Bakshi Bano p.o.v.

My eyes could not move from my image that the mirror portrayed.Rarely did I deck myself up,only for important functions and events.The heavy red lehenga sat against my taunt body which did not show through the gold thread and green material.My bandi and khwajasara brought a red duppata towards me,each holding one corner and they set it over my head,the weight almost as heavy as a crown.I watched as ammi-jaan tilted her head,her eyes filled with love,affection and the glistening of tears as she came forward,sitting next to me.

"Masha'Allah,aapko kisi ki nazar na lage." Ammi-jaan whispered as she held my hand,my eyes falling on the weight that seemed to transfer over,I almost let out a gasp at the ring that sat on my finger as I lifted my head to look at her.

(Masha'Allah,aapko kisi ki nazar na lage-God has willed it,may no one cast an evil eye on you.)

"This ring..."

Ammi-jaan chuckled as she put her and on my cheek,her lip quivering as she blinked back tears her lips shaping into a smile,"You used to play with this ring when you were younger,even if it would fall off your finger.I promised you,that I would give it to you when you grew up." She covered her hand over mine,"Remember,you might be marrying a king but this fort and my arms will never close for you." She let go of my face as she turned her head away from me,wiping away a tear that fell down her face.

I smiled,tilting my head as I took in ammi-jaan's red duppata along with her green clothing and I touched her hand slightly,"Ammi-jaan,you are coming with me.So your arms will be in a close distance."

"That it will definitely be." We heard the tinkling of anklets which caused us to look towards the doorway.My eyes lit up as Nusrat Bano walked into my khwaab-gaah,looking beautiful in her red bridal outfit.The gold weaving glittered as the sun rays cast against them.Her jewellery were no less,the gold and gems sparkled when the sun hit them.

We greeted one another before Nusrat Bano embraced me,I wrapped my arms tightly around her as well.Her rosy perfume scent brought ease to my heart along with many memories.Memories of nights when we would share a khwaab-gaah,laying on the balcony.We would look up at the sky which twinkled with thousands upon thousands of stars.We would whisper as if there were others who could hear us.Times when we would stand side-by-side,heads bowed as our mothers scolded us for our mischief.Times when we would spare at the training grounds,when I would pinch her ear when she moved the wrong way and her playful whining where she would try to get out of my hold.

We pulled apart,my eyes clouding with tears as she held my hands in her own,as I blinked away tears I saw her do the same.We smiled at one another,"You look beautiful,Nusrat."

Her smile grew at my compliment,"You look beautiful as well.This colour suits you beautifully." I looked at myself through the mirror,the green bridal dress with mirror work and hand weaving.My gold jewellery complimented my skin beautifully and the red gem on the ring ammi-jaan had worn for me,glittered in the sun rays.In the mirror,I saw Nusrat Bano touch her eye,removing kajal and I turned to face her,she reached to rub the kajal behind my ear,"Aapko kisi ki nazar na lage."

(Aapko kisi ki nazar na lage-May no on cast an evil eye on you)

I did the same for her,"Aapko bhi." I turned to walk to my dresser where a pouch set on,I opened it and removed the contents before walking towards Nusrat Bano who looked on curiously,"This is a small gift from me to you." I held the arm band up as I moved to wrap it around Nusrat Bano's arm,she gasped as she once realized what it was,as I moved to wrap the second arm band around her other arm.The arm band made of gold,glittered with red and green rubies.If she would look inside the arm bands,she would find her name engraved.

(Aapko bhi-You too)

"This is your favourite arm band." She whispered as she took it in,before her eyes met mine,"You always used to complain when I would take them and today you are gifting them to me."

I chuckled as I brushed my finger against her cheek,"When you have set your eyes on anything,I have always got it for you.How could you think,I would not give you something of mine that you like?" I looked over her as my throat begun to close up,"Years of companionship and today,we are separating.I do not know how I will make it without you."

Her hand tightened around my hands,her eyes filling with tear as her lip quivered,"I should be saying that.You have always guided me in the best of ways,I do not know how I will survive without your guidance."

"You be fine,my advice will always be with you." I could not help but lean in to hug her one more time,savouring the moment.For,I knew we would only share one more hug and a few more moments of companionship before who knows when we would see one another.

We separated as we heard the tinkling of anklets and the giggles of girls we had grown up with.Our gazes set upon a miffed looking mami-jaan who came to a stop in the room,her eyes narrowed as she set them upon us,"I told you to wait in your khwaab-gaah but it seems like,you cannot stay still."

Nusrat Bano,pulled her bottom lip over her top lip,"Ammi,by the end of today we will not see one another.At least,let us spend these few minutes together."

