A Queen's Touch & Some Glitter

تیسواں باب - Chapter 30

تیسواں باب — Chapter 30
A NEW PRINCESS

10 YEARS LATER
AGES :
ALAMGEER - 42
LYANA - 33
ALIYAAR & ARHAM - 9
LILAH - 3

HANDS AS SMOOTH AS FINE SILK RAN OVER LYANA'S CLOSED EYES. The touch was warm and felt like dough. It was so obvious who it was, but Lyana decided to play along. If they were going to break her out of her slumber, let them work hard for it. Pretending to be asleep, she listened to the soft whining of her children and husband. All four of them, staring at her as they let the youngest do their bidding. Even with closed eyes Lyana could Imagine everyone around her. Alamgeer with his hand around her waist, his chest against her back. Lilah laying infront of her, cuddling into her chest. Aliyaar and Arham sitting next to their sister, laughing in hushed whispers. It was just an average Sunday in their home.

Lilah was born six years after the twins. She was a small thing, chubby like a marshmallow. She had a tanned skin, like her father, as golden as a sun's kiss. Her hair, black like the midnight sky. Brown, twinkling eyes and heart shaped, pouty lips. The almond shaped eyes, framed with long curling lashes. Her hair thick and slightly wavy. She was a combination of her parents, a perfect mix.

Aliyaar and Arham, at the age of nine, were tall enough to compete with Lyana's height. Arham had hair that curled at the nape of his neck, with tan skin to rival his father's. He was tall and so was his younger brother — their father's genes taking precedence in that matter. Aliyaar though, was fair almost whitish like his mother and had kind soft brown eyes, with a sharp jaw that was already wining hearts.

Alamgeer was no longer the prime minister, after his successful run of five years, he had decided to not nominate himself. He was missing out on his son's growing up and as Lyana was pregnant with Lilah around that time, it made sense to drop out. Despite the public outcry, Alamgeer had resigned from the position of prime minister, functioning as chief minister instead.

Lilah whined into Lyana's chest, her small hands gripping the lapels of her shirt tightly. She gave five taps on Lyana's nose with her own. Waiting until her mother would finally open her eyes. Lilah was particular that way. Even at the age of three, she found comfort in the familiarity of counts. They were always accurate and rarely betrayed.

"Ma-ma?" She slowly stuttered.
Her lips pouting and eyes filling up with tears. Her thick lashes coated in wet droplets, weighed down under them as she tried to wake her mother up. Hearing the tiny sniffs, Lyana opened her eyes. Smiling down at her youngest child, she kissed her hair.
"Yes Lilah?" She smiled.
Turning around in Alamgeer's arms, she rested Lilah on her body, waving her sons over who were only happy to comply.

"Mama aren't we supposed to go to Dada's for breakfast?" Aliyaar inquired.
Aliyaar was the more inquisitive child. He liked to ask questions, absolutely thrived on learning.
"We are. We leave in half an hour," Alamgeer replied in Lyana's steed.
"Come on Lilah, let's go get dressed," Arham held her.
Arham was the short-tempered one. He would loose his cool, never without reason though. He was also closest to his sister. To him she was more than a best friend.

Holding Lilah in his arms, Arham carried her out of the room. Aliyaar following in tow after he had kissed his mother on the cheek. That one was like his father and tended to dote a bit too much on Lyana. Finally alone, Alamgeer flipped Lyana over. His body hovering over hers as his lips landed on top of hers. The two moving clumsily and slowly, Lyana's hands wrapped around his neck as he kissed along her neck. They had been married for ten years, and those ten years had been nothing short of bliss.

"Kithay chalay o sonaeyo?" [Where are you going o beautiful one?] Alamgeer called after Lyana.
She laughed in response, continuing to run inside the bathroom, Alamgeer stuffing his face into the pillows before following suit.

Ahad and Gulaab had moved back into Ahad's childhood home eight years ago. Ahad had renovated the place, stocking it with all kinds of modern technologies, keeping the old bones of the house. Now it was a tradition to visit their place every Sunday for breakfast. And their grandkids delighted in visiting them and playing under the open sky with their grandparents. Aryan and Myra had two sons, Umer and Usman. Unnati and Ayaan had only one son, Usama. So for everyone, Lilah was special. She was the first daughter born into the family of Ahad and Gulaab.

