A Queen's Touch & Some Glitter

CHAPTER 7 - ساتواں باب

CHAPTER 7 - ساتواں باب

THE QUEEN REGENT TALKS TO THE KING

GULAAB WALKED INTO HER BEDROOM. The large curtains drawn shut. There on their large bed, sat her husband. Already dressed in his soft cotton shalwaar kameez. A thick urdu novel in hands as his thick fingers rubbed along the sides of the pages. Stepping into their large bathroom she changed out of her heavy dress. Sighing with relief as her soft night suit touched her skin. Unwinding her hair, placing the bobby pins at their place Gulaab stepped out. Grabbing the container of the scent less lotion, she rubbed it all over her bare arms, face and neck.

Sliding under the thick blanket, Gulaab made her way under Ahad's arms. Resting her cheek on his chest. Softly gripping the book out of his hands, she slid in the thin book mark. The golden edges of which were tattered through the ages. She smiled looking at the fading paint. It was her first gift to him after their marriage thirty-five years ago. And he still cherished it to this day.

"Kahiye meri jaan. Hum ap kai kis kaam aasaktay hain?" [Speak my life. How can we be of help to you?] Ahad smiled.
Gulaab smiled too, rubbing his light stubble with her thumb, sitting upright. Fully ecstatic about what she had to say.

"At the wedding- Oh Ahad! There was this girl. And Alamgeer could barely keep his eyes off of her. Ahad I'm telling you! That girl is going to be our eldest daughter-in-law". She beamed at her husband.
Ahad who had his back resting against the headrest, softly brushed aside tendrils of her hair. His thumb softly rubbing her cheek.

"Are you sure it was Alamgeer and not you who couldn't take her eyes off?" He smirked.
His bright eyes dancing with mischief. The inner child of his coming out. Gulaab hit him playfully on his taut bicep.
"Ahad! Ap hamesha hume aisay hi tang kartay hain!" [You always pull my leg like this!] She whined.
Ahad let out a roaring laugh. Kissing his wife's nose and forehead. Pulling her to his chest.

"Sorry meri jaan. Go on then tell me about this mysterious woman who has our eldest son and you so impressed?" Ahad questioned.
Gulaab straddled his waist. Despite being what people would call "old", their love and passion for each other was still as alive as it was at the start of their married life.

"Her name is Lyana! You know she's Mustafa bhai's best friend's daughter?" Gulaab reminded him.
Ahad nodded his head. Mustafa was a good friend of his, and he had occasionally met Raees too.
"What's her actual introduction though? She isn't just a man's daughter," Ahad smiled.
Gulaab nodded her head in agreement.

"Of course not. She's currently a student at PIFD. Graduating in August. Lyana is a girl of class and etiquette. The way she handled her parents and how she respects everyone. It's everything Alamgeer would want in a future partner. Especially because Alamgeer wants someone who will not separate his family. With the way Lyana carried herself today, I am a hundred percent sure she's going to hold us all together with love and care". Gulaab parted with information about her.
When she had seen her walk into the wedding hall, till the time they had left, her gaze had seldom wavered from Lyana. Who was like a cold glass of water on a summer evening. A cherished treasure.

"I honestly have no problem. I know Raees and we've known Mustafa for a long time too. She's obviously grown around people worthy of all praise. I just think you should talk to Alamgeer once. If he consents, invite Raees and his family over for dinner. We'll talk it out then," Ahad softly pecked her cheeks.
"Woh tou theek hai. Par agar Rija baaji nai hangama kia keh Alamgeer ki shaadi Hina sai honi thi tou" [That's alright. But what if Rija baaji creates a fuss that Alamgeer was supposed to marry Hina-] she spoke in a worried tone.