"Nusrat is right,after today our girls will be heads of their own homes.They will be busy in their own daily lives.Let them have these few moments." Ammi-jaan said as she laid a hand on mami-jaan's shoulder,smiling sweetly at us,"From tomorrow we will not have our children running through these hallways,screaming and laughing.From tomorrow,your hallways will be quiet." Ammi-jaan said as she looked at mami-jaan,her eyes shining with adoration,"After today I will not be here as well."

Naseera Begum's smile begun to drop as she looked at Nusrat Bano,then me and then ammi-jaan,"All three pieces of my heart are leaving me today.Who will I talk with over tea,who will I scold for not taking care of herself and who will I dote over?" Her eyes welled up as she turned to face ammi-jaan,her lip quievering as she put a hand on ammi-jaan's arm,"You have been my companion as Bakshi has been Nusrat's.There has not been a day since you moved here that I have ever been alone.There is no amount of thanks that I can say for everything that you did for me,Gulbadan.Forgive me if I ever hurt you."

Ammi-jaan and mami-jaan embraced one another as they begun to cry,"There is nothing to forgive,you are the sister that I never had.I will miss you." They broke the embrace,ammi-jaan and mami-jaan wiped their tears,"So many years of companionship,if you ever need me or Bakshi.Send a letter and we will appear."

"The doors of this Hajjay Qila will never close for you,Gulbadan.You will always find a home here.If you need us,we will be there." She looked at the opening of the khwaab-gaah where we heard the rustling of clothing,mamu-jaan walked through.His eyes immediately landing on Nusrat Bano and me,his eyes lit up and he made his way towards us as he carried a potli.

"MashaAllah,it seems as if the moon's beauty has travelled to earth today." He brought the potli around us before handing it off to a bandi.He then turned to face ammi-jaan and mami-jaan,"Aur aap dono?You both have started crying already.Our daughters have not even left."

"I am crying because from tomorrow I have to tolerate you all alone,my second half who tolerated you as well is leaving me." Mmai-jaan joked as she wiped at her face,"Sirf humari betiyon ki bidaai nehi ho rahi hai,humari behan ki bhi horahi hai."

(Sirf humari betiyon ki bidaai nehi ho rahi hai,humari behan ki bhi horahi hai-We are not just biding farewell to our daughters,we are also bidding farewell to our sister)

Mmau-jaan looked at ammi-jaan,his smile dropping as he made his way towards her.When he stood in front of ammi-jaan,he placed his hand on her head,his eyes filled with adoration and pain,"I know,today we are biding farewell to my beloved sister as well.I remember the day we walked into Hajat Qila,you held a small Bakshi Bano in your arms.Your eyes were filled with tears,longing yet determination to never allow anyone to harm your child ever again.Since that day till now,you have always been a pillar of our family.Guiding us,scolding us and showing us where we went wrong.I feel like a piece of me is leaving today," Mamu-jaan removed his hand from ammi-jaan's head and reached for a tray that a bandi handed him,"Will you honour a request of mine,Gulbadan?"

Ammi-jaan eyes were once again full,as she gave a nod of her head,"Have I ever denied any request you may have had,bhai-jaan?Ask."

"When you came to Hajjat Qila,you came as a self-exiled Begum.Today when you leave,I want the world to see a Begum who is taking her place at the Shai Mahal with all rights." Mamu-jaan removed the cover off the tray revealing a silver gharara and the bandi showed another tray which had jewellery.He picked up the duppata,laying it on her head,"When we bid you farewell today,let u bid you farewell as a bride who will step into her next step of life."

I wiped the tears that fell down as ammi-jaan and mamu-jaan embarced,ammi-jaan sobbing in her brother's arms as he shed a few tears as well.My ribs seemed to squeeze around my heart,I looked at Nusrat Bano,mami-jaan and then ammi-jaan and mamu-jaan.The family that had grown me up,today would separate but these doors would always be open to us.

Ammi-jaan looked beautiful in her silver gharar with her red duppata drapped over.Her eyes sparkled with joy as did her stunning jewellery,her kotibiladar shimmering under the rays of sun.Her smile so bright it seemed as if it could light up the darkest of rooms.

My heart begun to rest with ease,at the ease I noticed on my mother's face.Ammi-jaan had always been happy but this happiness,the absence of longing made me smile even brighter.

"MashaAllah,Gulbadan.Aap bohot pyari lag rahi ho." Mami-jaan complimented ammi-jaan as ammi-jaan stood up.Ammi-jaan blushed as mami-jaan removed some of her kajal,placing it behind ammi-jaan's ear,"Aap ko kisi ki nazar na lage."

