Chapter60 ~ Back to Sultanate

Gulaab POV
The time flew like birds and finally, the day of our departure arrived.
I was feeling sad that I had to leave my home once again but this time there was peace and happiness inside me. The much I was sad about leaving my home the much I was excited about going back to Sultanate.
The Sultan seemed slightly busy with my brother in some political talks. When I came here in hurry I was worried about my brother but now I wasn't anymore.
He had turned twenty-six two days ago which means he was now completely safe according to the fortuneteller.
I asked the attendees to pack all their belongings. Maa Saheb gave so many gifts and she also asked to take some attendees and soldiers with us. Though Sultan denied all this she insisted.
"All done, Begum,"
I turned back to look at Sultan as he come into my chamber.
"Ji, everything is done," I stated.
"By the way, you can stay here if you want for any longer," he teased lying over the bed.
I thinned my eyebrows and teased him back.
"So, that you get a chance to drink and dance?"
He laughed.
"Not only drink and dance but dance with women,"
His lips turned into the longest curve and I threw a pillow right to his face.
"Don't you dare to even think about it,"
"Aw, my begum feels jealous," He teased.
"Not jealous, but ignited enough to kill someone," I stated and excused myself to get ready.
Walking towards the mirror, I started wearing my pieces of jewelry.
He came behind and hugged me.
He placed his chin on my shoulder and snaked his arm around my stomach. I tilted my head a little sidewards when he slowly muttered in my ear.
"If you want we can stay a little longer, here,"
I smiled and looked at his messy hair and caring eyes staring back at me through the mirror.
"You asked me, this is more than enough. Also, the Sultanate needs his Sultan,"
"Hmm," he hummed and kissed on my cheek.
I giggled and he muttered slowly.
"By the way, it seems like you have gained some weight here,"
I blinked as noticed my body. He was right. My cheeks was looking slightly glowed up and fuller than before.
"I think so too,"
"Now you looking healthy and happy," he stated.
"Thank you," I muttered.
"Yeah, all thanks to me," he smiled teasingly and turned me.
"You should meet everyone. We will leave in some time,"
I nodded and asked.
"You aren't coming with me to meet everyone,"
"I am," he said and helped me in getting ready.
He stood against the dressing table and made me wear bangles. His eyes still sleepy and hot. His messy hair were making me blush harder.
I didn't know he was so romantic.
He helped me in getting ready and got ready too.
We both walked outside the chamber to meet everyone.
First we went to Maa Saheb and Pita Saheb. They were sitting in their chamber and we both greeted them.
My mother pulled me in a hug and blessed.
"May God bless you with babies soon,"
I blushed and Sultan commented.
"Your highness, I am sure chicks don't lay eggs,"
Pita Saheb laughed and Maa Saheb thinned her eyebrows.
"Jawai saa, our Gulaab is much more mature than anyone, don't call her chick," she supported me and he smiled looking at me.
I feel like blushing hard and embarrassed altogether.
"Sultan, must pay visit again. We really enjoyed this time with you and next time I would surely love to learn some poetry from you," Pita Saheb said pulling him in a hug.
"Sure, your highness, We will surely visit again whenever the time allows,"
"And yes Gulaab, being a good daughter and wife, you should never leave your home in anger. Always take decision with sound mind," Pita Saheb taught and hugged.
I felt like crying as he hugged me last time almost three years ago.
"Ji, Pita Saheb,"
My voice sad and crying.
He released the hug and I noticed his eyes slightly teary.
"In between leading this Empire, I never noticed when my daughter became so big and sensible," he kissed my forehead and the tears fell from my eyes.
"Gulaab,"
Bhai Saheb's voice caught my attention and I turned to look at him.
I walked to him and he pulled me in a hug. The warth and protectiveness of his arms never changed and I burst into cries.
I didn't know but the flashes of our childhood, happiness, sadness and fights blurred my vision and I cried.
"Why are you crying my baby," he patted my head and I could feel his voice hoarse.
"I am not crying Bhai Saheb," I stated.
He chuckled a little and released the hug.
"Think again Gulaab, I still don't like this man. You can stay here," he washed my cheeks with his fingers and I laughed.
"I love him, Bhai Saheb, don't say this,"
Everyone laughed.
He kissed my forehead and blessed.
"May God bless you with my happiness too. You will always be the one I love the most, Gulaab,"
I felt like fingers were shivering slightly. It was so emotional for me.
"I love you too, Bhai Saheb, more than anyone," I stated.
Suddenly the cries of babies caught my attention.
I diverted my gaze to Bhabhi Saheb holding one baby and her maid the other one.
I took the baby boy from her hand and kissed his forehead.
"May God Bless you, Abhinandan, Your Bua Saheb will miss you so much," I muttered and he looked at me showing her big eyes. His lips curved into sadness and I felt like he would cry any moment.
"They will miss their Bua Saheb too, Princess," Bhabhi Saheb said and a fresh tear fell from my eyes.
I took the baby girl in my hands now and blessed her too.
"May God bless you with fearlessness like your mother and father. Be happy my baby," I kissed her forehead and she smiled.
