A Queen's Touch & Some Glitter

چوبیسواں باب - Chapter 24

چوبیسواں باب — Chapter 24
THE KING FALLS

LIFE HAD COME TO AN UNENDING HALT. All future plans had been mushed and thrown out of the fancy Victorian style windows. The luxurious furnishings did little to cushion the shocks that everyone felt. Everything was changing at unimaginable speeds. The winds were fast and changing their directions rapidly. Everyone was at the end of their wits. Relationships were suffering, the strain caused as a result of the pending elections were finally felt at full force.

While people that were about to loose their power, began to exploit the emotions and sentiments of the common man, the others, employed extreme measures with fanatic speeches to win the hearts. It was a war of mind against heart. A dirty game of money over matter. Daily in the evenings, votes were sold like they were nothing but candies. Each day politicians rubbed mistakes into each others faces — their languages awfully disgusting. Regards for private lives were gone as dirty laundry was aired. Who was dating who, who was cheating on his wife, who was caught up in a divorce. Everything was for the public to see. And no one was safe.

While the government of the time had with great precision, handled the ongoing attacks on the potential ministers and governors, the verbal attacks could not be curbed. From loosely written speeches to years old remarks about situations — everything was good enough to be talked about at the nine pm talk shows and quality meme content. Of course, that meant everything was scrutinised and blown beyond proportion.

Alamgeer was glad that the media had not found out about Lyana leaving their home. It was his personal matter and he was not looking forward to becoming the laughing stock of the tonne. People liked to act like they were perfect and fights between spouses was unimaginable. While Lyana had left, she still sent him tiny daily reminders, keeping his spirits high. It made him unbelievably guilty and it made him wish he could just run to her. However, that was currently not possible. Alamgeer wanted to cool things down completely before he went to get her back — he was determined to win her heart once again.

Their home had been concentrated with nothing but tension in the air. The heaviness in the home weighed the ceilings down, the lights no longer seemed as bright. The birds no longer chirped the same. Even Raja had senses the mood and refused to meet Alamgeer. All around him were siding with his wife — for which Alamgeer was glad. Deep down he knew he had acted like a savage. Taking out his frustration on an innocent person. Unfortunately, his heated ego was yet to accept this infront of anyone let alone himself.

Alamgeer had changed his life. From waking up at the time of Fajar to returning once everyone had slept. He was trying to avoid the faces of his family, he felt they had been disloyal to him. Hurting him in the worse way possible, by supporting a man like Javed.

Now at eleven pm in the night, Alamgeer was returning from a dinner with Shams. The two had not signed the deal just yet, with Alamgeer feeling a bit hesitant. The life that Shams lived, one that promoted promiscuous behaviour — was against his morals. Much to his regrets, he was the only man that could help him. While his own father was out mentoring his nephew, a drug lord was helping him out. Guiding him like a father would.

Alamgeer was in a sticky situation. Unable to figure out whether the help was genuine or not. He could of course, not find a reason that Shams would want to betray him. He had three days to make his final decision and he could only hope whatever he chose to do would turn out to be the best in his favour.

Rubbing his calloused palms on his worn out face, Alamgeer yawned. He was starving. He had only taken a bite or two at the dinner, his hunger to win may have caused him to become estranged from his family, but not his values. Now inside the dimly lit kitchen, he moved the tupperware around. Searching for something delicious.

"Kia dhund rahay ho?" [What are you looking for?] A deep, baritone voice called out from behind.
Alamgeer turned around frantically. Taking a deep breath on seeing his father, going behind everyone's back had made him paranoid.
"Kuch nahi," [Nothing,] Alamgeer choked out.
His father's face seemed more worn out than usual. It was because of him — Alamgeer knew that but was too far gone to acknowledge it.

"Baap sai ab jhut bhi bolo gai?" [Now you'll lie to your father as well?] Ahad looked at him with a deep sense of shame.
"N– nahi abu ab ap—" [N–no dad you—] Alamgeer's words were cut off with coughs wracking through his body.
His chest tightening as he coughed, he knew it was a result of inhaling too much passive smoke from Sardar Shams.

"Bilkul khayal nahi raha apna tumhe. Maa baap ka hi — mera matlab maa ka hi khayal karlo. Meri tou khair hai, saari zindagi apnon nai paraya hi kaha hai. Beta bhi keh lai kia jata hai?" [You no longer have any regard to look out for yourself. Atleast think about your mother and father — I meant your mother. It's okay if you don't care about me, all my life my own family have called me a stranger. My son can say it too what is wrong with that?] Ahad's voice was laden with tears as he patted Alamgeer's back.
Alamgeer felt his heart ache in pain. Maybe these were the words he needed to hear.
"Abu maaf kardein. Mein ghussay mein tha. Mujhe kuch samajh mein nahi aaya!" [Father forgive me. I was in a rage. I didn't understand what I should do!] Alamgeer clasped Ahad's palm.
Sobbing into his hand lightly.

