Naseem Hijazi's "Shaheen" (English Translation)

Chapter 5: Rabia's Anxiety

(1)

When Rabia woke up in the morning, her body was aching. She also had a headache. Light piercing through the windows was indicating that the time to perform the afternoon prayer was diminishing. She got up from her bed, quickly performed ablution and after praying, went, once again, into her bed.

A day before, Bashir Bin Hassan had taken-off her bandages and had advised that the remaining pain in her leg would go away once she starts to walk around. And that it would do her good if she strolled outside, near the fort. Walking in fresh air would rejuvenate her feeble body.

After seeing off the coachman, Abu Dawood came straight to the room and said, "Rabia! You are still asleep? Go out for a stroll with Angela. Maria, you too go along with them."

When Rabia didn't reply, Angela said, "Maybe Rabia is not feeling well Mother! Let us go."

Maria said, "We'll see in the evening. I have a headache right now."

Abu Dawood asked Rabia, "What's the matter, Rabia. You're alright, aren't you?"

Without looking at Abu Dawood, Rabia replied in a dismal tone, "I'm fine."

"No, No! Your eyes are red."

"My body is aching."

Abu Dawood felt her pulse and said, "Maybe you have a fever. Let me bring the physician."

Rabia said, "No, no, I'm perfectly fine. No need to call the physician. Father! I would like that we all leave for Granada immediately."

"But until you're not able to walk about properly, we have to stay here." Saying this Abu Dawood left the room and after a while returned with Bashir Bin Hassan.

Bashir looked at Rabia, felt her pulse and said, "I think you were not able to sleep last night."

A shocked Abu Dawood, Maria and Angela looked at Rabia and understanding the reason for their concern, she said, "I think I overslept last night. When I woke up in the morning, my head was spinning."

"It's quite possible that you fell ill because of oversleeping. Nonetheless, I will send some medication. Do go out for a stroll in the evening. Lying in bed also has adverse effects on the body."

Abu Dawood took a sigh of relief and said, "My wife's head is also hurting."

After checking Maria's pulse, Bashir said, "Either you have not had much sleep or you might have overslept like Rabia. If you go out for walks in the morning and evening, then, you would not have this complain."

"No, I really did not get much to sleep."

Bashir said, "I will send the medication. Whenever you have difficulty sleeping, just have a tablet."

By evening, Rabia felt better. On Abu Dawood's insistence, she along with Angela and Maria went out for a stroll. She would still limp while walking. Outside the fort, Bashir was returning after attending a patient. On seeing them, he stopped his horse and said, "If you balance your weight on both your legs, you should be able to walk properly by day after tomorrow. Don't go out very far today."

Angela said, "Is it dangerous for us to go down the valley?"

Bashir said, "There's no danger for guests here."

(2)

Rabia was extremely restless for the next two days. She wanted to caution Badr Bin Mughira of the approaching danger but she also knew that she won't be able to do this without putting her father in danger. After pondering and reflecting hard, she came up with the idea of meeting Badr Bin Mughira. After enquiring from Bashir Bin Hassan, she found out that he has gone to his residence in the forest and might not return for the next two days. There were four days left for Friday and after every prayer she kept supplicating for him not to return from his residence for a few more days.