112. Panic
Saïda’s POV:
“Our first night in this room,” I said with a smile as we entered Asahd’s room.
“First night?” he mused and I chuckled.
“As husband and wife,” I added and he nodded in approval.
“Now that makes more sense,” he smirked and approached me, wrapping me up. We kissed and hugged.
“I guess this is my room, too?” I smiled.
“Of course, princess Saïda Usaïd,” Asahd replied, kissing my forehead.
“I love the sound of that.”
We hugged one more time and then went to change into our sleeping clothes.
-
“A lot happened in this room, after we returned from New York,” I told him as we lay in each other’s arms. “I’ll never forget all the things your naughty self did to me.”
He laughed a little.
“I couldn’t help it. I needed you for myself and spent a whole lot of sleepless nights, wishing you were mine.”
“It was same on my side, Asahd,” I admitted and he looked at me. “One of the reasons why I came up to you on that rainy night.”
“One of the best nights of my life.”
I smiled at him and snuggled closer.
“What did you and my mother, speak of?”
“I told her about my health. She says it’s probably nothing serious but a doctor will be called tomorrow to examine me.”
“Okay, love. I still think it’s food poisoning though.”
I laughed out.
“And back to sushi.”
“Exactly,” he laughed and I joined him. “Pregnancy crossed my mind but I remember you were safe back then. Well, that’s what you told me.”
I looked up at him.
“Me too, honestly. But then I remembered the same thing,” I replied.
“Well, you’ll get pregnant real soon, for sure,” he mused.
“What makes you think so?” I giggled, knowingly.
“Oh, you know. I had you screaming throughout our honeymoon. You better get pregnant,” he chuckled and I laughed.
“Yeah, it’s probably inevitable.”
The next morning, the royal family sat at the table to have breakfast.
“How was your night?” the sultan asked the young couple.
“Fine. I slept very well, father.”
“And you, dear?” he asked Saïda.
“I slept well, too. Your Majesty.”
“That’s good to know.”
They ate peacefully and as the family they were, until Saïda grimaced and shut her eyes. She rubbed her forehead.
“Darling, are you okay?” her father asked with concern, noticing her.
“My head hurts,” she muttered.
“Are you ill?” both the sultan and Djafar asked.
“It seems so. I have already sent for the doctor,” the Queen said. “He’ll be here after breakfast, my dear.”
“Okay,” Saïda nodded a little.
“Whatever it is, will be treated. Maybe she took something she wasn’t supposed to, during your honeymoon,” Djafar said.
“I thought same,” Asahd replied, rubbing her shoulder. “Let’s have the doctor examine her so we’ll be clarified on the situation.”
“Alright.”
--
After breakfast, the doctor made an appearance as planned. She and Saïda were accompanied upstairs to Asahd’s room.
“You wait here, please,” the woman said to the parents and husband. “I’ll go in and examine her.”
“Okay,” they replied and watched her enter, closing the door behind her.
Asahd, his parents and Djafar waited patiently behind the door.
-
Saïda who lay on the bed, was examined by the doctor.
“So doctor, what is it that I have?” Saïda asked the woman.
The doctor smiled.
“Do not worry, princess,” she said gently. “May I ask your family to come in?”
“Uh–okay,” Saïda replied, suddenly nervous.
’Oh gawd. Why does she want them to come in? Maybe I have nothing? Yalah...′
The doctor went and called the others, who walked in and immediately went to stand by Saïda.
“What did she say?” Asahd asked the question they were all wondering on.
“She hasn’t said anything yet,” Saïda replied, swallowing a little.
“What does she have?” the sultan asked the doctor.
The woman curtsied with a smile.
“My sultan, Queen, prince, princess and noble,” she started. “The Princess isn’t ill.”
The family smiled, relieved. Saïda didn’t, though. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Then?” the queen asked excitedly.
“The princess is a month pregnant.”
“What?!” the parents all asked in a chorus.
“Shut up,” Asahd stated with a gasp and wide eyes. His mouth dropped open and the doctor laughed.
“She is pregnant,” the lady repeated and broad smiles appeared on the parents faces. Asahd’s mouth was still open and so was Saïda’s.
“My wife is pregnant??” he gasped and turned to Saïda with a huge grin. “Already?!”
