Chapter 22: The Red Drink

•| CHAPTER - 21 |•

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€ SULTANATE

R I Y A D H

Sultan Riyadh is sitting on his high throne listening to his chief executives. His one elbow is resting on the arm rest of throne and he is gaze were down at his hand thumb rubbing over fingers. He was uninterested about what the head of public affairs are saying his mind was somewhere else.

“ Jung ka elan karo ”

" Announce about the war"

All of the court members turned silent and even Arim looked at him confused his brow pulled together.

“ Par Sultan ”

" But Sultan" The head of public affairs started

“Achanak?”

" Suddenly?"

" Yes Sultan why so suddenly?" Another one come forward.

" I want my territory to expand as much as possible" he stood up firmly wrapping his fingers over his sword he step down the stairs and move out of the court leaving people shocked behind.

~~~

€ CORRIDOR

He walked through the cooridor and when he heard Arim called him. He halt and Arim come and greeted him and Riyadh smiled in return.

“ Or wazir - e - alla kafi masruf ho gaye hai aap, apne dost ke liye waqt nahi hai apke pass ”

" Chief minister you are so busy nowadays that you don't have the time to meet your friend"

Riyadh teased him as they both start walking.

“ Sahi kaha aapne vo kya hai humare Sultan hi lafi sakth hai kisi na kisi kaam me humesha masroof rakhte hai ”

" You are right, my Sultan is very strict person he always give tasks upon tasks so the person remains busy "

“ Bohot hi umda Sultan malum hote hai ”

" He sounds like very efficient Sultan"

" Oh yes he is" Arim nodded.

“Bas isi karan aaj kal mehal me sazish ki bu aane lagi hai ”

" That's the reason the smell of conspiracy in the palace"

Riyadh halt and turned towards Arim who has the serious experresion on his face slowly a smile came on Riyadh's face.

“ Jis Sultan ke khilaf sazish na ho vo Sultan kaisa”

" How is a Sultan against whom there is no conspiracy?"

“ Ji Huzur ”

" Yes Sir"

They start walking again the golden rays of sun was coming out of the thousands tiny holes in the wall and are falling on the face of Riyadh making it appear golden and his green orbs looks magnificent when the colour of green and golden collide together and form a beautiful colour.

“ Vaise yeh achanak se jung ka khayal kaise aaya? ”

" From where suddenly the thought of war come from?"

“Humne socha tha takt par bethna bepanaah khusi dega jo ki usne di magar jo josh hum maidan- e - jung me mehsoos karte the, jo maut ko ankhon me ankhe daal ke dekhne ka maza tha vo isme nahi hai ”

" I thought sitting on the throne will give me so much happiness and it gave me but the excitement I felt in field of war, the joyI felt looking in the eyes of death is something different "

“ Aapko yaad nahi aa rhi kya?”

" Are you not missing it?"

“ Sach kahe toh haa”

" If I say truly then yes "

“ Kis Sultanate pe hamla karne ka irada hai?”

" In which territory you thought of attacking?"

Hearing this a grin come over Riyadh's face his pink lips curved up and white teeth become visible.

“ Suryaveer's Kingdom”

Arim halt and Riyadh look over his shoulder and his brows moved closer to eachother in confusion when he saw Arim stood rooted in his place he walked back towards him.

" What happened?"

“ With whom Begum Ahenkara's younger sister marriage happened?" Arim asked raising his brow.

" Yes" Riyadh nodded.

" But his kingdom is far away from here and we can't add it in our Sultanate"

" All wars doesn't happen because of one reason"

" The reason is personal" Arim smirked and raise his one brow, Riyadh rolled his lower lip and sank his teeth in it.

“ Kahi humare dost ko mohobbat toh nahi ho gayi? ”

" Did my friend fell in love?" Arin stop and placed his hand on Riyadh's shoulder and in response Riyadh chuckled.

“ Mohobbat toh nahi magar dilksahi jarur ”

" Love" he clicked his tongue and start walking " but attraction yes "

“ Toh apko nahi lagta aagar aap Suryaveer ko nukhshan pohochayenge toh vo aapke karib aane ke jagah aapse dur ho jayengi ”

" Don't you think if you try to harm Suryaveer she will move away from you instead of coming close"

“ Ab vo kudh bhi humse dur nahi ja sakti ”

" Now she herself can't go away from me"

“ Or rahi baat Suryaveer ki toh ab vo humari begum hai or humare alawa unke zehen me kisi or ka hone yeh humari toheen hai or Sultan ki toheen karne ki saza hoti hai jo unhe bhugatni padegi ”

" And about Suryaveer, she is my wife now and other man thought in her mind is my disrespect and there is punishment for doing the disrespect of Sultan which she has to suffer"

" Of course Sultan, I should take ny leave now" Arim said and bowed down and in reply Riyadh nodded.

“ Chaliye dekhte hai aap kya kar rahi hai”

" Let's see what are you doing" Riyadh smirk and just as he entered the cooridor of his chamber the loud sound of melodious tune filled the area.