Arham and Aliyaar raided through their sister's closet. She was definitely the most doted on and they were not complaining. Her bedroom was the largest one, it had a large round bed with a velvet unicorn headboard. A large chandelier hung from the roof of her room and a glass door led to a private balcony and garden. Lilah had a large walk in closet, stocked with all kinds of outfits. All the lights had been specially imported and installed to make sure they did not hurt Lilah's eyes - given her hypersensitivity to it. Her room was also surrounded by trees and away from the loudness of the roads.

"What do you want to wear Lilah?" Aliyaar smiled.
Taking out different options and presenting each one to her. Lilah ran her hands over the materials before stopping at a white, breezy dress.
"This, bhai?" She tilted her head cutely.
Aliyaar and Arham grinned, helping her change into the dress. It had sleeves made of organza, they ran till the end of her upper arm and resembled the likes of those that princesses wore in the movies her father played for her. The dress was made of gauze and layered with a thin satin underneath, to make sure it did not irritate Lilah's skin. The neckline was square and showed off the small heart shaped gold necklace she always wore - a gift from her great grandfather, Ali.

Lilah had trouble with forming proper sentences. Even at the age of three she took time to speak proper phrases. While Alamgeer and Lyana thought nothing of it at first, her lack of social skills and need to always align her toys before she played. Not to forget the fact that she would always be focused on one topic and refuse to move to the next, Lyana and Alamgeer had been worried sick. The final nail in the coffin had been the school's rejection due to no social responsiveness, and her lack of eye contact. Then Alamgeer and Lyana had rushed her to the hospital, worried for her. Only to be met with the news that their daughter was neurodivergent, she suffered from autism. It had been a blow but the family had recovered. Lyana and Alamgeer planned to home school Lilah, increasing her exposure to unknown people one at a time. And for now, all was good.

Arham tied the laces of Lilah's shoes singing the bunny ears song for her. Lilah giggled at him, smiling at Aliyaar in the mirror as he carefully brushed through the knots in her hair. Smoothing one out at a time. The two were already dressed in shorts and t-shirts. Like their father, they tended to wake up early, while Lilah slept in, much like Lyana.

"Bhai pani?" [Brother water?] Lilah tugged at Arham's shirt.
"Mein lata hun," [I'll bring it,] he kissed her forehead.
Being six years younger than them, they treated Lilah with care and affection, it often had Ahad thinking of how he took care of his siblings that way too.
"How do you want your hair today princess?" Aliyaar smiled softly.
Lilah shrugged her shoulders.
"Don't know Yaar," she rested her head against his torso.
Yaar was her nickname for Aliyaar, Arham got to keep the title of bhai. That's just how things worked in Lilah's mind, and no one would ever reprimand her for it. Gulping the water Arham had gotten her, Lilah hugged her brother's. Gripping both of their hands, following them into the large foyer where the rest of the family waited.

Meanwhile, Alamgeer and Lyana were still in their bedroom. Alamgeer helping Lyana add the finishing touches to her outfit, Lyana handed him his wallet, her arm wrapping around his elbow. A welcoming silence surrounded them as they walked through the carpeted hallways.
"Lyana when are you flying to Paris?" Alamgeer questioned, his voice soft.
"Tomorrow evening. I wish you and Lilah could come with Aliyaar, Arham and I," she sighed.
A few years ago, her designer wear brand, 'LAAAL' had taken the markets by storm. Not only the national front but international too. Now she was going to be presenting her fashion wear at the Paris Fashion Week for the fourth time. Unfortunately, given Lilah's sensitivities, Alamgeer and she were staying back.

"All in due time. Soon all five of us can visit Egypt like she's been asking too," he grinned.
"Ap ko bahana chahye uski har khwahish puri karnay ka," [You just need an excuse to fulfill her wishes,] Lyana rolled her eyes.
Alamgeer let out a roaring laugh, it was true, but Lyana was not any better.
"Mhm. Apnay baray mein kia khayal hai?" [What do you think about yourself?] He pinched her nose.
Lyana swatted at his arm, their moment interrupted with the sounds of familiar laughter.