Ahad nodded, his hand running through Alamgeer's hair, massaging his scalp in soft soothing motions. Laying a kiss in his hair.
"It's not a problem Alamgeer. Bachay nadaan hotay hain. Ghalti ho jaati hai aur maa baap ka kaam hai keh unhay maaf kia jaye. Par ainda aisay kiya tou mein mar jaun ga. Tum mera gharoor ho Alam mein tumhe yeh kaise samjhaun?" [Kids are innocent. They make mistakes and its the parents job to forgive them. However, don't do this again, or else I'll die. You are my pride Alam how do I explain this to you?] By the end, Ahad was almost begging to his son.

"It won't happen again. I promise. I'm going to trust you now. I'll fix everything. This weekend in Islamabad, abu I promise I'll make you proud of me," Alamgeer hugged him tight.
He had never been the one to stay mad at his parents for too long.
"Good. And what you did to Lyana? Ask for her forgiveness and bring her back home Alamgeer, okay?" Ahad smiled at him.
"I will. I promise," Alamgeer entwined their pinkies.
The two letting out loud laughs as they parted ways. Alamgeer's hunger long sated. Things were now going to happen the way he wanted them to be.

⊱────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

The Friday before the electoral candidate speeches in Islamabad, was Lyana's graduation ceremony. The Friday was a beautiful day. The white Magnolias were in full bloom the air perfumed with their sweet scent. Gardeners of the University had insured that none of the grass was overgrown and the weeds had been removed the night before. In the large open air ceremony, the central stage was covered in the colours of the school, black cushioned chairs set in front of it for the parents and the graduating students.

Inside the Raees's home while there was some lingering tension regarding Lyana's sudden arrival, it was overshadowed largely by her graduation. Raees and Rania though worried about their forlorn daughter had decided to trust her enough and gave her space. She would tell them when she was ready.

Her graduation ceremony would begin in two hours, Lyana counted down mentally. Still no sign of Alamgeer's arrival. Huffing, Lyana jumped on her bed hitting her white pillows in frustration. The moment broken by the entrance of Rania with a large tray of breakfast in her hands.

Out of everything that had occurred in the past four days, the best thing was that Lyana was being pampered to unknown depths. Her parents had missed her a tad more than they would ever like to admit. She had breathed in relief when they did not push her — it would have caused her to breakdown and Raees would have surely damaged a bone or two of her husband.

Rania took a seat on Lyana's bed. Her hands smoothing out the creases on Lyana's sheets. The tray resting on her lap as she used the sterling silver cutlery to cut through the stack of pancakes. Drizzled in honey, with a side of smoked turkey sausages.

"Say 'aa'," Rania spoke in a sing-song voice.
Raising the fork to Lyana's lips. The young girl grinned at her mother as she took the warm bite into her mouth. Moaning at the sweet-salty flavours that teased her tounge instantly. She relished the thick pancakes and the grilled sausage. People called her weird but she loved eating the two together in one bite. The contrast of flavours to her was — heavenly.

Raising her forefinger, pointing at her mother to hold for a second, Lyana took a gulp of her apple juice. Before passing her mother a show stopping smile.

"Lyana if you don't mind, can I ask you something?" Rania stared at her with worry in her eyes.
Although, Rania was a woman who believed it was best to stay out of the matters of a husband and his wife, her daughter's dull eyes were worrying her to no end.
"Go ahead your highness!" Lyana did an exaggerated bow.
"Lyana did you and Alamgeer have a fight?" She twirled a loose strand of Lyana's hair.

"Just a small tiff. Nothing we can't sort out. I was missing your pampering so decided to stay here until graduation. Then leave for Islamabad with you guys," Lyana pinched her cheeks.
Rania let out a small giggle, she had picked up the lie in Lyana's tone. Yet giving her the benefit of the doubt, Rania simply nodded her head.

No sooner had Rania left the bedroom that Lyana hopped into the shower. Lyana felt like there was a gaping hole inside of her chest. Tears fell out of her eyes as she felt frustration bubble up inside of her. Things had gone south in the blink of an eye, she had been unable to even fathom what was happening. Alamgeer's loud voice, the fights, the shouting and the breaking of everything was a painful haze in her mind. Her heart clenched painfully as sobs wracked through her. Lyana slid down the shower walls, sitting under the running water as her mind ran over the events again and again.

