Ahlam (Dreams)

12 - Attack

Her

I was eating. Lately, Niyyas had been behaving weirdly. He was always running away, always in his room or on the training grounds, but the moment he saw me he would leave. He plays with Sundus but tells her that he needs to go whenever I come. Wait why is this affecting me? I shook my head and shot another arrow, but I missed it again.

"Sayyida is there anything troubling you? You seem to be missing a lot of shots today" My trainer said

I shook my head "It's just the injuries, they make me have a hard time focusing"

The man took a look at me "They seem to be healing already, but whatever you say Sayyida"

"I think I'm done for the day," I said placing my bow and quiver on the bench

"Ok, Sayyida, I'll be on my way" He tipped his head in greeting

I saw him off. Then I decided to do the biggest thing I probably have done in my life. I wanted to confront Niyyas, he was treating me like a plague and I didn't like it. 

I left my bow and quiver on the bench  and stormed inside "That.."

I was met by my uncle and aunt sipping tea. "Hani, come and sit. We are having chamomile tea, your favourite." I wanted to refuse but I decided against it and sat with my aunt. 

"Cyra I have something to show you," Aunt said and she dragged me to her room. As I sat down and she rustled through her wardrobe, she said "Your trainer told me that you weren't able to get even a shot today, what happened?"

I plastered a smile "My injuries hurt, that's all"

My aunt turned to me "That's a lie you're telling. You were doing well the day before yesterday, and your injuries weren't as healed as now." She came to me and helped my hand "Tell me, what is the matter walidati(daughter)?" Whenever she called me that, I couldn't lie to her

I looked away from her eyes "Don't tell anyone. Niyyas has been ignoring me or more like he is running away from me, and I don't like it." I looked back to my aunty and she was holding a laugh. I glared at her "You think it is funny?"

"No, it's not. It's just surprising to me that you would miss a man's attention"

I pouted "You know it sounds bad when you say it like that"

"My girl, you never felt sad when a man didn't talk to you except Yazid. I think you're finally falling in love."

I widened my eyes "Love, I don't think it is that deep"

"So you admit that you like him then? Maybe I should talk to your uncle, we could send his family a proposal"

I shook my head frantically "No, please don't. I don't think he will accept it, besides he has been avoiding me."

"Then confront him, and maybe tell him how you feel"

"I was planning on doing that"

"You wanted to tell him how you feel? When did you become so brave?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I meant I wanted to talk to him"

"Then you should immediately, time doesn't wait. And I honestly feel that if we make a proposal he would agree, I'm sure of it"

I waved my hand in denial "We can't be sure and only Allah knows. I'll talk to him now. Ma'asalam"

As I stood up, I was sure I saw the silhouette of someone leave the door very fast but I couldn't even make out if it was a man or woman. I shrugged it off, hoping that the person didn't hear our conversation, but in my mind, I felt like I was going to explode. As I wandered in thought in the corridor, I met a servant. "Do you know where Sayyid Niyyas may be right now?" I asked, hoping he would have a positive answer. The man nodded "I saw him enter his room not long Sayyida"

I tipped my head in gratitude and headed for his room. Oh, Cyra what are you doing? You're going to meet a non-mahram in his room, what has come over you?  Then Aunt Alba's words echoed in my head

I think you're finally falling in love

Maybe she was right. 

I knocked on the door and I heard his deep and clear voice permitting me to enter. His voice always sounded so nice, just on the verge of deepness, but not quite there. I opened the door and I saw him on the chair adjacent to his bed, writing something. He turned to the door

"Abbas I was waiting. You..." He stopped and his expression darkened and he wrinkled his face into a frown.

"Why are you here?" He said with a voice that sounded more like he was demanding

"I need to talk to you," I said meekly

He folded his arms "Why, what would you possibly want to talk to me about?" His words felt like there were laced with poison at the ends.

I stepped closer "Why have you been avoiding me?"

His eyes widened and he quickly turned around. "What do you mean? Do you want me swarming over you like a bee?" 

I looked down "Niyyas you're lying, is there something wrong?"

He scoffed and turned back to me "So now you know when I'm lying or not huh? Cyra get a grip on yourself, I'm not someone you're supposed to get attached to, I'm leaving in a few weeks" Then he came closer and said in a reduced tone "And I'm not your lover, stop clinging to me."

 His words hit me like a spear in my chest. I stepped back and I fell on the floor. He glared at me and I desperately tried to stop the tears from coming from my eyes. I stood up slowly and went to the door and I heard him say "Shut the door on your way out."

 The moment I closed his door, I ran to my room. I tripped on the hem of my abaya and fell on Saffiyah.

"Ahh Hani, what happened? Why are you crying?"

"Nothing, they are onion tears," I said as I struggled to leave her arms

"Onions? How did you get onions?" That was the last thing I heard her say if she said anything more. I ran into my room, closed the door, and fell on the floor, bringing my knees to my chest and putting my face in my palms.

"I finally liked someone and he... Wait how is he supposed to like someone like me? I am different, I am weird, I have issues. I don't even talk and I don't behave like a normal girl should. How do I expect someone like him to want to talk to me? He deserves someone who will talk to him all the time, just the way he does. Cyra you're stupid, stupid."

I sniffed and stayed there for a long time, staring into space. I heard a knock on my door after Zuhr and after giving permission. A servant entered "Sayyida you are being called for lunch." I wanted to eat in my room, but I decided to show Niyyas it didn't affect me, or at least try to show him.

 When I got downstairs, Sufyan looked at me with a raised eyebrow "Have you been crying?"

I shook my head and faked a laugh "Why will I be crying?"

Sufyan came closer "Ukhtiy, you were crying. Your face is red"

I looked down and he held my chin "What happened to you?" His face full of concern

"It's something personal, don't bother" I turned away

Sufyan nodded "I might not be a good cousin, but you can always tell me when someone does something, and I'll strike them with my sword."

I chuckled "You're a good cousin. You don't just believe it"

I remembered that I left my bow and quiver at the training grounds and I went to get it. But when I arrived, it wasn't there. 

I suspected that Tariq took it so when I met Sufyan and Yazid, unfortunately, they were with Niyyas. Ignoring Niyyas, I turned to Yazid and said "Yazid, did you see Tariq with my bow and quiver, I can't find it.

 Yazid shook his head and then I saw the three of them widen their eyes. 

I turned around slowly and I saw my own bow pointed at me far away, by someone wearing a cloak whose face was completely covered. 

The arrow left the bow and I was swift to dodge it, but it grazed my stomach, maybe a little more than that because it stung more than I had expected. The attacker ran away and I heard Niyyas say something, more like he growled "Cyra!!" 

I was bleeding, badly.