The few steps between the cool air conditioned confines of that palace and the car were enough to make beads of sweat roll down Laleh's back. It was the first time she was leaving the palace for her own personal reasons since the nikkah 4 months ago. Sure, she had been on countless PR visits with Zayn (many of which involved her trying to win the hearts of her new people), and plenty of visits for the foundation- but never had she been out for a break from the palace to explore the city.
Living in a palace meant you never had to leave to get what you want.
Whilst Zayn had been weary of sending Lalah out, he respected her wishes and allowed her out on her own, along with 5 of his most trusted bodyguards. He had offered to get her stylists to bring her all the Prada pumps and gold guided ball gowns her heard desired, but she craved the sensation of once again buying the clothes she knew would make Zayn's head turn.
***
She left the shop with her bodyguards hands laden with bags and the new Birkin handbag poised on her arm. Upon entering the next shop, she was ushered onto a couch, and countless abayas were brought to her. She rested a hand on the slimmest, longest abaya and melancholy filled her at the thought of the one true friend she had, whom she left behind.
If there was only one thing she missed about DC, it was stick girl.
After picking out more illustrious pieces of a similar size, she wrote out a note to her lanky best friend.
'Dear Stick Girl,
Unlike my beauty of a husband, I am not so eloquent with words and do not possess a ports heart, so I shall write this is the way I know how.
I saw these and chose the ones in the most suitable stick size, so now you can look cute and leave your house in your pyjamas and no one will know. (How do you manage to work in the fashion industry?).
I miss you bitch, come visit soon.
All my love, Laleh'
She sealed it in an envelope, and placed it on the table, asking it to be mailed along with the abayas to the address given.
She chose out one more jade green kaftan for herself, before paying and leaving the store , bodyguards hot on her heels.
Despite being told the car would be pulled round , Laleh was fascinated by a small girl pulling around a cart laden with rolled up pieces of fabric.
As Laleh approached , the girl bowed into a deep curtsy and blush overtook her cheeks.
"What are these?" Laleh asked in jilted Arabic, still trying to get her mouth around the unfamiliar sounds.
"Prayer mats. I made them myself with my mother's help out of the finest materials available to us." The girl spoke in a sweet tone, and Laleh had worked with many before like her in the foundation- but every story, of every young girl always touched her deeply and Laleh's heart bloomed knowing she could help make even a small difference in someone's life.
***
A thick mass black hair cascading down a silk robe was the first thing Zayn saw upon entering his room. He wrapped his arms around the waist of his wife and pressed a delicate kiss to her temple, all his stresses and worries of the day falling from his mind.
'Good day?' Laleh asked, turning round to take her hands in his. Her voice was melodic to the tired ears of the prince after a day with bellowing diplomats.
'Long and tiring but don't let me spoil your day too.' He replied and Laleh could hear the strain of fatigue in his voice.
'I got you a present.' She turned for the window ledge. From it she pulled the two prayer mats from the market. 'They may not be stitched with gold thread but they made a difference for a girl and her mother and I think they are beautiful because of it.'
Zayn took the mat from her delicate hands and rolled it out to examine. 'They are beautiful, just like your personality. You truly are an inspiration azaizam. Now what did you buy two?'
'Because I want to pray. I want to pray for you and me, and what the future may bring us. All the children we will have and good health for all our near and dear.' She said, holding his gaze and watching as his eyes bloomed with the pride of calling her his wife, his princess, his queen.
He placed the prayer mats side by side on the chair, and pulled her close. Their lips connected in a gentle kiss, before Zayn pulled away.
'I think that will work, because my prayer resulted in you.'
