Shehzada looks at me stunned.

"You are Abu Fazal's daughter?"

I nod unable to talk.

"Makes sense in every way. Explains where your bravery and pluck comes from. Both of us have lost our fathers to a common enemy Saeed. That makes our bond stronger. Abu Fazal laid the ground plan, Hammad Khan worked on it and Abu Fazal's daughter put it to action. I won't be surprised if Mahmood Hassan and Khan Baba have a role to play as well".

"As of now we cannot say anything for we ourselves are unaware of their present condition", says Hammad Chachu.

"Saeed, when I see the attachment you had with your father it makes me wish I had the same as well. Unfortunately my father never loved me as yours did"

"Shehzada, you are wrong to think your father ignored you. He was forced to ignore you", says Hammad Chachu.

"How can you say that?", asks Shehzada surprised.

"Because I have seen how much he loved you. He was a doting father. Mir Jafar created distances between you and him so that you are neglected and undertrained", says Hammad Chachu.

"My father loved me?", Shehzada asks again in a cracked voice.

"Yes he did", confirms Hammad Chachu. "Mir Jafar spread his well planned schemes, placing spies everywhere and taking control. Once he had the reigns in his hand he started mixing poison in Shehenshah's food. The exact same poison he was mixing in yours. The Shahi Hakeem is a proof for it. Any other questions?"

"What do we do next?", asks Shehzada.

"We have found a hideout in the Shahi jungle which has tunnel. This tunnel leads to Mir Jafar's administrative office. It is through this tunnel he plans to escape should the need arise. I, Hakeem Hamid and Saeed explored it yesterday", says Hammad Chachu.

We explain Shehzada in detail regarding yesterday nights venture.

"And on his table was a rough draft that he was preparing for the crowning ceremony. He is planning to give you and Mir Faseeh three tests. And the one who wins will be crowned the Shehenshah", I say.

"Obviously it is not going to be a fair game. Mir Faseeh will be prepared for it while you will be caught unaware. I have a plan to avoid this. Leave it to me", says Hammad Chachu. We do not question him further on the topic.

"Hakeem Hamid has developed pigeon post and is in frequent touch with Hakeem Afsar Sadiq of Waraqi Sultanath. They have a shortage of coal and oil in their kingdom. He has also requested you to allow traders to enter our kingdom more frequently", says Hammad Chachu.

"It is also my request Shehzada that you assign an income to the widows from royal treasury", I say.

"Point considered Saeed", he says.

"I have something to tell you all. Its about Mir Saleem. He is as tired of his father as we are and will do anything to help us for even he hates injustice", I say.

"Good. We need to have a meeting with him then and gather more info on Mir Jafar. He can make our work a lot easier. But when did you meet him?", asks Hammad Chachu.

"When I went to check on Meher. He warns her whenever Mir Jafar decides to visit her unexpectedly. So that she can prepare herself to meet him. And he is very polite whenever Mir Jafar puts him on tax collecting duty. He is a noble soul.... According to Saira", I mutter the last bit under my breath.

"What did you say?", asks Shehzada suspiciously.

"Doesn't matter", I say innocently.

"I think I heard Saira", says Hammad Chachu teaming up with Shehzada. Both of them look at me with narrowed eyes.

"OK OK", I say raising my hands in surrender. "Mir Saleem and Saira have taken a fancy to each other. Mir Saleem is hoping to enroll in the army once Shehzada is crowned before formally sending her a proposal".

Hammad Chachu looks aghast while Shehzada smiles crookedly.

"Does Dayima know about this?", asks Hammad Chachu.

"No she doesn't. I think it's better if you let her know", I say.

"I fail to understand how you youngsters get into such stuff even after all the restrictions. I hope they will not transgress their bounds before wedding", says Hammad Chachu.

"Of course not! They are more mature than that", I say.

"And some people just fail to take things in a mature way always preferring to run away than face the situation. They should learn from Mir Saleem and Saira", says Shehzada, indirectly hinting each word at me.

