As the sun rose the following day, Nadir walked through the marketplace with Adil discreetly following him; the younger boy was excited and eager to explore as he wandered off completely and unnoticed by his brother.
Unaware that Adil had even followed him out, Nadir was too absorbed in the sights and smelled the exotic spices that greeted him as he saw for the first time what his mother had hidden him from and what she chose to ignore.
Apart from the boarding school girls who waved and flaunted at him, nobody noticed him, but he ignored them as he walked through since he looked like any other citizen with his disguise, and Nadir liked that.
He liked that he blended in with the crowd, making it easier to get around rather than sticking out like a sore thumb.
It indeed was a shock for the prince as he saw how impoverished the streets were and how many people struggled to make a living.
At the same time, his mother spent ridiculous amounts of money on her silly dolls, expensive clothes and jewellery and exotic scents for the palace.
Even more heartbreaking for him to see were hungry children digging around for food and looking pleadingly at passers-by.
As much as Nadir wanted to, he didn't have anything to give them as he entered the marketplace and saw a little girl look at him, and he sadly shook his head as she sighed quietly and walked away.
Nadir felt guilty when he remembered that he had taken two apples and a banana from the kitchen before leaving last night and hurried over to the girl who was scouring through discarded wooden boxes in a dark alley.
Silently, he reached into his pockets, pulled out the three pieces of fruit and gave them to the girl who smiled and hugged him gratefully before leaving again, happily chomping down on the banana, which made Nadir smile.
Eager to keep exploring the streets, Nadir went on his way unnoticed by the people who were haggling with the market vendors for the best price on fruit, spices, freshly baked bread.
Even some rare luxury items that Nadir and Adil loved, like their favourite dessert, rosewater jelly.
It didn't make much sense that such an impoverished city could have items that very few people could afford, but the vendors were desperate to sell them, and Nadir wondered how they got them in the first place.
Nadir could have got them himself but not understanding the concept of paying for food and goods since he had everything handed to him his whole life meant that he didn't know-how.
Not that it stopped the market vendors who had spotted the strange young man that had seemingly come out of nowhere and were eager to sell him their finest wares.
They waved fruit, bread and badly-made goods at him, hoping to get his attention only for Nadir to refuse politely despite their aggressive haggling.
'Would the fine young gentleman like a genuine bronze bottle opener?' a vendor said, holding a very badly-made bottle opener and was not bronze at all.
'Or a lovely ivory chamber pot, only slightly cracked?' he then said, holding the chamber pot which had many cracks.
'No, thank you,' Nadir said, holding his hand up. The vendor muttered angrily as the prince walked on with various vendors eagerly waving their goods at him.
'How about some fresh rosewater? Imported from far away lands!' the vendor with the expensive goods said as he held up a fancy crystal bottle with the pink liquid inside.
Nadir considered it but remembered that he didn't know how to pay for it, and he shook his head no to the disappointment of the vendor.
'Fresh green grapes for the young gentleman?' the fruit vendor said, holding up a bunch of green grapes.
He was unaware that a monkey just snuck behind him, using its tail as a bungee cord and grabbed two watermelons.
'I don't think so,' said Nadir as he chuckled at the comical sight of the monkey who grinned sheepishly at him before jumping back up onto a window ledge.
'That filthy monkey! It and that street mouse are always stealing from me when I'm not looking!
The next time I catch you, I'll chop off your hands and make your monkey into soup!' the vendor shouted, waving his fist towards the ledge which was above his stall, and the monkey responded by blowing him a raspberry.
Nadir giggled as he wondered who the vendor was talking to, yet shocked that the punishment for stealing existed in the city.
Whoever upset the vendor must have to resort to stealing to survive, and from what he had seen earlier, there must be many.
He then looked up at the window ledge, wondering where the monkey had come from and saw something.
Or rather a lovely someone who made him feel like he had never felt before as his heart fluttered in his chest and his eyes glazed over.
He gasped as he stared at the beautiful sight that greeted him.
He saw a young woman, about his age or slightly younger, sitting on the window ledge, looking out at the sky, and her long brown hair was shining in the early morning sun.
Nadir, entranced by the girl, watched as the monkey gave her the watermelons that it had stolen, and the girl chuckled as she cracked them open and gave one half to the monkey who crammed it down while the girl gently nibbled on hers.
