Deewani

تیسرا باب

Chapter 3

Safa was in state of fasting before Ramadan even began. With nothing but air to eat , she had no choice. Her mother could care less about her. And wouldn't be coming until the day Ramadan began. Safa knew she had only one option that was to head to where her mother was and ask her for some money.

Heading out of her small house , her feet moved through the crowded street. Roofs of houses were filled with clothes being sun-dried after being washed. Little kids played with their mud toys. Mothers sat on the small steps busy chewing betel leaf filled with areca nuts. They had trays filled with them and as they chewed they gossiped about the upcoming royal wedding. By the time Safa reached the end of the street she was sweating profusely. Her tattered shoes pinched her heels and she was sure a bruise was in making.

Safa entered the area where brothels were plenty. Her heart raced as creepy looking pimps with gold jewelry hanging from their necks looked her up and down. Reciting all prayers she knew , her feet entered the most famous one. With trembling feet she went up to the pimp and asked him
"Can I meet my mother ? Aisha Begum?"
With a slight nod of the mans head he took her towards a luxurious room. The king sized bed had velvet sheets and was covered with rugs. In the middle of the room sat her mother. Seeing Safa her smile was wiped off and she asked the pimp to leave.

"Child what are you doing here?" Aisha questioned with a poisonous tone.
"Mama , papa has refused to send me any money and with the little leftover money I had I bought groceries that were destroyed on the same day. I haven't eaten anything other than rotten bread in three days. Please mama give me some money" Safa's voice was thick with tears. She felt lightheaded, if her mama refused to give her money then she would starve for a long time. Aisha looked at her offspring. Aisha never wanted her but thinking that the nawab would marry her , she raised Safa. When she realized that wasn't going to happen she had abandoned Safa.

Nodding her head , Aisha handed her 2 rps.
"Don't expect more than this. Now get lost. I won't be coming home this time. Leave."

Safa smiled at the small coin her hand. Touching it to her forehead as a sign of respect she turned around and left silently. Her mind was busy calculating all she could do with the minimal amount of money she had. Safa could only buy food that would last her a month. This time again she would wear her old clothes on eid. In twenty years of her life , Safa never bought any new dress.  She would repair her mother's old dresses and wear them.
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Aahil  was busy in preparation of his sisters wedding. Everything had to be perfect. From the streamers hanging on the ceiling to the place where their Nikkah would be held. It would be in a classic style with a thin cloth hanging between the bride and groom. The jewellers from all over the country were running to and fro in order to impress the former queen of the Empire.

Aahil had selected a royal blue shalwar kameez for himself with gold accents. His sister would be wearing a maroon and gold bridal dress. Ever since Alina had come to know of her wedding she had become quiet. Never giving her input in fashion like she would usually. Aahil had noticed the change in his sisters behaviour and remained silent blaming it all on the "jitters".

Rahila was smiling. Her daughter had a secure future. She was pious. Her heart was pure and there was no maiden like her in the entire land. Alina would have a nice husband who earned well and with the inheritance he was receiving she would have no trouble in life.
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Kashif sat on a huge cushion. The maroon velvet was soft to the touch and gave his back some comfort. Ramadan was approaching not only this his sons wedding was coming. All around him was a cheery atmosphere. Everyone was radiant.

There were not a lot of servants for the villa. He was guilty of not paying his daughter. Even though he had an abundant amount to give his daughter. His wife had asked him to bring Safa to their place so that she could provide a helping hand. This would also free them from the responsibility of hiring a henna artist.  A sinister plan was brewing in the Nawabs head. And it would not end well for that harlots daughter.
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Alina was sleeping beside the man who loved her. He was stroking her cheek as she slept without a single worry. Without knowledge of what was going to happen.

The man had been payed by someone to lure the woman in his trap and would reveal that the princess was not a virgin. This would get him money and ruin the life of the selfish brat who had his sister killed just for eating a piece if chocolate.

Alina did not know of the troubles of life. She was sheltered. Yet she liked to feel as if she was living a sad life. She had turned to an unknown man when her brother could have been her rock.

As Alina entered her royal chambers she felt a pain in between her legs. It was a bittersweet feeling. Her body seemed more mature in one day she had turned from a girl to a woman.
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Safa cooked food for herself and after a very long time did her stomach not cry at night as she slept. Her full stomach and well stocked pantry lulled her to a peaceful sleep.

A last sleep for a very long time.   

Translation
Nikkah : A muslim ceremony for marriage.