Royalty Gone Bad

Asahd’s POV:

The night ended perfectly and we all retired to our rooms. I was glad to have made Saïda happy. Honestly, I just couldn’t stay like that without getting her something. I needed to and had succeeded. That cake had indeed cost me a lot of my saved money, but I had no regrets. I would work as much as possible to replace what I’d used to buy her that birthday cake. It hadn’t been easy to buy it and sneak it into the house, but I’d succeeded.

I’d bought it in the afternoon when Saïda had been busy chatting with Noure on phone in her room and Djafar had gone out to withdraw some money. I’d then hidden it in my room till evening.

While Saïda had been dressing up that night and Djafar was showering, I got it out and put it in the fridge, hoping none of them would go get something from the fridge before we left. And it worked. Right after I’d put it in the fridge, I returned to my room to finish dressing up. Then I stepped out and waited for some minutes until when Saïda finally stepped out, all dressed up. It’d been perfect.

I thought of the smile she had on throughout the rest of the night, after I’d given her her cake. It made me happy. Saïda was surprisingly, becoming really important to me. And we seemed to be getting closer and even better friends than we could’ve ever imagined. It was perfectly fine by me. I truly cherished her now.

Saïda’s POV:

"He bought you a cake? That is so surprising and nice of him,” Noure said while we chatted later that night. It was past midnight and my special day was finally over, yet, I still felt so special. It was a birthday I wasn’t ready to forget.

“I know right. He’s such a darling, Noure. I swear.”

"Now I actually believe you when you say he’s changing. The Asahd we had here was nothing compared to the one you’re telling me about. Though you say there are still somethings he has to get rid of, he’s already taken a great step.”

“Yes, he has.”

"I wish I could be there for your birthday, sweetheart. But I’ll make it up to you once you return. I promise.”

I smiled to myself, my cheeks burning.

“Okay, darling. I miss you.”

"I miss you even more. Have a good night, sweetheart.”

“Same to you.”

We hung up and I lay, staring at the ceiling. I was still so happy and I couldn’t find sleep at all.

Asahd’s POV:

into bed. I wasn’t feeling sleepy and so I started to manipulate my phone. Just then, the was a low knock at my door, almost unheard. I thought it was my mind playing

open the door. I was surprised to see Saïda on

up?” I asked,

in? I

little and let

Which I did. We sat real close with legs crossed on the bed and

talk about,” she giggled lowly, grabbing my hands in hers. She seemed so lively and still very

happy. It’s funny and cute at the

you, made my birthday amazing. As well as Noure, my brother and friends who called me today. Of course I am happy. And the cherry on top,” she

leaned in and kissed my

something,” I mused and

her hands in

names and said a lot of things that I’ve forgotten about but

same thing, Asahd. We’re both

“Yes, we are.”

Who would’ve thought.

you, dear,” I admitted sincerely and she

“Love you too, Asahd.”

and hugged

up this way, you might end up being my best

“True, true.”

-

everything and anything else interesting. We

she was so silent and so I turned. It amused me to find her lying on her side and fast asleep. I didn’t even notice when she’d closed

up. It wasn’t right, according to our tradition, to sleep in the same bed with someone of the opposite sex that wasn’t your spouse or sibling. Tsk! Not like I respected that particular

bed and went to the door, I put off the lights and stepped out. I ended up

bed was way softer and more comfortable than mine. And it had her sweet

I grabbed one of her pillows and inhaled deeply. The smell of that perfume

and half

become her personalised scent, yet, it was only very recently that I’d started to appreciate it very much. It had a soft, rosy scent