Sahal Begum P.O.V.

I entered the training field as Haider had exited the door,telling me that Bakshi Bano wished to speak with me.I did not see any lines of worry on Haider's face nor did I see any tense muscles.Rather I saw a satisfaction in his eyes,an ease and his shoulders though straight for a Shahensha,still seemed lighter almost as if Bakshi Bano had taken a burden off his shoulders.I did not know what I had been told to walk into but my sixth sense told me,that this would not bring bad tidings for me.

I walked towards Bakshi Bano who sat on a bench at the end of the field under a tree,she stood up as my anklets and rustling of my clothing alerted her to my presence.She turned to face me,her head bowed as she kept her eyes on the ground even as she lifted her hand,in greeting.

"Adab,Malika Begum."

"Adab,Bakshi Bano." I greeted back as I raised my hand in greeting as well.Bakshi Bano gestured to the bench opposite the one she sat on.

"Please take a seat." I made my way to the bench,taking a seat as she did the same.I watched as she drummed her fingers against her arm,her fingers shaking as she finally lifted her eyes.I saw fear in them,this took me back.As long as I had met Bakshi Bano she had never shown fear but now I saw it clear as day,"Bakshi Bano,is everything fine?"

She did not move her eyes from mine as she took a deep breath before releasing it,"Malika Begum,I do not know what Shahensha Haider saw me nor do I know what actions caused the Shahensha to propose for my hand in marriage.I am no promiscuous woman who keeps her eyes on a married man nor am I someone who seduces a married man.I have always kept my distance,protected my modesty even as a soldier.I do not wish for any ill-intentions amongst us nor wrong feelings.I would rather have cleared myself of all wrong doing,then allow any bad feelings to flower between us.I only wish to ensure that the marriage between Shahensha Haider and myself does not cause you to resent either me or Shahensha Haider.If you do not agree,I will take back my answer and not appear in front of you until you have left.You only have to order this nacheez."
(Nacheez-Insignificant)

My mouth almost dropped open at the words that dripped from Bakshi Bano's mouth.Ever since,Haider had informed me of his intentions,not once had I thought to blame Bakshi Bano's character and after meeting her,that thought had not even wandered anywhere close to my mind.I applauded Bakshi Bano's way of thinking,she did not want to marry Haider if she knew that I had thought of her in a wrong manner.She wished to ensure that we would start off on a good page.Her last words almost caused tears to well up in my eyes.She had given her answer,yet she would have been willing to take her answer back,if it meant I would be relieved.

The only feelings that filled me,were of gratitude and thankfulness.Gratitude that she had thought of my emotions,my heart and what I would have thought.Thankfulness,for ammi-jaan for seeing what I could not have seen in Bakshi Bano.She did not only have the qualities of a warrior but also of a thoughtful,minful and kind woman who did not wish to hurt anyone in the decisions that she took.

"I promise you,Bakshi Bano,that not once has the thought entered my mind that you have done any wrong for Shahensha Haider to propose for your hand in marriage.Whenever he has described you to me,he has mentioned your modesty and loyalty.You may not have spoken much to him,but your loyalty resonated and touched something within his heart,which makes him think so highly of you.If I were to have anyone as a sister wife,I would like for it to be you."

She gave an almost shaky nod,her eyes fluttering open and close,as if my words put her worries at ease,"What about sharing Shahensha Haider as a husband?No one in the Kingdom is unaware of the mohabbat between you and Shahensha Haider,Malika Begum?It is easy in saying but in practice it may prove to break your heart.Perhaps,you have never thought that you would face this day but today,you are here.What about your heart?"
(Mohabbat-Love)

Bakshi Bano's words struck my heart in a manner that it had not been struck before.Bakshi Bano did not only think about my feelings but she wondered about my heart as well.Her words were right,talking at the moment would be easy but in practice Haider wedding someone else would be hard.While I had put myself as a Queen in these shoes,Bakshi Bano had now forced me think as a wife,thoughts that I had pushed far away from my mind.

