History knows me as Razia Sultan,the first and only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate.I am known as the girl who defied the rules and regulations that shackled women in those days.I am the one who rose above all my brothers to become the Sultan.I am the one who was the most capable among them all.Some even say that I was the ablest monarch of the Mamluk dynasty.This is what people know about me.Not that I am being arrogant but it is all true.But do they know everything about me?Do they know who Razia really was?To be honest,they don't.History is as people present it.There is not a single version which is completely accurate.And,I certainly don't think that any historical text will carry the story of my heart.There will be no manuscripts,inscriptions or edicts that will depict our story.The story of Razia and Altunia.The story of a love that will last for several lifetimes to come.
I have never cared about what people think of me or what they feel about me.I never bothered about anyone.I have always acted according to my own will.I am nobody's slave and I don't have any master apart from the One above.I was always like the wind which blew in all directions.I am like the river whose flow is unstoppable.I have always listened to my heart and whenever I desired something,I used to get it by hook or by crook.I do not care about history.I do not care what the future generations will say or think about me.I do not care if they remember me or not.I have always lived in the present.And what was my fault? Was it that I dared to love someone?Was it that I could not bear to see my love with anyone else?Was it that I challenged the one whom I loved with all my heart and soul only for the sake of my love? I don't think think I was at fault and I don't care about what others think.Malik Altunia is the master of his destiny.A destiny which was forever enterwined with the destiny of one Razia,who was the first female monarch of the Delhi Sultanate.Razia,who was,is and will always be the ruler of my heart and soul.
They were facing each other after what seemed like an eternity.It would have been impossible to say which face showed more hatred.But it wasn't only hatred in their faces.Her eyes conveyed so many emotions together at once.There was grief,anger and clouded by all the other feelings,love.His emerald green eyes which usually were attractive and full of life now carried a look of triumph and rage together at once.But this look of triumph and rage,too,was nothing but a shroud for his deep love.It is said that through eyes one can glimpse the soul.Anyone who would have looked into both their eyes at that time could easily tell that their souls were bleeding.
So,finally,the great Sultan is my prisoner',he spoke with a mirthless smile.
Prisoner? Prisoner?Look who is talking?A mere traitor.',she replied coldly and curtly.
Am I a traitor?Let me think.Oh,yes! I am a traitor.I am traitor,backstabber and what not.But let me tell you one thing.I don't regret what I have done.I don't regret that I revolted against you.I don't regret that I plotted your downfall.AND I CERTAINLY DON'T REGRET THAT I KILLED HIM!!',he thundered.
She was now looking at him with anguish in her eyes.'Do you know what you are?You are not only a traitor.You are a monster!!! I can't believe that I trusted you.I can't believe that I thought of you as a friend.I can't believe that I went against my brother for you.I can't believe that I lo'-she paused there.
That you what?Tell me?Finish your sentence.That you what?',he spoke quickly.He did not sound enraged.He sounded desperate.It was as if his ears were waiting to hear those words from her mouth.He grabbed her shoulders.She turned away from him.
Look at me,Razia.Face me!!'
She looked at him.Their eyes met.For a moment,they forgot everything.It was as if they were back in the dargah.The sun was shining brightly.A soft breeze was blowing.And flowers would fall on them any time.For a moment,Razia's expression softened.Altunia's eyes bore the same look that they had in the dargah.It was tender.It was the look of someone who was mesmerized.But then the illusion broke.His grip over her shoulders was intact.
Leave me!!'
Answer me!!'
Leave me!!'
His grip tightened.
Leave me.You are hurting me.'
He quickly let go of her shoulders.Without a word,he turned his back on her.He began to walk away.
She shouted after him.
I hate you, Altunia.I hate you.'
She had not looked at him then otherwise she would have seen that his eyes bore the look of a man who had died several painful deaths.Her words inflicted a wound on his heart that no weapon on earth had the power to cause.
He,too,did not look back.Otherwise he would have seen that she was equally hurt.Not by him but by her own words.When he was out of sight,the granddaughter of Qutub-ud-din Aibak,daughter of Iltutmish,the mighty Sultan of Delhi broke down.Tears flowed out of her eyes.Even the tears shed at her brother and father's deaths were nothing compared to this.Tears usually make our heart feel lighter.But her heart did not feel lighter.Infact,those tears were like salt on her wounds.For in trying to hurt him through her words,she had wounded herself too.
She remembered the moments spent with him earlier.It was as if she was trying to get lost in those memories.
So,what can I do for you,Princess?',he spoke with a grin that was irritating yet alluring.
As if I need to tell you.As per my father's wishes,you have to teach me sword fighting.',she replied with an annoyed expression.
