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Nur Jahan and her small family travelled through many tribes on her way and finally reached her destination, the tribe of Jalaluddin Uzbek. Nur Jahan witnessed the horrible conditions of the local tribes on her journey. Many of them lived in constant fear. As they lived along the silk route, they were robbed and looted, their women were abducted not only by bandits but also by the troops which passed along. There were around 100 small tribes in the area.
Women of these tribes hardly had any rights. Their job was only to look after the kitchen and to breed children. Nur Jahan and her maids were shocked.
Uzbek tribe was the most powerful among the other tribes. Their men were skilled warriors. In their tribe, women had no say in any activities. They were very strict with their women. Jalaluddin was the head of the tribe, a man in his early 60s, but he looked older than his age. He had a strong aura emitting power.
" Assalam all Kum Hafeez Karzai, it is an honour to welcome you to our tribe." Jalaluddin welcomed Nur Jahan's brother with open arms.
" You can call me Baba Huzoor just like everyone else. " Hafeez introduced all his companions.
" Baba Huzoor, meet my mother Aimen Bahrin and my dear sister Nur Jahan."
Aimen and Nur Jahan bowed their heads in respect. Jalaluddin's eyes were on Nur Jahan. He looked at Nur from top to bottom.
Sword in hand, dressed in combat clothes. She looked like a skilled warrior.
" come here". He ordered her and as she came near, he patted her head.
" Do you know how to use it or is it just for pretend?" he pointed at her sword.
" My sister is a pro at sword fighting. She can give a tough fight to any strong male."
Jalaluddin raised his brows.
"There are certain rules in our tribe for women to follow. My daughter Shireen will explain to you. It is the male's responsibility to protect women. " he said, looking at Nur Jahan. He then further questioned her.
" Do you know any cooking or just spent your life in vain?"
" Nur can.." Hafeez replied on behalf of his sister.
" Stop Hafeez. I want to hear from her mouth unless she is mute."
" Yes, I know the basics of cooking. I am not a master chef but people do like what I cook, " Nur replied.
" hmm, your Ammi Jaaan has raised you well! Let's see. You are all tired. Have a rest. Nur, my child, I want you to cook for us next Monday. Let me see your skills." He wanted to see if she was lying or was really an allrounder.
" Ok Baba Huzoor "
" One more thing, you are all like my children now. Welcome to my tribe ".
Jalal then turned to Nur Jahan. " Nur, I want you to dress in our traditional clothes. Not these warrior clothes"
She just nodded.
" Shireen, take her and make sure she is in presentable attire". The girl Shireen just nodded her head. Nur Jahan looked at the little girl, barely 17. The girl was a bit hesitant. Nur took the first initiative.
"You can call me sister Nur". She smiled at the young girl.
" OK, Sister Nur." She smiled back and was staring at Nur's sword.
"Do you know how to use a sword?" Shireen asked.
"Yes, I am a pro of archery too," Nur replied, playing with her sword.
"I can teach you if you want, Shireen."
"Baba Huzoor will execute me if I do that. I think before him Abi would kill me."
"Abi? " Nur questioned.
"My elder brother. He is very short-tempered and he says women's duty is only to look after the house and cattle."
"This is really ridiculous. Women should know basic self-defence techniques if someone is attacked and when men are not around then? A woman should at least learn that she can defend her honour." Nur looked angry. These tribal people lived in a dangerous area but still had this mentality.
"Oh dear! you look just like a male version of my Abi in your anger."
Nur Jahan's maids were laughing after hearing Shireen's words.
"Not one can match our Queen's anger" one of the maids replied.
"Why do you address sister Nur as Queen?"
"Because she is our queen, she taught us all the skills and gave respect to us."
Nur Jahan stopped them. "No, Shireen, I am not queen, they just tease me. They are my friends."
She glared at them. She never wanted her real identity to be revealed. A divorced woman did not hold a respectable place among these tribal people.
"I will get clothes for you, sister Nur." Shireen stood up and turned to the ladies.
"You can all shower near the waterfall. No men are allowed around this time, but still, I will send out a message to confirm." Shireen assured them of privacy.
