Into the Life of Hadji Part 4
Neela was doing the best she could to pull together
plans for the ball as fast as she could-- pulling off an
event of this magnitude in just a few days-- catering,
decorations, last minute invitations-- was near impossible.
But, in three days, preparations were complete, and everyone
was given their invitations. Everyone from the Quest team
were really pleased at the invitations, as well as being
provided with clothing to wear to the event. All were
provided with extravagant garments in the traditional Indian
style-- men's outfits were complete with turbans, and women
were given the choice of saris, or a two-piece outfit
consisting of a lacy top and a long, flowing skirt. Jessie
and Miana both chose the two-piece outfit, and both were
complete with matching veil and jewelry. Jessie's was pink
with gold trimming and jewelry (necklace and ornate headdress
which went around the head like a garland and had accents
that looped down from the center like teardrops with the veil
attached around the back and sides), and Miana's was white
with silver accessories.
"Miana, you look beautiful! Hadji is going to go nuts
when he sees you!" complimented Jessie.
"What amazes me is that with the way this outfit is
designed, I can pull of wearing two pieces without looking
like a cow." commented Miana. "But you're right-- these
clothes are beautiful, and who ever expected we'd be
attending such a big affair, especially on the spur of the
moment."
Jessie got a sly grin on her face.
"Jessie? What's up?" asked Miana.
"Hmm?"
"Why are you grinning like that?"
"Oh, just some suspicions I have. Be back later."
Jessie left the room and decided to go on a spy trip.
Jessie came to her and Jonny's room, and found Hadji with
him. Hadji was helping Jonny try on his attire-- a long,
gray formal robe of stiff fabric with a high neck and
matching pants. Jonny kept tugging on the turban Hadji had
just put on him.
"Hadj, how can you possibly be comfortable in this?" he
asked while pulling at the collar of his robe and trying to
keep the turban from falling into his face.
"If you would not tug at your turban, it would not fall
in your face."
"But it was too tight." whined Jonny. "You know, such a
big thing like this ball usually takes months to plan and is
usually announced months in advance. Do you know why it came
up so suddenly?"
Hadji looked around, but suspected a spy. Hadji put his
finger up to his mouth to signal Jonny to be quiet. He then
snuck up to the door, and opened it quickly, with Jessie
caught off-guard and falling into the doorway.
"Busted." commented Hadji.
"Oh, I was just..."
"Spying to get the scoop on the ball." accused Jonny.
"Ok, guilty as charged." admitted Jessie.
"I will tell you if you promise not to tell Miana."
replied Hadji.
"Promise!" they both said in unison.
"The ball was my mother's idea, and I thought it was the
perfect way to surprise Miana with a proposal of marriage."
"I knew it!" beamed Jessie, melting from the romance in
the situation, as Jonny stood there speechless.
"Congrats, Hadj!" exclaimed Jonny as he slapped Hadji on
the back of the shoulder. "It's about time you settled
down!"
"Congratulations, Hadji! I'm so happy for you!" Jessie
beamed.
Hadji smiled.
"I hope she says yes-- I do love her very much. Jessie,
I meant to compliment you on you attire. You look
beautiful." complimented Hadji as he bowed and kissed her
hand.
"You charmer! I didn't know you had it in you!" teased
Jessie. "But seriously, Miana's a very lucky lady."
The big night finally came. All the guests were there,
and the party was in full swing, but Hadji and Neela had not
made their entrances yet. Miana was nervous, especially not
knowing what to expect to happen at such a function, as well
as being unsure as how to act. There was a variety of music
at the ball-- a mix of traditional Indian and American music,
as well as some classical.
"They've got quite a selection of tunes for this party."
commented Jonny to both Jessie and Miana.
"Yeah, classical and pop seems like an unlikely
combination with traditional Indian in this setting."
observed Jessie.
"I'd bet money that Hadji had something to do with the
choice of music!" laughed Miana, trying to hide her
nervousness.
"Oh, I guarantee it!" agreed Jessie.
Just then, everybody was called to the table for dinner.
All were standing by large cushions on the floor behind long
tables with many exotic dishes, again a mixture of
traditional and modern dishes. Hadji and Neela were
announced as they entered, and they took their places at the
head of the main table, and all sat down. The Quests were
seated closest to the head table, but Hadji did not
acknowledge them, which left them looking at each other in
puzzlement. The dinner went smoothly with dignity and grace,
but no words were exchanged between Hadji and Neela and the
guests. Right before the last course and desert were served,
however, there was a diversion in the sequence of the dinner.
