Sa'eed - The Warrior

Surprise

"Oh there you are! I have been searching for you all around", I walk into the chamber Shehenshah has seated himself in. The sun had just peeked through the horizon and chirping filled the air.

It is an accessory administrative room. Sparsely furnished. Shehenshah sat at the table in one corner. Other chairs looked like they had been occupied a while ago. I seat myself opposite his composed figure. He looked lost in thought his eyes fixed on the tree visible through the spacious window behind me.

"Ahem", I clear my throat to gain his attention. He turns to me and I immediately sense something off. "Is everything alright?"

"Alhamdulillah. Things couldn't have been better". A slow smile lights his features and his eyes are glassy. It had been a month since the war and every aspect of Mumlikat-ush-Shahi had been prospering.

"Alhamdulillah. Yes, things couldn't be any better. Yet.... I sense something amiss". I gaze up at his lovely face that I don't get tired of looking at.

"How well you understand me Mayera, is there anything that doesn't escape your notice?" he asks fondly.

I just smile in return.

"I was remembering father and how proud he would have been to see me now. Our kingdom has doubled in size, trades are flourishing and people are better off. It pains me Mayera, to know he died thinking I wasn't good enough to be his son. I miss him and wish I had a better bond to look back at". His eyes are getting moist again.

I walk over and seat myself in his lap. I graze my thumb over his cheek. I felt honoured and deeply loved to see him open up to me this way. The face that looked so vulnerable in front of me was always inscrutable, tough and hardened in front of others. It was just me who held the access to his deepest pains and fears.

"Shehenshah, what has gone by cannot be changed. Bitter memories will continue to stay with us as shadows throughout life. They help shape us and toughen us. This life is temporary and you will soon be meeting your father in eternity, you can be rest assured that he will embrace you with open arms. You have made him proud and happy in the heavenly abode, so why worry yourself over the past when the future looks much more promising?"

"You have always got the right words, haven't you?" His voice is barely a whisper and his gaze intense. These moments always left my heart racing and my tongue dry. No matter how many times Shehenshah proclaimed his love for me, every time it gave a new flavour.

"Aadab Shehenshah. Do I have the permission to enter?" The loud voice breaks us apart as I replace my veil and take another chair.

"You may come in", orders Shehenshah.

Newly appointed Wazir-e-aala, Salman walks in carrying scrolls. They hold cases that will be presented in the court today. They are wrapped in silk, brocade and linen based on their importance. He places them on the table.

"Just 3 scrolls today?" asks a bewildered Shehenshah to Wazir-e-aala.

"There were a total of 14 cases today Shehenshah. On the order of... Malika Mayera", he gives me a sideways glance "I have taken care of 11 of them, however these 3 are of outmost importance and require your opinion before they can be sorted".

Shehenshah gives me questioning glance and I pretend to be busy with the dazzles hanging off my veil. He turns back to Wazir-e-aala with a "we'll discuss this after he has gone" look.

As Wazir-e-aala briefs Shehenshah regarding each case I catch up with the current affairs. My responsibilities at harem kept my hands full and only at few instances like these I got an opportunity of shaping the administrative decisions as well.