A Mazed Heart

04. Life

October 30, 2023.

A Mazed Heart (Rifa Fathma)

Episode 04: Life

That night was no different. He tossed and turned on his sides, not having any trace of sleep on his youthful face. The reason behind his sleeplessness was unlike any other night. The freezing air around him was enwrapped by joy, enthusiasm, and happiness, sucking the sleep out of his dark blue eyes.

A faint thud sound made Yahya twirl his head towards his casement. He had closed the glass door to his casement and had drawn the white curtain to avoid the brilliant moonlight. The faded thud came again propelling his eyebrows to sag in bewilderment.

Curiosity began to bubble in his chest as he pushed his fluffy blanket and sat up on his bed. The sound was coming from their Forest Garden. He leapt out of the bed and made his way towards the casement. With much difficulty, he managed to push the curtain to the side with his small hands.

The thud sound became frequent and more loud now. He knew those sounds. The sound that always gives him thrills. He opened the glass door, the sound was not merely a faint sound anymore.

A waft of breeze passed through him as soon as he stepped into the casement. He stood on his toes, gripped the handrail and peeked down. His heart gave a quick flip at the sight of him.

The moonlight travelled diagonally and landed on the calm figure of Haarim who was leaning against a tree trunk. He carried a bow in his hand and constantly shot arrows directed towards a rock placed at a long distance from him.

His chest constricted with enthusiasm as he bit his stretched lips. He had been counting the seconds for the sky to break into the sunlight so that he could inform Haarim that he would be staying with him. He bounced on his toes, turned towards the room, and rushed into the hall.

He blinked his eyes at the hall before him. It took him a moment to adjust to the pitch darkness. He slowly tip-toed down the stairs. When he landed on the last step, it hit him that the front door was long locked.

His face fell. The bubble inside his chest began to subside. He had to wait till the sun would decide to appear. He had to wait for Haarim to return from his work before he could blast his uncle with the news. 

He slumped his small shoulders and was about to turn to climb up to his room but stopped. His eyes landed on a sparkling set of keys on the wall behind the dining table.

His eyes sparkled as his heartbeat sped up. He made his way towards the dining table and quietly climbed on a chair. He stretched up his hand and unhooked the key from the nail. It was the key to the backdoor which led to the Forest Garden.

Adrenaline rush pumped through his veins as he twisted the key in the keyhole. He carefully opened the door, making sure his parents wouldn't get disturbed from their deep sleep. It was the first time that he was snooping around and he liked the feeling that came along with it.

When he stepped into the Forest Garden, a hurling of wind blew his brown hair, bringing his night suit in a hassle. He could see the back of Haarim's leaning frame from where he was standing. An innocent grin popped up on his face as he decided to surprise him.

Haarim was loading an arrow into his bow when he ran towards him. He appeared before Haarim, trying to cease his running feet. But a striking clash made him shut his eyes tightly.

"Wha--Yahya!?"

A groan left his lips as his head throbbed with a shooting pain. His hand instantly went up to find the arrow struck above his eyebrow. He yanked it out with his shaky hands and threw it away before clasping the left of his forehead in pain.