^^^^^

€ SULTAN RIYADH'S CHAMBER

A H E N K A R A

I heard the sound of door opening and the my fingers stop on the wires. I slowly open my eyes and saw him standing in front of me.

“ Kinti acchi lagti hai aap sitar bajate hue yahi kyu nahi karti ”

" You look so good while playing sitar why don't you do this only" he said coming forward, I blinked not able to comprehend his words.

Is he complimenting me?

“ Magar nahi aapko toh talwar baazi me apni beizzati karana zyada pasand hai ”

" But you like to make your fun in sword fighting " he said laying on the bed supporting himself by elbow.

Of course a taunt what was I'm thinking.

I look down and focus on tightening the wires.

“ Aapko ek baat bataye”

" Should I tell you something?"

I didn't respond keeping my focus on the wires maku sure it was making perfect sound.

“ Humari saal girha aane wali hai ”

" My birthday is coming"

“ Par is bar aap humare sath hai toh soch rahe hai aapko kuch tohfa de ”

" But this time you are with me so I'm thinking I should gift you something"

I stole a glance at him he is laying on his back in the middle of bed spreading his arms and one knee bent a little his gaze was up at ceiling.

“ Suryaveer ka kata hua sar kaisa rahega”

" How about Suryaveer's head?"

My mouth went dry and I gasped hearing him. I lift up the sitar and place it aside and stood up I corrected my lehenga and made my way towards him standing at a distance.

“ Hum bata chuke hai unse humara koi vasta nahi hai humari choti behen ke pati hai vo, apni behen ko johar karte hue nahi dekh sakte ”

" I have already told you I have nothing to do with him, he is just husband of my younger sister and I can't see my younger sister performing johar "

He turned his head towards me as usual his gaze were blank or I'm the one doesn't know how to read his eyes. He didn't say anything but suddenly his hand shoot up and grabbed my forearm and pulled me down. My eyes widened and I placed a hand on the mattress so I didn't fell down on him.

“ Aap hume tohfa dene nahi de rahi iska matlab hum aapse tohfa mang sakte hai ”

" You are not letting me give you any gift which means I can ask gift from you"

I bite my lower lip averting my gaze from him to side he will ask something absurdity thing.

“ Hum aapse hamara Shohar hone ka haq mangte hai”

“ I ask my husband rights from you”

My eyes snapped to his and tremble at the thought of what he asked. He smirked and I felt uncomfortable I try to pull my arm out of his grip but doing his my hand rub against his chest.

I stop my struggle and look up at him.

“ Aap humara visvash nahi karenge na?”

" You won't trust me, right?"

His lips slowly curved in a smirk.

“ Aap hume apna shohar nahi manegi na? ”

" You won't accept me as your husband, right?"

He knows were nerve is.

“ Aisa nahi hai par hume kuch samaye toh dijiye itni sheeghr humare jeevan me itna kuch badla hai hume thoda sambhalne a absar toh de ”

" There is nothing like that I need some time. Everything is changed in my life in a small span of time I need time to adjust to it" I answered keeping my gaze down.

Next moment I feel myself rolled and mattress against my back and his scent smell filled my senses I feel warmth around me. I open my eyes and found myself in his arms his green orbs pouring into mine. I gulped.

“ Aaj raat, kal raat ya uski agli raat kitna waqt?”

" Today's night, tomorrow's night or night after tomorrow how much time you needed?"

My breath started to get faster.

“ Yeh samay....”

" This time...."

" Ab yeh mat kahiyega yeh waqt kam hai humare jaazbato ki bhi qadar kijiye ”

"  Now don't tell me the time is less think about my feelings too" he lift his hand and I feel his slightest touch on the side of my forehead making me close my eyes sliding down towards my cheek. I fisted my hands closing my eyes tightly sweat beads form on the side of my forehead in anxious.

Suddenly I felt a gust of wind I open my eyes and found no one. I lift myself on elbows and heard the sound of door getting shut.

I sigh in relief falling back on bed placing a hand against my chest.

~~~

€ After few days

€ Evening

€ Balcony

The loud sounds of music playing, people talking and other things are coming although I do not have the permission of going outside the Chamber but I can imagine his birthday is celebrating to the fullest.

My heart is beating loudly thinking about the conversation which we had few days ago.  I look down and open my fist revealing a ring with a huge blue gemstone. I gripped the ring and pulled the gemstone and it open up revealing the white power which were inside it.

It was highly poisonous.

I close the lid and clenched the ring in my fist.

^^^^^

R I Y A D H

The music is playing loudly, the place is decorated beautifully, best dancers are called  for the occasion of Sultan's birthday, expansive drinks were serving to the guests.

