Empress Dosha

Chapter 34

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After the song, a group of ten young girls started yodeling, making a circle with each other's hands and whirled around swinging their legs at some point. The room was large enough to contain their whirling around. The other women were cheering them on.

It was a big hall room in the women's quarters that could contain a large number of women. Dosha was brought in there after some quality rest and preparations were being made to commence the event that day.

She'd met other of the extended families and they seemed nice, they had spoken and greeted her well. She'd already taken a liking to his sisters, mostly the young one, Hibba, they were as cheerful as their younger brother.

Dosha looked on to them, smiling. She was seated, getting dressed with the help of some maids as they styled her clothing, having some words with her aunty.

Some of the women there faced what they were doing; some were loosing and braiding hairs, some were helping one another with their clothing styles, some were helping in make up and so many other things, while the latter were singing and dancing.

Hannatu was one of them, helping one woman braid her hair, not focusing on what she was doing and glaring holes into Dosha's skull, who didn't even know Hannatu existed.

Hannatu scowled inwardly, reeling on how much hate she harboured on the sight of her. Her family were included in the bad thoughts. The tattoo on some of their necks gave her the full thought on how much charm they held. 'I'll destroy her before she knows it!' She promised herself.

"Ke! Kiyi kitso na da hankali mana (You! Be careful with my hair)." The woman she was braiding for cautioned and hissed. Hannatu was handling her hair tightly.

"Hakuri (Sorry)." Hannatu apologised, quickly releasing the grip and turned back to the woman not without giving Dosha one last glare.

"Masha Allah, our Queen is so beautiful." One of Hafsatu's sister complimented.

"Yes of course she is. It runs in the gene." Dosha's aunty replied, caressing her face, smiling proudly.

"I can see clearly. You are all beautiful in a different way. Let me go inform Hafsatu you're done and we'll introduce you to Inna." The woman said throwing them a smile and walked away.

Inna was the one and only grandparent they had alive, she was Hafsatu's mother. She heard them talking about her but hadn't seen her then.

"Aunty, for how long are you all going to stay?" Dosha asked.

"About a week," She answered. "Dosha don't worry, trust me, you will do well as a Queen, don't be doubtful. I saw the look you gave your aunt this morning. You have a supportive King and husband by your side, you will do well. Look at what you've done to our Kingdom, you did it alone with our help of course. It was all your idea and knowledge, so keep any doubt out of the way. My brother Bizo must have told you encouraging words, let that tune keep playing in this smart head of yours. I trust you. Now smile." Her aunty encouraged her. The woman's words were very helpful.

"Thank you so much." Dosha replied, hugging her.

"It's okay. I have to go, I need to get dressed." She said, breaking the hug.

Dosha smiled at her before she walked away. Then she remembered Bizo's words, what he told her when she was ten years; 'Hold your head up high and be frank. Stand up tall and remain strong. You are strong. You know why? Because I am your uncle and I am strong.' She smiled as she always does anytime she recalled his speech.

Dosha looked around in the room, seeing it was now less of people, the women there were less and some maids including the girls who were dancing. They were now singing in synchrony. They greeted her anytime their gaze met her's.