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."