Three months had passed since that one eventful night in the life of Haider and Meera.
And to say things could not be any better for the two wouldn't be wrong.

The harsh winter days were coming to an end and Haider and Meera had kept each other warm, body and heart.

Meera was lying on the carpeted floor by the hearth in Haider's chamber her red lehnga fanned out , a book in her hands and her complete focus on the words.

"If you are going to spend so much time hugging the floor, I'm going to have to bring in the Hakim soon." Haider said throwing the wet towel on her face as he exited from the bathroom.

Meera groaned making Haider chuckle, she swatted the towel and sat upright.

"Winters are not yet over." He said slipping the kurta over his head.

"I know, you think I don't. This damned winter." Meera grumbled. "I can't wait for winters to get over and Noor to come back, I'm bored out of my mind." Meera pouted sitting on the bed.

"It will take time Meera, the road is still blocked with snow and she can't -."

"Yeh yeh I know." Meera rolled her eyes.

"Am I not keeping you busy enough." He said kissing her lips and she pushed her body against his deepening the kiss.

Haider pulled out from the kiss and Meera groaned making him laugh.

"You are one needy woman." He said pushing her hair behind her ear. "I need to go and do some work my queen or they might add zan mureed (hen pecked husband) to my title." He said winking at Meera.

"Sunno." Meera said following him out of his room into the foyer.
"I need to go to the shiv temple today."

"And ?" Haider said cocking his eyebrow. "You want me to carry you there ?"

"No." Meera rolled her eyes.
Her red glass bangles gave a beautiful tinkle as she raised her hand to button up his kurta.

"Are you planning to kill me ?" He said holding both her hand in his. "I'll choke if you button that up." He said.
"Vaise aap khoobsurt bohot lagg rahi hai aaj." He said pulling her closer to him by her waist and Meera rolled eyes playfully.

"Get done with work quickly today."

" Jo hukum mere aaka." He said bowing in front of her.
They descended down the stairs and entered the courtyard. Meera looked across to see her friend Kanika looking down at them from Meera's balcony waving, Meera waved back.

"What time will you be going to the mandir ?"

"Durning lunch, it won't be busy then." She said.

"Okay, I'll send Ali Baksh with you, I don't want you going alone."

"No." Meera said. "Can Abhishek Bhaisa give us company instead ? You can send all the bodyguard's you want, he has just returned and it's been long since I've seen him and I'm sure he would want to go pray as well with all the work load and training he -."

"Okay okay lady." Haider said covering her mouth with his palm. "I'll send Abhishek. You talk to much, and I'm already late I'm going to go now."

Meera walked to her room, Jamila and Hania who were standing near the harem entrance joined her.

"Mashallah Mashallah !" Jamila exclaimed. "Aaj Janat se apsara aayi hai lagta hai." She said and Hania chuckled.

"Jamila." Meera said in a warning tone.

"I'm not joking Malika-e-Hindustan, you look beautiful everyday but today, you look magical."

"Well thank you my dear, now ask Avantika to come to my room, we all are going to Shiv Mandir today."

"Really ? I've heard the temple is the most beautiful structure in the city, I've never even been to a temple before."

"Well Hania Bibi we'll go see for ourselves today." Meera said pulling her cheek.
"Now one of you call Avantika for me and the other one arrange for raw milk in a kalash (pot with a smaller base and wider mouth usually used for praying). "

Meera walked towards Ammi Be's room to inform her about her trip. She passes Noor's room and sighed, she missed Noor very much, her absence had turned down the liveliness of the palace.

Meera knocked on the door to ammi be's room.

"Come inside."

"Good morning Ammi." Meera said walking towards Inayat who was sitting on the bed with her prayer beads.

"Oh my child, come here. " She said with a smile. Meera places herself on the bed next to Inayat and snuggled in her lap.
Meera had gotten closer to everyone in the palace in the past months and specially with Inayat, her heart warmed up with the affection the lady showed to her, the love showered at her, the love she never received, a mother's love.
She knew now how a mother loves her child, she knew how she would love her child.

"Ammi I'm going to the temple today to pray, I won't be joining you for lunch."

"Oh no problem my darling." Inayat said stoking her head lovingly.
"Wait take this and distribute it among the needy." Inayat got up and walked to the chest and pulled out a pouch.

"These are a couple of silver coins, if you find someone who is needy give it to them." She handed the pouch to Meera. "Kisi ki madad karna sabab ka kaam hota hai."

"Ji Ammi." Meera said and talked to Ammi Be for some time before heading to her chamber.

She could hear people laughing inside her room and a smile played on her lips as she entered.

"Here Malika-e-Hindustan, I got you your Avantika." Jamila said pulling Avantika up from the bed by her ear.

"Ouch Ouch Jamila aapi you'll pull my ear off." Avantika complained.
Avantika had gained some healthy weight and colour to herself in the last three months.
Her big doe eyes and pink cheeks added to her childlike charm.

"Girls girls behave." Kanika walked into the room from the balcony. Kanika had shed some weight which made her features look more sharp and prominent, she looked beautiful.

"Meera we are going to the temple right ?"

"Yes we are." Meera smiled wide. "If you wouldn't have reminded me I would have totally forgotten to-."

Meera was interrupted by a loud knock.
The door was pushed open and a man in a black kurta walked in, his curly mop of hair bounced as he walked in.
The well fitted kurta accentuated his muscular frame.

"Meera, Kanika ?" He said looking at the two lovingly.

"OMG Abhishek Bhaisa ?" Kanika ran towards him and flung herself on him.

"Abhishek Bhaisa ?" Meera whispered softly looking at him with moist eyes. He extended an arm towards her and one of his arm was wrapped around Kanika who was sobbing on his shoulder.

Meera walked towards him into his embrace.

"You two have changed so much in the past few months." He said pulling them from his chest and inspecting them.

"You look so beautiful." He said lovingly stroking their head.

"You don't say." Kanika smiled through her happy tears. "Look at you, you look so different, all these muscles have popped out in the last three months, has your brain become more huge too with all the calculation and math." She laughed and Meera and Abhishek join in.

"We've missed you so much." Meera said.

"And I have missed you."

Abhishek had transformed completely, he was chosen to take place of Ashraf Bilal after his dismissal from the court as the treasure. Haider and Ali Baksh (Wazeer in the Mughal court) had quickly noted the potential of Abhishek and he was sent to train physically and mentally before joining as the treasure.

"Well now that I'm here, I'll be here with you two and then you would want me to give you space." He smiled.

Hania, Avantika and Jamila watched the trio from a distance.

"Are we going to be ignored now ? Malika e Hindustan won't you introduce us to your handsome brother." Jamila said and rushed forward raking Abhishek from head to toe.

Meera laughed and motioned Hania and Avantika to come forward as well.

"Bhaisa these are my friends and companions, this is Hania you already know her right ?" Meera asked and Abhishek nodded.

"This is Avantika and that beauty next to you is Jamila."

Abhishek shook hands with all the three women, he held Avantika's hand for a second or two longer which passed unnoticed.

"I'm not washing my hand now." Jamila said. "Or you." She said poking Abhishek's chest with her finger. "You come and shake my hand everyday."

"As you say." Abhishek said his hands raised in surrender, Jamila smiled wide and the rest of them laughed.

AN : grh you guys !!
Not even 12 freakin hours and you gave me more then what I asked for, honestly you guys deserve this update.
I really thought the earlier chapter would cross 80 so soon.
So now next update at 100 :p or on Saturday.

Also I've updated the cast list, go check out who is Abhishek and Avantika (they are my favourite pair :') )

Lots of love
xoxo