Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 7

Upon reaching the Palace of Uttarakhand, Emperor Gaurav and Empress Sheila waited for the newlyweds at the entrance of their home.

Despite Nazia, being a Sufi-Muslim, Emperor Gaurav and Empress Sheila regarded their daughter-in-law as an avatar of the Goddess Laxmi.

In Hinduism, Goddess Laxmi, symbolised wealth and prosperity.

Nazia, was asked to kick a vessel of rice with her right foot as she entered their humble abode. Princess Nazia, still had her lady-in-waiting next to her. However, she had to bid her parents goodbye at the temple itself.

Ram bowed down to touch his parents' feet and Nazia followed suit. Despite not knowing what it meant. Nazia felt foreign in Uttarakhand. Nazia was not used to seeing statues of Hindu Gods in various places neither was she used to seeing oil lamps in every corner as well.

"Nazia, dear. We have set up a prayer room for you separately. Do not worry." Empress Sheila smiled while she held her daughter-in-law's hand. King Ram sighed looking far off into a distance.

Nazia looked at her husband who had his eyes fixated on a Hindu god and a Hindu goddess. Not knowing, who the gods were the least of Nazia's worry. Her husband did not care about her one bit.

"Nazia."

A voice scrambled her thought process. "Are you alright with participating in a Hindu festival?" Emperess Sheila asked while leading her away from Ram. Nazia nodded as she knew that she had to nod in acceptance for everything. Whether she liked it or not.

"I will participate, Empress. But, not during Eid-al-Fitr. Which is next month." Nazia mumbled while playing with her mehendi covered palms. "It's okay dear. The festival occurs on the end of next month." Queen Sheila laughed. "Now, go and talk to your husband." Queen Sheila laughed bringing Nazia to Ram.

Nazia walked over to Ram while she stood behind him. "The sky is surprisingly empty today." Nazia commented, absentmindedly. The sky was a symbol of both Ram and Nazia' s hearts. Empty.

"Wise men are afraid of three things, Queen Nazia; the sea during a storm, a gentle man angered and the absence of the moon." Ram mumbled as he walked to his resting chamber.

Nazia looked at Ram's silhouette on the ground. It started growing longer and it became more faint with each step he took further away from her.

"Prince-Queen." A soft voice called out to Nazia. "Queen, why are you so upset?" Hadija asked as she walked closer to Nazia. "I have no hope in this marriage, Hadija." Nazia mumbled whilst looking at Hadija with glistening eyes.

"Queen. Don't say that. King Ramji will definitely love you one day. Never give up hope, Queen." Hadija consoled her inconsolable queen. "One day. Allah has to help me, Hadija." Nazia forced a smile while she walked to her resting chamber.

Once Nazia reached her resting chamber, she noticed Ram had removed his uttariya, he was just clad in his silk dhoti. Ram was walking around the resting chamber while Nazia just admired her husband.

Soon after, Nazia was snapped back into reality when she realised what Ram was doing. Ram was setting up a rug and a pillow on the floor. "What are you up to my lord?" Nazia asked walking closer to Ram. "Queen, please do not address me as 'Lord'. You are not obliged to address me as such." King Ram said as he smoothed out the rug. "You are not my wife, Queen. I have no rights to share the same bed as you." Ram spoke as he lay on the rug on the floor. "But, you tied the mangalsutra on my neck." Nazia asked, anger and sadness filled her insides. "It is a marriage of alliance, Queen. It doesn't mean anything." Ram commented as he turned around on the rug. His back facing the enormous teakwood bed.

Nazia felt her lips go dry. Nazia felt her eyes twitching. She was void of every emotion possible. Nazia then climbed onto the teakwood bed, pulling a silk blanket over her small frame. When, Nazia's head came into contact with the soft pillow, a tear fell down her cheek.

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