(Aap bohot pyari lag rahi ho-You are looking very beautiful)

(Aap ko kisi ki nazar na lage-May no one cast an evil eye on you)

"Bhabi-jaan,aap bhi." Ammi-jaan shook her head,her eyes dancing merrily,"We should be taking nazar out for our daughters,yet here you are taking nazar out for me."

(Bhabi-jaan,aap bhi-Sister-in-law,you too)

Mami-jaan chuckled,her eyes dancing with merriment and playfulness,as she reached to grab ammi-jaan's chin.Her eyebrows danced,"Ahmed Khan saab will not be able to take his eyes off you."

Ammi-jaan gasped at mami-jaan's words,lightly slapping her arm,"Bhabhi-jaan,have some shame." Her cheeks coloured red as a rose,she turned to look at herself in the mirror,"Now that our distance will be closer,he can keep his eyes on me as much as he wants."

Nusrat Bano and I exchanged smiles as we walked towards our mothers,"Mami-jaan is right,abbu-jaan will not be able to take his eyes off my beautiful mother." I said as I side hugged ammi-jaan who held my arm as well,"It feels like both our doli's will be picked up together,I do not have to part with you so soon."

She held my cheek,with an admiring smile,"I would never be far away from you even if there is miles of distance between us."

A bandi came inside at which mami-jaan addressed her,"Kya hua?"

(Bhabi-jaan,aap bhi-What is it?)

"Mukhtar Ahmed Khan saab seeks permission to enter." Mami-jaan gave a nod of her head.

"Allow him in." The bandi left the room,as we women turned to face the entrance way.Abu-jaan walked in,his steps staggering as his eyes fell on ammi-jaan,his eyes widening and his mouth opening slightly.I looked at ammi-jaan whose cheeks were coloured red as roses at abbu-jaan's piercing gaze.Abbu-jaan's eyes darkened as he took a few steps forward,as if an invisible string drew him towards ammi-jaan,admiration and love shinning through his eyes.He seemed to be trapped in her eyes,which did not cast down.Rather their eyes stayed on one another,even when he came to a stop in front of her.

Abbu-jaan removed the potli from his side,which he touched to ammi-jaan's head who finally looked down,bring her duppata closer to her mouth.Shyness filled her face as abbu-jaan handed the potli out,to Khaazra,"Aapko kisi ki nazar na lage,Gulbadan Begum.MashAllah,aap bohot pyari lag rahi ho." Khaazra took the potli from abbu-jaan,a smile on her face as well as she gazed between the two.There seemed to be an ease at seeing the woman she had served for so long finally returning to the man she loved more than anyone.

(Aapko kisi ki nazar na lage,Gulbadan Begum.MashAllah,aap bohot pyari lag rahi ho.-May no one cast an evil eye on you,Gulbadan Begum.You are looking beautiful,)

Mami-jaan cleared her throat,at which abbu-jaan and ammi-jaan looked at her.Their faces a shade of red,"Bhai-jaan,we know that Gulbadan is stunning.Just look around,we all are still here." Mami-jaan walked to ammi-jaan,touching their shoulders as she looked at abbu-jaan with glee,"You are taking her with you,then you can look at her for as long as your heart wishes."

Abbu-jaan chuckled as he nod his head,"How do I express my thankfulness to you for being Gulbadan's companion?I knew even if I were not there,she had you and Mukhtar Jahangir Alla.Today,when she leaves I know that there will be emptiness in the Qila.You have my word,if there is a day when any of the Alla Khandan need any type of help,I will never refuse to help."

Mami-jaan bowed her head in a bow of thankfulness,as she gazed at ammi-jaan.She gazed fondly at ammi-jaan as she put a hand on ammi-jaan's shoulder,"She became my closest companion after my husband and children.She brought a child to run around this Qila.The walls of Hajat Qila will always remember her." She then looked at abbu-jaan with a smile,"Take care of her for us."

Abbu-jaan lowered his head,a promise shining in his eyes,"I will take care of her to the best of my ability.We will surely visit as much as we can." His eyes roamed around before landing on me and Nusrat Bano,he walked towards us.He took out the second potli,which he touched to our foreheads,"MashaAllah,humari betiyan bohot khubsurat lag rahi hai." He handed the potli to Khaazra,as he embraced me then Nusrat Bano.

(humari betiyan bohot khubsurat lag rahi hai-Our daughters are looking very beautiful)

We thanked him as he turned to face ammi-jaan and mami-jaan,"You both have raised these two well.They will surely make their homes beautiful."

