by Amy Ruttan
Jeena didn’t know what to say. Tears stung her eyes, because he was saying all the right things. It was everything she’d wanted to hear ten years ago. It was everything she’d wanted to hear four days ago.
“How can you live in Canada? Your duty is to Kalyana. You’re a prince.”
“I can live wherever I want and return to Kalyana if I’m needed, but if you choose to come to Kalyana with Syman, you can continue your work there. My father has already passed the decrees and legislation to start the ball rolling on a university. A university that promotes the STEM program to women. Sara still wants your input.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. The University of Kalyana will happen and it will happen in the next year.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She was still shocked. “The world thinks I’m the other woman.”
“No. My father straightened it all out and will make a formal speech soon. After the whole Bhaskar thing, the people don’t want heirs running off. They don’t want scandal for Kalyana. Everyone is thrilled we have a child.”
“Oh.” Jeena still couldn’t seem to think straight. It was everything she’d wanted to hear ten years ago. She couldn’t quite believe it.
Maazin reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. One that she had seen on the hand of Queen Aruna. “Marry me, Jeena. Marry me like you were supposed to have done ten years ago.”
Her pulse raced and she felt like she was going to faint.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Yes?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her, and she couldn’t stop the flow of tears. Tears that she had been holding back for so long they came pouring out of her. Maazin kissed away those tears and held her.
“I’m so sorry, Jeena. So sorry for it all.”
“It’s not your fault. I should’ve trusted you. I was terrified to be pregnant and alone in a country so far away from the one I knew. I blamed myself too. I blamed myself for letting you take my heart when I felt like I didn’t deserve you.”
“You deserve me, but I don’t deserve you,” Maazin said.
“Yes, you do.”
They kissed again.
“And I would like to go back to Kalyana,” she whispered.
“What about Syman and his life here?” Maazin asked.
“We can always come back and visit. My parents will stay here. I know that. They have found happiness here. And I wouldn’t leave them behind unless I knew that there was a private jet to come and get them whenever they wanted to come home.” She was teasing him.
He smiled at her. “Of course. Whenever they want to do that and whenever Syman wants to return to Canada, we will get him here. He’ll just have to get used to bodyguards and security.”
“Mom? Where are you?”
Jeena took a deep breath and stood up. Maazin followed her and she could tell that he was nervous.
“It’ll be okay, Maazin. I’ve told him. He knows.”
“He does?”
Jeena nodded. “It’s okay. He wants to know you. You deserve to be in his life.”
Maazin nodded. “Yes. Good. I want to be his father. I want him in my life.”
“And he will be. It might take some time, but he wants to know you.”
Syman came running into the greenhouse. “Mom, you won’t believe—”
Syman stopped and stared up at Maazin. “It’s you! The Prince I talked to over the phone.”
“Yes. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Maazin held out his hand and Syman shook it.
“What’re you doing here?” Syman asked.
“I’ve come to ask your mother to marry me,” Maazin said.
Syman looked at her. “Mom?”
“Syman, Prince Maazin is your father. You remember me talking about those newspaper men and other people following you around?”
“You mean that I’m a prince?”
“Yes,” Maazin said. “I’m afraid so.”
Syman nodded. “Cool.”
Maazin knelt down to look Syman in the eyes. “I’m sorry I’ve been away for a long time.”
“Mom said you didn’t know about me.”
“I didn’t, and it’s no one’s fault, but know this, if I had known about you I would’ve come sooner. Do you forgive me?”
“Yes.” Syman nodded. “You’re here now for good?”
“I’m staying for as long as you need to, before I return to Kalyana.”
Syman frowned. “Mom?”
“The thing is, we have to move to Kalyana for a while,” Jeena said. “Are you okay with that?”
Syman worried his bottom lip. “Do they have hockey there?”
“No,” Maazin said. “Not yet, but your grandfather the King promised that a hockey arena would be built and maybe you could show the other children there how to play.”
Syman cocked his head to one side. “I like that, but what about Grandma and Grandpa? Would we ever see them again?”
“Of course, whenever we wanted,” Jeena said. “And they can come back to Kalyana and see you. For now, for a little while, we have to go back to Kalyana. You have to meet your other grandparents and your uncle and his wife.”
Syman nodded. “So we get to go on a plane trip?”
Maazin chuckled. “Yes. A private jet, in fact.”
“Cool. Okay, I’m okay with this. Can I go ask Grandma for a cookie?”
Jeena laughed. “Sure.”
“Thanks!” Syman ran off.
“That was relatively easy,” Maazin remarked.
“It’ll take some time for him to process it,” Jeena admitted dryly. “Then there will be a lot of questions.”
“It’ll take some time for him to get to know me. I understand that. I’m willing to wait.” Maazin wrapped his arms around her. “I’m just not willing to wait ten years again to make you my wife.”
“Neither am I. I love you, Maazin. I always have. There has never been any one else. I’ve only loved you. I’ve only ever wanted you.”
