#JASMINE
Making love with Sadiq in the middle of that Sandstorm was going to be a moment I'll never forget.. That moment we had solidified our relationship.. We were obsessed and so in love with one another after that..
After the storm, We continued our journey back to Nishkapur , and within two days we arrived… I was so happy to be back, things sure haven't changed much… Immediately we got into the city, I decided to show Sadiq around, I really don't know where I was going with him but at least I won't be alone like last time.
.
Jasmine  Oh It's good to be back home…
.
Sadiq  So that is Nishkapur? It's not as fancy as Marida but it's okay…
.
Jasmine  it may not be fancy but Life here is better here than in Marida.
.
Sadiq  Okay.. Okay.. Let's get to your father's place..Shall we?
.
Jasmine  Sure.. Follow me.
.
Sadiq and I made our way to the palace.. On our way there, I noticed some guards staring at us.. Why were these guards looking at us? Besides its not like they recognize me.. I've been gone for months. So I got closer to Sadiq holding his arm. In that moment, Sadiq and I were surrounded by lots of guards, aiming us with spears…. Sadiq was surprised by this and he asked what was going on?
.
Sadiq  What's the meaning of this?
.
Guard 1  You old shit….. Who's the lady you're with?
.
Sadiq  Which Lady?
.
Guard 2  The one behind you, pig!
.
Sadiq  Oh.. There's no need for this commotion.. This is your princess Jasmine.. She and I are…
.
Before Sadiq could finish, the men bombarded him and got hold of him, Sadiq tried to struggle but he was no match for a dozen men, as for myself, I was grabbed by one of the guards but I wasn't roughen up like Sadiq.
.
Jasmine  Let go of me fool.
.
Guard 1  I'm sorry princess but I must return you to your father…
.
Jasmine  I'm not going anywhere not without Sadiq…
.
Guard 1  I'm sorry we can't do that your father has ordered us to put him in the dungeons…
.
Jasmine  Is that so? Take me to my father..
.
Sadiq  Jasmine! What's going on?
.
Jasmine  Don't worry love.. I'll sort things out.
.
After that, Sadiq was taken away and I was taken back to the palace in a carriage to meet my father.. I couldn't help but wonder how he would react if he saw me.
.
#SULTAN_ALI
For months I've waited and hoped that one of these men bring my daughter home, i kept praying and hoping, but as the days went by, I began to lose hope… I concluded to myself that she was dead but there are times why I felt that she was alive out there.
My council convinced me that Jasmine was alive, but they also suggested I got married again so that i can another heir just in case Jasmine was dead… But I didn't give in to their ridiculous idea..
.
Council 1  Your highness… It's better you get married and have another heir.. Sometimes Fate gives us the unexpected.
.
Council 2  Absolutely… Besides we're not sure if the princess is alive.. There hasn't been any news of her in months.
.
Sultan Ali  NO!! I will not marry.. My daughter is not something that can easily be replaced.. I'll keep on waiting till the day she returns.
.
Council 3  What if she doesn't return?
.
Sultan Ali  One more word of ill luck from your mouth, and I'll the guards cut out your tongue. Fool.
.
Council 3  Sorry your highness.. I mean no ill wish against the princess.
.
In that moment, The door bursted open interrupting over meeting, One of the guards rushes in, breathing hard and trying to maintain his salute.
.
Guard  (pants) Hah, hah, hah, apologies your highness… Hah, I have.. hooo… some report!
.
Sultan  Relax boy. What's your report?
.
Guard  Your daughter… I mean the princess has been spotted here in Nishkapur!
.
Sultan Ali  What???
..
Council 1  Are you sure?
.
Council 2  If you're playing tricks, you'll be dealt with seriously.
.
Council 3  Maybe he's drunk..
.
Guard  I swear on my life, your highness.. She was spotted with a man.. We suspect the man is dangerous.. As I'm speaking to you now, The man is being apprehended and the Princess will be rescued.
.
Sultan Ali  Unbelievable! Bring that man here… I want him alive… Wait.. Throw him in the dungeons… Make sure my daughter is being brought here safely… Make sure nothing happens to her.
.
Guard  Don't worry your highness the princess will be safe..
.