Nusrat Bano and I exchanged smiles.Her hand slipping into my own as we realized that even though there might be a distance between us,we were never going to be separated by the bond we had formed.The bond between us would last for as long as we lived.We would make our new homes as beautiful as our maternal home.We would nurture our new relationships and make them into a bond that will shine beautifully in the world.We would make the next chapter of our life as beautiful as this one.

Ammi-jaan held my hand as mami-jaan held Nusrat Bano's hand.Tears welled in my eyes as the walls of Hajat Qila that once echoed with our laughter,our childhood and our years as we grew,these walls passed by as if they showed us the memories that they held.Nusrat Bano and I held hands as well,our hands tightly wrapped together as we reminisced times when I would run after her or she would run behind me or we would run behind Hakim Alla after he teased us.

As we came to the door of the darbar,outside of which we found abbu-jaan,mamu-jaan,Hafeez Khan and Hakim Alla.We came to a stop in front of them,mamu-jaan smiling at the two of us.His eyes shinning with tears,a smile that spoke of his pain at seeing us go.He came to us,taking our hands from ammi-jaan and mami-jaan,he looked us in the eyes before speaking.

"There cannot be a marriage in force,which is why I would like to ask you both this question one more time.If your heart does not wish to go through with this you have the permission to say no.Nusrat Bano,are you happy to go into marriage with Abed Khan?"

Nusrat Bano gave a nod of her head,as the lower half of her face from the bridge of her nose may have been covered but the crinkle of her eyes spoke of her smile,"I am happy to wed Abed Khan."

Mamu-jaan nod his head before looking at me,the same look of reassurance in it,"Bakshi Bano,are you happy to go into marriage with Shahensha Haider?"

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat as I smiled under my parda,"I am happy to wed Shahensha Haider."

Mamu-jaan kissed each of our hands before a tear slipped down his face,which he wiped away as he let go of our hands,"Let us go in then."

Mamu-jaan,abbu-jaan and Hakim Alla stood in front of us as the guard announced our presence.We walked through the door,our eyes bowed as our parda's sat snugly against our face.We could hear recitation of Quraan as we made our way towards the flower curtain,behind which we knew our future husbands sat.

Ammi-jaan's grip on my hand tightened on mine as we came closer to our seating area,I turned my eyes to gaze at her.Her eyes filled with tears,I tightened my hand as tightly as she did.Even if she may be leaving with us,she still in a way would be losing me.My heart clenched at the thought of not sharing a morning talk with her nor of us being unable to share late night tea,where we would talk out our heart.Tears that filled my eyes,dropped out slowly as we sat down in front of the flower curtain.

Ammi-jaan looked at me,shaking her head when she saw tears running down my face.She untied my parda,wiping away my tears.She whispered,"Do not cry,my child.Let this new step of your life be the beginning of something better then you have ever had." She faced the front as I moved my eyes to the front.

Through the gaps of the flower curtain,I caught glimpses of Shahensha Haider.My future sat in front of me,I hoped that one day I would be able to see Shahensha Haider as more then just the King of the Sultanat that I served.I hoped to make a beautiful future along with Shahensha Haider.One where we would be companions to one another,where we would be able to share our sorrows and worries without any barriers,

My eyes fluttered around,finally landing on Malika Sahal who sat on the ladies side,at the side on a chair.Her head held high,her eyes on Shahensha Haider through the flower curtain.A fore longed look,as the one she loved would become someone else's.I hoped to share a relationship with her as I did with Nusrat Bano.I hoped that she and I would share a relationship that would never be broken by another person.I hoped we would create a bond of trust that would be unbreakable.We would share a husband but never would we come to screams about who has more of a right on him.We would weather the storms that came to our palace no matter who it would consist of.

With a strengthened resolute to create a bright future filled with hope for our future together,I lowered my gaze as Maulvi Khalil started reading the nikaah khutbah.He informed us of the responsibility of wife and husband.The bonds amongst families and how to create new bonds in a new family.

"Tey hui haq Mehr rakham dus hashaar gohar,panch hazaar heera,do hazaar siphahi ki mansabdari aur sau bandi taufe mei.Shahensha Haider wal Marhoom Shahensha Hassen kya aapko Bakshi Bano wal Ahmad Khan ki saath nikaah qubool hai?"

(Tey hui haq Mehr rakham dus hashaar gohar,panch hazaar heera,do hazaar siphahi ki mansabdari aur sau bandi taufe mei.Shahensha Haider wal Marhoom Shahensha Hassen kya aapko Bakshi Bano wal Ahmad Khan ki saath nikaah qubool hai?-With the decided dowry of 10000 gems,5000 diamonds,control of two thousand soldiers and 100 girl workers as a gift.Shahensha Haider son of Marhoom Shahensha Hassen do you accept to wed Bakshi Bano daughter of Ahmed khan?)

