Shaherazade's Daughters

by Sameena K Mughal

  “I am sure you’re willing to offer more, and rest assured you will if you want my sister,” Asif replied as he planted himself between Layla and Kassim.

  “Bhaiyya,” Layla scolded.

  Kassim blushed.

  While the girls fawned over their brother for the next few days, Prince Ayub was incensed that his plot had been foiled. He and his attendants racked their brains for days to concoct a new plan for removing his rival. Then, another perfect opportunity fell into his lap. Through his network of spies, he was informed the vizier was sending Asif to inspect the construction of a library. Although Prince Ayub was a complete stranger to hard work and labor, he knew accidents happened on construction sites all the time. He was quite pleased with himself, as usual. This time, he thought, nothing should go wrong and to ensure it, he would be there himself.

  But of course, it did. Yet again, one of Asif’s sisters arrived. While Prince Ayub was surmising devious plots, so were Zubeida and Salma. Of course, Zubi’s and Salma’s plotting was of a pure nature: Salma was simply looking for an excuse to see the man she was marrying. Zubeida’s presence was just to keep the element of scandal from the enterprise. This unexpected arrival caused Prince Ayub much dismay, but Prince Mehmood was almost jovial. Once Ayub noticed Mehmood’s distraction, he took his opportunity to help his rival meet with an accident.

  Meanwhile, Mehmood found his way over to Salma and Zubeida, and since it was Zubeida that he really wanted to talk to, he talked to Salma first. Of course, both Salma and Zubeida knew this was the case. So, Salma decided to extend his agony by prolonging the meaningless conversation. She tired of this very quickly, so she plunged Zubeida into the conversation by commenting on how fond Zubeida was of libraries and books. This was a perfect opportunity for Mehmood as he was quite fond of books as well. Then, all of a sudden, the conversation wasn’t quite so meaningless. Gradually, he realized that not only was Zubi beautiful, but she was equally intelligent. It was at that moment that he realized that he was done for.

  At the same time, Prince Ayub was almost salivating at the idea that his rival would soon be eliminated. His enthusiastic lackey, Jafar was loosening a beam that was hanging above the concrete slabs. It was high enough that a fall from that height would surely kill anyone that was unfortunate enough to fall. Then, Prince Ayub told the architect to show Asif the wonderful view of the Ganges from that particular area. The architect did as he was told as it was a view that he knew Asif would enjoy.

  When Asif came to look at the view, Ayub told the architect to stand back and let Asif walk ahead so he could enjoy the view for himself without distraction. Again, the architect did as he was told. Just as Asif was about to walk onto the beam, Zubi called to him:

  “Bhaiyya! Salma’s been looking for you!”

  As soon as he heard Salma’s name, he forgot all about the Ganges. Ayub’s volcanic yet contained exasperation very nearly escaped from him. This effort monopolized all his attention, so he did not notice the poor architect taking Asif’s place, as he noticed something not quite right with the beam.

  There was nothing anyone could do. He crashed to his death as both Zubi and Salma let out cries of astonishment. Zubi cried, “Bhaiyya, that could have been you!”

  “I am fine,” he responded, “but I am taking both of you home.”

  Ayub was inwardly fuming. Mehmood was puzzled. Zubi and Salma were beside themselves. In all this turmoil, Asif was contemplative. He kept his thoughts to himself as he attempted to keep Zubeida and Salma calm.

  When he and Zubeida returned home, they were both pensive and quiet. All through dinner, neither of them said much. Aisha broke the silence.

  “Why is everyone so quiet?”

  “Yes,” Layla interjected, “It is unusually quiet today. “Bhaiyya, how’s the construction of the library going? You were at the construction site today, right?”

  “Yes,” he responded. Quite reluctantly, he decided to tell the rest of his sisters what happened. He knew they would eventually find out, and when they did, they would not leave him in peace for not having told them before.

  “Bit of excitement though,” he continued. “One of the architects fell from a beam. Poor fellow died instantly.”

  “It could have been Bhaiyya,” Zubeida added somberly.

  “What do you mean?” Zainab asked anxiously.

