Three Wishes: Cairo (4 page)

What a perfect day.

Ameerah woke at dawn and began the long list of required duties that seem to fall upon the shoulders of all females who are about to be married. And even though she was about to become royalty, her list was no less short because of it. She would never get used to the pampering afforded to those who come into power and she would have rather been tortured than to have someone do something for her that she could just as easily do herself. She knew that for some, having a community coddle them and treat them above normal human status was natural. But for her, there would be no such treatment. She wasn’t a helpless flower; she was a strong tree with no need for such treatment.

Today though, she would enjoy the pomp and circumstance that any marriage affords. She might be a strong tree, but everyone deserved to be treated in a special way on their wedding day. She had already spoken with some town friends and heard about Khayri’s speech at his bachelor party the night before. She couldn’t stop smiling. Even though they’d been together for several years now, she never grew tired of hearing about his unwavering love for her.

Ameerah was typical in most respects. In her younger years she had felt attraction to many different boys for many different reasons. She was attracted to athletes who preened and pranced about with an attitude that comes with the knowledge that they were just physically superior to the other boys. She was more attracted to their lithe and graceful movements than their superior attitudes. Ameerah too, was quite athletic, though girls were not encouraged to show those skills. Musicians also fascinated Ameerah. She admired anyone who added beauty to the world in any form. She had no real musical skill herself, so she respected their gifts and watched them from afar. But in many cases, she found that though their music and lyrics were quite romantic and hypnotic, the boys behind those creations were quite the opposite. It seemed that their creations helped mask easily spotted insecurities they tried to hide. It was like reading a novel with a beautiful cover, only to find that the story itself was shallow and lacking in quality.

When Akila had arrived at her school, she found him to be awkward and a little shy during their infrequent meetings early on. But even while learning about the young man, she sensed sadness and perhaps some secrets that he was holding back. Where Akila excelled in history, language and the sciences, his mathematical skills left much to be desired. Ameerah was exactly the opposite; very strong in both every day and scientific math, yet she absolutely hated history. That meant that each had strengths that the other did not possess. Akila was graceful and coordinated during their athletic school competitions, but again, Ameerah sensed that even then, this young mysterious boy was holding back something and not sharing the entirety of his gifts. This reticence created a mystery that intrigued Ameerah to the point of striking up conversation and eventually friendship with him.

“There’s something about you I just can’t figure out,” she said as the two walked home from school one evening.

He hesitated slightly before answering. “I’m just like everybody else. What you see is what I am.”

“No. There's more to you than meets the eye. I’m good at mysteries and I’ll figure you out too” she smiled.

“I hope you’re not disappointed when you solve this great mystery.”

The conversation veered off in the direction of today’s math homework and as usual, Akila was completely confused until Ameerah explained the principles. She was a natural in mathematics and had a way of describing the problem in terms that made sense to him. Usually with a simple explanation; she could open his eyes to the basic concepts and help him more easily understand them. As payback for saving him hours of toiling over his math homework, Akila explained the reading assignment they were covering on famous battles in history class. Helping her memorize a few dates and important names smoothed the way for her to have a much easier evening.

“I wish I had your command of numbers. I feel sick every time our math lessons begin.” Akila confessed. “You just have a way of explaining math so that I understand it.”

She smiled and repeated a familiar phrase she had used countless times: “Don’t worry, you can count on me.” She then continued, “It’s no different than you with history. I’m ready to pull my eyes out of my head and you explain it to me so that I understand it.”

His response was always the same. “Now that we have a history.”

That ultra cute back and forth that elicited eye rolls from their friends began long before even they knew that they were romantically interested in each other.

Ameerah returned to the present and smiled as she began the long mental checklist she had developed far in advance of today's festivities.

Bathe

Hair

Nails buffed

Flowers set

Maids of honor meeting

Gown insertion

Vow rehearsal with sister

Processional

Vows

Married

Throughout her preparation, she found it quite funny as she noticed the radically different factions of those folks tasked with helping her. They really fell into two categories: friends and relatives (those who mattered) and old guard political ‘caretakers’ (those who didn’t). Because Khayri was the highest-ranking member of the royal family and soon to be King of all the land, he carried a certain intimidation factor amongst the ‘elite’. But in the eyes of that same snobbish crowd, Ameerah, though quite beautiful and intelligent, had no business being here. Better that Khayri marry someone equal to his standing and have an affair with someone like Ameerah. Of course these preening
crows
never actually showed their claws; rather, they let their feelings be known with good old-fashioned sarcasm and double entendres.

“Wouldn’t your family and friends be more comfortable at the rear tables? They can let their hair down and have more fun back there.”

“Every royal family member must have a servant. Perhaps you already know someone that you feel comfortable with?”

“We’ve always used that musical piece for the processional. Perhaps something more secular will send the wrong message?”

“There is a lot of silverware on the table… just ask if you need to know what each piece is used for.”

Of course, Ameerah ached to tell them where she preferred that they place the silverware.

To her credit, this young woman understood that the new direction they had planned for the kingdom threatened the very tenuous hold on power that these elitist fussbudgets had. She tried her best to always be respectful and polite. She had a hard time feeling empathy for these folks. These public
servants
lived much better than the public they served. Khayri also supported her on this, because all of his real true friendships were with common folk. He never really felt kinship with the haughtier side of the fence. As a matter of fact, neither of these young people understood why there had to be a fence at all.

