"I have not seen his majesty in so long. Would you like to take a walk to the garden with me?" Arshi fiddled with her fingers.
Hatim took a little longer to reply than she would have expected. His eyes were on her. He glanced out of the window before responding.
"Is that what you want?"
Arshi looked at him, "Yes, My Sultan."
"If that is what you wish for, then okay. The weather seems to be fine." He rose from his seat and stretched his hand to Arshi. "Shall we?"
Arshi offered him a small but happy smile then placed her hand on his. They headed straight to the garden as they enjoyed how beautifully the plants had grown.
The flowers were well taken care of and there were also various types of herbs in the garden. Hatim kept on talking about how mesmerized he was after seeing that place. He felt like he was in a dreamland.
In the garden, they came across an oak tree. Hatim touched it, his gazed fixed on it as if he was remembering something. It had very beautiful leaves that made the garden stand out too much. He talked about the history of the tree as he happily smiled and Arshi could not help sneaking glances at him while he talked.
"Arshi?" he said gently.
"I…I agree?" Arshi blinked, suddenly realizing she had been staring at him. She immediately looked away. "I agree with anything you say, Hathi."
"Arshi, my love," he stretched out his hand and placed it gently on her cheek, "May I kiss you one time in advance?"
"This is improper, Your Majesty. What if someone sees us?"
"What is so improper when a man wishes to kiss his own wife?" he said smoothly. "Why are you trying so hard to push me away, Arshi?"
"I―I am not," she said, suddenly feeling shy.
They stared at each other's eyes for an awkward second. He gripped her chin and leaned down as she brought her head up.
"Then I will assume your consent," he matched her lips kissing in a passionate embrace, leaning her against the oak tree. The kiss lasted for minutes, completely ignoring their surroundings. He missed her and she yearned for his lips as well.
They sat below the tree, with Arshi in Hatim's arms as they happily chat about their past, laughing out loud like nothing serious happened between them. They really missed each other and wondered why on earth they had been fighting for.
"Um... Your Majesty, it is getting quite dark. Will it be alright for you to travel at this hour?" she said, her back leaning on Hatim's chest while playing with his fingers.
"Are you really worried about me?" he teasingly asked as he landed a brief kiss on her neck.
"Of course, I am. It is not safe for you to travel at this hour, so I am just concerned." She replied gently.
Hatim raised his brow then leaned and whispered in her ear, "Are you indirectly asking me to stay here for the night, Lady Arshi?"
"I am just worried." She replied with her face flushed.
He chuckled and the whole garden was filled with his laughter. "You should be honest with your words, my love. If you want me to stay, I will." He said wearily as his head dropped on Arshi's shoulder. She could feel his heavyweight. He was sweating profusely and his body was burning up.
"Are you alright, Hathi?" she turned and asked worriedly holding onto his body. "Hey! Get a hold of yourself."
"D―Do not worry about me, Arshi. I will be fine." He replied with a forced smile and within seconds, the world around him went dark.
Arshi's eyes widened in shock. "Anyone! Please help! Help us!" She screamed with all her might. Her hands holding on tightly to Hatim's still body. He was not moving at all and his breathing had become weaker that led to Arshi panicking.
Some of the royal guards around heard her screams and rushed to her aide. After seeing their Sultan's body, they became more worried and gently rushed him to the house. Arshi followed them behind with tears clouding her eyes.
Three hours passed and Hatim had not yet awoken. Arshi became more frustrated. She had never felt that way before. Her chambermaids tried calming her down but failed. She tried getting into the room where Hatim was resting but was denied entry by Hatim's guards. She refused to leave there and could not rest at all. She really wanted to see him.
Mohammed got out of Hatim's and stood outside giving instructions to one of the royal guards. His face seemed a bit tired due to the sudden trip he had to take from the palace to Arshi's location.
"Gentleman Mohammed!" Arshi called out to Hatim's Grand Vizier's and best friend. "What is wrong with his majesty?" she asked worriedly.
"My Sultana?" Mohammed said gently stepping closer to her. "Are you alright?"
