"This is no time for a party... we have so many things to do" I grumbled as Ammi Jaan hassled me into wearing another fancy dress. She ignored me and moved on to place something in my hand. I opened my palm to see her diamond ring. The very ring that my father had gifted to her when I was born.
"Your father gave this to me when you were born. I think it's suitable that I give this to you now that you're born as a leader" tears stung my eyes at her words. This...was beyond anything that I could dream of. Her approval and acceptance warmed my heart.
"I'm hardly a leader. I'm always being told what to do. You, Uncle EJ, Rania even Zaroon. Somehow I'm not thinking enough, or wider or I'm just plain wrong" I said, lowering my head. She chuckled and placed her hand on my shoulder.
"And yet they come to you. They rely on your judgment and your opinion"
"Because I was born into this... who's to say Rania isn't better?"
"No one, because this is your place. Simple"
"How are you so sure? What if I don't deserve this?" She smiled widely.
"You don't, you earn it"
The party was going to start at ten and we were going to party till twelve where my family planned to welcome our birthday. As I stepped into the hallway, Rania ran towards me her eyes wide and hair flying. I stepped back in case she barrelled into me.
"What's the rush?" I asked as she gave me a small hug.
"I'm just happy that you got dressed up," she said gesturing to my earrings. I moved my head experimentally. The diamond earrings glinted in my ears. "And the hair... Woah" I laughed and fluffed my waves. The shimmery material of the dress caught the light when I moved. I looked like a star.
"Haha thanks, Ammi Jaan got her hairstylist to come in. He's been added to our team, by the way. I'm also supposed to have a makeup artist, who will be here tomorrow"
"The machine is in full force?"
"Oh yeah," I said with a small smile. I slipped my arm into hers and we started to walk towards the main ballroom. "Where's Izzy?"
"He's right here..." Izzy said from behind us. We both turned and gasped. He looked dapper in a tuxedo. His hair was combed back and fell softly around his face. He fixed his sleeve and posed for us.
"You look nice... where's Hania?" I said giving him a side hug.
"She's in the ballroom, final touches, and everything," Rania said moving back with her phone in her hand and taking a picture of us.
"Really?" Izzy muttered.
"It's our birthday...after five years. I can't believe it" I said, excitement seeping through my body. Izzy looked down and smiled back. He lowered his head and kissed the top of my head, Tears rushed to my eyes again. How did I get so lucky as to have them as my siblings? A click snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Perfect" Rania muttered. Izzy and I sighed. "So... I will go in and notify everyone that you're here. Oh and Elena, Hussein is here"
"Why is your boss here?"
"He wanted to spend the night here...since he'll be going back to the site tomorrow. Ammi Jaan asked him to stay. Not a big deal. Oh, and I had to tell him I'll be working part-time. "
"Of course she did," Izzy said, his lips curving into a smile.
"I'm sorry that you had to leave something you love," I said. She shrugged.
"I can be more helpful as myself. Anyway, the guests are waiting, are you ready?"
"How many people are there?" I said, panic creeping into my voice.
"Be on your best behavior... this is a coming of age ball"
"What!" I said as she twirled away and ran to the huge doors. I snapped my head to look at Izzy who smiled.
"It'll be fine. We can have a family celebration later"
"I just wanted it to be us... she's probably gone ahead and invited the whole country"
"That's Rania for you" Our phones buzzed. "Seriously Rania?" A laugh escaped my mouth.
'Come in... NOW!'
"Orders from the general. Let's go before she takes offense"
"Aye aye," He said winking at me. I shook my head at his silliness as he grabbed my hand and together we walked into the ballroom.
Shouts, balloons, and confetti erupted around us at the same time. I ducked towards Izzy as someone popped the snow spray. We both laughed as we were showered with glitter and more streams of confetti. Slowly, our vision cleared and I managed to identify the guests present. Ammi Jaan and Uncle EJ were the closest, waiting for things to settle down, so they could hug us. Rania and Hania were just a step behind them with Salaar and Zaroon bringing up the rear. I also saw a number of politicians and media celebrities mixed in with some unfamiliar faces. My main focus was on the table that bore gifts. Presents of all sizes were placed on a table decorated with daisies.