"Mama!" Lilah ran to her.
Despite being a proper daddy's girl, Lilah loved to be held by Lilah.
"Mama ki jaan," [Mama's life,] she took her into her hold.
Kissing her soft hair, she waved her son's over. Kissing their hair aswell - despite them wanting to act cool. A glare from their father and they were wearing big smiles, they loved to be smothered by their mother, looking cool be dammed.

"Everyone has left. We should too abu," Aliyaar, ever the responsible one, handed his father the car keys. Ruffling his hair, Alamgeer nodded at him, taking the keys out of his hand. Arham helped Lyana set the ear muffs on Lilah's ears, as they set her into her car seat. Either brother going on her side, like body guards.

Alamgeer slid his hand into Lyana's, resting it on his thighs, using his other hand to steer the car. The drive was long and full of loud mumbling between the family. The dark shades and tinted windows, prevented direct light from falling inside Lilah's eyes. She giggled has both her brother's played thumb fights with her, of course letting her win the game.
"Mama!" Lilah cried out.
Reaching her hand out for Lyana to hold. It was a practice of sorts, everytime the car would go under an underpass, Lilah for search for her mother's hand, seeking her comfort. Lyana smiled at Alamgeer softly as she turned around to hold Lilah's warm hand. Her thumb running across the back of it.

Arriving at Ahad's place, everyone got out of the car with a pep in their step. Lyana was just ready to unwind with Gulaab's care and forget the hectic week that was to come. Alamgeer had missed his father's sound advice and well the three grandchildren just could not wait to be fed by their grandmother - sometimes Lyana joked that Gulaab must think they keep their babies hungry the way the attack food. Helping Lilah wear her tinted glasses, to protect her eyes from bright sunlight, Alamgeer held her in his arms.

Lilah kissed her father's cheek before resting her head on his shoulder, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. Arham and Aliyaar had already entered the home, courtesy of the open door. The street was well protected so Ahad would open the door every Sunday, finding himself too lazy to go and open it for his sons. It was time he relaxed and enjoyed life with his wife. They entered the threshold of the home, Lyana in the lead. Their sons were already playing with their cousins, Gulaab and Ahad talking to Aryan, Ayaan, Myra and Unnati.

"Assalamualikum!" Alamgeer and Lyana greeted.
A chorus of greetings were returned as Gulaab came forward. She hugged Lyana and kissed her head. Then she patted Alamgeer on the back before taking her granddaughter out of his arms. Lilah smiled at the familiar warmth of her grandmother, her signature rose perfume tickling her senses.
"Dado". Lilah blinked at her.
Kissing her cheeks, Gulaab smiled and sat down with her in her arms.
"Ji dado ki jaan?" [Yes grandmother's life?] She pinched her chin.
"Miss you," she pouted.
The whole family mentally awed at the scene. Lilah was just too precious.
"I miss you too jaan, how about you stay the night?" Gulaab whispered in her ears.
"Me, mama, abu, Yaar and bhai?" She tilted her head, eyes widening under the shades.
Gulaad laughed out loud, her youngest grandchild was so considerate.
"Ji beta ap sab," [Yes child all of you,] she rubbed her back.

Lilah nodded, resting her back against Gulaab's front. Suddenly she felt like she was flying. Lilah grinned, there was only one person who would dare to take her out of her grandmother's arms. It was her Adu! Adu was well, Ahad and Dadu mixed together. She had heard Gulaab call Ahad 'Ahad dadu' teasingly and since she had trouble with forming proper phases, she stuck to mashing the words and call him 'Adu'. Ahad loved to hear breathy, euphonious, soprano voice call him that. And it was a title reserved for Lilah and Lilah only. Anyone else would risk their lives. For his grandsons, he was Dada, a strict man of principle. For Lilah, he was Adu, a soft hearted man who drank tea out of pink cups.

"Adu!" Lilah squealed in delight.
Ahad grinned, squashing her into his chest, he smothered her face with kisses. Lilah giggled until her face turned red.
"Ji Adu ki shehzadi?" [Yes Adu's princess?] He tapped her button nose.
"Bhook," [Hungry,] she patted her stomach.
Pouting at him with tears clouding her eyes. Ahad nodded, ordering their workers to serve the food. They opened the large automated umbrella that covered the open porch like a roof. Ahad helped Lilah remove her glasses, kissing each of her eyelids as she twirled the wedding band in Ahad's hand.