Seeing the prince looking at her, the girl put down her watermelon half and looked down at Nadir, her gentle brown eyes meeting his and smiled at him while also caught in a daze as his hood slipped off his head, revealing a brief glimpse of his crown.
Seeing that his hood was down, Nadir readjusted it quickly before the girl got a complete look, but she didn't notice.
He then looked back at the girl while smiling and waved at her, which she reciprocated before the monkey squeaked in annoyance and waved its paw in front of her face, which made the girl snap out of her trance and when she saw someone coming, giving Nadir one last smile.
Earlier that morning, Leila had stayed behind with Dalia while Inaam went to get some bread for their breakfast. She had been gone a long time, and Leila had wondered where she had gotten to, but she thought nothing of it as she knew that Inaam sometimes liked to do things by herself.
Leila was quite content to sit on a window ledge above the fruit stall, basking in the early morning sun and staring at the magnificent view of the city, keeping an eye out for Inaam and seeing the people and markets bustling even at this time of the morning.
Suddenly, something had caught her eye, and she leaned over slightly to get a better look.
Still, it was nothing more than a brown blur, which seemed to be getting closer, and it was more of a someone-a very handsome someone.
The boy looked in Leila's direction before the vendor caught his attention, but Leila kept looking at him discreetly and was curious about the stranger.
Dalia, at this time, had jumped down towards the fruit stall to grab some watermelons and saw that the vendor was distracted with trying to get Nadir to buy some grapes. While he was distracted, she reached out and grabbed the two melons.
As the vendor yelled obscenities at the monkey, who sheepishly grinned at him, the boy let out a gentle and sweet laugh at Dalia's actions. Leila smiled as she felt the stirrings of romance flow through her body.
It was strange yet pleasant and warm, and it was all new to her. No boy ever showed the slightest hint of love towards her, and the only males who paid attention to her were the ones who wanted her hands.
But this boy was different to the others, he looked somewhat out of place in the busy marketplace and was seemingly confused when the vendors haggled their goods, but Leila was intrigued by him.
'Wow,' she whispered as she stared at Nadir, 'I never felt this way before,'
She then shook them off when Dalia gave her the two watermelons, squeaking in triumph while doing a crazy imitation of the vendor by waving her fists around and chittering angrily.
'Oh, Dalia, you silly monkey,' Leila laughed as she cracked the watermelons open into two perfect halves, with Dalia drooling in anticipation, eager to get her little hands on them.
'Breakfast is served, well at least until Inaam comes back with the bread. I don't know what's holding her up, but we can't wait for her anymore.' Leila said as she nibbled her melon half while Dalia chomped hers greedily.
While Leila was eating her watermelon, she saw Nadir staring at her again, and as if she was suddenly in a trance, she got her first proper look at the boy and- well, you could say it was love at first sight for her as his gentle brown eyes took her in, his dark hair and- was that a crown she saw?
As quickly as she saw that flash of gold, Nadir quickly pulled his hood back up again and smiled at Leila as she put down her watermelon half and smiled back at Leila, who had a dreamy look in her eyes as they stared and smiled at each other.
Dalia rolled her eyes and squeaked in annoyance when she saw Leila 'eye flirting' with the strange boy and waved her paw in her owner's face, which Leila was oblivious to until she saw Inaam, at last, walking through with a little boy, which made her snap out of her daze.
She got her last glimpse of Nadir, who waved at her before the younger boy and Inaam bumped into him.
But Leila kept watching him, never taking her eyes off the strange, lost boy who had come out of nowhere and had started to steal her heart.
Nadir hadn't noticed that he was in a daze at seeing and eye-flirting with Leila until he felt something bump into him, which made him turn around and see that it was a certain someone.
Adil and Inaam were standing behind him (not that Nadir knew who she was), and he was grinning ear to ear while the older boy gasped in horror at seeing his younger brother.
'Is this your older brother, Adil?' Inaam said to which Adil nodded while chewing half a loaf of bread.
'Adil, what in Allah's name are you doing here?!' Nadir hissed, 'you were supposed to stay back at the palace!'
