Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 8

The sun was shining it's warm golden light over Uttarakhand. Ram rubbed his eyes lazily before he sat up on his rug. Proceeding to stretch, he noticed something different on his rug. Ram noticed a silk blanket covering his lower torso. Realising that, it was a task done by his wife , he smiled slightly. "Nazia," he mumbled to himself , as he proceeded to get ready for the day.

Ram proceeded down the spiral staircase to the prayer altar. Ram raised the veneration platter, which was covered in oil lamps. Ram circulated the veneration platter around the statues of the deities. Once he had finished his prayers, he proceeded to place the thirunam on his forehead. That mark is a symbol adorned by a follower of the Lord Vishnu.

After he was done with his daily routine, Ram heard a chanting of some sort. However he was not able to decipher what hymn was being chanted. Ram proceeded to walk towards the west wing of the palace. The chanting became louder, with each step he took.

Ram, then reached a room, which had a beaded curtain covering it's entrance.

That's when Ram saw who was chanting.

A small petite figure was kneeling on the ground, with her palms raised. The figure had her back facing Ram. Ram noticed a pink veil was draped over her beautiful, brown curls.

Ram stood there in awe, watching the Queen chant a prayer:

" Ya Allah. Alttawfiq bayn qulubuna maksurat mae alhubb walttafahum. Hall shuuwnuna kasr. 'atawsil 'iilaykum lijael zawji yarani zawjatan llaha. Allah yusaeidini."

"Queen Nazia has been in there since the crack of dawn, King Ramji." A voice spoke from behind Ram.

"Greetings Hadija. What is she chanting?" Ram asked curiously.

Hadija looked back at Nazia who had her head on the ground, chanting the same prayer over and over again. "It's a prayer chanted by married women. 'Oh Allah. Reconcile our broken hearts with love and understanding. Resolve our broken affairs. I beg you to make my husband see me as his wife. Allah help me.' Is what she's saying King Ram. Now I must go and prepare lunch, do excuse me." Hadija scurried off before Ram could question her even further.

Ram looked at Nazia who was praying. A tear fell from his eye. He couldn't accept Nazia as his wife. He loved Binita. He still did. Ram felt guilty that he could not reciprocate Nazia's emotions.

Once Nazia, had finished her prayers, she stood up and smoothed out her saree. Proceeding to look at her skirt as she walked out of the room, the Queen saw the King at the entrance of her prayer room while she was exiting.

Nazia felt shock and fear as her brain began to replay the incidents which occurred at night. Nazia began to back away, tripping over a pillar by accident.

Ram quickly rushed towards Nazia and caught her slim figure in his arms.

Nazia had her eyes shut tightly.

Ram was looking at Nazia's face, clearly.

For the first time.

When, Nazia opened her eyes, slowly she noticed that their faces were barely inches apart. Their breath fanned onto their spouse's face. Nazia stood up quickly, not wanting to look at Ram's face any longer.

The next thing she noticed was her mangalsutra was tangled with one of Ram's long gold chains. Nazia and Ram untangled both of their necklaces. A few chuckles were heard behind them causing the two of them to turn red instantly. Once they had untangled their jewellery, they noticed Hadija and Arnav giggling and chuckling.

"Wow, brother I didn't know that you were so attached to my sister-in-law." Arnav chuckled as he walked closer to Ram. "Shut up, Arnav." Ram glared at his brother. Ram realised that Nazia had left with Hadija almost instantly as Nazia's shadow was no where to be seen. However, Ram could still hear the jingles of her anklets.

"Brother, you can drool over sister-in-law later." Arnav laughed. "Don't you remember that in a few months, both you and sister-in-law are to parade the streets of Uttarakhand?" Arnav laughed as they proceeded to walk towards the hall.

Ram nodded while his memories took him back to the same event that happened three years ago.

"All hail King Ramji! All hail Queen Binita!" the cheers of the common folk reverberated through the entire city of Uttarakhand. Ram remembered parading through the city with his beloved. At the end of their parade, they stopped at the Umra Narayan Temple. At the temple, Ram placed sindoor on Binita's hairline. While, the common folk threw flower petals in complete joy.

"Brother." Arnav called out to Ram while tapping him on the shoulder.

Snapping Ram back into reality.

Ram wiped his tears while turning to his brother. " Queen Nazia is your wife now. You have to treat her like how you treated Queen Binita." Arnav told his brother while looking at him. "I can't, Arnav." Ram mumbled while he looked out at the garden. Nazia, was busy looking at the wonderful flora and fauna present there.

"Don't hurt the Queen, brother." Arnav cooed. "Eid-al-Fitr and Karva Chauth fall on the same week. Please, don't emotionally harm her. I think she's been broke enough." Arnav mumbled as he walked off.

"Ram. What are you doing, dear?" Empress Sheila asked as she placed a hand on Ram's shoulder.

"Nothing, mother." Ram replied with his head facing down.

"Remember, Ram. You aren't a husband. You're a King. The time has come for you to realise that a king is supposed to inspire the entire society by his impeccable demeanour. A king is supposed to adhere to the morals. A king has to make decisions that will benefit his society. The marriage, will allow Uttarakhand to flourish. It was never meant for you to find love. Remember that clearly." Empress Sheila glared at Ramji before she stormed off.

Empress Sheila walked towards Nazia who was looking at the beautiful marigolds. "Binita loved marigolds, that's why we planted them." Empress Sheila explained. "Ram, loves Binita, immensely." Nazia mumbled to herself. "No, dear. Ram has to forget Binita. He has to love you. After all you are his wife." Empress Sheila smiled. "Now come here." Empress Sheila dragged Nazia to a seat at the patio.

"On the third Friday, next month, is Karva Chauth." Empress Sheila began. "Mother-in-law, on the third Saturday next month is Eid-al-Fitr. I would be fasting." Nazia replied while playing with the hem of her saree. "Don't worry. Karva Chauth would also require fasting." Empress Sheila smiled while placing her hand over Nazia's hand.

" Karva Chauth, is a festival for marriedwomen. They fast from sunrise to when the moon is up. Just like Eid.Once, the moon is in view, you would have to see the moon through a vessel ofwater first. Before, looking at Ram. Then, you would have to pray to the moonfor the longevity of your husband. After which, your husband, will have to giveyou your first gulp of water." Empress Sheila explained. Nazia nodded listeningto each word carefully. She could not wait for Karva Chauth. Maybe then,at least King Ramji would love her. With the whole city as a witness,finally her Lord might love her.

J��,��i