A Queen's Touch & Some Glitter

انتئسواں باب - Chapter 29

انتئسواں باب — Chapter 29

THE KING, THE QUEEN & THEIR HEIR

WHITE TAPESTRIES HUNG FROM THE CEILING. They formed rippling circles, the centres neatly wrapped in thin stringed jasmine flowers. Colossal pillars, with indentations of flowers carved, towered over the marble floors of the large terrace. Surrounded by wide, pyramid like steps that lead from the garden, into the formal lounge. The curving, icy white railings with their floral details, where covered by the greenery of the large trees, whose monstrous branches raised up, like hands in prayer. The glass doors with white wooden trims had been opened up, leading directly inside the lounge. In the centre of the lounge was a round wooden table with low legs, a navy blue velveteen ottoman next to it.

A large baby sign made out of pastel balloons had been set up next to the door, a large singular table with fingers foods like finger fish and sliders placed in deep white porcelain serving plates. Strawberries and other seasonal fruit that had been freshly rinsed had been set next to the large chocolate fondue station, a huge three tier french vanilla cake — made by the finest French Patessiere, Yusuf Khan. Inside the lounge, white ceiling lights had been turned on and guests crowded the front of the room.

Lyana sat on the blue ottoman, her green cotton-net anarkali, spread around her. Pale pink, salmon pink, gold and some hints of sliver threads had been used to embroider the designer dress. The tilla work, phenomenal with its clear cut straight line designs. The bodice was made around a focal, diamond motif. The flowing material of the dress with the raw silk pink border surrounded her feet as women stepped forward to fill her lap with fruits. She wore a thin gold choker, pink diamonds studded between the thin, fine band. A large mandalla shaped head piece. Her hair left open in loose curls.

Lyana's fingers coiled around her embrace, smiling at her mother and mother-in-law as they fussed about her. They were finally done with all the rituals of a godh bharai [a south asian baby shower?], and Lyana could relax herself. She took slow steps towards the large, memory foam couch placed inside the lounge. Her back resting against the soft cushions and a sigh of relief escaping her lips. It was March and she was due in a week or two. They were a bit late in holding the ceremony as Alamgeer had immediately been swamped with work as the prime minister of the state.

Lyana turned her back to see their guests have a gala. Their plates were full and their mouths formed deep grins. Taking off her shoes, Lyana sighed as her swollen feet came in contact with the cold floors. A sigh of relief escaping her mouth. Time ticked by slowly, she munched on a handful of nuts as Rania went out to bring some food for her, Gulaab tending to the army of guests. The hills of Margalla looked ethereal as heavy fog condensed over them as evening drew on. The sun setting below the horizon, the sky turning dark blue.

"Here you go Lya," Rania smiled.
Taking a seat next to her, she brought the lukewarm piece of boneless fish next to Lyana's lips. Smiling, Lyana tore into the wish, smiling as the tangy ranch coated her tounge with its thickness. Her hands slowly rubbed circles onto her bulging stomach. Thankfully, the anakrli hid the bump from the prying eyes of the women. The event was strictly for women, and the men were glad. But now Lyana was feeling Alamgeer's absence.

"Mama mera phone?" [My phone?] She widened her soft honey brown eyes.
It had been taken away from her, to ensure she paid full attention to the event and not to the messages the prime minister could not resist sending her.
"Kyun?" [Why?] Rania teased.
Pinching her chin, she laughed. Lyana's face, full of desolation and sadness made her want to hug her daughter.
"Mein abu ko ap ki shikayat lagun gi," [I'll complain to father about you,] she sniffed.
These days here hormones were all over the place and it was very easy for her to sob over any little thing. Being next to her mother's comforting embrace, did little to help her.

"Alamgeer is in a meeting," Rania kissed her hair.
Lyana was glowing. Point blank. Her hair was thicker and more luscious. Her body had filled up with a light. She was always pink like a cherry just about to ripe. Rania was in awe, her daughter seemed so maternal and she knew she would make the best mother.
"I hate this! This country has taken my husband away from me!" She sniffed.
It was the weekend and still her husband was coped up inside the office.
"Hush! Aisay nahi kehtay. Ap keh paas hi tou hai woh bechara," [Don't say it like that. He is with you that poor soul,] Rania tsked.
Lyana shook her head. She could not remember when the last time was that they had had a proper conversation. She knew he was working to make his mark and improve the life of people in the country, but did that mean to let the lines between professional and personal life's blur?

