47. Not Her Business
Saïda’s POV:
I lay immobile in my bed the next morning thinking. It was eight and Asahd was definitely still asleep.
′Guess I’ll be alone in this apartment today. Well at least until my father returns.′
I sighed and turned onto my side. Just then, my mind went back to what had happened the previous night. It immediately caused a sweet electric feeling in between my legs and I shut them tight, closing my eyes.
′We both knew what we did, yet we later on acted like nothing had happened.′
I rubbed my forehead with a little frown.
’And I let it happen, once again. What is happening to me? To us? The way he had his face pressed up against my intimacy– Gawd it caused such an exciting reaction through my body. I raised my hips because I wanted more. What is happening to me?? Something I used to judge and find strange?′
“Yalah Saïda, you’re losing it,” I muttered.
And the worse part was that, unlike the first time that something weird had happened between us, I wasn’t guilty. I wasn’t the least guilty. I was trying hard to feel guilty and hate myself because of what I was doing with Asahd, to Noure, but I couldn’t. I felt like the things we were doing were almost normal for us to do.
′This isn’t right, this isn’t right at all.′
I swallowed and got out of bed. I grabbed my toothbrush and headed for the bathroom.
Asahd’s POV:
Later that afternoon, I put my things in my backpack and left my room. Saïda was watching TV.
“Saïda?” I called and she looked up.
“Hmm?”
“...’ana fi tariqi (I am on my way).”
“Okay,” she replied and went back to watching TV.
“Do you need me for anything before I leave?”
“la , yumkinuk aldhahab (No, you can go).”
She seemed a little dry and I decided to believe that she just wasn’t in her mood. I didn’t want to think that maybe she was angry at me for what had happened the previous night.
′But she was laughing with me this morning.
Is she jealous? No. Why would she be?′
“We got a problem?” I asked with a little frown. She looked up at me, her expression quite indifferent.
“No. Should we?” was her casual yet firm reply. For a second, I recognised the dry Saïda that I used to deal with back in Zagreh.
“No,” I replied. “I’m out.” I added and left the apartment, a little annoyed.
′What was that about? If she’s in a bad mood, why pour it on me?′
I rolled my eyes and entered the elevator. Next up, Ally’s campus.
Ally and I spent the entire day together, hanging out and having fun. I had a great time though I kept checking my phone to see if Saïda had texted a joke that would make me laugh or smile, like she usually did. But she didn’t. I wanted to ask her how her evening was going but I was doubtful. Saïda was unpredictable when in a bad mood. I decided not to bother and live my life. After all, I didn’t know what had put her in such a mood that afternoon and why she’d been a little dry towards me.
---
“Expecting a call or something?” Allison asked me that night while we lay and cuddled in her bed. Her roommate and a friend were in their corner chatting and so, Allison and I couldn’t do anything serious yet.
“Um...”
“Saïda?” she mused.
“Yeah,” I chuckled a little.
“You’re always worried about each other. That’s so cute. I wish I was that caring and close to my siblings.”
“You think?”
“Yes. It’s so obvious. Whenever you’re on break, you call her to know how she’s doing. If you don’t, she does.”
I was silent, realising it was true. We were always calling each other. Sometimes three times a day, when we were both at work.
“Well, sometimes I just want to hear her voice,” I said without thinking.
“How cute. Maybe she hasn’t called you because she knows you’re with me, and we’re gonna be busy immediately Lana leaves,” she giggled referring to her roommate.
“Mhm,” I was a little off and not really listening to her.
She snuggled closer and buried her face in the side of my neck, planting soft kisses and nibbling. I closed my eyes to enjoy the moment. But I reopened them almost immediately. There was a major problem.
She had Saïda’s perfume on. Well, the perfume Saïda used.
‘Oh no.’
As expected, thoughts of Saïda flooded my mind and ruined everything, or made things awkward rather. I turned and held Allison’s face, kissing her deep. Problem was, I wasn’t really kissing her.
‘I’m going crazy.’
Saïda’s POV:
“I’m happy you’re finally back,” I happily said, putting my head down on my father’s shoulder that night.
“I missed you too my dear. As well as Asahd. Where did you say he went to?”
“His girlfriend’s place.”
“Oh, Allison. I’m happy for them. Since they’re serious enough and he might soon take her along with us to Zagreh. If she wants.”
I looked at him.
“Soon?”
“Yes, my darling. Asahd has really improved. He has changed a lot, without even realising it. He’s humbled down and a greater part of him has gotten adapted to this new life in just a few month. I expected it to be longer but he’s doing great. I give him two more weeks. If he’s still down to earth and even makes another improvement, we’ll go back to Zagreh. Approved by the sultan and Queen too. Remember I give them full report every single day, telling them what I’ve observed and what you also report to me about his changes. His parents are ready to receive him back in Zagreh in two week, that’s is, if he doesn’t ruin things again. Plus, he’s found himself a partner. It’s just perfect.”
