Tales Of The Heart

(6)

Inaya's blissful morning begins with taking a walk down the street and greeting all the known faces cheerfully. Although that was her usual practice but that day was different for she moved out of her house to inhale fresh air and ease her mind.

The unexpected incident with the mysterious man had kept the lady awake for the whole night, regardless of trying hard, slumber did not satiated her restless heart. Thus, she had given up and decided to walk around the streets like usual morning.

"Inaya, have this freshy baked bread, my child", an elder man smiled at the young lady who was passing by the bakery.
"Thank you, Uncle", Inaya offered a genuine smile before taking a loaf of bread and munching on it happily.
"Why are you alone, Inaya? Did you trick Eira again?", the man questioned suspiciously as it wasn't unknown that she could be mischievous sometimes.

"Being a kind lady, I gave her a day off, uncle", Inaya giggled seeing the man's squinted eyes.
"Did your father know about this, huh?", the man placed his hand on his hips.
"No.. And I believe you wouldn't tell him either.. Bye uncle", Inaya ran away leaving behind the man who was calling out her name.

"Oh! This is so pretty", Inaya exclaimed, picking up a delicate piece of green pendant.
"You like it, my child", a woman smiled sweetly.
"I did not carry my money pouch today", Inaya pouted disappointedly while admiring the piece.
"You can pay be tomorrow, Inaya", the elder lady offered.
"Oh! No..no aunty, I must come by tomorrow", she politely denied and kept the pendant in it's place before trying a ring on her slender fingers.

Inaya flinched when she heard a loud thud followed by a choas. Her surprised eyes turned towards the sound which was coming from from a particular shop, precisely a blacksmith. Unknowingly, a soft gasp escaped from between her pink plump lips when she witnessed what actually was happening.

The shop was surrounded by some men clad in black attires who were armed with swords, bows and arrows. Considering the time the surrounding was not crowded and whoever was present were too scared to help the poor victim.

Inaya's hand reached towards her own dagger which she always carry with herself, her teeth ground with each other when she witnessed how cruel they were, the owner was an old man who was on the ground, the leader of the goons had his feet on the man's face, pressing it on the road mercilessly.
"Yah Rabbi! Madad( My lord! help)", she muttered a sincere prayer.

"Why isn't anyone helping him?", came a restless question from Inaya.
"They are money lenders.. I presume the blacksmith owned them money which he failed to repay.. Non is brave enough to go against them", the lady said in disappointment.

The money lenders had always been merciless, they did not acknowledge anything if it was time for repay then they would have it in their own convenience. The citizens were really bothered by them, although the town consist of rich merchants nevertheless there were people who struggled a lot before achieving a decent capital. Many took help from these lenders to invest in their business and whenever anyone could not repay, they would either kill them or confiscated all their property. People could do nothing for the lenders always signed contracts with terms and conditions before handing the money.

"That is not a valid reason to behave in such a way with an old man", Inaya stated.
The elder woman was not surprised at Inaya's kind words for she knew Inaya grew up in a confined, protected environment, thus she always find positivity in everything. She never travelled outside the town neither she mingle with people more than necessary, her parents always kept her apart from the cruelty of this world.
"The world is much more than what it seems, Inaya", the lady muttered.

Having enough of the scenario unfolding in front of her, she marched towards the small crowd ignoring the elder woman's call. She knew, if her father even had a hint about this situation she was willingly walking into, she would be grounded for God knows how many days. Regardless, she couldn't just see the misery the man was suffering.