Sultana

Sultana

Kimi sat in the laundromat and turned her eyes away from the television screen that interrupted their regularly scheduled programming to announce the death of a prominent Arabian ruler. She didn’t want to be bothered with other peoples’ grief. She had plenty of her own at the ripe age of 31. LIfe just seemed to happen to her - no rhyme or reason, just disappointment and the stubbornness to keep going until it was over. She counted the change from the pocket of her worn jeans once again, debating whether to use the dryer or let the clothes air dry by hanging around the room she rented at the motel. $65 a night and she was already behind payments by 8 weeks. The people there were kind and understanding, but she knew business people don’t stay like that for long. This was not her first motel. It felt like a luxury to even have her clothes clean. Then again, what good would $1.75 do except a meal that would last only one day? How long can someone live on a cheeseburger and fries, minus the soda? She was pulled from her thoughts as someone tugged on her jacket. “ ‘Scuse me, miss.” A girl, about 17 years old managed to claim the seat next to her without her notice. “Can you spare some change? I ain’t eat since 2 days ago.” The girl’s brown eyes looked tired and void of hope - judged way too many times to try to explain anymore, rejected way too much to expect anything good, yet, she tried again. Kimi could almost see her reflection in them. Seems the decision was made for her. The girl walked away and wet clothes were packed into plastic bags to be hung around the motel room 2 blocks away.

With 1 block to go, Kimi slowed her steps, noticing a sight that sent shivers down her spine. Red and blue lights of police vehicles, official-looking suits flashing important-looking badges from leather-clad wallets. Cameras, reporters and big trucks with big equipment atop sat ready, with motors running. They were heading up the steps to the motel and it had her wondering if the owner had finally come to the end of his patience. Hoping she wouldn’t be noticed because of the commotion, she tried to close in, take the steps and enter her room. “Her! That’s the one you want.” The owner pointed victoriously at Kimi like he was a host on a game show. Try as she may, her mechanical key would not read for the door to unlock. Bulb flashes and the crowd of people descended on her like roaches on a piece of fallen meat. “Alright, alright, people….questions or no questions, we have a job to do, here. Wait at the door of the motel or you will be escorted to your vehicles to leave!” Two-thirds of the crowd reluctantly backed away. “Ma’am, we need you to come with us.” Kimi wasn’t as surprised this time around. She thought the reporters were over-kill, but she got the picture - she was being kicked out...again. “Just let me pack my stuff...you don’t have to arrest me. I’ll go.”

“I’m afraid its not that simple, ma’am. You’ll be escorted to the station and then to the airport. Orders are orders.” Kimi’s eyes widened. “You can’t deport me - I’m a citizen of the United States of America!” The officer in charge motioned for the others to grab her bag, open the door and gather the rest of her belongings as though she had said nothing. “Your highness, you’ve got it all wrong….if you’ll just come with me….” Kimi knew they had it all wrong now - she was nobody’s highness. “What the…?” 7 Officers successfully carried out her whole life from the motel room and headed out the door. “My stuff!” She followed. “Hey, give that back! That’s stealing!” Again, the reporters took to blinding her and sticking microphones in her face with questions that made no sense at all. The officer supported her arm, escorted her to the waiting car and opened the door. She felt a tug on her jacket. The girl from the laundromat frantically held her hand out with $.27. “I just wanted to say thank you - here’s your change.” Kimi turned to her. She saw herself again in the girl’s eyes. “You got anybody in this world, girl?” The distracted girl eeeked out her response. “Nuh uh.” Kimi made another decision and turned abruptly to the officer. “She goes with me or I don’t go.”

Kimi needed a witness. This girl was it. “Fine.” Both ladies got in the rear of the vehicle and were driven through Minneapolis traffic at the speed of police lights. “What’s your name? - Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. I just need somebody to be with me.” Kimi saw the look on the girl’s face change from troubled to proud in 2.3 seconds. “Asira….wuz yo name?” Kimi smiled and held out her hand. “Kimi”. The shake spoke of an unspoken loyalty agreement between the two. “You in trouble, Kimi?” The officer in charge turned from the front seat. “She’s royalty. Turns out the Sultan Ahmad of Saudi Arabia had an heir nobody knew about until they discovered his will. They all thought his nephew would inherit the throne, but the name in the will is clear - Kimi Sultana Naser.” Both ladies sat stunned to silence. “How does he know my name? - How do you know my name?”

“A series of letters were found along with the will from a commoner named……” He flipped through his folder marked “confidential”.... ”Faith Naser…..about a child who she claims is his daughter.” Kimi sat upright in the seat. “My mom?!? She always said that my father was gone and would never come look for me….omigosh…..does this mean I’m a princess?!” The officer looked less than thrilled. “It means you are Sultana of Saudi Arabia - you’re not a princess.... “ “Awww!” exclaimed Kimi. “…..you’re like the queen.” “Whoa!” Kimi heard Asira whisper to herself as she slowly sank back in her seat, “Omigosh...I’m friends with the sultana…”. Kimi sat back as well. The officer turned back around in his seat smuggly because of the silence he incurred in the vehicle.

