Happy Independence Day
India 🇮🇳🕊
Please read AN

Meera was sitting in the harem courtyard, teaching all the girls how to read and write.

They were already almost a month into learning and Meera into teaching, the holy month of Ramadan was coming to an end. Avantika's wish to educate herself had now become a wish coming true for almost 40 girls of the harem.

"Now the next questions for Fatima. What is four times four ?"

"Sixteen."

"Excellent." Meera said with a lot of pride.

"You girls have such sharp minds, I feel so proud of all of you." She smiled at them.
"We'll have a month end exam, I'll give you a few question which we have already discussed and I'm sure all of you will do well. Exams are not to judge you, they are an analysis of where we need to focus harder alright ?"

She heard a chorus of yes.
The class was dismissed and everyone returned back to their respective duties.
Hania had taken Avantika and her books and gone to place them back in their rooms.

Meera and Kanika had been discussing a lot since the past one month about Abhishek's increased visits to the harem, about the stolen glances, they had finally confronted him and made him spit out about the attraction he felt towards Avantika.
They had then told him about Avantika's past and Abhishek very confidently said that her past did not matter.

It was time to ask Avantika about her feelings.

"Avantika, what are your plans now. In a couple of months you'll be self sufficient, educated, self reliant what do you plan on doing then ? You can't be here forever, you can't waste your life like this right ?"

"Do you want me gone ?" Avantika asked in a small voice, her doe eyes had pooled up.

Meera laughed and ruffled her hair.
"No if it was up to me I'd keep you with me forever but you need to start afresh, a new life Avantika." Meera said and Avantika looked up at her with confusion.

"What I mean to say is, start your life again, properly this time, with consent. Don't you want to have someone to call your own, to have kids someday."

"I don't know Meera di, who would marry me ? You know I'm not just a divorcee but also someone who has dragged her husband to the court, wont they think that if I'm cable of doing it once what's to stop me from doing it again ?"

"Hey." Meera whipped the tears falling from Avantika's eyes. "Not everyone is like that Avantika. You are so beautiful inside out why won't someone love you ?"

"I don't think-."

"What if I were to say someone is already in love with you ?"

"I don't understand."

"Kanika and I spoke to Abhishek Bhaisa, he wants to marry you sweetheart." Meera said lifting Avantika face to meet her eyes.

"He knows about your past and he doesn't give a cent about it, he said he was happy that the women he fell for was so strong and independent and knew how to fight for herself and he would be the happiest man if you took him as your husband."

"I don't know Meera didi, I've never really thought about it. If you believe that he is the right person for me then I believe in your choice." She said

"Hey it's not about me, and I blindly trust him you know that, why don't you for once have a say in your life, make a decision for yourself." Meera suggested.

"Meera di you pulled me away from the hold of that demon, gave me a new life, my life is yours and whatever you choose for me I know it's going to the the best."

"Okay then, why don't we get you two engaged right now ? And then I'll give you three months, to know him, test him, judge him. If after three months you in the slightest way feel that maybe he isn't the one for you then we won't pressure you into it. But you have to promise to be honest and tell me your true feelings."

"I promise." She said and Meera wrapped her arms around her and engulfed her into a warm hug.

Hania entered and saw the two embrace. She waited for them to pull apart.

"When did you get in here ?" Meera asked.

"Just now Malika. I met Nadia khala on the way she said Ammi Be has asked you to visit her."

"Okay." Meera said and walked towards the East wing near Ammi Be's room.
She passed Noor's room which was locked and her heart cried to see her friend again, it had been too long now.

"Meera come here quickly." Ammi be said calling her inside her bedroom. She saw Zulekha was seated there too.

"What's the matter Ammi ? All good ?"

"Yes yes, look at this." She said showing Meera two parchments.

"What are these ?"

"Noor has sent us a letter, she instructed to open it only when the three of us are present in the room."

"This is great, please read it Ammi."

"Hello ladies, Salam Salam and Salam. I hope you girls haven't lost your beauty miss me everyday.
I won't say I miss you every second of the day because Tahir compensates for all the love I've left there and come here without, but yes once a day maybe twice I do remember your faces faintly.

