July 2021 ,Desert Nation Of Zidra
"Either find your runaway wife or take a new bride" Karim Al Ahmeds voice boomed in the living room of his suite
Zayed Ahmed al Zidra stared at his father impassively
Sheikh Karim Ahmed al Zidra stared back ,breathing fire through his nostrils.
Zayed curbed his urge to roll his eyes.
Zayed had always been a disappointment for Karim.
The constitution of Zidra states that the heir to the throne is the first born of the particular generation. It doesnt matter if they are not born
to the present ruling King.
Karim al Ahmed being the elder son of the family had ruled over Zidra for forty glorious years.
Much to Karims disappointment, his younger brother fathered a child before him ,making Salim Al Ahmed the crown prince of Zidra.
Zayed was born a year later. That has been his fathers first disappointment
The disappointment increased when Zayed spend more time creating art that learning business.
According to Karim ,the only sensible thing Zayed did in his entire life was giving up art six years ago.
Zayed is now knows as a cut throat business man and no one knew why the reclusive artist turned into ruthless businessman.
Only if they knew ,Zayed thought with a derisive curl of his lip.
"Do you hear me Zayed. I dont want the throne to be passed on to Salims kid. Its in our favour that Camille has issues with conceiving. I want you to get married and give me a heir Zayed. I dont care who you marry as long as I get my heir" Karim snarled
"Father. It is a disappointment that you have wasted your time on something I dont plan to do ever" Zayed said in an icy calm tone.
"If you dont find a wife for yourself ,I will have to do that for you, son" Karim snapped
"I would like to see you try ,father" With that said, Zayed walked out of his fathers suite of rooms in the palace
Marriage!! Zayed thought with disgust.
Never again!
He had never believed in the notion of love and marriage.
He had grown up witnessing his parents miserable marriage.
Karim Ahmed al Zidra was a committed philanderer.
His mother Rosaline ,daughter of a businessman from England had fallen in love with the young charismatic Karim nearly four decades ago.
His father too had fallen in love with her.
Unfortunately, his fathers love didnt last making his mother a miserable woman and turning her into an alcoholic.
Yet ,he had given relationship a chance by trusting Brianna. His on and off ex girlfriend of five years.
He had met Brianna during his one year art course. He might not have loved her, but he had trusted her and she broke his trust by joining hands with his father.
Then Ameya came along. He had extended his hands of friendship and she tried to take advantage of it. Atleast she did it for her parents.
Then came Aveline.
The woman ,he has absolutely no interest talking about.
Zayed added another layer of bricks around his heart at the single thought of Aveline.
No ,she doesnt even deserve to be remembered!
****
Sheikh Zayel Ahmed al Zidra sat behind his desk in the skyscraper building of Ahmed Industries headquarters in Zidra ,going back and forth
between files regarding the latest oil production venure
Zayed Ahmed al Zidra is now one of the top most business men all over the world. He has been winning back to forth business awards for the past years.
The supposed betrayal of his wife had been the driving force behind this ruthless cold hearted businessman.
People all over wondered what happened to the once calm and reclusive artist.
No one knew he was once married, for he never thought it important to publicize his short lived marriage. And he was absolutely grateful for that now
"Zayed. Dad wants to talk to you!!" Rosaline said walking into the cabin which is her sons home now.
Rosaline Ahmed , the former queen of Zidra.
She was a lovely woman with a broken heart. Zayed always wondered why his mother couldnt just divorce her husband and leave. But she never did. She kept on loving him through all her misery
"Yes Mom. I will call him once Im over with this one" he said pointing at the file he was working on...
"Zayed" Rosaline called again in a soft voice...
"Yes mom. Everything alright??" He asked
"How can it be alright when my sons life is not alright!!" She sighed
"Mom. Not again" Zayed groaned bracing himself for the same old conversation
"Zayed, dear ,whatever happened between you two must be a misunderstanding please try to
find where Ava is" Rosaline pleaded with her elder son.
"Mom. I have told you several times not to utter that womans name in front of me. I absolutely hate her" he said
"If hate is what you felt for her,you wouldnt have changed like this Zayed. This is not you Zayed. This is not you!!" Rosaline said
"Mom. This discussion is pointless!!" Zayed said with an air of finality and Rosaline sighed wearily
Rosaline stared at her elder son and her heart wept for him. Her Zayed had never known what happiness is. He had never known what love is.
The only love he got is from his siblings Salim Basim and Mizna
She failed as a mother. She had wasted the better part of her life wallowing in her own misery ,unintentionally neglecting her children
At a young age Zayed had to become a father and mother for his younger siblings Basim and Mizna.
She would be eternally grateful to Salim ,her nephew, for always having Zayeds back
"Call dad. He wants to talk to you" Rosaline said
"Is Grandpa okay??" Zayed asked wondering why his maternal grandfather didnt contact him directly.
"He is alright. A bit weak. Just call him" Rosaline said and left...
Zayed leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
Suddenly a pair of tortured hazel green eyes came into his vision and he cursed under his breath.
No Zayed.!! Stop thinking about her. He ordered to himself
Zayed tried once again to forget the woman his mind could never love and his heart could never hate.