  “Bhaiyya was about to walk onto the beam when I called out to him, and he came back.” Zubeida responded quietly.

  “Bhaiyya, what’s been happening with you, lately? We’ve almost lost you twice. It’s almost as if you are a marked man,” Aisha said, concern and anxiety in her voice.

  “Sometimes things happen in life. We all are well aware of that. But you do not have to worry. You will not lose me,” he responded with a smile.

  No one said anything for the rest of the meal. Each one was lost in their tense and anxious thoughts.

  After a restless night, Asif got up with all the thoughts he was processing in his brain. The only person who could help him make sense of these restless thoughts, he felt, was his future father-in-law, Hussein.

  Arriving at Hussein’s house, he found the vizier to be just as pensive as he was.

  “Are you alright, my boy?” he asked, as he rose from his chair.

  “I’m alright, just a bit troubled.”

  “I am just as troubled as you. All of these situations you seem to find yourself in are disturbing. And this latest incident, reeks of Prince Ayub’s dirty deeds. He just so happens to be at the construction site the day of an accident? Since when does he show interest in any affairs of state?”

  “My thoughts exactly, uncle. I thought I was going mad to question all of this.”

  “You’re not the one who is going mad, son. I have not shared this with anyone up to now, but I have learned that Prince Ayub plans on overthrowing his father. His father’s refusal to thwart your engagement sent him over the edge. Before that, it was an unformed idea. Now, it’s a fully fledged plan. Once he disposes of you, he will put his plan into full motion.”

  “How long have you known this, uncle?”

  “I only obtained reliable information yesterday. Before that, it was just idle rumor. He’s been very good at keeping his plans secret until recently. His fixation with you seems to be clouding his judgment.”

  “Does Mehmood have any idea, do you think?” At that moment, he thought he heard a noise, but when he turned his head he saw nothing.

  “Of course, not. Mehmood is loyal to his father. He’s also a good man. He would never plot like this.”

  “Then, he will help us!” Zubeida and Salma cried out together.

  Hussein and Asif were shocked, irritated, and confused all at once.

  “Have you two been eavesdropping? How dare you!” Hussein yelled, trying to sound intimidating. Of course, he was not, since it was common knowledge that Hussein was not a practical man when it came to his daughter. Rather, he was, in general, a fool for her.

  “Father, this matter involves our sultan, my future husband, and Zubi’s brother and future husband. We have every right to listen!”

  Zubi flashed a murderous look in her direction, “You won’t make it to your wedding night,” she seethed under her breath.

  Meanwhile Asif cried out, “Future husband! Who? I am not dead yet! I am still head of this family!”

  “Bhaiyya! You know Salma talks incessantly like a parrot without thinking. She is just speculating. Nothing’s been said or done, certainly not without your approval.”

  Zubeida was a master at keeping situations from completely devolving into chaos.

  “I will ask again, Zubeida. Who? Speculation or not, my future wife does not make up stories. She must have witnessed something to make her say that,” he rejoined, calmer than before but with an edge to his voice still.

  Salma was smiling the whole time.

  “Prince Mehmood,” she replied. She knew better than to be evasive with her brother at this point.

&nbs
p; “Mehmood! At least, it’s not Ayub. It is a small comfort that my sister is not flirting with the man who is trying to kill me,” he said, the sarcasm permeating obvious to all.

  “Asif, please! Your sister’s not a flirt. You know that,” Salma said.

  “Keep quiet! You’ve said more than enough!” Hussein yelled. This time, he was to be taken seriously. Salma said no more after that.

  “He’ll help us, Bhaiyya,” Zubeida said.

  “He’ll help you,” Asif responded.

  “She’s right,” Hussein interjected, “He will help us. He will be outraged, especially, out of loyalty to his father. He is a good man, Asif. I think he would help us regardless.”

  “Fine. I will accept his help, but uncle, you and you alone will approach him. Zubeida, you stay away from that man and his murderous brother. It could all get very dangerous very fast. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Bhaiyya.”

  Then Hussein literally chased Zubeida and Salma out of the room.

