Sultan

CHAPTER TWO

It's been three days since the Emir died and the entire Emirate was thrown into mourning. The situation was worse in the palace as everyone carried out his or her duty quietly while grieving for the lost Hero, even the horses refused to neigh and the Emir's favourite horse had fallen sick a day after he died. The peacocks moved around quietly refusing to fly or spray their beautiful wings. Everything was now different and worst of all, the Queen has not said a word ever since the day he died, neither has she eaten or drank anything, she hasn't even moved or slept. She just keeps staring away absently, her breathing the only evidence that she was still alive.

On the day of the death, as the Waziri wept in the Queen's chamber, his wife Zahra had entered the room to welcome him after learning from the servants that they were back. She was taken aback by the scene in front of her as she didn't know whether it was seeing her husband cry which she has never witnessed before or the baby's loud cries or the Queen who looked on as if she was anywhere else but there that shocked her the most. Within a second she rushed to carry the baby who was laying there beside his mother on the bed and rocked him back and forth. She came to kneel beside her husband and asked him what the matter was and as he broke the news to her, she gave out a loud cry of shock as she started wailing.

The baby whose cry has subsided by now was startled as he started crying again. The Jakadiya and other servants rushed inside as they heard wails coming from the Queen's room only to be met by the sight and ofcourse, the sad news as they joined in the crying and wails.

It was not until evening of the third day that the Queen finally spoke. She summoned the Waziri, his wife and Jakadiya. As she spoke, her voice bore all the grieve, pains and emotions she held for the past three days.

"I dont think I will make it out of this illness" she whispered painfully, as all her energy was gone.

"Not again Sarauniya, not again" replied the Waziri, worry evident on his face

"It's the fact Waziri, Allah took Abu Sultan at the time we needed him the most" she said while pointing at Sultan and herself "Although I know that no matter the love I had for him, Allah loves him the most, but I can't live without him, I can't" she went on in a shaky voice.

"Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear, remember?" he said, his heart went out for the grieving Queen as he remembered the joy filled life she lived with his brother.

"I need a favour from you and your wife, it's my last wish"

"Say it Sarauniya, whatever it is"

"I want you to take care of Sultan, protect him from the evil eyes, take him as your own. I want you to see to it that Sultan learns the Islamic religion vastly because, that was his father's dream for him" she said, tears trailing down her face.

"Sultan is my brother's son, and he is as well my son. In Shaa Allah assure you of his safety and he will grow up to be a knowledgeable person" he said "Just like his father" he added silently while shaking his head.

"May Allah shower his blessings on you and your family" she said while trying to smile.

"Ameen, and may Allah grant you speedy recovery too" they prayed.

"Jakadiya, come over here please" she called while stretching her hand to carry Sultan who was with her.

"Sultan, may Almighty Allah bless you and may you grow up in good health, I pray you may be truthful and just to your subjects, just like your father. My advise to you is this; respect your elders, be they your subjects or servants, for before Allah, we are equal. Take your religion seriously for that's what will take you to Jannah. This world is full of deceit, so what ever you do, remember death. Always remember us in your prayers because, you're all we have got. And lastly, forgive your father and I for we won't be there for you as you grow up and during the trying times of your life, but know that your uncle will always be there for you. And for that I want you to take him as your father" she whispered into the baby's ear, willing herself not to cry anymore.

"Jakadiya" she motioned to her to take the baby as she spoke "Here is Sultan, my treasure, my gem, my everything. He is all I have left. You're a nursing mother, I want you to suckle him along with your daughter, as I will not have the priviledge to do so. I want you to forgive me for what ever i might have done to you, knowingly or unknowingly as I too forgive you" she breaks down and sobs once more.

Jakadiya and Zahra were also crying by now as she replied "I will suckle him In Shaa Allah, it's even a priviledge to be the prince's foster mother. I forgive you my queen for through out my stay with you in this palace, you have never for once treated me badly, I have never seen a kind-hearted woman like you. This is the first time your asking for a favour from me even though you know that I am only your servant and all you need to do is to command me." The Jakadiya replied tearfully while holding Sultan in her arms protectively.

"Thank you Jakadiya" and turning to Zahra, she said "Zahra my sister, here is my son Sultan, he is your son too. I pray Allah blesses you with children too, because the feeling of being a mother is priceless. Through out our stay in this palace, you have always respected me, we have been best of friends. I forgive you for whatever wrong you and your husband must have done to me, and I pray you forgive me too and also, put us in your prayers as I know you are good people" she said sadly.

"Noooo!! Sarauniya, Sarauniya my sister please dont say that. Please dont leave me please, get well soon" Zahra cried, coming closer and engulfing her in a hug as Jakadiya does thesame and they cried for what seemed like forever before she recited "la'ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasulillah SAW" while they repeated after her. And that was it. The Queen was gone!!!