– Heated Up -III
***
Writer's POV:
Asahd angrily went to his room to treat his bloody knuckles. Once there, while he cleaned his wounds, he asked himself a question:
"Where is Saïda?" he frowned.
'Could it be that she's at his place?'
Asahd stood angrily and grabbed his car keys. No fucks given.
*
Saïda sat on the couch, worried and staring at her feet. She'd tried to call Asahd but unluckily her phone had died.
'Oh gawd, I hope they're okay. I hope Asahd is okay.'
As she thought, biting her thumb, she heard the door unlock and stood immediately. A furious Noure stormed in. The first thing she noticed was his bloody lip that scared her and made her panic. She gasped and covered her mouth, rushing to him.
"W– what happened??" she tried to touch his face but he stopped her.
"What do you think happened, Saïda?? That psychopath you think you're in love with did this!!" Noure growled, still so angry and frustrated. He sat down and she stood there, staring at him and afraid to approach him again.
"I'm sorry this had to happen, Noure."
"How can you love someone that crazy, Saïda?!" Noure retorted and the girl shook, "He showed no remorse and threatened me! He provoked and mocked me, Saïda! He embarrassed me! How can you love someone like that?!"
Saïda swallowed.
"He's like that when jealous or very angry, Noure. I don't think he meant to–"
"Saïda, shut up!" Noure cut in and she shook again. "He told me things that made me believe that you did more than just share a kiss with him, Saïda! I don't even want to know! I'm so mad and frustrated because I can literally do nothing to him! He has so much authority and I'm even unable to fight him! Do you know how hard it is for me?! Do you??"
Saïda was silent.
"He dared to tell me that he will still see you even after you're married to me! In the most inappropriate manner! Saïda you can't let this happen! What has come over you?? I can't even recognise you, what has he done to you?!"
"Noure don't shout at me, please. I'm tired, okay!" Saïda retorted with watery eyes, "What do you want me to do?? I'm in love with him too and I can't fight it! I tried! I don't even know how it happened!"
"How don't you know?! How don't you know??" Noure stood, "Are you blind?? You didn't realise he was seducing you?! Or you did but just let him?! Is this who you really are?? Saïda, I thought you were smarter than that!"
That pushed Saïda over the edge.
"SHUT UP!" she slapped him so hard across the face that her own hand also hurt. Noure held his reddening cheek and looked at her in surprise.
"Who are you to judge me?!" she growled with watery eyes, "You think I decided on my own to fall in love with him?! It was natural! It just happened! Unlike with you! I had no choice but to fall in love with you because I was fricken betrothed to your ass!" she angrily pushed him on the chest. "You are judging me now?! Do you think I'm dumb?! You've dated other people before me, even while being betrothed to me! But I with my stupid ass decided to follow the rules and wait for you and only you! We officially started dating a year ago and you are not going to tell me that you had dated no one else before that. I am not dumb, Noure! You were away for five years! You left Zagreh at fifteen to go study abroad and you dated there! You definitely slept with other women and you come back to the naïve Saïda that I am! The rural girl you knew would wait for you!"
Noure was silent and shocked. Saïda was really angry and poured out everything he thought she was ignorant of and had never suspected or spoken off.
"It's no news, Noure! Many men do same, even when betrothed. They live their lives until it's time to settle! While we the women, most of us, wait! Wait patiently because we believe being betrothed is already like a first wedding! We're supposed to be faithful to you! But do you, deserve it?? No! You're not special Noure! You've done same! I am not dumb! But I loved you and decided to ignore all of it! I thought it was okay for you to do it, as long as you would stop once we would be together! But when I do the same thing, you judge me?!" she laughed hysterically through her tears.
"My bad if I fell in love! I am not sorry, damn! I was at first, but right now, I don't give a shit! You're not worthy at all!"
Saïda cussing meant things were very serious now.
She'd touched Noure deep and he was speechless.
