Kano State, Nigeria.
2018.

Arriving at the hospital, Falak kept her umber tote bag on her desk before leaving the Ward to Shaddad's, that is after making sure there are no patients that will need her assistance. She didn't feel the need go stay in the Ward and actually sneaked from the Palace to come to the hospital. Her mother asked her to stay home for a week or two but she is too dedicated to her job to do that.

"Come in!" And she strolled into the room, her brown pumps hitting the porpoise tiled floor with clicking sounds that would've irritated Shaddad is he wasn't used to it.

"Good morning, Sir." She sat down, not waiting for him to ask her to do so because if she will wait for him to ask her to actually do that, she will freeze on her feet and the heels won't help at all.

"Morning." Came his reply, she could feel that he wanted to add something but he is refraining himself from doing so. She won't leave until she gets to hear what it is.

"About the paintings, Dr. Shaddad. Have you thought about it yet? I'm afraid I get agitated when I see the children looking bored around the walls of the hospital, the paintings will help a lot." She wound her fingers together and keep it in the table right in front of her.

"I've thought about it and it will be done soon." He replied removing his hands from the laptop to rummage through his neat desk drawer which Falak envied. She can't keep her drawers clean, no, scratch that, she can't keep her room clean if not for Shafah's help, she wouldn't know what to do.

"What is it?" She jumped from her seat after seeing the small white gift bag on the table as he move it closer to her, that means it is for her.

"Oh my God! Ya Allah if I'm imagining this, make it one of those moments where my imaginations come true because I can't be dreaming about this! Please Allah, dan Allah, don't fold my hands..." She prayed silently not knowing that those words are falling straight to an amused Shaddad's ears.

"It is for you, open it." His eyes are smiling at her while a ghost smirk appeared across his lips as her rambles, she never listens, she doesn't act like he asks her to around him. She still can't bite her tongue to keep shut.

Opening the bag, she removed yet another white box which she opened hastily and even broke something but didn't check it. When she saw what is inside, she leaped on the sky and watch closely at the bracelet in her hands.

It is exactly the type Bilal got her but this one is real gold and has small ruby stud in the middle making it look unique and extra beautiful. Did she know when tears started falling down her eyes? She doesn't because she still didn't know that the tears are falling and just continue to stare at the beautiful piece of art. She even forgot about the bracelet she left in his office, thank God he didn't give her the one Bilal gave her.

"Thank you." She smiled in between tears, seeing as Shaddad didn't bother telling her to clean it, she also didn't bother doing so.

"Welcome." And he pretend to get back to his work when he is doing nothing, he is just not comfortable with her tears and even himself.

Was he serious when he asked someone to get him exact same bracelet with real gold? He didn't know what had gotten into him but he just felt the need to buy her something after the heartbreaking moment she went through day before yesterday. Well, he did it out of humanity and nothing else.

Falak left shortly after that and the beam etched across her lips won't be wiped anytime soon, if only she knows what awaits her. The happiness rumbling inside her won't be melting at all and so she bounced back to the Palace where the King is waiting for her. He's called upon her and she is just too eager to hear what he wants to say, she hopes it's not another proposal from those elite fellows.

"You all are here!" The King started after saying his taslim to them all in the throne room.

It's a personal matter, he should've just asked them to see him in the general Royal room in the Palace but decided to do it in the Throne room so Shaddad could see just how serious he is. The Queen is there along with Shaddad and Falak all of them anxiously waiting for him to talk further than that.

"Shaddad, I have a proposal for you and I hope you accept it or you face the consequences." The King's attention went to his first son who just sat down sternly on the carpeted floor and didn't utter a thing, he almost knew what was coming since Falak is there.

"Okay..." Shaddad trailed off, waiting for his father to continue with his words. It's high time that they talk about this topic and get over with.

"I want you to get married to Falak..." Shaddad's eyes snapped to his father, showing him clearly just how much he won't accept that offer so his father continued, "...and if you won't, you will have to get a bride in two weeks or you have no other choice but to get married to her." The King ended his words with more meaning behind it, wanting Shaddad to just accept the offer and stop all that will go wrong.

Falak's heart dropped to her stomach after hearing what the King had said. She is happy about everything that is said but she didn't want to get married with Shaddad because someone is forcing her on him. She didn't like how it sounds. She isn't that cheap and she won't want that, well that was before she heard his reply, she was shattered.

"I will get a bride before a week." His voice pierced through her heart and also the Queen's heart.

Falak lie her head on her two knees, closing her eyes along with her legs so he won't see just how his words wounded her. How much his words punctured her beating heart to a stop before it beats faster than before and she stopped moving for three seconds.

How could he reject her after all the moments they had? All those smiles and chills in his office when they are both bored? The gift he gave her earlier? All those things didn't mean anything to him? Why did he lead her on? Why did he tell her the truth about Bilal when he feels nothing?

She stopped her thoughts because they are going yo the wrong places and accusing him for something he didn't do. In all honesty, he didn't lead her on when till two night ago, she was engaged to someone and would've been married to that person in just four days if not for his help. She just feel the need to put the blame on him, maybe she will feel better after doing that.

"Okay, I am reducing your days to a week, bring home a bride and I should not ask you about it." You could hear the anger lying underneath the King's words as he dismiss them all from the Throne Room except for his wife.

Falak didn't talk to Shaddad when she left the room and decided to go to her girls and maybe they can bring her out of this depression she is about to get herself into. She is so heartbroken about it that she wished the King didn't ask her to be present there. She knew Shaddad will clearly turn anything that has to do with marrying her down, he hates that part of their relationship and who is she to force it.

"He did what?" Jabrayah's voice screeched, forgetting that her baby boy is sleeping in her arms so she hastily stood up and started lulling him back to sleep and then took him to his room, she needs to talk to Falak.

"He rejected this beautiful woman!" Inayah chirped, her voice mad because she is already tired of hearing Shaddad did this and Shaddad did that and she can't wait for them to just do whatever argument they want to do in their marital home.

"I don't know what is wrong with that Prince. After all those moments she told us about, he turned down a proposal." Jaiyana chipped in, rocking Hamida to her bosom as she sleepily suck on her index finger.

Falak wanted to ask them all to keep quite and shut the eff up but they won't listen because she's asked them to keep quite for a long time. She is tired of even defending him because she is going to agree with whatever they say, the man is stupid. But if he is stupid, shouldn't she be something more than stupid? That kind of brought an idea to her head but she dismissed it and smiled when Fikriyyah beamed, she has something up her sleeve and Falak will like it.

"You girls should listen to this. Why not dress like assassins and scare away each girl he went after? And then he will have no other choice but to come back to our plate." Fikriyyah's evil plan seems like it's working because all the girls have thoughtful looks on their faces.

"And you're right!" Inayah grinned widely, already seeing herself as a bully. She's never got the chance to bully someone and now that there is a chance for them, she sure is going to use it.

"You girls should get black clothes, we are going to have a lot of fun." Falak grinned evilly at them, mastering up her moves and words in the perfect order.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day and if there is anything she knows about Shaddad, is that he is punctual and will start looking for a bride as soon as possible. He doesn't like wasting his time and will want to get over with the bride thingy, if only he knew what will hit him.

*****
Yoyoyoyo!
How are you all doing? Hehehehehe, what the heck is wrong with Shaddad, don't hate him though, I'm not getting it. Shaddad is so very stupid and I feel like strangling him wallah, you? Is there even any chance for Falak? Heheheheheh, tut tut...
RQ: Would you rather go to Dubai and shop for free or go to Japanese and eat for free? I don't even know where to go o, I love shopping and fooooood😥 You?

Aishatu.