Heaven in the Desert

Dear Mother,

I am glad everyone is doing well. There is so much I want to tell you but I honestly don't know how. I told you I met someone. I have. Mom...I am in love in a way I have never been before. He makes me feel treasured and protected and above all else valued. He is a very powerful man but he tries his best not to wield it over me. He is so smart and wise and although he can have the weight of the world on his shoulders, you would never know. He reminds me of dad, like that. I want to be with him in all ways and we plan to marry before the end of this year. I would love for you to be there and to see this beautiful country. I promise to reach out again soon. I love you mom. Forever & Always.

Love,

Ariana

Ariana hit send on her email and closed her laptop. She and Ghani had had a day full of wedding preparations that made her think of her mom.

She would ask Aaryan if he could arrange for her family to be at the wedding. It would be very interesting to see how her brothers responded to Aaryan and his family. She chuckled at the thought.

She walked back into the room with Ghani and the wedding planner and noticed that Jamelia was also present.

"Good morning Jamelia." She said politely.

"Good morning child...what is your name again? Jordan? Alyssa?...Kelly?" Jamelia said.

"It's Ariana..." Ariana began but was interrupted by Ghani.

"It will be Queen soon, that won't be hard to forget." Ghani said smugly.

"Hmph." Jamelia replied.

"So..." Ariana said shifting the attention. "Before we dive back into the wedding preparations, I want to plan a party for Aaryan's 25th birthday. I don't want our wedding to overshadow his day."

"What did you have in mind?" Ghani said.

"Something small and untraditional." Ariana said walking around. "Less than 100 guests."

"That's simply impossible." Ghani and Jamelia said at once. They then stared daggers at each other for agreeing on something.

"There's no way with a list of less than 100 we could invite everyone and not offend the dignitaries and officials." Ghani said.

"Hmmm." Ariana said walking around some more. "I've got it. Let's have a movie night. Our wedding will be enough of a political event that everyone is already invited too, no one should take offense to not being invited to Aaryan's birthday if only family is invited."

"It should also be a surprise. Let's convince him that we have all forget and surprise him around dinner time." Ariana said with a chuckle.

"Aaryan told me that he really enjoys action movies and westerns. I think he would get a kick out of it if everyone dressed up as action and western movie stars." Ariana stated as the party planner began taking notes.

"Let's decorate the North Ballroom with action and western movie posters. We should also have popcorn, candy, cotton candy, nachos and his favorite foods." Ariana continued.

"What about a photo booth? I know you young people love taking pictures of every occasion." Ghani said with a chuckle and shake of her head.

"Yes, a photobooth with funny props." Ariana said. "We should all be able to fit in the movie room."

"It's settled then, a surprise movie night birthday for my nephew. Now, let's get back to the wedding preparations...what day is the wedding?" Jamelia asked curiously.

"Oh Jamelia, we can't let all of the secrets out of the bag. You will have to wait for a wedding invitation. I'm sure it will come...eventually..." Ghani stated.

Cutting the tension the wedding planner asked, "What colors would you like?"

"Purple and Gold." Ariana stated.

"The colors of royalty, good choice." Ghani said patting Ariana on the hands.

"I know that we have to have the wedding at the Grand Hall and I know that this is typically a showcase of the family's wealth and prowess. However it is important for Aaryan and I to mix traditional and untraditional elements."

"The traditional dances I adore, I also like the hand fasting ceremony and hand washing ceremony and would like to keep that. Aaryan and I do not want to be separated. We will keep the tradition of being separated before the wedding but we want to be together during our wedding. It is a celebration of our union together after all."

"Plating, flowers, cake?" The wedding planner asked.

"Rose gold plating and accents, Aaryan and I don't have a preference for flowers or the use of crystals or candelabras. The cake should be yellow with a whipped buttercream icing, everything else we will leave up to you Ghani." Ariana stated.

"Excellent. Let's go over the wedding invitations. I think this font and this background would go nicely, don't you?" Ghani asked.

"I agree." Ariana said and let her mind drift as more and more suggestions and ideas were brought to the table.

******************************

3 hours later.

I wonder when Aaryan will be home, she thought with a sigh.

