Fuck Being Politically Correct: He Says, She Says was an unqualified success, much to everyone’s surprise, and that included its own two hosts, Hyacinth and editor-turned-partner (in crime) Marwan Bseiso. Lauded for its pioneering format, the web-based series had the two debating about political and social issues, but instead of showing two opposing sides, the pair typically represented contrasting strategies for the same side.

It was, in a nutshell, definitely not the politically correct thing to do, but it was also for this very reason that the show appeared to do so well, with ratings so high that they rivaled those in traditional media. In just two short months, Hyacinth and Marwan had more than made back the money they had invested in their admittedly risky venture. Aside from purchasing expensive recording equipment and high-end laptops, they had also decided to take a leap of faith by relocating to Washington in hopes of improving their chances of scoring live interviews with the political figures they were most interested in.

With advertising revenue steadily increasing and additional income coming in from a variety of high-profile speaking assignments, life was looking very good, and it was also guaranteed to look even better after tonight’s award show.

A representative of Kastein Inc. had contacted them by phone, saying Fuck Being Politically Correct was the company board’s unanimous choice as the recipient of their annual Digital Innovation award. Aside from the amazing publicity, the award also came with a generous sum of money – which was just enough for the two of them to finally move out of their shared flat – a 200 square meter attic that only afforded them second-hand accordion doors to create the semblance of having separate rooms.

Remembering the look of horror on her sister’s face at Anisah’s first glimpse of her place made Hyacinth smile, and seeing this, Marwan grimaced, saying, “Nice to know one of us isn’t likely to throw up.” All this waiting was just making his stomach feel queasier, and Marwan couldn’t help but look at the backstage door one more time, wondering if maybe it wasn’t too late –

“Don’t even think about it,” Hyacinth warned, seeing the object of her co-host’s glance of longing. “And how many times do I have to tell you it’s going to be okay---”

“Easier for you to say,” Marwan hissed under his breath. “You’re used to hobnobbing with the folks outside, but I’m not.”

“The folks outside are our ticket to Phase 2, so just stop and stick to the script.”

The cue finally came, and Hyacinth and Marwan stepped out together, both of them dressed to make a statement; her in a two-toned abaya with a cotton belt to cinch the dress around the waist, and Marwan in a suit with a checkered keffiyeh held securely on his head by a double circlet of agal.

The crowd rose to their feet, their applause thunderous, and despite her own strict reminders about not being emotional, Hyacinth couldn’t help feeling a little overwhelmed by the audience’s warm show of support. It was a very nice balm, she thought absently, to all the heartache she had suffered in the past months – and still secretly cried over.

Members of Ramil’s royal family and the palace staff occupied most of the front row. There was Tarif and Anisah at the very center, and even Gadi, who waved at her enthusiastically even as he struggled to hold back his tears.

Dear old Gadi.

She was glad to see he hadn’t changed.

Marwan made a desperate gesture for her to come up to the mic and make a thank-you speech, but she shook her head, her gaze sly. It’s your turn to start hobnobbing.

After shooting her a glare that promised retribution afterwards, her co-host cleared his throat, stammering, “On b-behalf of my partner, I – I mean we – we would, err, like to thank the One Above for His grace…”

Despite Marwan’s worst misgivings, he ended up executing a near flawless and absolutely moving speech that was guaranteed to have more of the crowd shedding tears and, more importantly, reaching for their checkbooks. When he stepped away from the microphone, she flashed him a thumbs-up. Good job!

Marwan shot her another mutinous glare in response, but she told herself that was just his way of saying welcome. Turning away, she picked her skirt up to make sure she didn’t trip on her three-inch heels on their way down from the stage.

But when she looked up, she realized that wish of hers was wasted.

Rayyan was standing at the bottom step, looking heartbreakingly dashing in a black tux, and in the act of stepping down, Hyacinth forgot what she was doing, and she started to fall.

“Gotcha.”

His low whisper as he caught her in his arms was too much, reminding her of the last time he had said that, and things were still too good to be true.

Her eyes started to sting, causing Hyacinth to keep her head bowed even as he helped her straighten up. “What are you doing here?” she muttered.

Cupping her elbow, he led her backstage, his footsteps so damn slow it was almost like he wanted the moment to last.

Oh, if only.

But she knew that was another pointless wish.

She tried to pull away as soon as they made it backstage, but his hold on her elbow only tightened in warning, and with so many curious eyes trained on them, Hyacinth knew better than to cause a scene.

The sheikh brought her to the dressing room she had shared with Marwan, and she was relieved to find it empty.

Rayyan’s lip curled at seeing the relief in her eyes. “I take it you don’t intend to introduce your co-host to me?”

