Aali and Aria walked back to their chambers hand in hand, engulfed by a comfortable silence that none of them felt the need to break. They took their time, their steps slow as they maneuvered their way over to the place with the people littering around, stopping whatever they are doing and throwing a second glance at the two.
They were finding it hard to believe what their eyes are seeing for them. For one, no one is aware that the Prince has gained consciousness and from a glance at him, one can barely tell that the man has been unconsciousness for two weeks. And secondly, they were wondering why his wife, whom everyone expect that he will throw out once he gets back on his feet is taking a casual stroll with him.
While those thoughts were going around in everyone's head, the two paid zero heed to them. They were wrapped in their own little bubble with soft smiles overtaking their features.
Soon enough, they reached the chambers where even the guards, albeit tried to be discrete about it, threw them curious glances. Amadu was nowhere in sight, and Aali made a mental note to look for him once he had cleared the air between him and his wife.
They met with a sight of a worried Salaha pacing by the entry, waiting for Aria's return. She couldn't help it. She had been praying to Allah that going to Umma's place shall not become a problem to Aria.
She looked up when she heard the doors open, her gaze widening slightly when she saw the two walk in. Her gaze moved from Aria, to Aali, then to Aria again. "Aunty Aya..."
Aria offered her a what is supposed to be a reassuring smile. "Salaha, everything's fine now. You can rest" She said softly. As time goes on, she's starting to see Salaha as more of a sister than a maid.
Salaha nodded. "I made dinner for you, it's on the dining table" She was still unable to hide her astonishment from the two.
"Actually..." Aria parted her lips to protest.
"Thank you Salaha, we'll take over from here" Aali cut her off, before she could decline it.
Salaha looked between the two, fighting the smile threatening to take over her features. Safe to say, amongst the people in the palace, she ships the two the most. And seeing them together makes her happy. Perhaps, even happier than Aria is. She gets giddy simply by seeing them together and happy.
She nodded, and quickly scurried out of the chamber before Aria could stop her. She only stayed because of Umma's request since Aria is left alone. But now that the husband is back, she knew it's time to take her leave.
She will return and take her belongings the next day.
Once she was gone, Aali tugged Aria's hand and gently pulled her over to the dining room, pulling out a chair for her before he took his seat.
Aria threw him a glare, but he could tell that she wasn't serious about it. "I'm not hungry" She said, taking off the hijab and folding it before she placed it aside. Wearing it bothered her since it wasn't exactly a cold season, rather the opposite. Besides, since it was just him, she didn't see the need to keep it on.
Aali nodded, as he scooped the food and placed it on a plate. "Yeah, that's why you've lost so many weight since I last saw you" He offered her a sarcastic smile to go along with his remark.
Aria rolled her eyes. "I said it before. I like you better when you keep shut" She muttered but loud enough for him to hear.
He's her targeted audience anyways.
Aali chuckled, as he placed the plate in front of her.
Aria refused to spare the plate a glance, her eyes fixated on him. "I mean it Aali. I would rather we talk" Her playful demeanor vanished when she said that.
Aali smiled, shrugging slightly. "Are we talking about how you missed me so much that you're wearing my outfit?" He rose a brow, not bothering to hide the smug grin that overtook his features. "If that's your way of saying you miss me then rest assured, I miss you just as much"
Aria released a small sigh, throwing him the bored look though she was hoping her face didn't betray her by showing her blush. "I'm serious Aali"
He stared at her for a while, his smile dropping before he released a long sigh. "Fine. But eat first. I can only focus knowing you've eaten something"
"You mean that?"
"Yes I do. I care about you"
Aria rolled her eyes again, shaking her head in the process. "I didn't mean that. I meant the talking after we eat part" Remember that time when she claimed she had missed his annoying self? Well, she takes it back. There's nothing to miss regarding an annoying man like him.
Aali chuckled, but nodded nonetheless. "Yes I'm serious when I said we'll talk after you eat"
His words seemed to be enough assurance because she nodded, then picked up her fork. Bringing the pasta to her lips, she stopped, her eyes narrowed at him. "Why aren't you eating? You scared of being poisoned again?"
"I ate at Umma's place and no; I'm not scared of being poisoned because I know Salaha won't hurt either of us" He meant every word he said. After he woke up, Umma refused to tell him anything about Aria until he had eaten food that she made herself. Only then did she tell him all that has happened in the palace since he lost consciousness. She left no part of the way Aria was treated out.
He was upset to say the least, and he knew he needed to address it fast hence why he called them all for a meetup.
And regarding Salaha, he allowed her to work in his chamber because he trusted her enough to leave her alone with his wife. A person is most vulnerable at the confines of his home, and that was the chamber to Aria because it was the only place she could let her guard down.
