SLIPPING SANDS [ COMPLETED]

III

"I am losing hope now. "

" Mama! Be positive.."

" No, not now when the ultimatum has been set."

"She will return."

"Only if she is alive, still ... wealth & richness is one thing which rarely anybody ignores."

"I hope he respects & protects his love," she prayed defeatedly.

Will he???

                ************

Scrolling through the book as she read the words- I am a slave of the One Supreme above..

'You believe in it , testify & remain true to your words.... paradise & happiness.... you will be tested... but the peace is ......' Adiba's words once again echoed in her mind.

These  were the words she said one had to pronounce to accept the faith, the faith of monotheism. Gripping the book tightly, controlling her emotions, she was unsure about professing the new faith.

'CLICK'
& the door opened. In came Amr hurriedly and "Quickly!! Into the store room & pretend to be asleep," he  urged in a hushed tone.

Unable to comprehend anything, she stared at him confused.

"Please dear... they are here." He pleaded.

As though awakened at once she turned around towards the store room & curled up on the mat, her heart thumping out of fear.

                   *********

Placing the pots of water in the corner as the tribesmen sat  reclining on the wall Amr served them sweetened water.

"I hope we dont take a long break. We need to be victorious!" Said a determined man.

"We shall! Just one head & the land will be ours!" Said another.

"Yeah . Soon the hard days will be gone. I await the comforts." Gleamed a third one.

''No... the comforts await us!! Exclaimed the second man.

The first man, Zubaro, got up and walked into the store room to fetch some rice flakes. Instead was surprised by the curled form on the floor. Amr stiffened for a moment.

Zubaro's eyes grew wide as he stared for a while. Slowly his right hand reached for the sword by his waist. Amr was alerted. In a blink of an eye he was in front of Zubaro.

"The attire... She is a Raghadi...?" It was more of a question.

"She is a traveller." His voice wavered.

"But a Ragh..."

"Listen!!"

But the next moment the sword was raised. There was a slight movement in the form below.

"Nooo!!" Amr held his hand.

"This slave of Giria will not be spared!"

Yarami was alarmed.
Time was slipping away.
Amr panicked.

Suddenly, her head shot up.
" I am not a slave of Giria!" Came the bold voice of the petit little girl.

Soon the other members thronged around.

"Liar!" Zubaro growled trying to free his hand off Amr's grip.

"Leave her alone!" Amr faltered.

"No.. she shall die & the land will be ours!!" He replied wickedly. The hate for the enemies & the greed was clearly visible in his eyes.

The seconds ticked.

Holding her breath she stood poised with fear. And then she began, "I testify that I am a slave of the On..."

But her words were subdued by the other angry echoing voice.
" No! I am a slave of Giria . Now will you...."

But the next moment 'Sswishh' .
The eyes froze. The body swayed. The blood was spilled.

With the head on the tip of his sword Zubaro walked out with his men victoriously to claim their right.

"No doubt, I too am a slave of the One Supreme Lord." The statued form whispered.