"Come here Lilah, let Dada eat," Alamgeer waved her over.
Reluctantly, Lilah let go of her grandfather's shirt, reaching out to her father.
"Leave her be. I'll feed the both of us. Apnah baap ko mat sikhao," [Don't teach your father,] Ahad rolled his eyes.
"Lyana you sure Alamgeer and Lilah will function without you?" Gulaab questioned on seeing her daughter-in-law feed her son.
"I'm sure they will. Warna ap ki zimmedari ammi," [Otherwise they are your responsibility mother,] Lyana winked.

"I'm so excited to see the Mona Lisa!" Aliyaar grinned.
Arham hi-fived his twin. They were twins and thought on the same frequency.
"Really? Bring me a picture alright?" Aryaan smiled at his nephew.
"We will. And all the food Yusuf uncle is going to make us, abu is missing out," Arham cheekily added.
"Pfft! I've got Lilah with me. We'll have a blast. Won't we Lilah?" Alamgeer turned to his daughter.
Lilah who was sucking and softly chewing on a piece of naan, lifted her head. Nodding her head, with no clue about the conversation, she forwarded her chewed piece to Gulaab.
"Thank you jaan," [life,] Gulaab tore a piece off.
Lilah repeated the process, passing out bites to her whole family, only after that did she swallow the naan herself.

⊱────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

It was around midnight that Alamgeer and Lilah waved Lyana, Arham and Aliyaar off. Lilah sobbed as she hugged her siblings and mother. Taking in the deep, warm vanilla scent of Lyana a bit longer. Squeezing her as tight as she could, giving a kiss on her cheeks. Lyana smiled in return, pecking her cheeks before hugging Alamgeer.
"Allah Hafiz Lilah. Take care of yourself okay?" Lyana sunk to her knees.
Lilah nodded, wiping at her wet eyes every few seconds as she tried to hold back the sniffles.
"Miss you," she mumbled softly.
"I'll miss you to. But I'll be back soon, take care of abu for me?" Lyana caressed her peachy cheeks.
Lilah once again nodded, stepping back into her father's legs. Looking at her family enter the airport.

Lilah felt her heart get heavy as she hugged her father tighter. Alamgeer held her in his arms, walking back to the large parking lot of the airport. His shoes making crunching sounds with the gravel. The weather was the perfect personification of Lilah's mood. The sky was an inky black with barely any stars. The thin crescent new moon was behind a dark duvet of grey clouds. A light drizzle of rain fell from the heavens onto the tarmac. Playing with the hair at her father's neck, she sighed repeatedly. The large ear muffs flopping on her ears as she waited for her father to strap her into the car seat. Getting in behind her.

"Lilah and abu will go to the zoo tomorrow, okay?" Alamgeer held her hand.
" 'orrow!" Lilah hiccuped.
Tears dried on her warm cheeks, her hands fiddling with her father's fingers. Wrapping her hands around his palm, she rested it against her cheek. Breathing in harshly. She squeezed her eyes shut, a dull ache inside her skull. Her heart, yearning for her mother. No longer able to hold her emotions in check, she began sobbing. Loud, unstoppable cries escaped her throat. Alamgeer looked at her with a worried softness. Removing the seat belt, he held her in his arms. His hands rubbing against her back. In up and down smooth motions.

"Do you want to sleep with abu?" He cooed.
Carrying her inside his bedroom.
"Abu!" She sniffed.
Staring at him with wide eyes, blinking. Alamgeer nodded, helping her out of her dress into her loose silk pyjamas.
"Can abu go change?" He danced her body in the air.
"A–abu n-n-no go," Lilah spoke in her broken language.
Her eyes shut as she felt her body drain out of energy in a few minutes.
"Okay beta," [child,] Alamgeer nodded in agreement.
Turning the lights off, he got under the sheets, removing his shirt, leaving himself only his sweatpants. He lifted Lilah onto his chest, singing a soft lullaby.

