Dedicated to these lovelies 💝💝💝
cute_nazie😘😘
Daalum😘😘
meerah-PA😘😘
"Accidents are accidental except when they are not"
~~~
Batuul's POV
Gyara kintsi Sarki ya iso
Gyara kintsi ga Mai martaba
The dogarai echoed as Abba's procession came into view. He was in lead, while Yaya Sultan, Khalil and all the title holders and hakimai followed behind on their horses.
Horsemen clad in colourful alkyabbas, indigo turbans, ostrich feathers and glistening swords honoured their Emir who entered the parade shielded from the sun by a massive white twirling parasol.
It was durbar day!
True to his words, Yaya spoke to Umma and she allowed me come out to watch, and also go to Maryam's house afterwards. I sat on my horse to have a clearer view of everything while the maids stood around my horse. It was an all men event so the few women present stood from afar.
Roaring muskets, flash salutes as thousands of horsemen race onto the dusty parade ground in front of the Emir, paying homage.
"Ran Sarki ya daďe, Allah yaja kwanan Lamido *may you live long*" they shouted, their right arm bent at the elbow and raised into a fist and thumb, directed towards the sky.
Intense drummings,dancing and singing excited us the audience as some shout, hailing their approval while others even danced.
Then finally, Abba rode through the streets waving at the crowds of people who gathered around to see the Emir and his procession passing
After the parade, Abba and his cabinet members retired back to the Palace while the young men came back to the parade ground, it was time for the Polo competition. Every district under us had representative for the competition, mostly Princes while Yaya represented the capital.
Before they took off on their horses, I saw Yaya searching through the crowd with his eyes, I waved my hands at his direction in order to get his attention, finally his eyes landed on me and he smiled and waved back, then his eyes darted to someone or somewhere close to me, and he smiled again, before taking off.
We all watched with keen interest as people shouted their support and hails as they rode, as fast as they could. Finally, Yaya came first, of course he had to win, after all I had full confidence in him, a soon to be leader should lead by example.
The dogarai were announcing the positions of the participants but I didn't even care to listen for one, I couldn't even tell the districts apart, and then, Yaya won, that was all that mattered to me.
I waited for him to round up and finally saw him coming towards me with Yaya Sameer, I told the maids to go back home as we were headed to Maryam's house.
"Congratulations Yaya" I beamed when they finally reached where I was
"Thank you Batuul, how was the durbar, hope you enjoyed it?"
"Of course I did, I enjoyed every bit of it" I answered excitedly while he just looked at me amused "why are you giving me that look, didn't you enjoy it? "
He shrugged and said "I was fun, it's been awhile, now let's go shall we?"
"Yes yes"
"Let me tell you now, we won't stay long because I'm very tired"
"But I want to spend sometime with Maryam please"
"I have told you, I'm very tired"
I turned to Yaya Sameer "Yaya please say something"
"Who, me? I'm just a silent spectator" he replied laughing
"Alright let's go, I have no choice do I" I said and followed them
***
Sultan
"Assalamu Alaykum" we all echoed as we got into the house, Sameer, Batuul and I
"Waalaykum salaam... jabbama jabbama welcome Yerima, Gimbiya or should I say our will be bride and groom" Goggo, their mother welcomed us, she was obviously very happy to see us. A very jovial woman she is.
We exchanged pleasantries and she brought a mat for us to sit on, then served us fura da nono, we chatted for a while before we rose to go in and greet Sameera.
Maryam came out from the kitchen where she previously was bent over the tripod, gathering firewood and blowing fire under the big pot of boiling water. She squealed upon seeing Batuul then ran to hug her "Oh Batuul, I missed you"
"I missed you too Maryam"
"Come let's go, Adda Sameera is in the room" she held her hand and started dragging her along before Sameer stopped her
"Maryam! Didn't you see Yerima, can't you greet?" he said sternly
"Good evening Yaya Sultan" she greeted "How are you Maryam"
"I'm fine thank you"
We entered the room with a Salaam, Sameera got up from her laying position and sat down then answered our Salaam. Sameer and I sat on the chair while Maryam hopped next to her on the bed, Batuul jumped on her, giving her a hug
"Adda! Congratulations! Where is the baby" she said all at once
"Easy Batuul, I'm not that strong you know" she laughed "Why am I even talking to you, it's been two days since I gave birth, and you are just coming today"
"Oh Adda, wallah it's not my fault, ask Yaya, I have been wanting to come but Umma thought I should leave it till today when the Palace is less busy, and you didn't even bother to check on me Maryam" she turned to look at Maryam
"I have been busy too, through out this Sallah I didn't step my feet out of this house, I'm either boiling water, washing baby clothes or running errands, and see I even missed the durbar today" she complained "Is it my fault that I'm the last born" she complained more which made everyone laugh
"Our baby last don't worry, when it's your turn I will personally come home to take care of you, may Allah bless you" she smiled fondly at her then turned to Batuul
"Thank you for coming Batuul, see your baby" she handed the baby over to Batuul who was skeptical at first, but then carried the baby
"He is so tiny, but cute"
"Look at you, you can't even carry a baby very well, and you're getting married soon" That was Maryam.
