A friend in need...

The question of your virginity is my personal problem. I will never flaunt it for anyone else's inspection" he declared.

And with a forbidden frown, he hopped off the bed in one fluid motion. Seriously, she knew she should shout and throw a tantrum. If for anything but her future children who will suffer their mother's carelessness-and inability to attract her own husband.

But her mouth grew dry at the sight of him. Every line and contour screams with excess power and grace. In her mind, he is as lithe as a cheetah, as domineering as a lion in his own self proclaimed territory. Damn if this man is normal.

She was suddenly unsure and scared and witless.

She didn't know how to seduce a man. Or how to make him lower his defenses.

She has no idea how to make him feel empathy for her plight. Or soften the edges of his control long enough to take advantage of him. And Allah knows, she has no one to guide her.

Aairah suddenly remembered the Shema siblings. She had met them in Nigeria. And they had family troubles too. Their stepmom had done her best to make their father hate them. And she didn't stop until they were on the streets. Right beside Aairah who was hiding then.

They crossed paths often enough until she and the younger sister, around her age, are best of friends. But they held no illusions that the friendship will last. They led too different lives. And each had different goals in life.

Bahij shema is an extremely pretty girl. Before she met Aairah, she had once duped a guy into making him feel as if she loved him and she was going to marry him so he pays for her brother's medication. She never told how far she took it but Aairah always had the distinct impression that she gave away a lot. Perhaps her virginity is the only thing she kept. She said she told him she would give it up when he marries her. Which didn't happen, because Bahij turned him down.

Unlike Aairah, Bahij is a stunning beauty who is endowed with big breasts and equal behind to match. She is the perfect thing guys always want to look. She has had a lot of trouble concealing her assets in an effort to prove to Aairah she didn't want the attention. Despite all that, Bahij is a terrible flirt and she seems to know all of the male anatomy and how they work.

Baita shema, her brother had always been trying to keep his sister out of trouble and had extended the same care to Aairah.

Sometimes, he tried to protect Aairah from his own sister's influence. He often expressed that he is relieved that Aairah doesn't seem to like men in general.

So Aairah is thinking, Bahij can help me seduce my own husband right?

Aairah didn't really know. They are made differently. Aairah cannot boast of a large breast or an ample behind. But still, the basics are all she needed now.

She is thankful the emir left his phone on top of the chest of drawers and has plugged it to charge-another normal thing in his life she is struggling with. Seriously, its such a boring normal phone that she just didnt understand him. There is no password on the phone at all. With eager relief, she dialed the number before she lost her nerve.

At the third ring, Bahij picked up with the Salam.

"its me. Aairah" she explaimed as soon as she replied the salam.

"Banza! Do you still remember me?!" Bahij cussed.

Aairah felt her nerves settling a little. She stood up and peeked through the door. The emir seems to be having a conversation on the phone. So she went back to the bed and listened to Bahij tell her about her latest trouble.

"I swear Aairah, it was stolen. The money was right there in my bag but one of those owl eyed beggars stole it and now Baita refuses to believe it is lost" she complained.

"Why?" Aairah asked.

"He thinks I bought makeup with it. The man gave it to me for free I swear it. I went to Rimi market and the guy refuses to collect the money saying he dashed me because I am pretty enough. Dan samari yaga babe! Baita said I should return it if I am not lying. But how can I? He can't afford to buy them for me!" She replied.

"Bahij, return the damn bag please! I need your help" Aairah stated with exasperation. Bahij likes makeup. Aairah thinks she does because she is always seeking attention from people now that she lost the most important one focused on her.

"Fine fine. I will return it!" She exclaimed bitterly. "What can I help with?" She asked. "with my bare face, i could at least be of use in some way" she muttered.

"you ko? May Allah guide you kawai" Aairah exclaimed. Taking a deep breath, she said "I need directions to..."  Suddenly, she feels shy.

"To what?" Bahij sounds impatient. She is always impatient.

"To..seduce a man" Aairah said it in a rush. "And before you judge me. He is my husband. I just need to know what I can do to make him lose his cool. I don't wish to see morning a virgin I swear it" Aairah muttered breathlessly.

