“I may be an orphan, but you’re worthless. You’re planning on betraying your own father!”
“My father is weak. He doesn’t deserve to be sultan! He doesn’t run his kingdom! His people do!”
“As it should be! I’m done toying with you. You really are no match for me coward!”
With that, he knocked Ayub’s sword out of his hand. At the same time, Layla led the sultan out from behind the bush towards them. His look was cold.
“Father!” Ayub could do nothing but look down.
The sultan did not respond. As Kassim and the rest of the guard arrived, he told them to arrest his son for treason.
No one said a word.
When all was revealed, Prince Mehmood found himself relieved as the reason for Zubeida’s sudden snubbing came to light. Her deliberate evasions were really putting him out of sorts. Realizing that he could not live happily without her, he asked Asif for her hand, which Asif gave gladly.
The wedding of Salma and Asif was grand and gorgeous. He was quite relieved as his sisters were really driving him mad with all the preparations. However, at the same time, he was aware that resistance was a useless endeavor when it came to his sisters.
The wedding of Prince Mehmood and Zubeida was even more grand and gorgeous. Poor Mehmood, all of a sudden, was thrown into all the madness surrounding his bride and her sisters. Astute man that he was, he quickly realized he could neither overcome nor contain their madness, so his peace of mind returned right away. Asif, however, was quite glad to have a partner in the divine chaos. United in the divine chaos, they spent the rest of their days happily.
The Jinniyah and the Warriors
Long ago in a place called Mulastana in the land of India, there was a large kingdom with a large army. Not so unusual for a large kingdom to have a large army, but what was unusual about this army was that a good number of its warriors were women. Now, the caliph of this large kingdom was an eccentric sort who thought that if women could endure the pain of childbirth, then they could endure the pain of battle. Although the people of Mulastana thought this a rather odd idea, they did not make a fuss because they lived in prosperity, and people, generally, are amenable to pretty much anything when they do not have to worry about eating.
In the midst of this benign eccentricity, four childhood friends (more like sisters really) were trying to sort out the various messes they had made of their lives. For all their precise stratagems on the battlefield, Datma, Aisha, Shabina, and Aafreen, could not conduct their own lives with the same precision.
Datma was the moral center of the group. She was the voice of conscience for them all. For this reason many times, she was more than they could take. Due to the outcries of her conscience, she sacrificed the love of her life as she felt a warrior would not make an ideal wife. Of course if she would have asked him, he would have disagreed with her, but she didn’t, so that was the end of it.
Aisha was the peacemaker. Whenever the other women got into their little spats, she was always the self-appointed mediator. With her calm demeanor, she could settle a situation and all the people in it very quickly. However, she was so calm that she didn’t even attempt to negotiate for herself when her marriage was arranged to a nobleman she did not love.
As calm as Aisha was, Shabina was just as feisty. Whether she was on or off the battlefield, she was not afraid to hold her ground, particularly where her own interests were concerned. Additionally, this attention to her own interests could make her morally ambiguous at times. Often, she would find herself at odds with Datma, who always felt it was her duty to persuade (or nag in Shabina’s mind) her friend to do what she felt was the right thing. At this time, Shabina (at least in Datma’s mind) did the decidedly wrong thing. Shabina managed to fall in love with their captain. Although love is the ultimate gift, it gets complicated when the object of one’s affection is engaged to someone else. More importantly, that someone else in this situation was the vizier’s daughter.
Then, there was Aafreen. She was their undisputed leader in the arena of battle and in the arena of life. When Aisha failed to keep the peace between Shabina and Datma, she stepped in. She took care of all the people in her life. Since her father was no more, she shouldered the responsibility of her mother and sister. As the “man” of the family in a “man’s” profession, it was rather difficult for many to see her in a feminine light. Not that Aafreen cared for the opinions of most people. Yet, there was one person whose opinion she really cared for. That person was the caliph’s son, Ajib, who she loved deeply. As much as he respected and admired her, he could only see her as a warrior. So, the problem solver for others could not find a way to solve her own problem.
These fascinating women caught the eye of Sarina, a jinniyah. Whether known or unknown to humans, jinn observe humans and whether or not they choose to intervene in the lives of human beings is a matter between them and Allah. Over time, Sarina grew to love these women like she loved her own daughters. Yet, her own daughters did not need her the way these women seemed to need her. That was one thing Sarina loved: to be needed.
One day, she decided to make herself known to them. Sometimes when the world was too much for them, the women found an expansive tree that could accommodate all four of them with its shade. They would go there to get away from the madness that they chose to call their world. Sometimes together. Sometimes separately.
On this particular day, they could not escape the madness as Shabina and Datma insisted on bickering over Shabina’s unwillingness to give up thoughts of the Captain. Aafreen and Aisha decided to stay out if it unless swords were drawn.
“Datma, not everyone believes in perpetual self-sacrifice as you do. Some of us actually want for ourselves.”
Aafreen and Aisha paused and looked at one another, mouths practically reaching the ground.
“I do what I feel is right. You should try it sometime.”
