The otherwise yellow desert was black at spots casting the shadows of the camels which were in a Carvan. Two soldiers mounted on the camels were looking carefully around for any slight change in that calm and hot desert. The hot sand anyways did not affet the camels who were busy doing what they do always. Walking to the destiny their master commands to.

Behind those two warriors Shehreyar's camel walked. Shehreyar held his head high but somewhere his heart knew that he has acted against his pride and he has no rights to hold his pride still. But he was the Sultan of course who had the audacity to question what he was doing. Like always his kingdom will remain the silent spectator of what he does.

Beside him his Salahkar was in a merry that something was changing in the Sultan of which he himself was unaware of but somewhere in his heart he knew there will be an end to the pain. The pain which has consumed his Sultan and made him an heartless dictator. A person who he never was.

His mind traveled back the time where Shehreyar was all happy  and more frequently smiling. A king loved by all and respected to the peak. He was the life of the kingdom and always thought about betterment of his people.

Where has that soul disappeared?' he questioned in his mind looking at the Sultan who was now aged beyond he should. Life can turn out to be strange. And  there was no doubt whatever happened in the past was strange and whatever was happening now was more strange perhaps weird.

No matter what he always prayed to the almighty that someday his King's heart will change and Ryah looked like that change. He always knew Ryah was special from the day he met her in her childhood when she had visited the palace with her father the Grand Vazir. What he did not knew then was that she will become the answer for his prayers.

Behind him there were four men who were carrying the palanquin which had Ryah and Salahkar's wife who had covered themselves with the hijab. Salahkar's wife was talking to Ryah about Shehreyar. While listening to his past she felt he wasn't as bad as he looked but hid a painful past which had turned him to a stone.

A small hope that someday he might turn to the old Sultan he was made the old lady's eyes moist. Ryah glanced at the old lady's wrinkled eyes through her netted hijab and placed her hand  on the lady's shoulder to console her.

The sun was moving as the day was passing and finally at the late afternoon the Carvan reached the Dargah.

It was a beautiful monument made up of brilliant architecture. The Jannat e firdose Oasis was surrounding it. It's sapphire color walls with the greenery across it made it soothing for the people who crossed the hot desert to reach it.

The Moulvi who was waiting for the Sultan's arrival rushed to the Carvan at the entrance and received them. Shehreyar looked at the hot sky for once and wiped his sweat while climbing down his camel.

The Salahkar was helped to get down from the camel. The four men walked in carrying the palanquin. Salahkar and Shehreyar walked inside while the Moulvi walked along with them feeling extremely happy for the Sultan's arrival after a very long time.

The alluring aroma of the incense sticks hit Shereyar's nostrils and made him close his eyes immediately feeling the divinity. Suddenly a memory passed his brain strings . He remembered how he used to visit the Dargah as a small kid and used to run across while his mother and father performed the rituals.

Life was so perfect. Why has it to take such a turn. Wish  he had any answer. But then you don't know how the destiny's patterns work. It is all about what you deserve and what the almighty wishes to grant you. The pain and the cure both are his . You have to accept them both.

The Moulvi blessed the new couple placing his hands over their heads after he finished reciting the Holy Quran. “Sultan” the Salahkar's wife spoke as they were heading out. Shehreyar turned to her. “Ryah has visited the Dargah for the first time. I wish I could take her around if my limbs  were stronger” she said feeling helpless holding her knees.

“You need not do that. Let me do it for you” Shehreyar made her sit beside and stood  in front of Ryah who was still recollecting what just happened. She is going to get a tour of the Royal Dargah and that to the Sultan himself will be assisting her. For a moment she felt she is not in the real world but in her dreams.

“Mind to follow” Shehreyar uttered the words as cold as he can turn clearly indicating his displeasure. Ryah looked at him through the netted hijab for a moment or more. And when he started walking she had no option but to follow him.

The Dargah was giving heavenly feel. The walls were scripted with holy Quran verses in Arabic and the colours used were pleasing the eyes. Ryah enjoyed looking at them as she followed Shehreyar who just walked to pass the time rather caring about what Ryah was doing exactly.

Suddenly there was this freaky silence. His instincts told him it was not a normal silence. He cocked his head back a bit when a sword flung in front of him. The sword was dragged back again to attack him further.

But before the attacker whose face was cloaked behind the black cloth could go for another round Shehreyar drew his sword out and prevented the attack. He applied all his force and pushed the man back.

The man stumbled and stood adjusting himself but by that time Shehreyar acted quickly and charged at him injuring him on his stomach. He winced in pain and landed on the ground.

Ryah who was breathing heavily not understanding what to do heard a scream. One more man cloaked behind a black cloth charged at Shehreyar.

Shehreyar who was already alert turned back and prevented the attack quickly. But to his surprise one more man was about to charge at him from the other direction.

He readied himself and fought off the one who was pressing his sword against Shehreyar's sword and gave him a brutal blow so that he takes a bit time to recover and attack back and by then he can fight the other opponent.

