Abbas had had a long day stuck in his study again. Today thankfully had not been the longest and after wrapping up business with the ministers early, he headed to his room longing to rest his aching back. The afternoon sun had cast a small shadow as it began its descent. It filled the palace with a warm orange glow as he walked the corridors of his home.

He stopped by one of the many arched windows, peering out into the backyard, where the sounds of the water fountain could be heard distantly. Instinctively, his hands rose to his face, running a finger over the scar. It no longer hurt, but the stitches had naturally fallen off and now his wound began to scab, forming a rough layer of skin over the gash. It had been almost half a year since it happened, but he still couldn't look at himself directly in a mirror. Every time he tried, Abbas would avert his eyes away before they caught onto his reflection. He still found it hard to accept the rough face that stared back at him. 

But he didn't tell anyone that. How could he, when all that would bring were looks of pity and worry.

The fact that Haifa had, amazed him. How she and the rest of his family had been able to face him every day and talk to him normally without flinching back in fear as others did seriously amazed him. 

How did they do it? How did his own wife accept his appearance?

But then again, he wasn't so sure if she had, because he had never asked. Not like she would admit to it anyways.

God, why was he being like this? Sniffing in reed dust all day must have turned his brain into a negative mush.

Trying not to think too much about it, he moved off from the window and walked to their room.

When he entered, the room appeared to be empty. The Prince walked over to the bed and was about to lie down when a swirling shadow danced across the bedroom walls. Realising the source of movement, he walked over to the double doors of the balcony, noticing they were slightly ajar. Peering through the window, he caught sight of a familiar female figure gliding around the balcony, her ebony brown hair swirling around her majestically whilst the hilt of her small golden blade glinted in the sun. Slowly and quietly, he opened the doors wider and leaned against its frame, watching her concentrated features all too immersed in whatever she was doing to realise she had company.

Haifa had almost finished up the last steps of her blade practice when a sudden noise interrupted her thoughts and on instinct, she whirled around to the sound, her golden blade pointed in the direction it came from in a defensive position. Her surprised eyes met the smiling Prince's with his hands up in defence as well, and immediately she dropped the dagger and hid it behind her back, embarrassed she had been caught. Sliding it back into the sheath, she tucked it under her belt, a hand still covering it.

"Abbas, what are you-why-how," Haifa stuttered, heat flaring in her cheeks as she tried to catch her breath and figure out how long the Prince had been watching her for. Realisation soon hit that she was also not exactly wearing the most elegant outfit - her loose training clothes and tied back hair was probably messy and damp with sweat by now.

"Quite an interesting talent you have there," he smirked, stepping forward and away from the door frame.

"Oh-um, Thank you," She muttered, taking a step back every time he took one closer.

"You didn't tell me you could use that dagger,"

"W-well-I intended to,"

"Indeed?" The Prince continued, the smile never leaving his face.

"Yes, I swear by Allah, I was. Besides it's just some simple defence moves my father taught me." 

God, why was she so nervous? It wasn't like she committed any wrong...apart from not telling him. 

"Hm,"

"Why...is something the matter? Am I...forbidden to have my dagger?"

"No, no it's your personal belonging. It's just this whole time, I didn't know you were...very much capable of murdering me in my sleep,"

"I would never do such a thing!"

"Really, even if we had a seriously bad argument?" He laughed, taking few more steps closer until she was right up against the balcony rail. Strands of her ebony hair danced in the slight breeze.

He was teasing her alright, but with the harsh scar across his face, he looked menacingly handsome.

"Wallahi, I would never! Why would you even suggest such a thing?"

Abbas tried his best to hold back his laughter. Her eyes were practically shaking with nervousness. He leaned forward, resting one hand on the rail beside her. At the sheer closeness, redness bloomed in her cheeks and Haifa found herself, unable to look him in the eye.

"Alright, alright I apologise," He softly spoke, bringing his other hand to the curve of her hips.

Haifa sucked in a breath at the sudden intimate touch, her breath caught as his hands started to move behind. She almost let her eyes shut when his hand met hers over the dagger, his fingers wrapping around her own. She opened her eyes in surprise to see he was giving her such a cheeky smile that made her want to k-

"What are you doing?" She blurted, driving away her other thoughts.

"Can't I hold you like this?"

"Well-yes, But,"

"Let's play a game." Abbas muttered, his breath tickling her ears.

In that swift moment of distraction, he pulled the dagger out from under her belt and swiftly stepped back, before she could even comprehend what had happened.

"Abbas!" She yelped, grabbing for her dagger, but he tucked it under his own leather belt right beside another dagger.

Wait, he carried one too? Of course, he did, why was she surprised? He was a Prince after all.

"Let's put you to the test, try and take it off me."

"What, why?! If I couldn't do it last time, then how can I now?" Haifa moaned, which made his smile broaden. God, she was adorable.

