Sa'eed - The Warrior

Valima

I left for the palace at dawn. Mahmood Hassan had announced the wedding last night and people had already started celebrating. I passed groups scattered about in lanes singing praises of Shehenshah and praying for his long of life. People referred to me as Malika Mayera. Very few of them knew I was none other than Saeed and even fewer knew I was the daughter of Abu Fazal. Whoever I was, people were ready to love me and respect me for Shehenshah had chosen me to be his wife. The guards let me pass through without a question, now that they knew who I was. Every passage I crossed in the palace I saw servants busy at work cleaning and beautifying. What could they do to make this palace more beautiful than it already was? Everyone I passed gave me a wide smile trying to show their happiness. Word spread like fire that I had returned. Tasleem came running to me even before I had reached the harem.

"We have been waiting for you. Malika Mariam would like to meet you before you retire to your chamber", she said as she escorted me.

"Assalamualaikum Maa", I said hugging Malika Mariam.

"Walaikumassalam Saeed. I must say I missed you even though you had just been here for a day"

"Well, I won't be going anywhere for a long time now"

"Did you have your breakfast?"

"Yes I did"

"I have already placed the suit and jewellery in your room. The nikah will be held after Asar (afternoon) salah. You have the whole day ahead of you to prepare yourself and relax. Malika Humera, Malika Firdous and other ladies of harem are looking forward to spending time with you. Do join us for lunch"

"I will", I said retiring to my chamber.

I needed some sleep for I had hardly slept during the night. After giving instructions to Zohra I fell asleep. She woke me up exactly like I had told her to, as soon as the muezzin called for the Zohar (noon) salah.

"Is the water ready?" I asked her. "Yes, it is Malika"

I entered the hammam to find a retinue of servant girls waiting to assist me. Bowls of sandal paste, aromatic bathing oils and rose water were placed on the sides of the wide hexagonal bathing tub which was filled to the brim with warm water.

"You all can leave. I'll bathe myself and call when I need you", I said to the servants. They looked at me surprised. Clearly no Queen had denied their assistance yet. But I wasn't comfortable stripping to a bare minimum even if it was in front of women. I stepped into the warm water and let it soothe me as I closed my eyes. I indulged myself in the luxury enjoying the feel. As the steam rose, a heavenly smell from all the spices and oils spread around the hammam intoxicating me. When I finally left the tub my black hair shone and my caramel skin was soft and supple. Wrapping a silk caftan after drying myself, I walked out. Zohra was waiting with oodh steam with which she dried my hair.

"Lunch will be served in a few minutes Malika Mayera", she said.

"I will put on something simple and we can join the other ladies for lunch".

Once I was ready, I walked with Zohra to the dining area in the harem. Shehzada Firoz ran to me as soon as he spotted me.

"Saeed, you are going to sit next to me for lunch"

"Of course Shehzada". I took his hand gracefully and sat down next to Malika Firdous.

"How was the night with your family?" She asked.

"It was beautiful. We had lots to share and did not realize how quickly the time had passed".

"I would like to meet them", she said as she put a morsel in Shehzada Firoz's mouth.