But the other man was really quick and he attacked Shehreyar injuring his torso which peeped out of his sherwani and the blood flew out making the pain to be felt and momentarily his concentration was shaken. In other words he was a bit weak at the moment and was not ready to take one more blow.

The man utilized the situation and smirked attacking Shehreyar. But his sword was stopped. When he found one more sword pressing against his own he was surprised. He sure knew that the place was far away from the soldiers who came with Shehreyar and there was no chance that they will be here so quick.

When his eyes traveled down he found a woman in hijab whose fierce eyes met his and sent shiver of fear. She pushed him away with a yelp and attacked him. Finding a woman who fights like warrior was not he actually expected which had shaken him already. He was gathering himself to fight her.

Shehreyar who was dazed looking at Ryah who was fighting like a warrior. He for moment thought that he is in some other world. She injured the man who fell down on the ground. The Hijab which was torn fell back as she turned and her hair dangled around her back.

Her face shone in the orange color of the horizon and for the first time her beautiful face was in front of Shehreyar. He felt a heaviness in his heart.

A heart really? Sultan Shehreyar has a heart. When did this happened?

He did not even blink his eyes when she covered her face bringing the shawl on her shoulder to her mouth. Again just those almond shaped eyes were in front of him and he for the first time did not wanted to move his gaze. She tied the shawl in a hijab approaching him.

He eyebrows cocked as she approached him looking at his wounded torso. “Your Majesty”  she spoke softly as she held his shoulder. He was still gazing at her cloaked face. He wanted to relive the moment though that brought him pain. A sweet pain.

When her fingers feather touched on his wound he landed back to the real world he was in. He moved his gaze and swallowed hard the lump forming in his throat which had awoken a thirst. A thirst which may remain within him for eternity. He need to find a drink which can calm his thirst.

She ripped a piece from her abaya edge and tied it tightly across his injured torso to stop the bleeding. “Are you alright?” she looked up at him with the sparkling  eyes which suddenly seemed to have new shine in them.

“Uhm hm” he nodded his head drifting his gaze away from her when he felt he was drowning in those eyes. “I will call for the help” she got up but suddenly felt his hand on her wrist.

“Hum chalne ke kabil hai kisi ke madad ki zarurath nahi” said he leaving her wrist and standing up. She looked at him. “Aur aj apko apni kahani bhi pori karni hai takay kal apka sar kalam kiya jae” he spoke stiffly and walked without waiting for her response.

She did not knew why was she expecting anything else from him. His intention was always to kill her. There was no hope that he will anyway feel different for her. She was just hoping that every morning she will be given one more day to live and there was this risk that some day the Sulatan might get annoyed and kill her. But she could not stop trying to change his mind.

Salahkar and his wife were extremely worried when they saw Shehreyar injured. He assured them that he was fine. The Moulvi was extremely sorry for the attack. To his surprise for the first time Shehreyar forgive him or forgave someone from a long time.

This was a welcome change.

The Carvan headed back to the palace and the soldiers were more alert due to the recent attack.

The night arrived and Shehreyar was waiting in his room for Ryah to come and continue the story. 'Why will she save me if my death could mean her freedom?' a question was ringing in his mind.

“Your Majesty” her melodious voice brought him out of his thoughts. He signed her to take her seat. She sat in front of him. “Before you proceed with the story mind to answer my question” he asked coldly. “Only if it is not related to the story” she smiled and her smile reflected in her eyes.

Those sparkles were so alluring for Shehreyar that he could not move his gaze. “Well. Why did you save my life? When my death could mean your freedom” he placed his hand under his chin.

She smiled lowering her gaze. “For you this Nikah is meant to calm your revenge but for me it means the most pure relation still. I'm bound to abide by the responsibility as a wife” she looked into his eyes.

Is she playing a game with me?' his mind spoke. 'Never mind even if she is thinking of it, tomorrow will be her last day. She wont be given more chance to try her tricks on me' he smirked slightly.

“You may proceed with the story” he commanded and Ryah started her story from the point she left.

"The story of a vizir who was punished", utters Ryah as she proceeds.

There was once upon a time a king who had a son who was very fond of hunting. He often allowed him to indulge in this pastime, but he had ordered his grand-vizir always to go with him, and never to lose sight of him. One day the huntsman roused a stag, and the prince, thinking that the vizir was behind, gave chase, and rode so hard that he found himself alone. He stopped, and having lost sight of it, he turned to rejoin the vizir, who had not been careful enough to follow him. But he lost his way. Whilst he was trying to find it, he saw on the side of the road a beautiful lady who was crying bitterly. He drew his horse's rein, and asked her who she was and what she was doing in this place, and if she needed help. "I am the daughter of an Indian king," she answered, "and whilst riding in the country I fell asleep and tumbled off. My horse has run away, and I do not know what has become of him."

The young prince had pity on her, and offered to take her behind him, which he did. As they passed by a ruined building the lady dismounted and went in. The prince also dismounted and followed her. To his great surprise, he heard her saying to some one inside, "Rejoice my children,I am bringing you a nice fat youth." And other voices replied, "Where is he, mamma, that we may eat him at once, as we are very hungry?"

