HIGHNESSES

CHAPTER 4

"  The Beginning "

She walked hurriedly in the hall and stopped apt raptly on her tracks ..."Subhanallah" she whispered in a shaky breath, she couldn't seem to take the image out of her head, "subhanallah" she uttered again a little bit loud, her constantly adjusted alkyabba long forgotten to flow freely...
   After some minutes of composure, she continued to the car park looking around for her personal vehicle... " I can't seem to locate the car " she held her head in her hands and that's when she realised her cap had fallen off her head, she quickly put it back and looked around hoping no one had seen her without it. After some seconds of searching she saw it ...
  "Got you!" She hurriedly walked to her car noticing the driver in it, she opened and entered the back seat without uttering a word. Upon seeing that, the driver took off without questioning but with a concerned look on his face.
  "Something most be wrong". He reasoned...She wouldn't just open the door herself, even though she was the simplest person in the royal house he had ever met.
    
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" Mother Queen is a beauty, she always stands out amidst others, just look at how she is glowing in the garden, she never gets old" Jakadiya harkoki told badamasi as they head towards the queen who is patiently waiting for them comfortably resting on the soft kilishi( traditional mat) in the garden.

The Queen sees the garden as her sanctuary because of its serenity, its beautiful roses and grasses. She holds the flowers in the garden close to her heart, with the cheerful chirping of the birds, the wavering wings of the butterflies adorning the crimson roses, the peace in the air, she gets joy beyond her heart's content.

"I can't imagine the love she has for nature and it suits her well just being around it" Babangida retorts.

"Well speaking of that, I hope the atmosphere remains the same after he departs " said Jakadiya.

Babangida let out a heavy breath ready to talk before he was interrupted by the maids welcoming them. Jakadiya made salams while he does the same as they came to a halt beside the Queen's kilishi.

"Greetings Ma Mangga,hope you are having a good rest? "

She looked up at them and smiled
"Alhamdulillah (Thanks to God) Jakadiya, what news do you have?"

"Ranki shi dade (may you live long) the kings uncle sent a request to see you this evening, it sounded urgent , moreover, Babangida brought the news..."

"Yes Ma Mangga..he said its urgent" Babangida interrupted.
  
"It's okay, reply immediately, am here waiting"
 
"Yes your majesty " They replied unanimously, turning to leave.
"   ...ah wait, how is my son? has He retired to get some rest or is he still with people out there?" Asked the Queen.

"No Ma Mangga, He has retired about an hour ago for Asr prayer, He looked tired and exhausted reported the Right Dogari,but am sure he is resting now."

  'Hmmm.. Please make sure he gets fresh juice and grilled fish with spices ,you know your son'
  
  Jakadiya smiled at that,  I will do that ma manga ,do have a great evening.

' In sha Allah ' replied ma manga.

With that said ,Jakadiya turned and left to attend to the king's needs.

    About some minutes later ,the king's uncle was seated before the queen on his own kilishi with all assorted refreshments placed before him , wearing a blank face void of emotions. After all greetings and exchange of respect ,he cleared his throat and starting talking ;
  " ma manga , it is the tradition and culture of our kingdom to send proposals to all four great houses and await for response. It is the first step to the king's marriage preparation but so far nothing came even on this day being  the coronation day so am here know why"

Ma manga smiled and sat up, dismissing the maids standing some feet away with the wave of her hands, She looked at him again " natalle I only sent my proposal to two houses and I have my reasons which are personal,as for the other houses ,I wish for my  son to decide, I don't want to overwhelm him with too much ,he is too soft to handle that....

" Nonsense" he interrupts, has anyone ever told you that the softness of a man determines the number of wives he marries? A king for that matter? Oh please! And why is my house excluded from the two? Does that make sense ? A whole me?

She calmly looked at him ,not surprised at all by his outbursts, assessing each and every question he uttered before responding with a calm demeanor
" well natalle, its a decision we made with his own father ,and no matter how big your house is and how strong the rank, I prefer he makes his own choice...

"This is absurd, absolutely nonsense,and stop calling me natalle ,am haruna the 1st and I am saying this once ma manga before you proceed with anything ,the proposal better be on my door step..."
 
" and if not?" She interrupted with a slightly high voice "what will you do? I'm not yours to command and I do what's best for my son and family, choosing two and letting him choose the other two on his own is fair enough. Its not a must to follow tradition,we made it and we can change it,the law is in our hands ..."

"See nonsense!!!he shouted,what do you want people to think of my house and family? You want to make us a laughing stock? Bazan dauki shirme ba ( I won't take nonsense) your change of rules did not start anywhere but my roof? Bana son shirme

" Wa ya ke shirme? "He calmly asked after standing there for some minutes without them noticing.

" My king" ma manga smiled brightly at her son which he reciprocated and sat beside her ,she gently placed her hands on his and turned to natalle who is quietly starring at them.
" Haruna, for all that you have said ,I don't care ,what has been done has been done, JULAYBEEB here will marry from the two houses by his own choice and that's final."
She gently squeezed her sons hand and stood up to leave.

" let's not start what we can't end your Majesty" Natalle spat, " kin San ni sarai (you know me well)"

She turned and faced him ...

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