The next morning, the skies had cleared. A crulean blue sky covered the horizon with cumulus clouds littered across. The trees were all a vibrant green as the rains of last night washed off the dirt. Flowers bloomed, littering the air with pollen and their perfume travelled far. A light floral scent escaped the gardens and hovered over like a blanket. The humidity had decreased and a zephyr blew through, tickling the hairs on Alamgeer's neck.

Alamgeer was sitting on his balcony. He had had his and Lilah's breakfast served in the room. The balcony, now had a dome built over it. It was an addition after Lilah's birth. And was well loved by her, making it a worthy sacrifice. Lilah had showered with the help of Myra and was now dressed in a black jumpsuit with white sneakers. Her soft hair tied into a low ponytail.

"What do you want to eat Lilah?" He sat her on his lap.
A large spread of breakfast foods infront of them. From jam filled bread rolls, boiled eggs, waffles with honey, fresh chopped fruit and smoked turkey sausages.
" 'fles?" She pouted.
"Waffles it is," he grinned.
Cutting through the waffles, their exterior crispy and golden, the insides soft and fluffy, he dipped them into honey and forwarded the small, chewable size to Lilah's lips.
"Fank fyou," she thanked him from between chews.
Honey smeared across her cheeks as she hummed and nodded her head in enjoyment.

"Aren't you going to give abu anything?" Alamgeer tickled her sides.
Lilah giggled, smashing a piece of slobber filled waffle against his lips. Grinning, Alamgeer swallowed it, thanking her repeatedly for serving him.
"Fun-nny!" She giggled.
Giving her father a wet open mouthed kiss.
"Meri shehzadi!" [My princess!] He kissed her head.

The two wrapped up their breakfast and headed to the zoo. Lilah wore her earmuffs and glasses, sitting inside her sleek grey walker as Alamgeer wheeled her around. She was flabbergasted on seeing bears and wild horses. Not to mention her squeals of delight as she observed the birds in the observatory. Lilah smiled as Alamgeer's guard took pictures for them, standing against the monkey's enclosure. Watching the zoo keepers feed them bananas.

On their way back, Alamgeer and Lilah stopped at the grocery store. The humongous store, had large aisles and various brands of food on display. Alamgeer needed to get some vegetables and snacks to stock up on their stockpile. Lilah ran infront of the trolley as she helped her father in lifting the grocery items. Mostly though, she was just creating a mess for her father to clean. Running through the junkfood section, Lilah stope infront of the rack filled with biscuits. Her favourite biscuits, chocolate chip cookies, cut in squares and marked with diagonal lines. She grabbed as many as her hands could.

Occasionally dropping a few, Lilah stumbled over to the trolley. Alamgeer observing her with a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Lilah so many?" He took the ten bags from her hold.
"Puh-puh," Lilah stuttered.
Eyeing her father's hands that now held the biscuits. What if she ate one on their way home. Another at night. What if there was no food and the biscuits would run out? She had to account for so many scenarios. And her fingers were not enough.
"Ji what is your reason?" He grinned.
Raising a finger, she nodded her head. A large breath escaping her lips she pouted. She walked to her father and took a few out, reluctantly placing them back, her shoulders hunched.
"Lilah bring them back". He winked.
Lyana was out of the country, he would spoil his daughter in her absence.
"Luh you abu," Lilah smiled.
Alamgeer returned her love and kissed her hair. And the two returned home with boxes on boxes of Lilah's favourite snacks.

⊱────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰



Aliyaar and Arham helped Lyana wheel out their luggage from the airport. Light rain and grey skies covered the city of Paris. The air smelt of petrichor, the leaves of plants curving under the weight of water droplets. Lyana squealed in delight on seeing Janice's familiar lightly crimped hair. Running to her, making sure her sons were following, Lyana hugged Janice tight.

"How are you babe?" Lyana pecked her cheeks in greeting.
"Wonderful. I'm so glad you're here. Although I miss my baby Lilah," Janice grinned.
"Good morning boys. Look at how old you are!" Janice spoke in her soft French accent.
Aliyaar and Arham grinned at her, she was their favourite non-relative relative.