"Lyana if you have a problem, talk to him. These guests are wives of politicians and they might use any opportunity to exploit you. Don't give them any leverage," Gulaab replied.
She had heard Lyana's complains and her heart went out to her. No one knew better than her what life as a politicians wife looked like. Especially because her own husband had served as the prime minister of the country.
"Mama!" Lyana smiled, nodding her head.
She sighed, a searing pain shot through her back, a groan leaving her mouth.

"Ji meri beti!" [Yes my daughter!] Gulaab smiled.
Kissing her forehead softly, she forwarded the plate of cake. The white icing looked decadent and the moist vanilla cake had Lyana's mouth watering.
"Did you see Janice?" She inquired.
"I did. She is headed here as we speak," Gulaab winked.
Lyana grinned, atleast one good thing cane out of this whole ordeal. She chewed on the cake slowly, humming at the bright flavours, the lemon zest cutting through the sweetness. No wonder Yusuf Khan was in demand all the time.

"Janice!" Despite the ache in her legs, Lyana stood up.
Hugging her best friend as tight as she could with that bulging belly.
"Lya! Oh my look at you! You look radiant!" Janice kissed her cheekbone.
Her hands resting on Lyana's stomach, the baby hitting against the palm of Janice.
"My nephews love me," she winked.
"They do. And they love the cake their uncle made them," Lyana took another bite.

Yusuf Khan, the eccentric patisserie had married her best friend, Janice. The two were a match made in heaven and lived a life full of love in Paris. Yusuf has insisted on sending a cake over for the godh bharai. Janice winked at her, hugging Gulaab and Rania. She had been given the title of 'god mother' unofficially. Lyana knew Janice would love her children like her own and so had asked her to take that position. And well, Janice had been only happy to comply.

Taking a third bite out of her cake, involved in a soft conversation with her best friend, cursing Merzia for missing such a huge event, Lyana felt her stomach lurch. And then came the familiar urge to well, pee. It had become the norm for her now, the little one in her womb would press down on her bladder and then she would have to run to the nearest bathroom. While it was a hassle, and made her want to strangle herself, Lyana loved each second of it.

She was escorted by Rania out of the lounge, Lyana's fingers holding onto her hand tightly, the other wrapped securely around her stomach. Her swollen feet ached with each step and her calves burned. Her back was in agonising pain and her breasts were so sore that the slightest movement had them aching. At times, Lyana was filled with joy about having a child. A son, as she believed — they had prepared everything gender neutral and kept the identity of their baby, whom they referred to as 'nugget', taking in account the fact that in the early day of pregnancy those were the only things she could keep down.

"Alamgeer!" Lyana shouted.
Grinning on seeing tired husband, never had she felt more joy than at the moment to see the familiar body, his back tk them. Alamgeer turned around smiled, his tiredness washing away at the form of his wife.
"Lya! Where are you going? Why aren't you sitting? Do your shoes hurt? Is the dress tight? Is the food not okay?" He threw question after question at her, whilst she continued to giggle.
Rania smiled at the two, they reminded her of herself and Raees when she was pregnant. Her eyes filling up with tears in an instant.

"I need to use the toilet," Lyana whispered, as if it was some top secret mission.
Alamgeer nodded, wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Mama I'll take her. You should go enjoy," Alamgeer smiled at Rania.
Rania nodded, waving at the two before leaving. Lyana sighed, resting her head on his chest as they walked towards their bedroom.

They were staying at the Ahad's Islamabad home. Lyana had found the prime minister house to foreign so she had asked Ahad if she and Alamgeer could stay in the manor, and he was only happy to comply. Their large bedroom was on the ground floor and a spitting image of the room back in Lahore.

Alamgeer helped her into the bathroom, helping out with her dress as he stood with his back turned, lest she need his help.
"Alamgeer?" Lyana whispered.
He hummed in reply, smiling at her in the mirror before looking down at his feet again.
"I miss you," she spoke.
He was there but he was not truly. Things were way more worse than they had actually seemed and law making had been taking a huge chunk of Alamgeer's time. She felt as if he was there physically but not spiritually.

"I miss you too. I promise from next week, the weekend will be ours and ours alone. Abu met me and explained to me how this overworking could damage our relationship. I don't want that. So I'm going to carve out clear lines. But if you ever think I'm unjust, please let me know," Alamgeer smiled.
They always had the most meaningful conversations inside a bathroom it seemed.
"Okay!" Lyana smiled.