(*Author's Note* I know that AJ isn't Persian but I am very proud of this story and I want people to read it, therefore I had to make AJ Persian but again I know he isn't. To give it a foreign effect I called him Alexander so yea anyway I hope you enjoy the story it's short and sweet. That's about it, I ask that you do send me feedback about this one, even if you hate it I still want the feed back thanx!

PS Read Roxanne's Red Light and Clear Impressions too! Lol

Jahan snuck into her bedroom right before sunrise. Undressing out of her outfit she slipped into her bed quietly. Moments later her mother came into her room and tip toed to the side of her bed. Jahan desperately tried to act like she was sleeping. Her mother Haleh stroked Jahan's face softly and planted a kiss on her cheek. Haleh stood and went back in to her bedroom. Once Jahan heard her door click she stood up and walked to her window. She saw a man outside, a man who was Alexander her love. She reached over to her lamp and flashed the light to him. He waved as he walked out of her sight. She sighed as she remembered the wonderful moments they shared together. Twenty-two years old, Jahan was the daughter of Mohammed Safari, the Iman of Tehran Mosque. Everyone respected and adored her father. That wasn't always a good thing. In fact for Jahan, she hated it. As the daughter of a revered cleric Jahan was a desirable bride for many families in Tehran. She looked at the date on her desktop and her sprits picked up knowing that her cousin Rebecca from the United States of America would be arriving today. Rebecca and Jahan had been the best of friends since Rebecca first visited Iran ten years ago. Even with the vast distance between them the girls were always in touch via Internet. She couldn't wait to take Rebecca to the palace so that she could see the Pahlavi Crown. She smiled to herself as she thought about this venture into the city with Rebecca.

Later in the afternoon, Jahan was doing her usual housework until she heard a familiar voice.

"Salom?" Jahan looked up and ran to the door.

"Rebecca!" She shouted and hugged her. She stepped back to scrutinize her cousin. "You look silly with that scarf on Bec." Jahan giggled, she touched a piece of Rebecca's fiery red hair that was peeking out of the chador. "Ugh I wish I had your hair." Before Rebecca could respond Jahan's father came from behind with luggage. Closing the door behind him he set down the bags. Speaking in Farsi Mohammed greeted his daughter.

"Jahan, I know that you are excited that Rebecca's here, but do not forget that Ahmed will be here at noon with his parents."

"But father I don't…!" Jahan immediately stopped mid sentence turning her eyes away from her fathers furious glare. She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and steadily replied. "Thank you father I shall have everything ready for their arrival." Jahan never looked up to meet her father's gaze, for she knew she would start crying at the sight of it. Without saying a word, Mohammed walked into his study and shut the door harshly. The girls both flinched at the loud sound.

"Fathers are such punks am I right girl?" Rebecca huffed; she took off her chador and heavy black coat. Jahan just smiled weakly. "And I need to know how you live with this damn scarf! Ah! It keeps bugging me."

"You'll get used to it." Jahan replied as she picked up the thrown scarf and folded it up. "Anyway, shall we go into my room?"

"We shall." Rebecca smiled and followed Jahan into her room. Once she entered, her smile fell. The room was plain and small with very little furniture. Suddenly she heard Mohammed yell in an angry tone.

"I'll be right back." Jahan rushed out the room and shut the door. Rebecca was still in silence. Her father was Iranian but she didn't get treated like this. Setting her bag down on Jahan's bed she saw the picture of them in the Caspian Sea. She heard the door click open and set the picture down.

"Is everything okay Jay?" Rebecca asked concerned. Jahan shook her head quickly. Furrowing her eyebrows together, Rebecca thought of another question. "So Jay who is Ahmed huh? Is he your boyfriend?" She teased. Jahan felt as though she might throw up. Ahmed; he was the son of Asghar Ramen. Though very wealthy he repulsed Jahan and she had no choice but to marry him.

"Um he is my fiancée." She mumbled very quietly, hoping Rebecca wouldn't catch it. "So how was your flight? I think you should nap so you can…"

"Fiancée? Girl why didn't you tell me! This is so exciting!" Rebecca grabbed Jahan and hugged her tightly.

