ZAID AND MARYAM ~ Their Story

28 : THE SECRET IS OUT!!!

MARYAM SHEIKH

The dessert table was like paradise. An assortment of traditional Middle Eastern pastries like baklava, ma'amoul, and ghoriba were placed out nicely next to even more mouth watering chocolate cakes, creamy cheesecakes, and refreshing fruit tarts. The pièce de résistance was a stunning croquembouche, a towering structure of creamy profiteroles drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with edible gold dust.

It all seemed truly wonderful, that I picked up a small slice of cheesecake and a ma'moul. The evening was certainly very wonderful. I dared not talk to any of the guests here, they all seemed so mighty and important. I admired Zaid's confidence in striking a conversation with any of them immediately.

The Amirah had come in, after all and she was a vision of elegance. But what struck me most was the gang
of bodyguards that surrounded her everywhere she went. They were discreet, yet vigilant, their eyes scanning the room with a intensity that made me feel like an intruder. I watched as they expertly navigated the Queen through the crowd of guests, clearing a path for her to walk with ease.

I noticed that she seemed particularly fond of Kiara. The two of them chatted animatedly, their laughter and conversation flowing easily. Kiara's eyes sparkled with delight as she listened to the Queen's words.

I noticed that Kiara's gaze kept drifting towards me, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in my presence. I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes met, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of hostility in her gaze. But it was quickly masked by a polite smile, and she turned her attention back to the Amirah. I almost choked up on my ma'moul.

"Hey, Maryam," Amr came in coolly, with his big camera that he carried around everywhere tonight. "Enjoying the party?"

"Yeah, the cheesecake's really good," I joked, as I finished the last bite.

"Maryam, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. I was suprised. It was not normal of him to be so whispery and serious.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked, nervously.

"Nope, actually," he responded, pointing to the door that led to the balcony. "We'll guess along the way."

My mind ran over a hundred
possibilities as to what he wanted to ask. I said nothing  as I followed him outside. The air was very cool and refreshing compared to the warm hue of the inside.

As we walked, Amr's pace quickened, his excitement palpable.

"What's going on, Amr?" I asked, my curiosity rising.

"I want to do something special for Zaid's birthday," he said, his eyes fixed with determination. "I want to find out the truth."

"The truth about what?"

"The truth of why you and Zaid act so coldly to each other. The reason you're enemies."

I felt a pang of anxiety at his words, my heart racing as I tried to think of a convincing lie. "Amr, we're not enemies," I protested, trying to sound as innocent as possible. "We're just friends."

But Amr was not so easily fooled. He raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Don't lie to me, Maryam," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "I know there's more to it than that."

I felt a flutter in my chest as Amr's words hung in the air, his piercing gaze seeming to see right through me. I knew I had to deny it, to pretend that his accusations were nothing more than baseless speculations. But...