"I'll go easy this time," he nodded. "Yallah, before the sun sets completely."

Haifa turned to see that the blue sky had completely transformed into shades of orange with hues of pink dabbed around. She turned to face Abbas, who gave her a nod, and despite her finding it absolutely ridiculous, she stepped forward with a new sense of determination fuelling her muscles.

"Ok," she agreed, before launching herself at the Prince, her eyes set on the dagger around his waist.

"You said you would go easy!" Haifa panted after trying for the 7th time.

"And I am!" He chuckled, ducking and swerving away from her. Well, he was trying to but Haifa was more agile than he thought and multiple times had she almost retrieved her dagger from him. As he stepped back, Abbas realised he was running out of space, so just as his hands felt the door, he swung it open and ducked inside, his wife on his tail.

Haifa was almost at it when she thought of a plan. Aimlessly going for the dagger was futile so instead, she would corner him.

But Abbas knew and so instead of backing up against the wall, he moved towards the bed.

"Your father has taught you well," he teased. The Prince stopped as his legs backed against the bed frame.

Grabbing at the chance, Haifa threw herself forward for the dagger, and at him.

And Abbas, who was not expecting her to do so, tumbled back, his arm instinctively wrapping around her to protect her from the impact.

"Umph,"

"Yes!" Haifa cheered, unravelling herself from his arms and holding her dagger up in triumph. "I did it! I actually got it off you this time!"

"Yes, you did, but by playing dirty." He retorted.

It was a second later when Haifa realised the intimate position they were in, not to mention herself completely pressed up against his body. She propped herself up on one arm, hair loose from all the action, and was about to roll off him when he grabbed her arm and pushed her back down.

This time on top of her.

Haifa's startled gaze met his fiery eyes, her arms held down beside her by his strong grip.

"I won, fair and square-" She just about breathed out, before his lips enveloped hers.

And if the Maghrib Adhan had not been announced right then, they would have most likely continued for the rest of the night.

***

With Kawthar's wedding drawing close, Diya had spent most of her days at her cousin's house, preparing and discussing with the other female members of the family, mainly on what colour they were planning to wear. The house was always bustling till late hours, to the point where she ended up staying over one day because of how busy they were.

This also meant she was seeing much more of Khalid, which of course no longer brought an arctic breeze every time they were within close vicinity. Yet, there was something odd still, because every time she spotted him, she always felt nervous.

Today, she had even made an excuse to her mother because she didn't want to go to their house, or rather, see him. Diya lay in her bed, under the warm embrace of her blanket, trying to figure out what was wrong with her.

Tomorrow, she wouldn't be able to avoid him. How could she make an excuse to not come to her cousin's wedding? And even if she did, her mother would practically drag her out of the house so she wouldn't miss the ceremony.

Diya knew she was being ridiculous. She already felt guilty for not coming to the family party tonight but-

"Ah!" she screamed out of frustration, coming out from under the covers. She leapt out of her bed and stormed down the stairs to fetch a glass of water.

"Diya, Azeezati, you're feeling better now?" her mother's voice appeared from the living room, startling her in her tracks.

"Mama, you haven't left yet?!"

"No, I'm waiting for your father to come out of the bathroom. You seem better now, so how about you come with us?" her mother asked.

"Um, well you know what? I think I'm starting to feel a little dizzy again...maybe I should return back to-"

"Don't even think about it! I knew you were faking it, go get dressed. Now!" her mother commanded.

"But Mama..."

"I don't understand why you're being this way, but you are coming with us whether you like it or not. Sur'a! Yallah!"

Drooping her shoulders, Diya trudged back upstairs to get ready. This was going to be a very, very long night.

***

Diya did not leave her mother's side the whole night. Even when her aunts pleaded for her to join the rest of the girls who were applying henna, she politely declined making an excuse about how she wasn't feeling it. Just when she thought her cousins wouldn't come to get her, she heard footsteps running down the stairs. In burst Layla, Rumi, Zahra and Amna with Kawthar in tow, her arms held out to prevent her henna from smudging.

"Diya! What are you doing sitting here?" Her eldest cousin Layla asked.

"We didn't even know you were here until Khalid told us!"

"Wait, what? Why would he-" Diya almost leapt out of her cushion, hearing his name.

"Yeah! He thought we were leaving you out!" Amna, the youngest of the cousins said.

Oh my goodness. Diya thought she was going to pass out. Why had he-why?!

"You can tell him I'm completely fine. I just don't feel like applying henna on my hands, that's all." Diya huffed.

"Really now? When have you ever said no to henna?" Kawthar retaliated, and Diya couldn't help but stay silent. "Girls, get her up."

"Wait, no-" but before she could resist, her cousins pulled her up and were dragging her out of the room.

And to make things better, Khalid appeared at the top of the stairs.

"What's all the fuss about?" he casually asked taking in the scene, his eyes meeting hers at the very end. "Oh," was all he said before he ducked out of the way and back into his room before she could give him the coldest glare ever.

