Safeena

A deal

It was afternoon and Safeena was stopped by her sister.
" Where are you going now?"
" I have something to find out."
" In the forest?"
" Yes Shaheen now get out of my way."
" Sister, you shouldn't get yourself in trouble. Already the minister of our royal court has a doubt about you breaking rules."
" I have to go you understand? And I don't care about that minister."
" He can tell our father."
" I am not afraid."
" Safeena don't. He is always on his toes to complain about you since your fight with him."
" I don't care Shaheen . Get off my way."
" What is so urgent you have to see in this forest?"
" The truth "
She pushed her away and went inside.
Shaheen waited outside watching out for her.

After sometime, Agastya and his friends saw her waiting.
" What is she doing there?" One of his friends asked.
" No one can enter the forest without permission right?" Agastya asked
" Yes but she is the king's daughter."
" I will find out."

" Hey little princess, what are you doing here?"
" Nothing clearing my sister's mess."
" What?"
" Nothing "
" Hmm, where is your sister?"
" Why do you need her?"
" I haven't heard her beautiful and annoying sound of yelling at me since a very long time. My ears are complaining."
Shaheen laughed.
" I know she can be a little too much sometimes."
" What happened? Why are you standing here?"
" Well she would be furious at me if I told you so you better go."
" Why she is always this angry?"
" That's her. "
" Why?"
" I don't know , she has been like that since our mother's death."
" Oh I am sorry"
" It's okay, I was little but she wasn't. She has been strong, too strong for me . She has been my mother since then . To be honest I have never seen her cry after that."
" Never?"
" Never "
" I don't have my parents either. Only my brother"
" Oh I am sorry too."
" What can we do right?" He sighed.
" Right. You have a brother?"
" Yes older brother "
" Oh so you are in the younger sibling team . "
" Yeah !"
" We both are going to have so much fun together!"
" Yes little princess."
" She isn't back yet."
" Right, you should go find her. She could be in danger."
" I know but "
" But?"
" She said about finding the truth while going in there."
" The truth?!"
" Yeah "
" No no!"
" What happened to you?"
" I am coming back in a second, you don't go in."
" Why?"
" Because I am ."
" It's against the rules "
" Rules are meant to break little princess." Saying this, Agastya room towards his room, took something, hid it in his clothes and went back to the forest. He knew exactly where to find her .

" I found you princess."
" You ? You don't spare a chance to trouble me, don't you."
" You are the trouble here princess."
" Don't call me that. But look what I found."
She showed him a hole covered with a metal lid.
" Your mother's grave, isn't it?"
He looked at her with annoyance .
" Open it . What's in there?!" She yelled.
" Get out of here and shut your mouth." He said .
" Make me" she yelled
" I said open it your else I will break it."
" You shouldn't."
" I knew something was wrong with you. I knew you were a trouble. A threat."
" I am not a threat to you."
" I found something and now I am going to expose you."
" You won't."
" Why do you think that I won't?"
" Because I have something for you."
" Don't threaten me " She pulled out her arrows.
" Don't worry , I am not fighting you. But look at this dear princess."
He took out a arrow stained with blood. Seeing that, Safeena's eyes turned wide .
" What's that!"
" You tell me , don't you recognise it?"
" Talk to me directly."
" What's the most important rule of your grandfather's?"
" What?"
" Misuse of weapons is highly punishable."
" I know that "
" If you hit innocent common people, you are in serious danger."
" I know ! Why are you telling me this?!" She shouted.
" You join the dots. "
" Stop playing games."
" At night, a girl with a bow, a man , hit and yell . Remember something?"
" How do you know that?!"
He smiled.
" No no!"
" What no?"
" You were the one who threw dust on my face right?!"
" That doesn't matter now princess. I have something against you."
" That's not my arrow."
" Really?"
He came closer towards her.
" But it has your initials craved in here, see?" " And it well matches with your other Arrows here, doesn't it? See I don't mean to use this against you but you made me . So let's make a deal "
" What deal?"
" You keep my secret, I will keep yours."
" No way"
" Then I should go and tell your grandfather"
" Stop!" She shouted at him.
" I hope you good with secrets."
She started at him with rage.
" Deal?" He extended his hand for a handshake. She dropped the spade on his feet and took the her arrow from his hand and started walking.
" I always win , remember that." She said from afar.
" Noted "

She came out of the forest walking with rage.
" Safee-" Shaheen was about to say something.
" Shut up" Safeena yelled and went ahead.
She saw Agastya coming out.
" What did you do ?"
" Nothing"
" Please don't get yourself in trouble. "
" I am not but your sister is, tell her to stop looking."
" Stop looking for what?"
" She will understand. As a Matter of fact she should apologise to me ."
" Safeena? Apologising to you? You really have high hopes don't you?" She started laughing.
" What's so funny in that?"
" She never apologises. Even if it is her fault. She doesn't. She will suffer with punishment but she won't apologise."
" Is it?"
" Yes . Now let's go "
" After you little princess."
" I like that name."
He smiled.

Safeena was going to see her father in the royal court. She was waiting outside and the one of the minister in the courtroom came outside .
" Hello princess Safeena "
" What now minister Hassan?"
" Nothing, just to say, I have an eye on you as I have been instructed."
" Sure , keep it well."
" I am "
" Good work , I may reward you sometime. Get away now."
" What's your work with him?"
" He is my father, we both will manage. You go "
" Talk to me with respect, princess, I am your father's favourite."
" I will talk to you with respect when you stop playing your little sly games got it?"
His mouth remained shut and then she went inside.