A Queen's Touch & Some Glitter

اٹھائسواں باب - Chapter 28

اٹھائس واں باب - Chapter 28
THE KING IS SUCCESSFUL

THE CUP OF STEAMING HOT TEA BEGAN TO COOL IN THE COLD LOUNGE. The blue pottery cup, with the thin white plate sat on the edge of the table, almost tipping over the edge. Brown, disappointed eyes glared at the expensive cup, the sight of the hot drink did little to please them at such a moment. A glass plate filled with decadent pastries, frosted pastel pink and whites sat in centre. Around it were a plethora of other snacks. Deep fried samosas, hash browns, fritters to name some of the few. The room smelt like a kitchen, with the aroma of red peppers and mint curd.

Sunlight washed the walls a deep orange shade. The sky was bare of clouds and for miles and miles there was nothing but a vast brightness. The air was still, dry and crackling. Trees stood tall and stiff, not an inch moving all forms of life had retreated as the heat continued in it's full force. The roads were a mirage for the travelers, the sky no longer a haven. Shadows was everywhere but even they offered little refuge from the baking heat. Kids sat in their homes with lethargic attitudes, their legs folded underneath them as they licked the ice creams from their sugary cones. Adults, despite the record breaking heat drunk tea — their habits destroyed by years of practice.

Lyana frowned at the thick crystal glass that had been handed over to her by her mother-in-law. Upset was a small word when it came to the injustice she was being treated with. While everyone else sipped on the cardamom tea, she was forced to drink milk with a dollop of honey. As everyone munched on the deep fried and sugary delights, she was offered a plate of sliced crips Granny smith apple's. Biting into the thick piece, she frowned at her husband — a telltale. Had he kept his mouth shut she would have been able to sneak a tiny fritter.

"Lyana it's for your own sake," Gulaab spoke.

She nodded, her mouth still stuffed with the apple. The curtains on some of the windows had been drawn shut to make the room more comfortable. The television showed a news channel, the volume lowered until it was comfortable and not an annoyance. Silent chatter flew around the room, everyone talking about one event or the other. Reminiscing the days that had passed, talking about the days that were to come. Lyana shuffled across the sofa seat, resting her aching back against the headrest.

"Alamgeer get up from there, Lyana lie down if you want to," Gulaab fussed over her.

"I'm good mama. No problem there, it's just my head hurts a little bit," she smiled in response .

Time had flown in these past few weeks. She was now three months along her pregnancy. There was a tiny bulge but it could easily pass for a food baby. Her smile was genuine and her eyes was filled with tears of gratitude. With her first trimester, her morning sickness had hit her with full force. The hormonal headaches accompanied that, and she could not help but wonder if this struggle would ever ease. Her lithe fingers massaged the sides of her aching head, she held the glass of milk with the other and drank it in one go, the frown still not leaving her face.

"Just because you have a headache, I'll let you have a samosa. Only one though, mind you". Gulaab spoke.
Her voice filled with a sense of alertness as she turned her attention to Myra, who was busy discussing a plan for hers and Aryan's bedroom renovation.

Before she could bend forward to grip one of the delicious potato filled triangular goodness, Alamgeer beat her to it. Without the sauce or ketchup, just as how she preferred it. She smiled in thanks and sneakily kissed his bicep, the half sleeved polo working to her advantage. She smudged the mark of her chapstick and bit into the snack. The crisp exterior crumbled and gave way to the spicy filling inside. Her mouth was in a heaven, the burst of spices after the blandness of milk and apples was a pleasant change and the first form of unhealthy food she had consumed in weeks — even better.