Pure malice

  Spill all your secrets into the box of my trust and I'll cover it forever.

  Mariya condemned and cursed herself again. She's so wrong for yelling at Zayn. Especially, in the presence of Hassan but she didn't want to put her family in any danger. She could only hope that Zayn would understand her predicament and just let her be.

She felt like screaming out loud. She can't continue sobbing in her car but she doesn't want to draw any attention from her family that will eventually leave her with no option other than to tell them what transpired and she knew they would do everything in their power to make sure that Hassan is punished. That would bring her peace. As much as she wanted justice for herself, she wouldn't stake her family's well-being on that. 

  And that Hassan. Is that how inhumane he can be? She can't believe she's going to marry such a man. She wondered how many women apart from her had become his victims. She felt trapped. She couldn't voice out her predicament to get justice. And the look on his face when he was threatening her... It made her shudder at the mere thought of what would happen if she went against his words. She had to fight this all alone. It was utterly disturbing. How should she go about the whole issue? She had gotten justice for someone and when it was her turn to do the same for herself, she couldn't do anything. This is not fair.

  After wiping her tears and making sure she didn't look like she was crying, she stepped out of her car and headed into the house.

  In the hallway, she bumped into her brother. Fareed wondered when his sister would open her eyes whilst walking. He was about to scold her but the look in her eyes stopped him. She looked like she had been crying.

"What happened, Mariya?" He asked, concerned. " We're you crying?"

Not wanting Fareed to delve deep into the issue, she walked past him without answering any of his questions and went to her room.

'What is wrong with her?'

Fareed knew no matter what, he had to check on her because something did seem to be out of place.

  Fareed barged into Mariya's room without any prior notice, just to find her curled up in bed, crying.

" Will you tell me what is wrong with you?" He asked her calmly.

Mariya cussed internally for being found out in her current state. There was no way she was going to tell her brother what had happened.

" No...I... I'm fine." She sniffled.

"Well, your face tells an entirely different story," Fareed said and helped her into a sitting position. He then wiped her tears with his palm and pulled her into a heartwarming hug. This simple gesture from her brother made her burst into another fresh round of tears. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably as she cried.

" Don't cry ." He cooed when her cries got a bit louder." Shhhh. Someone will hear you. This is our little secret. Tell me and I won't let anyone know about it. Everything is going to be alright."

  God forbid!

She'll never tell him. Fareed isn't the one to sit back and do nothing when he finds out what Hassan did to his sister. She would not tell him and put her family in danger. 

  He, at the moment, is doing so much for her by being available and giving her a shoulder to cry on. She won't make that mistake. At this juncture, she'll just have to come up with a random false tale to assure him that she's alright. Albeit, she's not.

" Won't you tell me?" He asked again.

" I will." Her breath hitched.

"Okay, go on. But don't lie to me." He prompted.

"Sure." She nodded while he wiped her tears for her.

Welcome to the world of lies.

" It's just a case I'm handling in court. The girl got assaulted and the culprit threatened to kill her family if she testified against him in court. She told me because she trusts me but she isn't willing to testify in court. She says she feels trapped and there's no way out of her current position. I just feel for her. There seems to be no solution to this problem. She might never get justice. That's why I was crying. Don't tell me it's a stupid reason."

At least the story wasn't entirely false.

" It's not a stupid reason, Mariya. I know how much you value your career. It's rather unfortunate that the girl has to go through all of this. Trust me, you are going to find a way out like you always do. In shaa Allah."

" Okay, bro." She sniffled.

" Now stop being a crybaby and come downstairs. Food must be ready by now." He said and hit her head playfully while getting out.

"Annoying brat." She rolled her eyes at his retreating figure. How can someone be so sweet in one moment and then become utterly annoying in the other? Guess that's what siblings are for.

At least he's got her spirit up. For now.

*~*

Sultan's residence.

" Abba, I said I don't want to be the emir!" Emraan yelled whilst banging his fist on the dinner table. Another family bonding time has been crashed.

" You dared talk to your father like that?" His mother questioned with a cold look. Emraan was never like this. Is that how bad he didn't want to be king?

Emraan himself knew a day would come when he would have to become king and he doesn't want to. He prefers his commoner lifestyle and isn't ready to be king. Probably, never ready. It's rather a disgrace that Emraan, being the crown prince, doesn't want to be the emir. 

  At least he has voiced out that he's not willing to sacrifice enough for the people of the sultanate. That's better than a non-befitting person who wants to be king.

That's the position some people secretly aim for though they know very well that it's not written in their destiny.

  " He knows what's right. He knows my father deserved the throne so it will only be right if my father ascends the throne. Am I right, Emraan?" Hassan interjected.

  Suddenly, all eyes were on Hassan. It wasn't new to the family that Hassan's father, Hamza desired the throne but for his son to voice it out is a whole new surprise.

"Well, he's right." His mother backed him.

What? Even the mother?  Apparently, she's supposed to save her son from his blasphemous mouth, which could get him into trouble. Or Sultan Lawal is being too lenient towards his family?

  Zayn narrowed his eyes at Hassan. Zayn knew that this was just the beginning of his atrocities. Already, Mariya has become a victim. He's the Sultan's youngest son and in a case like this, the throne should be his responsibility too. He understands Emraan for not wanting to take up the realms of the Sultanate of Kano because he hardly associates himself with matters regarding the sultanate.

