Rested on the wall leaned Anisa's head. She hadn't gotten an ounce of sleep. During that process, she also prayed fajr and kept waiting patiently for any news related to Tahir.

The feeling of struggle was the inner core of all her emotions. In this year alone, she lost her father, and another man she considered a father. She was betrayed by her stepmother and almost murdered by the biggest shareholder of her hotel. But, things didn't stop there. She even found out she's an orphan. The person she thought was her biological father was a lie.

She was able to withstand all of those. With patience, her forgiveness would slowly consume her and those around her. But this suffering was different. It was unlike any other. Some would wonder how she's still standing and hasn't broken yet. Yet, that was the beauty of her nature.

Tahir would remind her of her resilience. But, without him, who would make sure she didn't fall?

"Your highness, I just got word from your secretary that the nation demands information regarding the status of Abbas and his attempts of fleeing the country," Saif walked up and stood across from her.

"Tell them I'm not stable to make any interviews or anything related to the country," she said with no emotion in her tone.

"I'm afraid that I should remind you of your position in this country then," Saif sighed. He didn't want to be the one to do this. But, no one else was going to.

"You're the princess of Dubai. The only heir that's closest to the late King Salman. It's your duty to put the citizens of the country over any other priorities that stumble upon your life. Even as you breathe your last breaths, your duty is to serve the people of this country and ensure they have a future to look forward to," Saif stated, "I'm in as much pain as you are. The man you care for is my brother. But, some things are more urgent and more important no matter the relationships we have with people. I've learned that the hardest way possible. The most I can do for you is to bring the interviewer here, where your safety is ensured and then you can go back to mourning."

Saif's speech served as a wake-up call for her. He almost sounded like her father. It was also the most she had ever heard Saif speak. So, eventually, she nodded in response and wiped a tear that had escaped.

It didn't take long before Saif returned with a woman, holding her phone in her hand with a notepad, filled with writing. She seemed to be a lot older than Anisa and by the looks of it, wiser, too.

"Good morning your highness, I apologize for being here while you're in this condition, but the country demands it," The woman apologetically said.

Anisa simply nodded, understanding, or at least, trying to understand.

"I don't want to waste any more of your time so I'll go straight to the questions if you don't mind?"

"No, I don't," Anisa replied.

"Very well," the woman sighed, "As we're all aware, Abbas was to be reported had anyone seen him. But, authorities have now confirmed his death. It is stated that you were at the scene. Is this true?"

Anisa nodded, "Yes, but I didn't happen to see how. All I heard were bullets spiraling, going back and forth."

"It seems like a different matter was of your attention at the time?" The woman asked

Anisa looked up at her this time and let out a deep sigh.

"Yes. The door in front of you holds the man that saved my life. If not for him, I wouldn't be sitting before you and having the answers to your questions that the country demands."

Her attention was drawn towards the door that held Tahir, still unconscious. Without wasting more time, the woman continued to ask her questions.

"I'm sorry you had to go through such an experience. Is it safe for the citizens now? They won't be needing to worry about Abbas anymore?"

"That's true. They won't need to worry about him. But, I will remind the people that Abbas was just one person who chose to draw attention to himself and his selfish acts of violence. There are still many others out there, people we think we trust, who eventually show their true colors, and expose their true nature. So, no, it's not safe for the citizens. It never will be. But they're safe from public threats to their country."

The woman found herself falling for Anisa's responses. She worded her statements in such a way that touched the heart. She was right. No one was ever safe. Abbas was just one example of how a man could turn a country upside down. There are probably more people out there who plan to threaten the throne...

"I can't help but think that she's going to do something to herself," Reem said, "She's been stabbed all at once with the things that are happening to her."

Saif couldn't help but look down and nod. They were right outside Tahir's room and Anisa had gone in after she couldn't bare being away longer from him.

"They say he tests those he truly cares for. This is a trial she must overcome. There are moments where she'll be tested with her faith, her morals, and identity. The more she continues to take another step each day is where her strength lies," Saif told her.

Reem turned to look at him as she sniffled. Her eyes were red from the tears. She couldn't bear to see Anisa like this. It was difficult for her.

"Has Tahir been in a similar situation before?" Reem boldly asked.

"Yes, in fact, he's even had worse. There was one time where he had to stay in the hospital for two months because he was in a coma after jumping off a building. So, he's had clients where they required more assistance than Anisa. Insha Allah, he gets through this because there's always a reason that brings him back," Saif answered.

Reem nodded, agreeing with him.

As the two stood outside, Anisa tried comforting herself as she sat beside Tahir, where he continued to lay, rested and still.

"The things I'd do to be able to see those ocean eyes again..." she whispered, "And your voice that wrapped me in comfort."

Anisa closed her eyes and thought back to the things Saif told her. Normally, she would've felt betrayal and screamed at Tahir for manipulating and lying to her. But, his intentions were clear and they were nowhere near manipulation. He acted with honesty. Especially towards her.

