Sa'eed - The Warrior

Ali

When I return just before sunrise I find Maa sleeping peacefully. Tired as I am, I fall asleep beside her after Fajr salah.

Maa's caressing is what wakes me up.

"Sweetheart, where were you all night?" she asks, as soon as I open my eyes.

"In the palace" I reply.

A scared look crosses her face.

"You are a girl, Sa'eed. Your work is within the four walls of the house. You are supposed to be protected, loved and cared for. Running about in the night and using weapons is not for you".

"Maa..." I said, getting out of bed and tying my long black hair into a bun. "I am a special girl, I am loved and cared for as a girl should be. I do my work within the four walls and also the work outside the four walls".

"And break my heart with worry" she said, clutching her chest.

I sit beside her and place my hand over her cheek. "Maa, you grieve for Abbuji everyday, even though it's been 6 years I can still see the pain in your eyes whenever his name is mentioned. It's the same with me. Do you know why he died Maa? He had to give up his life because he was working to save the Shehenshah's life. He was trying to uncover truths and expose the evil. The only way I can make him proud now is by completing what he started. I know you are worried about me. But I have to do this, because if I don't I will regret it every second I live after that. You need to be strong Maa and trust me enough to let me do this."

"But why you? Why can't you leave it on someone else? I want you to have a simple and happy life like every other girl".

"Maa, just imagine what would have happened if all the world's great leaders would have thought why me? Things they have created just wouldn't exist! You need to be the change you want to see. And why would I want a life like every simple girl when this is one is a hundred times better? I have a dream that pushes me forward everyday, a mission to complete which is much better than just cooking at home. Believe me Maa, I am living the life I want and I am loving it".

She nods with a sigh and falls back on the bed knowing nothing can change my mind.

After I am done with my homely responsibilities I leave the house to meet Chachu. I am bursting to tell him everything that had occurred and take his advice.

The Shahi bazaar (market) in the capital city is a very busy place. From simple requirements to the most bizarre demands, the Shahi bazaar has it all. It is so huge that a stranger to the city will not be able to make it to the main road without directions. Each section of the bazaar has its special wares and all of these sections are intermingled with each other resembling a rat's nest. One leads to the other in a fascinating continuity. There is a grocery section where more than 30 stalls are lined up selling fruits, vegetables and grains. Farmers from all over the kingdom sell 50% of their produce to these merchants. Next to the grocery section is the animal market which sells cattle, followed by the hardware, flower, garments, jewellery, sandals and a bakery section. In the end came the slave market. Right in between the bazaar was a long flag post on which waved the kingdom's flag.

I briskly walk down the streets making my way among the unusually empty streets owing to the Shehenshah's death. Business will be low this week. I turn at the corner of the street and see a group of kids eating candies and standing aloof from them is another kid, very shabby in appearance looking longingly at the candies. I move to the stall by the road and buy a few candies, walk over to the unfortunate boy and hand him the candies. He looks at me bewildered and stutters.

"I... I.. can't pay for them ukhti (sister)"

"You don't have to pay for them akhi (brother), they are a gift".