INSEPARABLE I

I

"I heard she's the most beautiful woman in Doab." A member of Prem Dhaliwal's cabinet casually stated as he filled an empty chair joining the circle of men. Listening to his men speak about the most desired woman in the kingdom, Prem, leaned back in a rocking chair, stared at the river outside the window of the room.

"We won't get too far in political negotiations with the enemy if we're smitten by her beauty instead." Replied an elderly member in response. Laughter erupted between them as some took sips out of their glasses.

"Just because someone is an enemy doesn't mean they can't be beautiful." The first member raised his glass, drawing the other's attention to him.

The senior eyed the young men around him before speaking up, "and just because the enemy is beautiful, doesn't mean they're any less dangerous. Isn't it Chief?" He asked turning to look behind him at Prem. "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing, Minister. Today's a big day." Prem shook his head, getting up at once to prepare for the upcoming assembly.

"Big it is, indeed. The heirs of Basher and Kurral finally come across one another. You two were raised to rule, and now that you are both crowned, your demeanor towards one another today will set pace for the enmity between us in the centuries to come." The Minister explained.

"Don't stress it, Chief. We're gonna grab that bitch and fuck the politics right out of her." Declared a voice full arrogance from behind Prem. In a single smooth move, Prem's hand reached for his dagger and hurled it across the room at the owner of the voice, slicing off his hand at the wrist. The room grew dead silent as the glass gripped between the hand shattered over the floor.

"That's what I do to men who speak of grabbing women in that manner." Prem's voice was low and deep but deadly. "Next time, it'll be your throat." With that, Prem threw the lose end of his khaki shawl over his shoulder and was out of there.

The assembly was to begin at 10 AM and it was 9:58 AM, everyone present had taken their seats on the large decorative thrones. Murmurs of low, deep voices filled the air as their eyes took trips to the massive doors. Waiting patiently for her arrival were the most important political figures from the Kingdom of Doab, including Chiefs of all six of the remaining provinces, their Cabinet Ministers, Royal Members of the Brar family, Noblemen, Priests and Knights. Some loathed her, others revered her, and Prem, he simply couldn't wait to set his eyes on her. When the clock struck 10:00, the sound of her jhanjaran entered his ears and his heart picked up its pace causing his eyes to rush to the door.

Outside the large door, down the long hallway appeared a figure, it was her. Surrounded by 4 gunmen, and 10 cabinet members, she neared them one rhythmic step at a time, the music of her anklets growing louder with each step. Looking royal in an elegant white lengha, she had a phulkari wrapped around her like a shawl with the jeweled jutti in her feet outstepping the skirt every few steps. Parted in the middle at the front, her hair sat in a lose bun behind her head. A single pearl decorated each of her earlobes and precious jewels covered her wrists and neck. She truly was the most beautiful woman in Doab. Her hips swayed gracefully from side to side and her dark piercing eyes remained focused straight ahead. She looked a politician, one that had given up on the world and life. Prem took a deep breath to keep his composure as she entered the assembly hall. There was pin drop silence as she made way to the elevated section of the room to occupy her throne across from Prem on the other side of Prince Udam. She folded her hands graciously in a bowing gesture before the Prince and the other seniors in the room.

"The court welcomes Chief Noor Kaur Sandhu." The Prince greeted Noor gesturing at her to take her throne.

"Thank you, Your Grace." She replied heading over to her throne. Her eyes remained on the ground as she got settled in her seat. Then, ever so gradually, she allowed her gaze a hesitant travel from the ground to Prem's face. Their eyes met. Noor's heart thundered in her chest as his brown eyes penetrated through her. Dressed in a plain white Kurta Pajama with minimal jewels on his fingers and around his neck, he sat leaned back royally in his throne. Noor had never seen a man more handsome. With a Khaki shawl wrapped around him, he had a pistol peering out at his waist. He looked dangerous, powerful, and yet dejected and without a purpose. Busy studying every detail of their biggest enemy, they hadn't blinked once since their eyes found each other.

A voice belonging to the speaker of the assembly from the corner of the room broke their trance and they tore their eyes away from one another. It was their first assembly since their coronation and therefore, the opening segment of the assembly was dedicated to welcoming them. They were each introduced to the assembly with a brief recap of their family histories and provinces. The Prince took over after the speaker finished.

"As we all know..." he spoke, "the enmity between Basher and Kurral goes back generations and with every new generation of rulers, the Brar family has done everything in its power to make peace. During my time, however, I would like to bring about peace that is more permanent. I would like to begin working on a plan to create peace, to keep peace, and to leave peace for generations to come. I am especially hopeful in carrying out this task because along with being the Chiefs of Basher and Kurral, Prem Singh Dhaliwal and Noor Kaur Sandhu are also very dear friends of mine. I know they will not let my wish go unfulfilled. Isn't that right, Chiefs?"

Both the Chiefs nodded politely before the Prince.

The assembly then carried on in its regular routine. The five main ministers of each cabinet spoke to the assembly of the performance of their provinces in each field they represented in the past quarter. The agriculture and industry ministers of each province spoke of the production of their main goods. The finance and commerce ministers spoke of the surpluses or shortages in production for the quarter along with amounts being exported or imported through trade with other provinces and Kingdoms. The defense ministers updated the courtroom of their province's security including the number of standing men and weapons they have. They spoke of their readiness of war as well as any outside security threat they may have seen in the past quarter. Finally, time was given to the remaining five ministers in each cabinet consisting of the education, religion, public welfare, justice, and administrative ministers to report on any developments within their field.

As first time attendants of the assembly, both Prem and Noor listened attentively to everything being said. They couldn't, however, ignore what being in each other's presence did to them. Their subtle glances at one another had become conversational stares by the time the assembly headed to an end.

Per routine, after the assembly was a grand feast hosted by the Prince for all eight of the Chiefs. Here too, Prem was escorted to a seat right across from Noor. Regardless what they did to distract themselves, they found themselves lost in each other's eyes every few moments. Every conversation at the feast table revolved around one of them. From the other Chiefs recounting their previous meetings with them to advising them on what to expect in their new positions, they were hearing it all. Noor couldn't help but admire everything about Prem's interaction with the others. They called him the sweetheart of Doab. Everyone loved him. Stories of his bravery and kindness circled far and wide. And they circled so passionately that they made it to her ears in the heart of Basher, a state that loathed his name. They said you can hate him but you cannot ignore him, they were right. 

After the feast, there were special meetings for both she and Prem with the King and Queen of Doab. Their fathers, who are also the Ex-Chiefs of their provinces, accompanied them to the meeting with the royal couple. The King and Queen had known them since they were children and had recognized their potential very early on. They extended warm welcomes them as the new Chiefs and gave them some words of wisdom on what to expect and how to excel at their new positions.

Soon, it was late afternoon and the guests from nearby provinces began their journey back home. The guests from the provinces far away, such as Kurral and Basher, were to stay overnight and leave the following morning. Noor retired to her bedroom in the wing of the palace assigned to the guests from Basher. She rested for a couple hours before heading out to stroll by the river in the evening. Her most loyal bodyguard, Sevak accompanied her.

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PRECAP - For a few moments, they stood absolutely still with their faces subconsciously inching closer and passionate desires burning bright in their eyes. They longed for one another, starving lips craving a taste, skin yearning a touch, but they held back. Getting a hold of themselves, they withdrew.

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