Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 11

Upon reaching their resting chamber, Ram placed Nazia on their teakwood bed. Nazia's face was pale and void of any emotion. Her eyes were still shut, but, a gust of wind provided a miniscule amount of life to her dark and long eyelashes. Ram placed his hand over Nazia's.

Despite being unconscious, Nazia's fingers refused to clasp onto Ram's fingers.

It seemed like Nazia, did not want Ram at all. She did not want to accept him anymore. She did not want Ram to be a part of her life.

Nazia's fingers felt cold.

Colder than ice.

Ram attempted to hold Nazia's hand. However with each, try, Nazia's hand slipped out of his grip like a bar of soap.

A tear drop fell pathetically from Ram's eye onto Nazia's embroidered blouse.

Soon after, a short and fat man wobbled into their resting chambers. He walked into the room while hugging a wooden box precariously in his arms.

"Forgive me King, but I would appreciate it if everyone could exit the room. The sobs and sniffs produced would be very distracting." The man smiled, causing tender creases to form near his full eyes.

Ram nodded and proceeded to exit the room with Hadija and Arnav following him closely.

Ram walked continuously to and fro on the red carpeted floor.

"What's the point of regretting, now, brother? You have hurt the Queen far too much." Arnav glared at Ram, while facing the closed doors of the resting chambers. "She loved you immensely. Even when you ignored her. Even when you disregarded her. Even when you humiliated her." Arnav mumbled. "She'd still talk about you, like you put the stars in the sky." Arnav sighed shaking his head.

Ram remained silent, his lips shook. His vision blurred slightly.

"King, if I may. Why would the doctor even spend his time doctoring her? It seems absurd, just like how someone would attempt to put the pieces of a broken vase back together. The Queen's heart is broken. Why would you think that powders would be able to cure and fix her?" Hadija rolled her eyes, as she adjusted her veil.

Ram's eyes were red as tears streamed continuously.

"I have already called for Sultan to come see his daughter. He loves Nazia far too much and he deserves to know what state his daughter is in." Hadija informed Ram.

"W-why?" Ram choked out.

" 'You are not my wife. You are not my beloved. I don't love you and I can't accept you.' You uttered these words King Ram. This clearly indicates that she is not the Queen of Uttarakhand. She is still the Princess of Faizabad." Hadija mumbled, her entire being shaking with fury.

Ram fell to his knees.

Ram covered his face and sobbed inaudibly.

Just then, the short and stout doctor came out of the room.

"Brother. The doctor has exited the room." Arnav cooed as he attempted to lift his brother from the floor. No matter how angry he was with his brother, he could not bring himself to hate Ram. After all, Ram was still his brother.

The doctor smiled, reducing his full eyes into a single line.

"The Queen is alright. Just dehydrated and under-nourished. I recommend lots of water and rest." The doctor scratched his balding scalp, thinking of what to say next.

"Oh yes! Make sure she eats regularly and gets enough sleep. She is extremely weak. She needs plenty of bed rest." The doctor smiled again.

Ram hugged the doctor and thanked him profusely.

"I'm just doing my job, King. Now I shall take my leave." The doctor chuckled before adjusting his oversized white turban on his head.

Ram rushed as fast as he could into the resting chamber.

Before Ram could sit beside his wife, panting sounds were heard near the door of their resting chambers

Ram turned around, noticing that the doctor was panting heavily. The doctor held onto the door for support.

"I forgot to mention that she will feel extremely drowsy for a couple of days due to the medication that I have prescribed for her." The doctor added before walking away from the resting chambers.

Ram forced a smile before he continued to look at his wife who was sleeping soundly.