Shedding ROYAL Blood

▪︎9▪︎Forgiveness is the greatest of virtues

▪︎Amrit▪︎

"Answer faster!" Malika-e-jahan snapped from behind the veil.

"With all due respect Sultan, the punishment for treachery is death. And no one should interfere with that. And a Kafir (disbeliever) does not deserve such respect to be the wife of the most powerful person in the continent." One of the weirdly dressed courtiers interrupted. He had a huge white beard, and long cloak-like white dress ending below his toes as he spoke with all authority. He must hold some important position in the court.

"Forgiveness is the greatest of virtues Molvi Sahab (Priest). And a person should not be punished for helplessly fulfilling their promises." Sultan stood by his decision and turned to me for an answer.

Do I have a choice? Did I ever have a choice? From being a prisoner of war to becoming a Slave for four years to being captivated by the Sultan? Did anyone ask my will? Did anything ever work out in my favour? No. My life was always in other people's hands. I was always commanded, manipulated, exploited and so is it today. I'm no more than an object that a powerful man desires.

Security was always a lie, a myth. It did not exist in nature for people like me. Avoiding danger is what I have done all my life. Now when I am standing face to face with it, I don't know what to do.

I have always trusted fate and got heartbroken then why not today?

I closed my eyes and inhaled sharply. Let life take me where it wants to. With the same closed eyes, I mumbled in a barely audible voice. "I accept."

I opened my eyes to see the victorious smirk that spread across his features and then he quickly regained his hard composure.

"Wise decision. And so, as a gift to my Begam, I forgive the fifty lashes for your other crimes."

"Subhanallah!" A huge cheer echoed round the hall. They started to praise him for his big heart, his merciful nature, his forgiving spirit etc.

The Queen looked like she was fed up with the session. "So be it then. Tomorrow, after the sunrise, the Nikah will be held in this very hall." The Queen declared but another female voice interrupted,

"What are you saying Malika-e-Jahan? It is a Royal wedding. It should happen with all the pomp and grandeur. With all the Royal traditions." A gracefully aged lady spoke with a smile and Sultan looked at her with so much affection.

"Badi Sahiba this is not a real royal wedding. We have to get over this fast. Also this woman can't be trusted. What if she tries to run away again?" The Queen said harshly.

I could say the two ladies were opposite of each other. I knew Sultan would have to agree with his mother, the Queen but to my shock, he said, "Badi Sahiba's wishes would be honored. There will be all the five-day wedding rituals for our wedding. The court is dismissed." He got up from his Throne without waiting for anymore arguments.

▪︎Sultan Omar Khan▪︎

You have no idea how hard I have worked to get you Amrit. And I will.

I had Sleepless Nights just staring at the gate waiting for the soldiers that went to Panipat in disguise to come back with her and they did.

I was roughly practicing then when Abubakar came to me, informed me that our men had brought her and she was in the heavily guarded underground cell.

I was about to leave when Abubakar stood in front of me.

"Sultan, no offence but can I ask my friend What is going on? I cannot see you like this?" He said concerned.

"I am fine Abu and now when I have got her, I will always be."

"Does that mean-"

"Yes what you think is true. I started liking her when we first met in the forest. After spending the whole day with her, I discovered she was different. I was impressed to the point that all I wanted was to make her my Begum, give her my name, respect and everything else but she threw it all away. Things have gone ugly after that. Now I don't feel such things anymore. Malika-e-Jahan is right. Women are not meant to be loved. Now all I want is to prove it to her and myself that there is nothing that I cannot have."

She is a prize, nothing more now and I will have it in my Chamber. I slid the sword back in the case and started walking quickly to the cell.

I asked the guard to leave us alone as I stared at her unconscious self. She looked all sweaty, covered in dust, her hair all messed up yet beautiful.

For some time, I just kept staring at her. All I could think was to r****h her now. God knows how long will I have to wait before that moment finally comes and will I be able to hold back till then?

She was no good for my mind. All this restlessness will only be calmed when I make her mine completely, being at peace knowing no one will ever touch her or even cast an eye on her.

Only God knows how I am resisting myself to do it right now. She opened her eyes and I could see the fear, the submission, the terror that I wanted to see for a long time. Her tears, her pleas and cries were proof that she had accepted the truth. Truth that there is no escape from me. She should have accepted this a long ago and escaped from all this trouble. Now she realizes that I am the only one who can help her. It's only me whose will matters.

I reminded her of her upcoming fate and walked out. I knew exactly what I was going to do in the courtroom to turn the odds in my favour but as I saw her in the court, it changed. A sharp stab of guilt pierced my heart.

All my excitement died down when I saw her face. It was completely devoid of emotions, nor did her eyes held the shine they always did. They were so... plain and lifeless. Her smile was no more, it was replaced by a frown. What have I done to her?

The whole proceedings went on exactly as they should have and at last, Tai Ammi expressed her desire for a grand wedding. I don't know why Malika-e-Jahan was against it. She spent a lot at mine and Gul's wedding.

I would always honour Tai Ammi's wishes. She has asked for something after so long. How could I say no? I accepted her wish for a Royal wedding and dismissed the court before anyone else could argue.

Just five more days of this wedding rituals Amrit and you will be mine forever. I can't wait for that day now. I was being so impatient.

***

I was in my chamber staring at her painting when a maid informed me about the arrival of Tai Ammi.

"Oh no!" I picked up a cloth and covered the painting with it.

"Omar!" Tai Ammi happily walked to me and kissed my forehead. "I am proud of you Omar. If you had not been so generous and refused to marry her, she would be dead by now."

I cringed at the thought and made her sit. "Mind telling me why you wanted a huge royal wedding?" I asked.

"Well the first reason is, God knows if I am alive to see the next one or-"

"Tai Ammi!" I hissed. "Don't talk about such things."

She laughed. "Okay and second, now when my son is marrying a woman of his liking, it should be perfect."

"Woman of my liking?" I raised an eyebrow.

"You think I didn't see this?" She pulled off the cloth from the painting with her hand. I was shocked.

I tried to reason. "Um... Tai Ammi I... it's nothing like that. I don't... I don't love her. It's..."

"Shh! don't try to hide it." She said.

"Stop!"

"Son, if you love her it is a good thing. It's a virtue to love your wife. I know what you're thinking. About the emotional trauma she is going through. Don't worry she will be fine.

And she may not be happy about it right now but I know she will accept you soon. Your love will make her."

Tai Ammi's hopeful eyes made me feel guilty. I'm lying to her. Betraying her.

She thinks Amrit is an oasis in a desert for me. She thinks I will keep Amrit happy? That is not what this marriage is for. This is just for my ego. I don't love her anymore.

"Ok I should leave. I have a lot of preparations to do. See you soon."

"Take care."

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