Naina (Al-Ameen Family #4)

Blooming

Winding down to the last couple chapters. Just some wedding fun now and then Hasan's story....? 😛 

Three Months Later

Armaan's mom had initially said no to me apparently. A hindu-revert with no family or lineage to her name, working a job that has her travelling all around the world? Not at all perfect daughter-in-law material.

But when Armaan and I were abducted and videos went viral, his cousins explained to her how I basically saved her son's life. She begrudgingly had to agree at that point. And Armaan really insisted it was me or no one.

Another good thing to come out of us almost being killed was that Armaan leaving cricket was seen as a pretty normal decision on Armaan's part, and not something he was doing because his control freak fiancée made him.

We had a small engagement ceremony at his parents house with just close family a week after I was rescued. And the wedding was scheduled for three months later. A perfect June wedding in the UK.

Armaan and I were mostly apart for the last three months. He finished his season and retried his jersey gracefully. I had Patrick pull some strings and get me enrolled in university to finally get a bachelor's. I was being granted a fast track, to get it done in two years, and a master's degree in the third year. If I ever fully go back into civilian life, I would need some educational background. But even to find a good desk job with the MI6, I will need some type of degree backing me up.

Armaan had also decided to go back to get his degree once the school year begins in the Fall.

Safiyana put me, Sanam's family, and all the guests from my side - which weren't many- up in luxurious hotel rooms close to their family's giant house. Because there was still some media interest around Armaan, the wedding ceremonies would be held at their house so we could ensure privacy for us all.

Today was the mehendi, to kick off the wedding processions. Namrata had come to my room last night with a legal-sized envelope and a small gift box.

When I had opened the envelope, it was papers for my transfer to MI6, intelligence division. "I pulled some strings. You've got a part-time desk job now like a boring person. It's a pay cut, no more shooting bullets or running across borders, but it's what you wanted. I want all the happiness in the world for you."

"Namrata," I had to bite the inside of my cheek and she hugged me so I wouldn't cry. "I'll miss the bullets. But I can't really do that while in school can I?"

"No you cannot," she had sighed wistfully. She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me in for a side hug. "You're all grown up. You're no longer the tiny little 17 year old I found roaming the streets of Mumbai. My little flower is blooing."

"No I am not," I couldn't hep but chuckle. "I am blooming." Time passed and took with it the scars and fears of the past. Allah had given me more than I could have imagined or asked for.

I stared down at the gift box which I hadn't opened last night with her. When I pulled the bow open, the box lid fell with it. Inside were two beautiful gold bangles. She said it was something the parents usually give. But since my parents were not here, she was going to fill that role.

I put them on, even though they didn't exactly match my outfit. I would represent my family proudly, even if they were an adopted one, made from fragments of my scattered life.

A knock echoed though the hotel room and I know Sanam arrived. She had left me to get showered and dressed herself and returned with the hair and makeup artists.