The Guard hurries out in a flash.. The council and I were stunned by this revelation… I couldn't believe it.. My only daughter… She's alive all this time… Oh how great are the gods… I must throw a feast to celebrate her return.
Moments later, The guards return back to the palace with Jasmine… I've never been so happier in my life. As I went out to welcome her, I saw her having a struggle with the guards.
.
Jasmine  You fools…. I'll make you all pay for this.. Understand? Morons..
.
Sultan Ali  Jasmine… My daughter..
.
Jasmine  Oh father… It's been so good to see you…
.
Sultan Ali  I feel the same way, my dear… What's going on here?
.
Jasmine  These fools man handled the man I was with, How dare they lay their filthy fingers on him?
.
Sultan Ali  Who's this man?
.
Jasmine  He's the man I came with…
.
Sultan Ali  Wait… The man you're with… That man is dangerous… What did he do to you? I should have his severed from his body..
.
Jasmine  No father.. You don't understand… He's not dangerous.. He's my savior… He saved my life.. He's been good to me.. He's the one that brought my back home.
.
Sultan Ali  Oh… What have I done? Guards!!!
.
Ali  Yes your highness!!!
.
Sultan Ali  Bring the prisoner here at once.. I'd like to see the man that's brought back my daughter to me.. Jasmine.
.
Jasmine  Yes father?
.
Sultan Ali  Come lets get you all cleaned up, i want you to tell me about this man..
.
Jasmine  Okay father.
.
#SADIQ
I just can't believe it…. Is that how guests are treated in Nishkapur? Besides what have I done? If they're thinking I kidnapped Jasmine, then they must be really crazy.
After that commotion, I was thrown into the dungeon, I was bound in chains as if I was some kind of criminal.. There were other prisoners like me in there but they all looked weak and feeble.. They were stinky and covered in dirt, what made me feel uncomfortable was the powerful smell of urine and shit in the dungeon, and the squealing sounds of big rats as they roamed about dungeon.. I couldn't possibly stay in a place like this.. Its too uncomfortable..
I prayed Silently in my mind, that Jasmine convinces her father so that I can be free of this stink hole.
Moments later, Two guards came into the dungeon and freed me from my chains, after that, They told me to follow them to the Sultan.
I followed off course without any resistance, after passing through so many halls and chambers, we finally got to the Sultan.
The chamber wasn't that big or well furnished like that of Marida but this one was nice and plain simple. Inside the chamber, There was the Sultan his advisors and council and of course Jasmine.
She looked different when I saw her, She must be bathe and cleaned herself while i was at the dungeon.. She looked so beautiful, that I couldn't take my eyes off her.. Shortly afterwards we appeared in front of the Sultan, I bowed to him so as to show my respect to him.
.
Sadiq  Greetings your highness..
.
Sultan Ali  Greetings young man… So you're the one who brought back my daughter… Honestly I wasn't expecting you to be this civil and good looking… Looks like my men exaggerated their claims. So tell me.. Who are you and how did you meet my daughter?..
.
Sadiq  Your highness.. My name is Sadiq al-mustapha, prince of Marida and son of Sultan Mustapha. And I..
.
Sultan Ali  So you're the famous lost prince whose mother is a concubine.. We've all heard the stories. Its finally good to see you….
.
Jasmine  (whispering) Father.!?
.
Sultan Ali  (whispering) What is it?
.
Jasmine  (whispering) You can't talk about his mother like that. It's rude…
.
Sultan Ali  Oh my.. Where are my manners… Sorry for saying that out all young prince.. I didn't mean to call your mother that.
.
Sadiq  It's okay.. So regarding how I met Jasmine. Well, I saved her from inside a village from a man trying to rape her..
.
Sultan Ali  Goodness. Thank you my boy.. Ahh and that brings me to this question.. Jasmine. You never told me how you left this palace where you kidnapped?
.
Jasmine said nothing but kept quiet.. In fact, she was tingling with fear to tell her father about the reason behind her disappearance. Her father asked her again, and after hesitating for a while, Jasmine told him everything…
.
Sultan Ali  (shocked) By the gods… Jasmine…. I can't believe you… So you disguised yourself and left the palace… Do you know how worried I was when you were gone?
.
