34

August 2015, Arabian Nation Of Zidra.

Mizna smiled as she got to know Aveline Dupont or better yet Aveline Zayed Ahmed al Zidra.

Mizna Ahmed al Zidra, youngest and the only daughter of the Ahmed Royal family, is a very humble and down to earth person and she took an instant liking to Ava, who is of the same age as her.

Mizna had come home for vacation from her university in the UK, and was very much shocked to hear that her elder brother Zayed had gotten married.
For as far as she knew her brother had been a commitment phobe. He hadn't even given a thought of committing to his long time girlfriend Brianna. Yet, now it seems, he was married to a stranger girl.

Admittedly, the girl is outrageously pretty, but that wouldn't be the only thing to sway Zayed. He is not someone who does such impulsive things. If he had, there must be some very serious reason.

Whatever it be, Ava seemed perfect for Zayed. A light into the darkness of her brother's life.

Mizna has also noticed how strained things are between the couple. Her brother is not ready yet, she could see.

Ava is very clearly in love with Zayed. But she hopes Ava doesn't give up by the time Zayed becomes ready. And for that Ava needs to know the betrayals Zayed went through.

At the hands of his father, who took every opportunity to try and ignite a fire between them and their elder cousin brother Salim.

At the hands of Brianna, his longtime girlfriend, who joined hands with their father in his pit against Salim.

At the hands of Ameya, who feigned friendship and tried to con him for money.

Zayed's life has been a trial of betrayals that has scarred him from trusting people. From letting people in.

But she knows, once he lets Ava in, he would love her and protect her for life. Because she can already see that her brother feels something deep for Ava. Which he hasn't realised yet.


***

Arabian Nation Of Zidra, 2021 (present).

It was midnight by the time they reached Zidra. And Zayed was glad that he wouldn't have to face a confrontation right away. He needed time to think about how to get around his mother and grandmother.

But his happiness was short lived as he saw the Ahmed palace door opening at their arrival and all the members including his ageing grandmother waiting at the steps anxiously.

He could feel Aveline tensing beside him.

She is afraid. Afraid of how his family would react to her keeping the existence of his kids a secret.

He interlaced his fingers along hers and gave a reassuring press and he could feel the tension leaving her body.

It was his mother who reacted first.

She came running down towards Aveline and took her in a bear hug.

His mom always loved Aveline like her own daughter. And Aveline loved his mom like her own.

He had, at times, been jealous of their bond .

Not only his mother, his whole family adored Aveline.

They have all realised how good at heart she is. All except him.

And it was his fault that she got separated from them. And he is intent on getting her back to the family she adored.

"How are you, my child? I missed you so much. You didn't think about us ever? Not even once?" Rosaline asked, her voice breaking at the happiness of meeting her beloved Ava again after six years.

"It's not like that Mom. You know how much I love you," He heard Aveline say.


"Then why did you leave us? We all missed you, Ava." Rosaline said, and Aveline let out a teary smile.

"Where are they?" Excitement was bubbling in Rosaline's voice and Ava chuckled.

"They are asleep," Ava said and turned around to see Zayed standing there with Zada sleeping on his shoulder, and Salim and Basim with each of the boys, who were asleep on their shoulders.

"Oh, they must be tired of the long journey," Rosaline said, disappointment evident in her tone.

"I will wake them up," Ava said, sensing Rosaline's sadness.

"No, don't. Let them sleep," that was Karim who made that comment, surprising them all.

Ava had never ever seen such a tender look on his face before.

Ava had always found the man distant. For all his quest for money and power, he never once had a problem with her. He mostly ignores her. He wasn't bothered by the fact that his elder son married a nobody.

Basim once told her that he was quite happy with Zayed's marriage, because he tied the knot before Salim, increasing the chances of having a child before Salim, thus ensuring his line of reign.


"We can meet them in the morning when they are full of energy," Karim's mother said.

Ava hugged the older woman and took blessings from her too.

Suhara came forward and warded of evil from the kids.

Suhara Ahmed was Zayed's aunt. Salim's mother who took care of the three children, when Rosaline had drowned herself in alcohol when her marriage dwindled. Ava knows the siblings hold their aunt at a high position and Ava too respects her for that.

Suhara has always been good to her too. Though not as dear as Rosaline.

"It's okay even if they are asleep." Suhara said as she warded off evil from the triplets using a talisman, which was a common practice in Zidra.

Zayed settled Zada in the middle of his bed, followed by Salim and Basim settling the boys on either side of Zada.

Ava quickly changed them into their pyjamas.

And the kids didn't even stir.

"I can't believe they slept through everything without a stir," Rosaline said chuckling.

"Zayed was the same. Don't you remember Rosaline, he could have slept through an earthquake." Karim said and the elder couple shared a secret smile, making Zayed frown.

The older man seemed so different. What has happened to him all of a sudden. Why was he behaving as the best father in the world?

Everyone left the room after kissing the sleeping kids a goodnight.

"They should start sleeping in their own room." Zayed said.

"They will when they are ready," Ava said.

"But they are already five," Zayed said.

"So what!! They are still my babies," Ava said.

"But if they keep sleeping with us, we can't have more babies," Zayed said and Ava gaped at him in horror.