The Arabian Prince (On Hold)

CHAPTER 24

♣Ziad♣

Shazia looked so stressed I couldn't help but smile. Even though what I'm about to tell her is a heavy load to carry I know my love can handle it. If only she knew how strong she is in my eyes. Not everyone would leave not only their home and parents ,but their country too to be with someone they hardly knew and all out of love and respect for their parents. My heart swelled with pride for her. The sudden realisation that I was in love with her hit me like a ton of bricks. Insha allah one day,if Allah wills it, my zawjat will fall in love with me too. Now I know that it's all about duty for her , but I will wait patiently for the day that that changes.

"Ziad, you killing me here." Shazia gently touched my arm pulling me from my thoughts.

"Oh ,Sorry." I shook my head taking her hands in mine. "Ok ,I'm going to explain everything but please don't stress out okay. You'll be fine no matter what." She nodded slowly and took a deep breath.

"Ok I won't. "

I sighed loudly before looking down playing with the wedding ring on her second finger. This is the same ring my grandfather had given to my grandmother on their wedding day. Then my father gave it to my mother and now it's Shazias, where it belongs. It has been in the family for many years which is why it looks antique. The band has only ever been changed for the size but the green gem has never been touched. I twirled the ring in circles around her finger making her smile at the motion.

"My name is Ziad Abdul Hamid, Ameer of Arabia. You, Shazia Hoosen Abdul Hamid, Ameera of Arabia and of Egyptian decent, are my wife." She pulled her hands from mine making me look up at her. Her face was serious and then suddenly she started laughing.

"Ziad don'..." I put my finger to her lips to stop her from talking. When she realised I wasn't joking she stopped smiling , her eyes wide. "It cannot be true."

"It is my love. I promise." She stood up suddenly and turned around massaging her temple with her fingers. "Look at me please." When she didn't turn around I stood up and moved to stand in front of her,forcing her to look at me. "Give me your hand."

"Ziad it cannot be true, I am not an Am..."

"Just give me your hand." Slowly she put her hand out and I took it in mine, making slow circles on her palm with my thumb. "Just breath okay." I turned her hand around and slowly pulled off her ring. I held the gem in my two fingers and gently snapped it off making a small popping sound. Shazia gasped and held my hand to stop me.

"What are you..." Her words trailed off when she looked at the ring. At the top of the ring , right where the gem fitted , was an engraving of our Royal family crest. The sides of the ring were slightly raised so that the gem could snap back into place and written on the raised edge , in tiny letters , were the words 'Abdul Hamid Royalty' across the spread wings of an eagle. She looked at me before taking the ring from my hand, gently twirling the band to read the inside. "Impossible," she breathed, barely above a whisper. Handing it back to me she turned around and sat on the edge of the couch. I quickly put the gem back in its place before kneeling in front of Shazia. I took her hand and waited for her to look up at me.

"May I?" A few heart stopping seconds later, she nodded. After placing the ring back on her finger I stayed where I was and held her hands tighter. "Can I continue?"

"Please do." She attempted a smile and I took it as a good sign.

"What happened last night was not just a bad timing for us or a coincidence. Those people were there for me... and you." Her eyes widened in shock.

"Why would they have wanted me?"I swallowed and looked away. Ya Allah this is harder than I thought it would be.

"I... I'm so sorry Shazia. I wanted to tell you everything last night but all that happened before I got a chance to. I'm sorry for putting you in danger. I'm sorry for..." There were so many things to apologise for that I didn't know what to begin with. "I'm sorry for everything and..." She put her hand on my arm to stop me from talking. I felt so guilty that I couldn't even look at her. I leaned my forhead on my hands that were still on her lap. I felt her play with my hair then slowly she placed her small hands on my cheeks and lifted my head to look at her.