Delhi is a wonderful place, I wonder why Hadi hasn't made it our capital, the palace is as large as ours and luxurious, but I miss you everyday I wish you were here to enjoy the luxuries with me. Shit did I say I miss you I wasn't suppose to say that I'll scratch that off later.

Although the trip was suppose to be short it's been well over four months, I'm truly experiencing a wedded life away from home but I can't wait to come back to you all.
Ammi I miss your warm embrace, Zulekha I miss your positive criticism on my clothes and designs and Meera I miss gossiping with you.

I hope Hadi is doing good as well and I pray he hasn't become old and wrinkly because he surly is making my husband grey with all the stress. I seriously need to have a word with him.

I'm going to keep it short, I'll be come home soon, you guys can keep missing me, make dua for me and when I come I need a grand celebration for my welcome.

Eid Mubarak my lovelies

PS: I am getting you all an amazing gift, so you better make the celebration worth it.

Lots of love
Noori"

"I miss her so much." Zulekha said wiping the corner of her eyes.

"We all do my love, we all do." Ammi Be said placing the letter carefully in a trunk.

"Her welcome celebration better meet Noor standard or she is going to toast us." Meera said and Inayat chuckled.

"True that, but I'm sure you'll handle it, how is your teaching going ? Are the girls learning well."

Inayat and Meera chatted about everything and nothing till sundown.

Haider was in his chamber before dinner with Ali Baksh and Abhishek. Discussing politics and their kingdom.

"I'd suggest we cut down the taxes, the drought has left the farmers stressed."

"Okay Abhishek do that, also if our coffers allow can we assist their families in some way."

"I believe we can your highness, I'll have to make a tally and get back to you with the exact amount." Abhishek said.

"Yes please." Haider nodded. "Ali Baksh, you has to discuss something's as well right ?"

"Yes your highness, since Tahir isn't here, his spy's were to report to me, the news has come in yesterday about unrest in the western province, to be precise your highness, the province of Punjab ruled by your uncle Ejaz Ali."

"Elaborate."

"We are loosing hold over Punjab, the king is charging heavy taxes, the law and order is messed up, the Hindu minority are suffering and have fled down south to take shelter with the Rajput kingdoms." He said looking at Haider, expecting a reaction but his face remained blank.

"Sir, the reports say that the Rajputs are joining hands to upturn the crown of Punjab, get Ejaz out of the way."

"What do you think we should do ?" He asked Ali Baksh, his wazeer.

"Your highness, the atrocities against minorities must not be overlooked and justice should be served, the law and order must be re instilled." He said and Haider nodded in agreement.

"We can also make the taxation rule universal for every province and kingdom under the Mughal rule." Abhishek suggested.

"Great idea Abhishek." Ali Baksh said.

"Good then, both of you work on it, come to me tomorrow with an answer, I don't want an uprising or mutiny." Haider said patting Ali Baksh's shoulder walking towards the balcony.

He looked at the midnight sky with the missing moon .
His eyes wandered to the courtyard the exact moment when his mother and Meera entering the courtyard walking towards their dinning area and his face lit up.
All this worries had vapoured into the night sky and the sight of the two most important women in his life has calmed his mind along with the gentle breeze.

He walked back in towards Abhishek and Ali who were bent over the table covered with papers and maps.

"It's late, I think we should rest tonight and pick up things from tomorrow." He said.

"We'll get through this, I'm sure with three of you by my side we'll get through this." Haider said smiling at the two.

"Your highness when is Tahir coming back ?" Ali asked

"He's still settling things with the nizam, they have just come under our flag and his loyalty is still under scrutiny." Haider said and the three of them descended down the stairs towards the courtyard.

"Ali why don't you join us for iftar (night meal after the fast is broken during Ramadan) today ?" Haider suggests.

"Yes Ali bhai you should." Abhishek added in.

"I must decline your highness, if you still need your wazeer." He said laughing. "If I don't break my bread with my better half, she won't think twice before slicing me into halves."

"Aap bohot darte hai Salma aapa se Ali bhai." Abhishek snickered.

"We'll see when you are under the spot light brother." Ali clapped Abhishek's back and left the two.

.
.
.

"What took you so long ?" Meera asked watching the two handsome men approach the table.

"Work."

"I will not tolerate you two disrespecting food next time. You better be here on time if you don't want to go to bed empty stomach."

