A/N: Hello loves! How are you? I hope you are all well and enjoying the warmth of spring as I am. Thank you for all the wonderful feedback. I read every comment and every email and take everything you say into consideration. I love to hear from you and the best way to send me anything is definitely via email, so keep it coming. Now...Some people have expressed concern over the accuracy of Heaven and the Arabic culture. Heaven is in no way shape or form based on one specific culture. It is not a portrayal of Islam, Muslims, Egypt, or anything of the sort. Heaven is my brainchild that pulls from Middle Eastern themes that are not limited to the ones I have mentioned. With that being said, happy reading!
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The next day Ghita and Kadshah woke Ariana up at 10am. Instead of donning a dress as before, they instructed her to wear a burqa.
Dressed in her white burqa, Ariana left the palace.
The market place was a bustle of activity but it was unlike anything that Ariana had ever seen before.
All around her, Ariana's senses were stimulated. There was tea, and incense and food and spices. There were also many beautiful silks, pieces of pottery and art. It was like something out of good video game or movie.
There were tons of people milling about haggling, perusing and selling their wares.
Children ran and played, men walked through with camels and other animals and women shared a laugh together at the fountain as they ate a delicious treat.
Ariana also saw a few young children walking with dogs that Kadshah identified as Salukis.
Everything was so beautiful and peaceful.
Ariana had the strong urge to buy some art, but then she realized she had nowhere to put it. She didn't plan on staying her, so why redecorate?
As she entered deeper into the market place surrounded by her bodyguards and flanked by Kadshah, Ghita led her to a back corner.
Pushing open a modest looking door, Ariana entered into what appeared to be a clothing shop.
"We have been expecting you." Said the shop owner.
Although many women in Omash wore traditional Arabic clothing, it was not expressly dictated. Ghita explained to Ariana before the shopping trip that it was ok to wear some American style clothing but that Ariana should try to keep most of her skin covered.
Keeping that in mind, Ariana picked out long dresses and robes in her favorite colors. Unlike American dresses however, these dresses had beautiful embroidery and art where cleavage and skin would normally show.
Ariana was in awe of how much work went into the clothing.
Since her plan was to only remain in Omash for a short time, Ariana only picked out a week's worth of clothes.
"It will be nice to have some beautiful momentos." She thought.
She also picked out a few pairs of sandals to go with each dress.
After an hour of shopping she was ready to go back to the palace.
When Ariana arrived back at the palace, Ghita escorted her to the kitchen for more lessons with Ghaniyah.
Just as the day before Ghani taught Ariana how to prepare traditional Arabic dishes late into the evening.
**********
A week and a half later.
Most of Ariana's days were spent with Ghani learning how to cook and be a proper housewife. Although the palace had chef's, Ghaniyah thought it was important Ariana learn to cook from her, how to make her son's favorite dishes.
Although this kept her very busy, in Ariana's down time she was very lonely and homesick.
Kadshah would come and keep her company for a few hours and for that she was grateful but most of the time she was left to her own devices.
"You should be happy." Kadshah said to her one day, "You have survived longer than most."
"That is only because your master has not yet returned and dismissed me." Ariana said as the continued cutting vegetables for a stew.
"I am very excited about your progress." Ghani said to Ariana with a smile.
Although Ghani was very strict with her, Ariana couldn't help but like the woman. Ghani was direct but caring, intelligent but reserved, and very very astute.
Earning her favor was beginning to be a goal for Ariana.
"Thank you, Ghani, you are a great teacher." Ariana said with a genuine smile.
Although she would never admit it, Ariana loved the attention and appraisal from Ghani. Ghani was very right when she said that she and her mother were estranged and Ariana craved motherly attention.
"Ghita and Kadshah have told me how you have been these past few days. Moping around the palace with your sad looks." Ghani said with disapproval.
Instead of answering, Ariana looked away sadly.
"Because you have been a good girl, I decided to get you a present." Ghani said with her eyes alight.
Unless the present was a one way ticket back to America, Ariana didn't see how this was going to cheer her up.
"It is waiting for you in your room. Please go and enjoy the weekend off of lessons. I will be back on Monday to introduce you to your new instructor. She will teach you the art of seduction." Ghani said and then left the room.
As Ariana left the kitchen accompanied by her shadows, Rafiq and Rakshan, she couldn't help but wonder what would be in store for her in her bedroom.
A million dollars? What would she do with that? Diamonds and Rubies? Again, what would she do with that?
When she opened the door she gasped in surprise at what was sitting on her bed. On her bed were boxes of her things from her apartment. Granted it wasn't a ticket back to America, but these few things made her feel at home.
In the boxes was her book of poetry, a bracelet her brothers had gotten her for her birthday, the last photo she had taken with her family, her favorite university hoodie, a few books, some clothes from her closet and a few pairs of shoes.
Ariana was ecstatic and touched that Ghani had went to the trouble of getting her things for her. She started packing her things away and proudly displaying them about the room.
She was full of happiness until she came across the picture of her family. She wondered if they were looking for her.
Remembering that there was a laptop in the corner, she decided to see if it was connected to the internet.
Why hadn't I thought of this sooner? If this laptop can get on the internet, I can get a message to my family and they can get me the hell out of here! Ariana thought.
As Ariana powered only the laptop she cross her fingers and stared at the computer hopefully.
"Come on, come on, please don't have a log in password." Ariana said aloud.
"Rats." Ariana said as the password protected screen came up. Ariana sat in front of the computer pondering her next move.
Maybe if she asked nicely someone would give it to her? Or maybe there was another laptop in the palace that wasn't protected? The library perhaps.
She opened her door and let out a sigh of relief that her shadows were nowhere to be found.
She slowly crept down the hall toward the library door, checking each corridor before she carefully ran across.
She could hear the voices of the servants further down the hall eating dinner in the kitchen. Aside from her shadows, and Ghita and Kadshah she had been kept away from most of the house staff.
As she turned down the last corridor and headed to the library she sighed in relief. She had made it.
"Going somewhere?" a deep voice said from behind her.
"Aaah." Ariana gasped as she turned around quickly and fell to the carpet.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack Rakshan?" Ariana said standing up and rubbing her sore bottom.