"It just was announced last week and I knew you were coming so I just waited."

"So how long have you known each other? How did you meet? When did you start dating?"

"Dating? HA! That's a good one Bec." Rebecca was confused. Even though Rebecca was only eighteen Jahan thought she would know. "Rebecca he is my arranged suitor. I didn't have a choice to marry him, you know that."

"They still do that? I thought it was over."

"What do you mean they? Your father is Persian. Shouldn't he be looking for a husband right now?"

"For a husband!? I am only eighteen and I have a choice." Rebecca responded.

"But your father is Persian." Jahan persisted.

"And my mother is American, glad we got that out of the way. I was having a hard time figuring it out." Rebecca laughed but Jahan was upset.

"You have a choice for your husband?" She asked quietly. Before Rebecca could respond, Jahan started mumbling in Farsi. Rebecca knew the language a little bit, but she couldn't catch it all. Suddenly Jahan smiled and grabbed Rebecca's hand. "We shall go out today! Get dressed and I'll take you downtown before Ahmed and his family arrive." Rebecca nodded and got ready.

Jahan knew that Rebecca would enjoy seeing the Golestan Palace so she immediately made arrangements that they go see the throne. Jahan knew her wedding was approaching too closely for her own comfort but there wasn't much she could do about it so she had to sneak in more time for her and Amir.

"Jahan! Look at this!" Frantically Jahan put her hand around Rebecca's mouth.

"What are you trying to do, get us hurt? You are in Iran now, women are treated differently, you can't shout around as you please!" She scolded Rebecca. Jahan saw the sincere look in her eyes. "I am sorry Bec but you need to remember the soldiers can grab you, drop you to your knees and cut your hair off with their knives! You have beautiful hair and they would enjoy doing it to you, so just watch yourself." While Jahan was talking in a harsh whisper she adjusted Rebecca's outfit making sure no hair was loose and her legs were covered.

"I am fine now!" She pushed Jahan's hands away. "Anyway as I was saying look at Pahlavi's crown it's so beautiful." Her hands caressed the case. "Jahan what does it say?" Rebecca couldn't read Farsi so she had to ask Jahan.

"Its says the Pahlavi Crown was made of the finest jewels and uh how do you say um white type of jewels?"

"Pearls?"

"Yes, thank you. It was made of the finest jewels and pearls from the fabulous treasure which serves as a guarantee for state loans." Suddenly a man in uniform made his way over to them. Rebecca started backing away scared. After all, Jahan had just finished telling her that she could lose her hair.

"Jahan!" Rebecca started pulling on her sleeve. "We've got to go, there is an army dude coming to take my hair!" She squeaked at the end. Jahan couldn't help but laugh at the way she sounded.

"Quiet, I know him don't worry." Jahan turned around and started conversing with him. Rebecca noticed that he had deep brown eyes. She noticed Jahan was blushing. Rebecca cleared her throat to get Jahan attention.

"Oh Rebecca I am so sorry. This is Alexander, Alexander this is Rebecca."

"Hello Rebecca." Alex managed to say. His English needed some help. "How you are?" He continued. Jahan laughed and whispered into his ear. He grinned sheepishly and asked again. "How are you?"

"I am very well thank you." Rebecca replied. Jahan looked down at her watch.

"We have to go Rebecca." She said goodbye to Alex and grabbed Rebecca. Before she turned around Alex kissed her cheek. Jahan looked up and smiled at him. Alex held Jahan's arm and spoke in a harsh whisper. Rebecca looked away because she could tell they were arguing. Jahan let out a frustrated sigh and grabbed Rebecca's arm. Without saying good-bye to Alex, Jahan and Rebecca left the palace.

"What's your rush?" Rebecca asked as she pulled her arm back.

" I am going to be late, Ahmed arrives at three and we have only ten minutes to get home!" They both rushed to the car and hurried home.

"So who was that huh?" Rebecca asked.

"A friend of mine, nothing more. I am to be married and Alex is nothing but a soldier. Anyway Alex wouldn't be able to provide for me because his father died in the war leaving his mother in charge. My father wouldn't allow this marriage because Alexander does not come from a "good" family.

"And what do you say?"

