Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 12

Ram placed his palm on Nazia's forehead. Despite her forehead, being extremely hot, Ram did not take his palm away from his wife's forehead.

He realised how small his wife's forehead was in comparison to his palm. It was the first time he noticed every small detail of his wife.

Hadija and Arnav stood in a corner, providing slight privacy to the two of them.

Hadija then brought a small vessel of lukewarm water and a small cloth over to Ram.

Before leaving the room with Arnav.

Finally deciding to give the couple some privacy.

Ram placed the cloth in the vessel of water and wrung it out. Ram proceeded to place the semi-wet cloth on Nazia's forehead. He then repeated this once every few minutes.

After what seemed like an hour has passed by, he touched Nazia's forehead once more.

The temperature seemed to have reduced greatly.

Ram smiled to himself congratulating himself on a job well done.

Ram wanted to get some food for his beloved, thus he began to stand up.

However, he noticed that Nazia had held on to his arm and she was in a deep slumber. Ram sat beside Nazia on their bed and watched her sleep. He noticed how her chest moved in a constant rhythm and how she slept with her mouth slightly agape with a tiny bit of drool dripping down the side of her chin.

Ram grinned before he took his free palm near to Nazia's face. Placing his thumb gingerly onto her chin, he wiped the drool away from her chin. Ram kept his movements to a minimum as he did not want to wake his wife up.

Through the entire afternoon and soon evening, Ram just stared at Nazia while she slept. He realised, that slowly he was falling in love with the way she slept, the way she snored. He was starting to like her, even when she had messy hair and dried drool on her face. He liked her more like this in comparison to when she is decked in jewellery.

However, a sudden thought struck him-his mother. His mother told him, that this marriage was an alliance and it was never meant for him to find love. He could never disobey his mother.

She only thought of the best for him.

Right?

Ram realised that he might have to give up some things for the sake of love.

A knock on the door, scrambled his thoughts.

"King, it's time for dinner. For the Queen as well." Hadija called from the door.

Hadija walked closer to Ram.

The next thing Hadija did, startled Ram.

Hadija kneeled on the floor and touched Ram's feet.

"Forgive me for being so rude to you previously, King. I'm so sorry." Hadija apologised profusely.

Ram lifted Hadija up and he smiled.

"It's okay, Hadija. You had all your rights and reasons to be angry at me. I deserved it. You don't have to apologise to me alright?" Ram asked as he placed his hand on Hadija's head.

"But still what I did was-" Hadija got cut off by Ram.

"You're like a younger sister to me Hadija. A younger sister doesn't have to apologise profusely to her older brother." Ram smiled.

"Now, bring some food for Nazia." Ram chuckled.

"I will, Ki-brother." Hadija smiled and ran off.

Ram walked over to the bed again where he realised that Nazia was rubbing her eyes.

"Good evening," Ram beamed as he helped Nazia to lean against the bed's brown headboard.

Nazia sat upright and looked at Ram square in the eye. Fear evident in her gaze.

"What are you doing, here?" Nazia asked in utter surprise.

"Taking care of my wife." Ram replied calmly.

"W-wife?" Nazia asked still being unable to comprehend what was happening.

Hadija walked in with a silver platter, filled with perfect round chappatis and a small bowl of vegetable stew.

Once she saw, Nazia, she passed the platter to Ram and ran to Nazia enveloping her in a long embrace.

"Queen. I'm so happy that you're awake! King Ram really cared for you immensely." Hadija moved her arms animatedly.

Nazia still had a quizzical expression plastered on her face.

"What?" she mumbled. Hadija just nodded profusely and skipped down along the corridor.

Nazia looked at Ram, who now was clad in a silk dhoti, and gold jewellery. He still did look perfect to Nazia. The only thing that was different about Ram were his eyes. They did not seem full. They were surrounded by dark circles and eye-bags.

Ram sat on the bed beside Nazia, with the silver platter in his hands. He carefully tore a piece of chappati and dipped it into the vegetable stew. Ram proceeded to bring it closer to Nazia's mouth.

Nazia quirked an eyebrow, not understanding what was happening to the man who said he 'didn't love her'.

"Eat." Ram smiled, small crinkles formed near his tired eyes.

Nazia obliged and ate the chappati.

After eating her dinner, Nazia looked at the door as Ram left to wash his hands.

Nazia did not understand the sudden change that was happening to her supposedly husband. However, she chose not to question it. 

She just had to accept it.