The Crown in the Storm ✔️

Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.

"This is no time for a party... we have so many things to do" I grumbled as Ammi Jaan hassled me into wearing another fancy dress. She ignored me and moved on to place something in my hand. I opened my palm to see her diamond ring. The very ring that my father had gifted to her when I was born.

"Your father gave this to me when you were born. I think it's suitable that I give this to you now that you're born as a leader" tears stung my eyes at her words. This...was beyond anything that I could dream of. Her approval and acceptance warmed my heart.

"I'm hardly a leader. I'm always being told what to do. You, Uncle EJ, Rania even Zaroon. Somehow I'm not thinking enough, or wider or I'm just plain wrong" I said, lowering my head. She chuckled and placed her hand on my shoulder.

"And yet they come to you. They rely on your judgment and your opinion"

"Because I was born into this... who's to say Rania isn't better?"

"No one, because this is your place. Simple"

"How are you so sure? What if I don't deserve this?" She smiled widely.

"You don't, you earn it"

The party was going to start at ten and we were going to party till twelve where my family planned to welcome our birthday. As I stepped into the hallway, Rania ran towards me her eyes wide and hair flying. I stepped back in case she barrelled into me.

"What's the rush?" I asked as she gave me a small hug.

"I'm just happy that you got dressed up," she said gesturing to my earrings. I moved my head experimentally. The diamond earrings glinted in my ears. "And the hair... Woah" I laughed and fluffed my waves. The shimmery material of the dress caught the light when I moved. I looked like a star.

"Haha thanks, Ammi Jaan got her hairstylist to come in. He's been added to our team, by the way. I'm also supposed to have a makeup artist, who will be here tomorrow"

"The machine is in full force?"

"Oh yeah," I said with a small smile. I slipped my arm into hers and we started to walk towards the main ballroom. "Where's Izzy?"

"He's right here..." Izzy said from behind us. We both turned and gasped. He looked dapper in a tuxedo. His hair was combed back and fell softly around his face. He fixed his sleeve and posed for us.

"You look nice... where's Hania?" I said giving him a side hug.

"She's in the ballroom, final touches, and everything," Rania said moving back with her phone in her hand and taking a picture of us.

"Really?" Izzy muttered.

"It's our birthday...after five years. I can't believe it" I said, excitement seeping through my body. Izzy looked down and smiled back. He lowered his head and kissed the top of my head, Tears rushed to my eyes again. How did I get so lucky as to have them as my siblings? A click snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Perfect" Rania muttered. Izzy and I sighed. "So... I will go in and notify everyone that you're here. Oh and Elena, Hussein is here"

"Why is your boss here?"

"He wanted to spend the night here...since he'll be going back to the site tomorrow.  Ammi Jaan asked him to stay. Not a big deal. Oh, and I had to tell him I'll be working part-time. "

"Of course she did," Izzy said, his lips curving into a smile.

"I'm sorry that you had to leave something you love," I said. She shrugged.

"I can be more helpful as myself. Anyway, the guests are waiting, are you ready?"

"How many people are there?" I said, panic creeping into my voice.