At the station, a series of confirmations of identity were carried out and the ladies found themselves on a plane from Minneapolis to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in record time. From there, a team of specialists were assembled to accompany the ladies from Chicago to Saudi Arabia on a private plane. They rushed a diplomatic passport for Asira that she proudly displayed to the flight attendant. During the flight, the specialists drilled information into Kimi, and Asira looked on, noticing the look on Kimi’s face change from interest to distress. “You okay?” she mouthed. Kimi shook her head, no. Without the least bit of hesitation, Asira said, “ ‘Scuse me, the sultana needs a moment. Ya’ll need to go somewhere so she can have some peace and quiet.” The entire team turned to Kimi in silence. Kimi turned to Asira. “Go on and tell ‘em”. Kimi put up her hand to demonstrate, “Five minutes, you guys….I just need some time to myself.” Without a word, the team packed up their belongings and navigated to the far end of the plane. “I don’t know if I can get used to this.” As Kimi reeled with information on the government and traditions of the Arabian people, Asira patted Kimi’s back. “Before my momma died, she told me some stuff about my people, so I know a little already. It’ll take some getting used to, but you can do it. Most likely, you’ll marry the late sultan’s nephew and you won’t have to do anything.”

Kimi’s eyes got big. “Marry?.....Who said anything about marrying anybody?! I didn’t plan on getting married!” Asira turned to her with a look of surprise. “You don’t know about the laws for women in Saudi Arabia, do you? They don’t respect women as much as they do men. They won’t just accept you as their sultana…..they’re gonna look for a man to come alongside you.” Kimi deflated in her seat as she recalled the stories her mother used to tell her about visiting the country. Asira continued, “ I don’t know - enjoying all of the riches and none of the stress, having a handsome husband who actually does some work, living in the Topkapi palace, eating well, having servants….it could be okay…. Of course, wearing the abaya could be a drag, but that’s only in front of the men…..” Kimi was familiar with the traditional dress Asira referred to as well. Could she handle marriage, tradition and the culture shock?

After a total of 22 Hours of flight, the ladies landed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Before exiting the plane, Kimi received a beautifully ornate abaya to cover herself and Asira received a black one. They were escorted to one of the palaces owned by the late sultan and was introduced to his nephew, Prince Ali Mohammed Ahmad of Saudi Arabia. Asira grabbed Kimi’s hand and held it tightly. Ali’s eyes darted from Kimi to Asira multiple times before addressing the sultana. “Welcome. I trust your flight was satisfactory. I believe we have much to discuss. Will your lady’s maid wait here?” It was Kimi, then, who held Asira’s hand closely. “She goes with me or I don’t go.” The prince nodded and gave a slight grin to Asira. She turned to Kimi with wide eyes and a muffled gasp. Kimi nodded at Asira and they both followed Prince Ali to the board room.

There was a lot of talking that seemed like an eternity because of the jetlag. Finally, an agreement was made and plans for the proclamation of power would be carried out the next day. It was all going so fast, but Kimi finally felt at peace with what was to take place, so her sleep was sweet. Asira couldn’t believe what was said in the room and the part she would play in the whole scheme of things. If it weren’t for the jetlag, she would have stayed awake all night. Even Prince Ali entertained himself with the next day’s events as he fell into a comfortable slumber with a smile on his face.

Next day, both of the ladies were awakened and dressed by the palace staff in beautiful abayas and jewels. They were transported to Istanbul, where Prince Ali, regally dressed, escorted them to the official ceremony. It was cut and dry. Kimi accepted the position of sultana and immediately bestowed it upon Asira. Asira, then accepted the proposal of marriage to Prince Ali and made it official promptly. Prince Ali became sultan, Asira became sultana and Kimi was happy for the both of them.

At the reception, Asira pulled Kimi to the side. “I’ll never forget this, not ever! I did something to thank you, though. I arranged for a crew to build you a house with an office in it so you can work from home as our good-will ambassador. Its $20,000 sign on bonus and negotiable salary. Ali said it was okay.” Kimi was almost speechless. “You did what?! That’s amazing! I couldn’t ask for anything better.” They embraced. “You’re getting a vehicle, too. Just a gift from me to you….” Kimi couldn’t stop the tears if she tried. “...and one more thing…” Asira beckoned a staff member and he brought her a curiously small,, black moleskine book. “Somebody needs to tell our story - might as well be you.” Kimi shook her head and hugged the book to her heart. She would tell their story, even if no one would ever believe it was true - she would change the names, of course, but their story would be read one day by …. you.