C3 Three

Writer's POV

Next day

Halimat was taken to the kitchen as a kitchen maid,she noticed a familiar person walking to her with a smile,she recognized her as the maid from yesterday.

"Hi Halimat."

"Uhm,hi."

"C'mon lemme show you around the kitchen,by the way I'm Zainab,"she said and led her to another section where they met an elderly woman with her back to them.

"Salaam Alaikum."

"Alaikum Salaam child",the woman replied to Zainab as she(Zainab) touched her feet.

"Salaam Alaikum",Halimat greeted and was about to touch her feet but was stopped.

"Dont dear,what do you think you're doing ? you're a princess."

"Here I'm no princess and besides you are older to me,so you deserve all respect," Halimat replied and she blushed.

"Bless you my child,by the way I'm Hamida the head maid and I'll be teaching you all you need to know,so if you have any questions ask me."

"Yes ma'am."

"C'mon Halimat,let's get you ready," Zainab said and Halimat followed.

*

Halimat's POV

I can't believe this,I was finally compelled to do things myself,I had my bath and dressed in the maids attire Zainab gave me.

"Wow ! dressed like a maid but still looks like a princess," Zainab complimented,causing me to roll my eyes,c'mon let's eat.

"I'm not hungry," I replied plainly.

"Halimat come on."

"How do you expect me to eat in this state ?" I lost everything dear to me !" I yelled.

"Halimat,she called softly and I averted my gaze,from her expression I could tell she felt sorry for me but I don't want her pity,no matter how hard I tried to act like a strong person tears just rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably,Zainab hugged me tightly and the tears rolled more this time.

"Halimat,I know what you're going through,but believe me, not eating,crying wont help you get back all you lost," she was right,I shouldn't cry,I should try hard to overcome all this,I hugged her tightly and felt at ease,I felt like I was hugging Aishat once again,"do you feel better ?" she asked and I dried my tears nodding as I forced a smile, "OK let's eat then."

*

Zainab taught me how to sweep,wash dishes and do other chores,soon after all that she told me to throw the dirt away as she wanted me to familiarize with the palace,while walking I noticed the guards staring at me and I got uneasy,I tried covering my face with my hijab but it was of no use,I hurriedly walked away and bumped into something,more like someone.

"I'm sorry",I said and looked at the person....oh my God ! isn't he the....,he's the prince,"I'm so sorry your highness,I didn't mean to,I apologized cleaning his sherwani,he kept staring at me causing goosebumps to appear on my skin.

"You're sorry",he said and I felt his hands on my waist,I didn't think of anything as I got angry and slapped him with anger filled eyes,he forcefully held my hand and pulled me close to him,"do you know I can get you punished slave hmm,he said with an evil smirk on his face and left,I felt scared hearing his words,I walked into the kitchen and my mouth watered as aroma of food filled my nostrils.

"Zainab,Sekinat,Halimat, you three should go serve the royalties,Hamida instructed.