Her small hands held the long piece of my necklace and Sultan said.
"I think, she likes you, Begum,"
I looked at him and smiled.
"Yes, they both likes me,"
"But they both would love their cousins even more," Maa Saheb interrupted and I handed the baby girl to her.
Everyone chuckled and I blushed a little.
Bhabhi Saheb pulled me in a hug and I felt like crying again.
She got tears too.
"Take care of yourself, Princess, your bhai Saheb gets really worried for you," she stated and I nodded.
"Ofcourse, bhabhi Saheb, you also take care of yourself and everyone,"
She released the hug and kissed me on my cheek.
I kissed her fingers and muttered.
"Bhabhi Saheb, please don't keep anything in your heart,"
She shook her head and hugged me.
"Never,"
Releasing the hug she bent to touch my feet. I stopped her midways and stated.
"Please don't touch my feet, bhabhi saheb. I am not that old,"
Everyone laughed and I smiled looking at her.
"No matter how old are you, Sisters-in-law are always respectable,"
We all shared some more talks and everyone joined me to the main entrance of the palace.
Our convoy was ready. Bhai Saheb had prepared a whole convoy to come with us for the sake of protection. Sultan denied but he insisted.
I met everyone one last time and looked at Bhai Saheb who shared a hug with Sultan.
"Take care of her. She is still a child," He stated, his eyes teary.
Sultan smiled and assured.
"Don't worry, she means more than my own soul to me,"
Bhai Saheb smiled and came to hug me.
"Gulaab, take care of yourself and your family like a responsible girl and a Queen,"
I nodded and hugged him.
I sat in my palanquin after that and Sultan climbed on his horse. Bidding goodbyes to everyone and with teary eyes, I looked at them until their picture started fading.
It was afternoon and I was feeling sad. The journey was again the very long and tiring one. But, I was happy that everything was sought out now. It was like I was never happier than this.
The long day almost came to an end and Sultan asked to set up the tent as we all were to rest there.
I stepped down my palanquin and looked at Sultan who was making everyone understands what they needed to do.
It would be dark soon, so he helped to fix the tents first.
I was looking at his one more shade. The helping one. He was a King still he was helping all the helpers in setting up the tent.
Then, my sight fell on the ladies who were doing preparations for the food. I thought of helping them meanwhile the men were busy in fixing the tents.
The time passed and all the necessary work stand done. The food was ready, so the tents. The whole place was lighting with the light lamps.
I looked at Sultan who came to me and asked.
"Have you had anything?"
I shook my head.
"I will have when everyone would,"
"Though the food is ready, I think we should initiate," I finished.
"The soldiers are still getting freshen up and taking baths. I will have the dinner with them," he informed.
I nodded and we both ate along with the convoy. He was taking extra care since the helpers belong to my home. They were only coming to help us.
After the dinner, we all retired to our tents.
I came to ours and sat on the bed. I was feeling tired, so thought of removing all the heavy jewelery.
After being comfortable, I lied on the bed waiting for him. My lashes started feeling dizzy and heavy and I didn't remember when I fell asleep.
I woke up when I heard the noise of birds. It was early morning and my hands raked on the side of my bed.
I felt him sleeping beside and turned to keep my head on his chest just the way I like to do.
Opening my eyes in half sleep. I looked at his sleeping face. He was looking tired and slightly weak. He hadn't non veg for last twenty and more days.
I knew he must be craving for it but never complaint.
I smiled and lied hugging him tightly.
I woke up again when an attendee asked me to. We had to leave, so everyone started packing the things quickly. The helpers cooked the food and we all had breakfast.
The convoy again got ready to travel for the day.
I looked at Sultan who came to me. He threw a pair of clothes to me and ordered.
"Change it,"
I thinned my eyebrows and looked at the warrior attire. The one which I wore while I came here.
"Why?"
"Because I want,"
His eyes playful and I couldn't deny him.
I went to be my tent before they unfixed it.
Taking my little time, I changed to that clothes.
I came out and looked at him waiting outside.
His white horse, so huge and powerful was standing beside him. He rubbed his forehead and kissed him.
I walked to him and he glared at me.
His lips curved in a smile when he held the side of my waist and made me sit on his horse in just a snap of a finger.
Then he climbed too and sat behind me.
"We are going to a little far, you all can come slow and we will meet you at the end of day,"
He announced and the convoy nodded.
My cheeks blushing hard and excited hearing him.
His hands held the ropes of the horse. I felt a little caged sitting in front of him. His chest touching my back and he slowly pulled the rope. The horse started moving and we both excused ourself from the convoy.
The horse walked slowly upto some distance and when we were alone on the way he stopped.
"What happened?" I asked slowly.
"Nothing," he stated.
"Why you excused us from them?" I questioned looking above my shoulder.
"Because, I wanted you to see something," he stated and handed me the ropes his horse.
I tightened my grip on the ropes and signalled the horse to start walking.
"Sultan, is this the horse who brought you to me in just seventeen days?" I asked looking at the strongly built horse.
"Yeah, he is Adil,"
"I found him when I was seven," he continued.
"Let's see how fast he is," I stated and pulled the rope of the horse.