Maazin tipped her chin. “I’ve only loved you and from that first moment that I saw you out on the polo field, you’re all I’ve ever wanted as well. You’re all I’ll ever want. I was a fool to think otherwise.”
Jeena laughed and kissed him gently. “Yes. Yes, you were.”
* * *
Maazin ended up spending two weeks in Canada. There was a lot to do to prepare for the journey back to Kalyana.
Instead of staying at the embassy, though, he stayed at the Harraks’ home, so that he could get to know Syman better. And though it took some time, Syman accepted Maazin as his father and was soon showing him the affection he so desperately wanted from his son. Affection he’d never thought he deserved.
Maazin reveled in those moments when he was able to tuck Syman in for the night and have the boy wrap his arms around him and call him Dad. That meant so much to him. The more that he got to know his son, the more of Ali and even his father he saw in him.
There was a stubborn, defiant streak in Syman that reminded Maazin very much of his father. And Ali too. And Maazin knew that deep down Syman and Uttam were like two peas in a pod.
Jeena, with the help of higher up government officials in Canada and Kalyana, was honorably discharged from her services to the Canadian armed forces. It was hard for Jeena to let go of her team, but she had plans to work closely with Sara and promote that program about women in the STEM program in the new university.
That gave her something to be passionate about and something to do beyond a life of protocol and charity events.
Maazin, Jeena, Syman and the Harraks had all watched King Uttam’s speech to the media about Jeena and Syman. It was clear from the public’s feedback that no one held any animosity toward Jeena. No one th
ought she was the other woman any more and Kalyana was excited to have another royal heir.
And although Maazin offered them their vanilla plantation back, Jeena’s parents were much happier in Canada.
They hated being so far away from Jeena, but they were glad that they could return to their homeland with their heads held high and that their daughter was soon to be a princess.
Or rather she was a princess because before they left Canada Jeena and Maazin married in a civil ceremony at the Kalyana embassy and Syman was legitimized.
The line of succession would soon change yet again as Sara, Farhan’s wife, was expecting a baby.
And that was fine by Maazin.
When they boarded the private jet at Calgary International Airport there was a lot of media waiting to get a glimpse of the new royal family of Kalyana, but Kavan and his team of security managed to keep the media at a distance.
It excited Syman that the prime minister of Canada had come out to see them off and that he was going on his first ever plane ride.
Of course, the novelty of a long flight soon wore off on Syman, but Maazin enjoyed having him on the plane and keeping him entertained by playing games with him and reading with him. Syman had a hard time sleeping but finally drifted off on the last leg of the trip from Abu Dhabi to Huban.
Maazin made sure he was secured on the couch portion of the private jet and covered him with a blanket, and he slept there for the last few hours.
“I hope we can wake him in enough time to see the welcome ceremony when we land,” Jeena remarked. “I also hope he’s not too grumpy for your father. He’s a bit of a grumpy bear when you wake him up too soon.”
Maazin smiled. “The same with my father. They’re so alike.”
“I hope that it goes smoothly.” She was worrying her bottom lip again.
“It will. Trust me. My parents are thrilled.”
“It’s hard to do that. Even though I really should, because it wasn’t your fault and it wasn’t my fault. I’m glad that whole thing is behind us and I’m glad Meleena is no longer in Kalyana.”
“Yes. She’s safer away from Kalyana too, because if I ever see her again I’m going to—She’s better off far away. She cost me too much.” Maazin glanced back at Syman, who was rousing as the plane began to descend as they got closer to Huban.
“Well, we can’t maim her we’re both doctors and we’ve promised to do no harm.” Jeena winked.
“That remains to be seen,” Maazin teased.
Jeena started rubbing her hands together. She was wearing her mother’s treasured sari, the one she’d managed to save, the one she’d bought on Petrie Island that the weaver, Mr. Patel, had made.
“That color suits you,” Maazin said. “Your mother has good taste.”
“I think so too. It’s always been one of my favorites and I wanted to show my support for the people.”
“Smart.” Maazin took her hand and kissed it. “You will make an excellent princess.”
The plane made its final descent into Huban and Jeena managed to wake Syman up. He was grumpy for a few moments, but when he realized they were landing and that soon he’d meet the rest of his family, he perked up.
The plane landed and Maazin could already hear the crowds cheering. As the plane taxied around he could see a sea of blue, green and gold flags waving and the red carpet, with the royal motorcade waiting at the end.
This was it.
The plane’s engines stopped and Maazin took her hand, giving it a squeeze. Then he took Syman’s hand and the door opened.
Maazin stepped out of the plane with Syman by his side. The cheers were deafening and Syman trembled.
“It’s okay. They’re happy you’re here. Just wave.”
Syman worried his bottom lip like his mother and then waved.
Jeena came behind them and they walked down the steps together. When they reached the red carpet King Uttam and Queen Aruna, followed by Farhan and Sara, came to meet them.
Maazin could see that his father was having a hard time hiding his emotions as he looked at the little boy who was so obviously his grandson.