Time continued as she sat beside him. Eventually, her eyes grew heavier and she thought she'd only need to close them for a second. But, she ended up falling into a deep slumber.

An hour later, Dr. Maryam entered the room to see she had fallen asleep beside Tahir's shoulder, his hand in hers, holding on for dear life. She couldn't help but feel sorrow. This was the hardest part of her job. Seeing the pain in those who weren't even injured. In those who wanted their loved ones to heal.

"Oh, Anisa. May you continue to hold onto your strength," she whispered, even though she couldn't hear her.

The next day welcomed Anisa. Except, she was no longer in the hospital. She had to attend to duties at the palace. As much as she dreaded leaving Tahir at the hospital, Saif reminded her of her duties to serve the country. She wasn't able to say no to that.

Papers welcomed her for signing. There was an agreement that needed review with the authorities on sharing information related to any crime that welcomed the palace. Although she had cut it off, she found that accepting help from them wouldn't be a bad thing because sometimes, she wasn't able to bear the weight alone.

The silence in her office was daunting. She felt that this silence would be interrupted at any moment. Maybe she'd be the one to do so. But, she was sick of it.

Suddenly, there was a knock on her door, distracting her from the papers. She lifted her head up to say, "Come in."

Shortly, the door opened to reveal her cousin, Yasir.

"I didn't realize you'd be in your office today," He walked up to stand behind her desk.

"I didn't either, but, duty calls," Anisa shrugged.

Yasir nodded, "Indeed, it does. I heard you were there to see Abbas's death. How did that go? Are you alright?"

"Of course. I'm fine. It's not really his death that has me in this condition," Anisa clarified.

"Then what does?" Yasir took a seat on the chair that was on the opposite side of her desk. "I heard it was your bodyguard that injured himself, trying to save you."

"That's exactly what's got me in this condition," Anisa confessed as the scene replayed in her mind. She saw the fear written in Tahir's eyes the moment he realized she was going to get hit by the bullet. But afterwards, she saw relief as soon as he was the one that took the bullet.

Yasir noticed her eyes began to tear up so he reminded her, "Anisa, don't feel bad. It's his job. He's supposed to protect you at all costs. The man will be fine after a visit at the hospital."

Anisa's eyes shot up to give him a slight glare.

"He's not just a man, he's got a name. And, that hospital visit has now been extended into its fourth day," she said through gritted teeth.

"Why are you getting so worked up? I don't think I can memorize the names of every person who works for us," Yasir defended himself.

Anisa sighed, closing her eyes for a brief moment.

"Yasir, you might not know him. But, I do. And I saw the look on his face as he took my bullet. It haunts me till this moment and I'm scared I won't be able to see him open his eyes again. Do me a favor and don't speak of this matter so lightly because a life was risked and that life is still at risk."

She was right. Knowing that, Yasir nodded.

"Forgive me. I didn't realize he meant this much to you."

It bothered him. The fact another man was able to make her feel like this. Especially one who was just her bodyguard. He wasn't even of high status.

"But, I must ask...why does he mean so much to you?"

Anisa's eyes begain to trail off in every corner, avoiding his gaze. Yasir was the last person she was going to confess her feelings towards Tahir to. So, she stalled and said,

"It was his gesture. Whether it's his job or not, not everyone is ready to take a bullet in one's place."

"I see," Yasir still felt suspicious about her response.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got more papers to review and submit before I take my leave," Anisa said.

"Of course. But, Anisa, I will remind you I'm here for you. Whatever you're going through internally, you're fighting a battle with a cliff. One in which you're barely handing onto. It's not something you should go through all by yourself," he reminded.

"I'll keep your words in mind," she simply gave him an ingenuine smile.

As soon as she watched him leave, closing the door behind him, she sighed and looked at the time on the clock that hung on the wall beside her.

Give me sabr (patience), she silently prayed, thinking of the battle Yasir described.

It was true, she was holding on to the edge of the cliff with such little hope left. There was a time where she shut off her feelings and became ruthless with her orders and actions towards other people. It was the time she lost her mother, or, who she thought was her mother.

She had turned the palace upside down after that day, not giving a care of how they felt. As long as she had gotten her way with things, that was all that mattered to her. She would even detroy anything that got in her way. Mr. Amin was the person who witnessed that phase...

"Anisa"

She looked up. Seeing the man standing before her, her eyes couldn't help but widen. How was it possible?

A/N:

This is a very overdue chapter. I apologize for it being late. I've been going through some personal problems. I thought I was going to be taking a 5 month break where I would be entering a new chapter of my life. But, I got sudden news of my grandmother's passing and I've been trying to stay strong, praying for sabr.

Thank you to those of you who held such patience with me. I'm not the best author on here. I never commit to a schedule and quick updates are never promised. But, I truly appreciate every support I get. You all are so strong and my key motivators to continue writing.

As always, don't forget to leave this book a vote by hitting that star button and commenting anywhere you'd like your voice heard!

Thank you ✨🌻