A Queen's Touch & Some Glitter

بائسواں باب - Chapter 22

بائسواں باب — Chapter 22
THE KING ADRESSES

DRESSED IN A BLACK KURTA AND TROUSERS, ALAMGEER WAS READY. His heart beat inside his chest loudly and without any regulation. The foggy afternoon, was cold and wet. Light rain fell across the city of Lahore. And it depicted Alamgeer's mood well enough. Dark and dreary. Fixing his cuffs, he gripped the files in one hand. Turning towards Lyana's limp form, he brushed his fingers against her loosely coiled hair. Placing a kiss against her bare back, he turned around. All in due time.

His black loafers smacked against the thick carpet inside the corridor. A rush in his steps as he gradually passed by the long corridors, arriving at the curving staircase. He nodded at the workers dusting the large vases in the foyer, something about the gentle thumping of the cloth against the cermaic - soothed him.

Alamgeer's eyes stared at the large windows. Taking in the grey sky. A fog settling in the middle of the trees like an ocean of clouds had fallen. Swarming from in between the bushes, light rain pelting the leaves and flowers. A chill settled deep inside his bones. It made him nervous and anxious. For abu - he reminded himself. Walking away from the French style windows, his fingers brushing against the plaster of paris that smoothed out to form ridges.

Light barely streamed into the home that morning. Despite the n number of windows and glass doors. Was it a symbolic representation of what was to come? Alamgeer shook his head. It was time to have good, positive thoughts. The negativity would have to take a backseat. Turning on his heel, he moved towards the private room. Secluded from the rest of the lively space of his home, the interior cold. It was a place where guests - political guests would be served. The main home was a no go zone for them. Gulaab, his mother, made sure of it.

Walking into the humongous, open plan room, he smiled. The large white ceiling lights shone on the plethora of black sofas. The black walls and the golden detailing, all alight from the warmth and light of the electric fire place. A large round table fixed between the seats. Its black matte texture with the gold metallic table legs - truly the most modern in their home.

The smell of lavender diffused around. It reminded him of Lyana, his wife. The woman for whom he would do anything and everything. His mind was dizzy with the thoughts of her, only to be interrupted by the boisterous laughing of the party members. Their stomach moving chuckles, had his heart drop. The humor these men possessed, was anything but not offensive. And the frown on Ahad's face was a sign of their inappropriateness.

Taking a seat next to his father, announcing his arrival silently, Alamgeer passed a tight lipped smile. His fingers drumming against his thighs in a soft manner.

"Alamgeer my boy! How has the life after wedding been?" Sadiq Ilyas, his father's sworn enemy, grinned.
"It's been well. But I assume Mr.Ilyas we are gathered here for more important purposes". Alamgeer brushed the old man's words aside.
He knew the only reason why Sadiq even showed up was to notice cracks in his and his father's relationship. He would use that against them, and build his own army of supporters. The oldest trick in the book - rip the family apart.

"Why of course gentlemen. I'm here to say I vote for Javed. He should be the face of the electoral campaign. Maybe we can make Alamgeer the president after we win," Sadiq proposed.
His fingers toying with the many rings he wore in his fingers. A malicious look set deep within his eyes as he spoke in low, dangerous tone.
"The president? Sadiq that's only a celebratory position. You and I both know it-" Ahad was absolutely baffled.

Alamgeer narrowed his hazel eyes at his cousin. He had know idea what was going on inside the mans head, but he knew it was not good. For Sadiq Ilyas to side with him, Javed must have proposed a good deal.