"Khalid, you come back here!" Diya screamed after him, before almost being thrown into Kawthar's room.

She was going to make him regret this.

"Sit down, will you?" her cousin Rumi laughed, readying a cone of henna to decorate Diya's arm.

"Wait, why are you putting henna on me?! I'm not the one getting married!" Diya resisted, but her cousin had already started.

"Because you're the only one left who hasn't put any on!" Kawthar said. "Now listen! I have something big to tell all of you. I was waiting for Diya to show up before telling all of you" she continued shooting a glare at Diya.

At her words, everyone hushed, even Diya stopping her moaning to listen.

"So, I might have kind of accidentally listened in on a secretive conversation." She began, building up the momentum.

"Get on with it, will you?" Zahra said, slapping Kawthar on her leg.

"You all swear not to tell anyone right?" and they all nodded their heads.

"Ok, so I might have overheard Khalid talking to my parents about him being ready to get married!" Kawthar finished, and all the girls sucked in a breath, before bursting out into hysterical laughs, except for one person who sat shocked.

Diya was that person. Why did the news feel like a boulder squashing her?

"No way! He wants to get married?" Layla laughed, knowing all too well how much Khalid resembled a brick wall.

"Wallahi, I am telling the truth!" Kawthar replied. "He even has someone in mind!"

"Yallah! Who?" Rumi demanded.

"Well, he didn't actually say who, but he said he will reveal all in good time."

"Wow, he really wants to get married? That means the third wedding this year?!" Diya finally spoke after gulping in the news.

"Yep, even I can't believe my brother wants to get married, let alone has someone in mind. He just came back from the training as well," Kawthar smiled.

Forgetting she had wet henna on her hands, Diya stood up, accidentally smudging the brown paste on her dress.

"Great," Diya huffed. "I need to wash this off before it stains," she said, excusing herself and running out of the room. Quickly she ran into the detached kitchen and dabbed away the smudged henna, her mind still trying to comprehend what Kawthar had said.

"Oh, you were in here," 

A familiar cold voice came from behind her that made her want to run and hide behind her mother again. She contemplated doing so if he wasn't blocking the exit.

"Oh um, I smudged some henna on my dress," she replied, unable to look at him. 

They both were silent.

"I didn't mean to-"

"So you're-" they both started.

"Sorry, you go first," Khalid said politely.

"No, it's fine. You first," Diya stuttered, remembering she was not meant to say anything.

"Um, I just wanted to apologise for, you know, making the girls drag you away like that." He admitted, rubbing his neck in embarrassment.

"No, it's fine." She lied, forgetting her ideas of revenge.

"I just thought something must have happened again, that's why I told the girls-"

"So I hear you're getting married?" Diya blurted out, trying to change the topic, but remembering again that she was not meant to say a word to anyone.

Khalid paled at her words before his face became red hot.

"How do you know?" He demanded.

"Oh my God-forget I said that," she pleaded, hoping Khalid would not get angry.

"It was Kawthar wasn't it," he murmured, coldly.

Oh no.

"Wait, no. Khalid, please don't get angry at her! I wasn't meant to tell anyone,"

"That doesn't matter." He muttered, before storming out of the kitchen.

Diya ran after him.

"Khalid wait!" she pleaded, spreading out her arms to block his path. "Please don't say a word to her, it's my fault. I promised her and broke my word, so please don't get angry. We just made up as well."

At this, Khalid's anger subsided just a little. He saw how desperate she was, and somehow this cooled him down.

"Please!" She pleaded one last time, and Khalid sighed.

"Fine," he huffed. "But only because my sister's wedding is tomorrow, and I wouldn't want to ruin her mood before it."

And because you insisted. He thought.

"Thank you!"

"Now, will you stop standing so ridiculously? It's embarrassing and very unladylike." He mumbled, looking away.

"Oh," Diya straightened up, feeling a little hot in her cheeks. She moved to the side so he could pass, following up after him, a big smile on her face.

All the while, Kawthar watched from the top of the stairs, a smile resembling Diya's...and Khalid's, who also had the same expression but would not be caught dead smiling.

Her suspicions had been confirmed. Things were surely going to get interesting. Very interesting indeed.

"You saw that right?" came a voice from behind her, and Kawthar almost jumped out of her skin.

Behind her was a whole crowd of her cousins, who just like her, had been watching the whole scene intently.

"Oh, I saw for sure!" Kawthar confirmed, and they all giggled with excitement until footsteps could be heard coming closer.

They all exchanged wide-eyed looks before running back into Kawthar's room, holding back their smiles when Diya re-entered.

Glossary:

Wallahi – I swear to God

Yallah – a phrase for 'hurry up'

Maghrib – evening prayer

Adhan – call to prayer

Sur'a – 'Quickly' in Arabic