Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 19

Once Nazia and Ram had reached the garden, Nazia led Ram to a bench which was surrounded by her favourite flowers-jasmine flowers and white roses.

The bench was covered with water droplets from the downpour which had stopped a few minutes ago. Nevertheless, Nazia took her hand and pushed the water droplets away from the bench.

Next, she sat down beside Ram on the bench and held his hand in hers intertwining his fingers with hers.

"I'm so sorry, King. You did not deserve that. Forgive my father for being so insensitive." Nazia pleaded, squeezing his hand gently in hers.

"B-but I'm a widower. I-I only caused hurt to Binita and you-" Ram got cut off by Nazia who just merely looked at him.

"You did not cause hurt to me, King. Even if you did, you had your reasons to do so. Also, I do believe very strongly, that you have never once pictured of hurting me. You have only given me care and affection. I also do think that you have only showered Queen Binita with the same as well." Nazia smiled at her husband for the first time in a long time.

Now, Ram saw a goddess in Nazia. Beneath the bindi was a Sufi-Muslim girl no doubt. Despite the faint henna designs on her palms, the chudas which seemed to have minimal scratches, Nazia had a warm bright smile and loving eyes which provided nothing but comfort to Ram.

"But, what did you say to Sultan Azman, just now?" Ram asked while he touched the red marks on his neck, wincing slightly.

"First of all, I'm very proud of you King and I'm thankful for choosing you as my husband. Despite facing, ultimate humiliation you still did not attack my father. I'm very delighted by the way you kept your morals, King." Nazia beamed at Ram, noticing that he had his fingers intertwined with hers as well.

"He is still older than me, Nazia. After all, he had the rights to hurt me. Every father would be raging if their daughter was sick." Ram laughed, looking at Nazia and smiling back.

"If you really want to know what I said, I will tell you. I told him that 'you keep me happy'." Nazia blushed while she looked at Ram, straight into his eyes.

Ram placed his hand over Nazia's hand.

"Thank you, Nazia."

Nazia looked at Ram, smiling back.

"I'm just helping you, King. My father has a notorious temper. Trust me." Nazia laughed, her ego once again prevented her from confessing her feelings to Ram.

"We should go back inside. Coronation day is coming in a few months. There's lots to prepare." Nazia smiled at Ram before walking back into the Palace.

Ram just looked at Nazia's braid sway from side to side as she walked down the path made from decorative stones.

He loved her, oh so much.

One thing he did not know, was if she reciprocated his love.

."-