Ariana watched over Quadir playing in the courtyard as her thoughts drifted to her future husband.

"Miss Ariana, Miss Ariana!!" Kadshah exclaimed as she ran into the courtyard.

"Yes, what is it?" Ariana asked.

"The women of the tribes. They would like an audience with you. They can not come to an agreement about the orphans and seek your consul." Kadshah said reaching her and bowing.

"Please have Rafiq bring the car around. Quadir!" Ariana called.

"Quadir, would you like to come with me or would you like to stay here and play some more with Kadshah?" Ariana asked.

"I want to go with you Ariana." He stated giving her a hug.

"Ok, you will be my protector." Ariana said grabbing his hand and heading to the car.

******************

When Ariana arrived at the encampment she noticed new faces she had not seen previously.

As she walked deeper into the encampment everyone murmured "It's the queen, it's the queen" and bowed to her.

She continued on to a large gathering of women with Rafiq and Kadshah following close behind and Quadir holding her hands.

She spoke with the woman who looked to be in charge.

"How can I assist?" She asked.

"My queen. The fighting on both sides have lead to a large number of displaced children. My queen, our families are not equipped enough to feed everyone. We have heard stories of how you took on the boy there and how you care deeply for the young. We sought this audience to get assistance and advice on what to do."

"I see." Ariana said. "For those that are old enough and would like to work, let's see who in the villages around are willing to act as host families. For those that are too young to work, I will set up safe havens in the unused school buildings for now and contact the necessary groups in the capital to ensure that you receive housing supplies and necessities. Who would like to volunteer to look after the children?"

I can my queen rang out throughout the women.

"I had plans to begin setting up my safe havens in a few months' time but there is never a better time than the present. We will work together you and I to make sure that these children are taken care of and not forgotten. We are not separated tribes and villages, we are community. I may be your future queen, but I am just like you and I will work just as hard as you. I will come as often as needed and will begin coming daily until everything is taken care of. I will begin making the preparations tonight. Let's get all of the children into the school and I will begin making the preparations for their housing materials to be delivered." Ariana stated.

"Thank you, my queen." The women said smiling and bowing.

Walking back to the car, Ariana used her emergency phone and began making the necessary calls. Within 25 minutes she had made all of the necessary calls and food and bedding was on its way to be delivered. Tomorrow they would fortify the schools and would begin updating any plumbing and electrical so that the children had safe places to stay.

As Ariana separated the women into groups and began organizing what should be done and where the children should go, she couldn't shake the feeling of people watching her.

An hour later, trucks began arriving with supplies.

Ariana assisted and directed in the entire process ensuring that an equal amount of supplies went to the other encampments as well. 3 hours later the orphans at the encampment were housed and happily running around the school.

"How were you able to get them all toys?" Kadshah asked.

"I just asked." Ariana said with a shrug.

"I will see you all tomorrow morning. Take care tonight." Ariana said to the women. The sun had gone down hours ago.

Quadir squeezed her hand and said "I'm so proud of you." He then kissed her forehead and ran to the car playing with his toy airplane.

***********

Ariana arrived back home holding a sleeping Quadir in her arms.

Before she could open the outer doors, Bashir, Aaryan's personal butler, opened them to reveal one angry Aaryan.

"Rafiq. Take Quadir into his bedroom. Everyone else, leave us Now!" Aaryan said in an angry voice.

Aaryan walked into his study and Ariana followed behind.

"I take it you are upset." Ariana said hesitantly as she removed her jacket.

"How dare you disobey me!?!" Aaryan said with a glower.

"Razam, what do you mean?" Ariana said she said rubbing his chest and trying to diffuse the situation.

"No, you are not going to distract me, you directly disobeyed my orders. I told you never to go to that region without me or at least the guards." Aaryan said angrily.

"Razam." She said walking up to him and rubbing his chest. "I did go with a guard. Rafiq, he is one of your most trusted guards, second only to his brother who guards you."

"Well..." Aaryan began but Ariana cut him off.

"I also didn't go in secret." She said walking away from him and removing the scarf around her head and neck. "Everyone in the palace knew where I had gone and I left a message on your phone telling you where I was going and why."

"Yes, well..." Aaryan began again.