“Yesss!!” the queen exclaimed happily.
“This is wonderful news!” the sultan added, laughing happily.
“I’m going to be a grandfather! God is great,” Djafar clapped, laughing happily too.
They hugged Saïda happily and gave space for Asahd to come sit close to his wife. Saïda had a little smile on. A nervous one.
′They don’t get it, yet? Oh my gawd, I’m pregnant!′
She thought with a racy heart.
The doctor excused herself and left in order to give them some privacy. Asahd turned to his wife happily, holding her hands in his. He was very happy indeed.
“I can’t believe we were actually talking about this last night!” he laughed happily. “I’m so happy right now.”
Saïda smiled shyly, her cheeks burning. Asahd noticed she looked a little nervous. He stared at her in a way that was asking her, what was bothering her.
She stared back at him.
′He should understand from the look on my face.′
Well, it worked. Asahd had been wondering on her stare and a lot of things were going through his mind. And suddenly, he froze after realising it.
The parents were busy chatting amongst themselves, happy and excited about the news.
Asahd raised his brows at Saïda and she nodded a little, both understanding. He was going to mime something to her when–
“Hold on–” Djafar suddenly said and everyone turned to him. He had a little frown on and seemed confused. “The– the doctor said she’s– Saïda is a month pregnant?”
Asahd who’d kept his eyes on Saïda’s, pressed his lips hard and Saïda heart skipped a beat.
There was sudden silence and they looked up at the parents.
“Did you hear well?” the sultan asked. “They got married two weeks and a half ago. It’s not possible. We should ask her again.”
“I’ll do just that,” Djafar stated and immediately went towards the door.
Asahd’s POV:
′I am finished.′
I thought in both amusement and panic. I covered my mouth with a hand and looked at Saïda. She was definitely nervous as well.
“It’s not possible,” my father repeated and I looked up at them.
My mother was staring intensively at me. She read me way too well and in no time, I saw her expression change.
“Yalah, Asahd,” she muttered, covering her mouth.
′I’m done.′
I looked away and at Saïda. She was panicking indeed. I wasn’t really. I kinda found it amusing and was actually prepared for the storm, psychologically. I held Saïda’s hand and squeezed a little, to reassure her. She held back unto me, holding her breath.
“What is it?” my father asked my mother, concerned.
Just then, Djafar reappeared and his expression said it all. He stared at us in disbelief and with a little frown.
“She confirmed it. My daughter is a month pregnant,” he stated and my parents immediately stared at me.
“How is that possible, Asahd??”
′Of course, I’m to blame.′
Djafar joined us and all three stared at me like looks could kill.
“What do you want me to say?” I muttered, my lips twisting to the side. I avoided to look them in the eyes.
“Tell us how Saïda is a month pregnant,” my father said with wide eyes.
I didn’t answer of course and rubbed my chin in amusement.
“Saïda,” her father called firmly and she shook, her grip on my hand tightening. “Did you– have you known another man?”
“No, father! No,” she quickly replied. Djafar frowned at us.
“Asahd was your first because he’s your husband. But you are a month pregnant,” Saïda gripped me tighter. “Saïda, did Asahd and you, get intimate before marriage?”
Saïda froze and reddened.
“I–”
“It’s my fault,” I finally spoke, cutting in.
“Explain,” my father frowned.
“Maybe I did get intimate with Saïda, before we were married,” I found the courage to reply, confirming their suspicions.
“Maybe?!” my father’s eyes widened even more.
“Yalah,” Djafar muttered, joining his palms in front of his face.
“Asahd what is wrong with you?!” my father scolded with wide eyes, “Why are you so careless?!”
I kept my eyes on Saïda’s hand holding mine.
“I’m not even surprised,” my mother shook her head.
“I can’t believe this,” Djafar gasped. “Was it when we knew you were in love and decided to make a wedding, or when you were still with Noure, Saïda?”
“I– it was before we admitted we were in love,” Saïda stammered.
“You were still with Noure, then!” Djafar exclaimed in shock. “Saïda how?!”
“It’s Asahd,” my father stated and I swear, I almost laughed. Instead, I coughed and bowed my head. “He talked the young girl, into it!”
“But we’re married now.” I told them.
“What if you weren’t??” my mother snapped back.