Bahij remained silent for a while. Then she burst into a loud rokcus laughter that grated in Aairah's nerves. "Ke! Ban a son iskanci!" Aairah swore. "Dalla tell me or I am hanging up" she swore.

Bahij calmed down a little. She is still chuckling when she said "is he attracted to you? Or is he pretending he is not attracted to you?" She asked.

Aairah didn't know why she blushed. But it must have something to do with the fact that she is the one attracted to him and pretending she isnt attracted to him!

"Well, how can I tell?" She whispered.

From the muffled noises coming from the other side, Aairah knew Bahijja is busy insulting her for being such a ninny. She became outraged. "How am I supposed to know something like that?!" Aairah exclaimed.

"Listen to me Aairah..." She began in a no none sense tone.

"Don't mock me damn you!" Aairah warned.

"Hey! I don't know the particulars either" she retorted.

Silence.

They burst into feats of giggles at the very same time.

"You are lying" Aairah didn't believe it.

"I swear it, I don't know! I am just pretending to know so I annoy Baita" she admitted with a hint of shameful reproach.

"Ya Salam! Bahij, you have got to tell me the things that you do know" she begged. She tried to ignore the fact that its not a really bad thing that Bahij knew less than she lets on. It only means she has more dignity and self respect. Or luck.

Bahij is silently thoughtful before she replied with "but you know what a kiss means don't you?"

"Of course!" Aairah replied caustically. "I read books okay? I know about kisses, hugs and sexual tension. It's just not the same with books. And I never read the places that describes details. It's a bit too 'ehem' for my taste" she defended. She feels so embarrassed when the part of romance begins to get heated. Her shyness shows itself at greatly inopportune times. Reading them feels like sin in itself. So she usually skips them.

"Fine. Wear the most sexy nightgown you have. Okay? Find the best place that would give him your entire view so that even if he turns away, he will still have to see some of you. Then wear your beautiful hair down. Then introduce a very naughty subject. Ask him to teach you about sex and love making. Make it sound so foreign that he believes your ignorance. Don't give him a way out. Make him say details and even if you are embarrassed, force yourself to eat it up..."

"in other words, i should throw away my dignity and pride to please him" she sounded bitter.

"focus Aairah! Goals! Its about goals! Once you have him where you want him, you can destroy his own pride and dignity and quickly get even" Bahij sounded merry. Like its all so simple.

She trailed off as if she didn't know what else to say.

"And if he is still reluctant?" Aairah asked hesitantly. Surely, he wouldn't embarrass her so and swallow his baser instincts?

"Demonstrate. Catch him off guard. Do your best runway walk and flutter your lashes or something. Then kiss him. Sit on his lap and pretend to be uncomfortable" she sounded exasperated. "Push your sexy buttons and if it makes you feel better, pretend you are practicing" she must've shrugged because Aairah heard her sigh.

"And if he still refuses?" Aairah sounded fearful. She would just die if he didn't want her after all that trouble.

"Then he is not a man" Bahij snapped. "Look here Aairah. I've seen how men look at you even if you are oblivious to it. You are terribly attractive. I don't believe he would turn you down if you do it right" she stated. A pause, then she said "heck not even when you don't do it right. Except he is mad. Or crazy or dumb..." She began to insult him.

Aairah didn't like the sound of it. But she grinned. If Bahij knew she is insulting the emir of Maicki, she would deftly turn the insults on Aairah's head.

"I get it!" Aairah laughed. "Say hi to Baita. I shall call you if things go bad. But you have to call me if things went well. Cox I won't need you anymore. Perhaps you will have to beg me for details!" Aairah grinned mischievously.

Bahij laughed. "In your dreams! I will go hunt for my own husband. I am tired of seeing Baita's ugly face whenever I wake up in the morning" she informed.

"As if someone will want to manage you" Aairah teased.

"ke wallahi someone must marry me" she declared.

"Haha! Tohm! Me dai Call me for the wedding. I am not stingy. I'll help you keep him pleased" Aairah boasted.

"If you succeed!" Bahij teased.

Aairah smiled, sobering at the thought. "Yeah. Gotta go. He is gonna be here any moment" she ended the call. She didn't hear him but her nose is very sensitive and she caught a whiff of his scent getting stronger and she knew instinctively he is coming closer.