"You were scared." Ariana said coming to him once again. "I know you aren't used to that feeling."

"I cannot lose you." Aaryan said.

"I know. I cannot lose you either. I love you Aaryan." Ariana said and kissed him.

"You cannot continue to be so reckless. We are not married yet, it is not safe for you to travel about without protection." Aaryan said between kisses.

"Who would dare defy you? Their almighty sultan. No one wants to face your wrath." Ariana said pulling on his tie.

"Some will still try." Aaryan said.

"And we will conquer them together. I'm sorry I scared you. If you want me to take more guards I will, but today was fine. There were plenty of people, I was never alone."

"I know that they aren't fighting anymore but there are still rumblings. You will have more guards with you if I cannot personally go." Aaryan stated.

"Ok. I will be more careful." Ariana said.

"How did it go?" Aaryan said letting a breath go that he didn't know he was holding.

"It was actually fine. I didn't plan on starting my work with the safe havens just yet but I'm actually glad things happened this way...I was able to get most of the resources we need sent to the region and I will be working there daily to get things organized for the time being. I do need your help however. It would be great if I could meet with someone in the government finance department to discuss the best way to fund the safe havens." Ariana said biting her lip as her mind drifted through thoughts.

"Already taken care of. Here is the number and the man you will be speaking with is Garrett. When you mentioned your idea a month ago, I had him begin preparations on the funds. He can assist you with everything you will need and if you need more money, just ask." Aaryan said coming up behind her and holding her by the waist.

"How did I get so lucky?" She said turning around and looking in his eyes.

"I ask myself the same thing every morning." He said kissing her.

"Let's go watch a movie alone since Quadir is off to bed." She said stroking his goatee.

"No chick flicks." He said jokingly as he held her hand and walked toward the home theatre center.

"You can pick the movie then." Ariana said teasingly as she stuck her tongue out.

Aaryan decided on the latest comic book thriller. They cuddled and enjoyed the action pack film in solitude. Ariana would occasionally loudly root for the good guys while Aaryan chuckled and shushed her.

2 hours later the movie finally ended.

"That was amazing! The way the big green guy smashed those little guys and the man with shield threw it like a boomerang, and the man with the hammer..."Ariana stopped abruptly fanning herself.

"Hey!" Aaryan said in mock offense and tickled her.

"I'm kidding, you know I love you." Ariana said.

"I love you too." Aaryan replied and kissed her gently on the lips.

"Let's go to bed, we have a long week ahead of us." Ariana said.

And that they did. The week was full of Ariana in the village working with the local community to establish the safe havens for the children left behind. Her days were so long that there were some nights she did not even see Aaryan for dinner. They left notes for one another expressing their affections. Quadir tagged along with Ariana as much as he could when he was not busy with his studies.

Aaryan did not have much free time either. Between expanding trade into other regions and ensuring the newly established community continued to work together peacefully he had his hands full.

As the days went on, they got closer and closer to Aaryan's birthday and the approaching deadline.

****2 weeks later****

Ariana awoke alone in bed from a nap and stretched like a cat before calling to Kadshah.

"I can't believe we are 2 ½ weeks away from the wedding." Kadshah said excitedly.

"I know, all of the wedding invitations have been sent and we will officially be married the night before Aaryan's birthday." Ariana said with a smile.

"Are you nervous at all?" Kadshah queried as she brushed Ariana's hair.

Ariana turned around in the chair, bit her lip and played with the ends of her hair as she replied, "I've never been a queen before." She started slyly.

"I know that Ghani will be here to guide me for a very long time, but I don't want to mess this up. There are so many people counting on me, so many things at stake." She stated walking around the room.

"I want to be poise, I want to be inspiring, and I most certainly do not want to embarrass Aaryan." Ariana stated, continuing to nervously fiddle with her hair.

"What about Quadir and with the sultan?" Kadshah asked.

"That is different."Ariana stated confidently. "Although I have never been a wife, I love Quadir and Razam. Even though this is uncharted territory, there is something in me that guides me and tells me I am doing the right thing. I put them before me and let their needs and my love for them guide me." Ariana said thoughtfully.

"You will do the same as queen." Kadshah stated confidently with a head nod. "Let your love of the people and your compassion guide you. You are human, you are not to be perfect at every turn."

"I know you're right." Ariana said with a sigh.

"Is everything set for the party tonight?" Ariana asked switching gears.

"Everything is set. The family will be here in 1 hour and Aaryan should be arriving 30 minutes after that." Kadshah stated.

Ariana decided to speed up the Aaryan's party so it was truly a surprise and not overshadowed by the wedding.

"Great." Ariana said walking over to her closet. She pulled out a Lara Croft costume she ordered a few weeks prior.

"I am going to get dressed. You need to get dressed and meet me in the ballroom in 15 minutes. I want to do a final walk through and make sure everything is perfect." Ariana stated.

"Got it." Kadshah replied and left the room to do Ariana's bidding.

****30 minutes later****

"No, no, no, the posters need to be raised higher, those are way too low to the ground." Ariana stated to a few palace staff from the ballroom.

She was decked out in a green shirt, cargo shorts and two holsters. Rafiq guarded the door in a suit and white shirt. When Ariana joked if he and his brother were dressed as the men in black, he stated he did not get the reference.

Kadshah wore a modest kill bill costume. Ghani and the family arrived soon after that decked out as varying superheros and action stars.

Quadir ran around the theater dressed as Woody from Toy Story with Nasir and Numair who were dressed as Iron Man and a samurai.

Out of all of the costumes, Fadil's costume was the most charming of all. He dressed as Blade.

Ariana hurried everyone into the movie theater. Presents on one side, smiling family on the other.

"He is going to be so surprised!" Ariana said gleefully.

"He is here ma'am." Bashir stated, coming into the room.

"Perfect. Everyone crouch down, Bashir, go get the birthday boy." Ariana said grabbing Quadir and crouching in the corner.

Aaryan followed Bashir to the theatre imagining how his future wife was waiting for him.

He hoped she wasn't waiting for him with another set of chick flicks. She had recently made him watch all of the Bridget Jones movies with her. Aaryan gave a mental eye roll at the thought.

After the day he had, he hoped she was waiting with nothing on, legs spread wide in front of the big screen... Aaryan thought as his jaw clenched.

As soon as he arrived to theater everyone immediately jumped out and yelled "Surprise".

Ariana ran to Aaryan and kissed him on the cheek as Aaryan looked around in amazement.

"Happy birthday, old man." Ariana said with another kiss.

"You all did this for me." Aaryan said ruffling Quadir's head.

Ghani came over to hug her son and Aaryan shook hands and hugged everyone else.

"Who are you dressed as?" Quadir asked Aaryan.

"I didn't get the memo." Aaryan said with a chuckle.

Ariana walked over and handed him his costume.

"Hurry and get dressed so we can start the movie. You don't want to miss your own party." Ariana stated shooing Aaryan to go and get changed.

Aaryan came back 10 minutes later dressed as his favorite action hero Jean Claude Van Damme.

Everyone settled into their seats and soon the opening credits for "Sudden Death" were broadcasted across the screen.

"How did you come up with all of this?" Aaryan asked, lacing his hands with Ariana.

"I just wanted your birthday to be special and about you. I feel like the wedding is overshadowing it and I wanted you to know that even though we are all busy wedding planning, your birthday is still a very special day." Ariana said stroking the inside of his hand.

Aaryan kissed Ariana and said intensely, "I love you."

"I love you to, Razam." Ariana said returning his look.

As they stared into each other eyes, something shifted between them. They were both used to the electricity that flowed when they were around each other but this was different. This was a level of closeness and deep intensity neither had ever felt before.

The opening scene music started, snapping them out of there reverie. They turned back toward the screen, settled in and watched the movie.

During the movie, Bashir passed out cake, popcorn and refreshments. Aaryan's older brother Haaziq fell asleep during the movie so Ariana and his wife Linah made a game of throwing popcorn at him.

Nearly two hours later the movie finally ended.

Aaryan opened his gifts, thanked his guests and hurriedly rushed everyone out of the house.

Noticing his urgency, anticipation began to build in Ariana. He could only be rushing everyone out of the house for one thing, she thought.

After putting Quadir to bed, Aaryan walked Ariana to her bedroom.