Haydars brown eyes momentarilly flickered with emotion.He told her everything; he'd been framed by one of his family's competitors and business opponents and that landed him in prison; he only managed to leave prison with the help of a good lawyer who handled his case. Arya listened intently, and she couldn't stop imagining what he went through, as he was telling her the story with a smile on her face. "Where is Ayesha? I remember she was pregnant at the time of your arrest. I was unable to reach her after that. Did she and her husband leave the country?" Arya asked Haydar, whose face dropped immediately after she mentioned Ayesha's name, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Ayesha's dead, Arya", and now, it was Arya's turn to cry. They talked for about thirty minutes. There was a lot of catching up to do. He answered a call briefly and then excused himself. Arya promised to come visit his mother and also Ayesha's son, Ammar as soon as she got the chance. They said goodbyes, and she went to meet Tara in the parking lot. After checking out the bridal shower decorations, they headed to a coffee shop. Arya told Tara about her encounter with Haydar and Tara listened attentively. "You still love him, don't you? " "Tara, I am so confused . Ross is the man of my dreams and some rich and romantic". Arya replies, "But Haydar connects with you so well. Plus, he's also rich and handsome." "Oh Tara, you just never liked Ross". "It's not like that; he just doesn't sit well with me, I can smell fakeness from a mile away". "So what's fake about him?" "I can't put my finger on it, but I just don't feel Ross, you know. Well, it's beauties like you that worry about choosing between two very eligible bachelors, plus-sized average girls like me cannot relate." They laughed as they sipped their overpriced coffee.
Arya's bridal shower is a simple, elaborate event. The girls had a sleepover afterward at the hotel. The next day was May's wedding, set to happen on a private island owned by the Caltons. Arya was too distracted to enjoy the surrounding festivities. She was stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. On the one hand, was Ross, her dream man who loved her, and his family valued her. His mother loved her like a daughter, and Arya knew she could always count on her if they had problems in the future concerning their marriage. The caltons warmth did unsettle her sometimes, but she dismissed such thoughts. Haydar, on the other hand, understood her so much; they had a deeper connection, beyond sneaking to movie theaters and her receiving ridiculously expensive flowers or designer bags.
Arya tiptoed downstairs and followed the back exit; she motioned to the driver; he was confused. She sternly directed him to take her out in one of the cars and he obliged. Her wedding ceremony was a few hours away, but she knew she had to do that. Haydar was her soul mate, and she wasn't going to give up on their love. It was exactly nine thirty-five when she reached Haydar's house. She headed for the entrance and was welcomed by a beautiful sweet smells of flowers. She stood still as she saw a scene right in front of her, Haydar and a very beautiful lady, dressed. They were signing a piece of paper, smiling and then embracing each other lovingly. They were a few people there all dressed in Arabian abayas and thobes, the women had henna on their hands and so much makeup and gold jewelry; it was a little party. Arya absorbed the scenario, and it dawned on her that Haydar had just gotten married!
Arya felt numbed and turned around to leave, tears welling up in her eyes. She used her left hand to wipe her tears, and just then, as she turned, her eyes met his, blue and icy; she almost died of shock; it was Ross!