Wishpered Promises Of LoVE

Fayza Firdaus

Flashback of 27 years ago,
   The cry of a baby echoed inside the royal chamber, making all the servants smile widely. Everyone thanked ALLAH for the safety of both the mother and the baby. "Wh…what is it this time?"The mother of the baby asked…although she could barely keep her eyes open. The normal delivery process had drained all the energy from her body, making her feel almost numb. Yet the answer to that question was way too important for her to know.
   "Alhamdulillah Sultana *(Queen)*, you have given birth to a healthy baby girl,"the royal physician replied, enthusiasm dripping down her voice. But that same happy news was one of the most horrible pieces of information for someone. The queen closed her eyes…feeling nothing but pain…immense pain. A few tears dropped down her eyes. As if the baby also understood her mother's agony, and in a queue her rosy lips puckered before she started wailing loudly….wanting nothing except for going towards her mother.
   "Sultana, Sayyida *(Princess)*…."
"Just take her out of my eyesight. Her voice is prickling my ears,"the maid who was coming towards the Queen with the baby in her arms, stopped in her tracks…all the maids along with the Physician present in the room were shocked hearing such harshness, coming from a mother.
   "Madam, at least…look at the baby for once. She is your….."the physician could not even complete her words, when the Queen roared,"SHUT UP…JUST SHUT THE HELL UP. You don't get to order me, Rafia. Don't you dare forget that I'M THE SULTANA NOT YOU. And don't make me throw you out of this chamber and from the royal palace as well for talking back with the Queen. I said I don't want to see that child's face…means take that girl outside already. She is inauspicious for me…who has come to jinx my fate yet again,"the Queen spat venomously…hearing her, everyone's blood ran cold.
   How could someone be this cruel? Did she even have a heart inside her ribcage…or was it just a piece of obelisk? Was she even a mother? No, she wasn't and she could never be. At that moment, the woman who was speaking…was the Queen…only a Queen for whom her prestige and position mattered…the most.
All these thoughts hammered on each person's head. Everyone felt pity looking at the newborn who got rejected just after her birth…that too by her own birth mother. But nobody dared to say a word more. After all, who didn't love her own life?
   Hence the maids took the baby out of the chamber silently. 
……….
As soon as the door of the chamber opened,
     a girl around 12 years old came running towards the maid,"Is…the baby safe?"Her tone was filled with nothing but concern. "Yes, Sayyida…the baby is absolutely healthy."
   Hearing the maid, a wide smile stretched out on her lips,"Alhamdulillah, all praises belong to Allah,"the young girl, named Zahra thanked the Almighty a million times for everything. "Sayyida, would you like to see the baby for once?"The maid asked, making Zahra nod her head immediately,"Yes, please,"her excitement and enthusiasm made the maid smile as she bent with the baby for her to have a look. 
   "Wow…the…the baby is so beautiful, Mashallah!"She forwarded her hand to take the child into her arms, when…."ZAHRA BINTE TASMIAN TARIQ,"a gruff voice was heard, startling both the girls' *(Zahra & the baby)*. Zahra froze on her spot like a statue…while, the baby started crying once again.
   "His highness,"the maid, immediately covered her head with her veil, bowing her head to show respect. Mr. Rustom Bin Abu Tariq, the ruling King of Oman walked towards them. A boy, around 17 years old, tailed behind him.
  "Assalamualaikum, Sultan. Assalamualaikum, Sayyid,"the maid, Zahra and the guards all greeted both the King and the Prince. Rustom just nodded his head not bothering to answer them back…while Zishaan, the Prince smiled brightly at all of them,"Wa-laikum-assalam, everyone." He replied to their greetings while his eyes watched the small child with curiosity filled eyes.
   "Zahra, didn't I tell you to not roam around my newborns like this? You always bring misfortune for my sons'. And how dare you try to touch my new baby? Look how are you making him cry? It seems you have forgotten your former punishment, right?"Zahra lowered her head, all the harsh words spoken by her father wounded her young heart in the worst way possible. Her eyes turned teary…wanting to release the droplets of salty water so bad.
    "Abbu, please,"Zeeshan pleaded to his father, not to behave with Zahra like that. Every time he saw his father mistreating her like this, his heart would start crying for his younger sister. Why did their parents treat her so differently?