  Meanwhile, in the midst of the meeting of minds and hearts, Layla and Aisha were roaming along the riverbanks deliberating over the recent events involving their brother. They both decided there was something going on that their brother was not telling them, and they would most definitely find out what that something was.

  “He never shares anything with us!” Aisha said.

  “He just wants to take care of everything himself. You know that,” Layla responded.

  “How can we help him if we don’t know what’s going on?” Aisha asked.

  “How could we help him even we did? If someone is intent on killing our brother, what do you think? We can just smile and bat our eyelashes, and they’ll forget all about it?”

  “Maybe if you danced, too, Layla?” Aisha teased.

  “I can make anyone forget anything,” Layla declared.

  “You’re so conceited,” she said.

  “You did bring it up, Aisha.”

  “I am sorry I did. We need to focus on helping our brother, Layla. We need to find out what’s happening and help him whether he wants our help or not.”

  “For once, I agree with you.”

  “You should agree with me more. Then, you would be right most of the time.”

  “Now who’s being conceited?”

  “Layla, look up there. There is a hill where I go to help me think. It has a wonderful view. Let’s go there.”

  “Alright. Maybe it will help me think, also.”

  “Try using your brain sometime. That’s the best way to help you think,” Aisha said, with a smirk.

  “Don’t need to actually. I have charm and good looks. You continue to use your brain, dear.

  We all work with what we have,” Layla retorted.

  When they reached the hill, they just took it all in. They both felt calm, and it really did help them think. After a time, though, Aisha became restless and felt like exploring. After a short time, she came upon a cave. Since she had never walked in this particular direction, she had never seen it before. Inside the cave, she found a carpet. She was intrigued. It was not particularly pretty, but rather old and worn out. She simply felt that it had character and had a story to tell. How right she was. She was incessantly reminded them of that for years afterward.

  “What is that ugly thing?” Layla exclaimed, when Aisha came out of the cave.

  “It’s a carpet,” she said, smiling.

  “An ugly carpet…What exactly are you doing with that thing?” Layla asked.

  “I don’t know exactly. It’s intriguing to me, that’s all,” Aisha responded.

  She decided to unroll it and have a rest, just as Layla was doing. As she sat down though, the carpet started to rise. Aisha and Layla were stunned.

  “Aisha, what’s happening?” Layla exclaimed.

  “Don’t you see? This is a flying carpet! I never thought these were real! I knew this carpet had a story to tell!”

  “Well, let me get on, too!” Layla cried, excited now.

  Then, they flew home. Luckily, when they got there no one was there. They both wanted to surprise everyone else. Surprises came from all sides that day.

  When Zubeida and Asif came home later, they both had such looks on their faces that Zainab, Aisha, and Layla were afraid to even ask them what was going on. Asif did not help matters when he summoned them all outside.

  “Everyone outside. Now,” he dictated. They all went outside without a word.

  “Prince Ayub has been trying to kill me,” he announced somberly.

  “Why?” Zainab, Aisha, and Layla screamed simultaneously.

  “Because he wants to marry Salma and our brother is in the way,” Zubi answered.

  “He’s planning on overthrowing his father,” Asif added.

  “Are you sure? It doesn’t make sense that a prince of Nahar would be this treacherous,” Zainab surmised.

  “We’re sure,” Asif said.

  “What are we going to do, Bhaiyya?” Aisha asked.

  “We are doing nothing. I will handle this. All of you stay out of it. It’s too dangerous. I will not have any of you in harm’s way.”

  “And we’re just supposed to sit quietly while you are in harm’s way?” Aisha asked, indignation rising in her voice.

  “Let us help you, Bhaiyya,” Layla pleaded.

  “What exactly will you do Layla? Dance for him and smile? What can you all possibly do?”

  “There might be something to that, Bhaiyya,” Zubeida said hesitantly.

  “Right… right… why not dangle all my sisters in front of the princes to save myself?” Asif responded acidly.

  “Bhaiyya, listen before you make ridiculous statements. We need a diversion to get Prince Ayub alone and away from his lackeys who could be a problem.”

