Empress Dosha

Chapter 52

Thank you all for staying with me till this day ❤️❤️🌹🌹

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Frantic cries from the cats woke Dosha from her nap. She laid unmoving for a while, hearing the kittens scamper around the chamber.

She glanced outside seeing the morning sun as it was just peeking out, illuminating the environment. She hadn't gotten the nap she wanted. And there was no going back as all traces of sleep had disappeared from her eyes.

She hissed, sitting up and massaging her stiff arms, taking a look at the man beside her. He didn't budge with all the movements happening around him, this showed how tired he was as he had complained the night before.

She came down for a cup of water to wet her dry throat, and stretched out on one of the chairs, rubbing her belly. She sighed in satisfaction, closing her eyes. This was her comfort zone in that moment. She was glad it wasn't one of the mornings when irritation ate her up.

"You're doing well today." She said to herself, "It will be like this for the rest of the day." 'I wish.' She added internally, knowing she just said a wishful thing. She knew better.

Carrying a child for seven months was a significant undertaking. The exhaustion was starting to catch up with her, and the once manageable morning sickness sometimes morphed into all-day fatigue. Her feet ached from the added weight, and her back hurt from the strain of carrying a tiny human. She was fuller, her hips wider and her legs thicker.

Despite the challenges, she felt a deep connection to the life growing inside her. As she navigated the ups and downs of pregnancy, she couldn't help but wonder what the next two months would bring. Would she be a good mother? Would her child be healthy? The unknowns swirled in her mind, but one thing was certain - she was ready to meet her child.

It has been exactly three months after Rashid came back. Dosha vividly remembered how she broke the news of her pregnancy to Rashid, she was four months gone then. The happiness when the realization dawned on him to when he saw her small bump which was now two times bigger to how he prostrated in gratitude to his Lord, to how he said a prayer over her and the unborn child to how he fussed about going to be a father and many more. She couldn't be more glad than this.

Rashid was supportive as he was beside her whenever the trials surfaced, even when she wouldn't want him any closer, he was still there, never leaving. When her appetite disappeared, he would tell her to eat little knowing she might throw it up, he'll say at least there's something left in her stomach. When the weaknesses and morning sicknesses arrived, he was there. He was still there when she was picky with food and also during her energetic moments, her mood swings and when she was just neutral.

When she whines on about how she looks and feels different, from the added weight and all, he'll pass her a smile; one holding a thousand words.

Even when he wasn't present, there were others who will gladly look after her, her maid Kaltume, Magajiya, the princesses and Queen mother even her one and only friend Binta who was now Hamza's wife were there for her. Dosha doesn't want to depend on him so much, although he would not mind at all. He'll say she is his responsibility.

What gave more joy was how her family sent messages and gifts every month. Their reminders always told her they were present, albeit not physically but emotionally. And it was always received at her depressing moments, it's as if they knew what was going on. She misses them.

At times, the royal physician Mairo would be constantly pressing a soft hand on her stomach, checking the position of the child and administering herbs for her. Other times, she would kneel by the bed, groaning from the strains as hands rubbed her back to sooth her.