17. Friends?

Asahd’s POV:

“It’s not that bad, now that it’s clean,” Saïda mused when we were finally done cleaning the car, in and out.

I stared at the car and it looked and smelled less horrible. The paint was still good and the headlights weren’t broken or something.

“It’s still ugly though,” I teased and she laughed.

“Try it. Get in and try it,” she proposed.

“I’m not ready.”

“Hahaha, Asahd you’ll have to drive this tomorrow. Get in and try it. Cmon!”

I stared at the car for a long while. Saïda continuously encouraged me to get in.

“I’ll get in with you, so we drive a little around the neighborhood.”

“You first.”

She rolled her eyes in amusement and got in.

“I’m in. Get in. The air freshener and perfume are doing a great job. Everything’s fine, Asahd.”

“Alright.”

Reluctantly, I went round the car and opened the driver’s door. I felt horrible but had no choice. I got in.

“I’m so uncomfortable right now, Saïda,” I mused, closing the door.

“You’ll get over it. Now start it.”

I put the keys in and started the car. Everything was fine so far. Even the engine sound was okay and yes, the car smelt way better than a few hours ago.

“Let’s roll,” I started the car and we drove off.

We drove round the neighborhood and everything was fine. No odd sounds or problems. The car was sure thing, old school and ugly, to me, but at least it worked.

We returned to the front of our building and I parked.

“You see? It works just fine,” Saïda giggled.

“Yeah, it does. I still can’t believe I’ll be riding this,” I chuckled.

“One more thing.”

“What?”

“Try the horn.”

“Hmm. True that I haven’t tried it.”

I pressed the stirring wheel to try the horn. The sound it made!!! The sound it made, made me jump and my heart to skip a beat! The people that sat at their verandas or were walking by, jumped in surprise.

“What the fff–!” I sank in my seat, hiding so the people whom I’d gotten their attention with the horrible sound, would not see me.

Saïda was choking with laughter. She was laughing so hard that she started coughing like crazy.

′My life is over.′

The embarrassment I felt! I’d sank down in my seat till I wasn’t visible from the outside. The car’s horn was equivalent to that of a bulldozer or some huge truck. But even louder! It had shocked me and surprised the hell out of everyone else. Such a tiny car with a monstrous horn.

“You are such a drama Queen! Hahahaaaaa!” Saïda couldn’t stop laughing.

“Saïda, what the hell was that?!” I gasped, still hiding. “I can’t believe I’ll actually be seen in this car! Did you hear that?? What the fuck was that!”

“I was so impatient for you to try it! I was expecting your reaction to be this dramatic and it is!” she burst out laughing and I stared at her.

My lips twitched in amusement at how contagious her laugh was and actually realising that I was a total drama queen. But for real, I’d not expected such a sound. How did she want me to react? Like everything was cool?

Imagine me driving through town and I get stuck in traffic and honk at the other cars. The other drivers would probably expect to see a truck or something and when they turn, it’s this tiny car that’s causing sound pollution.

“Y’all are cruel for this,” I muttered, trying hard not to laugh.

“You should see yourself right now. Sit up straight! I can’t breathe!” she laughed, gasping for air all the while.

“Are people still staring at the car?”

“Yes!” she laughed hard.

“No way am I sitting up straight. The disgrace! What is this?!”

I was ′shooketh′.

“I don’t have to be seen in this!”

“BHAHAHAAAAA!”

I stared at her and it got harder for me to hold back the laughter and so I started with a little chuckle. But that made it worse and I ended up laughing hard at my own self.

“I’ll never forget this time of my life. I swear,” I laughed, my eyes watery. “What the hell?? Did you hear that sound! This is so unfair.”

The more I thought of how ridiculous my situation was at the moment, the more I laughed instead of getting angry. And it did me good to laugh it out. I’d not laughed that much, until my eyes watered and tears rolled down my cheeks, ever since we got to New York.

-

After minutes of nonstop laughter, we finally quieted down, trying to regain our breaths.

Amused, I finally sat up straight, avoiding all eye contact with passers and neighbors.

“It’s been long I heard you laugh that much,” Saïda mused with a giggle.

“I know right. It feels good to laugh a little more,” I admitted with a chuckle. “And it’s also probably because your mocking laugh is contagious.”

“I’m glad I could make you laugh. Fun fact is, my laugh is only contagious when you’re in a good mood. If you were in a bad mood and I laughed this hard, you would probably pull my hair or something.”

“Oh, that’s very true,” I chuckled.

We were silent for a while. It surprised me a little because I rarely joked with Saïda, nor did she with me. We’d never actually joked with each other or so. It was always annoying between the both of us or strictly Royal business. I’d always believed her to be the stuck up and boring type, but I was beginning to doubt that.

“I like this less witchy side of yours,” I admitted and she chuckled.

“Less witchy, huh?”

“Yup, cuz you are very witchy at times.”

“Maybe a little,” she mused.

“Finally! You admit it,” I stated and she laughed.

“I’m like that cuz you’re a spoiled brat most of the time.”

“Maybe a little,” I mimicked and we laughed.

“But honestly, I prefer the funny drama Queen that you are at times, than the rude and disrespectful prince,” she admitted and I looked at her.

“I’m like that because people piss me off most of the time and don’t deserve my respect. I’m a Prince, I’m supposed to get people’s respect. It’s not the other way round,” I replied casually, rolling my eyes.

“I do hope you change that particular thought and humble up, Asahd. You’re not that bad. I think you can be a better person.”

“I already am.”

“Okay, okay. I don’t want to argue with you. Let’s stay cool with each other from now on,” she proposed with a smile.

“That’s fine by me,” I smiled back. “If you were this reasonable with me before, maybe we could’ve become friends a long ago.”

“I didn’t want to be your friend. Tsk!” she scoffed and I laughed.

“Didn’t. You said didn’t. And now?”

“I don’t know. What do you think? Should we be friends?” she mused.

“Nah, you’re not worthy of me, yet,” I said in a playful, proud manner.

“Oh my gosh, you are terrible. I’m out,” she mused and opened the door to leave. I laughed and stopped her.

“I’m ready to try and be friends with you Saïda, because it’s thanks to you that I got this car and plus, you helped me wash it, without expecting anything in return. Your act surprised but pleased me. Though this car gives me high blood,” I mused and she laughed out. “I’m kinda glad I have it. And it’s thanks to you, so thank you again.”

“Welcome. I’m ready to be your friend, under one condition.”

“Oh boy,” I rolled my eyes and she chuckled.

“Don’t try to act all bossy, rude and disrespectful towards me, Asahd. I honestly won’t take it.”

“Do same Saïda, cuz I won’t take any of that from you either. Deal?”

“Deal,” she smiled and stretched a hand out. I shook it.

“Friends, then.”

“Friends.”

~~~~~~