'I told you that I was coming too,' Adil responded after he swallowed his mouthful of bread,
'I waited until you left, then I got Jumara to lift me. I climbed the walls and followed you out here! I wasn't going to stay cooped up forever as long as I dumped on Jawahir and her obnoxious parrot!
And I've had a great time exploring the city! The streets are incredible once I found my way around. I found it scary at first since there were so many people everywhere, but I met Inaam….'
'Yes, he was initially clueless about how to get around. The streets of Alzawaya can be dangerous, especially for newbies like Adil, and he bumped into me while I was getting bread.
At first, he was scared of me since he thought I would hurt him, but I reassured him that I wouldn't and asked him where he came from. He didn't want to tell me since he would get into trouble, so I didn't.
We got talking, one thing led to another, and we started hanging out and became friends!
Adil's a great guy to hang around, and he soon learned the tricks of the trade!' Inaam said.
Leila smiled as she watched her sister and the two boys from the ledge, relieved that Inaam was safe (not that she needed to be worried since her sister was more than capable of being by herself).
She was glad that Inaam made a new friend and ensured he was safe, especially in a dangerous place.
'I hope that he hasn't been bothering you, miss,' said Nadir, 'you see, he doesn't understand much about the outside world..'
'Yeah, I figured that out right away, but he's a fast learner!' said Inaam, 'like when he took that loaf of bread he's eating! Not bad for a first-timer!
And don't worry, I liked the company; it's the first time that I've made a friend other than my older sister, so think nothing of it.'
'Thank you, Inaam, that was very kind of you,' said Nadir politely.
'Me too, it's amazing that on my first day out here, I made my very first friend other than Salma and you!' Adil said between mouthfuls of bread.
' Manners, Adil, you are not Salma,' Nadir gently scolded, 'but how were you able to get that bread?'
'I took it!' said Adil, proudly, 'it's what Inaam and her sister do to survive out here. If we're going to stay here, we may as well learn from the best.
Besides, we've had everything handed to us our whole lives, so it's okay to take food, nobody minds!'
'I wouldn't say that.' Inaam said.
'Adil, are you sure about this?' said Nadir.
'Of course, big brother, you're such an old stick in the mud! Go on, take that bunch of green grapes at the fruit stall!
That fat chump of a vendor isn't looking, so take them! You got to if you want to eat!
'Well, I am hungry since I gave my fruit to a little girl earlier,' said Nadir, feeling somewhat conflicted about stealing, but his hunger was getting the better of him.
'So, grab the grapes! You won't get caught; honestly, I didn't!' said Adil, egging him on.
Seeing that Adil had managed to get that loaf of bread (and didn't bother to share it with him) and remembering that the vendor had offered the grapes earlier, Nadir then went over to the fruit and discreetly took the bunch.
Adil and Inaam gave him a thumbs-up as Nadir smiled rather shakily.
But his victory was short-lived when a large, hairy and sweaty hand roughly grabbed the poor prince's wrist, which made Nadir turn around, and he saw the angry red face of the vendor.
'You better pay for those grapes, street rat!' the vendor growled.
'Pay? But you offered them to me earlier!' said Nadir.
'You still have to pay, and I do not tolerate stealing!' the vendor boomed.
'I'm sorry, sir, but I don't have any money with me,' Nadir said, trying to be calm although his voice wobbled.
His brother and Inaam looked at him worriedly.
To Adil, he said, 'You didn't tell me you have to pay for things here!'
'Don't blame me; I didn't know either!' Adil said defensively.
'Oh, no, you're in for it now,' muttered Inaam sadly.
'You dirty thief! Now you're going to get what's coming to you!' the vendor shouted.
Nadir's predicament was starting to attract an unwanted crowd as passer-bys stopped what they were doing and shook their heads at the poor boy who was about to learn the hard way the consequences of stealing.
At this rate, he would be going home with only one hand, and that was not the worst punishment here.
Leila watched in horror at the unfolding situation as Nadir desperately begged for the vendor to spare him.
At the same time, Inaam and Adil were powerless to help him, and she was annoyed at her sister for doing nothing to stop it.
'Inaam, don't just stand there, do something!' she said, and Dalia jumped up and down, squeaking angrily.
'Well, if you want something done, you've got to do it yourself,' muttered Leila, 'don't worry, um.. newbie, I'm coming for you!'