Jasmine  I'm sorry father… I didn't mean to upset you.. I just wanted to explore that's all… I'm sorry.. Please don't be mad at me.
.
Sultan Ali  (laughs) Mad? No. Actually I'm glad you went through this ordeal… This will teach you never again to disobey your parents, I'm sure this adventure of yours will serve as a moral lesson for you children. So now back to you Prince.. How's your father?
.
Sadiq  My father is dead.
.
Sultan Ali  So the news is true? I'm sorry about your loss.. But I also heard another rumor regarding your father's death.
…
Sadiq  Which is?
.
Sultan Ali  The sultan is dead alright and that he was murdered by one of his sons.. Your coming here is too convenient don't you think?
.
Sadiq  Are you accusing me of murder?
.
Sultan Ali  I would like the know the real reason why you're here..
.
Council 2  Maybe he's here to steal the throne.
.
Council 1  He can't be trusted..
.
Jasmine  Father! Council men! Please stop this… Sadiq isn't the murderer.
.
Sadiq  Its all right Jasmine.. I'll tell them what they want to know.. Even though it pains me to say it out.
.
I sat on the ground and told their everything, first I had to start about my early life at the brothel, summaiyah's demise, my mothers death, everything, I told them everything… The Sultan was shocked to hear that Queen Saudat and Aisha were sleeping with Abdul and Karim. After I was done telling them, The Sultan kept quiet. After a while, he spoke his mind.
.
Sultan Ali  I'm so sorry my boy.. I didn't mean to judge you like that.
.
Sadiq  It's alright your highness.. I can't blame you if you're suspicious.. I'd do the same thing as well.
.
Sultan  Well, I can't possibly thank you enough for returning my daughter back home… And as I promised… Any man that brings back my daughter will have her hand in marriage.. So young prince.. What I'd like to know is.. Do you fancy my daughter?
.
Sadiq  Of course your highness.. She's quite troublesome but I love her all the same.
.
Sultan Ali  I see, she must have given you a hard time eh?… So Jasmine.. Do you fancy this young man.
.
Jasmine  Of course father.. He may be annoying but I love him all the same.
.
Sultan Ali  Very well, then… Looks like there is no need for any consultations any more, in that case, I suggest that you two get married right away. Where are the royal servants?
.
Servants  Yes your eminence!
.
Sultan Ali  Prepare a royal feast for the celebration of my daughter's return and while you're at it.. Make preparation for my daughter's wedding. Tomorrow she's going to get married.
.
Jasmine was happy about the whole thing and so was I, but it was kind of sudden and quick. I wished we had mire time to spend together before getting married.
Later that night, The kingdom was parades with festivities about Jasmine's return, lots of food and wine were available, Jasmine was visited by lots of important and influential people wishing her a safe return, Jasmine also received a lot of gifts as well.
The next day as promised, Jasmine and I got married, Her father spared no expenses in organizing the wedding, lots of people showed up to the marriage ceremony.. Celebrations went on and on for two days straight, our marriage ceremony was sure a big event… After the ceremony, Jasmine and I moved to our new lodging which was within the palace vicinity, we were given time to spend with each other and we used most of it making love to each other..
Spending my life here in Nishkapur wouldn't be so bad.. Unlike Marida, the people here are nice and generous… The people here were like family, and they did everything they could to make me feel at home… Sometimes, I would wish Frahan was here with me living the good life as well, I couldn't help but wonder how life is back at Marida, I just hope Frahan is doing fine over there.
#THREE_YEARS_LATER
3 years had passed during my stay in Nishkapur, and Life wasn't so bad either… My life with Jasmine was the best thing that happened to me so far… Jasmine my sweet little wife was the woman any man could ever ask for.. She was sweet, supportive and kind.
During these years, She and I had built a family of our own… We had two kids, a boy and a girl, I named the girl after my mother, and the boy was named after Jasmine's father.. The Sultan was so happy when they were born, he threw a feast that lasted for days.. Everyone came to the naming ceremony, to bestow their happy wishes and blessing for the kids, the kids weren't twins, My son Ali was a year older than his sister Safina.
Jasmine and I managed ourselves and took care of the kids ourselves.. Jasmine was against leaving the children in the hands of nurse maids, she preferred to raise them on her own.. Since she wasn't a queen yet, she gave her full attention on raising the kids.