“And what if she refuses to go with him or doesn’t want to get married to him?”
‘Honestly, I feel like Allison would accept to follow him and even marry him after discovering he is a Prince. It might not be as a result of true love. They’ve only been dating for a short while and I don’t think she knows him very well.’
“Who says no to a Prince,” my father laughed.
“But dad, what if their love isn’t even deep or existent. What if it’s just a matter of ‘liking’ each other.”
“Saïda, they’re a lot of arranged marriages in Zagreh. Most weddings aren’t even based on love and not everyone falls in love with the person they’ve been betrothed to. Trust me, it’s preferable Asahd marries someone whom he likes as you say, and who likes him back. With time it might grow into a true love. I’d rather he marries Allison if possible, than Zhou. Asahd can’t stand Zhou even a bit.”
I was silent.
“I can’t wait to return, my dear. A lot of positive things await us back in Zagreh. Your engagement to Noure and eventual wedding, Asahd’s engagement and eventual wedding too, the first ceremony in preparation for his crowning and etcetera,” my father waved his hand happily.
I smiled a little at him. But deep down, I wasn’t happy or enthusiastic about what was awaiting us in Zagreh. I was, for my engagement to Noure but the rest didn’t excite me at all. To me, Allison had not proven enough and wasn’t good enough for him.
“Lemme warm the food,” I said and stood.
“Okay, my darling,”
I went to the kitchen and while I put the pots on fire, I did something I couldn’t understand. I grabbed my phone and texted Asahd in Arabic. It read:
-Don’t sleep with her, Asahd.-
I pressed the send button without thinking and dropped my phone. I stood there, staring at the pot on fire and after some silent seconds, I gasped a little and my lips parted, realising what I’d just done.
’Why did I do that?? It’s not supposed to be my business.′
“Oh no,” I muttered and ran a hand over my face. “Should I text him to ignore the first text?”
‘No. I know I don’t want him to sleep with Allison.’
“I’m gonna leave it right there,” I said to myself, a little frown replacing my worry. It was a fact. I didn’t want him sleeping with Allison. Just like that. No particular reason. I just didn’t want it.
’No reason?
-Yeah, no reason...′
--
Asahd’s POV:
Allison and I were caught up in a heated and sensual kiss. If Lana had not been in a corner chatting with her friend, things would’ve escalated a long time ago.
She moaned softly against my lips, making me smile through the kiss. The way she touched me...Allison could be shameless and freaky when she wanted to. I loved that side of her.
Just then, I received a text and it was Saïda’s tone. I broke the kiss almost immediately and sat up to grab my phone.
“Answer quick.” Allison said softly from the bed.
“Alright...”
I grabbed my phone and put it on. On the screen was a text written in Arabic. It was from Saïda. It read:
-Don’t sleep with her, Asahd.-
My heart skipped a beat and I tried to adjust my already raged breathing. I replied.
-why?-
She texted soon enough.
-Because. Butut anyways, do what you want. It’s not my business.-
I ran my fingers through my hair.
“You okay?” Ally asked, worried.
“Um, yeah. Hold on, please.”
I texted Saïda again.
-Yes, it isn’t your business. But if you give me a clear reason why you don’t want me sleeping with her, maybe I won’t.-
-Maybe?-
-You read right, Saïda. I didn’t like the way you spoke to me this morning.-
-So you care about my behaviour, now?-
-Don’t start. What did I do wrong, Saïda?-
-Nothing. I’m sorry. I just wasn’t in my mood. I’m sorry. I didn’t like the way you banged the door while leaving this afternoon.-
-I did it because you’d annoyed me.-
-I’m sorry. Maybe I didn’t want you to leave me all by myself.-
My heart skipped another beat.
-Why didn’t you ask me to stay?-
-Would you have stayed if I’d asked. You’d made a promise to Allison.-
-I would have, Saïda. I would have come up with something.-
-If you say so...-
-You miss me?-
I dared to ask, smiling to myself.
-Unfortunately, Yes 😪😑...-
-Finally you admit it 😁. I hope you’ll jump on me immediately I return.-
-😑😑😑😑Dream. But maybe I will 😛. Just don’t sleep with her. I got my reasons.-
-You won’t tell me?-
-Lol I don’t even know them, myself! I don’t want you to do it and that’s enough 😂. Bye ✌-
I smiled and put my phone away. But before turning to Allison, I put on a different expression. A gloomy one.
“What is it?” she asked worried when I lay close to her.
“My father is back and Saïda’s telling me he is very ill. I’ll have to leave first thing tomorrow.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s terrible. I’m sorry.”
“It just ruined my night. Our night. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, sweetheart. I understand. He’ll be fine.”
‘Guess we’ll be sleeping and only sleeping tonight...’
I thought in amusement.