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"Of all flowers:You"
The Summer in Lahore was hotter than that in Kabul by multiple degrees so much so that the heat seemed almost unbearable. Half of the summer had passed but a couple of months still remained before the weather cooled down to a tolerable limit.The atmosphere in the palace was no different from the city٫everyone seemed to be disturbed from the heat.Slaves and eunuchs had peacock feathered fans in their hands passing the cool breeze to their mistresses.Goblets filled with cold sharbats were lying beside the ladies who kept on sipping from them time to time to cool down the warmth inside their bodies.
Ruqaiya took the goblet from tray handed out by Dilnaz٫her special handmaiden and sipped from it letting the coolness spread through her body.She looked forward into the courtyard where a pool was laid out filled with clear and cold water alngwith rosepetals.Alot of ladies went inside the pool to enjoy the coolness of the water and now it seemed almost filled with them.They were having the time of their lives.
"Ruqiaya come here inside the pool.The water is lovely٫ you'll love it."
Bakshi Banu said who seemed to be enjoying the pool way too much.
"No٫ I'm fine here٫ you enjoy." Ruqaiya replied hera and sipped from the sharbat.
"No you're not.Come on now٫get in." She again insisted.
"I'm fine٫ really Bakshi."
But Bakshi was having none of it.She came out of the pool and walked towards her٫grabbed the glass from her hand and handed it to her servant before grabbing Ruqaiya's hand and carrying her towards the pool.She pushed Ruqaiya inside the pool and jumped right after her.
Ruqiaya at first was in shock but soon started enjoying it too.She made a cup of her hands and filled it with water and started throwing it at Bakshi who in return did the same to her.The whole courtyard and pool started echoing with their laughter.
~∆~∆~
Hamida was waiting for Jalal at her apartments,she has called for him right after his meeting at Diwan-e-khaas.Sje wanted to discuss a few things with him,some were political while others were personal.
"Hoshiyar, his Majesty Emperor Jalal-u-din Muhammad Akbar is coming."
Guards announced his arrival at the apartments.Hamida got up from the Diwan and welcomed him,Jalal came forwards and kisses her hands as a mark of respect.Then both of them sat on the diwans.
"Aapne hume yaad kiya,Ammi Hazrat?" Jalal asked respectfully,he had a great sense of respect for his mother.
"Haan hum jaan'nachah rahe the Aiwan ki Karwai ke baare mein?"