Nur and her companions cleaned themselves. And wore tribal clothes.
Nur has never worn this type of heavily embroidered clothing. She always preferred simple dresses. She couldn't break the hearts of people who sheltered her, so, she agreed to wear whatever they offered. Nur wore a deep burgundy dress with white motifs. She looked breathtaking.
"Look at you, Princess, you look absolutely an angel." Her maids praised her. Just then, Shireen entered with her mother Hajra(the head woman of the tribe) and Aimen.
"MashAllah Aimen, your daughter is just like an angel," Hajra replied, looking at Nur.
Shireen touched Nur Jahan's long black tresses." Your hair is so gorgeous. I wish I were a boy. I would have married you straight away."
"Thank you, " Nur replied in a sad tone.
These are the same hairs that were pulled in front of the crowd. She recalled. Pain emerged in her golden orbs.
"Why are you upset, sister Nur? I haven't seen you smile once. Are you happy staying with us?"
"Little Shireen, it's nothing like that. It is just I laugh very little." She masked her pain.
"Ummi came here to invite you for dinner. All our ladies will be present to welcome you." She was chirping.
Shireen entered the dining hall holding Nur's hand. All eyes were on her. Soon the hall was filled with silent whispers.
" Oh God, she is so beautiful."
" I heard she is from royalty, definitely her presence has a strong aura. "
" I heard she is a skilled fighter."
Everyone was talking about Nur Jahan and they all came to greet her.
Hajra (Jalaluddin's wie) was admiring Nur.
Nur Jahan sat in one of the corners when a girl approached her. Before Nur could ask, she spat venomously.
" What brings a princess like you to our tribe? Before you get any ideas, stay away from Fakhruddin. He is mine "
Nur looked at the woman with a blank expression. She had no idea what the woman was talking about.
"Gul pari, please leave". Shireen came running to Nur's aid and shooed the woman away.
" Who was that Shireen?"
" Did she misbehave with your sister Nur? "
"Who is Fakharuddin? She just warned me to stay away from him."
"i***t. She is obsessed with my Abi(elder brother) but he doesn't even lay a single glance at her."
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It was a week since Nur and her companions had been there. Nur Jahan was in the room with his mother. She rested her head on her foster mother's lap.
" Amma Jaan, I feel sorry for these tribal people that have to live in constant fear in their lands. I wish I could help them."
" Nur, we just came here. First, try to understand these people, their mentality. Be a calm, observant first"
" Nur, did you plan what you are cooking tomorrow? "
" Pilaf, lamb stew, chicken dumplings, sesame bread, shashlik( lamb skewers), rose tea and pistachio Bakhlawa " She has already made the list of dishes she will cook tomorrow.
Nur woke up early and started all the preparation for dinner. She wanted to prove to Jalaluddin that she could manage the kitchen and sword at the same time.
" It smells so divine, sister Nur." Shireen's words echoed, but that took Nur to her past.
"Nur it smells so divine I can't stop my hunger".
"Patience sultan."
" OK but I want you to feed me. "
"Why are you not eating Halva(sweet) Sultan?
"I will eat it but in a different way. "
He took Halwa and placed it on her cheeks and started sucking them.
"This is so disgusting, Sultan."
"This is intimacy, Nur."
A burn on her fingers bought her back. Why can't I forget you? Get out of my brain Shazeb, you are a forbidden chapter of my life. A small tear rolled down her cheek.
"What gift would you ask Baba if he likes food? Shireen asked in excitement.
Nur quickly wiped her tears.
"Not decided Shireen. You suggest something" She replied as she was plating the food.
" OK, the food is ready now, let me get changed. I smell of spices", Nur replied.
She took a quick shower and wore a pink dress. Her hair was still wet. She was drying them in the evening sun. She had forgotten her veil in the tent because of her occupied mind. She rushed back. Suddenly, she collided with an iron gate. She rubbed her head and looked up. A fierce blue orb was staring at her in anger.
"Try something else, miss, this is the old way to gain attention." The man barked at her.
"Bastard! who will even look at a monkey face like you?" Nur replied in anger.
"Do you know who I am?"
- Writer
