Serenity

Warning

The more he looked at Sardaar Zaraar the more he realized Sakina was just like him. This man had a cold calm rage that seemed to seep into his very bones.

'Sardaar Zaraar' he reached forward to clasp his hands, the man didn't return his greeting

'Zalmai Jalalzai'

He offered the cardamom tea to him

'If my daughter cries a single tear because of you, I will snap your neck'

His heart trembled, he had dropped her down a flight of hard marble stairs

Sardaar Zaraar stood up and brushed Zalmai aside
'I want to see my daughter'

He complied, all the while feeling the man's cold stare directed at his back

The enraged girl's face broke into a smile
'Uncle!'

Sardaar Zaraar bent forward and kissed the girl tenderly on her head,

'Sakina Khkulai Jaan' ( my dearest beloved) ' you seem so pale and sick'

Her eyes met his, she would reveal everything to her uncle, he was sure of it

'Its this place, its so dark I never see the sunlight and the food is so bland its fit for a sick person'

He laughed 'if you are not pleased then there is always a place in my heart for you'

How she yearned to accept his offer and run back into the house she had grown up in. Then she remembered her words and her intention to never return until Zalmai asked her to leave.

Zalmai didn't want her to leave. The girl tested his patience and made him question his sanity but he did not regret marrying her. She was the most interesting person he had ever met and the most enraged. He liked the storm that she brought even though his whole life he had only known the calm. He liked her even though his mother said she was a monster.

'How is Afsana Bibi?'

'The way she used to be, she hardly speaks, spends all her time locked away'

'You should speak to her uncle'

'I do, I visit her every morning and evening'

'Can I come and see her?'

'Whenever you want, I think she would like that'

He reached into his garment and held out earrings made of green marbled stone. Sakina laughed in delight and held them to the light

'I thought you had forgotten I asked for them'

'How could I forget to fulfil a demand of yours'

'When you have a son you will forget all about me and give him all your affection'

'No one can replace you Sakina, not even a hundred sons'

He left, satisfied that his niece was happy but not before threatening Zalmai once more.

The girl had spread out her jewelry collection on the bed and examined each piece. He remembered the large trunk that had arrived with her filled to the brim with them. She did not like gold and diamonds, her jewelry was silver chains and brightly colored beads and stones. She held out a silver chain, a simple opaque oval pendant hung from it, decorated with white swirls. A frown settled unto her face'

'Is there a dairy near this place?'

Intrigued he asked 'why? Do you need something?'

She shook her head 'I was just wondering..'

She slipped away wandered around until she found a child
'If you go to the dairy for me and get me firni I will give you a coin'

The child's eyes lit up and he agreed to do what she had asked for.