Namal (English Translation) By Nimra Ahmed

Chpt 27 : Lewis Marz is still in China

One day, when Julius Caesar came before his subjects, an astrologer called out to him, "Beware, Caesar! The Ides of March are upon you."

Caesar asked his courtiers, "What does this man say?"

Someone replied, "He says to beware, for the Ides of March are approaching."

When the fifteenth of March arrived and Caesar entered his court, he saw the astrologer. With a calm smile, he said, "The Ides of March have come!"

To this, the astrologer replied, bowing his head, "Indeed, they have come, Caesar, but they are not over yet."

(Adapted from William Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar)

(And then on that very day, the Ides of March, specifically on the fifteenth of March, Caesar was assassinated by Brutus and the other conspirators.)

The darkness of the night was observing everything silently, watching the world with simplicity. In the servant's room, his bed was empty, and she was climbing the tree at the back of the house to descend over the wall. As soon as she landed on the ground, a man with a red complexion emerged from a corner and stood in front of her. She was startled.

She straightened up. "I've gotten ten wounds on my body while climbing up and down this tree. Can't you meet me in any other way?"

"Listen," he said, standing in the dark where his facial features were not visible. "Your name means a beautiful girl with a fair complexion. The money I’m offering you in exchange for your betrayal to your masters is enough for you to live a life as beautiful as your name."

At this, her eyes sparkled, and a smile appeared on her lips. "I like these things you say." Then, tilting her neck, she asked, "So, what should I do now?"

*****

In the wilderness of existence, to break the dawn of the night of sorrow… the forsaken ones have taken their journey. Silence filled the lounge as Faris had just entered and, without any preamble, delivered the painful news.

Silence enveloped the lounge. Everyone stared at him in disbelief. He stood there, still.

"Hashim did what to his mother...?" Zumar's eyes widened in shock . Haneen couldn't say anything. Nadrat covered her mouth in disbelief.

"Did he not feel ashamed? She was his mother. How could anyone do this to their own mother? Bade Abba was left speechless.

"Because his mother had taught him this." Saadi shook his head in disappointment. "That's why I didn't want to reveal her true nature to Hashim. I was afraid he would kill her."

"Yet, he hasn’t," Faris said casually as he walked towards the room. Zumar got up and followed him. He entered the room and quietly sat on the sofa.

"Weren’t you upset?" she couldn’t help but ask.

Faris lifted his expressionless gaze to her. "As a human, yes, I was. I wanted him to confront his mother himself.
But, hey both were accomplices in the murder of my brother and my wife. However, I did not expect such brutality from her, but she is that woman.It was she who raised Noushirwan in such a way that he shot Saadi and left. She raised Hashim in a way that he continued to destroy our lives. She issued the orders for Saadi's murder. She played with your health. So, to be honest, I don't feel much sorrow. These are the days I had waited for years. Finally, they have come." His voice had grown cold.

Zumar kept watching him. "Does taking revenge bring peace, Faris?"

He smiled faintly, wounded. "Have you heard the three ancient Chinese curses? May you live in interesting times. May people in high positions recognize you… and the third…" He took a deep breath, "May you find what you have been searching for."