Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

Reminiscing

It was Layla's and Esra's birthday. Layla had just turned 46 but she still didn't look a day over 30. She had a few grey hairs but it didn't age her at all. Esra had also turned 16 so it was a very special birthday for her.

They threw a huge party in the garden. Layla felt too old to celebrate her birthday and she wanted the focus to be on Esra. So, she specifically told everyone that it was a party for her daughter. Whilst Esra got ready in her room, Sinbad and Layla also got ready.

Although Layla has requested no presents for her, Sinbad still got her something. As Layla sat at the dressing table to put on her jewellery, he came up behind her and dangled some anklets in front of her. She was surprised, blinking a couple of times as she looked at the sparkling gold jewellery.

She gasped excitedly. "They're so beautiful!"
Sinbad smiled. "They're for you."

She took them in her hands and closely examined the intricate design set with diamonds and amethysts. It had been a while since she had last worn anklets. When Esra was a toddler, she had broken the ones that Layla used to wear all the time. Although Sinbad wanted to get them fixed, she said she felt too old to wear them.

"Sin, you shouldn't have," she said quietly before looking up at him.
He crouched down in front of her. "I know but I wanted to. I miss you wearing anklets. The jingles would warn me when you were approaching."
She laughed with a shake of her head. "Thank you. I love them."

He took them from her and placed them around her ankles. They glistened perfectly against her skin and she smiled warmly as she watched him put them on for her. And then he lifted her foot and placed a kiss on top of it.

"Sin..." she blushed softly.
He looked up at her and smiled. "Happy birthday, Layla."

She leaned down and kissed him deeply. It was all she needed for her birthday.

Esra's party went perfectly. Shaheen had also attended with loads of gifts for her and even though Layla didn't want any gifts, he still had a painting made of her and her family. Overall, the party was simply wonderful and went on late into the night.

Once the guests left and everyone settled into bed, Layla went to spend some time with Esra in her room. They sat on her bed and Esra lay her head on her mother's lap.

"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"What was your 16th birthday like? Did dad do anything special for you? Were you both dating then?"
Layla laughed. "You're full of questions, aren't you?"
Esra smiled. "You've never told me about how you both started dating. But I'm 16 now and I really want to know what it was like."
"Very well, I'll tell you." She gently patted her head. "Your dad and I weren't a couple until after my 16th birthday. We were sailing on the ocean that night. He pretended to forget it was my birthday and obviously I got annoyed."
Esra giggled quietly. "He did the same thing to me today."
"He'll never change," she said with a roll of her eyes. "But then he showed me what he bought for me. My chakrams. He and the members of the company also bought me an outfit, which I wore that evening."
"And then what happened?"
"Your dad sailed us to the most perfect place. He made me close my eyes and stood me at the very front of the ship. And then when I opened my eyes, I saw the aurora borealis for the first time." Layla smiled as she reminisced. "I had read books about them so your dad found out the perfect time and location, which just so happened to be on my birthday, and took me to see it."
"That's so romantic!"
Layla nodded. "It was. But at that moment, I didn't know your dad had feelings for me."
"He never told you?"
"Nope. But he knew that I was in love with him."
"Why didn't he tell you?"
"I later found out that he wanted to become king before telling me because he didn't feel worthy. He knew I was a princess."

Esra knew of the story of how Layla captured the dungeon to save Estia. It was in the history books that were taught in schools as well. However, Layla had never told her how she and Sinbad had confessed.