   "Zeeshan?"Abu Tariq hissed at his son, totally displeased with his behavior. Tariq never liked how Zeeshan was growing to be a more compassionate boy just like his grandfather was…rather than a rough and tough man like his own father. "Abbu, look, the baby is crying because he got scared,"Zeeshan tried to handle his father using his brain…knowing full well that his father would stop everything after seeing the condition of the baby. And like what he had thought of, it happened exactly the same…immediately Tariq's whole demeanor changed.
   He looked towards the baby with a smile on his face, while forwarding his hand towards the maid to hold the baby,"How is my child doing?"He directed the question towards the maid. "Sultan, the royal physician said that our new Princess is healthy and hearty,"Abu Tariq's eyebrows scrunched together, as his eyes became darker,"Princess?" His tone was harsh..filled with nothing but anger.
   The maid gulped down her saliva,"Ye…yes, Sultan,"she nodded her head several times….fear was all she could feel at that moment. She didn't know why the ruler of this palace was so ruthless? Even at this era, all he cared about was…the gender of the baby! The maid really felt pity at both the King and Queen for harboring such a low graded mentality.
   And that was how it was proved yet again that 'Only living in a Palace doesn't make you a king. Sometimes the way you think could make you rule hearts.'
  "You want to say this time also she has given birth to a girl?"He yelled at the top of his lungs, making everyone shiver visibly. The baby cried more loudly, getting scared with the high pitched voice. The maid just nodded her head, not being able to gather her courage to speak another word. "That imbecile woman…she is really good for nothing,"he cursed his wife, not even caring about the fact that he was insulting her…that too in front of so many people. The man who could not respect his own wife, how could he rule a kingdom?
   Yet, the reality was quite opposite from the scriptures. The real leaders of history are those who serve the world…while others only try to dominate in order to establish his realm. Sad enough…but the truth as well 'Almost in every era, even for once, the world is ruled by the most undeserving person.' And Abu Tariq was one of them.
   Both Zohra and Zeeshan curled their fists in anger…after all, which kid ever liked to hear such profanities against their own mother? Their eyes blazed fire yet their looks were drawn upon the ground. Because that was what they could do…at best. None of them held the power nor the courage to knock some sense of respect into their father's head.
   Abu Tariq turned his face from the baby…as well. As if that innocent soul had done some worst sin…or, maybe she did. She did commit the biggest mistake by opening her eyes in that palace…where she was not welcomed…she was unwanted for them. Why? Because she was A GIRL! Was it really her fault? She didn't have the right to choose her parents…she had nothing in her hands. Heck! She didn't even know what was happening around her or to be precise, with her?
    Her so-called guardians wanted another successor…an heir…who would inherit their royal legacy after Zeeshan. Maybe those uneducated people didn't know enough…that if a girl held the power to bring another life into this world…then ruling a kingdom was nothing in front of her. They didn't know the history of women rulers…maybe they were unaware about 'Sultana Razia', 'Rani Lakshmibai' or 'Queen Elizabeth'...who not only ruled an empire but the hearts of millions of people as well.
   But alas! Decades ago, where girls were treated as queens, living in the twentieth century in some parts of the world…girls' were still treated as some mere material of the household.
   "Get her out of here. And do not let me see her face,"Abu Tariq ordered the maid…in his most deadly tone. "Ye…yes, Sultan,"the maid didn't need to be told twice as she left the place in a hurry, after bowing her head at him.
  As soon as the maid left, his eyes fell on the girl standing at one side with her head hung low. His blood boiled yet again, looking at her figure. "All these…all these are happening because of you. Your ominous shadow has snatched every happiness of my life. I curse the day, you opened your eyes into this world. You should have die….."
   "Abbu?"Zeeshan interrupted his father in his high-pitched voice. It was enough for him. That was the last straw of his sanity which his father broke mercilessly. "That's enough, Abbu. You had promised me to not mistreat Zohra yet again. But every time you break your promise without a care. Khuda ka khauf kare, Abbu…Zohi se aise andaaz mein pesh na aaiye. Khuda ka tohfa hai woh hamare liye…betiyan sabko nahi milti, sirf kismat walo ke ilawa. Quran main bhi nazil hain k betiyaan Allah ke niyamat hain…aur joh ma-baap unse badsaluki karenge unko kabhi Jannat nasib nahi hoga.
