breath.

“After you went to complete your studies, he used to come to our house a lot, and by ‘he’ I mean, Hamad.” She announced, stealing a glance at her brother who obviously was perplexed. “But you must know it wasn’t him at first, it was me who approached him.” She added, quickly.

The color of Zayed’s face had changed. He stared at his sister, aghast but the real reason behind his astonishment was his friend’s betrayal. Hamad, the man of honor and loyalty and his best friend took advantage of his absence. He couldn’t believe how could he do such a thing? How could they both go behind his back? The two people he trusted the most. The amount of anger that he felt was indescribable. He wasn’t mad at Mona for she is just a girl who could be easily played with. It was Hamad’s face that kept flashing before his eyes. How dare he come near his sister? How dare he look at her that way?

“How dare he?” Zayed growled, out loud.

“Zayed, please, you promised to hear me out. Don’t draw conclusions before you know the whole story. Hamad has never done anything that would offend our beliefs. If he knew I told you, he would never forgive himself or me.” Mona explained.

“Oh yeah.” Zayed said, disgustedly.

“He has promised me marriage.” Mona stated. “But he has family problems and is caught up with responsibilities.” She looked at Zayed pleadingly. “He would’ve come and asked for my hand a while ago but his father passed away.”

“If he was so responsible,” Zayed leaned a bit forward, placing his hand on the table and pointing at his sister, “Then why would he mess around with you?” he grumbled, trying his level best not to attract the attention of the passersby.

Mona frowned at his selection of words. “He wasn’t messing around. I told you he is serious.” She appealed. Zayed hated the way his sister took his side and how she was defending him.

“And what excuse does he give you now?” He ridiculed. “Why can’t he come forward now?” He was too mad to remember his relationship with Hamad. Right now he was just someone who betrayed him behind his back.

“It’s his sister.” Mona proclaimed. Zayed was taken aback by that piece of information. “He is waiting for her to get married. He says she doesn’t have anyone aside from him and as a brother it’s his responsibility.”

Zayed slouched back in his chair, staring in her eyes as Mona’s words sank deeper. He couldn’t believe it was her? Again?

“I was always encouraged to see both you and dad being so fond of him. I won’t sit here and tell you what kind of a guy Hamad is. I think you know him better than I do, but to be honest, you can’t find a guy like him elsewhere nor would I prefer anyone else on him.” She cleared.

Zayed thought about it for a while and realized that what she said was true. He had known Hamad ever since they were young, he knew his habits, his personality even his little interests. And all these years of friendship he never really saw Hamad doing anything that’s frowned upon. He took care of his family and father, and now he is delaying his marriage because of his sister. Zayed didn’t have anything bad to accuse him with, except his relationship with Mona.

“How long has this been going on?” He asked, referring to the thing Mona and Hamad had.

“Two years ago, when his father passed away, he used to come to our house a lot, because dad told him so. I already knew him because of you and,” She paused, embarrassment coloring her tone. “I was the one who talked to him first.” Mona looked down, her eyes filled with guilt. She remembered when she was having her final exams in school and Hamad came by one day. She went to him with the excuse of her studies, and it was then that it all started.

“You can’t tell him, he wouldn’t be pleased to hear that I’ve told you.” She continued. “Hamad always said he’d be honored to ask my hand from you, he didn’t want it to be this way. Please don’t tell him.” Zayed saw tears gushing in her eyes and he didn’t like it. “It can affect his trust in me. Please Zayed.” Her brother looked away from her and shook his head, disapprovingly.

“Zayed,” she searched for his eyes. “Please.”

“Okay,” Zayed muttered.

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

~'♥♫•~'♥♫•~'♥♫•~'♥♫•~'♥♫•~'♥♫•~'♥♫•~'♥♫•~'♥♫•~'♥♫•

First of all, We both would like to wish you all RAMADAN KAREEM. Hope you have a great time enjoying this holy month. Please remember us in your prayers. We are late posting once again, that's because we have been extremely busy. Forgive us!

Secondly, we hope you liked this chp and we would like to thank everyone who read the previous chps. The last chp got 45 votes which was indredible and a little unexpectable as well;) Plz vote and comment if u liked this one.

~Lot of L♥ve from the writers

~Witty & Witch