Naming ceremony of second prince

The naming ceremony of the second prince was a prestigious affair. Again the kingdom was in great joy, yet again. The resources of the imperial treasury were exhausted to make the ceremony as elaborate as that of the first prince.
 
Harem bustled with activity as the women prepared for the grand celebration. While everyone was busy selecting dresses and jewellery for the ceremony, a woman in her late fifties hiding her half burned face with her dupatta sneaked into the harem and walked towards the south wing.
 
Begum Nadira filled her little prince's tummy, and was quickly grooming herself with the help of Begum Sakeena for the ceremony when the naughty one decided to trouble his mother . He peed, wetting all his clothes .

Begum Nadira was asked to be present for some pre rituals ,she was already late and her little one was being a troublemaker .

Handling his responsibility to Begum sakeena , Begum Nadira left earlier for the ceremony .

Begum sakeena changed the little prince clothe's and was fixing her clothes once again before leaving for the ceremony when an old lady dodging everyone's eyes reached Begum Nadira's chamber and was about to barge in.
 
She was stopped by the eunuch from behind who was scared by the lady's appearance and tried to shoo her away but the woman was persistent to visit the chief Begum.
 
Begum Sakeena heard the commotion outside the chamber and asked the eunuch to let the woman in.
 
The old lady was looking for the cheif consort though, but was glad on finding Begum Sakeena . The old lady fell on her knees straightaway and cried "this slave deserves to die, Begum sahiba, please kill me, please kill me.
 
Begum Sakeena quickly recognised her as one of the hakim she was looking for all these months.
 
"On your feet, she ordered waving her hand and was taken aback by the old lady's half burned face.
 
"What, what happened to you, she asked petrified with the lady's condition. Now that she had noticed her attire, it was shabby and she looked starved for god knows how many days.
 
"This is my retribution, Begum sahiba she began looking down, feeling ashamed and guilty. She added in a meek tone "one cannot run from his sins for longer time, he/she will be punished sooner or later and this is my punishment.
 
"Come clear, Begum Sakeena exclaimed unable to fathom her words. She was astonished to see the lady in front of her, whom her spies had been searching, like lunatics but remained clueless every time.
 
"Begum sahiba, begum sahiba, she began but was interrupted by the guard , announcing the empress's arrival.
 
The Empress stepped in, walking with the build elegance and arrogance. Her heavy attire and jewellery were screaming about her position and power. Frowning at the shabby woman, she walked past to reach, where Begum Sakeena was sitting.
 
"Sakeena Begum,is the prince  ready?",
The haughty tone made Sakeena sneer in dismay but keeping her calm, she nodded, composed.
 
 "Let's leave, we are getting late for the ceremony",  Deftly hiding her rage, she almost ordered Begum Sakeena who is much older than the Empress . Sakeena's brows shot up with the disrespectful tone but for the time being, she kept mum. Well, this behaviour of empress was not new to her
.she'd seen her cruelty with many concubines and few begums but with her, it was always, good if not better.
 
"Your Highness, what's the rush? There is still time, Begum Nadira reached there already , besides I've a pressing matter at hand, can u please spare few minutes? It will be done soon ",  the ignorant begum asked, trying her best to not to offend the empress.
 
"No, not at all Begum Sakeena, Shehenshah is looking for the prince, as its time for the ceremony, these trivial matter can wait, right ?? but we can't afford to keep the Baadshah of Mughal sultanate waiting, Can we?
 
The Empress tried a sweet and beckoning tone this time, knowing Sakeena being all observant. Though she is the Empress but can't deny the fact that Begum Sakeena is and will remain one of the favourite consort of the king. Such disrespect of hers, won't be tolerated for long.
 
And most importantly, she can't let the old lady expose her secrets in front of Begum Sakeena.

Begum Sakeena nodded, fixing her hair and clothes, she glanced the mirror for the last time and ordered the old hakim to stay in the chamber, till she get back.
 
As the Begums walked out, the Empress's loyal maid pulled hakim's hair by her hand and dragged her to a secluded place. Denying empress's chief maid was out of the lowly eunuchs. All they could do, was stand there and watch helplessly the old hakim being dragged mercilessly, amidst of her cries and begging.
 
