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Amie merely smiled, momentarily unable to speak

As it turned out, the “business” Malik had had to take care of the other day was actually booking a large venue and sending out a rush of invitations to dignitaries, friends, and close associates of his fa service fro her stay in the Middle East She was in shock when he revealed his plans to her, and couldn’t believe he’d already taken the liberty ofher

Still, she grinned to his falee about the venue, the dress, the cere another cereo for their American friends and her family

“We still have toup with tears “Please, make it so You must come back with them, all expenses paid, of course”

“Of course,” A Malik a fierce look

“We spoke with theht over the phone,” Malik lied confidently “They both gave their blessing and can’t wait to meet you”

“We can’t either,” Mahuh

As Malik’s parents explained how traditional wedding celebrations in Rabayat would last a week oron the family’s finances, Amie couldn’t help but wonder how the bride didn’t end up with the record of “Worst Hangover Ever” after a full week of partying

The festivities, Sadira explained, would begin with a sroup of friends and family, and then eventually the entire party would arrive to celebrate with the happy couple Hundreds of guests, she insisted Hundreds

Amie didn’t even know a hundred people

At the wedding, there would be a weeklong feast, co Zafina infor up to the ceremony, all of the men in the bridal party would attend a bathhouse and endure an intense cleaning ritual that involved slick shaving and singing

Hearing this, Ae to tell Zafina what : strippers and beer Somehow a clean shave and a couple of frat-house jokes see

Still, with the abrupt ti, Sadira said this would have to be a compacted version of a traditional ceremony, and she hoped A She said there would still be a procession of cars to celebrate, as well as fireworks later in the evening, but everything else would need to be cut down exponentially

For his part, Malik’s usually curt father was all s Malik sound, fatherly advice on how to be a good husband and to lead his household with dignity In fact, the whole fa Even Zafina sat back in her chair with a broad grin on her face, as though she couldn’t help but be infected by the joyous excitement in the air

True to Malik’s fears, both of his parents s about his former life as a man about town His father teased that there would be no more women in Malik’s life, unless he wanted to suffer the wrath of an angry wife

“When she’s not happy,” Mahuhed heartily “Nobody’s happy! So you do your best to be a good man”

The dinner went on as ht and airy with the overwhel food This tiood i every inch the refined and excited bride-to-be

The only part of the evening that puzzled Aratulations”, the sister said very little to either of thely unlike her to be so fuss-free

Since the ‘wedding’ was to take place the followingat Malik’s palace so they could get ready together

Later, as the happy couple were heading to their respective rooms, Zafina finally made her strike