Finding Life

Chapter Eighteen: Reunited... Sort of

SHANAYA'S POV

"Chepi! Gaagii! The traitor has brought more!" Red Sparrow shouts from outside the tent and Bou and I run out with Chayton.

We find Syed on the ground being held down with Azlyn and Hussain.

"Stop! They are our friends!" I order and the villagers immediately pick them up and seat them on chairs and offer food and water.

"Shay, what's going on? I hear you're king and queen and that child is now suddenly yours?" Az rambles and I laugh and stop her, "Yes."

Azlyn gets up and places her warm hand on my arm and whispers, "Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" 

I look at Bou for a second and pass Chayton to him before following Azlyn to a more private area with trees separating us from the large group. She sighs and looks at me carefully before speaking, "Do you really think this is a good idea, love? I mean it's such a big responsibility!" 

I wait a few seconds to gather my thoughts before replying, "I want to help these people. I know that my father sent me here to help his business, but first comes family. Somehow, I'm related to these people and I need to help them. Maybe I can even get some of these people to work in the company."

She nods and says, "Well I'm in as long as we can get back to city life in a few days. I think we can help these people too."

I smile at her before hugging her tight and giggling at the joy I felt at the moment. I could finally help someone to better improve their lives. That's something I love doing because people deserve the best in life.  Az rolls her eyes at me and before we leave she squeals, "Wait! Tell me how it feels to be his queen!"

"Haha, nothing different, darling. We are still just best friends nothing more." I roll my eyes at her disappointment and before she can say anything else, I rush her to the group.

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It is nightfall now and Mary Jane is teaching Az and I how to cook. They all got names, too. Azlyn was named Luyu which meant wild dove. They said she was beautiful like a dove, but her tongue was sharp, so she was wild. Hussain was named Tauri which meant young eagle. Syed was yet to have a name; they think he is not worthy enough yet. Obviously, we all had laughed at that as he sat pouting at all of us.

"Gaho! Gahooo!" I hear a little voice yell as small feet came into my view and small arms wrapped around my neck.

"Hey, Chayton," I giggle and pull him into my arms, "How was the story time, huh?"

Chayton smiles and wraps his little hands in my curls as he babbles away, "Awesome!"

He learned the word from Azlyn who had been watching over him lately. I laugh and kiss his small cheek before excusing myself from the women. I go off to find the boys when Chayton wiggles in my arms and wants to be let down.

"Come, come." He says as he grabs my fingers and pulls me to the Chief's tent.

I follow, and he barges in with me in tow. I blush as I see the men all turn to look at me. Bou finds my nervous eyes and smiles warmly before getting up and walking over to us. He scoops up Chayton on the way and wounds his arm around my waist before pulling us outside. I could feel Syed's annoyed eyes staring at our backs as we disappear out into the warm day. Surprisingly, the climate here on the island seem to be completely different than the rest of Dubai. It is warm, but not like the melting experience, more enveloping.

"Hey, how's the cooking?" Bou asks as he leans against a tree.

I shrug, "It's good, just waiting for the meat to cook. How's your... whatever you're doing?"

He laughs and says, "Smoking? Great."

"Smoking? Bou, no smoking." I scowl and he just chuckles and rustles my hair, "Sure thing, Shay."

"Bouuuu, I'm seious. It's bad for you, and plus Chayton could be in danger." I cross my arms across my chest and look at him pointedly.

"Fine, fine." Bou waves his hand and leans down to kiss my forehead softly. He hands over Chayton and walks back to the tent. I smile as he goes back and start to take Chayton with me to the women.

BOU'S POV

"What happened?" Syed asks as I sit back down next to them.

I shake my head, "Nothing, Shay just wanted me to stop smoking for Chayton's sake."

"What? But you always smoke!" He exclaims and I sigh, "I know, but she asked me to stop."

"Don't stop if you like it. She isn't your mother or girlfriend. She can't stop you from doing something you like." Syed places his hand on my shoulder and I just nod. That's true, but I promised. But will she ever find out?

"One more smoke?" Hussain passes another one to me and I take it, but pause. Should I? Oh hell with it. I place it on my lips and take in a whiff before blowing it out. I'll stop when it's necessary, plus, Chayton isn't here.