"I love him." Jahan spoke short and precise. "But there is nothing I can do so don't try to be a hero. My parents, like all Persians in this country are married by arrangement. They love each other deeply and have a good marriage, so I am not worried at all." Jahan kept telling herself this hoping it would sink in and she would start to believe it and be able to forget Alexander.

"Then why were you fighting?" Rebecca asked.

"Because." Jahan continued to explain. "Alex wants to take me out of Iran. Today he told me he is still working on a way to do this, but I told him I wouldn't go so to forget it." Jahan gripped the stirring wheel as she replayed the words they exchanged in her mind.

"I just think if you love him you should be together."

"It could be much worse Rebecca. I could be marrying a man three times my age. I am very fortunate to get a young husband, so just drop it." Jahan bit her lips to keep the tears that threatened fill her eyes and kept on driving.

They ran up the steps to Jahan's house. She saw Ahmed's families' car outside and knew she was dead.

"My father is going to kill me, my mother is going to kill me, and Ahmed and his parents will frown on my late arrival and give my father disappointing looks…"

"Don't worry Jahan, just say that I got sick and you had to find medicine for me." Rebecca suggested.

"And lie? That's just asking for trouble." She took a deep breath and walked in the door. Five angry faces greeted both girls.

Jahan's mother got up and quickly helped the girls out of their scarves and coats. Jahan fluffed her hair out a little and walked into the sitting room.

"Salom," She bowed her head and Ahmed came to greet her with a kiss on the hand. In Farsi he spoke.

"Hello, my darling are you well?" Jahan shook her head and sat next to him. Rebecca was watching in the distance with her aunt. Disgusted she just had say.

"I can't believe that you're going to allow this Aunt Haleh."

"You can't believe it? But you must believe it Rebecca for this is the way of our lives in Iran. Your father, my beloved brother had the opportunity to go to America and meet your mother. My marriage was arranged, as you well know. In many ways I have envied your mother and her life, but you know what?"

"What?" Rebecca responded.

"There is not one day that passes that I don't thank God for leading my beloved husband Mohammed to me. I love your uncle very much and I know that Jahan will be fine with Ahmed. I mean, look at him, he is completely enthralled with her." Rebecca turned to look at Ahmed. He looked like most Persians, brown hair, brown eyes nothing new. His hand held Jahan's hands in his lap as they sat forward and listened to the adult's converse.

"Yea well, I like Alex better." Rebecca slapped her hand over her mouth. Haleh peered at her. Rebecca blurted on "I mean I would like a Lexus. Sorry, I have been speaking Farsi so much I am forgetting my English." She laughed nervously but she could see her aunt Haleh didn't buy it.

"How do you know about Alex? Is she seeing him still?" Haleh demanded in a harsh whisper. Rebecca was sickened that she had let the cat out of the bag.

"No, I wanted to go to the Palace and I dragged her along. While we were there we saw this guy who talked to Jahan, but all she did was introduce us because I was from America and we left. Why, is that who you are talking about?" Rebecca asked.

"No, never mind, it doesn't matter." Haleh responded. "Come along and meet the family and remember Rebecca be good." Rebecca said her hellos and excused herself to Jahan's room. She lay on Jahan's bed and wondered how Jahan felt. Rebecca knew if it were she, she would be scared and begging her parents not to force her into a marriage. She also wanted to know more about Amir and why Jahan had never mentioned him. Rebecca was jolted from her thoughts when she heard rocks hit against Jahan's window. Quickly she got up and saw Alex outside the window. Rebecca opened the window.

"Hi! Come up here!" She softly shouted. Alex not understanding what she said just stood there. Rebecca sighed and motioned him towards the window with her hands. He finally understood and made his way to the open window.

"Uh Jahan coune'?" He spoke in Farsi. Rebecca used her limited Farsi to explain to Alex that yes, Jahan was home, but with Ahmed. The moment Alex heard Ahmed's name he felt tightness in his chest. After several tries in broken English and Farsi he made Rebecca understand that he wanted a pencil and paper. He put the paper against the wall and began to write.