Two elegantly dressed servant girls came behind Miana on
either side and helped her up. They escorted her to the
center of the floor between the tables and in front of the
head table, which left her facing the Royals. Miana looked
from side to side, and at a loss of how to act, took no
chances and fell to her knees with her head bowed. Hadji
then got up from his place. The room fell completely silent
as Hadji approached Miana and proceeded to kneel on one knee.
Miana looked up and her mouth fell in shock as she realized
what was happening. Hadji knelt and took Miana's hand.
"Dearest Miana-- I have loved you from the day we met.
I realize I have not been the best to you, so I put together
this ball in your honor-- both to ask forgiveness, and more
importantly, your hand in marriage. Miana Scolari, will give
me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"
Tears were streaming down Miana's face as she was
looking into Hadji's pleading eyes.
"Oh, yes! Yes!" she cried, falling into his arms.
Hadji stood up and helped Miana to her feet. Miana was
wearing the white two-piece gown she had tried on before.
The top was lacy and low-cut, with long veils flowing from
the shoulders that wrapped around her torso and flowed onto
the long skirt that went to the floor. The tops of the veils
were tied in small, ornate bows on the shoulders that had
small loose sections that hung loose down the front of her
top. Hadji took these two small sections and tied them
together. He then took the family jewel from his turban and
secured it to the bow he had made. He proceeded to take
Miana in his arms, pulled her up to him, and kissed her with
such depth and passion so reminiscent of their first kiss
that she started to collapse. Hadji steadied Miana back onto
her feet and turned her around.
"Ladies and gentlemen-- I present to you my betrothed,
my future wife and sultaness, the soon-to-be Miana Singh."
He looked down at her with a sparkle in his eyes and she
looked up at him with a misty look in hers. He then went on
to introduce the Quests and they stood up in acknowledgment.
Hadji escorted Miana to the head table, and the dinner was
continued. After dinner, dancing resumed, and Hadji and
Miana took center stage during the first song. The ball
lasted well into the night before it ended.
The next day seemed like it would be another day as
usual, but things weren't quite right. Neela was not up,
which had Hadji worried, as his mother was always an early
riser.
Hadji went into his mother's room, only to find her
unconscious and with a high fever.
"Mother? Mother! Somebody help!" Hadji screamed.
Several servants rushed in, and the medics were called.
Several hours later, the Quests, Hadji, Miana, and Pasha were
all at the hospital in Calcutta.
"Neela has been sick for quite some time, Hadji. That
is the real reason why I called you. She didn't want you to
know, but her time is short and she feared this would be the
last time she would get to see you. The fact that you are
now engaged was an added surprise that made her very happy."
"Oh, Pasha! I had no idea!" cried Hadji with tears in
his eyes.
"Hadji, if I were you, I would marry as soon as
possible. And if you plan on returning to the states, you
had better find someone to rule in your absence. It will be
difficult considering you have no other family."
"I know. I may not be able to leave."
Hadji regarded Benton.
"Hadji, if you can't come back with us, we'll
understand. We'll also miss you. Terribly."
"Yeah, Hadj-- it won't be the same." said Jonny.
"Hadji!" cried Jessie as she embraced Hadji tightly,
then hugged Miana.
"My love, it looks as if you may rule by my side sooner
than expected."
Miana regarded him with sad, sympathetic eyes.
"I hope not, for your sake. I know how it feels when
your mother passes. Remember, it happened to me not long
ago." she said while embracing her husband-to-be.
The doctor came out and told Hadji that he could see his
mother, but discouraged other visitors. Hadji and Miana went
in only to behold a very frail and ghostly looking Neela.
"Hadji... I did not want you to find out this way..."
"Mother, what exactly is wrong?" asked Hadji, trying to
hold back the tears.
"I have leukemia. I have been in treatment for a while
now. I need a blood marrow transplant, and no donors have
matched yet."
"They have not tested me yet. I will speak to the
doctor."
"Hadji, just in case things don't go well-- I encourage
you-- please marry as soon as possible. I may be able to
leave the hospital long enough for the wedding..."