As the ceremony was on its peak, the hall was decorated with the diyas and exquisite chandeliers. Almost everyone was adorned in their finest. Mouth-watering cuisines were served time to time. The dancers called from different regions of country, to showcase their talents and entertain the royal audience. Carefully, watching around, the Empress saw her seat, beside the Emperor, was occupied by Begum Nadira. This was, what she'd been dreading, her position was now given to Begum Nadira.

The little prince was named Jajal Mohammad , awam sang praises of little the one.
 
Rage bubbled up inside the Empress, without catching any eye, she slipped out to vent her anger, at the right place.
 
***********
 
"How dare you, how dare you go against me? Are you tired of living your life?, the Empress shouted, enraged. The image of Nadira beside Shehensha was enough, to notch her anger level a bit higher.
 
"The same life which you tried to take away the other day, your highness? She dared to mock at the Empress, haughtily. The old lady could see her end, in front of her. Then, why not die, with valour rather than cowering from this vicious snake of a lady, who happened to be the Empress, unfortunately.
 
"Now your answering back, eh? Looks like you really don't love your life, but how about your grandchildren living outside the city? The devious Empress threatened the lady with a sly smile on her lips. She could see the fear had vanished from the old hakim's eye, she was ready to embrace death. But could an empress accept her defeat, so there had to be something, that will replenish fear in the hakim's eyes again. What better than family, could be her bait?
 
A cold chill ran down the old lady's spine, she trembled in fear. Though her end was near, but her grandchildren had a big life ahead of them. And knowing the lady ahead of her, she knew, the ruthless empress won't think twice before putting a full stop to their lives. A huge burden settled on her old heart, as she reminisced the ladies whom she'd gave medicines to became barren. Almighty has his weird ways to punish! She thought remorsefully.
 
"I was wondering; how should I punish you for your audacity? There was so end to her cruelty. With the power in her hands she became more and more vicious day by day.
 
"I, I will take my life myself, pulling out a dagger the old lady pressed near her neck but the empress snatched it back.
 
"No, now I don't want your life, but if you want to save your grandchildren you have to do as I say, The cunning women smiled evilly. A brilliant plan, already forming in her mind. She'd to do something. The thorns in her path, that will lead to her dream had to be diminished and finished gradually.
 
"Begum sahiba, what...what do you want me to do? The old lady could smell something bitter and more horrible than she already had done.
 
A devilish smile played on the empress lips, as she recited what was running her mind.

Soon after Begum Sakeena came back to Nadira's chamber, she asked the servants to search for the old hakim, but once again the women disappeared in thin air. Well, the eunuchs were threatened by empress' people . With their and their family's life at stake , even if they want to inform their mistress, they can't, such was their helplessness.
 
*************

Soon after the ceremony the Emperor, had departed for Ajmer Dargah with the Empress, on bare feet for blessing his Begum and child with good health. Originally Begum Nadira was supposed to go with him as it was her wish which was finally fulfilled by the almighty but in the last moment she fell sick becoz of the tiring day and was asked by the Hakims to rest well  .

Begum Nadira after Emperor's departure laid back against the bed to rest for a while when the little crown prince came rushing to her.
 
"Badi Ammijaan , Badi Ammijaan , hame bhook lagi hai(I'm hungry).
 
Begum Nadira took the responsibility of the crown prince in the absence of the empress and Emperor too trusted only her among his other wives and concubines. He was very well aware about the jealousy, evilness and inhumane nature that runs in veins of some harem ladies. Apparently, he doesn't want to take a chance with his heir.
 
Nadira asked the maid to prepare food for the crown prince , and waited for it whilst entertaining the little guy, introducing him to his little brother.
 
The maid arrived after sometime with a bowl of shahi Biryani . On prince's request Begum Nadira herself decided to feed him.
 
Taking a spoonful of shahi biryani, she brought it near his mouth. When Begum Zubeida's mother barged inside her chamber.
 
"What... what happened? Quite surprised by the sudden intrusion, Begum Nadira tried to form a right question.
 
The old lady didn't utter a word, instead she pulled the crown prince back and ordered the guard to call for royal hakim.
 
