Ghungru

His Highness' Demand

Shana was given one of the best rooms that a court dancer can ever deserve. Everyone including Shehnuba was also very confused how could this happen.

Shana was given a proper bath and a long beauty spa. When she looked at herself in the mirror she herself was amused by her looks.

"Oh my dear child... Allah has already made you so much beautiful and now with proper care your beauty is flourishing" said Shehnuba while combing her hair.

Her eyes whelmed up with tears. She turned around and kissed Shehnuba's hands and slowly uttered the word,"Ammi"... Shehnuba hugged her and said,"Shana... don't worry I'll take good care of your here... and just like a mother I'll gift you the highest post you can ever get... and that also with respect."

"Aunt... thank you for everything... if you hadn't arrived at the right moment... it'd have been disastrous for my family..." said Shana while wiping her tears.

Shehnuba was just standing up to dress up Shana when two servants came and one of them spoke,"Shehnuba sahiba pardon our intrusion. We are assigned by his majesty the crown prince to serve Shana bibi."

Shehnuba with a questioned look said,"Shehzade?But why he would assign servants for a court dancer?!"

"We know nothing more than what we are commanded... so if you'll excuse us... we would get her ready for the eve... the princes will arrive soon..."

"Uh-ok... beta meet me before leaving... You need to know few things."

Shana nodded her head and Shehnuba took her leave.

The two maid servants' work was beyond perfection... not only they chose the most sober but eye catching dress for Shana but also did the perfect make up of her. The applied very little ittar on her neck and wrist for a nice rose tinch.

In a red and black gown with very simple jewellery... a Shana looking no less than a princess herself bowed her head to her ghungru. As if praying for blessing and success to the second most loved thing of her. After that she wore those by herself and and put on her veil.

Those two maids escorted her to Shehnuba's room.

"Ye Allah... you are looking so beautiful my child!" Said Shehnuba with kind eyes and hands caressing her cheeks. Shana blushed a bit.

"Now listen... don't get nervous and dance confidently... never ever go against any prince... and if they try to do something wrong... then don't be worried and call me... I'll always be there nearby." By saying this Shehnuba kissed her forehead and bid her bye with all fortunes she could ever had.

Soon Shana was there in the middle of the court all 6 princes were present there... except the eldest, youngest and the crown prince. The eldest and youngest soon... joined and after a while the crown prince also came... but he was sitting behind a thin muslin clothe's screen and his face was not seen properly.

"To all majestic princes and high lord crown prince here's my salaam" Shana with a polite tone with gazes looking down.

The music started and Shana was just about to start when...

"HALT THERE!" Shouted the personal servant of the crown prince,"Its his highness' wish he want you to dance with uncovering that veil from your face."

"As shehzade alah wish to..." Shana replied with a low tone.

The music restarted and it was like her body moved automatically. Every move, every step were so clear and sharp that no one dared to finger out her dance actions. That sharpness in her big eyes beautifully lined with dark kajal... that slight smile in her bow shaped rich red coloured lips...that light blush on her cheeks and her milky white skin was compiling so well with her ghungru's sweet ringing.

Not a single soul present there blinked or sipped a bit of wine also. And at last her dance ended with a continuous round of chakkars(round spins). The sounds of applauds and cheers were clashing through the hall. Shana's eyes were wide with surprise, she never thought her dance was so good.

"Now everyone please be silent... let bhaijaan speak!" Said cheerfully the youngest.

Crown prince whispered something in his servan't year. The servant replicated his words,"His Highness stated that the new dancer is just like an angel and he wants to reward her luxuriously."

After a pause he again spoke,"His highness wants to give her the first wife's title... Shehzade wants to make her His Begum Saahiba."

Shana's jaws drop to the ground. She never thought this will happen. Then suddenly Shehnuba interrupted and said,"Shehzade... please she is just a simple girl from a poor household... her self respect matters a lot to her."

The prince again whispered something and the servant spoke,"According to His Highness, he never said he'll let her image down. He wants to marry her and she'll be Shehzade's first wife."

Shehnuba was going to say something when the servant again said,"Stop right there! Shehzade wants to know the lady's opinion over there."

All gazes turned towards Shana. Her hands and feet were shaking and she uttered,"Y-Your Highness I'm a meager girl... so please d-drop this idea!"

"And what if I say it myself..." said the Crown prince himself. But his voice was quite similar to that person, the same manly-deep-husky voice of... of Ali Sahab.

The screens were down and in a beautiful get up standing there was Ali Sahab or I should say 'The Crown Prince'.

With his swift walking style he got closer to Shana and held her chin... by looking straight into her eyes he said,"What if I say its 'His Highness' Demand' huh?"

To be continued...