Sultan Riyadh was laying lazily on couch under a huge chandelier his officials are sitting beside him and beautiful dancer were dancing in front of him. Arim get up and gave another glass of liquor to him he took that gladly a huge smile adorning his face. He gulp the entire liquid in one go and fell back on the couch closing his eyes. All the people in the party were intoxicated.

The glass fell from Riyadh's hand and fall on the floor rolling till it collide with another glass There were so many glasses laying on the floor. A shiny golden shoe is placed on the floor and Riyadh stood. Arim placed his hand on his shoulder and asked in sleepy voice.

“ Kaha ja rahe hai Sultan?”

" Where are you going Sultan?"

Riyadh didn't respond to him but took the glass of liquor from him and move out of the hall his steps falter as he walk eyes half closed. He somehow managing himself to not to fall reached his Chamber and open the door.

There were so silence in his room the ambience were too peaceful and  it broke when the glass fell from his grip when his eyes stuck on someone so beautiful. The whole chamber is illuminated by tiny lamps and she is standing close to the balcony lighting the lamp. He walked inside his eyes refused to blink and mouth open.

She is standing with her back towards him wearing a dark red lehenga against her skin which were appearing golden in the light of lamps. Her hair were open falling straight to her waist she is wearing a cloth just around her bosom and golden strings jewellery were adorning her shoulders, her waist looked so soft and the thin gold chain is digging in the flesh his hand form in to fists and the thought of digging his fingers in her flesh came in his mind. She is wearing the golden dupatta  on her shoulder to all the way to her left arm were she is wearing gold bangles along with red glass bangles. She still didn't felt his presence because she is busy in lighting lamps. He step forward and halt in the middle of hall clearing his throat he spoke in his deep voice.

“ Shehzaadi ”

She turned and for a second he forgot to breath the same enchantment that happened in her kingdom when he first saw her happened and everything around him blur except her. Her eyes which he saw first time in that dark night and fall under their charm, the same eyes which saw fierceness when she attacked him in his tent, the eyes which refused to submit from him his gaze wonder down and stuck on her red lips. He gulp when he feels throat felling dry.

“ Ji ”

" Yes " she left the lamp and come forward her bangles and anklets made melodies sounds. He move his gaze down to up on her she is dolled up like a new bride with all the jewellery.

“ Aapne hume salgirah ki mubarak baad nahi di ”

" You didn't wish me birthday" he move forward enchanted by her.

She glance down and his breath almost hitched at her this gesture then look up and said.

“ Janamdin ki hardik shubhkamnaye Sultan”

" Happy Birthday Sultan"

“  Or humara tohfa? ”

" And my gift?" He step forward standing close to her.

" What I can give you? You are Sultan you have everything"

He lifted his hand but she turned before he can touch her.

" If someone wants to give gift they can, these are all excuses"

He move forward sliding his hands on her waist it felt so soft under his rough palms. He pulled her back with a jerk grabbing her belly tightly his heart speed when her soft back collide with his hard chest. He move his head down closing his eyes he took a deep breath and her fragrance filled his senses.

“ Aap sahi keh rahe hai ”

" You are right " she escaped from his hold and stood up in front of him all he wants to to grab her and bring her back in his arms but the huge lamp were in middle of them.

“ Aapke liye humare paas kuch hai ”

" I have something for you" she spoke softly her voice felt like a peaceful tone to his ears her black orbs look golden brown in illumination of flame.

She moved towards the table and lift up the metal jug and pour the red liquid into the glass opening the sapphire ring she is wearing sprinkle the white power into it. She  picked up the glass and rotate the liquid and turn towards him with a smile.

“ Yeh sarbat humne apne hato se banaya hai hum ise apko uphar me dete hai”

" I made this drink by my hands I want to gift it to you " saying this she moved towards him.

Ahenkara's eyebrows pulled in a frown when she sees Riyadh looking at her with pissed experresion.

“ Aapko pata hai hum kis tohfe ki baat kar rahe hai ”

" You know which gift I'm talking about"

" I know Sultan " she nodded glancing down " but try it once "

Riyadh lift his hand and fisting her hair firmly he pulled her closer " I don't think anything will taste more good than your lips." He spoke inches away from her lips.

Riyadh closes his eyes and lower down his lips but before it can meet hers. Ahenkara pulled away from him and bring the glass between them. Riyadh clenched his jaw and jerked away the glass making some of the liquid fall on the floor Ahenkara gasped seeing the spilled liquid without giving her time he lift her up in his arms walking towards the bed he made her lay down.

He climbed the bed placed a hand beside her head he lean down and she again bring the glass between them. He closes his eyes in frustration and snatched the glass from her he gulp the whole drink in one go and throw the glass somewhere in chamber the sound of metal hitting the floor came and he lean down on her.

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