A Mazed Heart

02: Past

Author's Note:

The scenes which are unfolding below need not be in a sequential order. These scenes reveal the past of the four characters.

Remember, Yahya is the eldest of them all. So, don't misunderstand.

Again, these scenes only show the past of four characters and they need not happen in sequence. I hope, I'm clear.

~Happy reading!
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July 1, 2022.

A Mazed Heart (Rifa Fathma)

Episode 02: Past

"You will be staying in this room. Let me know if you want any change of plans in our allotments."

Yahya, who was examining the room with his big innocent blue eyes, turned his head and looked up at his father. He gave a single nod. "This is fine, Dad. I will stay here."

His father put on a curt smile, ruffled his hair and exited.

He moved into the room, now taking in every detail of his room.

The bed was put in the centre of the room. Beside the bed, stood the dressing table. His wardrobe was on the right end next to the restroom.

His mind began to compare this room with his prior room back in The City of Gardens.

That was how he had been comparing everything. From houses to markets, restaurants to parks, climate to people dealings. He had concluded that The City of Gardens was a place of peace, serenity and hope while The City of Dawn was... Well, he hadn't yet come up with a proper description of his new place.

He perched on the bed slowly and traced his finger on the flower patterns of the bedsheet. Everything seemed bizarre. But deep down, he was eager to live here and get to know about the place and its people.

He thought back to the encounter with other families who lived with them but they had a house of their own linked with Yahya's. So far, they were nice and generous relatives of his father and they attended to them very friendly.

His father had declared the other day, "We are moving to your mother's native for your vacation."

He had stared up at his father until the words seeped into his mind. He had given a slight shake of his head in understanding.

"Your aunt lives there. And there will be so many other people living with us. You will love being there." His father had clapped his shoulders firmly in assurance before making his way.

The rustling sound coming from out of his balcony made him come back to reality. He stood and went towards his balcony. He realised he was too small to peek out. He lifted his feet and stood on his toes.

His eyes widened as he clasped his hands on the handrail to maintain his balance. There was a mini forest.

Another thing he noted was that The City of Gardens had numerous parks and gardens while The City of Dawn contained trees. Large, hovering trees made shadows everywhere beneath them.

He again heard the rustling sound. He twirled his head across the mini forest. His eyes halted at a tree and his hands clasped more firmly at the handrail.

Up above the tree, a man had perched comfortably on a wide and strong branch. The tree was the tallest among all. He had an elbow placed on his knee. He held something in his hands. Yahya tried to remember where he had seen it.