He looked at her seeing how red her eyes had swollen from crying. He wanted to console her but it was never advisable for an unmarried man to place his hands on a married woman. Arshi looked so distressed and that shocked him for he never expected to see any woman worried about his friend, the Sultan, like that. Was he wrong about her? He thought to himself.
"I wish to see his majesty please; I beg of you." She worriedly begged.
"Of course, My Sultana," Mohammed said, nodding briskly at the royal guards.
"Thank you, Gentleman Mohammed." Then trying her best to hide her worries, Arshi knocked. "My Sultan?"
Hatim's royal guards opened the door, stepping aside to allow her in.
"Doctor, how is his royal highness?" she rushed to ask the physician who had just finished examining Hatim.
The physician silently looked at her and turned his gaze to Hatim seeking permission to reply to her probing question.
"Well? Is it something serious?" she asked worriedly.
Hatim nodded in approval and the physician respectfully turned to Arshi. He explained his situation and gave her a prescription then bowed to her after he had finished explaining himself.
Arshi thanked him and in a pleasant mood, the royal doctor bowed and excused himself then left the room. As soon as the door was shut, she turned her attention to Hatim.
"Do you feel a little better, My Sultan?"
Hatim only stared, blinking slowly at her. His silence was too loud.
"Hatim?"
"Yes, my dear lovely flower?"
"So, you can talk?"
"Of course, I can. I told you, formalities are uncalled for when we are alone. Do you not remember that?"
Arshi sighed. "Why would you overwork yourself you, idiot? Do you wish to die young?" she angrily asked. "I was so worried sick about you."
"Were you really that worried?" he gave her a curious look.
"Are you really asking me that? I have not eaten for hours and it is all because of you." She pouted.
"So, you are upset because you did not get to eat anything for hours? You are not concerned about me?" he asked, unable to keep himself from teasing her.
Arshi's face turned pink. "Perhaps," she agreed glibly.
"Then I apologize for invading your precious time and will take my leave now," he said trying to get out of bed.
"What on earth are you doing, Hatim?" she rushed to stop him.
"I am going to continue with my work at the palace since I make you feel uncomfortable with my presence." He replied flatly.
"Work?" she asked in surprise. "You truly plan on continuing to work in this current state of yours, Hatim? Do you think I will allow you to do as you please?"
"What else am I supposed to do if it is not working?" he continued, "It is not like I am truly welcomed here." He shrugged.
"Your sense of humour is quite appalling, Hatim," she gave him a satirical response.
"Is that a compliment? he replied sarcastically as well. "If it is then…"
Arshi's heart fell and before he could continue with his words, a slap landed on his cheek. It was unexpected and that shocked him. Arshi had slapped the Sultan. No woman had ever raised her hands on him. She was the first.
"Listen here, Hatim." She aggressively grabbed him by the collar. "I do not care if you are going to punish me later but here in this house, I am your wife and you are my husband. If I tell you to rest, you will rest. I do not wish for you to develop another fever or maybe something worse than what you experienced today again." Her anger was tangible and he could sense it.
He reached for both her hands and pulled her to him for an embrace. He hugged her tightly, gently stroking her hair and apologized to her in a low tone, "I am truly sorry, my flower. I should not have teased you that way when you were worried sick about me."
Arshi returned his hug and tears rushed out of her eyes. She really needed his warmth and assurance that he was alright. At first, she thought he was going to lash out at her but, in the end, he ended up embracing her. Did he really love her that much?
"I will leave you here to rest then, Hatim." She replied, loosening her embrace and stepping back from him, wiping her tears off her face.
"Thank you, my love." He could not allow her to leave like that, he continued, "I sincerely enjoyed your company today."
Her eyes blinked. "So did I, My Sultan."
He was happy to see her Aquamarine eyes light up with happiness before she left the room. They had been arguing for months since they got married and that was the first time, she smiled at him like that. He prayed that it would not be the last.
Arshi made her way to the door taking a short glance at Hatim noticing him staring back at her, their eyes met, as the royal guards closing it behind her.