"Where is Yusuf uncle?" Aliyaar enquired.
His eyes looking for the man.
"He is at one of our hotels. Cooking brunch for you all. Taimoor is with him. Come on let's not keep them waiting," she led them to the sleek maybach.
Once they were all seated, Janice drove through the clean streets, light jazz music playing in the car.

"How is Lilah, my angel?" Janice questioned.
Having a son herself, Lilah was like her non-biological daughter and she loved her too much. Lyana carried a breezy smile on her face as a gust of wind blew. Her daughter was her most precious gift from Allah. Lilah was like a diamond in the rare.
"Lilah is doing amazing. I'm sure she's convinced her father to spoil her beyond redemption at this point," she chuckled.
Lyana liked to imagine herself better than Alamgeer, when she was just the same to their kids.

"How's school going Aliyaar? Arham?" Janice looked at the from the viewfinder.
"Good auntie. We're studying Egyptian history in history and it's so fun!" Aliyaar replied, earnestly.
Arham hummed, nodding in agreement with his twin.
"Mind telling her Arham what your father is planning?" Lyana teased.
"What?" Janice was curious now.
"Lilah heard us talking about Egyptian kings and queens. She's obsessed and has abu convinced to take us to Egypt for a short vacation so she can tour the sights," he grinned.

"Maybe it's because that's where she was conceived," Janice spoke under her breath.
Lyana heard her due to their close proximity. Blushing instantly, she playfully smacked Janice on the arm.

The car came to a halt infront of a large marble archway. The sandy colour with dark brown strokes in the marble, curved to form intricate statues. All marking the entrance of France's most luxurious hotels. Inside the large reception, glass chandeliers and a floor length portrait of Napoleon hung. To the left, was the large dinning room, where Yusuf and Taimoor stood. Waiting for the arrival of Janice and everyone else.

Janice lead Lyana, Aliyaar and Arham over to her family. Taking her place next to Yusuf, his hand sliding around her waist, she gave them all a bright smile.
"Let's eat?" She tilted her head.
Eyes running over their face, nervously. She hoped to be the perfect hostess.
"Of course!" Lyana agreed.
Following their hosts and taking their places on a round table, they enjoyed their food silently. Lyana planning her show's last minute details while Arhama and Aliyaar helped to serve their mother food. Their father was after all, holding them responsible for her.

Days continued to whizz by until the day of the fashion walk arrived. Everything and everyone was set. Lyana looked through last minute details, Aliyaar and Arham were in the crowd with Janice, Yusuf and Taimoor. Lyana took a deep breath, helping her assistants fix the last minute touches. And that was when tragedy struck. The man supposed to be her model for the last look, the most important look at that, had called in sick. And in five minutes, it was near impossible to find a replacement.

"Mrs.Alamgeer, I have a replacement," a young boy, with a scruffy goatee and light brown hair spoke up.
"Who is this man?" She raised a brow.
Lyana could not afford to throw her work away at just anyone.
"Well—" before he could speak, he was interrupted.
"Me, Mrs.Alamgeer," Lyana looked at the man in shock.
Grinning, with tears falling from her eyes, she hugged Alamgeer tight.

"H-how?" She was baffled.
Her hands touched his cheeks, to make sure he was there.
"Lilah missed you. And so did I. The two of us decided we would meet you here and all of us fly off to Egypt in the morning. Now come on, give me a kiss for being the best husband ever!" He spoke in one breath.
His hands held her waist in a grip. Pulling her to himself, Lyana smiled, standing on her toes, she connected their lips.

Alamgeer smiled into the kiss, his hands holding her against himself. Their lips moved in synchronisation. A symphony, a beautiful melody. Breaking apart, Lyana rested her forehead against his. Tears of joy and gratitude running across her face.
"Don't cry jaan. Get me ready for the runway," he grinned.
Lyana nodded, helping him into the achkan she had designed. She observed him walk the ramp like a pro, the crowd cheering on seeing his face.

Lyana then joined her whole team, with her hands holding Alamgeer's. Her kids throwing flowers on them as they applauded with the crowd. Aliyaar and Arham tried to stop Lilah, but she was ecstatic. Running onto the ramp she jumped into her mother's arms. Her brother's right behind her. Lyana and Alamgeer joined their hands as they looked at their kids. Their world was whole. They were home.

And there was no other way they would have it.