She didn't know what he saw on her face. But when he did, he stood up and walked over to her side. He extended a hand no doubt to feel for her temperature. But Aairah didn't ever want him to touch her again. Her feelings were too raw and she feels like a reject. It was over now. She was done with trying to please him. So she shied away from his touch. With a formal tone, she said to him. "You don't have to. I don't have a fever"
A sharp look crossed his irises and they narrowed a little. But it was over before she could read anything to it. He schooled his features so he was as formal as she. He said "good. You have little time to prepare as it is" he turned away from her and went back to the recliner. He then picked up his phone and began to touch the screen as it flashed with lights across the screen from an activity he is engaged in.
"You will be boarding a plane to the Sultanate. We have decided that the skills you need range from management to administration to sociology. So you will be starting school this Monday at Sham university. Madame Yula has surrendered her time at your service this year and would decide what lessons you need on etiquette. Mistress Taha will see to it you learn history and become quite acquainted with the life and topology of the Sultanate. I need you to be ready by January next year. I want to introduce you to my people then as Sultana Fatima Hassan Fillo" he paused, raised his head and gave her a curious look.
"I am sure I am the only one in the room but I can't seem to associate myself with your speech. And I don't mean to sound dumb, but who is going to the Sultanate?" She asked pointedly. As if she understood his words but she truly didn't get it.
Aariz said "you will know it soon enough"
He had given her a very deep uncomfortable look before deciding to bring their encounter to an end.
He left. He just walked away and left her to the wolves to defend herself.
The queen arrived promptly with the dowager to check for the blood of her innocence very early the next day. They were not alone of course. The concubines followed to witness the momentous event as well.
Come and see shock that there is nothing to see.
When the other women began to murmur in stricken whispers, Aairah knew the whole of Maicki will hear of her fall from grace. It didn't matter what she said to prove she wasn't at fault. Aairah remained silent and listened to the dowager insult and criticize her. She has turned into a different person altogether.
"Disgrace! You are a disgrace to my family! I am ashamed of you! How dare you dishonor my family this way?! Do you think that this is a joke?!" She was quite hysterical. "My poor son got himself blinded and duped! How can you be so cruel?"
Aairah thought she was pretty strong at heart. But it turns out that she has a lot to learn about herself. The words hurt. More than she cared to examine.
"No wonder your family gave you up so quickly! No wonder your own family didn't want you! Do you think I will let you shame us the same way you shamed your own clan? Disrespect me the same way you have disrespected your father? You lack morals Aairah! You are a corrupted and vile woman and I shall personally see to it that you have been punished!"
Aairah could only remember the line that said she was a shame to her father and her clan. It's true. They feel ashamed of her. They also share the queen's belief. A tightness began to squeeze her chest. But she didn't even know what she yearned for. Is it acceptance? Or understanding? Both? Neither? What then? She just knew she did nothing wrong and she didn't like being abused for a wrong she did not do.
If they wanted the truth, they will let her talk. But no one asked for her side of the story. THey assumed, judged and attacked.
"Kneel!" The queen commanded, offended that Aairah is still sitting comfortably on her husband's bed. Aairah was pushed to the floor and forced to kneel by the queen herself but she was just numb all over. She couldn't feel the push of errant fingers against her forehead or the jab to her shoulder as the dowager and her cronies shoved her around with a bullies fervor.
The queen watched for awhile. Then she feigned worry as she said "please mother! Don't hurt her! I don't wish his highness to find her in pain! No matter what, if she carries the Royal heir, it is still a win for the Fillo clan" she tried to be reasonable, reaching out to touch Aairah as if to shield her from the abuse.
The dowager made a noise deep in her throat and exclaimed angrily "a royal heir! From her dirty womb! Who will want him?! I will kill the child myself! What use is a child who cannot be princess or true heir? Her use is definitely over! I demand she is sent into exile!" The dowager cried.
"Exile the tainted scum!"
"Push her into seclusion so she never sees another face for a year. That would teach her to reflect on her sins!"
"Flog her! That would teach her!"
"Condemn her so she cannot step a foot outside without repercussions!"
The women agreed with varying degrees of anger and outbursts. The queen is pleased. But outwardly, she looks conflicted.
"I know how much she means to his highness. I don't want him to be unhappy. If his mood plummets, gloom will hang upon us all for causing him displeasure..." Queen Neemah stated agonizingly. She was seeking a reaction from the dowager, trying to push her to hate Aairah by hinting at how much Aariz loves her. If he still loves Aairah after what she did, the dowager will try to seek balance. Her son is not allowed to fall in love. Not even infatuation, Neemah snickered in her head.
"I don't care what he does!" The dowager replied crossly. "You and I will keep him happy and content won't we?" She demanded.
"Yes of course" queen Neemah replied timidly.
The queen knew it is within her jurisdiction to offer fitting punishment for Aairah. And not even the Emir can interfere. So she resisted the urge to laugh with glee. Such an opportunity has come so early.
She had not slept a wink last night. Filled with bitter rage and regret, she had spent the night venting her frustration by throwing things. Her servants are very discreet. They would never utter a word to anyone. When she was done killing everything in sight, she had realized how fortunate it was that she got away with only a a few cuts on her arms from splinters of glass. The doctor had come to dress her and then he authorized rest for her.
The Bini clan are naturally a temperamental lot. They have a fiery temper when provoked. For queen Neemah unfortunately, she inherited the entire gene all on her own. Most times when she gives into rage, she does things she regret. So in ten years, that was her first tantrum. But it felt good. And she feels a lot better in the morning.
To think all of her active imagination has been wrong, that Aariz didn't even sleep with the girl, she cannot help but marvel at her luck. A part of her is warning her to look closer. That Aariz isn't stupid enough to leave his wife untouched without just cause. She had been witness to his open yearning and hunger for Aairah. She wondered what changed his disposition towards her and why he didn't take her virginity. Why any man could stop himself from enjoying her beautiful body when there is no need to stop!
Maybe the girl is just wayward and he found he cannot abide sleeping with her afterall, her mind fantasizes.