"I have seen ammi-jaan share her husband," Bakshi Bano continued as she lowered her eyes once again,swatting away at the fly that landed on the table in front of her,"It is not easy.There will be feelings of jealousy and envy.Perhaps as time goes by,it will not be one sided.I am human,you are human and so is Shahensha Haider.No human is perfect but we can try to be humane.I would prefer to stay out of the dungeons."

Every word that Bakshi Bano spoke,dripped with truth and it felt like a bitter concoction for me to disgust.I took a moment to wonder about seeing Haider talk with Bakshi Bano in a manner similar to how he spoke with me,him sitting with her as they drank tea and him laying next to her as they spoke about wonders that they only knew.I could feel my insides begun to burn at the mere thought before I reeled them in.Her words were surely true,we were nothing but human and we would experience all of these feelings.

I reached forward,so I could pull her eyes towards me and when they lifted,meeting mine I spoke,"You are right,we are human and we are not perfect.It will not be easy for me to share my husband but I will have to handle my feelings in a manner that does not impact all three of us.Hazrat Aaisha radialla-hu-aanha felt jealous of the love Nabi Muhammed sallalahualahiwasalum had for Hazrat Khadija radialla-hu-aanha,years after Hazrat Khadija raialla-hu-aanha's demise.If they could feel jealousy then who are we?I can make a promise to you,Bakshi Bano.No matter how I feel,you will never be the aim of that feelings.As time goes along,I will learn to control my jealousy.No matter how Shahensha Haider may start feeling for you or you for him,I will always control myself.If need be I will talk to Haider about it but never with you.I wish for us to have a good,strong relationship that no one will ever be able to break.I want us to be an example of sisterhood and comradeship.We will always be sisters before being sister wives.We will help Haider build the Sultanat from where it is so that it will grow even larger.Will you give me your help?" I questioned,as I held out my hand,palm facing the sky as Bakshi Bano's eyes,flickered from my face to my hand.

She slowly lifted her hand,bringing it to mine,she laid hers on top of mine and we tightened our fingers around one another's hands,"In Sha Allah,we will grow together.'

"Ameen." She moved her hand off mine before she started speaking again.

"I will be taking half the Black Cavalry to the palace.I know you discuss with me that you wish to open a training centre at the palace.I would like to lead it,so that I am able to keep my eyes all over the palace.I wish to establish a network so that everyone in the palace may stay safe.Will that be fine with you,Malika Begum?"

"That is fine with me.I will put the idea forward to ammi-jaan,you will lead it." The way Bakshi Bano spoke,it felt as if she did not believe that she would be a part of those in the palace,I did not want her to even think like that.She would become a part of our family once she would wed Haider,which would mean she would become part of our family,"Bakshi Bano,I want you to give me a promise."

Bakshi Bano finally met my eye,"What promise can I give you,Malika Begum?"

"No matter what happens in the palace,you will stay safe.I will not allow you to put yourself in danger just so that we can live."

Bakshi Bano,smiled as a small giggle left her lips,"Forgive me,Malika Begum.I cannot promise you that I will stay safe.Foe me,Shahensha Haider,you and the Shahi family will always come first,even at the expense of my safety.My loyalty will always come first."

I smiled back at Bakshi Bano,"Then,you will always find me in front of you,so that you will be safe."

Bakshi Bano lifted her chin as she kept the smile on her face,"I will protect you from the back then,because your safety comes before mine."

"We shall see when the time comes,who will have to attack first." I said as I held out my hand which Bakshi Bano put her hand into and tightened it around mine as she gave me a nod.

"I guess we will."

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As salaam mu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu

Firstly Ramadhan Kareem.May Allah make this Ramadhan fulfilling and full of Barakat for you all.Even though our hearts are heavy as we know our Muslim brothers and sisters across the world be it in Gaza,Yemen,Congo and all the other places whose Ramadhan will be difficulty,we make Dua that Allah fills their Ramadhan with ease and makes their enemies perish.

In Sha Allah this is the first of a few updates this month 🙈 and the story will finally start picking up.

Quick question,do you guys want a Pinterest mood board for this story?

Have a great day and blessful Ramadhan.

Take care.Stay safe.Remember me,my family and the Ummah in your duas.

Fi Amanilah.