By the following day, everyone in the royal household was aware of the Queen's pregnancy and they were all in a merry mood as the long awaited moment was here.
"You dont know how happy I am that Sarauniya is pregnant" said a maid who was grinding pepper in the kitchen
"She deserves nothing but happiness, she is a good woman" another maid who was blowing the fire replied
"I pray it's a boy" a third maid chirped in while coming into the kitchen with a clay pot of water balanced on her head.
"I don't think it matters whether it's a boy or a girl, what matters most is that she is going to be a mother" the first maid replied. Their conversation was interrupted when Jakadiya came into the kitchen to see how far they were going with their work
"What are you girls discussing, it's almost noon and you all are here gossiping, now consentrate on your work all of you" she scolded.
"We are sorry" they said in unison.
***
"Sarauniya! Sarauniya!! Assalamu Alaykum!!! Zahra came rushing into the Queen's room and hugged her tightly.
"Wa'alaykum us salaam Zahra" the Queen replied.
"Welcome Your highness" Jakadiya greeted her as she stood up from massaging the Queen's feet and moved to arranging her clothes
"Thank you Jakadiya, I hope you are taking good care of the Queen?"
"I am doing my very best your highness"
"Thats very good of you then. Sarauniya, congratulations, I am so happy for you" she said, releasing her from the hug
"Thank you very much Zahra, Alhamdulillah" the Queen replied with a smile that hasn't left her face since she found out she was pregnant
"But I am angry with you, it was Waziri who told me the news, are you not supposed to tell me yourself?" She asked while faking hurt.
"Oh Zahra, I am sorry it was not intentional"
"Never mind my sister I was just joking, how can I be angry with you at such a happy moment. I am so happy that i will soon be an aunt In Shaa Allah"
"Ameen. You will be a mother too In Shaa Allah"
"Ameen. Thank you" she replied quietly. Waziri married her four years ago, she was also a princess from another kingdom. Sarauniya welcomed her into the family with open arms, she was also happy to have a sister, since then they had become inseparable sisters and friends. Within the first two years of her marriage, she had two miscarriages and the third one was a still birth. She was so broken, depressed and devastated at that time and even though Sarauniya tried her best to console her, they always ended up crying together. Though what mattered most to them was that they had each other's shoulder to cry on.
"When are we visiting the orphanage?" Zahra asked, comfortably changing the topic
"Mhmm...I think tomorrow morning should be fine" the Queen answered.
"In that case let me go and make the necessary arrangements. See you later"
"Okay, bye"
They made it a point of duty to visit the Orphanage together often, they took gifts and food items with them and spent time with the children so that they could feel loved and have a sense of belonging. Some of the older orphans who had nowhere to go were employed in the palace to work as maids and guards and the Emir financed their wedding whenever they found someone to marry.
"Jakadiya"
"Yes my Queen"
"Please come and rest a little bit, you have been working since morning"
"I am just carrying out my duties your majesty" she replied but however came and sat at the foot of the bed.
"Even at that, you need rest, you know your condition" Jakadiya was also pregnant, her husband was a farmer. He grew crops during rainy seasons and during the dry season, he went into the bushes for hunting. He normally spents about two to three months before coming back, but this time around it was four monts since he left and no news was heard from him. Jakadiya was beginning to get worried.
"Any news from your husband yet?"
"No news my Queen, I am very worried, I dont even know if he is in danger"
"Dont talk like that, i am sure he is safe anywhere he is. He is brave, just keep praying for his return"
"Thank you my Queen, you are very kind to me, I pray for the day you will ask for a favour from me because I will gladly do anything for you. I am very grateful."
"You are welcome Jakadiya, I treat you so because you are a loyal servant. Dont worry, so far I and my husband are alive, you will never lack anything. That i promise you."
"Oh Sarauniya, that is very generous of you. Thank you so much."
***
Six months went by fast and soon, the Queen was due for delivery. She went into labour and gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, however, she lost alot of blood and fell sick instantly. The Emir and everyone in the palace had mixed feelings of both happiness and sadness. After seven days, the child was named Muhammad Sa'ad Sultan. The Emir became very worried as the Queen's health continued detoriating and in the midst of all that, news of war came and he had to lead the army. With so much pain in his heart, he bade farewell to his wife and left, not know it was the last time he was going to see her.
---------
Thank you for reading SULTAN. Dont forget to vote, comment and share. Love you all.
YOU ARE READING
SULTAN {Preview}
Spiritual#1 in Sultan, more times than I can count. "Promise me, promise me oh brother, that you will take care of Sultan, promise me you will rule this Empire justly and truthfully in my absence. Promise me you will guard the throne for him, and when he re...