Emperor and the empress barged inside with the hakim on her toes. The king's face was stoic whilst Begum Zubeida was fuming.
 
"Your majesty, you came back so early? Why? what happened? Has something serious happened? Unable to contemplate the sudden happenings around her she presented a series of queries, confused.
 
Before anybody could answer, Begum Zubeida's mother ordered the hakim to check the food served for the prince.
 
After thorough inspection, the hakim announced the food to be poisoned, sweeping the floor beneath Begum Nadira's feet.
 
"What... what? She was shocked beyond imagination, an attempted assassination of crown prince, that too under her nose left her terrified to hilt.
 
Looking around, she found all suspicious gazes on her.
 
"My majesty, I'm sorry, I wasn't careful, she managed to utter feeling guilty and ashamed for her carelessness.
 
Flashback
 
The emperor and the empress were on the way to dargah. They were enjoying the peaceful silence of the forest, which fell on their way. Out of blue,
  an arrow brushed passed the emperor's ear and stuck at the tree trunk behind him. This alerted the royal couple, handing his khanjar to his queen, he left her at a safer position behind some trees and stepped out to search for the beholder of that arrow.
Even after thorough searching, he couldn't find a clue about the attacker. Suspicious with the situation he returned back and the emperor's eye fell on the arrow still buried in the tree trunk.
 
The head of the arrow was exactly the same as used by imperial army.
 
Earlier he thought they were attacked by the rival kingdom, but looking at the arrow used by the masked assassin he derived the culprit to be someone close to him. Someone from inside the palace, who could access the weapons from inside.
 
Crown prince will be assassinated tonight, try if you can save him', he read the message written on the silk cloth, which was earlier wrapped around the arrow.
 
The emperor furiously crushed the piece of fibre and immediately rushed back to the palace.
 
Flashback ends
 
"Who brought this food?, The Emperor roared with his blood red eyes sending shivers down everyone's spine.
 
Begum Nadira trembled and pointed towards her personal maid. The situation is still not registered in her mind. And the way things are swirling, it was hard to catch.
 
The maid fell on her knees and begged for her life "My lord, I'm innocent, please believe me, I just brought the food prepared for the prince from the royal kitchen, I didn't meddle with it. I swear...
 
Emperor sent the guards to the royal kitchen and arrested the women who prepared the food for the prince.
 
She was thrown on the floor in front of the emperor.
 
"If you want to live, then speak up the truth, or else the punishment would be worse than death. his ferocious voice reverberated inside the four walls, shaking everyone present over there.
 
"Pardon me, my lord, the women shuddered."I'm innocent, she cried when the Emperor wielded his sword and placed on her neck. His eyes carrying a dangerous hue of red, his jaw clenched and breathing heavy. The Emperor was mad with rage.
 
"Why? Tell me, or else, he threatened. He pressed the edge of the sword little more against her neck, a drop of blood trickled down as the sharp edge cut through the skin making her shriek.
 
"Baadshah salamat, mercy! I'm a mere humble maid from Begum Nadira's paternal house, I dare not add anything to prince Omar's food, I'm innocent, she pleaded with her eyes shut in fear, that was raking her body in form of shivers.
 
"So you won't say the truth? Drag her out and pluck her eyes and nails out, then give a slow painful death. My ears should ring with her cries., Emperor ordered in fury.
 
The maid terrified after hearing the punishment, crawled and held Begum Nadira's feet "My lady, help me, you can't leave me to be killed mercilessly.
 
The puzzled Begum staggered back unable to fathom what actually was happening around her.
 
Maid then turned to the Emperor folding her hands "Baadshah salamat, I have always been loyal to Begum Nadira, I dare not hide the truth from you, my lord, I was following my lady's order, please forgive me, her words shocked everyone. For a minute, a thick silence hung in the room.
 
"What? What are you saying?, the words took some time to register in Begum Nadira's mind, it was only after few seconds she could understand the meaning of those words. How could she just accuse her of something so big? Never in her dreams, she would think to harm an innocent, leave alone the crown prince.
 
"Begum sahiba, it's all over, we are caught red-handed, there is no escape now, please accept your mistake, no need to cry over split milk., the maid on her knees cried.
 