“I do what I feel is right, but why should I hurt myself in the process? You’re so worried about everyone else! Worry about yourself some time! Then, maybe you wouldn’t concern yourself with what I am doing!”
“Did you ever think that he might actually love her or that she might actually love him?”
“At least, I have the courage to find out,” Shabina responded.
“It seems to me that you all lack courage in some way,” Sarina interjected, as she floated out from behind the girls’ tree.
They could not believe their eyes. They knew they had never seen her before because no one could forget Sarina once they had seen her. She was tall with long, dark hair that silhouetted her back like an ebony waterfall. Almost to contrast the dark hair, was the skin that was as soft and fair as a lily. Even more striking were her dark, amber eyes that were warm and inviting to anyone that would gaze into them.
Aafreen was the first to snap out of her reverie. “What exactly do you mean?... O Great Jinniyah”… She hesitantly stated.
“I see you recognize a Jinn when you see one,” Sarina replied, “Yet, there is no need to address me so formally, Sarina will suffice as the way to address me, for that is my name.”
“If you had seen us on the field of battle, you would never say we lack courage,” Shabina interjected, in an agitated tone. Datma promptly elbowed her in the stomach, which Shabina returned.
“Field of battle in war is one thing; field of battle in life is another,” Sarina responded.
“What makes you think we lack courage in life?” Datma asked.
“I am so glad you asked me that question first, Datma. You, who so willingly make yourself a sacrificial lamb. Are you really that selfless or are you so afraid of prompting displeasure?”
“I fear nothing,” she responded clearly unsettled.
“Is that why you let him go?”
Aafreen, Shabina, and Aisha just gaped in silence, not sure what to make of all this.
“I wouldn’t have been a proper wife for him.”
“Did you give him a chance to deci
de that?”
“Why are you asking me all of this? How do you even know?” Datma asked. This time, she was irritated, which surprised everyone.
“I’ve watched you all for quite some time now. The irony of you all intrigues me immensely. Quite unstoppable in your professions, but in your lives, you can’t even take one single step.”
“Is that why you are here?” Aafreen asked. “To help us take those steps?”
“Yes,” Sarina responded.
“Why?” They all asked at the same time.
They did not get their answer right away because Sarina chose to disappear.
They didn’t know what to make of it all. However, they did know this: Sarina definitely meant them no harm. They would let it all play itself out.
Sarina reappeared a few days later, with some interesting news. They were sitting under the same tree when she appeared again suddenly.
“He doesn’t love her,” she announced.
“Who?’ Shabina hesitantly asked, knowing full well who she was referring to.
“Captain Saif,” she responded, with a smile.
“Are you sure?” Shabina asked, heart racing.
“That’s what he told Prince Ajib,” Sarina answered, shooting a look straight at Aafreen. Aafreen’s heart almost jumped out of her chest, but she kept her composure, as was her nature.
“Then, why is he marrying her?” Shabina asked.
“For political connections, I’ve seen it before. There are times when a marriage is good for everyone involved, except for the two people getting married.”
“What do we do?” Shabina asked, heart still racing.
“Not we dear,” Sarina responded, returning her gaze to Aafreen.
“Sarina, what exactly do you want me to do?” Aafreen asked.
“You will talk to Prince Ajib, course,” she responded.
“And say what?” she asked, annoyance in her voice.
“Where do I begin?” Sarina smiled, waiting for the storm to come.
“Why don’t you just speak plainly, Sarina?” Aafreen asked impatiently.
“How else will you get him to notice you?”
“Why would Aafreen want Prince Ajib to notice her, Sarina?” Shabina asked with a puzzled expression on her face.
“Why do you keep asking me questions you already know the answer to?” Sarina asked playfully.
“Aafreen, why would you keep this from us? Especially, when we tell you everything?” Shabina said.
“One more mess for all of us to wrap our brains around, Shabina? And you Jinniyah, what do you achieve by creating more tornadoes of chaos? ”
“More like trying to tame the ones you all have already created and turn them into quiet storms. What breaks my heart about all of you is that you don’t recognize your own self-worth. That lack of self-awareness has crippled you all in some way. I am simply here to push or drag you in the direction you need to go.”
“How do I not recognize my own worth? I go after what I want all the time,” Shabina asked, puzzled again.
“You are an impetuous little girl at times who likes for people to feed and sustain her ego. If you had real self-worth, you would not find that necessary. I do realize that you genuinely love the Captain, but your impetuousness could cause you to lose him if you’re not careful.”
“Thank you,” Datma said under her breath.
“Are you judging, Dear? At least, she has the courage to go after what she wants. You talk yourself out of everything you want. And for what? So people can see how proper you are?”
“I did what I thought was right at the time. I didn’t want to be selfish. What can I do now?”
“Now and for the rest of your life, have the courage to know. You have never lacked courage to fight. Now, have the courage to know.”
For once, Datma was silent.
Unexpectedly, Aisha broke the silence, “Aafreen, you could have talked to us. Why do you hold everything inside?”
“You talk of holding everything inside? You who are about to marry someone you don’t love without the slightest objection?” Sarina interjected.
“What is there to object to? He is a good man from a good family.”