But today was a day of joy and celebration. For Ameerah, her mother Paninah and her younger sister Kamila, it was a time to enjoy the spoils of being in elite company. Her father Abisha, a brilliant mathematician had disappeared mysteriously when she was very young. Part of Ameerah’s natural athletic ability and aggressive attitude came from the fact that for most of her life, she had been the strong figure in her household. Of course, with her coming nuptials, she had discussed a place in the walls of the kingdom for what remained of her family. Even though she would no longer live with her mother and her sister, she remained committed to their protection. Marrying the King would certainly help with that little detail. But the women of her family; though officially commoners, were certainly not common. They were beautiful in different ways and acted with a class and grace that far exceeded their social standing.

Paninah had too much pride in her family to brag. When some thoughtless person asked why her daughter was permitted to marry the King, she would just smile and say, “Our future king has shown wisdom beyond his years. The marriage to my Ameerah will be the first steps
they
take into history.”

Ameerah breezed through her morning and as noon rolled around, she was ready to marry, dance and thoroughly enjoy her evening with both her new husband, their good friends and of course, her family. Ameerah felt sorry for Khayri, as he really had no direct family sharing in this wedding. She felt that the loss of his parents had left a void in his heart that would never be filled until the young couple had children of their own. Life truly is cyclical. Though Khayri had missed an opportunity to share his teen years, the excitement of his first love, his conquests in battle and his overall growth as a person with his parents, he would get a second chance at all of those things again, with their children. Life has a way of delivering second chances to those who wait patiently for their arrival.

As she brushed out her hair and reluctantly squeezed into her wedding gown, her mother entered and immediately gasped at a daughter that simply took her breath away.

“My dear, I have never seen the like. You are truly the most beautiful creature on the earth at this moment in time.”

“Imagine how beautiful I’d be if I were able to breathe as well,” said a smiling Ameerah. “Perhaps the royal chef will be so kind as to stop pleasing my mouth and start pleasing my figure.”

“Nonsense child, no one likes a skinny queen. They already resent the fact that you’ve stolen the world’s most eligible bachelor from them; you have to give them something to gossip about. Trust me, my dear; for those who want to whisper about you, they will find a way of either saying you're too fat or sickly thin.”

“If I hear one more sweet as honey remark about my surprising rise from
poor little urchin
to powerful queen, I’m likely to own a fist full of hair from one of these helpful creatures.”

Her mother laughed at this remark. “All in good time, my dear. Just keep telling yourself that once you are Queen, they’ll still feel exactly the same, but will have to hold their tongues until they're absolutely bursting! Let them have their fun now.” They both giggled at the thought.

Now, there was one last finishing touch, and the young woman needed advice. Ameerah held her hair up and then let it drop. “Everyone is telling me I should wear my hair up in a much more traditional manner.”

She tried several options in the mirror. But after a few different looks, her mother took the reins. “No man I’ve ever met likes hair pulled tight to the head. For some reason, countless women have suffered for hundreds of years to deliver hair styles that weren't even appreciated by their men. Give Khayri exactly what he desires. In the game of life, you won’t grant every wish, but for today, why not? Wear your hair down dear.”

Down it went. That single decision seemed to remove a great weight of nervousness and apprehension from Ameerah's shoulders. Mothers provide many things in our lives, but peace of mind and confidence has to be at the top of that list.

Then her mother showed her a plain necklace with a simple green stone. “Your father gave this to me many years ago. I would appreciate it if you would wear it.” Ameerah stared at the stone, which almost seemed to glow.

“It is absolutely beautiful, Mother. I would be proud to wear it. I remember so little about Father. Why have I never seen this before?”

“One day we can discuss your father. There is so much you don’t know about him that I should share,” said Paninah as she stared at the beautiful addition to her daughter’s neck.

“Have you seen Khayri today, Mother? I know I will see him soon enough at the altar, but I wondered how he was feeling.”

Her mother laughed. “He must not be feeling very well at this moment. I heard he was stumbling out of the pub after his speech about a certain someone’s beautiful daughter, but when I went to his room to pay my respects, I was told that the Prince would not be taking visitors until after the wedding.”

“That’s not like him.” Ameerah looked perplexed. “He would never turn you away. He always calls you his second mother. That certainly seems odd.”

“No worries darling, he’s probably just putting on his finishing touches. This is a huge day for him. Not only is he marrying the girl of his dreams, but he’s also leaving his youth behind and becoming the King by title today. That’s a pretty big plateful for anyone. Besides, the wizard is watching out for him, isn’t he?”

“Alchemy? No, he’s not coming today. He thought that someone from the royal party should remain outside the church to watch over things during the ceremony.”

“It’s just as well, I find him a little strange,” said Paninah. “I always think that even when he’s just making conversation, he’s peering into my soul.”

“He’s a wizard, mother. I think they’re all a little strange. You’re right. The wedding will be great, my hair is down, I’m fat, happy and I even know where the salad fork is.” Ameerah felt better when she heard her mother laugh. She was now ready for anything.

Paninah placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder as much to give as to get strength from that simple contact. “You know I’m very proud of you, Meer. There are very few people that I’ve ever known that could walk into this life you’ve chosen and not skip a beat. It’s a complicated chore, with more responsibilities than I can even imagine, yet I have not even a shred of doubt that you’ll be the finest queen that has ever graced this land.”