"Happy Birthday darlings" Ammi Jaan muttered, giving each of us a hug. Uncle EJ knocked aside a pair of black and gold balloons and gave me a kiss on the forehead and patted Izzy's shoulder. Rania bounced towards us as the music started. Izzy kept hold of my hand even as Hania came forward to greet us. I saw her eyes flicker towards it but her expression was carefully neutral.
"Happy Birthday," she said giving me a small hug. I smiled and thanked her, all the while trying to discreetly move my hand out of Izzy's. He did not let go and greeted his wife with a side hug. Rania met my eyes and she gave a small confused shrug. She, however, did not move from his side. Salaar came forward with a wicked glint in his eyes and I stepped back into Izzy.
"Happy Birthday, by the way, you look smoking hot Elena" The expression his words generated on Zaroon's face was priceless. Rania smothered a laugh.
"Watch it Sal" Izzy growled. I bit back a smile.
"Happy Birthday you dim wit," He said giving Izzy a punch on his shoulder. Izzy gave him a small smile. "Now will you let go of her hand so I can ask her for a dance?"
"Not now... maybe later. Right now, she's all mine" He said. Silence echoed around us and our faces mirrored the shock that we felt. "Come on Eli... I see a couple of our school friends" and he led me out towards the back of the room. I could feel several pairs of eyes on my back as I was swept into the crowd. Since Izzy had stayed in touch with many of our mutual friends, he carried the burden of making a conversation, leaving me worried about his behavior. I nodded and smiled along, making appropriate comments here and there. We were so well versed in making conversation together that it felt like second nature to me.
Rania had outdone herself with the decor this time. The room was dark and the ceiling was filled with stars that were being projected from the strategically placed projectors. Black and dark blue balloons, with gold ribbons, littered the room. Small sparkle effects made the low lighting dance and reflect around the room. Jasmines were placed around the room to give it a fresh nighttime vibe. It seemed like we were partying under the starry sky, in a garden. It was wonderfully awe-inspiring.
Single tall tables were placed on the other side of the room, with the middle of the ballroom open for guests to dance or mingle around in. People moved around to come and wish us and we greeted them with our signature smiles.
After what seemed like hours, Izzy let go of my hand at my insistence. He gave me a strange look as I disengaged myself and walked towards the other people waiting to greet me. I could see this was a very carefully selected crowd. Rania and I assumed Ammi Jaan, had aimed to invite the people they knew were strong supporters. People who were sympathetic to us. People who needed us. I smiled and laughed along, feeling bolder and more comfortable with each conversation.
"Not bad...not bad" Rania muttered, putting her arm around my waist. "You can be charming" I rolled my eyes at her tone.
"Where's the cake?" I said swaying to the music. She smiled and danced along with me.
"Hungry are we?"
"You know it"
"It's on its way" we moved to the other side of the room. " So, what's with Izzy?"
"No idea" I answered, thanking the waiter and picking up a glass of cider. "He's with Hania now so at least it's nothing too alarming"
"I know, I'm just..."
"There's the birthday girl... Happy Birthday, Elena" Hussein appeared in front of us, his gaze already stuck on Rania. We straightened and smiled. He handed me a bouquet of white roses.
"Oh my God, these are lovely" I exclaimed, leaning in to smell them.
"Only the best for you" I smiled at his words. "A dance? With the lovely lady?" I nodded and placed the bouquet very carefully into Rania's waiting hands. She handed it to a nearby staff member who very quickly and efficiently went to place it on an empty table. Hussein led me to the small space in the middle of the room.
He spun me around neatly and then brought me back towards him.
"It's nice of you to be here," I said after the next smooth turn.
"Oh no... thank you for having me" a compliment for a compliment. Sigh. " I was surprised to hear that you weren't leaving for London"
"So was I" he laughed.