“He is from a good family, but whether or not that goodness passed to him is debatable. In any case, he is not the right man for you, Aisha. We never said anything because we thought you were happy,” Aafreen added.
“As calm as you are, Aisha you are not without passion. Amir on the other hand, has no passion that I can see. He would bore you rather quickly,” Shabina said.
“Fine, so you’re all right about Amir. It’s not that easy to break an engagement, and that is an old story. But what about Aafreen’s story? I may not be in love, but she is. That’s more important right now.”
“Excellent way to divert attention from yourself, Dear, but we won’t forget you,” Sarina asserted.
Aisha heard what she said, believed it, and chose to ignore it.
“Aafreen, you can take care of everyone, but no one gets the chance to take care of you?” Aafreen said.
“What is there to take care of? I love someone, but I don’t know if he could ever see me as a woman, much less as a woman he could love. What could any of you have done?”
“We could have just been there to support you, like you have supported us so many times,” Shabina said, quietly.
“Well, now you all know,” she glared at Sarina.
“Aafreen is in love with Prince Ajib,” Shabina declared, with a smirk.
“What are you smiling about?” Aafreen replied, quite irritated now.
“I am just happy someone has finally captured your heart. I was beginning to worry.” “I think I know of a way that Aafreen can help herself and Shabina,” Sarina declared. “Really?” Aafreen asked sarcastically.
“You will ask Ajib how Captain Saif feels about Shabina.”
“Sarina, we are not good friends. How does that come up in the conversation?”
“Simple. You just ask.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Obviously, or else you would have done it by now, and been in his heart, his house, and his bed.”
“Sarina!” Aafreen cried.
“That’s usually how it works dear child.”
The next day, Aafreen wore her best clothes as instructed by Sarina to aid Ajib in seeing his best warrior as the beautiful woman she was.
As Aafreen walked onto the veranda where Ajib was sitting, he couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked. He was pleasantly surprised because he had only seen her in soldier’s uniform. In one electric shock of a moment, he discovered the woman behind the soldier. This abrupt discovery made conversation all the more awkward as Aafreen was naturally uncomfortable around him. She thought how lucky for Sarina she was a Jinn because that was the only way she could be protected from Aafreen’s wrath.
Years afterward, Ajib could never remember how the conversation started. He was too much in awe of how beautiful this woman he respected so much actually was.
Aafreen, true warrior that she was came straight to the heart of the matter.
“Shabina is in love with Captain Saif,” she said.
“What?” he responded, trance broken.
“Shabina is in love with Captain Saif,” she repeated. “Do you know how he feels about her?”
“No, but I know who he doesn’t have feelings for.”
“The vizier’s daughter?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes. I’ve been trying to tell him not do something he doesn’t want to do. But you know what soldiers are like, always doing their duty no matter what.”
“I think I know something about that,” she said.
“Aafreen, the biggest duty you have to fulfill, after Allah, is towards yourself. You can’t make others happy if you aren’t happy yourself.”
“Yes,” she said, then paused, staring at Ajib a little longer than she should have.
Of course, he didn’t notice be
cause he was staring right back at her. Aafreen was the first to remember what the main point of the conversation was.
“What do we do?” she asked.
“Let’s find out what Arjuman wants. If he feels he isn’t letting her down, then he’ll be more inclined to rethink what he is doing.”
“I think I should talk to her. I don’t know how I’ll approach her, but I will think of something.” Aafreen said.
“I’ll keep talking to Saif,” Ajib added.
As Aafreen started to walk away, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a black lock of hair flowing in the air. The next thing she saw was a gust of wind knocking over a water jug right in front of her. She couldn’t help but trip over it, and when it broke, she cut her foot.
Ajib responded right away by sweeping her up and carrying her to the caliph’s physician’s quarters. To her surprise, she didn’t protest and allowed him to take care of her. Again to her surprise, he didn’t call for the physician. He bounded the wound himself.
Recognizing Sarina’s hand in this commonplace feminine ploy, she was half irritated and half grateful. When, she realized how she felt in Ajib’s arms, she was fully grateful. Being vulnerable in front of someone you love isn’t so bad, she thought.
Vulnerability was not to be seen in either Aafreen or Arjuman when they talked the following day. Aafreen was not sure how she would find out what she wanted to know since they got along in a socially superficial kind of way, with no real depth of conversation. However when she asked Arjuman how the wedding preparations were going, Arjuman was only too eager to voice her displeasure over the coming nuptials. When Aafreen asked her why she agreed, duty was the culprit yet again. She neither wanted to displease her father nor hurt Saif. Aafreen then surmised on how duty can turn into a noose.
She reported this news to Ajib, who then spoke to Saif. Saif was still hesitant to approach the vizier. How could he tell a vizier that he doesn’t love his daughter? With Ajib’s help, he spoke to Arjuman. Once they both realized they weren’t disappointing the other, they felt better. Arjuman broke the news to her father. Since he loved his daughter and only wanted her happiness, it wasn’t the catastrophe everyone thought it would be.
Shaherazade's Daughters Page 11