  “Layla will perform a special dance for Salma and Asif’s sangeet. We will invite the sultan, sultana and the princes. While they’re watching Layla, Bhaiyya will challenge Ayub alone.

  Once she’s finished, the sultan will be so pleased that he will grant any request of Layla’s, which is what he always does when he is especially pleased with a performer. Layla, request a private audience with the sultan and sultana. Then, Hussein uncle and Layla will tell them of Ayub’s plan.”

  “What makes you think he’ll believe anything that’s said about his precious son without proof, even if the accusation is coming from his trusted vizier?’ Asif noted.

  “That’s what I was getting to, Bhaiyya. You can be so impatient sometimes.”

  “Forgive me, my dear, sweet sister, but being the target of a murder plot can put one out a bit.”

  “Sorry, my dear, sweet brother, but do allow me to finish. That is why you will challenge him alone and get him to confess his crimes right when the sultan comes upon the both of you. You will provide the proof he will need.”

  “It’s plausible, but a million things could go wrong. It may be over before Layla has a chance to even get the sultan to us. The sultan has to be brought to us rather quickly. Not to mention that I have to get him a bit out of the way so he cannot make a convenient escape. Time will be very crucial in order for this to work.”

  “I can use the flying carpet Aisha found!” Layla burst out.

  “The what?” Everyone but Aisha cried out.

  Over the next few days, they made preparations for the sangeet. They had intended to hold the event at Layla’s dance master’s studio, but the sultan insisted on having it at the palace. This was a particularly auspicious bit of luck as there would be plenty of alcohol to incapacitate Prince Ayub’s lackeys who were rather partial to the stuff.

  Layla enlisted the help of the all-too- eager Kassim yet again. Although she did not reveal the whole plan, she did ask Kassim to keep an eye on the lackeys and to not let them leave the palace. Of course, Asif was not pleased with this move, but he had his own part to focus on.

  Finally, the night of the sangeet arrived. Everyone was tense. Yet when guests arrived including the sultan, sultana, an
d the princes, everyone was all smiles and easygoing. Finally, Layla arrived to perform. Everyone who was there was mesmerized by her grace, style, and charm. She gave a dazzling performance.

  At the same time, Asif was waiting for exactly the precise moment to challenge Prince Ayub. He felt the time drawing near when he saw that Ayub’s lackeys were so drunk they could barely get up from the floor. At that time, he whispered in Ayub’s ear, “If you want to kill me coward, now’s your chance. You won’t get such a clean opportunity.”

  “Are you challenging me?” Prince Ayub asked, stunned.

  “Yes. Give yourself a chance to be a real man instead of a sneaking, sniveling, coward who resorts to trickery.”

  They both tensed at that moment, as if they would engage in battle right then and there. But they both calmed themselves and casually walked away. They made their way to a cliff near where Aisha and Layla had found the carpet. Then, they began. Asif was determined to keep both himself and Ayub alive until the sultan arrived.

  Meanwhile, Layla was finishing up her performance. The sultan and sultana were so pleased they gave her the private audience that they all were so counting on. Hussein and Layla only gave minor details but begged the sultan to accompany them to the place Asif and Ayub were. Because they had to move quickly, Layla took them on the flying carpet. Hussein ordered Kassim and the guard to follow on horseback.

  “Good God, child! What is this?” Sultan Ahmed cried.

  “Time is crucial, sire. Please trust us,” Hussein responded. Since the sultan did trust his vizier and trusted him with his life as a matter of fact, he said no more.

  Layla positioned the carpet behind a bush on the outer edge of the cliff. She flung a pebble at her brother’s foot to signal him. She missed, but it got his attention. After that, he spoke to Ayub.

  “Why don’t you admit you were trying to kill me? One of us will be dead in a few minutes anyway.”

  The sultan opened his mouth to speak, but Hussein clapped his hand on his mouth. Then, he motioned his head towards the fight.

  “You’re right. It doesn’t matter now considering you’ll be dead anyway, and you challenged me. You’re right. I have been trying to kill you, and now you’ve made it easy for me. Why Salma would pick a penniless orphan like you over a prince of Nahar is truly beyond me.”