THE FIRST NIGHT OF TEARS

Greetings your highness ,you called for me. Entering her mothers chamber Shunaya greeted Lakshmi the queen of Branam and her mother.

Rising her head from the book she was reading' Lakshmi smiled to her beloved young daughter. she was at the age of seven, with big beautiful eyes , head full of long straight black hair, long lashes, full lips. She just looked like a miniature of Lakshmi. She did resemble her that mom much. looking at her daughters face some sadness could be seen on Lakshmi's face but then she covered it with a sweet smile.

Yes Shunaya I called for you come in;

Your highness why are you still reading till this late its almost midnight, remember the doctor said that you need to take a lot of rest.

hahaha don't worry dear , your mom is strong, come sit next to me.

Shunaya moved her small feet to sit next to her mom. upon reaching the chair her mom helped her sit in the chair.

where is Sitara? questioned Shunaya; Sitara was her highness personal maid very lovely and polite in nature

I told her to go to the kitchen and bring you your favorite cookies, and by the way Kaylin told me that you haven't been sleeping well these few days. What's wrong dear the queen said while caressing her daughters hair.

You haven't been sleeping well too mother, answered Shunaya while looking down at her small feet

Lakshmi smiled , her daughter though young but she was very smart , she could always see through her mother;

I still get the nightmares, mom please go get some treatment. I don't want your illness to get worse., I'm scared.. please Shunaya was now crying.

Scared of what dear? asked Lakshmi to her daughter lovingly

while fidgeting her small hands, she said in a small voice that you will die; I accidentally heard what the doctor said to you last time , that your illness is getting serious if you wont take care of it soon you will.... she couldn't even finish her sentence she began to sob

And who wouldn't die my dear? we are all humans and no matter what we do, or what we are; our paths will still end with one thing and that's death.

Why don't you want to treat your illness mother? asked Shunaya innocently

when all people fight to live long its because there are things they wish to accomplish in life hence their hearts fears death, but I...… I have accomplished every thing I wished in life, got everything my heart desired for and in the end..... my heart was never satisfied, all my past victory's now means nothing to me. I wasted my whole life in nothing..... if only I had a next chance to...…. Lakshmi was talking to her daughter but it was like she was talking to herself there was a sad smile on her lips and her eyes was full of nothing but regrets.

I don't understand your highness, said Shunaya innocently ; of course she couldn't, she was too young to understand what her mom meant

You don't have to sweetheart: Shunaya, when you grow up I want you to live your life happily , if pursuing this life of royalty its your choice then do it heartedly but if you don't want it then don't it. you can live your life happily. money , power , wealth doesn't bring happiness, and my life is a testimony of it. Don't repeat my mistakes in your life. And when the time comes up; find the person you love the one who completes you.... and even when things wont work out …. don't be sad life is an example of a flower their is a season of blooming and wilting

Your highness your words are too heavy for the young miss to understand, Sitara had already returned and upon entering she heard what her highness was telling the young princess. she knew it was important of her as parent to guide her daughter but she also knew the little princess brain couldn't catch up with her mothers words.

You are back? asked Lakshmi ;

yes your highness.

then come in ; Sitara entered with a tray containing a jug of tea and a plate of cookies and settled it for the young princess and her highness. And when she was done she stood beside the queen. okay eat dear I know you love cookies.

Thank you your highness , upon seeing the cookies the little princess mood shifted. as a child she was easy to please. while the princess was devouring her cookies. Lakshmi called Sitara'

yes your highness answered Sitara,

I have lived with you for a long time and I trust you the most. And today I have a favor to ask you

hearing her highness word, Sitara went down on her knees. Your highness you once saved this maids life, my life is yours now, so never say please just command this servant and I shall do it. her highness begging didn't sit well to her even though she knew that her highness loved her like a younger sister rather than a maid.

I know Sitara but today I have a favor to ask you, you know about my illness and I have a bad feeling about it, incase anything just anything happens to me I …. before she could even finish her sentence Sitara interrupted

Nothing will happen to her highness, you have always been strong , this maid believes even this shall pass too said Sitara in the verge of tears. she loved and cared for her highness just like she did

I know Sitara but I hope you would listen to me this time, life is full of uncertainties . if anything happens to me at anytime , take this seal and this letter. this seal will help you pass through the main gate. I want you to take Shunaya with you to my mothers kingdom, I know I'm putting you in danger but this is the only thing I could think of to protect my daughter. I'm the only pillar that protects her and if I fall , my enemies will come after her and you know what they are capable of.

Yes your highness I will do it to protect her highness said Sitara while accepting the seal and a Royal letter.

Shunaya heard everything her mom and Sitara were talking about but she feigned not to hear anything and continued eating, just like her mother she was hurting inside but pretended to be strong outside , though young but smart ;Shunaya knew her mom was passing through a hard time, Mom I want to play puzzle game with Sitara. she had to stop their conversation she didn't want to hear anything more.

I would love to your highness but time has passed; its past midnight princess

just play with her for little while Sitara then she would go and rest, Lakshmi found an excuse to be with her daughter for some more time.

Sitara stood up and went to sit near the princess and they started playing , Lakshmi looked at her daughters smiling face and her face was covered in smile too, leaning on her chair she closed her eyes with a smile still lingering on her face.

Sitara noticed that her highness had been still for a while , she thought maybe she was just sleeping , so she stood up to tell her to lie on her bed.

your highness you will hurt yourself sleeping there, please go and lie on bed ,,,, your highness.....

no response, Sitara started to feel nervous even Shunaya had started to get worried. Sitara raised her hand to shake the queen so she could wake up, touching the queens hands they were cold. she lifted her hand to feel her pulse and that's when she discovered that QUEEN LAKSHMI WAS NO MORE.....