If Aali allows someone he does not trust in the place, then he is putting both Aria's life and his in danger. So no, he isn't scared of being poisoned by the girl.
Aria stared at him for a couple of seconds more before she nodded, then ate what is her first real food for the first time in days. She had mostly been surviving off coffee and small things here and there because she didn't have any appetite. Now that everything is going to normal though, she felt as though eating a little bit won't hurt.
That little bit turned into an entire plateful of pasta while Aali stared at her in amusement. When she was done, she drank the water that he has passed her and released a sigh of relief before turning to look at him.
"Alright. I'm done now. Let's talk" She said, pushing the plate aside as she turned to face him.
He nodded, "Let's head to our room first"
Aria threw him a wary look, "Why there?"
"Would you rather talk about things here? You never know who could be listening" He stated, and she couldn't argue because he is right. It's safer and better if they talk in the confines of their room. "If you have other thoughts I don't mind. I'm open to suggestions" He added, before he threw her a shrug.
Aria resisted the urge to roll her eyes again. She just can't with Aali anymore. Ignoring his statement, she cleared the table with his help before they headed over to the bedroom. Aali took a spot on the chaise lounge, patting the space beside him for her to sit.
She declined it at first, but eventually took the spot, turning around to face him.
"I--"
"Wait" She held her hand up to stop him. She then took in a deep sigh, flickering her eyes close for a brief moment before she spoke up again. "I am sorry for what I said to you the last time. You were only trying to help but, you have to understand where I'm coming from"
Aali sighed, turning around to face her just like she did. "I do understand where you're coming from but we are not kids. There's no point of toying around with our marriage. Sure, the circumstances we got married under weren't the best, but we should at least make it work" He paused, his brows drawing in closer. When he spoke again, his voice was low. "I know you have your motive for getting married to me. Tell me, what is your intention after you achieve what you want?" He purposely left out the part of asking her what her motive is. He already knows, and would address it later.
Aria went quiet, looking away from him. She swallowed hard as she thought about his words. What does she plan on doing after she get what she wants? She honestly hasn't thought that far. From the beginning, she only planned on getting in and not out.
But even if she didn't plan on what would happen after, she knew that she would want to leave afterwards. But Aali is right. They are talking about marriage right there; she can't think of things that way again.
Aali used his index finger and thumb to lightly take a hold of her chin, turning her around to face him. His eyes met hers, and when he spoke, she saw the sincerity behind his words. "If youthought for one second that I'm letting you leave Askim, then you are dead wrong" His words came out slow, and low; as if that would make it sink deeper in Aria. "This isn't just about you anymore. It's you and me. We're in this together, till death do us apart and Jannah reunites us"
She couldn't argue with him on that, not when he has made it clear that he will not let her go. "Do I have any option?" She asked, once she finally got her voice back. She was starting to find everything he does unfair. Because how can a small action bring her butterflies and render her speechless.
Aali shrugged. "Depends. But I think those were ruled out when you agreed to marry me" He offered her a small smile, "Before you think of that, give this a chance. Give us, a chance. Will you do that for our marriage?"
Aria blinked, her eyes never moving away from his. Honestly, his offer was tempting. Plus, ruling out his title, his family, and the people that surrounded them, being his wife wasn't such a bad idea. Before she could back out, she folded her lips to hold back her smile. "Well, Daihaah ended up with Aamir despite her being stubborn throughout the way. I guess we're bound to suffer the same fate, right?"
Aali's brows furrowed. He didn't get her reference. "Huh?"
She chuckled, shaking her head. "Forget it. You'll know who they are in the later years"
Aali looked like he wanted to say more, but he dropped it. A smile made its way on his face, mirroring hers. "Is that a yes?"
She tilted her head to the side, before she nodded. "Yes"
Aali's face broke into a grin, as he placed both palms on either side of her face, pulling her down as he placed a kiss on her forehead. He didn't pull back, and instead he pulled her into an embrace. "Thank you" He murmured in her ear.
Aria parted her lips to reply, but just then a thought crossed her mind. It had her pulling away from him, her smile disappearing. She then placed her hand in the sweat-pant's pocket, before turning to him again. "But first, I want to ask you something Aali, and I need you to be completely honest with me"
He watched her expression closely, and seeing that she meant every word she uttered, he nodded. "Of course. What is it?"
She took in a deep breath, then pulled out the picture that she had come across earlier. She threw the picture a glance before she handed Aali the picture.
He took it from her, his brows furrowing when he realized what it meant. Blowing out a shaky breath, he looked up whilst holding the picture still. "Aria..."
She shook her head, eyes briefly closing it. When she opened it again, for the first time since Aali married Aria, he saw as she let her guards down. "Tell me Aali. How did you know my brother?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know he was murdered here three years ago. How come you have a picture with him around that time?"