My heart beat raised as the silence raged before Shahensha Haider's reply came.

"Qubool hai."

(Qubool hai-I accept.)

"Shahensha Haider wal Marhoom Shahensha Hassen kya aapko Bakshi Bano wal Ahmad Khan ki saath nikaah qubool hai?"

(Shahensha Haider son of Marhoom Shahensha Hassen do you accept to wed Bakshi Bano daughter of Ahmed khan?)

"Qubool hai."

"Shahensha Haider wal Marhoom Shahensha Hassen kya aapko Bakshi Bano wal Ahmad Khan ki saath nikaah qubool hai?"

"Qubool hai."

A chorus of Marhaba and alhumdulilah rang out through the Darbar.Maulvi saab made his way in front of the flower curtsin,where he stood on the other side of it.

"Tey hui haq Mehr rakham dus hashaar gohar,panch hazaar heera,do hazaar siphahi ki mansabdari aur sau bandi taufe mei.Bakshi Bano wal Ahmad Khan,kya aapko Shahensha Haider wal Marhoom Shahensha Hassem ki saath nikaah qubool hai?"

(With the decided dowry of 10000 gems,5000 diamonds,control of two thousand soldiers and 100 girl workers as a gift.Bakshi Bano daughter of Ahmed Khan do you accept to wed Shahensha Haider son of Deceased Shahensha Hassen?)

I could hear the blood rush through my ears as ammi-jaan's hand tightened around my one hand,Nusrat Bano's hand tightened around my other hand and mami-jaan put her hand on my shoulder.Taking strength from each of the women who I held closely to my heart,I stook a deep breath letting go and spoke.

"Qabool hai." My voice seem to resonate in the darbar.

"Bakshi Bano wal Ahmad Khan,kya aapko Shahensha Haider wal Marhoom Shahensha Hassem ki saath nikaah qubool hai?"

"Qabool hai."

"Bakshi Bano wal Ahmad Khan,kya aapko Shahensha Haider wal Marhoom Shahensha Hassem ki saath nikaah qubool hai?"

"Qabool hai."

Ammi-jaan and Nusrat Bano side hugged me as a chorus of Mubarak and alhumdulilah rang out once again through the darbar.I kept my eyes down as Nusrat Bano and Abed Khan's nikkah completed.I hugged her as well,whispering Mubarak.

Maulvi saab begun to make dua,we all raised our hands.Choruses of ameen sounded in the darbar as he made dua for our happy mariaages filled with prosperity and blessings.He made dua for healthy children who would become flag bearers for Islam and our Sultanat.He ended the dua by praying to Allah for a Sultanat that would create history.

"Ameen." Resonated against Hajjat Qila's walls as we rubbed our hands over our faces before the women on our side begun to stand up.Ammi-jaan got handed a duppata which she opened up.

Ammi-jaan brought my duppata over my head,covering my face until my chest as the bandi begun to move apart the flower curtain.A mirror got placed before my knees as I could hear feet shuffling as Shahensha Haider came forward as did Abed Khan,I supposed went towards Nusrat Bano.

A large green duppata got draped over my head and I presume Shahensha Haider's head.The laughter of my friends and other women sounded behind me,as ammi-jaan spoke out," Bakshi,look into the mirror."

One of my friends voices came,"Lean forward,look at you husband."

I leaned forward slightly,as I lifted the red duppata as I looked into the mirror where dark brown eyes locked with my own.I had never looked Shahensha Haider in the face,his face to me was a mystery,until now.His tan skin reminiscent of the fact that he spent much time in the sun as a soldier.Along his right eyes ran a scar which run just next to his thick eyebrows,that created a curve around his brow bone and his piercing eyes.His defined jaw on which a slight beard which had been trimmed neatly,not one hair out of place.His thick hair sat under his silver turban which had a large diamond stone placed in the middle within a feather like pattern of smaller gems,lines of pearls flowed along the sides of the turban.His light brown hair which flowed just quarter of a finger past his broad shoulders,the ends of which were slightly curled.His crooked nose which must have broken,spoke about the several battles and wars he fought.His wide mouth which tilted up slightly on the sides,as he raised his hand to greet me and I did the same.

A wind seem to pass through the covered windows and large door,rattling the chandeliers on the ceilings and the drapes over the walls.The chaddar draped over the couple swayed slightly as if they were to bring blessings,for verily this came from an answered prayers in the sky.A new chapter had opened in a book for all of those in Hajjat Qila that would lead to the betterment of the Sulatanat.