Chapter 33：Special Night

***

Asahd's POV:

That afternoon, Saïda taught me more about the Royal history as planned. Though I didn't show it so she wouldn't bother, I still felt bad for not knowing it was her birthday.

**

Soon it was evening and Djafar asked us to freshen up and prepare to all go out and celebrate Saïda's birthday. She used the shower first and then I followed. Djafar after me.

I got all neat before everyone else and went to sit in the living room, to wait for her. I didn't wait for long because after five minutes or so, I heard her door open and I stood immediately.

Saïda stepped out and my mouth dropped a little.

'Wow...'

Who was I kidding? She was beautiful! The moment I saw her in that superb gown, ponytail and light make up, my breath hitched.

"You look so good. As usual." she said with a smile, approaching me and fixing my suit.

I was speechless and had not really heard her compliment.

"Asahd?" she called with a soft giggle.

There were butterflies in my tummy all of a sudden. Just like that. Her appearance was simple, yet very hot. She was chic and decent, sure to attract all looks with her pretty smile that night.

I don't know how I managed to hold her hand and raise it, making her twirl around herself so I could admire her from all angles. Her gown exposed her smooth back and stuck perfectly to her skin.

"You are gorgeous, Saïda." I finally said something.

"Thank you." she smiled happily "The back is not too much, huh? I have never showed this much skin." she laughed "Bought this gown a long time ago but didn't know when or where to wear it. This city is perfect for it."

"You are perfect in it. I mean it." I said, swallowing. "You look amazing."

It wasn't the first time that Saïda wore beautiful gowns and made up perfectly, but this time, there was something special and different about the circumstances. Now we were friends. Now I had no reason to dislike her. Now I saw beyond the dislike that used to blind me from appreciating her natural features and other personality.

"Hahaha, you're gonna make me redden even more. Thank you." she laughed and I smiled down at her.

"Can I hug you? I really need to right now." I chuckled and she laughed.

"You're so extra."

"Not this time." I admitted, my voice coming out real low, unintentionally. The words just left my mouth in that manner without me thinking or realising.

I saw amusement linger in her eyes and her lips twitched.

"Did you drink?" she mused.

"What? No, what makes you think so?" I chuckled a little.

"You seem breathless and a little agitated." she laughed.

'Boy, is it still the gown's effect?! She's already worn many other beautiful gowns.'

I wasn't going to lie to myself. There was something different this time and it was that I found her even more beautiful than usual. And it wasn't even the makeup because it was very simple. Then what was it? It was the fact that my dislike was completely gone now.

You know those instances when you dislike someone so much that no matter how attractive they are, you just find them plain or see nothing special in them just because you dislike them and do not even want to try and truly appreciate them. Saïda had already had sophisticated and beautiful make up on before, but by then, I saw nothing special because I didn't want to see anything. I let my dislike take over. But now that it was gone, Saïda in her simplest form was very beautiful to me. And when she dressed up chicly and applied the simplest makeup, I ended up being breathless like a dumbass. That was what was up.

-

"Really?" I smiled at her.

"Yeah." she laughed, "Did you?"

"No. I didn't. I haven't drank alcohol in a long time now."

"One more good thing." she poked me playfully, "You used to get drunk every single time, back in Zagreh. And I was afraid you could've become a drunkard."

"It's not like I loved alcohol. I just attended way too many parties where I would get drunk. But I plan on staying away from it for a longer while."

"I like the sound of that." she smiled and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Now you can hug me."

"Finally." I chuckled a little and she laughed. I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tight. Strange thing was, it gave me some odd satisfaction and I could've sworn that a moan almost escaped my lips.

'I'm sick.'

I thought in amusement.

"You smell real good..." she giggled over my shoulder, her palms rubbing my back.

I couldn't resist the want to inhale her sweet perfume too and so I buried my face in the side of her neck, inhaling. The tip of my nose, nibbling against her skin.

A very low whimper, mixed with a nervous giggle, escaped her lips.

"I'm ticklish..." she admitted and I chuckled, raising my head. We slowly parted.

"Sorry, but that perfume. You smell even better." I said and she smiled.

Just then, Djafar stepped out. All chic and ready to go.

"Woah, Djafar!" I clapped and he took a proud, playful pose, making us laugh and cheer.

"I'm feeling myself." he laughed and then he noticed his daughter. His eyes watered almost immediately. He grabbed her hands and kissed them.

"You are very beautiful, my darling."

"I agree." I smiled.

