Pharaoh's Queen {HIATUS}

109: "Big Brother- The Second"

"Mother!" Rashidah bolted towards Kiya with his arms opened to welcome her.

"Hello my sweet boy !" Kiya squeezed him tightly. "I am back."

"Rashidah do not be so rough with your mother," Khai said at a distance behind.

"Rashidah tell your father that your mother can take it ," she ruffled his hair .

"Welcome back mother," Safiyah walked towards her mother.

"Hello my dear. Come and give your mother a hug."

Kiya embraced her two children .

"Where is Naeem?"

"Big brother is in his room," Rashidah said plainly.

"You too go and greet your father. Let me go see your brother." The two nodded and went to look for their father as Kiya made her way to Naeem's room.

"Is the Young Prince available?" Kiya knocked trying to mask her voice.

"Enter."

Kiya cracked the door while staying hidden behind it.

"Mother no one really calls me Young Prince anymore."

"I gave myself away," she peek out from behind the door .

Naeem sat up as his mother stepped inside and pushed up his door.

"I thought you would have attacked me outside with your brother but I was surprised when he tried to knock me over on his own," she took a seat beside him on his bed. " Why does my boy look so listless?"

Naeem sighed deeply and he wiped his face with his hands.

"Do you not want to speak with me? I understand if it is a ma-"

" I was suppose to be the bigger one. I was suppose to be the one to look out for them. So why does it feel like they are the ones looking out for me ?"

"Naeem what happened today? Where is this coming from?"

"Rashidah asked to spar with Zaire and I today because his  practice was not holding his interest ..."

"Yes.  Go on."

"Sure I welcomed him. I went first then I got to watch him last." He paused for a while staring in space before drawing for a deep breath. He turned to his mother. "I watched him keep up with Zaire double my usual time then triple my usual time until it seemed like he had the stamina to go on forever if he wanted to."

" I know you are aware of your own limitations Naeem."

"He looked at me and said how good I was and I... I could barely take it seriously."

"I can understand your frustration my son but let me ask you this. Do you think your brother who has so much respect for you would ever lie to you, especially on such a matter?"

"No."

"Good. I have watched both of you and your talents are different. Rashidah thrives in endurance and stamina. Naturally he is so energetic and loud. That is his skill set. You were never ever like that. You are almost opposites.  As a baby you were quiet and growing up you were reserved and moved at your own pace. I have seen you Naeem. Your skill is in your technique.  You polished that and you execute it beautifuly  every single time. Of course I  understand that you want to last longer but that is something out of your hands. "

"I just feel so defeated sometimes."

"My sweet boy," Kiya streached her arms out and Naeem fell right into the embrace of his mother laying his head in her lap. " It truly is normal to have these feelings and I appreciate that you to chose to talk to me instead on keeping them to yourself. I need you to know that you not being able to go the extent like Rashidah or Safiyah, this does not take away the title of being the oldest. It will never take away your responsibly that comes with being their only big brother. You are much more than that and they look up to you so much they would never let your physical abilities classify you."

"I really do care for them Mother ."

"Know you do dear. And I also know seeing them do things you cannot it weighs you down even though you are supporting them."

"Does that make me a bad person ?"

"It means you have feelings and they are just reacting to the situation. It does not mean you are a bad person. Naeem as you grow older, you will mature emotionally and physically and most of the challenges you face now you will overcome them in due time. You are just 15. You have the time. "

"Suppose I feel this way again. "

"I will be here for you always and maybe you could speak to your brother and sister about how you feel because your feelings affect them. You would not want then to misunderstand you."

"I will."

"As soon as you feel comfortable."

"Mother?" Naeem look up at her.

"Yes dear?"

"Thank you... For listening. "

"My job ."

"Thank you for doing it so well."

"You sound much better." Kiya smiled down at him.

"I know you must be tired .You were out for the entire day but could you ..."

"I will stay with you till you fall asleep. How does that sound ?"

"Really?"

"Or are you too old for that?"

"No..." He trailed off. "Not right now.  I like how that sounds ."