Cinderella? NO

MARYAM

I asked Zahra to follow me to grandma's house because she is free and I want to introduce the women that mean so much to me to each other. Zahra told a joke and we were laughing so hard I guess Imran heard us and cleared his throat. We felt so embarrassed, he said salaam we answered with our heads down and left him at the door. We were with grandma when Imran came in and asked Zahra to give him a minute. After a long time, Zahra came back with a straight face and we left. I asked her if he said anything wrong because I trust he can do that but she said it's not what I am thinking and that she'll talk with me about it later in the night.
"Imran its really cold and Zahra needs me, so you should be fast before she sleeps." I told him "I'm sorry for calling you out so late but when was the last time you met Abdallah?" he looked really curious "What? Did something happen to him? Oh my God!" I was shivering I don't know if it's due to the cold or the shock. "Calm down, nothing happened to him." he kind of smirked. How dare he! "Maryam how many months are remaining for you?" he asked in a calm voice "2 months buh I want to stay till my visa expires or about to then I leave. That's in 4 months. I want to enjoy your Dubai and look at her as a holiday destination not as a dorm" I rolled my eyes. "You love Dubai this much, why?" he asked "I don't know, I think the feeling is mutual, Dubai has been treating me well. My life changed when I came here, Dubai is an eye opener." I smiled. I don't know why I keep smiling but I'm sure later I'm sure he'd piss me. "You mean you weren't like this when you first came here or you have a past? How did Dubai change your life?" he opened his eyes. "You sound like a reporter, are you conducting an interview on me?" I teased and the look he gave me reminded me of the meanie Imran. I don't want to open up to him and then regret it but who cares. "Well maybe I am" he gave me that look I hate but I ignored and answered. "It's not a past like the one you read in books or any dirty past. I didn't use to take drugs or sleep around. I don't even use to wear jeans and tops without abaya on top. I used to cover properly and avoid boys, I always dislike them" I eyed him and continued "but I used to put on makeup, listen to music and just do things that make me happy. And the hijab I used to wear is not because Allah commanded us to, it's just because I have to cover, I used to take hijab like culture. But now I wear it because I accept Allah's command and because I want to wear it. After I came to Dubai, few months were just me doing what I love, then I met Zahra and Allah used her to change me. Now I love my life better. I don't care about riches and crowns and fame just Jannah." I told him everything and the word that attracted him was the 'crown' he asked "You used to love crowns you mean? And fame, and riches?" I never realised he was that tall and he almost intimidated me "Yes, there was even a time I went for Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) and asked Allah for them" I laughed and shook my head "But now, even if they come, I'll run away." I concluded. He murmured something about Allah answering prayer or something, I didn't hear clearly and never bothered to ask. "I can fix you with the royals of Dubai if you want" he teased and opened his white teeth. He has never looked better. "No thank you. When you get a princess, I'll go for the wedding InshaAllah." I smiled. Not again. "Maryam I am serious, what do you think about the royals of Dubai, there are nice boys amongst them." he said in a serious tone "What has gotten into you? I don't even know them and I don't care!" I almost shouted "So you don't know anything about them? That's a crime, search for them on the internet" he suggested. I am surprised he's patient with me today "Why should I do that Imran, besides I know the name, Al Gemzi right? That's enough." He didn't answer and just stood there looking at me. Weirdo. Bipolar. 
"That Imran is bipolar and mean and weird." I complained to Zahra. "You met Imran? What did he say?" she asked in a serious voice "He called me out in this cold and was acting all weird. 1st he asked me about my life then about the Dubai royal family." I was tapping my phone and not paying much attention to her "I want you to quote your conversation" she insisted. I told her everything and she just looks on. "Maryam when are you leaving grandma?" I dropped the phone and raised my head "Leaving grandma? I am not, till my last day in Dubai InshaAllah" I was shocked by her question "Maryam how about when we are done with our dissertations we leave? We shouldn't stay for additional months. All the plans we have we should forget them and go somewhere, besides, Dubai will always be Dubai. All the money we kept, we should use it and get tickets to Kashmir and visit Humaira" she insinuated in a serious tone "You are joking right? My dad won't let me go to Kashmir and neither your dad and I want it here. Zahra please don't break my heart." I pleaded. Why is everybody acting weird? Arrggghhh