Novels by Mansurat Zakari

When she got to her chamber, she rushed straight to her dressing mirror. It was like her new found superpower. She saw herself repeatedly saying, you are strong, you can do this, you got this. Her training bag contained towels, a meditation mat, candles, and incense sticks. She took it out from the corner where it had been laying for months all covered in cobwebs and dust. She shook it in the air severally till most of the dust came off then she brought out an old napkin from beneath the table and wiped it clean. Hanging it on both shoulders she moved out. As she stepped out she sighted Princess Taladi, ‘oh the devil' she said to herself wishing she had stayed inside a little longer. The door made a squeak indicating it was locked. She was trapped. Princess Taladi was approaching fast.“Hi Princess Shanmala”. “Hey Princess Taladi. Where are you heading to?”.

It was yet another morning but what difference did it make. The sun was up all through the hours of the night and it showed no sign of exhaustion. The morning bells filled the entire lounge with its loud disturbing sounds like that of a baby throwing tantrums. Everyone was resuming duty. The guards were changing watch shifts, the maids were scheduling tasks for the day and the royalties were getting ready to show their faces.Shanmala was awake long before the morning bells started ringing. Although she slept utterly calm, her disposition changed over night. She was back to her troubled self. Thoughts of royalties academy kept strolling in and out of her mind. She was ready to resume training and work on her spiritual self but she sure was not ready for the day to day encounters with royalties from Santala and neighboring kingdoms. But, she knew she had no choice.She abruptly jumped up from bed rushing to the front of the mirror like she wa

It was 22:00 in Santala yet the Sun was still standing tall with no intentions of shrinking. Shanmala was in her chamber laying on her bed thinking about the past few days. Amsah would have been a really good companion at the moment but she had probably resigned as promised.Her thoughts were going wild. She found her mind wondering, thinking about everything and thinking about nothing. She wondered if Norwaya got back to his Kingdom safely then told herself to stop caring what happens with him. She thought of her Father and how long he would actually last with them. The fear of being coronated as Queen despite her unpreparedness . Then, to Amsah, the only non Royalty friend she ever had, leaving her for due to her inappropriate behavior.Suddenly, the sounds of footsteps filled the air followed by loud knocks on the door. The knocking was persistent interrupting the flow of her thoughts. “Who could be at the door? “ she thought.“P

She got to his room, the door was not bolted so she pushed it open. The room was a bit scattered, clothes were littered on the floor. Norwaya stared at her enjoying the look on her face.“What happened here?” Shanmala asked looking straight at him.“What are you doing here?” Norwaya said smiling.“Who are those girls? The ones that just left your room?” Shanmala asked again hoping for an answer.“Are you jealous of them” Norwaya said.Shanmala became silent reflecting on how Amsah treated him the previous night and all she said. Maybe she was right about him. She was quick to hold him in high esteem and now seeing him for what he was showing was difficult.“I came here to apologize for sending a proposal. Me and you, there can be no us. You cannot be my Tanti and I am not ready for someone like you” Shanmala said speaking with so much confidence.“Good Gracious. I r

They arrived the King's chamber. Her heart was skipping a beat every three seconds. She felt the rush of anxiety all over. The guard pulled the door open for her and she stepped in then he closed the door, staying back. She walked up the stairs and her heart was still racing fast. She was now a few meters from the throne. Her assumptions were right. Norwaya was sitted there with the King. The major relief was the absence of his advisers and elder citizens.“Your Highness” Shanmala said bowing trying to be as polite as possible. Her hands were shaking as she took her seat beside Norwaya. The King was silent, he was only looking at her. It made her even more uncomfortable.“Shanmala, Are you okay?” The King inquired looking straight at her.“Yes, Father. I’m okay” Shanmala replied.“I find it hard to believe that. Is there something you would like to discuss with me?” The King asked.“Yes, No. Actuall

It was morning in Santala but there was no difference between the previous night and day. The sun was standing, scorching hot and the people looked tired. Perhaps because the night did not draw it cloak of drowsiness over them.The Santala meeting hall was filled with Santala citizens. The priest was standing on the podium and the King was seated on the special chair behind the podium. Shanmala was standing by the King along with the guards. She wore purple bags around her eyes and her entire face was swollen. It was obvious she had cried all night.“People of Santala kingdom, greetings to you all” the priest said indicating the beginning of his speech.There was a general response but after a few minutes the whole hall went silent so he could continue speaking.“It is with great displeasure that I address you all today. As we all know, the sun has refused to set and we are all facing the consequences already. How m