"Yes my queen." Haider said turning red with embarrassment. He sat on his chair.

Abhishek sat on the chair earlier occupied by Tahir opposite to Meera's.

Ammi be, Haider and Zulekha made a small dua before meal, Meera and Abhishek too closed their eyes and bowed their head before starting their meal.

All of them chatter and laughed except Zulekha who's eyes were trained on Haider's hand which was placed on top of Meera's on the table.

She wanted to pry his hand from hers, burn Meera's hand with the candle kept in front of her for touching her man.
She knew even the thought of harming someone during Ramzan was sinful and wrong, but the fire inside her wanted to burn Meera alive.

"Ammi, Haider, there is something I want to tell you two." Meera said with a wide smile.

"Judging by that smile, it's something really good."

"Yes it is. Ammi I need your permission to throw an engagement celebration." She said shuffling her eyes between Ammi be, Haider, Abhishek, the latter was least interested and was stuffing food in his mouth.

"Who is getting engaged."

"Avantika and Abhishek Bhaisa." Meera smiled widely.

"She agreed ?" Abhishek asked his eyes wide.

"Well she has agreed to get engaged, you have to convince her to marry."

"I..Y..you are amazing Meera." Abhishek said making Ammi be and Meera laugh.

"Well I need to tell you something too, and it's not really a good news." Haider said.

"What's wrong ?" Meera asked looking worried.

"Ejaz uncle...I'm planning to replace him with a younger ruler, he has lost his touch and off late we have been getti.."

"Are you out of your mind Haider ?" Zulekha shrieks. "What do you mean by replace him, have you lost the last bit of brain you had, what has she done to you." Zulekha said pushing her chair behind to get up, she held Meera's upper arm and pulled her up from her chair too.

Watching Zulekha man handle Meera the rest too got up in shock.

"What have you done to him ? What poison are you feeding my Hadi." Zulekha shook Meera by her shoulder.

"Leave her Zulekha what madness is this."

"I wish I could kill you, first you stole Haider from me, you parade around holding him in front of me rubbing salt on my wounds and now you are trying to destroy my parents happiness too." Zulekha raises her hand and strikes it onto Meera's cheek.

"Zulekha." Ammi be and Haider shout.
Haider pries her fingers which were dug into Meera's shoulder and pulls Meera towards his chest wrapping his arm around her.

"Have you gone crazy ?" Haider shouts.

"Have I gone crazy or have you ? Didn't you know I was here waiting for you to come back so phupho could finally talk to you about us, decide a date and get us married ? I was waiting Haider, I waited every day weaving dreams, of us, of our life together, a life I was promised since I was ten." Zulekha cried, her face had turned red, her hair messed up, she looked like a crazy homeless person.

"And that day when they told me you were at the palace gate, I ran, I ran so fast." She laughed as tears ran down her face. "I wanted nothing more than to see you, to know you had come home, unharmed, to check that all my dua, my prayers had been answered and you were okay." She walked towards him and Haider pushed Meera protectively behind him.

"And when you stood there, I watched you, and it was after six months since you left that I had taken a breath that had made me feel alive again. And then I had to see her, waltzing into our life, our perfect life and destroying everything." Zulekha said standing inches from Haider, her eyes reflected multiple emotions, love pain, suffering, hate, jealousy.

"Allah ki kasam Hadi, maine sirf tumse mohabatt ki hai. Meri galti kya thi ? Maine toh sirf wahi kiya na jo mujhe bachpan se kaha tha, sikhaya tha, tumse pyar karna, toh phir mujhe saza kyu mil rahi hai Hadi, roz roz hazaro dafa mai marr rahi hu, meri galti batta do Hadi. Mujhe riha karo iss azaab se, maar do mujhe please, maar do." Zulekha cries holding onto Haider's kurta.

"Zulekha please you-." Haider stops as he feels her body going limp against his. He holds her in his arms and looks at her, her eyes had closed and she had given upon consciousness.

AN: At the stroke of midnight today, I proudly announce my second book 'Zahe Naseeb.'
When just a few days back I shared the idea about the second book, not everyone was convinced with it, but I've alway written for myself and I believe i can pen this plot down as well.

I won't be starting the book till I finish this one but I sincerely hope you all are there with me for the other one as well.

Next update will be on Friday
Lots of love
xoxo