warrior's heart

chapter 23

#Assalamualaikum dearest readers! Pardon any mistakes Please! #

Marliyyah paced back and forth in her chambers the next morning. To say she was nervous was an understatement. After her unfortunate encounter with the sultan, she could not help but worry how his reaction will be, seeing her again or much less discussing marriage with her. She sincerely prayed and hoped he would forgive and overlook her foolishness and accept the proposal, she needed to do this for her people,for only Allah knew what that evil man had up his sleeves.

She walked to her mirror to check herself one more time to ensure she had not overdone her dressing. Her eyes looked tired, an indication that she had not slept at all the previous night due to worry. Her abaya was white in colour, with small intricate patterns going all the way down the length of the abaya at the back. The pattern was in red and so she chose a red hijab to go with her dress and a pair of sandals. She put on some kohl and lined her eyes in a winged manner in order to make her eyes look more alive and not tired and put a dab of the lip balm Umm Jaafar had made for her.

Satisfied with her look, she went to her bed, picked up her Qur'an and sat down to recite, so as to take her mind off what was to happen and feel the peace that reciting the Holy Qur'an brought with it. She recited for what seemed like an hour until there was a knock on her door. She concluded her recitation and dropped her Qur'an back before standing up. She felt the nervousness return once more and she straightened out her abaya before she went to open the door where a maid stood.

"Assalamualaikum amirah, your father has sent for you. He said to tell you the visitors are here."

Her heartbeat increased overtime as she heard he was here. She gave the made a small smile,returning her Salam and told her to tell her father she would be with them shortly. The maid courtesied and then left.

"Breathe Marliyyah, breathe. Have faith in Allah, all will go well In Sha Allah, have faith."

She checked herself in her mirror one more time before leaving her chambers.

It was time to face her future.

*******

Nawfal arrived Misrah that morning wearing a turban like that of the nomadic Arabs and a black thobe. He tucked his hair within the turban and wore a fake moustache to go with his disguise. Murad on the other hand wore a green thobe with a turban and wore a beard that was dyed red with henna. They were met by general Farouq at a discreet place he had described in the letter and had led them through one of the back doors of the palace. The guards watched as general Farouq walked in with two strangers and could not help but wonder who they were. He took them to the palace and upon arrival,they removed their disguise and placed them carefully on the table beside them. Nawfal could not help but wonder the reason for the invitation by the sultan. He was happy he was hale and hearty again though. However he could not shake the feeling of an unexpected surprise that was about to unfold considering his last encounter in the same palace which did not end well.

Marliyyah walked in holding her father's hand just in time to see Nawfal remove his turban and remove the small band that held his hair in a ponytail . As he shook his hair free from side to side,she had to lower her gaze for her face had grown hot and she was sure she was as red as the tomatoes growing in her personal little farm. She had not realised though that she squeezed her father's hand when she looked at Nawfal, which had not gone unnoticed by him. He smiled secretly at his daughter's attempt to hide her blush upon seeing the sultan like that.

Clearing his throat to announce his arrival,he walked up to his chair just as Nawfal and Murad turned and his eyes met hers. She could not help but gaze at the sight before her. Even in his simple clothes, he looked every bit handsome and powerful,with his hair falling freely on his shoulders and his arms folded behind his back respectfully as they approached.