Princess Sultana's Circle (11 page)

“
Oh.” Amani
replied.

Master? I thought to
myself. Cousin Faddel?

Maha began to question the
young woman who was near to her own age. We learned that Layla had
been working in Saudi Arabia for Faddel and his wife, Khalidah, for
the past five years. She proudly added that with her wages she was
very happy to be able to support her large family who lived in Sri
Lanka, in the capital city of Colombo.

Amani was abrupt with the
question that I hesitated to ask. “Why do you have an Arabic name,
Layla?”

The young woman smiled once
again. “I am not a Hindu. I am a Muslim. My family descended from
Arab seafarers.” She paused before saying, “Of course, only Muslims
are allowed to enter this paradise.”

Maha nudged me with her
elbow, but I managed to keep my face composed.

The long corridor suddenly
opened up into an immense round room. Ornamental columns, lavish
furniture, crystal chandeliers and clocks, priceless tapestries,
vast mirrors and elegant ceramic panels came together in a stunning
overall effect.

Several low divans covered
in soft-colored silks were neatly aligned under arched windows
composed of intricate triangles of jewel-toned stained glass that
depicted scenes of famous Arab warriors in battle. Sparkling clear
water flowed from a two-tiered, silver-edged fountain. Chinese
porcelain vases were centered on tables of polished mahogany inset
with mother-of-pearl designs. A blue tile floor glistened
underneath the edges of the thick Persian carpets.

Looking upward, I saw a
magnificent canopy that appeared to arch into the sky. The ceiling
was painted to give the illusion of soft, feathery clouds against a
background of the bluest sky. The overall effect was
breathtaking.

I could not deny that my
cousin had built the most awe-inspiring dwelling that my eyes had
ever seen. So far, this palace was even more dramatic than any
built by our own King. Surely, I thought, Faddel has attained his
objective. Paradise could not be more beautiful than this
dwelling.

Layla rang a small bell and
announced that refreshments would soon be served. She then left us
to inform her mistress of our arrival.

I settled on one of the
silk divans and patted the spot beside me.

“
Come, sit with me in
paradise,” I joked.

Maha laughed and sat
down.

Amani looked at us sternly
as she said, “Paradise is no joking matter.” She frowned in
disapproval as she looked around the extravagant room. “Anyway, too
much sunshine makes a desert.”

I looked around again, with
a more critical eye. Amani was right! Faddel’s palace was too
perfect! Too beautiful! When the eye sees nothing but perfection,
even perfection loses its power to astonish.

Just then four serving
girls entered the room. One carried small crystal plates and neatly
folded napkins; others held aloft large copper trays heavily laden
with food. Delighted, I selected a few sugared almonds, while Maha
crowded her plate with tiny sandwiches, delicate cheeses, figs, and
cherries.

Not surprisingly, Amani
refused every offer of hospitality. The four servants were all
exceptionally pretty and dainty Filipinos. As I stared at those
impossibly attractive young women, the idea struck me that Faddel
must be truly obsessed with beauty. He seemed determined to
surround himself only with beautiful objects, vistas, and people.
Apparently, he had reached the conclusion that physically
unattractive people were not welcome in paradise. I almost laughed
aloud when I thought that if a handsome appearance should be the
criterion for the key to paradise, Faddel was certain to be
excluded. God had not blessed Faddel himself with good
looks.

Amani startled me when she
ran toward the window and squealed, “Look, there is a family of
gazelles grazing on the lawn!”

Indeed, there were four
gazelles. Did Faddel have a zoo?

“
We’ll ask Khalidah to tour
the gardens later,” I promised her. “There might be other animals
you can see.”

“
I want to see the horses,”
Amani said determinedly.

“
We shall,
Daughter.”

I heard a silky rustling
sound and looked up to see Khalidah, followed by Layla, entering
the room. I had not seen Khalidah for several years, but her beauty
had not diminished. In light of Faddel’s obvious preoccupation with
all things beautiful, I was relieved for her that she was still
stunning to look at. Otherwise, she would surely be divorced by her
husband.

She was dressed in a gown
covered with tiny white pearls, in a shade of green that perfectly
set off her chestnut-colored hair and her amber eyes, which were
flecked with gold. Her light-colored skin was too heavily made up
to my liking, but it did nothing to lessen the impact of her lovely
features.

I stood and met her
embrace.

“
Sultana!”

“
Khalidah!”

Once our mutual greetings
of peace and thanks to Allah for the good fortune of our health
were completed, Maha presented Khalidah with our gifts.

Khalidah thanked us
profusely and carefully set aside her gifts. She lifted three
packages from a gift-laden table, and instructed Layla to deliver
them to our driver. We could open our gifts later, after we
returned home, she said.

Khalidah apologized that
she was alone, explaining that her husband and her six sons were
visiting at the palace of a friend, but would soon return.
Miraculously, she had given birth only to sons, and for that feat
alone, she was greatly admired and envied.

Khalidah was anxious to
show us her home, and my daughters and I were happy to follow her
throughout the vast complex of pavilions. Each pavilion consisted
of a small apartment of rooms, each decorated with treasures of
unimaginable beauty. My head was soon reeling from the details
Khalidah provided us regarding the mosaic floors, wall murals, and
painted ceilings.

Soon I wanted to escape
this profusion of alabaster baths, jeweled vases, and silk
coverings. I needed air and space, so I suggested that we go
outside. “I have heard much about your beautiful
gardens.”

“
Yes, of course,” Khalidah
agreed amiably. “Let’s sit in the garden.”

Amani reminded me, “And the
stallions, Mother?”

Khalidah reacted strangely
to Amani’s request. Despite her heavy make-up, her face suddenly
turned pale. Her voice trembled, “Well, that is a domain for men,
Amani.”