I choose to ignore and look away. My eyes catch the tapestry.

"Shehzada! I met a man yesterday who has promised to give info on your tapestry", I say to change the topic.

"Really? Who is he?", asks Shehzada.

"He is called Zain and owns the biggest carpet trade in the kingdom", I say.

"And why exactly did you meet Zain again?", asks Hammad Chachu surprised. Though I myself started this conversation to distract Shehzada, I do not like where it is headed.

"Maa asked me to apologize to him formally once more", I say.

Hammad Chachu nods.

"Why did you have to apologize to him?", asks Shehzada.

"Ummm... because I hit him"

"Why did you hit him?"

"He was following me so I thought he must be a spy"

"Why was he following you?", asks Shehzada and I definitely do not want to answer this question.

Seeing me hesitate Hammad Chachu answers for me, "Seher had suggested Saeed as a good match for him and the poor fellow just wanted a word with her", says Hammad Chachu.

The expression on Shehzada's face tells me revealing this to him was a big mistake. Can the earth swallow me? His eyes are turning red.

"So Saeed and Zain are getting married huh?", he asks with venom in his voice.

Hammad Chachu is surprised at his tone. "No, of course not! Saeed did not like it from the start and after being hit the poor fellow gave up on the idea as well. As far as I know the match stands cancelled, isn't it Saeed?"

"Yes", I say, breathing a sigh of relief.

"A warrior deserves to marry a warrior", says Shehzada.

"If you are suggesting that I should get married to a warrior Shehzada let me tell you I have no interest in getting married right now. In fact I was hoping Hammad Chachu can continue your guidance from here so that I can take better care of Maa. I do not want to leave her alone at night."

"Why not? You give Haleema as much time as you want", says Hammad Chachu. Much as Shehzada would like to argue he holds back because it was a matter of Maa's health. He also knows that I am escaping from him and from the situation he wants me to face. I am better off taking care of Maa than getting involved in this emotional mess. I needed a break.

"Yes you can take care of your Maa Saeed. But you cannot run away from marriage forever, can you?", asks Shehzada.

"Aah, that she cannot. Haleema wants her married as soon as possible", says Hammad Chachu.

"A woman is married for 4 things, her piety, her beauty, her lineage and her wealth. The fact that I do not shine in any of those categories makes me an unfavorable match for most men. Especially a warrior", I say. Now it is I who is hinting at Shehzada indirectly but he deserves it.

Though both Hammad Chachu and Shehzada open their mouths to reply they fall back silent as the muezzin calls for the Fajr salah. This is the first time I have stayed for so long in the palace.

"I think we had better leave", says Hammad Chachu getting up. "We can start working on whatever we have decided from today. I'll meet you again tonight Shehzada".

"Saeed, you will not be coming?", Shehzada asks.

I shake my head.

"Till when?", he asks.

"As long as Maa needs me", I say. I avoid meeting his eyes. Hammad Chachu enters the cupboard first. I follow him.

"Saeed", Shehzada calls.

Now that Hammad Chachu has disappeared into the tunnel I am afraid to face him. I turn to him trying to avoid his gaze.

"Look at me", he commands. My eyes involuntarily meet his. Why do his eyes have to express so much? That heartwarming look might make me change all my decisions.

"What?", I ask trying to sound angry but it comes out more like a squeak.

He leans in and whispers in my ear.

"No matter in which corner of the world you hide, I will find you. You cannot evade me forever, you are my future Queen!"

The words are said with so much passion they chill me to the bone and I can feel my heart in my throat.

"Saeed", Hammad Chachu calls from the tunnel. I immediately sprint behind him, my heart and mind in a complete mess.

************************************

Mir Saleem, Anas and Daniyal are sitting leisurely by the river bank.

"Daniyal, how are the pre-wedding vibes?", asks Anas while Mir Saleem throws a stone in the river counting the number of times it bounces.

"I don't know. One moment I am extremely excited while the next I am terribly nervous".

"I understand that completely", says Anas while Mir Saleem laughs. Daniyal gives him a punch.