  Sultan Lawal had made the sultanate a strong entity and Hamza taking over would be an irreversible mess. Already, Kano has had enough from Hamza.

  The ball was in Zayn's court now. He has to become king. He has to continue his father's legacy. Zayn cleared his throat, attracting everyone's attention. He's been quiet for long enough.

" I'll be the Emir," Zayn revealed, much to the dismay of Hassan and his father.

'Well, let's see how?'  Hassan thought. His facial expressions mirrored his father's. It spelt trouble.

"Thank you, Zayn," Emraan said, giving Zayn's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Meaning, he'll be with him through thick and thin.

  Sultan Lawal was happy. At least Zayn agreed to be king. He gave Emraan a hard glare just to receive a goofy smile in return. Crazy boy.

There's trouble ahead since Hassan has been able to demonstrate his desire for the throne. It was an unspoken fact. It won't be an easy journey for Zayn but he has his family with him. Zayn was aware that the decision he had made could make or break him.

*~*

Zayn was enjoying the sight of the night sky on the terrace of the house when he heard footsteps approach him. Perhaps, he isn't the only one who enjoys the sight of the sky at night. He only wanted some time alone.

" I'll do whatever it takes to get the throne, okay? I don't care what you think about that."  The person said. 

Wait...that was Hassan's voice. Zayn Zayn quickly tucked his airpods in his ears. He'd had it in his pocket for a while now.

  So that's Hassan's goal. He was right. Trouble is lurking. Some people just aim for things that do not belong to them. He wanted Hassan to think that he didn't hear those blasphemous words he just uttered. He could get punished if someone else had heard him. Zayn heard all that Hassan had said on the phone.

  Hassan's heart skipped a beat when he saw Zayn's figure, leaning on the railings of the terrace.  Was he there all that while? His heart fell into his stomach when he saw the airpods in Zayn's ears. Zayn didn't even spare him a glance. But then... someone like Zayn shouldn't be underestimated. So he decided to find out if Zayn actually overheard his call.

" So you heard all that I said during the call." He said when he approached Zayn.

"What?" Zayn asked and removed the AirPods from his ears." What were you saying?"

Sometimes, acting dumb has its advantages.

With that, Hassan concluded that Zayn didn't hear a word. He turned to leave but thought that it wouldn't hurt a bit if he taunted Zayn regarding what happened earlier in the day.

" You know, I'm a bit surprised that you haven't told your father about what I did to Mariya. You've always been the one to snitch." Hassan teased. His words depicted pure malice.

Shameless. That was all Zayn could think of. 

Shamelessness at its peak.

" I won't give my father headaches because of you. This time, I'll deal with you myself." Zayn gave him a befitting reply.

" I knew you'd be quiet though. After Mariya yelled at you. Tried to be the hero. You got what you deserved. I've spotted you more than twice, eyeing her. You can't have her, neither will you have the throne. I'll have both." Zayn was not surprised. Not at all.

" Don't know what you told her that made her not want to expose you but trust me, I will. Hassan, listen to me carefully..."

"That's all  I have been doing and you keep giving empty threats." Hassan laughed.

" I will ascend the throne after my father and marry Mariya too. In shaa Allah." Zayn said and left.

The smirk lingering on Hassan's face drained as soon as Zayn uttered those words. 

He's just joking, right?

Hassan admits that Zayn has a way of making him feel insecure but he tries to mask it with utmost perfection.

*~*

  Mariya was in her office when she heard a gentle tap on her door. She seriously didn't want to meet anyone at the moment. She had been thinking of what happened the other day and she decided to do some work to get her mind off the incident and then she gets interrupted by God knows who.

" Come in." She said, nonchalantly.

Zayn was the last person she expected to see when the door opened and shut. She knew outright, what he was going to talk about and truth be told, she wasn't interested. Not one bit. She isn't ready to talk about such a sensitive issue with a stranger.

" Salam Alaikum." He greeted.

" Wa Alaikum Salam." She responded." If you are here to talk about what happened during the weekend, then leave because I am not ready to talk about that." She informed him there and then.

" I won't leave until we've settled this, okay" Zayn was genuinely worried that she'd expose Hassan in a way that would taint the royal family's name. Hassan needs to be punished for what he did to Mariya but the royal family doesn't.

Mariya needed to tell what was in her heart to someone but the problem is...trust. It is expensive. She doesn't know if it will be right to trust Zayn but why not give it a try? It's dangerous but what harm can that cause her? Hassan has already broken her trust but she's still alive.

" Can I trust you?" She asked.

" Yes," Zayn answered. His facial expressions were void of any joke. Oddly, Mariya felt she could trust him.

Tell me everything. Your secret is safe with me." He urged. His tone was calm and reassuring. He maintained a period of eye contact with her to show her how serious he was.

Spill all your secrets into the box of my trust. And I'll cover it forever.

Tadaaa! How was this one, guys?

So far who is your favorite character? Lemme know in the comments.

What do you think of Zayn's decision to marry Mariya and become king? That was a strong dare against Hassan.

Pls, don't forget to vote and comment. It makes me sooooo happy.

Ciao ❤️