Cinderella? NO

MARYAM

"Billy he's nice and religious but there's one problem. Billy he is Emirati." I said the last sentence in a low voice "What? There you go again with your charm. I remember when that minister wanted to destroy himself for you" she laughed on the phone "Maryam, you know these men are something else and Arab, I'm scared. Would his parents even allow him marry you? You know them, they don't marry black women, they love their wealth and name more than they love women. Are you sure he's not deceiving you? Are his parents even alive?" she said in a serious tone "Calm down, his parents are alive but they don't like me. He's not deceiving me. He's an honest person. But me too I am scared." she sighed and said "You are matured and if it was someone that told me an Emirati guy is in love with her, I'd laugh at her. You are a reasonable girl and I know when you look at people, you remove all their worldly possessions and look at the relationship they have with Allah. He must be an extraordinary person for you to even tell me about him talk more of loving him. Is he some mosque Imam? Or some Qari or Da'i?" Billy can be so funny, so I can't love a normal God fearing man, he must be qa'ri or da'i. I kissed my teeth "Maryam he's no da'i or whatever. He is a God fearing Muslim. That's it. He's religious and loves me so much. What more can I ask from Allah" I smiled on the phone "Maryam...wait, is he rich?" I rolled my eyes "I know you are rolling your eyes. But being rich is a primary characteristic in...." there she goes with her story "shhh please Bilqees. Tell me what to do" I kissed my teeth "Do you even need me? Looks like you have already made up your mind. Just call mum and tell her, and dad. They might agree, I will pray for you babes, everything is going to be alright." she suggested and hung up. Mum would freak out and dad, he'd tell me to be careful and do what makes me happy.
"What did I do to you Maryam? I came to your room twice but you were not around and you didn't look for me." Zahra nagged "I'm sorry darling, I'm just thinking you know, trying to put things in place. I want to tell mum and dad about Abdallah but I am, shy and scared and I don't know babes. They might reject him." I closed my eyes "Ohhhhh my girl, so you have decided to take action. That's good, the poor child has been going through a lot for you guys and you just kept quiet. That's good please tell them, let's get over with this Cinderella story" she sang "Cinderella is luckier than me; she just has an evil step mother. In our case, we have so many and even Hitler" I laughed and gave her a high five. "You know Maryam, I thought you'd just give up. But you trying and all, I am so proud of you. Abdallah will be happy to know that you are also trying. I am very happy." she said and smiled "You know Zahra, I don't know where this is going but Allah said we should help ourselves first, so that's exactly what I am doing. These people are scary but Allah is greater than everything, and this fact gives me hope." I smiled "I didn't tell you earlier Abdallah called me, oh my God he's so funny. He was stammering and not making sense. He's so shy and cute" we laughed together "You guys are my couple crush. What did he call to say? You didn't tell him about your encounter with his dad?" she asked "Seems like he doesn't know. I don't want to disturb his peace of mind. His dad is just another evil step mother" we laughed together.
"Yh we found a room. We are leaving the dorms Sunday inshaAllah." I told Abdallah "I see. Ahhm Maryam can't you two stay in a hotel or ahh..." he rubbed his forehead his with hand "Abdallah you must heard that dad your met me that's why you are restless. It's fine, you shouldn't worry. Hotel or Nigeria, your dad can get his hands on me wherever I go. He proved to me how powerful he is. But nonsense, he can only do what Allah decrees. And Allah is the most powerful. I am going to enjoy my last days in Dubai without worrying." I assured him "I must marry you Maryam. You know how dangerous he is and still..." he smiled and I looked down making him feel uncomfortable. "Sorry I erm, sorry" there he goes again "Calm down" I laughed "Maryam what do you mean by 'last days'? Are you leaving and that's it? You are not going to try?" he said and gave me a sad cute face, the only thing he didn't do is pout his lower lip to complete the look. "Try, that's it. That's what we are going to do and fail...and cry and separate. Abdul I have even talked to my family about you. I tried too. Let's be realistic, your dad hasn't started anything yet, you know that. And my family, Mum said no ways, before even telling her about your crown. When I told them about your crown, they all said no. We are simple people Abdallah. I told them everything; your dad's behaviour, your religiosity, your feelings for me, but mum said no. I am going to be hidden for the rest of my life, bearing your kids behind doors." I quoted mum's words and looked at him with sad eyes "No, who said so? That's not going to happen. You are going to be known." He said shaking his head. "What if your dad accepts under this condition? You know you can't do anything but accept it too." I frowned "What if I drop their crown? It means nothing to me, it's just a burden. What if I leave everything behind and leave...with you" he looked deep into my eyes, I had to move my gaze "Can you?" I returned my gaze "Just say yes, we'll be in Bahamas tomorrow." He smiled brightly and I smiled with tears in my eyes.