𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧

۲

                                        ☾ T W O ⭒

Barakah and Shahzad were both in bed, awaiting their mother to tell them their daily night time story. They loved when their little minds would wonder off to a whole other world, full of fairies and demons which they'd have to encounter.

But not tonight.

Tonight they would be told of a different story. One that is supposed to scare children and protect them from danger if it ever arose. This wasn't about the usual defeating the devil or siding with the fairies. This was a tale as old as the Meskin empire, recited in almost every household under the empires sun.

"Ya ummi, hurry before we fall asleep" Shahzad mumbled softly in his half sleepy state. In an attempt to prolong his eyes from closing, he turned around onto his right hand side next to his sister, not minding that he was sleeping on the cool floor. Where they lived, it was always sunny, a dark cloud never hanging above their heads, so it was only rational to sleep on a cold surface in such climate.

[Oh mother]

"Sabr, dear Shahzad" their mother's soothing voice called from the next room. Barakah lay down quietly, always the much more patient one between the two siblings. Thirty seconds later, her eyes fell upon her beautiful mother, who was now dressed in a lawn dress, perfect for the summery nights. Her hair was covered by a similar scarf placed loosely around her delicate neck. Her eyes crinkled at the sides upon witnessing the glee in her daughters eyes. If she wasn't so small, she was sure Barakah would have reached over her brother and tumbled towards her in a heartbeat.

[Patience]

Their father had kissed and wished them good night a few minutes ago, as in the morning, he had to go to the castle and aid the king. The kids knew little of their father's duty, but they did know that he worked for a nice and just leader. Well that's what their baba would say anyway.

The soothing voice of their mother caused bliss to appear on the kids faces as they imagined the story their mother spoke of. It was finally time to indulge in another world and forget about their beloved Meskin empire, just for a short amount of time.

And so their mother began reciting the story in that soothing voice of hers, slowly, minute by minute lulling the kids to sleep. "This tale was set in the cold and high mountains, far away from any land. Many years ago, anyone from the lower lands were forbidden to go to the mountains. It was said that the Shayateen resided there. Although that was not the case. The land was full of savages as the elders would like to call them, whom loved killing humans and eating them. Astaghfirullah"

[Demon's]

[I seek forgiveness in God]

By now both the kids were scared yet eager to hear more in their sleepy state. This wasn't like their usual stories they could tell, and despite the slight hesitation and fear blooming in their heart they still wanted to hear more.

Regret seeped into Cyra's bones as she wondered why she had to tell this story in the first place. A day would come when her kids would realise walls have ears too and that a small fire was enough to send a village into flames. Her mind wondered back to her husband and what he had informed her of. Bad people were coming for them and she could only pray for the well-being of her family.