Cinderella? NO

ABDALLAH

Imran called and told me Maryam's mum wants to speak with me, I asked if Maryam was around and he told me she has left. I was heartbroken but remembered 'what's not meant for me, will never reach me'. I went and Imran left us to talk. "Maryam has always been the obedient child. When I say no, she'd even hate the thing. When her dad draws a line, she never crosses. Everyone in our society loves her and every mother wants her son to marry Maryam. She's religious, fearless and sweet. I planned to get her a nice religious man to marry. A man that would love and care for her. A man that is average in everything. But Maryam never showed attention to men. So many of them approached her but she refused them. I don't know what Maryam was looking for in a man. She once told me 'humility' but there was a guy that I thought was humble enough but Maryam said he can't even define the word. I had always wanted to see the man she would bring." She looked at me and smiled while I gave her an emotionless face because I don't know where her talk was going. "But Maryam brought a prince as her ideal type. A prince that has so many baggage she can't help him with. Maryam told mum and mum said no, but Maryam didn't give up this time. Maryam cried, warned mama about Allah's wrath for parents that refuse to let their kids marry someone with deen. Maryam lived in someone's house all because of this prince. But still Maryam didn't say no to mama and now she is heartbroken because of me. She has never loved anything like she loved you. Not even her dolls when she was 5. Go Abdallah, go to your Maryam, she's in Sharjah. Go, let Maryam see her prince. You got our consent. I can't be another evil step mother in your story." She said with moist eyes and smiled at me.
I was on my way to Sharjah when I saw dad's call. I didn't pick so he texted me "Abdallah you should come, I need you" dad has never spoken to me with this politeness, so I guessed something was really wrong. I wanted to ignore him and to go Maryam but whatever she said to me came back. There's still time Abdallah, fix your relationship... I realised this is a moment of decision for me. A moment to choose either Maryam or my parents. And Maryam told me to choose family. I turned back to Dubai because I know what is meant for me, will never miss me. I met dad and his health has deteriorated. He told everybody to disperse. I sat beside his bed and he said "Abdallah take the crown, don't refuse your responsibilities. Do not neglect your parents. Maryam chose hers over you, why won't you do the same? Don't leave." He said to me without looking at me. Dad wants to make peace with me but he doesn't want it to look like he is pleading with me. "Dad Maryam is different from me and her parents mean so much to her, they love her, cherish her, adore her and want her. And my parents...never show me they care. Never wanted me; they neglected me. Dad is it my fault when I choose her over you? I don't think so. And after everything dad, I am still choosing Maryam. Dad give Mahmood a chance, he might surprise you and be a king Emiratis would love." I said "Nonsense! You know what you are saying is not true. Mahmood cannot rule. He is incapable and foolish" he turned his back towards me and told me to leave. I went to his front and knelt down. I raised my head to meet his and I saw something I had never seen in his eyes — tears. I saw tears. "Dad pleading won't do anything to your health, but ego would. Embracing me won't make your arms pain but pushing me away would. Dad forgive me, I am sorry. I am the bad one...I am sorry dad" I cried profusely on his bed and he didn't say anything. "I am the son; I was supposed to look back...I was supposed put up with everything. I was supposed to beg, I wasn't supposed to obey and just leave. Forgive me dad...I am sorry..." I murmured in his bedsheet. I felt his hand on my head and he said "Who told you it is your fault? I am the elder, I was supposed to embrace you. I wasn't supposed to send you away, you were just a boy; I wasn't supposed to be mad at you. I did everything. I caused the bad blood in our relationship, forgive me. I am sorry son." We cried together and mum came in and joined us. That's when I decided to choose too. 
I lost Maryam but I got my family back.
I spent the whole week with dad, mum and Mahmood. Dad's health improved and spent most of our days in farms and the dessert. We talked about politics, Mahmood, and tried as much as possible not include Maryam. I told dad to not step down until it's time(death) but he refused. He told me he wants to see me rule. He wants to see a Dubai ruled by his son. I was putting more wood into the fire when held my hand and told me "You are not happy Abdallah. I know this crown and Dubai is not what you want, you want Maryam and you let her go. I am sorry son, I won't be able to give you what you want again. I just hope that you forgive me and I hope that 1 day you understand" He said with sad eyes "Dad please, stop begging. Enough! All the begging you didn't do in 30 years you have done it in a week. And Maryam, she is history. It hurts but time is the best healer. Dad I am fine." I looked at him and smiled "Abdallah, how about you get married now. Then month before I leave for my medical exam you assume the throne. Princess of Bahrain is a sweet girl." he said "Okay dad, whatever you say" I replied looking at him. Two weeks after that, I got engaged with her and they fixed our wedding for June (3 months from then).