   Aur agar aap bhul gaye hain toh hum phirse aapko yaad dila dete hain, k aapne humse wada Kiya tha, aap Zohi se phir kabhi aise sulukh nahi karenge…baadle main humne aapse wada kiya tha k hum aapki har baat manenge bina kabhi koi sawal kiye. Hum woh sab kuch kar rahe hain jisse aapko khushi mile, phir aap aapne waade se kaise mukar sakte hain? Abbu hum aapne behen k aankhon main aansu nahi dekh sakte…agar aap aapna wada nahi nibhayenge…phir hum bhi peeche hath jayenge aapne wade se. Zaroorat padi toh ye mahal chod k chale jayenge par aapne beheno ko dukhi nahi hone denge.
   *[(Get scared of Allah, Dad. Don't behave like this with Zohi. She is the gift of Allah for us…not everybody is blessed with a daughter, except for the fortune ones. It's also described in the holy Quran that daughter's are the blessings from Allah…and those parents who mistreat them would never be able to enter Paradise.
    If you forgot then let me remind you once again that you had promised me to not mistreat Zohi yet again…in return I had promised you to always listen to each and every word you said without a question. I have been doing everything that could make you happy, then how could you break your promise? Dad, I cannot see my sister in tears…if you would not fulfill your promise…then I will also back out from my promise. If needed I will leave this palace but I would not let my sister's get sad)]*" Hearing Zeeshan's firm words, Abu Tariq's eyes were about to bulge out of his eye sockets. That kid was literally threatening him…him…the great Rustom Bin Abu Tariq…the Sultan of Oman.
    "Zeeshan, you are crossing your limits now. I'm warning you…mend your ways otherwise, things are going to turn out to be uglier than you could ever think off,"Abu Tariq warned his son…trying to scare the teenager away. But who was he kidding? His son didn't even seem to mind him at all. Zeeshan stood still in his spot…not budging from his place.
   Abu Tariq gnashed his teeth…feeling the extreme anger surging in his body once again,"And you, another infelicitous omen of my life…don't you dare to come out of your room for the next two weeks. Otherwise the consequences are going to be too heavy for you to carry,"saying Abu Tariq left from there at the speed of light…cursing unheard profanities regarding Zohra. Whereas, Zohra did nothing except for shedding her tears in silence…after all, these were her everyday companions since the time she started understanding things. Except for her Bhaijaan nobody loves her….not even a bit. But why? She didn't know…she had no clue. Or, maybe somewhere in her heart she had the answers to all her unasked questions.
    As soon as Abu Tariq left, Zohra also started running from there…towards her own chamber…or maybe her personal prison where she was no less than prisoner…with the crime of being born into this royal family…that too as a girl!
   In her agony she could not help the desperate voice of her elder brother who was continuously calling her,"Zohi…stop…Zohi,"Zeeshan was about to run after her when a guard's voice stopped him,"Sayyid, let her go for now. That poor soul has been enduring more than her age…more than anyone else. Let her cope with her pains a little for now. She needs to have some alone time really bad,"an old guard advised the young boy…making Zeeshan nod his head. Though his heart was nowhere near giving consent to the idea…yet he also thought it to be the best.
—--------
After sometime, in Zohra's room,
   Zeeshan tiptoed inside the room…just like a thief. His eyes roamed here and there before it fell on the bed, where a tiny figure could be seen lying down. Slowly keeping the plate of food on the center table that he brought along with him…Zeeshan proceed towards the bed.
    There Zohra was covering her head till feet with the heavy duvet. Zeeshan didn't say anything rather lifted the duvet and got inside it before covering his whole body as well. "Bhaijaan, why did you come inside? Go from here,"Zohra lightly pushed her brother, trying to shoo him away. Where he didn't even move from his place. And how would he? Her small hands could not even apply the force needed to move his body.   
    "Allah, Zohi…it's so dark in here. Don't you know that I'm scared of darkness?"Zeeshan said, scooting even closer to his sister. "Then gooooo from here. Why are you not moving?"She again tried to push him..but to no avail. It was a failed attempt yet again. "I cannot leave my one and only baby alone in the darkness, can I?"Zeeshan cooed near her…caressing her hair as gently as possible.
   Zohra didn't say anything, instead she snuggled into his arms…seeking the comfort her brother was providing her. Zeeshan also wrapped his baby sister into his warm embrace. Like any brother he loved his Zohi way too much…his life resided inside this girl. And in this world, if Zeeshan hated someone the most then it was his father…who never left a chance to hurt his younger sister. Zeeshan had no idea how cruel someone could be to hurt this innocent angel in such ways?