"Nonsense! Begum Nadira shook her head vigorously, still reeling from the aftershocks of the happenings around. "Who are you? Shehenshah, believe me, I have never seen her before till today, Neither I know her, nor I have to do anything with her. Please, trust me, please., Nadira shaken with the huge accusation, questioned the maid, who looked down, without uttering a single word and slowly moved towards her husband, earnestly beckoning him to believe her.
 
She was flabbergasted to find, specks of suspicious on his hard features. The eyes, that once used to look at her with respect and love, today were devoid of anything with only doubt lingering over there.
 
"She...shehehshah she tried for the last time, gulping her pride but was cut off by a loud voice.
 
"Enough, begum Nadira, the empress mother butted in "I never knew you envied my grandson so much, my daughter trusted you but what you did? You tried to kill her only son? Is this your true face which you hid deftly behind your innocence?, it was time for some action, at the mention of these words, the empress shed some of her precious tears to gain Emperor's sympathy.
 
Nadira was left speechless. Who the heck, this lady is to talk to her with such disrespect and what wounded her more, was her husband's silence. 
 
"Begum Zubeida, even you don't trust me? I said, I'm innocent then why are you not believing me? she tried one last time, to convince the lady whom she first had seen, then she was beaming with innocence. Even if, an ounce of that innocence is left now then she'll believe her. Her heart hoped, despite the crystal clear picture. The hope was thwarted as the empress, cried some more clearly, denying her justification.
 
So she again shifted her gaze towards the emperor and held his hand "Sheheshah, you really think, I can do something like this. You know me better than anyone else in the palace, don't you know how much I love the prince, I treated him like my own son all these years, why would I try to harm him, she almost cried, tired after clarifying her stance, again and again. She didn't care if anyone believed on her innocence or not but her husband's thoughts mattered to her the most.
 
She believed, in the entire world at least her husband would trust her if not anyone else, but it looks like she was wrong.
 
"Of course for the throne!, the old lady's voice snapped her out of her reverie and she heard her shrieking, "Shehehshah, who doesn't want to see their own son ascending the throne, Nadira begum is no different, although she treated the crown prince as her son before but now when she has her own child, why would she let anyone else other than her son inherits the throne, thus she planned all this. She wants to kill the crown prince so that her son can succeed throne.
 
"Disgusting! You are trying to imply that I attempted assassination? She snapped back, there is a limit. And her thread of patience is snapped out. How could the old hoe just accuse her of something, something so abhorrent.
"Your accusations are baseless, where is the proof that I did all this?, Nadira questioned, whilst squaring her shoulder. She had had enough. Now, she's all by herself, she knew this by now.
 
"We will get many proofs after investigating you, but before that I have an another matter to report.
 
The cunning old woman whispered something in the guard's ears. Whilst the emperor looked lost all of a sudden. Nadira is with him since, very, very long. She couldn't do something like this, his conscience provided, while mind pointed out the proofs that laid ahead his naked eyes.
 
The eunuchs left and came back after sometime followed by an old lady.
 
"Nadira begum, do u recognize this old lady?, empress mother asked.
 
"She is one of the hakim who worked at harem before, she answered recognizing the old Hakim and also remembered Begum Sakeena discussing about their suspicious activities in harem  .
 
"Exactly she is the one, who drugged harem ladies resulting them into infertility for life. The sly tone of taunt in the old mother of empress, shocked Nadira . She  knew something wrong was happening in the harem but this was far beyond her imagination .
 
"What?, the emperor gasped, aghast. He was already boiling by the attempted assassination of crown prince and this piece of revelation aggravated his anger.
 
"Do you even understand, what you are saying ? Begum Nadira scoffed, appalled by the lady's accusations that she's hurling since the moment she set her foot in the room. 
 
"Acting Surprised, eh? As if you don't know who is the mastermind behind all these crimes?
 
" Are you slandering me? How can you even say such low things about me? Don't forget, who I am? She raised her voice enraged, the emperor's silence was churning her heart second by second. How could her husband remain mum, when this old lady, who's not more than empress mother could accuse her with such allegations. Agitated and enraged with the thought, Nadira roared.
 
"You still, want me to prove?, The empress's mother pulled the old hakim and pushed her on the floor.
 