"Wait till it's your turn mister, then we will see who laughs. What was that girls name again?", asks Daniyal.

"Saira", says Anas and Mir Saleem immediately sits straight.

"I did not know he sits straight as soon as her name is mentioned", guffaws Daniyal.

"What will happen if she is present in person?", asks Anas laughing.

"He will go into attention", says Daniyal gasping for breath. He was laughing so hard.

"Shut it both of you! Easy for you to laugh. Anas is already married to his love, Daniyal will be married this week. It is just me who is stuck", says Mir Saleem.

"Blame in on your father buddy", says Daniyal.

"Be thankful I got married. You at least got to see Saira at my wedding. Remember how he had gone crazy that day after collecting tax Daniyal?", asks Anas.

"How can I forget those days of torture in which he made us run about to find out more about her", says Daniyal.

"All the friends suffer just because one idiot falls in love", says Anas. "And look at Zabi. He is so happily married he did not even turn up to meet us".

"Or maybe he is busy arranging for the next tax payment. Your father has made the traders life a living hell. He has cancelled the next consignment from Waraqi Sultanath", says Daniyal.

Mir Saleem just sighs as he lays back. "I do not like it as well. There isn't much I can do. Only if Shehzada comes on throne can we expect things to improve".

Unknown to them someone had keenly listened to their conversation.

***********************************************************************************************

A/N

The role of the father in the life of his child is paramount. Islam likens this relationship to that of the sun. Allah says:

When Yusuf said unto his father: O my father! Lo! I saw in my dream 11 stars and the sun and the moon prostrating towards me. (12:4)

It is well known that the eleven stars represented the brothers of Yusuf (peace be upon him). However, according to Al-Tabari (a renowned Muslim scholar), the sun represents the father.

Oh you who believe, protect yourself and your families from the fire of Hell. ( 66:6) 

The Prophet also said: "As are the children disinherited for their disobedience so also it is possible that the parents may be disowned by the children for not fulfilling their bonding duties"

The Prophet said: "Allah's curse on such parents who become the cause of disinheriting their children."

Imam Sajjad said: "Your children have a right that you consider if they are good or they are bad. You have been the cause of their birth and the world recognizes them as your offspring. It is your responsibility that you teach them good manners and guide them toward the recognition and obedience of Allah. Your behavior towards your children must be of a person who believes that a good deed shall get a suitable reward and ill treatment shall call for retribution."

The Commander of the Faithful, 'Ali says: "Beware, your behavior might render your family and your relatives part of the ill fated people."

The Prophet said: "Whoever wishes that his children are safe from disinheritance, he should help them performing good deeds."

The Prophet also said: "To whomsoever a daughter is born should strive to impart norms of good behavior to her and make efforts to educate her. Provide means of comfort to her that she becomes a cause of his deliverance from the Hell Fire"

The time when a child is in the process of adopting a way of life which can make him either virtuous or wicked, he can be metamorphosed into a perfect human being or a degraded wild animal. The virtue or wickedness of a person will be dependent on the upbringing he receives and this responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the parents.

In fact the parents are instruments of shaping a human being, good or bad, from the child. The greatest service which the parents can render to their children is that they train them to be good mannered, kind, friends of humans, well meaning, freedom loving, bold, just, wise, righteous, noble, faithful, dutiful, hard working, educated.

The parents must mould their children in such a way that they are successful both in the world and hereafter. Only such people are those who are endowed with the exalted status of parenthood, and not those who in fulfillment of their carnal desire caused the birth of children and left the children to fend for themselves and rendering them likely to fall into evil ways.

The Holy Prophet said: "The best thing a father provide to his child is good manners and ethical training."

And as daughters and sons it is our duty that we love, respect and obey our parents. If they put some restrictions on us or punish us we must understand that it is for our own good. 

"Your God has decreed that thou shalt worship only Him and adopt good behavior with (thy) parents" (Qur'an, 17:23)  

Lots of love,

Dr Mystic