"Why do I have to stay faithful when I'm not even married to you?! When we've been nothing but betrothed?? When you haven't been faithful yourself?! I fell in love with you way before we started dating and you only did so once we started dating a year ago! You used to treat me like a random friend! While I was daydreaming about your dumbass! When you realised that my twentieth birthday was fast approaching, you decided to get closer to me and try to know me more! To like me more! So you would actually have real feelings for me before our approaching wedding. And your plan worked! You fell deeply in love with me. Sorry not sorry if now my heart is also with someone else! He treated me in the sweetest manner in such short time! Something you couldn't do in years until last year! He treats me with respect and affection! He always puts my needs before his! It started off the wrong foot, yes, but he proved to me that my opinion counted the most! In New York I was able to make Asahd do and accept things he'd never otherwise do! Whenever I advised him, he would listen to me! I believe, no, I know, that some part of him was willing to change just to please me. To make me proud of him. To make me happy with him! It's a fact, Noure!"
It really was. Most of the time, Asahd back in New York would decide to stop his bad habits to remain in good terms with Saïda. He wanted her pleased with him and her opinion became even more important than Djafar's or his own parents! Their friendship had become so dear to him that he was ready to do anything to maintain it. Though many others contributed to the Prince's change, Saïda was of great influence.
"I fell for him because I discovered the best side of him! Don't you call him a psychopath or whatsoever cuz you don't fucking know him! He's the sweetest, most caring and gentle guy I know! Don't judge from his proud appearance and his sometimes indifferent nature! He isn't! When he loves, he means it! He gets hurt too! He has true feelings too! So shut up, Noure!"
Saïda ended, her eyes red, her chest heaving and her cheeks were stained with tears. Her breathing was raged and she was very, very angry.
Noure stood, shocked and feeling like an idiot.
"Don't make he hate you." Saïda growled lowly, raising her finger at him. "Because if I do, you won't recognise me. Don't you dare me, Noure. I consider you someone dear to me and a very good friend. Don't you fucking push me to the edge."
Goosebumps covered his skin as he realised how serious her threat was. He approached her and slowly gripped her shoulders.
"I'm sorry Saïda. I–"
Just then, his door flung open and Asahd stormed in to their surprise. He immediately approached them and grabbed Saïda's arm, pulling her away from Noure.
"Saïda, let's go."
Noure frowned.
"How dare you come here?!" Noure growled and Asahd gave him a deadly stare.
"Noure, please cut it out. Asahd please." Saïda begged both, afraid.
"How dare he enter my apartment?! She is my future wife!" Noure growled angrily, "You have no right!"
Asahd's only reply was a hard blow that sent Noure crashing. Saïda screamed and hopelessly tried to pull Asahd back as the furious Prince launched again for a groaning Noure.
He sat on Noure and grabbed him by the neck.
"This isn't the palace! The fuck do you think you are?!" Asahd growled angrily, beginning to choke Noure.
"ASAHD!" Saïda screamed afraid, "STOP! Asahd, pleeeaaase!"
The fear in her voice snapped Asahd out of it and he stopped. He got off Noure who started to cough, struggling for air.
His chest heaving with anger, he turned to a terrified Saïda.
"I'm sorry." he grabbed her arm, "Now, let's go."
With that, the Prince pulled her along and out of Noure's apartment.
He took her all the way out of the building and into the street, where his car was. He was still so furious.
He opened the door for her.
"Saïda, get in. Now!" he ordered. She did as told, not wanting to anger him more. He shut the door hard and she shook. She watched him go round and enter too. His frowned showed it all all, as well as the vein at his temple. He started the car and Saïda noticed he'd bandaged his hand. There were blood stains at the covered knuckles.
"W– what happened?" she dared to ask.
Asahd ignored her and started the car and they drove off.
Saïda kept glancing at him, worried.
Asahd kept his frown on, his jaw still clenching and his breathing still raged. Saïda realised that if she hadn't been present, Asahd would've probably done the unthinkable.