Hussein rushed to greet him, his gaze open, his face tense. Rania walked over to my side, a fake smile stuck to her face. Dressed in a fitted black suit, he seemed to be part of the wedding party.

"I didn't know he was going to be here"

"Oh calm down Rania, and you! You're acting like you've seen a ghost," Feroze muttered amusedly. I glared at him.

"You're enjoying this way too much," he smiled.

"And for good reason. I've never seen you so rattled," we watched him walk towards us. "Nice to see you, Major," Feroze greeted, moving forward. I, however, kept my expression stoic. Zaroon shook Feroze's hand, his eyes on me.

"Congratulations!" he said handing Rania her present. She took it with a smile.
"Thank you Zaroon Bhai. It's nice to see you here," she said.
"Thank you for inviting me," Zaroon replied, his eyes still on me. Hussein looked at the ground, his cheeks red.

No one knew where to look. I could tell Rania was ready to kill Hussein and Feroze was having the time of his life. Thankfully, Sameer appeared and offered his congratulations to the couple and they moved on to the other side of the beach, with Rania practically dragging Feroze off.

There was a definite sense of purpose surrounding him. I stared at him, trying to trace out the man I had fallen in love with all those months ago. He seemed to be at peace with himself. 

"Hi," he muttered, his gaze solemn. That simple word felt like a punch in the gut. 

He stepped closer, his hands up in a placating gesture."Not here," I choked out. 

Picking up my dress, I led him through the house and towards the private balcony, waiting for him to join me on the terrace. The cool sea breeze provided a nice contrast to my heated skin. Rubbing my arms, I turned around to see him close the large french doors behind him. He paused and didn't come any closer.

"You look incredible," I let out an incredulous laugh. He frowned. "What?"

"You're the first one to say so" I turned around and faced the sea.

"I don't believe it. You do." I stayed silent. With the crashing waves and my loud heartbeat, I did not trust my voice to carry through. "Am I too late?" Blinking back the tears that seemed to be at the surface nowadays, ready to spill over at any moment. 

 Soft footsteps let me know he was right behind me. 

"I saw my father yesterday," I ran a finger along the railing, encouraging him to continue. "I told him I was going to see you." I stared at my fingers. "He told me you removed his name from the court documents?" 

I raised my head to meet his questioning gaze."I did that right after I gave the police my statement"

"Why?"

"I didn't want you to suffer for something that your father did" he looked down, his hands shaking.

"He also told me you had the, my mother's rapists..." he struggled for words, his voice cracking.

"They deserved to be convicted. With Uncle Azhar's testimony and a little pressure from Feroze, we wrapped that issue right up," I leaned into the railing, watching a myriad of emotions play across his face. "You're free of your father's sins Zaroon," he nodded, clenching the railing tightly.

"And you? Are you free of the demons created by your father?"

"I know how to handle them," I answered.

And I had missed having you by my side throughout it all, I completed in my head.

"Not that I had any doubts. I watched the interview. I believe I was quoted," he said with a slight smile, his eyes radiating his regret.

"Why are you here Zaroon?" I sighed. He looked at me confused.

"You told me to come back when I felt I could stand the weight of what had happened" I stared at him, not daring to believe. "Don't," he muttered moving closer. "I never wanted to leave, I know it's not fair to say that now, but you, you knew what I needed." 

The wind blew a strand of my hair onto my face. His hand reached up and paused. I didn't flinch as his fingers pushed it away, his touch light and hesitant on my skin.

The feelings rushing through me were like tidal waves. I felt them crash into me, one by one, breaking down every barrier I had put up. A tear slipped out and I stepped back.

"So tell me, am I too late?" I looked at the starry sky, praying for the herculean strength required to keep the tears in.

"Are you sure? We've been at the edge of this for so long..." I whispered.

"Are you sure? I want to be with you, now and forever" he answered, stepping towards me and taking my hands in his. I sobbed and hit him on the chest. "Ouch"

"You just show up here after months and you expect me to be okay? What took you so long?" he laughed.

"I barely made you wait. It's barely been a year! And you told me to leave!"

"A year of waiting for you to come to your senses," he rolled his eyes.

"I waited twenty years for you. You couldn't wait a year? Besides, you know me, I had to do this the right way," his eyes glinted with mischief.

"Puh, right schimdt"

"It had to be right, I've loved you since I saw you under Queen Noor's portrait," I smiled, still pouting slightly. "I also loved you when you fought with me for ice cream or when you bought those bangles or that crazy scheme you cooked up..."

"Haha, I get it," He laughed, his hands holding mine.

"I only know this, you're the only one I want to share the rest of my life with. I know it has taken a few detours, but I've found my way back to you. It's always been you. You know why? Because you're my home. It doesn't matter where I go, or how far I go, I'll always come back to you." I sniffled. He looked at me, his eyes a beautiful molten brown under the dim lighting.

He stepped closer, his voice lowering into a deep drawl as he whispered in my ear "Magic happens when I see you... you're it babe"

I inhaled his familiar scent and closed my eyes. This was happening. This was finally happening and it was better than what my imagination had conjured up. We stood there under the stars, listening to the waves crash onto the shore, staring into each other's eyes as a thousand promises passed between us. I raised my arm to place my hand on his face. He leaned into my touch and stared at me, expectant.

"You haven't asked the question yet" I whispered. He started and I giggled.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, will you do me the immense honor of being my wife? Look, I even brought a ring," He ruffled in his coat pocket and pulled out a velvet box. He clicked it open to reveal a beautiful emerald cut diamond ring and got down on one knee."I wanted my mother to be a part of this, the band is hers, but I changed the diamond. That's all yours." I felt my heart increase in size. I bit my lip and stared at the beautiful man in front of me.

My whisper was carried by the waves and announced to the whole world.

"Yes"

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