The Fallen Widow

Chapter 14: Announcement

The morning rays of gold broke through the dark night. A new day. A new chapter that would change Jahanpur forever. Hoorayn hadn't slept a wink since she returned from the proposal, tossing and turning with a million questions buzzing in her head. They returned to the kitchen and she left Shah Nawaz filling his stomach.

The morning followed with another change. The maids entered Shah Nawaz's bedroom and informed Hoorayn she would be moved to her own room. Blindly, she followed the maids through the corridor making her way to the far end of the first floor. The door opened and she made her way into a lavish large square shaped room. The room was decorated in a seductive wine red and cream, the heavy damask curtains, the cream sofa and armchairs were patterned in velvet red and cream. As she made her way in, the lush and thick cream carpet cushioned her steps the room took her breath away. The cream carpet was plush and thick under her bare feet, she stopped to push her soles into the softness. On the left side of the room sofa, table on a raised platform with two pillars and a crystal chandelier adorned the room.

But it was right side of the room, tucked away way she spotted a shelf of books. She looked at the maids who busied themselves by stocking the wardrobe wondering if they noticed the books. Like a thief, she made her way towards the book shelf with over twenty books. Were they real?
"Do you need anything, madam?" A maid called and made her jump.
Hoorayn swallowed and shook her head. She wanted to hide the shelf and devour the books. Like magnet, she gravitated towards the bookshelf and brushed her fingers against the spines. Two thick books of poetry, ghazals, a collection written by the best Pakistani poets and writers.

When the maids left she pulled out a poetry book written by Ashfaq Ahmed. Quickly, she pulled a black jacket book from the shelf and devoured the book running through the pages. This was impossible. There were no books in Jahanpur. Reading was banned. Who owned these books? Pulling the books out she laid them on the bed her heart pounding with joy. She held the book of poetry against her chest like a treasured holy book and rested her lips on pages.

She sat on the edge of her bed in wonderment. Why the change? New room? Books. Usually the maids cursed her now they were addressing her as madam. She didn't belive for a moment that Shah Nawaz would marry her. It would never happen. For now, she curled up on the silk sheets and propped up the cushions diving into her happy place of literature.

Downstairs in central haveli, Shah Nawaz organised a feast for breakfast. He demanded fresh lassi, all types of eggs, buttered paranthas, aloo saag, paye, halva poor. Cinnamon chai was served in the posh china that would only be used for esteemed guests. A wide array of biscuits and cakes were arranged on a the tier tray. Fresh olives, oranges, grapes and mangoes dressed the table in burst of colours. The citrus scent burst into the room.

Malakah and Fiza were the first to arrive and marvelling in the feast and made their way to Shah Nawaz.

"Someone looks handsome this morning." Malaikah made her way to Shah Nawaz who was dressed in a regal blue sherwani and a matching blue turban decorated with crystals and stones.

"Masha'Allah." She kissed his right bearded cheek looking into his grey eyes dressed in black kohl. There was a spark in his eyes this morning, his smile brightened his face.
"What's going on?" She held his gaze.
"Sit." He held her hand and ushered her to the table.
Shahgul followed entering the room filled with trepidation. She made her way to her son and stood few steps away from him reading his face. Happiness etched on every curve of his face. Shahgul's heart jumped with hope. She kissed her son on his cheeks and greeted him.
"Tell me, it's good news." She whispered.
Uzayr and Jahanzaib followed rubbing their hands feasting their eyes on the delicious food.
"Paye!" Jahanzaib sniffed the piping hot dish with excitment. "My dreams have come true!"
It was Dilawar-Baksh's loud curses echoed in the hall followed by the tap of his walking stick they heard before he appeared.