"Tell everyone what you told me, else be ready to pay for the consequences, the empress's mother threatened the old lady making her shudder. Her gaze analysing each and every face in the chamber. Talk about her helpless sorry state.
 
The hakim fell on her knees, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry Baadshah salamat, I was forced by Begum Nadira, else this servant would never dare to do such crime under your nose, that's it, Begum Nadira had enough of all these baseless accusations.
 
"She is lying, Nadira growled, furious and glared at the old hakim ready to strangle her neck, if she didn't utter the truth this instance, "Speak up the truth else I will kill you right here with my own hands.
 
"Baadshah salamat, mercy, please show some mercy, the old lady cried hysterically folding her hands.
 
The whole scenario was turning uglier and uglier by each passing second. First she was accused of attempting assassination and then she was blamed for conspiracy against harem ladies. Nadira wants to do nothing other than snapping the old hakim's, the empress mother's neck. These two cunning ladies, had played so well and clever.
 
"How can you prove it?, The emperor who'd been analysing the situation and accusations till now, finally put his word forward. Unwilling to believe her words demanded evidence. She is his most trusted begum who served him for many years. He never ever once doubted her character ever since she married to him, then how could he now.
 
"Do you have any proof against Begum Nadira?, The emperor in his ice cold voice, questioned the old lady. Nadira finally heaved a sigh of relief, when he spoke up. At least now, something will resolve.
 
"She herself provided the infertility drug to us, otherwise how can servants like us can afford such precious herbs? Baadshah salamat, I'm sure if u search the room, you will find the proof now itself.
 
The old hakim, shuttered out. Tears rolled down the wrinkled cheeks, her helplessness and inability clear on the face. Emperor was in a dilemma, whom to believe and whom not to. Nadira is dear to him but the proofs are telling a different tale.
 
"Fine, but you'll be beheaded instantly if you are proved wrong, the emperor threatened making the old hakim shiver in cowardice.
 
"I, I dare not to lie, my lord, she mumbled terrified.
 
A decision had to be made. If Nadira is innocent, then what's the harm in trying. Though it would be a blow on her self-respect but it's necessary or else the consequences will bring more disgrace. The whole chamber was turned upside down thereafter at emperor's order, after sometime one of the eunuch pulled out something like a pouch from under the bed.
 
Nadira orbs narrowed at the familiar small pouch .
 
On examining the contents of the pouch, the imperial physician concluded that it's a poisonous herb that causes infertility among women.
 
"That's not mine! she defended herself, feebly. Happenings in the chamber, had totally drained her. Emperor's hardened gaze, clenched jaw and feet are not something, that she can rely on. A seed of doubt is already planned in his mind and his belief on her was swinging between her innocence and the old hoe's accusations. Begum Nadira was screwed royally, the empress's mother took the chance.
 
"Everything is in front of you Baadshah salamat, I know Begum Nadira is dear to you. But attempting my grandchild's assassination and top of that, making the harem women infertile, they're practically sins. I, my daughter and your awaam believes in you, provide us justice., she kneeled down in front of the emperor, instigating him. The pretence of sorrow and anger intact on her face.
 
"Take the maids for interrogation and make sure they speak the truth and house arrest begum Nadira. And send a team of hakims, tell them to do a thorough check up of harem ladies.  Emperor announced deadpanned and left the room furiously. He didn't missed the amalgam of stunned and defeated expression on Nadira's beautiful feautres. Still, there is a hope in his heart, that his begum won't do something so low but the witnesses and proofs were enough to blow that hope away.
 
He was getting mad by each passing second with the war going on between his heart and brain. Can she really be someone so ruthless, who can do such horrible things? For years, he'd lived with her and not for once, he could point out a instance where he could suspect her.
 
He was in a huge dilemma.  He can't take this matter to the court as it might bring shame to the entire Mughal palace, he didn't even want to, personally. He walked back and forth in his personal chamber, raking his brains with whatever happened a few minutes ago. Nadira's tear stained face swarm in front of his eyes, but the question remained same can she do it?
 
Begum Nadira was kept as hostage in her chamber while the two suspected maids were sent to prison by the eunuchs