Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 15

Hadija walked around the Uttarakhand palace with a gold platter. It was a routine for Empress Sheila to conduct a taste test on every dish prepared before each meal.

Everyday.

Hadija noticed how the Uttarakhand palace was flawless in comparison to the Faizabad palace. Every wall seemed to be filled with gold detailing, and chrome orange curtains hung with pride over every frosted window.

The fragrance from the joss sticks, floated around the entire palace giving it a distinct smell. In every nook and cranny, a particular God-Goddess's picture was hung. Arnav once told Hadija that that duo was known as 'Radha-Krishna' .

'Radha-Krishna' is the epitome of love in Hinduism. They are the embodiment of the love that occurs between a married couple.

A marriage forms a love which can never be broken into two.

Hadija looked at the portrait of 'Radha-Krishna' intently before walking further down the east wing of the palace. There she noticed a portrait of Queen Nazia and King Ram.

Memories of that day flashed before her.

Queen Nazia was adorned in a Patola Sari. A Patola Sari is only worn by Royals. A common woman was never allowed to even touch a Patola Sari.

Handmade in Patan,Gujarat the Patola Sari was a gift to Queen Nazia by her in-laws. Nazia did not like the Sari personally as she was very used to wearing baggy pants. However, everyone who visited the Palace were captivated by the humongous portrait which owned the marble walls.

Queen Nazia never once realised her own beauty.

Hadija sighed looking at the portrait in front of her.

Queen Nazia was wearing a red Patola Sari. The detailing of the gold jewellery was stunning. In her left hand, a Zulfikar was held. Queen Nazia's Zulfikar was her prized possession. She used the Mughal sword for every one of her sword-fighting lessons. 

Her hazelnut eyes were focused on her King.

King Ram was wearing his signature gold uttariya, silk dhoti and glimmering gold jewels. He held in his hands his prized possession-his bow and arrow. His muscles flexed as he stood in his perfect posture. The artist had to be applauded, as he could even perfect the minimal details on King Ram. Like the beads of sweat on his right bicep when he held onto his bow and arrow.

That's when it hit Hadija.

King Ram and Queen Nazia resembled 'Radha-Krishna'.

The only difference was the absence of the bindi on Nazia's forehead.

However, the similarities were endless.

Both duos, were garlanded in their portraits.

Both duos, were smiling at their significant others.

But, most of all, both couples loved their significant other immensely.

Hadija smiled at the portrait and continued her pursuit for Empress Sheila.

Once she entered the room, she noticed that Empress Sheila was engaged in an extremely heated conversation with Emperor Gaurav. Hadija then proceeded to place the gold platter on their mahogany side-table and tilted her head downwards.

Respect for the higher authorities.

Throughout the duration of tasting the delicacies, Empress Sheila and Emperor Gaurav were conversing in a language that Hadija did not know of.

It seemed foreign to her.

However, Hadija only understood a few words in that alienated conversation.

'Sultan Azman', 'Binita' and 'Nazia'.

Hadija was extremely sceptical and wary of everything that was occurring in that room, she had to tell her Queen.

After her Queen had recovered.

Her loyalty was still with Nazia.

"The food is delicious, Hadija. Do inform us when Sultan Azman arrives." Empress Sheila smiled, a sickly sweet smile was evident on her face.

Hadija nodded and proceeded to exit the room.

Something was amiss. Something was definitely wrong. What could those three people have in common?

Hadija sighed as she cut the leeks in the kitchen, awaiting the arrival of Sultan Azman.