    "Zohi, let's lift up this heavy duvet, okay? It's so suffocating inside,"he tried to take the duvet off of their heads when Zohra shook her head vigorously,"Noooo,"she whined yet again…not wanting her brother to see her tears. She knew how much her brother hated to see her crying. "But I'm feeling so suffocating here…I'm not able to take breaths properly,"Zeeshan used his last weapon knowing full well that now Zohra would not waste even a minute to lift up the duvet.
   And happened only that…what he had thought of. Zohra immediately lifted up the covers as her teary red eyes were looking at Zeeshan with extreme worry,"Bhai…Bhaijaan, are you….are you okay? How are you feeling now? Are you feeling hurt somewhere? Shall I call the physician? Wait let me get her for you,"she said everything in one go, and was about to get down the bed when he held her hand.
   "Shh, shh, shh…I'm fine. Absolutely fine, Baby…see,"he sat up, reassuring her that nothing was wrong with him. And the next moment, Zohra threw herself in his arms…sobbing incessantly. All her resolutions to not show his her tears got crushed under the heavy teardrops that fell off her eyes. Zeeshan didn't waste another second to secure her in his protective arms…his heart churned, paining and breaking into a thousand little pieces. Her agonizing whimpers were bruising his soul. Yet, he could not do anything…he again let their so called father to walk upon his little sister's emotions. He hated her tears…and he hated the reason behind her miseries.         
   "I will never forgive you, Ammi-Abbu. Hope Allah never forgives you both as well,"although Zeeshan knew it was wrong…very wrong to imprecate others. But they truly deserved it…for hurting his baby like this. "Don't lea..leave me ever, Bhaijaan. I…I don't have anyone except you. Nobody lo…loves me other than you, Bhaijaan. I…will die…."Zeeshan immediately covered his sister's mouth with his hand,"Never say that word again, Zohi. I would never let even a scratch fall upon you ever again, Baby. Just never talk about leaving me. How will I live…hmm? My life resides in you, my baby sis. I cannot stay away from you,"at the last part, a few tears dropped down Zeeshan's eyes as well.
   No matter how strong he tried to portray himself to be…yet he was the softest person for his sister. Zohra carefully wiped his tears,"Promise?"She forwarded her hand towards him…looking at him with her eager eyes. "Promise, my silly Princess,"he held her hand, making her smile widely. "Always keep smiling like this, Zohi. I hate your tears,"he gently wiped her tears placing soft kisses on both eyes following her forehead. He then started tickling her.
   Zohra giggled at her brother's antics…trying to stop him. But Zeeshan was in no mood for that…as he kept having fun with his baby sister. After some playing, both were panting heavily, when Zeeshan said,"There is a surprise for you."
   Zohra's eyes sparkled like stars,"Haa! Where is it Bhaijaan? What is it?"Zohra started checking his hands and pockets in search of the gift. "Uhum, it's not here yet. If you want to get the gift then you will have to finish your lunch first. And then your gift will come here,"Zohra pouted, trying to melt her brother,"Please Bhaijaan, can I not have lunch after receiving the gift?"
   "No, my little Sayyida. Now come on. The more quickly you will finish your food, the faster you will get your gift,"Zeeshan lifted her up in his arms before taking her to the couch. Settling on the couch Zeeshan took the plate in his hand to feed Zohra who was sitting on his lap, keeping her head in his chest,"Bhaijaan?"
   "Yes, Bhaijaan ki jaan? *(Bhaijaan's life)*"Zeeshan replied in a heartbeat, while mixing the curry into the rice. "How would it have been if I weren't Zohra…and you weren't Zeeshan? If our Ammi-Abbu would not have been our parents? Would things have been different for us then?"Zeeshan's hand stopped in the middle, hearing Zohra's question. It was not as if Zeeshan had never thought of such a scenario before…but such thoughts, coming from a kid of only 12 years old, was something so hard to digest. What must she be feeling for her to opt for such imaginations?
   His eyes blurred, wanting to shed tears for their misfortune. If they had been really born into some other family where they would not have possessed this much wealth, rather had a family…a real one at that. How would it have felt? Indeed, maybe they would not have been rich then, but at least they would have been happy.
   A sigh escaped Zeeshan's mouth knowing it was nothing except for some desires which were never going to get fulfilled. He looked at Zohra, who was still waiting for his answer,"Zohi, I promise you…very soon I'm going to get you out of this prison, Baby. I'll take you far away from all this chaos…where nobody would ever hurt you. Where you will only find happiness. Just give your Bhaijaan a little bit of time, child,"his earnest words filled Zohra's heart with nothing but immense love and respect for her brother.