And Uttam broke protocol to get down on one knee and hold out a Kalyanese flag to his little grandson.
“Welcome to Kalyana, Syman.”
Syman smiled at him and took the flag and then did what Maazin had not expected and threw his arms around Uttam’s neck.
Uttam was shocked, but then wrapped his arms around the boy and lifted him up in his arms, beaming with pride.
Jeena was fighting back tears.
Uttam turned to her. “Welcome home, Dr. Harrak. Or should I say Princess Jeena?”
“Your Majesty.” Jeena curtseyed and Maazin bowed.
“Let’s get out of here, shall we?” Uttam set Syman down and took his hand in his.
Maazin took Jeena’s hand and both of them turned to the cheering crowds and waved.
“I’m a bit scared,” Jeena whispered.
“Don’t be scared. I shall protect you. I shall always protect you and I will never let anyone hurt you again. I love you.”
“I love you too, Your Highness.”
EPILOGUE
One year later
“NOW!” BELLOWED UTTAM from across the cricket pitch. “Isn’t this much better than ice hockey?”
Syman lowered the cricket bat. “No, but it’s fun. I like it, Grandpapa.”
Uttam laughed. “Good!”
“Good!” Sophie squawked from her outside perch, making Syman laugh, which in turn made Uttam laugh and then Aruna laughed from where she was sitting under an awning with her newest grandchild, Farhan and Sara’s little boy, Ali, in her arms.
Jeena was wandering away from the cricket and the tent. She was hot and uncomfortable and still had a couple months left of her pregnancy.
Her parents were coming for a visit soon and she couldn’t wait to see them again. They video-called most nights with Syman, and Maazin had taken Syman and her back once to visit them, but once Jeena had found out she was pregnant, with twins no less, she couldn’t go anywhere and she was feeling a bit cooped up.
Maazin had been busy with the university plans and helping to get Kalyana back on its feet. New homes were being built. Homes and businesses on Petrie Island, and many of the other islands, were almost all rebuilt now and things were going smoothly.
Kalyana was thriving again and would be more than ready if another cyclone like Blandine hit. Jeena loved being back in her home country, though she did miss Canada, but she loved being with her people again and being with Maazin. If only she could get back to work.
She really hated not being able to work out in the field, but Maazin was being way too overprotective.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Jeena turned around to see Maazin strolling towards her, carrying a glass of iced tea. He handed her the glass and she gladly took a sip.
“I was uncomfortable. The canopy your mother had set up might keep the sun off everything, but it doesn’t keep out the heat.”
Maazin reached out and touched her belly. “You really should be sitting down. With twins you could be early. You’re a doctor, you should know better.”
“Haven’t you ever heard that doctors make the worst patients?”
Maazin cocked an eyebrow. “No. I haven’t heard that.”
“Well, they do.” Jeena sighed. “I promise I’ll go and sit down again. I just wanted a little walk to see if I could catch a breeze.”
Maazin kissed the top of her head. “Remember the cool breezes on Patang Island?”
“Yes. I do.” She closed her eyes. “Are you offering to take me there?”
“No. Not in your condition, but tonight when we go home we can go for a swim in the pool. Just the two of us.”
“What about Syman?”
“He wants to spend the night with Grandpapa.”
They both looked back to see their son finally catch a cricket ball on the end of his bat. The ball rolled over to Uttam who fell back, acting like he’d been hit, but really was hoping to catch Syman unawares to get a hug from him.
“They really are alike, aren’t they?” Jeena asked.
“It’s uncanny.” And it was. She had always sort of suspected that Syman’s stubborn streak and athletic side came from Maazin’s side of the family. She’d just had no idea how well Syman would take to Uttam. Syman also loved Farhan and Sara. And since Sara was Canadian as well, she understood what it meant when he used words like “tuque” and “pop” to her.
And Syman doted on his newest cousin. Almost like a big brother would.
Syman fit in so seamlessly with his newfound family it did her heart good.
“So, what do you think? Do you want to go for a swim later with me?” her husband asked huskily, interrupting her thoughts.
Jeena stood on tiptoe. “How about we go back now? No one will notice if we leave.”
“They’ll notice if we leave. Father has this big meal planned with some dignitaries and... You don’t look too impressed.”
“I’m exhausted and I think if we told your father that I was he’d let us leave now. Do you really feel like having a dinner with all these stuffy people and talk politics in this heat?”
Maazin wrinkled his nose. “No. You’re right. Not particularly.”
“I think he’ll understand if we slip away.” She wrapped her arms around him. “We can go home and swim now. We can also swim later and then just spend the rest of the evening in bed.”
“I think that plan is what got you into this condition in the first place,” Maazin teased.
Jeena laughed. “What do you say, Your Highness?”
Maazin chuckled and kissed her. “That sounds like a good plan, my love. That sounds like a good plan indeed.”
“Good.” She kissed him. “Have I told you today that I love you?”
