Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?

Two days went by. Two days since Aza unvieled my identity and two days since he had shown me his face.

His face was . . .  Truly beautiful yet rough. Glowed. His face glowed as the moon light cascaded on his face and I wondered, how can a man be so beautiful.

So deadly yet beautiful. Truly a shehzada. (Prince)

My nights were becoming more and more restless by the day, not only because of Aza's face that kept coming back but several other reasons.

Whenever I closed my eyes to sleep, it felt as if someone was watching me and then Aza's words would ring in my head, 'Close your window at night.'

Let's just say, I love the feel of cool air entering my room too much to shut the window close.

My fingers and thumb worked to snap the twig in my hand as I delved deeper in thought.

The sun unbashfully bathed us in it's naked light and I was staring to loose my common sense because of the heat.

Too hot.

On top of all this heat, Ammi had woken me up early in the morning, her excuse being that guests were coming over and when I asked 'who?', her only answer was, 'My special friends.'

Now, I was not unaware of my mother's wishes. Ever since I had returned from my false kidnapping, my mother had something bothering her and it was quite obvious. She had been pestering me about my looks and health. She has been saying weird things like, 'When you will finally go to your husband's house -' etc etc.

I would not be surprised if these special friends would have something to do with it.

My mom was thoroughly cleaning the house while I prepared dishes after dishes.

Kebabs of many variety, kheer, pulao, and only Allah knows what else Ammi has planned for me to make. My hands are going to fall off if she asks me roll another pair of kebabs.

Seconds turned to minutes to hours until the sun was ready to set and the door of our house was pounded upon.

The special guests were here.

I can only hope that it is not what I think it is, even though it probably is. The fact that Ammi has asked me to dress my best does not help that thought either.

Baba had probably invited the guests in by now, maybe I can take a peek and see who are the people.

Slightly poking my head out, I blinked.

A woman and two men.

One man out of the two looked older, just like the woman who sat next to them while the second man looked young even though the beard on his face made him look older than what ever was his age.

I recognize the woman from the time when our house had turned into a guest house for people the previous week when the news of my return had reached from one house to another.

And this time she brings her son with her! Not only that, Ammi calls her 'my special guest!'

I would be surprised if someone told me that they are not here to extend a proposal.

Aza! That black tongued man!

He just had to talk about me finding a man and settle down. That man jinxed me!

"Hoor! What are you peeking at!" Ammi lightly pats my head from behind and I return to my original position with a scowl on my face.

"Ammi! What is this? Who are these people!?"

"Hoor, aziziti, listen to me. I will explain everything to you tonight but first, let us treat the guests with respect. Come, greet them and serve tea."

My scowl did not go away as I stared at Ammi who thought that by giving me a polite smile, I would forget everything.

Ammi left to join the guests aswell and I huffed.

Clenching my jaw, a devious plan formed in my head.

Grabbing the tray, I placed in the tea cups, some light sweets and biscuits to go with the tea.

Holding in the smile, I marched out.

"Assalamualaikum!"

"Walaikumasalam Hoor! How are you? Mashallah, you look stunning." The woman complimented and it genuinely felt honest.

From the deepest pits of my heart lady, for what is about to happen to your son, I apologise.

Setting the tray down, I handed everyone a tea cup and passed around the plate of mouthwatering snacks.

I stopped infront of the son of the woman.

I am going to call him invader!

"I made these especially for you, please try them." My face broke into a kind smile and my eyes crinkled.

The invader smiled back and reached out towards the plate to grab a piece of soft cake.

I moved to sit between my parents, still smiling. The invader took a bite and I watched as his face changed slightly, his brows furrowed and my smile got wider than the rocky road infront of the bazaar.

"How is it? I added extra flavor, brings out the best of the tastes."

The invader clear his throat, "I must say, you have got taste in your hand-" My crinkled eyes turned to a glare while still smiling. "- I really like the taste."

How is this man not asking for water yet. The cake was a shade of red by the amount of spices I had added in it. This man sure was strong.

"Take some more then." My eyes stared straight into his and I believe he seemed to caught on.

My obvious dislike towards him.

Oh sweety, it is nothing personal, your mommy dearest just chose the wrong house.

"Don't mind me." This man sure had some guts. The next second, the man reached out to grab another piece and my eyes narrowed to slits.

My jaw clenched.

The others seemed oblivious to whatever battle raged between us, emersed deeply in their own conversations.

"I did not quite get to know your name, what was-"

"Musa. Musa bin Nasèr."

"Well Musa, did you join the war that raged on recently?"

Musa seems to laugh and I bit the inside of my cheek. Judging his physic, he was not like those lanky dudes instead, this man was quite muscular.

"Allow me to boast. I am a warrior among the elite soldiers of the empire. I work directly under the trusted general, Haroon of Amir Khuzzain."

My brows raised.

He worked under Haroon? He must be there then.

"Adequate." The word roll out, hiding my surprise and praise underneath.

"What are your hobbies?" His question caught me off guard for some reason but a smile was quick to grace my face once again.

"Nothing much, just riding my horse and sleep all day. I don't even get time to shower sometimes." My smile did not drop when Musa's right eye twitched.

I felt a glare burn into my head. Not her again! Ammi please!

"That's . . . Alright."

"Musa, I think we should go, it is getting late." Yes please, get out!

Musa nodded at me, my smile dropped, I only returned his smile with another glare.

::

"It was nice meeting you." The woman and man walked ahead and Musa slightly bowed his head to my parents.

I stood behind my parents, waiting to catch his eyes and when I did, I dragged my thumb across my neck, signalling that he will die by my hands if he comes here again.

A chuckle escaped Musa and my parents smiled at him, wondering why did he laugh and my eyes only killed him further.

This man!

::

"What was this Ammi!?"

"Just some guest-"

"Do not give me that! Why were they here? Please Ammi! Be honest with me." My eyes pleaded and my Ammi's gaze softened.

She sighed and took a seat at the edge of my bed.

"They just asked me to come over. It was just a friendly get to gather. Alina is quite infatuated with you. I would not be surprised if she asked for your hand for her son. But today's gathering was anything but that."

My head had started to throb and my fingers involuntary massaged my temples.

"Ammi, I can- cannot get married-"

"Hoor, listen to me. It would be a blessing if someone asks for your hand in marriage. After a woman goes through something like you, very little people consider her worthy of marriage. Do not make this any more difficult than it is. You have to understand aziziti."

My eyes burned as my mother spoke the harsh reality. I lived in a society where people took it up as a hobby to judge people.

And this a pretty small society.

Whatever is going to happen next.

Tin tin tin!

New man in town?
Hamza, Khulaid and Musa. Who do you choose?