Jahan my love-

I have found a way we can be together, but the problem is you will not see your mother or father for a very long time. I love you with all of my heart and I shall never forget the precious time we have shared together if you choose not to be with me. I understand Ahmed can give you a lot that I cannot but what I cannot give you in material things I promise you I will give you in love. If you choose to run away with me, meet me at the palace at midnight with your passport and information.

I love you always and you have my heart forever

Alexander

He folded the note and handed it to Rebecca.

"Please to Jahan." Rebecca nodded her head. Before she could say anything. He turned and ran out of the courtyard. She shut the window and looked at the note in her hands. She noticed when Alex was writing it he was shaky and nervous. She cursed herself for not learning how to read Farsi. She looked up and saw Jahan enter with tearstains on her cheek. Rebecca rushed over and grabbed her. She let Jahan cry on her shoulder. It probably had been a long time since Jahan had anyone there just for her. She sat her down on the bed.

"What happened Hun?"

"Father was upset and I got in trouble, nothing new." Jahan sighed. "I am just tired and I just want to get this wedding over with."

"Well I've got something to turn that frown upside down." Rebecca said dancing to the desk. Jahan lay back on the bed.

"If it's some game I am not in the mood." She covered her head with her pillow.

"Oh okay, I guess its not important if some handsome man with bright blue eyes stopped by." Rebecca sang to her. Jahan jumped off the bed.

"What are you talking about?" Jahan demanded. She saw Rebecca holding a white sheet of paper. She reached over and took it out of her hands. Jahan read it and cried once more.

"Oh God, oh God what do I do now?" Jahan spoke to the heavens.

"Well what does it say?" Rebecca asked.

"Alexander found a way for us to be together and I would have to leave tonight but I might never see my parents again."

"Oh, I can see how you would be upset about not seeing your mom but your dads a real punk."

"I don't think I could do that to my parents though, leave them? What would the city think of my father if he couldn't control his own daughter? Ahmed would be hurt too."

"Will you stop thinking about other people for just one second? When is the last time you did something for you? I have known you all my life and even though I haven't been with you I know that you are always there for others. Now do something for you, and be with your destined love! I know that it would be hard for your parents, but do you remember Aunt Haide?" Jahan shook her head. "I remember my father telling my mom how Haide's parents threatened to never speak to her again if she went to France with Uncle Reza. It took a while, but look at it now! Everyone loves him." Jahan thought about what Rebecca had said. She herself had thought that if Alex ever found a way for them to be together that her father would eventually come around to love and respect Alex as his own son. Her father was a harsh man but Jahan knew he was a fair man. Jahan turned to Rebecca and said.

"Thank you, I don't think I could ever do this with out you."

"Don't thank me, I just love happy endings. Now lets get you packing."

By the time they were done packing and Jahan had written a good-bye note to her mom. It was time to go. Right before Jahan left her room for the last time she set the note for her mom on the desk. Jahan opened the door to her room and didn't look back as she left.

Alex was at the palace a half hour early pacing back and forth; his nerves were shot. Every time he heard something he thought it was Jahan but it was either an animal or the wind. He looked at his watch and saw it was pass midnight. He clenched his eyes shut and held back a sob. He was about to turn when he felt a delicate hand on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Jahan standing with her bag. He smiled softly and bent down to kiss her. Not knowing if there were any guards he kept the kiss short.

"Are you ready my love?" He asked in a soothing voice. Jahan took in a shaky breath and smiled.

"With your love I am ready for anything." She kissed his hand and walked with him to freedom.

Haleh woke up with an uneasy feeling. She walked into her daughter's room and saw only Rebecca in the room. There was a pink note under a flower on Jahan's desk. Haleh tightened her robe and walked over and picked up the letter addressed to her.

Dear Momma

By the time you get this letter I will be crossing the border and on my way to the United States. I will miss you so much and I will never forget you momma, I will write you when I can but it wont be for a while. Alex and I have a long journey ahead. I want to say I feel bad for doing this but that I don't regret it. I love him momma, I really do. You always told me when I was a little girl that God led you to father. Well momma God led me to Alex and though our relationship was forbidden by you and father, God helped us with it and now we are off to be married. I love you so much and I do not know what else to say. But until we meet again momma…

Sincerely Your loving daughter

Jahan~*