Maybe evil eye was this strong. It had the power to rip apart a family that was living a satisfied life. A week ago no one would have imagined such a huge tear would come in between the family members of Ahad Ishfaq. His household was one infamous for its peaceful aura. Where was that peace now? Gone. One could not fathom this and yet they had all ignored the fact that anyone and everyone was a threat to their joy.

Gripping her thighs real tight Lyana let out a singular loud sob before wiping her eyes. Scrubbing her skin like a woman on a mission. She could not succumb to the circumstances. She needed to fight her way and hold her loved ones together. Taking deep breaths, Lyana stepped out of the shower.

She got dressed in a one strap midi length cotton-silk dress. The strap went diagonally, and the body hugging attire highlighted the curves of her body. It showed off the smooth, soft planes at all the right areas. Pairing it with black strapped heels and dangling diamond earrings, Lyana spritz some Baccarat Les Larmes Sacrees de Thebes behind her ears and on her wrists. Dabbing some nude YSL lipstick on her lips, Lyana took her graduation gown and cap, heading out of her bedroom.

In the foyer, waited Rania and Raees. The two looking like a picture out of a lifestyle magazine in their clothes. With Rania in an organza saree and Raees in his classic grey pinstripe suit. The two exchanged excited grins as they caught sight of Lyana stepping down the stairs. Her hand full with the n number of things that she was holding. The other gliding over the railing smoothly.

"You look exquisite". Rania gushed.
"Elegant is the perfect word," Raees looked at Lyana.
Reaching out to hug her, his hands rubbing her back in soothing motions, Lyana finally letting herself go. Feeling relaxed in the embrace of her father. Breaking out of his arms, she handed him the satin graduation gown, waiting for him to help her wear it.

"Lyana is Alamgeer going to attend?" Raees inquired as they drove to the venue.
"Probably not. He has an important meeting that sprung up out of nowhere—" Lyana sighed.
She was still crossing her fingers that he would attend and make up with her. This fight or whatever that it was, was not it.

Raees simply nodded his head, steering into the parking lot where Lyana separated from them. Joining the rest of her batch mates while her parents went to find themselves the seats with the best views of the stage. The two were bubbling up with never before felt excitement. Yes Lyana had been married but nothing could match the joy of her graduating.

The ceremony had already started when Gulaab and Ahad joined Rania and Raees. They had been stuck in traffic but were just in time for Lyana's turn. The four cheering loudly as she stepped on stage for her ceremonial photograph. Ali and Nazia whom Rania had face timed shouted equally loud. Lyana beamed at the crowd, her eyes searching for one man in particular.

Disappointed, Lyana got off of the stage. Her husband had missed out, but then her eyes lit up. Standing behind a large tree, she could see Alamgeer. She assumed he was ashamed to meet eyes with their families and had resorted to this method. Sneakily stalking to him, Lyana patted his shoulder.

"Alam!" She squealed.
Hugging him tightly. Yes the two had had a fight, and yes she was still a tad bit mad at him but nothing provided her comfort like his arms and all she wanted to do was pretend that the last few days were nothing but a — nightmare.
"Lya!" Alamgeer held tears inside his eyes.
As if something was holding him back.

"What is it Alam?" She whispered.
Glad that they had privacy.
"I— I've done something and I have no idea how you'll react and —" he was a stuttering mess.
"Tell me Alam what is it?" Her hands touched his light stubble.
"I've been meeting Sardar Shams. He's going to help me win. His people will vote for me and in return—" before he could continue, Lyana pulled out of his embrace.

She stared at with broken and tear filled eyes. Her fears were coming true. Her husband was going to sign a deal under the table and buy votes.
"Alamgeer how could you? This politics is a curse in our lives! How could you just sell all the morals mama and abu have instilled in you? Vote izzat sai aur insan ka dil jeet kr kamaye jatay hain. Agar jeetna hai tu insan ka dil jeetnay ki tiyari karein. Aur jab tk ye kam kar rahay hain ap mujhe bhul jain!" [Vote is won by respect and by winning the hearts of the people. If you want to win then prepare yourself to win hearts. And forget me until you're going to do things like this!] Lyana forced the words out.
Her heart felt like it had been ripped out of her chest. Hot, angry tears fell down her cheeks as she walked away. Alamgeer staring at her back, he knew this would happen. He could lie and fix things but that was not how he had been raised.

"I promise I will fix things Lya!" He patted his chest.
His voice full of determination to win his wife over once again. And nothing stood in his way.

⊱────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

Ahad stared at the Margala Hills infront of him. Taking in the cool air in deep breaths, he sighed. His hands holding on to the metal railing tightly. Greenery surrounded his home on all sides, nestled at the top of a hill. Ahad enjoyed the views and the privacy that came with it.

