THE INDIAN CONCUBINE

chapter 5

The next day was one of the day Priyanka's fate changed forever, she realized that she had to be stronger and that she can't rely on anyone

She was sleeping peacefully when she was shaken awake forcefully by Amina, Who like yesterday gave her just enough time to change her clothes before she dragged her to kitchen

Priyanka grabbed the tray of food and took it to the dining room where all the royals were already sitting and chatting. Priyanka sat down the food and plates before she bowed and took her place in corner but not before receiving a heart warning smile from prince Osman

The other prince whose name Priyanka remember was wahab suddenly winked at Priyanka and said "Add her in" she looked at Osman confused the only person in the room she trusted and he yelled "no absolutely no! she is my concubine and I forbid you from takin her there"

The other prince that's what Priyanka called him smirked and look at her and back at Osman he then turned to the queen "but surely mother you would allow me to have her" he said looking at Priyanka

The queen glanced at Priyanka and said "Indeed she can go" she said and went back to eating her breakfast

But prince osman suddenly stood up abruptly ,making his chair scrape against the floor he looked at the queen and ran out of the room

The queen looked at Priyanka and said "it seems my son have taken a liking towards you" she eyed Priyanka but didn't said anything for the rest of the breakfast . Priyanka noticed that the sultan was not present at the table and sighed in relief because his presence yesterday made her felt uneasy

After finishing her breakfast queen sadika ushered Amina forward and whispered something in her ears and left but the older prince sath there smirking at Priyanka he called her to serve him kehwa (a herbal drink) Priyanka followed his order nervously

She grabbed the kettle that stored kehwa and walked towards where he was sitting she stood beside him and pour him the herbal drink as she put down the kettle she felt a hand on her stomach she looked back at prince wahab who then pulled her on his lap . She looked at him flabbergasted

"Prince please let me go" she tried to plea with him but he put his hand again on her stomach and slowly made his way down but before he could touch her skirt she suddenly stood up and ran towards the kitchen

She heard his chuckle as she opened the door that connected this room with kitchen where she find Amina and the two old ladies Asma and Haelah who cook food in the morning for the first time Amina looked at her in pity and didn't yelled at her instead she shook her head and gave her a nod of understanding

"Queen sadika wants to see you in her chamber .... Come I'll take you there" Priyanka took a deep breath and nodded and together she and Amina went down the grand hall outside the queens chamber

It was even grander and magnificent

Than the prince's and it was saying something . The guard outside nodded at Priyanka and opened the door for her this time she was prepared to see the sheer beauty and luxury that blessed every corner of this huge palace

She saw queen sitting on her huge throne like chair she was being fanned by a slave who was using huge peacock fur for this . And another old woman sitting on a cushion on the floor she must have been her personal slave thought Priyanka

Queen asked her to come forward by motioning her index finger forward Priyanka bowed and walked towards the queen "you must be wondering why my sons were arguing in the morning right girl" she asked Priyanka but before Priyanka could reply the queen continued

"Every year both my sons and sultan go for the hunt in the jungle they take along their soldiers and vizier .... After the hunt the soldiers cook up a meal and they celebrate and for their entertainment my older son brings his favorite concubines to dance for them and this year he wants you to go as well" she finished

Priyanka shook her head but the queen decided to ignore the act of disrespect "just because my younger son treats you well does not mean you will forget who you are slave . Now go Amina is waiting outside she will help you get ready"

"I may be a slave for you my queen but that does not mean I don't have dignity and respect you certainly can't think that dancing infront of all these men is easy" she blurted out the queens expression turned stern and hard

"slaves and especially concubines don't talk about dignity and respect ! Your body and face is to please other no matter how hard it seems you should always do what is expected of you now get out of my sight!!"

Priyanka stormed out of Queen's chamber and slammed straight into prince Wahab he looked at her his eyes like always twinkling in mischief "oh dear watch out" he said and put his hands on both sides of her face She looked up and suddenly pulled away

"You are an evil man" she accused him and ran away she found Amina standing outside the hall who after seeing her lead her to the bathroom and again bathed her forcefully and again applied the shimmery oil all over her body but unlike last time she lead her towards another room where another girl made her hair and applied various things on her face

She was given a net like thing to wear before the wearing her usual cloths . The net was small but had some jewels encrusted in it Priyanka wore it like the girl Sabrina told her to and then put on the pink skirt and top . Sabrina then show her how to dance for the rest of the noon it was mostly easy and Priyanka learned quickly for she did not had an option

She was taken to a carriage when the sun set where she saw other slaves from harem as well . She had never talked to anyone other than Helen and Ayese but in that moment she wanted comfort so she decided to talk to the girl she was sitting next to

The girls headset was more prettier than other girls and get dress even was slightly less revealing

"Namastey" Priyanka greeted her the looked at her confused and Priyanka realized why "oh that's how we say Salam in india" the girl quickly nodded in realization

Priyanka found that the girls name was Elizabeth and she was sultans concubine and that she was the one who started the dance

After the arrived in the jungle the hunt was already over and aroma of stew and different spices was everywhere Priyanka looked around and saw men staring hungrily at the women and soon they were lead to stand next to princes . She stood next to princes osman's throne

He took her hand and tried to comfort her then he whispered that he would protect her but Priyanka knew that he can't protect her..... He can't protect her dignity today