Instead of answering him, she asked again, “What are you doing here?”

“Am I no longer allowed to wish you well?”

You chose another woman over me, asshole, she thought, so no, that doesn’t give you any rights at all in my book.

A moment later, she heard his soft chuckle, and this surprised her enough to glance up, just in time to see his lips twist ever so slightly in a smile of self-derision, like he thought himself the butt of his own joke.

“I heard you loud and clear, majamira.”

“Don’t call me that,” she said automatically, “and I didn’t say a thing.”

“I know.” The smile widened, the self-derision turning into something else, and pain pinched her chest. “And like I said, I heard you loud and clear.”

Hyacinth’s teeth gnashed hard at the effort not to let the tears fall. Damn him. God damn him. Goddamn him to hell.

“You look beautiful,” Rayyan said quietly.

“Stop trying to charm me, damn you.”

“Because it no longer works?”

She almost, almost laughed. Was he fucking serious? “La, alshaykh.” No, sheikh. “I’m saying you shouldn’t bother because it’s pointless.” Because you’re still with her - aren’t you?

Rayyan’s fist clenched and unclenched against his side at the glassy look in her eyes.

“I’ll ask you again,” she whispered.

“Hyacinth---”

“Why are you here?”

“Because I didn’t think you’d leave just like that,” he grated out.

“I told you I was leaving---”

“I thought you meant me, not the fucking kingdom!”

“What difference does it make?”

“It makes a hell of a difference,” he snarled.

“Because you want to have your fucking cake and eat it, too?” she snarled back at him.

“No, dammit---”

“But it’s exactly like that,” she cried out, “and you know it.” She gazed at him helplessly, loving and hating him, knowing that she could never live without him but also knowing she had find a way to do so.

“I couldn’t stay, Rayyan. I just couldn’t. I didn’t like the person I became, and it just got worse and worse and---”

“Stop it.” He gripped her shoulders, unable to bear the self-hatred in her eyes. “Just come back---”

“And…her?”

His grip tightened. “I never…it’s not like that between us.”

“But it will be---”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“I do,” she whispered, “but Rayyan…can’t it also just be…me?” Swallowing hard, she forced herself to say the things she had always wished she could tell him. “I knew I was wrong, when I told you to turn your back on her---”

His hands dropped away from her shoulders, and she wanted to cry.

“It was selfish and it was evil---”

“It’s water under the bridge now,” Rayyan said tightly.

“But it’s not,” she choked out, “because a part of you still hates me for it.”

“Hyacinth---”

“And that’s fine. That’s fine. Because it was a stupidly hateful thing to do, and it’s no excuse, but the only reason I did it was because I was just so scared if I let you spend more time with her, you’d realize she was better for you---”

“I said it was over,” he gritted out.

“If it’s really over, then just say it! Say it! You hated me---” Hyacinth’s voice broke, and she jumped back when the sheikh swung away from her and his fist struck the wall.

“R-Rayyan---”

When he pulled his fist away, his knuckles were bleeding, and she paled.

“Oh God.”

She tried to take a step towards him but froze at the look on his face.

“I did hate you. You were perfect in my eyes, and I didn’t even know I had you on a fucking pedestal until you came crashing down and forced me to ignore her cries for her help when she needed me.”

Her eyes closed. “I’m sorry.” The tears started to fall. “I’m so sorry.”

“And now I have no choice.”

Her eyes flew open, her lips parting in silent shock at what he wasn’t saying.

“I can’t turn my back on her again.” His voice turned lifeless. “I just…can’t.”

Oh God.

Oh God.

Oh God.

He loved her.

But it was too late.

“Rayyan.” His name broke past her lips just as she watched him turn away. “Rayyan, please…” She choked back a sob. “Tell me what to do.”

He only looked at her, and the answer was in his empty blue eyes, and she wanted to die.

“Please.” Her voice cracked. “There has to be something I can---”

“I can’t leave her,” Rayyan said tonelessly.

She crumpled as soon as he left, sobbing her heart out, and she was like that when her older sister found her –

“Cin?” Anisah rushed inside, falling to her knees to take her baby sister into her arms. “Cin, what’s wrong?”

“Rayyan…” Sobs started to shake the younger girl’s body. “Rayyan.”

Anisah couldn’t believe what she was seeing, but the truth in her sister’s tear-ravaged face was impossible to deny.

“Oh, Cin.” She pulled her sister close, hugging her, rocking her, and her own tears fell, knowing this was just one of the things a big sister couldn’t ever do. She could slay dragons, she could reach for the moon and the stars, she could do just about anything for Hyacinth, but one thing she could never protect her little sister from was the pain of losing someone you loved.