His hands were turning paler by the second as his heartbeat sped up. Today was the day — the day of the D-chowk speeches. He had zero idea about how his son planned to make things work in his favour. Whether the deal with Shams was on or not, if he had a backup plan, nothing was known to him.

The past week Alamgeer had transformed into a one man army. He had refused to ask for any help. The tension in their home had been kicked down a notch but still not enough for things to return back to the normal. Taking off his glasses, Ahad rubbed his eyes before turning around and heading inside his bedroom.

In the large, cozy room, Gulaab was busy getting dressed. The candidate's families had been invited especially to the ceremony. He and Gulaab had decided to represent Alamgeer's seeing as Lyana was still not back. Ahad stared at Gulaab with an unmistakable affection inside his eyes. Looking at her even for a mere second took his pain away — even if it was momentary.

To him, no one could look better than Gulaab in the white shalwaar kameez that she had donned. A dark green organza duppata to match with the dress, her hair blow dried to make loose ringlets. She walked on over to him, her kitten heels smacking against the wooden floorboards. She wrapped her hand around his, squeezing it tight.

"Relax Ahad. Alamgeer is old enough to make wise decisions. Just trust him this once," she kissed the back of his hand.
Her honey glazed orbs stared at him with complete satisfaction. Ahad nodded his head slowly, looking at her with awe as she fixed the collar of his crisp white shalwaar kameez. A tiny flag of Pakistan pin set above his heart.

"I trust him. I don't trust Javed," Ahad sighed.
His nephew was not famous for playing fair.
"You and I both know things will change for Javed tonight. Thanks to you— no matter what he does, no damage control can help him. Alamgeer will be wise. I belive our son, and then we will go with him to get our bahu from her grandparents home. Okay?" [Daughter-in-law] Gulaab grinned.

Ahad shook his head in agreement. Ofcourse, he was worried for no reason. Tonight life would change for everyone. The winds had not been in his favour but what was Ahad if not a man who knew how to work in odd circumstances? Never reveal your secrets — a trick taught by his mentor. And how well he would put it to use.

⊱────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

Lyana fiddled with the throw blanket as she sat with her head on her grandmother's lap. Nazia's hands brushing through her hair. They had all gathered in her grandparents bedroom to watch the ceremony on the television. They being herself, her grandparents and her parents.

Lyana's eyes observed the show's hosts. They were trying to talk to the people that were attending in person, getting to know their views. Lyana prayed hard, hoping that Alamgeer would do well. He was up against Javed and Sumaira. Two equally powerful contenders.

"Kia khaye gi nano ki shehzadi?" [What will the princess of her grandmother eat?] Nazia pinched Lyana's cheeks.
They had only arrived in Islamabad forty minutes ago. The motorway was heavily crowded and their was a lot of security checks going that had delayed their arrival.
"Kuch nahi nano," [Nothing grandmother,] Lyana shook her head.
Nazia slapped her hair lightly.
"Chup. Ali jain bachi keh liye kuch lei kar aain," [Silent. Ali go get something for the child,] she chided.

Ali smiled at his granddaughter. She was their most precious grandchild, although they loved all of them equally, Lyana had cherished them like none other. And it was all thanks to the way her parents had raised her. He and his wife both loved to pamper her anytime she was in Islamabad. Especially with warm home cooked food. As soon as Nazia had heard that Lyana was coming over to stay, she like a woman on a mission had prepared food enough to feed an army.

"Nana abu can I get ice-cream?" [Grandfather] Lyana whispered in Ali's ears.
All because her mother would not let her grandfather feed her that before lunch. Staring at her pouted lips and widened eyes, Ali chuckled. Nodding his head as he exited the bedroom. Ignoring the slight ache in his chest.

Ali had not returned after thirty minutes and that had everyone freaked out. Initially they all thought he must be making something for Rania as well but then they heard a loud clattering noise and a maid had rushed in to inform them of the ongoing situation.

"Sahab gir gaye hain. Unko hosh nahi aarha!" [Sir has fallen down. He is not waking up!] The young maid was in tears.
Raees, the only one to be in his senses, ran outside of the room and called the ambulance in a heartbeat.

⊱────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

Alamgeer smiled at the crowd. He was dressed in a white kurta with trousers. A light sage waistcoat on top. A singular jasmine attached to it. Not only was the flower the national flower but it represented amiability and modesty. However, his reason for wearing it had been entirely different. A jasmine bouquet from Lyana had been delivered in the morning. And wearing it now, he could feel her warm embrace around himself.

As he stepped onto the stage and looked at the crowd, he held the microphone to his lips. His eyes taking in the sweating, excited faces. They were all staring at him with stars in their eyes. He was meant to be their hero — or well for some of them he was their hero. Staring at them with a profound sense of duty, Alamgeer's lips parted. And what he said next, caused all hell to break loose.