"I suppose we did win you over"
"Something like that"
"I wanted to ask you something... it's a sensitive issue. I thought you might be the best person to ask" my brow furrowed.
"Of course"
"I know this is only our second meeting but you must know that I hold enormous respect for you and your family" I nodded along with his words. Where was he going with this "I also do not want to give the impression that I am shifting the spotlight away from you"
"Okay..." I muttered.
"I have, after thinking long and hard, decided to ask Rania for her hand in marriage"
My face split into a wide smile.
"That's amazing. Wow... oh my God." He ducked his head, bashful.
"I have not asked her, as of yet. I have received permission from my father and he approves. I love her. I'm in love with her" His eyes were wide and full of hope. He seemed to be eager and sure.
"Oh wow... that's wow. How can I help?"
"Well now that I know that you don't object. Maybe you can help me convince her? I know she has some reservations..."
"Uh... I can only try. The decision is hers and hers alone." Did Rania like him enough? What reservations? Should I encourage this?
"That's all I ask" I nodded, happiness filling my heart. Rania and Hussein. Sigh... they really would make a good pair. Provided she agreed. I knew she liked him but she'd been so involved with me I had not bothered to ask her. I really did suck as a sister. The dance ended and Hussein went to get a drink. I stood on the corner of the dance floor when a familiar deep voice jolted me from my reverie.
"Hey birthday girl" I stood there, a broad smile taking over my face but did not turn around. He moved forward and bent towards my ear. Goosebumps erupted along my bare shoulders.
"Happy Birthday Princess" his low whisper made my heart stutter.
"Thank you" I breathed, turning around to face him. Zaroon's dark eyes met and burned into mine. His gaze was smoldering. "You look nice," I said, gesturing to his black suit and grey waistcoat.
"I thought I'd dress up. Also, your sister made it clear that I was meant to dress up " I chuckled at that. "You look breathtaking," he said his eyes glued to my face. My heart stuttered again and I smiled tilting my head towards him.
"A dance? If it's not too much to ask?" He said, his body curving towards mine as his hand reached out to ask for mine. I nodded and placed my hand in his. His strong fingers slowly wrapped around mine. A zip went through my body and the air around us seemed to electrify. My cheeks burned under his gaze.
He swept me to the dance floor, in a single move. My dress twirled around our feet as he spun me in a small circle and then pulled me back towards him with a light jerk, placing a light hand on my waist. I could feel several eyes on us but I just did not care. It was my birthday. For everyone there, Zaroon was a friend.
For the next few minutes, I forgot how to think. All I could think of was him. He surprised me by matching my steps with perfect timing.
Thank God for all those hours of dance practice, because my body was on autopilot. If not for those classes, I would be a stumbling mess.
"Didn't know you could dance" I muttered as he brought me close to him. His heart galloped beneath my lightly placed fingertips. "Do they teach that in the military?" He chuckled and spun me around again. This time I ended up closer to him. This was strange and new. I could feel my stomach bubbling from excitement. What was this? The emotion was real but were we...?
I banished the thought from my head and tried to stay in the moment. I was not going to go there.
We stared at each other as he gently lowered me into a dip. My hand clutched his forearm as I looked deep into his eyes. His muscles bunched and I enjoyed feeling the power underneath my fingers. The song ended and he brought me back up, slowly, his eyes still on mine. His fingers came up to brush away a piece of hair from the side of my face, hesitant and afraid.
"I wanted to tell you something, I..." he began and then swallowed. "I don't know how to say this, I've never done this before..." his gaze was on me and I tried to control my overly excited heart.
"There you are! Come on it's almost twelve!" Izzy said, emerging from behind Zaroon, an edge to his voice. My heart sank and Zaroon jumped back. I rolled my eyes at Izzy. Could his timing be any worse?
"Later," he said as our hands brushed briefly when I moved out of his arms.
"Later" I breathed out as a promise.
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Whoosh... Elena & Zaroon: