by Cara Albany
"So tell me about Shahid," Nadyah said without giving Aliyah any kind of warning. Of course it had been too good to be true, Aliyah told herself. Nadyah was probably desperate to know the latest gossip. Well, there wasn't anything Aliyah was prepared to tell. Not right now.
Aliyah narrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"
Nadyah frowned. "Really, Aliyah? I called last night. They told me you weren't back. And that was at nine o'clock. Hours after you and Shahid left."
"You make it sound like I ran away to the desert with him," Aliyah said defensively.
"Well, did you?" Nadyah asked breathlessly, her eyes widening.
"Of course not," Aliyah retorted.
Nadyah sighed, her shoulders slumping. "How disappointing."
Aliyah turned and faced Nadyah. "What are you talking about?"
"You just dashed my hopes," Nadyah said, a mischievous quirk in her brow.
"Your hopes for what?" Aliyah asked.
"You know Aliyah. Everyone's talking about you and Shahid."
"What!" Aliyah shrieked.
"You two thought you'd fool us all, but you didn't. Not for a minute," Nadyah exclaimed.
"We weren't trying to fool anyone," Aliyah stated firmly.
"Obviously not," Nadyah replied.
Aliyah scowled. "In any case, it's none of anyone's business what Shahid and I get up to together."
Nadyah looked suddenly more interested. "So you have been seeing him in secret," she said emphatically.
Aliyah groaned. "Why can't everyone mind their own business?"
Nadyah laid a gentle hand on Aliyah's arm. "Because, my dear, they all want the best for you and for Shahid. You're quite the perfect couple, you know that, don't you," Nadyah said.
"Who says that?"
Nadyah grinned. "The whole wide world says that, Aliyah."
"Even Azim and Lucy?" she asked.
Nadyah nodded and smiled warmly. "They think it's cute."
"Cute? Is that what they said?" Aliyah demanded.
Nadyah rolled her eyes. "Let me see. What else is everyone saying? That's right. Dream couple. Perfect match. A match made in heaven," Nadyah said counting the phrases off on her fingers.
"Stop!" Aliyah screamed quietly.
Nadyah nodded. "There were a few other predictions. But we won't go into those. Especially not on today of all days."
Aliyah wondered what Nadyah had meant by that last remark. Did she know something Aliyah didn't?
"Predictions? What are you talking about?" Aliyah asked.
Nadyah didn't respond to that last question. Instead, she lifted her hand to her eyes, sheltering them from the early morning sun. She gazed off into the distance as if she was searching for something.
Nadyah glanced at her watch and frowned.
"What is it?" Aliyah asked.
"Nothing," Nadyah said and then suddenly tightened her lips. Her friend was definitely up to something, Aliyah said to herself. She wasn't going to allow that.
"Now listen here, Nadyah. I know you're up to something, and I demand to know what it is," Aliyah said.
Nadyah gave Aliyah a blank stare. "I don't know what you mean. I was just checking the time. We need to be going soon." She glanced down toward the limo. Aliyah followed her gaze and saw the servants closing the completely filled trunk of the limo.
Aliyah saw Nadyah glance once more away in the direction of Qazhar city.
Then Aliyah heard a noise, a distant rumble, that sounded very much like an engine. It couldn't be a car coming up the driveway. She gazed in the direction that Nadyah had been searching moments before.
At first Aliyah didn't see anything unusual, even though the engine sound was growing louder. Then she heard the rhythmic pulse of the engine and realized what it was.
She squinted into the low sun, and then she saw it. A helicopter emerging, as if out of a dream, from the direction of the mid-morning sun.
Aliyah glanced at Nadyah. She could tell her friend was trying hard to suppress a smile. Aliyah gazed at the sight of the helicopter and it was obvious that it was headed for the palace. She watched as the helicopter came toward the open area of lawn directly in front of the terrace. It hovered over the garden and then settled slowly down onto the grass. The rotors slowed and the glass door of the helicopter opened. She saw there was only one person inside and she gasped when she saw that person emerge.
Shahid.
Chapter Nineteen
Aliyah stared at Nadyah. "What's going on?"
Nadyah shrugged. "Beats me," she declared.
"Why don't I believe you?" Aliyah replied lifting a skeptical brow.
"My lips are sealed," Nadyah said, gesturing as if there was a zip on her mouth.
Aliyah saw Shahid standing by the side of the open helicopter door. He was looking straight up at the terrace, a broad smile on his face. What was he expecting her to do? Why had he come to the palace in a helicopter? Was this all for her? Aliyah felt butterflies tumble in her middle as she gazed down at Shahid. When he gestured for her to come to him, those butterflies really started fluttering uncontrollably.
Aliyah glanced sharply at Nadyah.
"I think your ride is waiting," Nadyah said smiling.
"But I'm not ready," Aliyah said sharply glancing down at herself.
Nadyah took Aliyah by the shoulders and gazed into her eyes. "Of course you are. You look beautiful, Aliyah."
Aliyah felt emotion moisten her eyes when she saw the look on Nadyah's face. Had this all been planned? Had Nadyah been in on it? Had that been why she hadn't said anything about Shahid until they'd come out onto the terrace?
"Go to him," Nadyah ordered softly, and Aliyah knew there was no refusing that instruction. She looked down toward Shahid. All she wanted was to be with him, right now. And he was there, waiting for her. There way no way on earth she was going to throw away this opportunity, no matter where it would lead.
Aliyah hugged Nadyah and then raced along the terrace to the stairs which led down to the garden.
Her shoes sank into the soft grass as she walked quickly across the lawn. She saw Shahid smiling at her. He looked amazing, dressed as he was in an elegant dark suit and bow tie. As she got nearer to him, the urge to go faster became irresistible. She started to race toward him, not quite at a running pace, but near enough. She started to laugh, and he opened his arms wide as she closed the distance between them.
Then she was in his arms, and he was hugging her tight, and they were laughing together. She gazed up into his eyes, and he smiled right back at her. He kissed her, and she didn't care if anyone saw them, even though she knew people would probably be watching from the palace.
When their lips parted, he gazed down at her. "You look incredible," he breathed.
Aliyah took a step back, suddenly wanting him to look at her, admire her. "You think so?"
"Absolutely," he growled, his eyes filled to the brim with obvious appreciation.
Aliyah looked behind him at the helicopter. "I didn't know you could fly a helicopter."
"There's plenty you don't know about me, yet," he replied. He glanced at the slowly moving rotor blades. "You want to come for ride?" he asked.
"We've got a wedding to go to," Aliyah answered.
He nodded. "We'll get there, soon enough."
She wondered what that meant. If they flew to Azim's so early surely they would be arriving too early.
Shahid went to the glass door of the helicopter and pulled it open. "Of course, maybe you've got a fear of flying you haven't told me about," he suggested, grinning at her.
Aliyah squinted at him. "I'm not frightened of flying."
He quirked a brow at her. "Really? Want to prove that to me?"
Aliyah nodded emphatically. "I will," she said moving to the door. As she stooped beneath his outstretched arm he gave her another warm appreciative look, as if he was drinking in the sight of her, now that she was so close to him.
She stepped up into the seat next to
the pilot's seat. Shahid leaned in and tied the safety belt around her middle. His hands lingered just a fraction longer than was needed. Their eyes met and his head dipped closer, his lips claiming a brief kiss.
Their lips parted, and he closed the door. He went around the helicopter, and got in, taking his seat next to Aliyah.
"You sure you know what you're doing," she teased.
Shahid grinned and took hold of the control. "Just watch me," he declared.
Then he fired up the rotors and she felt the helicopter rumble, the noise rising to a crescendo. He pulled on the controls and then they lifted quickly into the air. Aliyah felt her stomach shift as she watched the ground drop away. She'd been in a helicopter before, but not like this. Not with her nerves tingling with anticipation at being with Shahid.
Aliyah gazed down at the palace as the helicopter hovered, Shahid pulling on the controls with seeming expertise. She saw a few figures below gazing up at the sight. Aliyah twisted her head to see the terrace of her bedroom, and saw Nadyah standing right where she'd left her. Although they were a long way off, she was sure Nadyah was smiling.
Then with a sudden lurch, the helicopter eased to one side and headed across the gardens and out across the desert.
Shahid looked at Aliyah. "Okay?" he shouted above the noise of the engines.
Aliyah smiled at him and nodded. Why did this suddenly feel as if they were both young, rebellious children again? It was almost as if they were heading out on a solitary adventure, leaving their past behind.
Aliyah saw the golden dunes slide beneath them far below. She could tell they were traveling at quite some speed. At this rate, they would be at Azim's palace with a quarter of an hour, far too soon. Didn't Shahid know that?
"Isn't this a bit too early? Or do you have other people to pick up," she called out to him.
Shahid shook his head. "We're not going to the palace, right now," he stated.
"We're not?" Aliyah asked surprised.
Shahid looked at her. "I thought we could take a detour."
"Where to?" she asked.
"You'll see," he replied.
Was it her imagination or was he trying to hide something from her?
"You're not going to tell me?"
"Nope," Shahid replied. "Settle back and enjoy the ride," he said.
Aliyah did just that, sinking back against the leather seat. She gazed out the window, marvelling at the sight of the desert as it rushed past below them. She wondered where he was taking her. To his own palace? Surely not Aliyah glanced at the sun, trying to get a sense of where they were headed.
Then she realized the direction he had taken. Toward the coast.
"Are you taking us to the beach?" she asked.
Shahid's brows furrowed. "I can't hide anything from you, can I?"
"Not really."
"Why do I like that so much?" he said giving her an inquiring look.
"I don't know. Maybe I can read your mind," she replied. "Or, maybe, you're just too obvious," she teased.
He lifted a brow. "I'll have to do something about that," he admitted.
"Like what?" she challenged.
He gazed at her. "I'll think of something. Don't you worry."
"I'm not worried at all."
Shahid laughed, then the helicopter banked and she sank back into her seat. In the distance was the sea, shimmering brightly in the early sun. The long line of sand stretched as far the eye could see, running parallel to the black strip of the road. There were no cars to be seen along the thin line of the road.
Once he'd positioned the helicopter over the coastline, Shahid steered them over the line of the beach, heading northwards. Aliyah gazed out across the sea, the bright sun shining in her eyes.
"It's beautiful," she said.
Shahid gazed out across the sea. "I love coming out here every chance I get."
"Really? You never told me that."
"There's plenty of time for you to find out everything about me. And for me to discover all your secrets."
Aliyah matched his intense gaze, hearing the utter sincerity in his words. He meant every word. There would be time for them to get to know everything about each other. Since he'd arrived in the garden, and for every moment she'd sat next to him, Aliyah had felt one thing. That this was the place where she truly belonged. Next to Shahid. By his side.
The helicopter continued to trace its way up along the coast. Aliyah watched as the beach slid away below them. There was no-one around. They were completely alone, out here, just as they had been days before when she had decided to come here with him.
Then she saw something up ahead, recognizing the layout of the scattered rocks and the junction of the road which joined the coastal road. This was where they had been, where they had shared that kiss standing in the water.
Then she saw something else. She narrowed her eyes, trying desperately to focus. There was something different about the place; something that she hadn't seen when they'd come here by car.
Aliyah glanced across at Shahid. He held the controls and looked straight at her, as if trying to gauge her reaction.
She peered ahead still unsure what she was looking at. The helicopter started to slow, the noise of the engine dropping slightly.
Finally, Shahid slowed the helicopter so that they were hovering over the exact place where he had parked his car. They were still a hundred feet up in the air, but she could finally see what she had been straining her eyes to focus on.
Aliyah felt a rush of emotion, and she was sure she was going to lose the ability to breath any minute now. She blinked her eyes, trying to be sure that she wasn't seeing a mirage, or some trick of the light.
When she looked across at Shahid, she knew she wasn't seeing things because he was gazing straight at her and she could tell he knew she understood. She gazed down at the beach again. Then she knew she wasn't seeing things; knew the real reason he'd brought her to this place. It all made sense now.
The helicopter hovered above the beach. It was clear Shahid had no intention of landing the helicopter until she was ready.
Aliyah swallowed, feeling her heart racing, her pulse beating ferociously. She hardly knew what to say; couldn't think what she was going to say. But, she glanced down one more time, reading the two huge words which had been traced in the sand.
MARRY ME
Aliyah gripped the side of her seat. Was it just her, or had the helicopter shifted uneasily to one side. She drew in a deep breath, desperately trying to control herself. But it wasn't going to be easy, she told herself. Not when those words were staring up at her, sending her emotions into a turbulent, raging torrent.
Aliyah looked at Shahid and saw the sudden concern in his eyes. He immediately moved the controls, and she felt the helicopter start to drop slowly toward the beach.
In a few moments, the helicopter settled down with a gentle bump. Shahid cut the engines and unstrapped his safety harness. He stretched across and untied hers. "Are you okay, Aliyah?" he asked his voice cracking with emotion.
Aliyah nodded. She wanted to say so much to him, but the words just wouldn't come. Shahid thrust open his door and raced around to her side of the helicopter and wrenched open the door.
"Come here," he ordered reaching out his arms and scooping her up. She felt herself lifted out of the seat and carried on his arms. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he walked away from the helicopter and toward the water's edge.
She gazed up into his eyes and saw that he was still looking at her with concern. She drew in a deep breath. "Put me down, Shahid," she said quietly.
He lowered her, and she planted her feet on the sand. She looked over at the two giant words which had been scrawled in the sand. "You did this?" she asked.
Shahid nodded. He held her close against him.
"You came all the way out here this morning and wrote this in the sand," she asked. "For me?"
"I had to," he replied. "My heart told me the truth." He grimaced. "I
was deaf for a long time, but at last I'm listening."
Aliyah gasped and felt joy in her own heart. Wasn't it exactly the same for her? The quiet voice had been whispering to her for a very long time, and now, at last, she was listening. And what was it telling her? The truth, of course. She loved Shahid with all her heart.
Shahid held her close and she felt the security and warmth of his presence while the breeze from the ocean swept around them. She wrapped her arms around him, feeling that this was the only place in the world where she truly belonged. When he spoke to her, it was with a voice full of passion and devotion.
"I want you to marry me. I want you to be beside me forever." He gazed into her soul, making her feel a joy and promise that previously would have seemed impossible. "I love you, Aliyah. You are my life. You are my soul-mate. We are destined to be together. We both know that now."
Aliyah breathed out, trying to gather her thoughts which were racing uncontrollably.
Shahid leaned closer and kissed her. She felt the sand shift beneath her feet, but immediately she knew everything would fine from now on, because she was with Shahid. She would always be with Shahid.
Their lips parted and he gazed deep into her eyes. "Aliyah. Will you do me the honor of agreeing to become my wife?" His voice quivered and she sensed just how much this moment meant to him.
What could she say to that? Doubt left her in an instant, banished by emotions that were more real than anything she'd ever felt. There was only one thing she wanted to say, one thing that she'd ever wanted to say to Shahid.
Aliyah gazed into Shahid's eyes and saw the desperation there. Did he really think she'd say no?
Aliyah traced a hand down the side of his gloriously handsome features. She smiled at him. "Of course I'll marry you, Shahid."
His eyes lit with joy, and then his lips crashed down upon hers in a soul-igniting kiss. She allowed herself to be taken to a place of utter contentment and bliss as she sank into his arms, happy to feel his arms around her, holding her, protecting her, claiming her.
Their lips parted, and she looked up into his eyes. "I love you, Shahid," she whispered above the sound of the breeze from the sea.
