Sultan

CHAPTER TEN

I was so restless when I went back home, I wanted to tell Abba as soon as possible but he wasn't home. He was out on an important function, worse still, he came back late in the evening and I knew he would be tired by then and it will not be advisable to tell him now, I decided to wait till the next day.

Ya Allah help me, let Abba give me his approval cos I could not imagine a life without Khairi in it, I was really going insane as Sameer said. I tossed around my bed that night as I couldn't sleep early, so many thoughts were running through my mind until sleep eventually stole me away.

The next morning, I woke up before dawn despite the fact that I slept late , I decided to pray nawafil voluntarily prayers and recite the Holy Quran before going to the Masjid for Subhi prayers. After Subhi I came back to my chamber, I was still restless. I took my bath, got dressed and ate breakfast. I was about to go out when something crossed my mind

Subhanallah!

I never for once considered Khairi's feelings for me, I don't know whether she had a thing for me. What if she has someone she loves, or what if she doesn't find me worthy of being her life partner!

Truth be told, my status as a Prince doesn't mean I will have everything on a platter of gold. I may have inherited so much from my parents but there were things all my wealth could not buy, some of which are love and happiness.

I know Khairi may agree to marry me out of loyalty, but one thing also is that she might learn to love me with time or she might not.  She may end up hating me. I wanted a marriage built on love, trust and understanding. I didn't want a situation where she will take my marriage as an obligation, a commitment, compromise, a command or worst still, an assignment.

I will not want a marriage built on a one-sided love either. What is a man without a woman by his side. All these thoughts made me scared. I raised my hands up and prayed to Allah, for His help and guidance. I sat down for a while and pondered over everything then I remembered what Sameer said, I have to fight for my love if I really loved her.

Besides I am a man, Sultan for that matter, I can't give up on a fight before it even starts. And with that, I willed myself to go, but first I have to see Mama Jakadiya before anything.

***

I met Mama in her room and after greeting her I sat in silence for a while, with thoughts of only one person in mind, Khairi. I was so carried away that I didn't know she was talking to me until she tapped me.

"What are you thinking about like this, I have been talking to you since and you just sat there smiling".

"Sorry Umma, I was just thinking of something " I felt embarrassed "Are you in love?"

Her question took me off guard as I stared at her with wide eyes and she laughed "I got you, and don't be surprised. I am not your mother for nothing. Besides, it's so obvious that you're in love, going by the way you behave these days" she smiled "So can you tell me who that special someone is? "she went on, still smiling mischievously.  It's clear she was enjoying herself making me uncomfortable. God, I didn't know there will come a day that I will feel this uncomfortable around Jakadiya. I scratched the back of my head and replied.

"Ehm... you will get to know soon, I just want to tell Abba first. Just pray for me Mama, I really need that right now." I was getting emotional now "You are always in my prayers son, all is well In Sha Allah. Don't be nervous".

"Thank you very much Umma, let me get going. See you later "

    ***

I walked into Abba's Palace and greeted him, thank God he was alone.

"I have something to tell you Abba " I managed to say .

"Well, I was about to send for you too my son. I want to discuss something very important with you, so who goes first? " he chuckled, I feel so comfortable around him, my Abba.

"You go first Abba"

"Are you sure, okay" he cleared his throat and looked serious

"It was my brother's last wishes that you be crowned Emir when you turn 21, that's the reason why I asked you to come back home from Madina. You will be 21 in Shawwal the tenth month of the Islamic calendar right? " he glanced at me and I nodded in reply

"He also made it clear that you should get married before that, he trusted me to marry a righteous wife for you "I smiled inwardly, the perfect opportunity has presented itself, I can't wait for him to finish so I could tell him about Khairi, but what he said next shocked me beyond words and sent a chill down my spine.

"Well, I have found a wife for you Sultan, and it is no one else but our very own Fatima Batuul"....