The Desert Prince and The Dreamer

Chapter 16

Zayn and his family sat down on the comfortable cushions. The Sultan next to his wife and Zayn next to Shaffik. Imam Sadiq welcomed them warmly as he offered them sweet mint tea which was brought in by two female servants.

"Before I start," the Imam started as he sat down along with the rest, "I would like to say it is the greatest honor to have the Sultan and his family in my house. I'm hoping that after today this relationship will continue, even be stronger." he smiled and the others nodded in agreement. "I will not bring up the reason as to why I invited you yet until we finish eating lunch." he said with Joy that was exhibited on his glowing face.

Soon the servants were carrying in dishes into the dining area. The Imam led them to the dining and they sat down along with his family which comprised of his two wives, two sons and three daughters. He then gave thanks and in no time they were eating. They enjoyed some banters here and there as they enjoyed the food. One hour later, the men were lounging on the cushions after they had finished to eat and the women were also having their talks.

"Thank you for inviting my family Imam Sadiq, although my daughter couldn't make it. But now I think it's about time we talked about why you invited us over." the Sultan said boldly. He had wasted enough time with small talk already.

"Yes Sahib," Imam Sadiq finally agreed. "The main reason Sahib, is as you might have noticed, I have three daughters, which two of them are of marrying age. I wanted to raise this awareness to you since you have two very good looking, kind and capable sons who would be interested in my daughters."

Zayn raised an eyebrow, he was kidding, right? How dare he call them over to his home just to see his daughters of marrying age? Who even cared? He tuned out their conversation and let his mind wonder. He wasn't planning on marrying any time soon. His Father was still in good condition to manage the empire. He didn't want to be subject to the manipulation of a woman, with their weak hearts and easy tears that they used to make their husbands feel guilty. No way, that wasn't happening for him. Probably Shaffik would take the Imam up on the offer. Well, his brother could have a pick, or even take both girls, after all he is able to care for them, right? And they must be beautiful. Zayn realised that he hadn't even noticed the Imam's daughters. Were they beautiful? Or just simple plain women? If he hadn't noticed them, they most definitely were not beautiful to look at. He furrowed his brows trying to remember how they looked.

"...right Zayn? Zayn, Zayn."

"What." Zayn suddenly barked, mad at being aroused from his musings. He looked at his Father and his gaze softened. "Yes Father."

"So you are in agreement to the arrangement?" his Father asked and he became suddenly alert. What even happened.

"I agree to nothing." he said immediately and when everyone looked at his with a frown, he softened and continued, "I mean, I'll need time to think, it's quite a hard decision to make." Whatever he said seemed acceptable enough that the older men nodded with smiles and shook hands. The Imam offered tea which the other family politely refused and they all stood up to leave. Zayn finally looked carefully at the Imam's daughters, they were all covered up and looking shyly at the men. Zayn frowned, he didn't like shy women, they were just pretending and when you married them they would become something else. He shook his head as they headed to their car.

"Zayn you were awfully quiet in there, what happened?" the Sultan asked after they had entered the car.

"Nothing Dad, truth is I don't even know what you guys discussed." Zayn confided.

"See, I told you he's not ready." Queen Zurah told her husband.

"Ready for what?" Zayn asked confused.

"Ready for marriage brother." Shaffik said looking at Zayn, "Where as I'm ready." he smiled proudly. "I take dibs on the grey eyed curly haired one."

"How did you even see their hair?" Zayn asked, "They were wearing hijabs."

"I've seen them before Zayn, without their coverings and Noor, the curly haired girl is prettier so dibs on her." Shaffik said.

"Will you stop saying that word, dibs. You sound so heathen." Zayn said disgusted.

"Oh, now you're so religious?" Shaffik asked.

"Enough." their Father growled. "I will not have you two fight like women. You want a real fight, I'll give you swords and throw you out of this car, the winner can return to the Palace with me." the Sultan said seriously making everyone look at him like he had grown a second head. He always used this tactic but using different threats, and either way, it always worked.

He sat back and closed his eyes as the car became silent. He smiled inwardly, he knew Zayn hadn't liked any of the Imam's daughters. To be honest he didn't want to be in-Laws with the man. He had to give Zayn an ultimatum lest he gets comfortable with not wanting to marry.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived home and everyone got out and headed to their specific rooms. Zayn opened his bedroom door and removed his keffiah, throwing it on the bed, he reached for his jallabiyah. "Hey, keep it below eighteen." Zayn made a startled sound and scowled when he saw his sister grinning at him from the comfort of his plush cushions that lay beside his bed.

"When will you ever stop coming into my room unannounced?" he growled at his sister.

"When I finally leave this home, but even if I do, I'll still return to haunt you big brother." She made a hissing sound which She had intended to sound scary but Zayn just rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Alright, get out now. I need to change." he laid his hands on his jallabiyah.

"You place is big enough, go to your closet, okay?" She smirked at him, "Then after come back and tell me what the Imam wanted to talk about with you guys." She dismissed him with her hand making Zayn scowl. He instead sat down on the bed and looked at her.

"I'm not telling you anything until you leave."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me something." She said back.

"Leave my chambers, I want to rest."

"No, tell me." they had a staring contest with Sapphire making faces. She enlarged her eyes, pouted her lips, stuck out her tongue without breaking eye contact. Finally Zayn shook his head, She was so stubborn.

"Alright, he's offering his daughters' hands for marriage."

"What. He wants you to marry both girls?"

"Ofcoarse not. Don't be stupid." he frowned at her.

"Well, you can take care of both, what's the problem?"

"I'm not interested."

"Ofcoarse you're not."

"What do you mean?"

"You are not interested in any woman but one." She said smiliu secretly.

"What nonsense are you going on about?"

"My dear brother. How did you become succesful on your own, bosing around thousands of people but can't be able to explain what you feel?"

"Right now I don't feel anything but an inkling to put my hands around your neck and end your stupid little life."

"Okay then, I'll spare you the murder part." Sapphire stood up from the cushions, "Bye for now big brother. Have a wonderful day feeling lonely and denying your feelings." She said and ran out of his chambers giggling.

Zayn stared after his sister and shook his head. She was something else. He finally removed his jallabiyah and flopped on the soft bed sighing as his body eased into the soft far.