What? I,a mere commoner,teach the Princess!! I am simply not worthy of it.',he said with a look of mock sincerity.
Razia was exasperated.She knew that he was doing it on purpose to irritate her.It was all going against her plan.
So,according to the wishes of the Sultan,I have to teach you sword fighting.Look,princess,I had told you that I would always be with you.Circumstances would force us to be together or to be more precise,I would force the circumstances to bring us together.',he winked at her.
Razia knew it.It was of no use arguing with him.He would win each and every argument.Earlier,she had thought that she was extremely witty and she could outsmart anyone.But she knew that she was nothing compared to him.Maybe,she should consider taking lessons in wit along with sword fighting from him.But that was hardly the point.The point was that she had gone out for a walk with her friends along with the soldiers.And then they were attacked by some robbers.The soldiers were beaten by the robbers.But before the robbers could do anything ,Altunia arrived.And the rest is history.
How can I thank you?You have not saved my daughter but my very life.You are truly a hero.',Iltutmish was sobbing.Altunia was grinning as usual.Razia put a hand on her forehead.
Razia,have you thanked him?'
Thanked?Oh,yes,yes,Abbu.I have already thanked him.'
I have decided that henceforth,Altunia will be your personal bodyguard.'
Altunia's eyes were shining like the stars in the sky.Razia looked as if she might faint.
Please,Abbu.I have a small request.I really don't need a bodyguard.Remember,you had permitted me to learn sword-fighting last night.I can learn that.You only had told us not to depend on anyone.'
Oh,yes, I remember.Then,it is decided.Altunia will teach you.'
She was shell shocked.Altunia was smirking now.
Abbu,please,try to understand.Can't Nasir bhai jaan or you teach me?'
I am busy with the empire and Nasir is in Ghazni.'
Then Altunia spoke up,'Your Highness,Princess Razia is right.I am a common man.How can I teach her?'
But Altunia,whom can I trust apart from you?'
There is our very own subedaar who is your son and Princess Razia's brother as well.Prince Ruknuddin.'
How can I forget him?Thank you very much,Altunia.You really manage to solve all my problems.So Razia, your brother Ruknuddin will teach you.'
NO!! I mean to say Abbu that,that Altunia is a better warrior that Ruknuddin bhai jaan.Remember,he defeated him once.I want to be taught by Altunia.'
So,that is how she was here to be taught sword fighting by him.
Ahem,ahem,I would like my student to pay attention.'
Okay,my most reverned teacher,let us begin.',she replied sarcastically.
The most important rule of sword fighting or any kind of fighting is that you have to be alert.Because your opponent won't care if you are some soldier ,sultan or the most beautiful princess in the world'
I see,I see.I have to be alert or else I would be lying dead.'
RAZIA!!! Never.Never say something like that .'He drew close to her.His emerald green eyes were not as calm as before.For the first time,she saw fear in his eyes.She had never seen him scared before.Along with fear,she saw concern.Concern for her.She had never been spoken to like this by an outsider.Then,why?Why she did not feel angry at him?
She looked into his eyes as she spoke,'Why? Why are you so worried?What makes you think like this?'
Altunia did not take his eyes off her.His look was intense.When he spoke,his voice was calm yet firm.
I can't answer that right now.But, remember one thing Razia,no one can dare to look at you as long as I am there.I will crush each and every head that will try to rise against you.No one can touch you.In each and every battle you fight,whether it is inside or outside the palace walls,Altunia is your sword as well as your shield.Never forget that.'
She was lost in his eyes.He,too,was looking at her like a lotus raises its head and stares at the sun with utmost devotion.His eyes were like the vast seas.She wanted to drown in them.But then ,the trance was broken.Both of them were feeling strange.
So,lets begin our practice.I will try to attack you with my sword and you try to defend yourself.'
Razia kept quiet.She did not say anything.
Altunia raised his sword and advanced on her.She stood still.He stopped just inches away from her.
What happened?Why didn't you raise your sword?What if I had hurt you?'
Razia spoke in a calm voice.'Altunia,how could my own shield hurt me?'
For once,Altunia was speechless.
Author's Note:So,folks,here is the first part of my one shot on Alzia.Okay,its much more of a three shot.But I will continue if you guys like it.Let me clarify something.This is not only my first writing on Alzia.It is the first time I have written an OS in my entire life.Therefore,I apologise for any mistakes or grammatical errors.Please forgive me for my mistakes as it is my first time.All sorts of feedbacks are welcome.Rotten tomatoes and chappals are welcome too.(No eggs please,for I am a pure vegetarian)So,now,I hope that you all will enjoy this.If you find this boring,then please forgive me.Please tell me whether you like it or not.
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