The prince at once saw the danger he was in. He now knew that the lady who said she was the daughter of an Indian king was an ogress, who lived in desolate places, and who by a thousand wiles surprised and devoured passers-by. He was terrified, and threw himself on his horse. The pretended princess appeared at this moment, and seeing that she had lost her prey, she said to him, "Do not be afraid. What do you want?"

"I am lost," he answered, "and I am looking for the road."

"Keep straight on," said the ogress, "and you will find it."

The prince could hardly believe his ears, and rode off as hard as he could. He found his way, and arrived safe and sound at his father's house, where he told him of the danger he had run because of the grand-vizir's carelessness. The king was very angry, and had him strangled immediately.

"Your Majesty ", said vizir to the Greek king, "to return to the physician Douban. "If you do not take care, you will repent of having trusted him. Who knows what this remedy, with which he has cured you, may not in time have a bad effect on you?",utters the vizir.

The Greek king was naturally very weak, and did not perceive the wicked intention of his vizir, nor was he firm enough to keep to his first resolution.

"Well, vizir," he said, "you are right. Perhaps he did come to take my life. He might do it by the mere smell of one of his drugs. I must see what can be done."

"The best means, Your Majesty,to put your life in security, is to send for him at once, and to cut off his head directly he comes," said the vizir.

"I really think," replied the king, "that will be the best way."

He then ordered one of his ministers to fetch the physician, who came at once.

"I have had you sent for," said the king, "in order to free myself from you by taking your life."

The physician was beyond measure astonished and shocked when he heard he was to die.

"What crimes have I committed, your majesty?",asked the Physician.

"I have learnt," replied the king, "that you are a spy, and intend to kill me. But I will be first, and kill you. Strike," he added to an executioner who was by, "and rid me of this assassin."

At this cruel order the physician threw himself on his knees. "Spare my life," he cried, "and yours will be spared."

Ryah stopped here to say to the shehryaar, "You see what passed between the Greek king and the physician has just passed, that is why we should not do something on someone's else saying", she stopped and continued the story." The Greek king," she went on, "had no mercy on him, and the executioner bound his eyes."

All those present begged for his life, but in vain.

The physician on his knees, and bound, said to the king,"At least let me put my affairs in order, and leave my books to persons who will make good use of them. There is one which I should like to present to your majesty. It is very precious, and ought to be kept carefully in your treasury. It contains many curious things the chief being that when you cut off my head, if your majesty will turn to the sixth leaf, and read the third line of the left-hand page, my head will answer all the questions you like to ask it."

The king, eager to see such a wonderful thing, put off his execution to the next day, and sent him under a strong guard to his house. There the physician put his affairs in order, and the next day there was a great crowd assembled in the hall to see his death, and the doings after it. The physician went up to the foot of the throne with a large book in his hand. He carried a basin, on which he spread the covering of the book, and presenting it to the king, said, "Majesty, take this book, and when my head is cut off, let it be placed in the basin on the covering of this book; as soon as it is there, the blood will cease to flow. Then open the book, and my head will answer your questions. But, Majesty I implore your mercy, for I am innocent."

"Your prayers are useless, and if it were only to hear your head speak when you are dead, you should die."

So saying, he took the book from the physician's hands, and ordered the executioner to do his duty.

The head was so cleverly cut off that it fell into the basin, and directly the blood ceased to flow. Then, to the great astonishment of the king, the eyes opened, and the head said, "Your majesty, open the book." The king did so, and finding that the first leaf stuck against the second, he put his finger in his mouth, to turn it more easily. He did the same thing till he reached the sixth page, and not seeing any writing on it, "Physician," he said, "there is no writing."

"Turn over a few more pages," answered the head. The king went on turning, still putting his finger in his mouth, till the poison in which each page was dipped took effect. His sight failed him, and he fell at the foot of his throne.

When the physician's head saw that the poison had taken effect, and that the king had only a few more minutes to live, "Tyrant," it cried, "see how cruelty and injustice are punished."

Scarcely had it uttered these words than the king died, and the head lost also the little life that had remained in it.

That is the end of the story of the Greek king.

Like this the 1001 nights had passed the king had been listening to Ryah's stories and tonight was the 1001th night.

Finally Ryah completed her story.

The Adan of the Seher ringed in their ears.

As the Adan was over Shehreyar looked at Ryah.

“Now you can behead me your majesty” she spoke as she realized that tha cruel king is never going to change himself and suddenly Shehreyar felt his heart beat stopping. He cleared his dry throat as the sun rays kissed the earth and marked really important day of his life.

The day which will change everything.

Guzarte hoe waqt k sath
Umeed lie bethe the,
Kya pata tha k wo woh pathar hai
Jo zakham deta hai magar tootta nahi.
-fizo

To be continued.......

Shot written by- @sally-Blr

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By-Mental Sister's.