"Who told you I will start giving birth immediately after marriage, Batuul asked with wide eyes, that will be in 4,5 years, when I'm Adda's age"
"Do you know what, I won't get married till I'm Yaya Sameer's age, and if Bappa insists I get married I will remind him that Yaya Sameer is not married yet"
"Maryam! a wala hakkilo koh? are you out of your senses? a nasta hakkilo fa be very careful" Sameer scolded her while she shuddered, as if just realising that Sameer was in the room. Batuul carefully handed the baby back to Sameera and stood up
"Maryam waru en dilla come let's go " she held Maryam's hand and they exited the room.
It was after they left that I got the chance to ask about Sameera's well-being, and that of the baby. I got up and gingerly carried the bundle of joy in my arms, he was sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the world and it's worries, I brought my lips close to his ears and repeated Ya Bari'u seven times, which is a very good prayer for babies and muttered other du'as for him "May he grow in good health" I said, then handed him back to her
"So which name have you picked for the baby...let me say since he was born on Sallah day, will you name him Julde? "
"No, I go for Muhammad Sagir, or what do you think Sameera?" Sameer asked
She smiled then said "His father will decide"
"Look at yourself, struggling to name other's children, get married and start naming yours" I teased him "and come to think of it, what Maryam said is true, don't you think so Sameera? My friend, you're due for marriage, please Sameera help us out, look for a pretty young girl for out big brother here, or better still, I will ask Maryam to check among her friends" I further teased him and laughed while she also joined me, Sameer just sent deadly glares at us
"I won't get married, come and beat me" he replied
"Why will we beat our big brother, it's not heard of " I said amidst laughter, wondering why he always reacted like that whenever marriage issue was brought up.
"And you Sameera, I will soon send for that husband of yours to come take you back, since all you do now is to conspire against me with Sultan"
"Haba Yaya, I'm not laughing again" she held her lips, however her eyes still gave her away.
We heard Maryam's voice from outside "Adda, Goggo said to tell you it's time for your evening bath, the water is ready, also come outside with her maigida" women often refer to their grandsons as maigida, meaning my husband. Maryam said all this without coming into the room, she was obviously still mad at her brother, for scolding her.
I bade her good bye and put some money in the babies cradle to which she thanked me, then came out with Sameer, as she got ready for their evening bath. Batuul begged to spend some more time with Maryam, but promised to be home in an hour. I bade Goggo goodbye and came out with Sameer.
As he was walking me home, I decided to ask "Sameer why do you always react that way whenever your marriage issue is brought up? "
He smiled and shook his head "You won't understand Sultan, and I also don't want to add more worries to you, what's more important now is your own marriage issue. How far with things? Time is running out, you have exactly two weeks from today"
I heaved "My hands are tight honestly, there is nothing I can do, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and by me objecting to this marriage will definitely hurt everyone's feelings. I have no choice I guess, I will marry her, after all she is a sister to me, I will pray to Allah to put her love in my heart. Maybe Khairi and I were never meant to be together"
I saw pity in Sameer's eyes, I know he wished he could help
"Don't worry Sameer, I appreciate your efforts and support alot, I know you would have done more if you could, however, I wouldn't have come this far without you by my side. Thank you my friend and brother"
"Then allow me to do more Yaya, please. For the good of everybody..." he trailed
I froze on the spot, it was Khalil. He heard our discussion. Ya Salaam!
He put his hands on my shoulder and came round to face me "Yaya please, let me talk to Abba"
"No Khalil, you will do no such thing"
"Forgive me Yaya, I'm sorry I just have to disobey you on this" He said averting my gaze and immediately started walking away
"Khalil Khalil stop, listen to me I say" I called after him and tried to catch up with him but no, he was already far ahead of us, I saw a Dogari headed towards him with his horse to which he collected and rode as fast as he could, home.
I turned to Sameer "What should I do?" I asked him, he shook his head, he was equally as scared and confused as I was...
~~~
The tension is getting too much, things are getting messed up 😭😭, I'm scared as to what will happen next, I don't want random blows landing on my face and for that I'm running away... See you all in January...