It was finally the day of the festival!Excitement buzzed across the entire empire and everyone; the commoners and the nobles, was dressed in their best attires for the grandest festival ever.“You look so beautiful, Aisha darling,” Maria said, her eyes filled with admiration as Aisha walked into her room. “Thank you, mother. You look absolutely stunning as well. I came to check if you were ready,” Aisha said. “So we can all leave together.”Maria applying her lipstick paused and glanced briefly at Aisha with a smile. “I’m not done, yet. I will meet you guys at the fields soon, you can go without me.”“You take so long to prepare,” Aisha teased, her words escaping her chuckles. “Well you’re the prettiest woman I know so I understand why you take so long to get ready.”Maria blushed briefly and waved Aisha goodbye before focusing on making her face up again. “Dario, I’m ready baby,” Aisha screamed, almost stepping into the throne room. Dario was already waiting for her there. Aisha
“My dearest people of the Persian empire,” he began, his voice laced with a mixture of joy and pride. “Today, we are here not only to celebrate the prosperity and unity that binds us together in this great empire, but also to honor you all…” He paused for a moment, and looked over at his people. The joy that swirled in his heart had no measure. He then continued, “I am the happiest to be here today putting smiles on the faces of my people… “The more he spoke, the wider their smiles became. They just couldn’t get enough of his love. “…and this festival is a testament to our shared journey… our triumphs… and our unwavering hope for the future.”The crowd let out a thunderous applause. Cheers and loud squeals echoed across the entire field. Aisha, who was standing next to her husband in a stunning evening gown, locked her hand with Dario’s and smiled warmly at the people. She felt like her heart was going to explode from how much joy she felt in that moment. She then placed her othe
“What?!” Dario’s face contorted into a frown that instant. “My own mother has suddenly fallen ill?” He asked, his voice laced with terror. “Yes, Your Majesty,” the royal guard replied, his voice shaking in fear.Immediately, Dario turned to Aisha who also had her brows creased into a frown, and said, “We need to go.”“Take care of the rest of the ceremony on my behalf and extend my apologies to the people. I won’t be able to stay for the entire event,” he swiftly instructed Bruce before leaving. His guards followed behind and got the car ready before he got there. When they got to the mansion, Dario dashed to his mother’s room. While Aisha followed behind. When he entered the room, he saw Maria lying under a blanket, on the bed. She looked weak and a little bit pale, which was unusual.“What’s wrong, mama,” Dario said, wiping the beads of sweat that formed on her forehead and upper lips. “Your temperature is high!” he exclaimed the moment he touched her face. Maria couldn’t reply
In the evening, Dario decided to check on Maria before leaving for the festival. Today was the second and last day of the festival. Though Dario had missed the medical outreach that took place in the early hours of the day till after noon, he had to attend the feast and the closing ceremony.He also had the doctor come over again today to check Maria’s health status during the day. And he confirmed that she was much better and will be completely fine in no time.“Hey mama.”“Yes, my love,” Maria replied. Now she could speak, though her voice still sounded weak and hoarse. Aisha was in the room with Maria before Dario came in. She had been with Maria trying to care for her and keeping her company. “How are you feeling, mama?”“I feel better. Thanks to Aisha,” she replied, looking at Aisha with her eyes lit with gratitude. Dario couldn’t be more grateful to have such a supportive partner and wife. And even if he didn’t say the words ‘thank you’ to Aisha, his eyes and smile screamed
“Are you kidding me?!” Maria screamed, unable to contain her emotions. Her heart almost exploded from how much joy swelled in it. “Is she really pregnant?!” She asked Dario, her eyes still widened in shock. “Are you really pregnant?!” she turned to Aisha and asked, her grin stretching from ear to ear. “Yes, Mother,” Aisha replied, her heart beaming with intense joy at Maria’s reaction. To Maria, this was the greatest news she had received this month. “Oh my god!” she whispered excitedly as her gaze fell on Aisha’s abdomen. Maria’s heart was racing from the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She felt intense joy swirl within every of her cells. Her dream to have grandchildren was finally coming close to reality!Maria threw herself at the both of them in a tight hug, her eyes welling with happy tears and her laughter echoing through the room. “I’m so happy!” she managed to say through her laughter. It had been two weeks after the festival and Maria’s health had been
As Dario approached the room, he shouted at the royal guards, “have you called the doctor?” “Yes, Your Majesty,” they chorused, but Dario didn’t wait to hear their response and kept running towards the room. Though he heard their answer.When Dario got to Maria’s room, he fell on his knees. “Calm down, Aisha,” he said to her, so she stopped shaking Maria and slightly moved away from her. Dario gently shook Maria, he tapped her shoulder and asked loudly, “Are you okay, mama?” But there was no response. He listened to her breathing and felt her pulse to see if it was still beating. Her breathing was irregular and her pulse was faint.“Place her gently on the bed,” he ordered the guards who got to work immediately. “Roll her onto her side with her bottom arm extended out and her top leg bent at the knee,” he instructed.Dario turned and ran his hair in frustration and fear. He took in a deep breath to calm his nerves. “Tilt her head slightly to keep the airway open,” he instructed th
Days later, Maria’s health that was thought to improve only declined. Her health had deteriorated these past few days; she couldn’t get up from her bed as she was extremely weak. Whenever she spoke, her voice sounded weak and hoarse.The doctor had assessed her condition and they were not able to find out what exactly was wrong. When Maria was rushed to the hospital some days ago, it was determined that she collapsed due to a temporary drop in her blood sugar levels. Though she had been on several medications until now and after several tests had been taken, her blood sugar level was normal. But, the symptoms didn’t disappear and only got worse by the day.So what could be the problem?For the past three days, the doctor has had to move into the mansion for the sake of monitoring her health and being easily accessible if any emergency occurred. “Her skin is getting more pale and cold by the day,” Aisha said, her voice shaking as she caressed Maria’s hand.The doctor had just finis
“Hey mama,” Dario said, walking into Maria’s room. “Good morning, how’re you feeling today?”“Hey baby,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Her voice sounded weak. “I feel almost the same.”Another month had passed and Maria’s health had remained the same and maybe a little bit better. Though she could talk now. Nobody knew the origin or the cause of the sudden extreme fatigue.Many doctors had come from far and near to assess the situation, but a solution have not been found until now. Even traditional healers had come to do their thing, but all to no avail.It had been devastating for the entire household; Dario, Aisha, their close families and the royal workers that worked in the mansion. Maria had always been such a kind woman and an absolute sweetheart. “I’m sorry I haven’t come to say hi since morning. Got busy with matters of the empire,” Dario apologized and sat beside her on the bed. He then placed his hand on her cheek and caressed it with his thumb.Maria fl