𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧

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☾ O N E ⭒

“
It was a peaceful morning. Like it had been ever since the Meskin Empire had been built some forty years ago. The people of Meskin, also referred to as The Meskins lived side by side despite their backgrounds. They all lived happily, just like in the fairy tales.

There was nothing that the empire did not have.

Despite the name Meskin, deriving from Arabic and translating to poor or simple, the land of Meskin was anything but that. An abundance of water, they had, an abundance of food of all sorts ranging from unlimited cattle to exotic fruits, they had. All by the grace of Allah.

[God]

A three minute walk away from the bazaar, laughter and giggles could be heard from deep within the three feet grass. The sight was like something out of heaven. Serene and fulfillment is what many would have felt if they witnessed the joy between the siblings.

The little girl's giggles erupted as she weaved her hands through the long grass, as it tickled her small, chubby fingers, happy that her elder brother hadn't noticed her yet. At this moment in time, she resembled a cub, ready to pounce on its sibling and fight them.

Her dark brown hair which was in a bun slowly unraveled before her, a determined curly strand playing against her nose, but she did not care, neither did she notice. She was too determined not to make a sound as she edged towards the naive boys back.

"Roar" she exclaimed all of a sudden, pouncing on him. The boy guffawed at her tactics, playfully growling whilst attempting to shake the girl off of his back. She was having too much fun to notice his growls.

"You cheeky girl Rahi" the young girls brother giggled, having successfully freed himself from the tiny claws. All the girl could offer was her cute laugh, before she started running towards the direction of the hustling bazaar. Ummi told them not to wonder too far off and come straight back home when they were done walking around.

With mischief buried in her eyes, she gave her brother a look as she chortled,"Catch me if you can brother Shahzad" her little feet carried her away from her brother who was busy forming a plan in his little head. Without a second to waste, he got up on his feet running after his little sister.

The girl squealed looking back at her path, her brown hair whooshing behind her. She now reached the entrance of the bazaar, running in between the people away from her brother. Her small fists formed around her dress, as she skillfully dodged the people of the bazaar.

"Sorry!" her little voice screamed as she accidentally knocked into a crate of oranges, helplessly stumbling over them as they continued rolling and blocking her path. The owner In his brown, crisp thobe screeched. His hands clenched in the air out of irritation.

"Ya Allah, you little pest. If I see you aga-" his shouts were cut off mid way as another small body clashed against his back, ultimately blocking the boy from his sister. The old man let out a growl, this time keeping to himself. His screaming wouldn't change their games, so it was best to keep quiet. For now.

"I'm very sorry Uncle Abdullah. This won't happen again" the young boys voice wavered, as he glanced at the vendor one last time before running off after the mischievous child.

Both their little bodies smoothly swept past the shoppers knowing the Bazaar like the back of their hand. They had grown up in these busy streets and as their innocent mind put it, would forever remain here.