"You have my word, mother."
Just then, the nurse came in and told them it was time
to leave. The doctor came by, and Hadji asked to be tested
for donor compatibility.
"Well, your high--"
"Please call me Hadji."
"Very well, Hadji-- the odds of an exact match are slim,
but you, being her son, have the best chance of being a
match. However, even if you were to match, our facilities
are sadly lacking. She would need to go to the United States
to receive the care she needs."
"That would not be a problem, doctor. Please arrange
for the tests, and I will make all other arrangements when
the time comes."
"Very well, Hadji-- come with me. We can test your
blood now."
Hadji's blood was drawn, and luckily for Neela, there
was a match. All were relieved, and now, Hadji had to ask
the help of Dr. Benton Quest.
"Hadji, I am so glad your marrow is a match to hers."
commented Benton.
"Yes sir-- I am, too. However, I need your help."
"Of course, Hadji. What is it?"
"Mother needs to come to the States for better
facilities. I was wondering if we could take her back with
us."
"Of course, Hadji. We can get the necessary equipments
and take her back on the Dragonfly, and she can stay with us
as long as she needs to."
"Thank you Dr. Quest." answered Hadji gratefully.
So, over the next few days, arrangements were completed,
and Neela was flown to the best hospital in Maine-- which was
a slight distance from the compound, but a short trip by
helicopter. Neela's condition had grown steadily worse and
she was completely unaware of things happening around her.
Since both Hadji and Neela would both be gone from Bangalore
indefinitely, Hadji appointed a vizier to look after
Bangalore while they were gone, and of course, Pasha would be
watching from a distance-- just in case something went wrong.
Meanwhile, all were back at the compound and settled
back in, except for Hadji, who was pacing a groove into the
floor.
"Love, settle down! They will call you when they need
you for your donation, and if it is Bangalore you are worried
about, Sukinder seems to be a man of good fiber. Bangalore
is in good hands." assured Miana.
"It is not just that. Mother wanted to see us marry.
She may not get to now!" cried Hadji.
Miana went up to him and took his hands, turned his face
to her and looked him square in the eye.
"Hadji, she'll be alright!"
The phone rang, and it was a call for Hadji.
"Miana, it is time." replied Hadji calmly.
Miana went and told the rest of the family, and they all
joined Hadji at the hospital. Hadji underwent the surgery
necessary to extract his bone marrow, and it was administered
to his mother, and now it was a matter of time.
Miana went into the recovery room to see Hadji-- she had
a hard time pulling it off as normally visitors are not
allowed there. Hadji was partially raised in bed, with no
shirt or gown on, and without his turban. His gleaming, wavy
black hair fall about his shoulders, and his beautiful face
reflected his pain, even in sleep. She lightly held his
hand, but he awoke, and regarded her with sad, dark eyes.
"Any news?" he asked softly.
"None yet, love."
"How did you get in here?"
"It wasn't easy."
Hadji looked around to make sure they were alone. He
got out of bed and walked over to the window. Miana noticed
the only thing he had on was his loincloth.
"How did you pull that off?" she asked.
"Hmm?"
"Your loincloth-- it is not regular hospital attire."
"As soon as I was alone for a moment, I changed. I am a
light sleeper, so I was not unconscious long after I came out
of surgery. Also, it is hard to rest in those uncomfortable
paper gowns."
"Well, what you're wearing-- or rather what you're not,
is very attractive." complimented Miana, eyeing Hadji's well-
developed backside from head to toe.
Hadji turned around and smiled and her and took her in
his arms. He held her tightly but tenderly, and was if she
could feel the love flowing from him.
"Excuse me," said a nurse as she came into the room.
"The doctor would like to see you, Mr. Singh-- about your
mother."
Hadji put on a robe and stepped into the hall. The
doctor came up to him.
"You should be in bed..."
"Nevermind about me, doctor. How is my mother?"
"She is responding to the transplant quite well. If she
continues improving, she can be discharged, and there is a
decent chance that she will have a nice, long remission--
maybe even full recovery."
********************************************************************
* The Jonny Quest mailinglist jq@edc.ml.org *
********************************************************************
* To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to: majordomo@edc.ml.org *
* with the message: unsubscribe jq subject is ignored *
********************************************************************
(
geocities.com/televisioncity)