   "You can take as much time as you want, Bhaijaan. Your Zohi will always wait for you,"she gave him her beautiful smile…which always makes his day. He smiled widely as well.
—-----
After their lunch,
   "Bhaijaan, where is my gift?"Zohra whined for the umpteenth time, making Zeeshan smile at her impatient behavior. He shook his head,"It must be on its way, Zohi. Please be a little patient."
    "But I….."At that moment, a knock interrupted her further talks. "I guess your…"Zohra didn't even let him finish, as she sprinted towards the door to open it.
   Zohra's eyes glimmered in joy, when she saw the newborn in the maid's arms,"Sayyid, Sayyida,"the maid greeted both of them. "Babyyyy?"Zohra squealed in happiness, Zeeshan chuckled at her excitement. He knew how much she would get happy after seeing the baby. "Did you feed her?"Zeeshan asked the maid, who nodded her head,"Yes, Sayyid."
    "Okay, thank you. You may give her to me. I will take care of her from now on,"saying Zeeshan forwarded her hands to hold the baby who was currently sleeping peacefully. The maid handed over the baby to him and took her leave. "Zohi, go and sit on the bed,"Zohra didn't protest and ran towards her bed once again. "Slowly, crazy girl,"Zeeshan also walked behind her.
    "You wanted to take her into your arms that time right?"Zohra nodded her head vigorously…letting him know her eagerness. Zeeshan smiled before placing the baby into her lap gently. He noticed how lovingly Zohra was looking at the tiny human being into her arms. As the baby came in touch with Zohra's warmth, she immediately purred in her sleep. "Did…did I hurt her?"Zohra asked, getting scared. She had no intention of hurting the baby ever.
   "No, Zohi. Just patt her head gently,"Zohra followed Zeeshan's instructions, as the baby opened her eyes a little before a small babyish chuckle left her lips as if indicating that she was liking it. Zohra's lips stretched out in a big smile,"Bhaijaan, look she is smiling…she is smiling at me,"Zohra shook Zeeshan's arms in over excitement. Zeeshan just kept looking at this beautiful scene in between his two sisters whom he loved very much. A satisfied smile was lingering on his lips.
    "Yes, she already loves you,"Zohra's eyes glimmered in joy hearing him,"She does?" As if it was all still a dream for her…a beautiful dream which she never wanted to end. "Of course, she does. Look how adorable she is smiling at you. I still remember the day you were born and I had held you in my arms for the first time…you had smiled at me just like this,"Zohra's eyes shone with salty pearls…but this time those were of happiness….extreme happiness.
    "Zohi, stop crying, silly. And tell me what do you want to name her?"Zeeshan asked enthusiastically. "Can I?"Zohra once again asked, feeling too nervous all of a sudden. Zeeshan facepalmed himself,"Yes, yes, yes, Ms. Zohra Binte Tasmian Tariq,"Zohra giggled, watching her brother getting all worked up. She loved to annoy him very much.
   "Umm…how about Fayza…Fayza Firdaus?"The next moment she came up with a beautiful name that was syncing inside her head for a long time. She always wanted to have a baby sister as well…whom she wanted to name 'Fayza- kind, gracious'.
  "Such a beautiful name it is…then Fayza Firdaus Binte Tariq her name will be, what say?"Zeeshan asked her to confirm once again. She clapped her hands in excitement while the baby giggled as if feeling the happiness of her sister as well. Both Zeeshan and Zohra chuckled looking at her.
   "You are going to be the apple of our eyes, our Fayza Firdaus,"both Zeeshan and Zohra said to the baby who threw her small hands and legs in excitement.
    ----------
Author's note:
   This was totally a work of my imaginations. I never meant to hurt anyone through any of my words or actions. And making Abu Tariq and his wife, that much ruthless was needed for the plot. Nothing else. Please I'm once again genuinely sorry if I hurt any of you with the words or expressions I used to write the chapters. Please feel free to share your views with me.
    I hope all of you loved the bond of these three. Do let me know about it.
   And I'm really sorry for not updating yesterday...I have an exam at the upcoming 2nd September hence got a little busy with my studies, sweeties. That's why, I'm unable to update the story on a regular basis. But In Sha Allah after the exam I'll try my best to update regularly without a fail. Please keep me in your prayers.
    Stay safe and tuned. And do let me know your thoughts. Love you all.