"I thank God for adding one more year to your life, my darling. May he continue to bless you abundantly like he has been doing for the past years."

"Amin." Saïda and I replied.

"I'm proud of you, my darling." he hugged her. Then his phoned biped.

"The uber driver is downstairs."

"Then let's go." I grabbed Saïda's fur coat and helped her wear.

"Such a gentleman." she giggled.

"It's your night. You're the princess." I smiled at her "Would you like a Prince to help you downstairs?" I joked and she laughed a little.

"A dream come true."

"Your Highness?" I gave her my arm and she grabbed it.

"So, no one cares about the old man." Djafar mused, behind us.

"It's not your night. Walk your self downstairs." I joked and we laughed.

Djafar and I grabbed our coats and we all eventually left the apartment.

***

Saïda's POV:

The uber dropped us at this expensive restaurant. I was so happy and actually felt very special. My father and Asahd made me feel so important, so beautiful.

The waitress at the reception led us to the table my father had reserved. There were a lot of wealthy people there, I got a little nervous when most people turned to look at me. I grabbed Asahd's arm a little harder.

"I told you, you would attract people's attention." he whispered with a smile.

"It's awkward."

"Everything will be fine." my father who walked by us, said.

"Okay..."

We got to the table and Asahd pulled the chair for me. Oooh I was loving this Asahd.

We all took our seats and were given the menu.

We chose our meals and our orders were taken. Everything was going on perfectly well.

--

The meal was delicious! I was so happy. They kept me happy throughout and I didn't want the night to end. I'd received calls from my friends in Zagreh, Noure and my older brother. My day was a total success already!

While we waited for desert, my father caught our attention and started reciting a little speech for my birthday. I was so happy. Everything was perfect. At the end, he took out a little box and gave it to me. I opened it and inside was a beautiful golden necklace with my name on it. My eyes watered and I tried hard not not cry. I hugged him happily and thanked him.

Then I turned to Asahd and held his hand in mine.

"The fact that you are here for me is a wonderful gift, Asahd. Our found friendship is another. Now I really cherish you, so much. Thank you for being here for me." I felt so emotional and tried not crack.

"I cherish you too, Saïda. Very much. As well as our friendship. You can always count on me to keep you smiling." he kissed my hand and I smiled at him.

The delicious desert was then brought, as well as nonalcoholic champagne. We had a wonderful time!

***

We got home later that night, all happy and in good moods.

"Tomorrow we'll go buy you whatever you want, my dear. Present from the Queen." my father said.

"Hihihi okay."

We entered our apartment and all sat in the living room, tired but very happy. Asahd excused himself and went to the kitchen.

"I'll never thank you enough for this wonderful night." I told my father, hugging him.

"You deserved it."

Just then, we heard Asahd's voice behind us.

"I was thinking..." he started and we turned. I gasped on seeing what he had in his hands, "...there is no way, one can celebrate a birthday without a birthday cake. And so, because I really cherish you Saïda, I had to get you one."

My mouth was open in surprise as I watched him turn and bring the cake to us, putting it on the little table in the living room.

"Oh my gawd, Asahd." I covered my mouth, my eyes watering.

The cake was beautiful! It was a big and round, two layer chocolate cake, very decorated with delicious frosting and icing. At the centre was a little picture of me and he had lighted twenty birthday candles on it.

My heart threatened to burst out of my chest.

"You know how stubborn I am, Saïda. I couldn't stay without giving you anything for your birthday..." he smiled warmly at me. My heart! Even my father was very surprised. His expression said it all.

"Oh my, Asahd you didn't have to." I tried not to shed a tear. The cake was so sophisticated and was clearly a professional piece of art. "How much did it cost you? Oh my gawd..."

"That's doesn't matter. You deserved it and even more. I'll have to work my ass off to replace what I spent." he joked and chuckled, "But it was worth it. You are worth it."

'That's it...he's killed me...'

I stood immediately and rushed into his arms, hugging him tight.

"Thank you so much." I murmured in a shaky voice.

"Happy birthday."

My father watched the scene with a happy smile.

-

They sang me a happy birthday song which was the cherry on top, and then I blew my candles and shared the cake. We were probably going to finish it in four days or so because it wasn't a small cake.

While we ate the delicious cake, I could hardly keep my eyes off Asahd. He'd made me so happy and I just couldn't stop looking at him. When he noticed I was staring at him, he smiled back and winked at me. I blew him a kiss and he pretended to catch it, making us chuckle in unison. He was officially one of my favorite persons!