As for me, being the man of the house, I had to go out and work so I could take care of them, Thanks to the Sultan, I was offered at place at the council.. and I did the best I could… Since I was a commander in Marida's army, I helped to reconstruct and build up a formidable army in the kingdom of Nishkapur.. The Sultan was against it at first because Nishkapur wasn't a kingdom that seeks to colonize others, it was a kingdom of medicine and trade but I had to persuade and convince him that in case of any eminent threat kingdom should also be able to defend itself.
The Kingdom already has a military system but they were weak and they weren't good fighters.. So I took my time, taught them how to fight, become expert horse riders and also make better battle formations.
Their weapons too were old fashioned and out dated, so I thought them how to make better tools, especially the making of spears.. Spears are quite advantageous in battle if you know how to use them, all it takes is a perfect aim, swing and t----t, with these you can easily defeat any enemy.
It was hard work building the army and it took a while but in the end it paid off.
My reason of this was because of those gigantic monsters! Ever since I fought those demons, I knew they were a force to reckon with, not only were they strong but their bodies in impenetrable, except if you attack from within… Ever since I married and had kids with Jasmine, I made a pact to protect them even if it costs my life.. That is why I try my best to keep in touch and second more time with my family, I gave Jasmine and the kids my attention and things have been smooth pretty far, I didn't want to make the same mistakes like the men of Marida whom choose their affairs over their families, it was because of this their wives consult with other men in secret.. And when to come to that issue, Jasmine and I have a healthy sexual life, Despite being busy, we always have time to have an intense intimate moment together.
Despite the fact that Life was good in Nishkapur, there were quite some changes during this three years that changed that has caused quite a disturbance to the people including myself.
At first, Merchants from Marida were no longer seen in Nishkapur.. and because of this, those so relied heavily on favors from the merchants were economically broke… And also Merchants from other nations who cross beyond Nishkapur to sell their merchandize in Marida were no longer seen as well, in fact, they never returned. I myself was beginning to wonder what was going on.. Why weren't the merchants of Marida coming here again? Because Nishkapur was the only route and passage to the sea.. I was hoping to see Frahan, now that he's now in charge of inspecting Al-muktar's goods.
Another thing that made the people of Nishkapur to be disturbed was the Monsters.. a year after my marriage to Jasmine, some people of Nishkapur claim to have been attacked by this monsters on their when traveling… This was what made the Sultan gave me the approval to build and strengthen his army.. We don't know when they'll be attacking and we don't know how many they are and we're not sure if we'll win but when the time comes we can hold them off for everyone to escape. I was beginning to wonder about Marida, since that's the direction these things are coming from, but the nevertheless, Marida could hold its group against this monsters.. Unlike Nishkapur.. Marida has a strong army and have enough weapons to keep this monsters at bay..But little did I know that some twist of Fate would make me reunite with Marida once again.
One afternoon, I was with Jasmine and my kids at home, having a meal together, when one of the palace messenger was ordered by the Sultan to summon me.. I, jasmine and the kids entered the carriage and was taken to the palace. Immediately we got there, Jasmine took the kids and kept them in the care of the royal maids in the palace, after that we both went to her father to see why I was being summoned.
As soon as we got into the chamber, We went to Sultan, exchanged some pleasantries with him and sat next to him.
.
Sadiq  Greetings, your highness..
.
Jasmine  Greetings father..
.
Sultan Ali  Greetings children.. You're all looking lovely today… Sorry for calling you here on such short notice.. I hope I haven't interrupted anything?
.
Sadiq  No, your highness..
.
Jasmine  What is it you wanted to see my husband about?
.
Sultan Ali  Yes.. There's a man here whom I believe you're familiar with, he's also from Marida and he's here to see you and he has terrible news.. Guards! Bring him here at once.
.
The guards rushed out and went to bring in the person.. I was surprised and anxious to see who the person was.. Could it be it was frahan? It has to be because he's the one that promised to pay me a surprise visit.
Moments later, the guards returned with the man, I couldn't believe it when I saw the man… It can't be…
.
Stranger  Hello my Prince….
.
Sadiq  YOU SWINE! How dare you show your face here??? ...…..
.