“
I like horses, and I am
not a man,” Amani said indignantly.

“
Amani!” I warned, as I
looked at Khalidah warily. “We have other places to visit. We will
only look at the gardens today.”

I was not that
well-acquainted with this cousin, but I knew that few people were
accustomed to such an unruly child as Amani.

“
Come, let us go to the
gardens,” Khalidah said graciously, ignoring my daughter’s rude
behavior.

Maha said that she needed
to visit the bathroom, and that she would join us later. Layla had
returned from her errand, and she led Maha from the
room.

I saw that in her anger
Amani’s lips were now puffed in a most unattractive pout. When she
walked beside me, I pinched her arm as a signal that she hold her
temper and her tongue.

Khalidah then led us down a
broad pebbled path bordered by a thick hedge. We could see the
garden long before we arrived, and as I had expected, it proved to
be exquisite. Trees lined the perimeter, and a froth of blooming
bushes and flowers grew in every corner. We could smell the strong
scent of the flowers’ perfume even as we strolled through the
garden.

Terraced flowerbeds gave
way to small ponds filled with exotic fish; a series of carefully
constructed brooks bubbled with the soothing sound of running water
all around us. I was truly dazzled.

An artfully designed gazebo
caught my eye. “Can we sit?”

“
Certainly, whatever is
your pleasure.”

Just as I was about to sit
down, suddenly Amani gave a small cry. She had noticed cages filled
with birds nearby.

I followed her gaze. Small
cages, each holding far too many birds, were swinging from the
limbs of every tree.

Amani rushed toward the
cages.

“
You have many birds,
Khalidah,” I said uneasily, all the while watching Amani dart
frantically from one cage to the next.

Khalidah seemed mesmerized
by Amani’s small scurrying form. She sounded as one in a trance.
“Yes. Faddel believes that paradise is filled with many song
birds.”

Even at a distance, I could
see the fury on Amani’s face.

I called out. “Amani?
Amani, please join us, darling.”

With fists clenched in
anger, Amani ran toward Khalidah, and began shouting, “Their cages
are too small! There’s not enough food and water!”

Khalidah appeared
momentarily stunned by my daughter’s rudeness, and words failed
her.

“
Amani!” I admonished, “You
must apologize!”

Tears were streaming down
Amani’s face. “Some of the birds are dead!” I turned to Khalidah
and made an attempt to lighten the situation. “Do not mind Amani.
All creatures are a source of endless fascination to my
daughter.”

Amani looked at me
disdainfully as though I were a traitor. “The cages are too small!
There’s not enough food!”

“
Amani! I order you to
apologize. Now!”

In an effort to appease my
child, Khalidah stammered, “But…my dear, there are birds in
paradise.”

My daughter screamed so
loudly that the veins on her neck and forehead were visible under
her skin. “Birds in paradise fly free!”

Khalidah’s hands were
clutching at her throat.

Amani was becoming
hysterical. “They fly free, I tell you! Birds in paradise fly free!
You are cruel to have them so confined!”

“
Amani! Enough!” I started
toward my daughter, prepared to give her a good shaking. It was
time to take her home.

Khalidah kept her hand at
her throat and said helplessly, “But, I tell you, Amani, there are
birds in paradise. I am sure of it.”

Amani glared at her with
hatred. Her voice was filled with contempt. “You will never find
out! Your wicked eyes will never see true paradise!”

Overwhelmed at such
unexpected aggression, Khalidah fell over in a faint.

I watched in horror as
Amani, seeing her chance, darted from one cage to another. She was
removing the cages from the trees!

As I knelt down to try to
rouse Khalidah, Maha came running down the path toward me in a
state of agitation. Her voice was loud in indignation. “Mother, did
you know that Cousin Faddel has imprisoned a group of young girls?
He has a harem of young women! They are held captive in one of the
pavilions!”

Alarmed and shocked, I
could only stare at Maha.

It was then that Maha
noticed the fallen Khalidah.

“
What has happened to
Cousin Khalidah?”

I astonished myself with my
calm tone. “Amani insulted her. Khalidah fainted.” I gestured
toward the palace, “Now, go quickly and get some help.”

“
But, what about those poor
girls?”

“
Hush, Maha! We’ll deal
with that problem later.” I looked down at Khalidah, and was
relieved to see that she was still breathing. I ordered Maha, “Go!
Get help! Now!”

Maha ran toward the palace,
shouting Layla’s name.

Amid the turmoil and
confusion I saw Amani leave the garden, struggling with an unwieldy
load. It took some moments to comprehend that my daughter was in
the process of appropriating Faddel’s caged birds!

I cried, “Oh Allah!” I then
called out, “Amani! Amani! Come back!”

Grappling with as many
cages as she could possibly carry, Amani disappeared from
sight.

Chapter Six

Birds of
Paradise

I once heard someone say
that we do not remember
days
of our lives, but we do remember
moments
. I know it is
true, for I have lived such “peak” moments myself.

Desperation swept through
me now, though, as I held Khalidah’s head in my lap. I strained to
look for Maha, waiting impatiently for her return. Helpless, I
could only watch Amani’s small body dashing hurriedly back and
forth through the garden, on forays collecting birdcages crowded
with chirping birds. Such a moment I will never forget!

Maha finally returned to
the garden with Layla at her side. Three Egyptian men followed
closely behind. I could only assume that these men were servants
employed by Faddel.

Layla had already been
alerted by Maha of Khalidah’s plight, so she quickly rushed to
assist me in my so-far-futile efforts to revive her mistress. The
three men watched uneasily as they stood silently around the limp
figure of Khalidah.