Through Thick or Thin (Book Two)

Chapter Two

Previously on Through Thick or Thin

I blame Alexander for this. That's what I get for giving him hell on his wedding night and forgetting I promised him I would babysit the kids in a few days when I wouldn't be there. Smiling lightly I felt something collide into my chest as if on instinct I reached out and caught it. Correction a person.

Looking down I could see her eyes closed shut as if waiting to hit the ground. "Are you okay?"

"Mina you incompetent, stupid girl how dare you!"

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Mina's point of view

I rolled over on the sheet on the ground. I tried not to crush my little brother Ashraf. Feeling for his body I found him missing. Sitting up I looked around the room to find him curled up with my mother on her sheet in the corner.

He looked so sweet. I wish I could make our lives better. The king hardly gave anything to the village though he pampered his entire family with all the money in Saudi Arabia. There were about ten people that had electricity which included him.

When my dad had met my mother they had bought this one bedroom house with a kitchen and a living room. Compared to some persons this was heaven. Most person here were homeless and the persons who lived in the big houses were the King's advisers. They were also included in the persons who have electricity.

Sadly dad passed two years ago of pneumonia which resulted in me taking a job at the palace but the pay wasn't much. We all got three gold pieces which could hardly keep clothes on our backs and food on the table.

My mom was currently fighting cancer so I doubt she would survive it. There was no permanent cure here and the medicine to slow it down almost took my entire pay. Plus it seemed as if the treatment wasn't working. My mothers once beautiful sun-kissed skin was now ghostly pale but her other beauties remained. She stilled had her waist-length black hair and her silver eyes still shined with such passion.

I looked at the window to see the sun getting up. I had to get to the palace by the time the sun was partially up in the sky. Getting up I moved to my mother and gently touched her. "Momma get up."

Groaning slightly she turned around towards my little brother and opened her eyes. "Good morning my light."

"Good morning Momma, I need to leave soon." My mom loved the name that she gave me. Mina, in our culture it meant light.

"Okay please have something before you go."

Smiling I caressed her cheek. "I'm fine mom I don't need it you and Ashraf need it more, there's only bread and jam left and your running low on medication."

"I'll be fine Mina." She coughed placing her hand over her mouth.

"No, you won't Momma," I sighed. "I'll get something at the castle to eat and I'll take somethings back here okay?"

"Mina they will punish you if you take things from the castle,"

"It is either that or we starve and I won't make us starve."

I could see the tears forming in her eyes. "Okay baby."

I smiled and kissed her cheeks along with Ashraf. "I'm going to go bathe and leave."

Getting up I took up a jar to go catch water at the well. Taking a cloth off the door I shoved it open and began walking. Everyone was already up as usual. The market was already bustling. Persons were already out trading and cleaning their stalls.

I quickly tried to make my way through the crowd as children continuously ran from one stall to another. "Hello, Mina!"

"Hi, little ones!" I waved and continued to walk out of the market. When my father was alive he worked as a guard for the king so he was known quite well that's why after he died it was so easy for me to receive a job at the palace.

This kingdom has so many laws it is hard to do anything really, alcohol was banned, a woman could not wear suggestive clothes or they would be punished. My family was not very religious but we still held through with some of the palace customs.

Taking the jar off my head of my head I placed it at the base of the well. Taking a hold of the of the rope I lowered the bucket into the well waiting until it finally hit the water. Pulling it up I watched as the bucket filled the jar by half. Lowering it again I repeated the process a second time and filled the jar. Placing the bucket and rope were I first saw it. I lifted the jar and placed it on top of my head and began to walk home.

This had become normalcy for me ever since my mother took ill. One morning in the week I would get up and full the drums behind the house so that my mother and brother had them to use while I would fill a jar a day for me to use.

Seeing my house come into view I quickened my paste. I don't know why I hadn't woken a little bit earlier than I normally. Going behind the house I took the jar off my head and went to get a basin, along with the washcloth and oil at the side of the house.

Putting it down I threw two sheets on the line and got in between them to bathe. Taking off my abaya and preceded to bathe. The water felt cold as it slides down my body. There was so much that needed to be done at the palace today. After basking in the water some more I poured the oil in it that made it soapy. Running the cloth over my skin I began humming my favorite song.

"Oh, sing sweet, nightingale 
Sing sweet, nightingale, high above me." 

"Mina child you need to hurry!" My mom called out from inside the house. I took a few more minutes then finished.

"I'm finished!" I called back.

She soon came out of-of the house with my red abaya. "Here you go," She handed them to me. "Dress quickly,"

I placed them on and began to remove the sheets, "No I'll do it your almost late."

Stopping I folded it and handed it to her. "Thank you, Momma," I kissed her on the cheek. "Tell Ashraf to be good at school today."

I slipped on my shoes and began to run towards the palace.

"Good morning Mina," Mr. Allah called out as I ran past his cart which his horse was pulling.

"Good morning Mr. Allah." I continued running until I saw the palace gates.

Increasing my speed, even more, I ran pass the vehicle in front of the palace. The only person that owed a vehicle was the King Farros and I was positive it did not belong to him.

I wonder if the King from nearby was visiting.

I couldn't even stop to admire it. It was quite funny looking. Continuing, I ran down the halls trying to get to the kitchen in time to set the table when I collided into something hard. The collision knocked the air from my lungs.

Closing my eyes I awaited the impact of the ground but instead, I felt the firm hands of a man. "Are you okay?"

"Mina how dare you?" My eyes flew open as I heard the voice of the princess.

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