– Special Day
***
Writer's POV:
Days flew by and soon turned into weeks, Autumn setting in with the cold. Asahd kept his relationship with Allison as private as possible. With the days that had passed, Asahd started liking Allison a little bit more than before. She did everything to make him too. She was 'perfect' girlfriend because she didn't try to argue or whatsoever with him. When he was annoyed or angry at her and ended up raising his voice a little, she would not talk back or try to anger him further. Instead, she would calm him down or apologise. She was way too sweet and they kinda fitted each other. Asahd was the fiery type and Allison, the calm after the storm. They were able to keep the others unaware. Apart from Derrick and Alex to whom Asahd had spoken. With time the three of them have gotten closer and were good friends. Asahd was naturally a very suspicious and careful person. He didn't trust anybody easily. Not that he fully trusted both guys, he simply trusted them enough to tell him little important things like his relationship with Allison. And he'd not been wrong about them. They kept their mouths shut and nobody else knew anything.
Concerning his work, Asahd continued to work hard enough so he would be paid exactly 65$ per day. Plus, the real estate agent had called him a few more times to mow lawns, earning him extra money. He saved more than half of the money, excluding the daily pay he had to give Djafar, in order to get to his final ends, get himself tickets and disappear, only to reappear in Zagreh. And still, no one knew about his plans.
Saïda on the other hand, being the pretty girl she was, was often being wooed by the young men that came to buy things in the Moroccan food store. But she was taken and made it clear to them, especially because her birthday was in a few days and her engagement and eventual wedding were fast approaching. Immediately they returned to Zagreh, a date would be chosen for her engagement to Noure, and another for their wedding. She was just so happy.
*
Asahd's POV:
After our walk at the park, I accompanied Ally to go get a cab that evening. The manager had made us close the restaurant earlier than usual. At around three pm, for a reason we ignored. Apparently he had something important to attend to.
"Call me when you get home. Okay?" I said and kissed her forehead.
It'd been kind of slow but I was finally beginning to feel the same way towards Allison. She was a darling and it was almost inevitable to grow feelings for her. Yes she wasn't my usual type, but a little difference couldn't be that bad. She was a very caring and peaceful person. Quite the contrary of me.
I had fallen for her, but deep down, I felt like I hadn't done so completely. Yes I cared about her but I felt like something was lacking in our relationship and was stopping me from completely giving her my heart. She had 3/4 of it. But that little part left was lacking something.
"Okay." she smiled and we kissed. Then I stopped a cab and she got in.
"Do we meet tomorrow? It's Saturday."
"Um, not this weekend, honey."
"You've been busy for the past two weeks."
"Remember I told you I'm studying for an exam."
Actually, my weekends were now taken because I was catching up and learning more about the Royal history of Zagreh and some other important things I needed to know as the sole heir, with the help of Saïda.
"Oh, true. I forgot."
"I'll see if I can create some time on Sunday afternoon to come see you. You'll be on your campus right?"
"Yeah. Call me if you decide to come."
"Alright." I leaned in and pecked her before closing the door.
"Bye, babe."
"Bye, sweetheart."
The cab finally drove off and I stopped another for myself.
-
I got home and spent the night with my little family as usual.
***
The next day, I woke up late as I always did on weekends. While Djafar and Saïda were up at 6, 7 or 8, I only got out of bed as from ten to twelve.
That particular Saturday morning, I'd gotten up at ten. I fixed my bed and grabbed my towel and bathing necessities to go shower.
When I stepped out of the room, I saw Djafar manipulating the smartphone Saïda had made him buy. It was so amusing because he wasn't used to new technology yet.
"Good morning, Djafar." I smiled at him and he smiled back.
"Good morning dear. How was your night?"
"Pretty good. I rested enough." I looked around and into the kitchen. "Where's Saïda?"
"Gone to get more milk."
"Okay." I entered the bathroom to shower.
-
I stepped out minutes later and Djafar was still so busy on his phone. He never used it that much.
"Djafar what has you so preoccupied by your phone?" I chuckled, wiping my hair with my towel. I noticed he seemed very happy that morning.
"I'm trying to find the chicest and most sophisticated restaurant for tonight."
"Why??" I asked in wonder.
"It's the least we can do. Since here we cannot throw a big party for Saïda's twentieth birthday, the sultan has permitted me to use some money and organise an outing to an expensive restaurant for her, and buy her what she wants afterwards. It's his gift and that of the Queen to her. I bought her something myself."
I stood there, staring. My mouth had dropped wide open as well as my eyes.
"Oh my gawd, I'm a fucking idiot..." I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands.
"Asahd, language. And what are you talking about?" he mused.
"I forgot! I didn't even know! I forgot to ask the date!"
"That's your problem." DJafar mocked and went on with what he was doing.
"You're so shady at times Djafar. Oh my, it's Saïda's birthday and I have nothing for her. What can I get her??"
"Don't ask me." Djafar laughed.
Just then, Saïda stepped in and closed the door behind her. She looked so happy. Normal, it was her day.
"Helloooo." she greeted us, "Good morning, Asahd."
she said and humming happily, she went to the kitchen.
I followed her.
"Happy birthday, Saïda." I said with a smile, trying to hide the fact that I didn't even know! She'd been telling me that it was fast approaching and had probably expected me to ask when. But the dumbass that I was didn't think of asking her!
She turned to me, looking amused with her brow raised.
"You didn't even know. I bet my dad told you." she mused, "Normal. You didn't ask."
she walked past me to go put the groceries in the fridge. I ran a hand over my face and groaned in frustration before turning and going to her.
I felt bad. Like really bad. I usually didn't give a damn about what used to concern Saïda, but now that things had changed between us, everything was different now.
Saïda's POV:
I closed the fridge and turned. I shook in surprise because Asahd was standing right behind me. So close. I stared at him in amusement. He looked so guilty and I could tell he was actually feeling bad. How cute and surprising. Who was this Asahd that seemed to care about stuff that concerned me? The more the days passed, the more Asahd surprised me, in a very good way.
"I'm sorry." he muttered, rubbing the tip of his nose.
"What for? I didn't tell you. You couldn't have guessed it. Don't be sorry." I smiled to reassure him. I really wasn't bothered, plus, the fact that he'd been worried about forgetting my birthday was enough to make me feel good in some type of way.
"What do you want? Eggs or pancakes?"
I walked past him but he grabbed my arm and made me face him again. I giggled.
"Asahd I said it's fine." I mused and he smiled a little.
"I can't help it but feel awkward. W– what can I get you for your birthday?"
I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hands in mine. He was so tall compared to me.
"Nothing. Pray for me or bless me. Nothing more."
"But–"
"It's fine." I laughed and looked up at him, holding his face. "Read my lips..."
"Okay." he chuckled a little.
"It. Is. Fine. I don't need anything. I don't want you using the little you gain to try and buy me a gift. I'm fine. Promise you won't try to buy me something. I'm serious. Okay?" I smiled at him and he smiled back.
"Fine."
I giggled and hugged him, he hugged me back, his chin resting on my head. He'd just showered and I inhaled the sweet scent from his slightly wet T-shirt.
"That new shampoo I got you smells so good." he chuckled, pressing his nose against my head and inhaling.
"I like it too. Guess I will make it my new thing."
"Yeah, you should." we parted and he kissed my forehead.
"Happy birthday again."
"Thank you. And remember, I want nothing."
"Got it." he smiled and left the kitchen to go change.
"I've found the perfect restaurant, darling." my father said happily from the living room.
"Okay, that's great!" I replied with a little laugh.