“The disgrace! She would’ve gone into marriage with Noure, carrying another man’s child,” Djafar scolded.
“I wouldn’t have allowed her to marry Noure,” I told them firmly.
“How could you be sure??” Djafar growled.
“Believe it or not, I knew what I wanted,” I replied, finally looking at them.
“And you had to lure Saïda into doing the unthinkable??” Djafar retorted.
“I’m sorry, Djafar. But it happened and it’s gone. We’re married now.”
“Father, I’m sorry,” Saïda muttered. “It’s not entirely his fault. I– I wanted the same thing. I– I wasn’t in love with Noure anymore. I’d given Asahd my consent. I’m to blame as much as he is.”
“But why the rush?? What if?!”
Saïda and I were quiet now.
“I don’t think it would’ve crossed Saïda’s mind to sleep with Asahd, if he hadn’t put the idea in her mind. I don’t see Saïda getting up one day and deciding to do it,” my mother stated. “If it was just about being in love, then Saïda would’ve slept with Noure too. Which I know she didn’t.”
My mouth twisted to the side and I looked away again.
′You’re not helping me, mom.′
“This is unbelievable,” my father shook his head, exasperated.
“What you both did was very wrong. And you are to blame the most, Asahd. You didn’t protect yourself, neither did you, Saïda,” my mother added.
“I thought I was safe,” Saïda muttered, head down.
“That’s no excuse at all, for what you did,” her father stated.
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Saïda dear, sometimes a woman’s ovulation period can be irregular. It’s not always precised and that’s why other preventive methods exist. But that’s not the problem, the problem is that what happened between both of you a month ago, should’ve never happened in the first place,” my mother said.
Saïda and I didn’t speak. We were all silent for a while, and they just stared at us. They still couldn’t realise it. But then, my mother spoke again.
“We agree that that was a risky mistake, they committed,” she said to our fathers. “But like he said, they’re married now. There’s really nothing we can do about what happened a month ago.”
I raised my head.
′I agree, mother.′
“It’s part of the past and luckily, everything turned out fine. They’re husband and wife and their child will be born legitimately and in marriage. Let’s not think about the what ifs. Let’s use this to ignore their mistake.”
′Yes, mother! Preach.′
I tried not to smile.
“No one will know. The sultanate will only get the news that the princess is pregnant already, and that’s it. Remember that whatever we treat with the doctor is confidential. We have nothing to worry about,” she explained.
From the looks on my father’s and Djafar’s faces, my mother was convincing them to let the issue go.
“Hm,” Djafar hummed, taking a deep breath.
“Let’s concentrate on the fact that we’re going to be grandparents!” my mother exclaimed happily, bending to kiss Saïda’s forehead. Saïda smiled, definitely relieved.
“We’re sorry, Djafar. I’m sorry, father,” I apologised to them, hands joined in front of me.
They stared silently.
“Fine. Thank God we all discovered this now that you are married.” Djafar said, smiling again and bending to hug his daughter.
“Your mother is your advocate in everything,” my father shook his head in amusement and we laughed a little.
“He’s still my baby,” my mother mused and I blew her a kiss.
“I’m very happy indeed,” my father went on. “In some months, we’ll have a new family member. My first grandchild.”
“First?” I laughed.
“Yes. You don’t plan on having just one child, are you?” he laughed.
“God forbid,” my mother laughed too. “Two is good.”
“Or more,” Djafar added and we laughed. “We need this house to be filled with babies, toddlers and happy kids.”
My parents agreed with him.
“We can make it possible,” I smiled at Saïda and she giggled.
“Wonderful! Let’s get the news to everyone in the sultanate,” my mother said happily.
After discussing happily with us, the parents left Saïda and I alone.
“Oh my gawd, I almost died,” she gasped and giggled.
“I was prepared actually,” I chuckled. “Man, they were furious.”
“More like shocked,” she laughed. “I’m laughing now, but I almost had a heart attack.”
I smiled and leaned in. I kissed her nice and slow.
“Everything’s fine now,” I put my forehead against hers. “You’re carrying my child and that’s all that matters.”
She smiled warmly.
“Our baby.”
“Our baby,” I leaned and kissed her again.
“I love you, Asahd.”
“I love you even more, Saïda.”