She then discreetly slipped down the building's wall by using a rope, with Dalia on her shoulder, and as she landed on the ground, she slipped undetected through the crowd until she reached the fruit stall and hid behind it, waiting for her moment.
Meanwhile, Nadir, his wrist still in the iron grip of the vendor's hand, then said, in desperation,
'Sir, if you would let me, I can go to the palace and ask the sultana for money if that would make you happy, but please just let me go.'
'Oh, come on, the boy made an honest mistake, he's new around here,' said Inaam, 'that's hardly a cause for punishment, is it?'
'Stay out of this, girl!' the vendor growled.
He roughly slammed Nadir's wrist on a wooden bench and raised a large sword in the air, ready for the chop as the prince's eyes widened in horror and Adil cried out,
'No, please, leave my brother alone!'
'Too late, little rat!' the vendor growled again while holding Nadir's wrist tightly and lowered the sword slowly.
'Now you will learn the penalty for stealing, street rat!' the vendor said and was about to deliver the blow as Nadir's eyes widened and Adil hid behind Inaam.
Then, as if out of nowhere, Leila's arm reached out, effortlessly grabbed the sword out of the vendor's hand and tossed it out while some people ducked out of its way.
'There you are!' Leila said to Nadir, who looked at her confusedly yet glad that she had come to his rescue,
'I've been looking everywhere for you! You had me worried sick!'
'You..you're the girl I was staring at earlier,' Nadir whispered,
'Yes, I am, now just follow my lead and play along!' Leila whispered back.
'But why, what are you….' Nadir asked only to be silenced by Leila.
'Trust me, I know what I'm doing!' she said.
'Is that your sister, Inaam?' asked Adil.
'Yes, and what good timing too!' replied Inaam.
'Do you know this boy?' the vendor said.
'Unfortunately, yes,' Leila said, 'he's my brother, and the little boy is his friend, and I'm afraid that he's not in his right mind,' which made Nadir raise an eyebrow.
'Don't ask; just keep playing along if you want to have both your hands,' she then whispered to Nadir.
'So what trouble has my brother and his little friend caused you this time?' Leila then said to the vendor.
'Your so-called brother stole a bunch of grapes and claimed that he knew the sultana so she would give him money to pay for them!' said the vendor.
'He means me. I'm the sultana,' Inaam said,
'You?' the vendor said, 'that's impossible; you're far too young to be the sultana! You're lying through your little teeth, girl!'
'I'm not lying sir, I disguise myself as a peasant, so nobody bothers me when I make my rounds in the city. I like to know what is going on in my kingdom.'
'But Mama never comes out here! He won't buy it!' said Adil.
'Believe me; he will!' Inaam said, 'just watch me!'
'Oh, wise Sultana, I am not worthy of being in your presence!' Nadir then said, mockingly bowing to Inaam, who laughed and patted him on the head.
'Thank you, dear peasant, now have a large sum of coins!' she said, pretending to shower Nadir with imaginary coins.
'You see, he's a little bit crazy, but you shouldn't punish him as there's no harm done, so why don't you go back to serving the nice people and I can assure you that my brother will get his treatment when we get home,' Leila said while taking another bunch of grapes.
'Very well, but don't you come back here again!' the vendor shouted as Leila helped Nadir up and walked him through the now dwindling crowd.
'Okay, there's nothing to see here; move along, people!' Inaam shouted as she and Adil followed their siblings.
'Mind the nice people, bro,' Leila said in an almost condescending tone, making Nadir roll his eyes as they passed through the marketplace.
'Okay, you can stop now,' he said, 'but thank you for saving me from that man.'
'Don't mention it,' Leila said, 'but for appearance's sake, I better hold your arm and let's keep walking until we get home. You best stay with us; the streets aren't always friendly.'
'Come on, Dalia, try to keep up!' Leila then shouted.
Dalia managed to catch up, but in doing so, several apples, jewellery, a bottle of rosewater and a bronze bottle opener fell out of her arms.
'Oh, Dalia, not again!' Leila said.
'Come back here, you little thieves!' The vendor shouted.
'Is this when we start running away?' Nadir asked.
'Yes, and we better do it now!' Leila said, and the quartet and Dalia ran as quickly as they could out of the marketplace.
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