Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 10

The next morning, Arnav barged into Ram's resting chamber. "What's wrong with you?! Arnav yelled while his brother was adorning his forehead with the thirunam. "You humiliated Queen Nazia in front of the entire city! You can't deny it, now, Brother. The entire kingdom is an eye-witness of what occurred last night!" Arnav continued chiding his brother.

"I was merely stating the truth. Besides, I'm just following what our mother had taught me to do." Ram replied calmly. " 'The truth'? Did you even spare a thought for the Queen? About her feelings? Do you know how much she's hurting inside? You are killing her slowly each and everyday!" Arnav yelled forcing his brother to look at him.

"You wear the thirunam each day without fail. But do you even remember what our Bhagwan Sri Vishnu has said?!" Arnav was turning purple from yelling immensely.

" 'Austerity of speech consists in speaking truthfully and beneficially and in avoiding speech that offends.' Something which you have failed in. Bhagwan Sri Vishnu will never forgive you, Brother." Arnav sighed before walking out of the room.

Ram thought about what he did last night. Humiliating his wife in front of the whole society was something which he didn't take pride in.

Each day without fail he did attempt to sneak a peek at Nazia praying or practising her sword-fighting.

However, Ram did not want to disappoint his mother.

Neither did he want to disappoint his kingdom.

For that sake, he was willing to sacrifice anything. But right now, he had to seek forgiveness from Nazia. He knew that if he did not ask forgiveness from Nazia at this moment, three people would never forgive him. Queen Binita, Bhagwan Sri Krishna and his own sub-conscious mind.

Ram proceeded to walk hastily towards Nazia's prayer room. Once Ram reached the prayer room, Hadija backed away sheltering herself behind Arnav. She was genuinely afraid of King Ramji. Servants and soldiers all had their heads bowed. When King Ramji walked through the halls, fear was engulfed in everyone. No one felt safe anymore. Slowly, Ram walked to Nazia, the beaded curtain dividing the two of them.

Nazia was still kneeling on the floor her veil was crumpled. Her usual beautiful brown curls looked unruly and messy. Nazia was still chanting as usual, however this time she chanted in a language that Ram understood. "Allah. All I asked for was a husband who cares. Was that too much to ask for?" Nazia cried while she faced the floor. Her sobbing got louder with each passing minute. Ram felt a build-up of emotions in his chest. A tear fell down his cheek as well. Ram began picturing a scene in his head. It wasn't of Binita. It was of Nazia! He pictured the time when her mangalsutra got caught in his gold chains. King Ram continued looking at his wife. Not at his supposedly wife. But he was looking at his wife.

Nazia began swaying from side to side. Her voice was starting to grow softer as well. In an instant, Nazia collapsed to the ground with a loud thud. Ram immediately ran towards his wife. "NAZIA!" he yelled as he scooped her in his hands. "NAZIA!?" he yelled repeatedly while he shook her in his arms. "Hadija! Bring a doctor!" Ram ordered. Quickly he ran to their resting chamber with Nazia in his arms.

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