Serenity

Unbelonging

She understood why the girl was the talk of the tribe. She frowned as she looked at Shaista, even the frown looked as though it belonged on her face, on others it looked like such an ugly expression. It was only Shaista who didn't belong even her name wasn't Pukhtun.

Zalmai smiled at her and beckoned her forward
'Come Shaista meet Sakina'

She came forward nervously, Sakina was small but intimidating

'I am pleased to meet you'

'Well I can't say the same I don't even know who you are'

The harsh words were like a whip. Complete silence had fallen in the room, she waited for someone to chastise the Danaii girl but no one did.

Sakina had brushed her aside and turned to her mother
'Mother in law your party was extremely boring, so goodbye I'm leaving'

The girl had no manners, no etiquette Shaista thought in anger. It shouldn't matter that she had been brought up by Sardaar Zaraar Danaii Khail, his tongue was a sword but she as a woman was expected to hold her tongue.

She tugged on her mother's arm
'Mother how could you let her walk away like that?'

The woman sighed ' Because that is their nature, they cannot live except except create chaos, can't you see Shaista she is angry that she is here, she is looking for an excuse to get out, she is singing for war and I am too tired to fight one'

The girl was a sandstorm, smothering Shaista with the voluminous golden material of her dress and veil as she left. Her brother followed, shortening his strides to avoid stepping on her garments. He was completely enamoured by her and even the blind could see it. Shaista hated her even more for it.

                         ******

'Your sister looked like she had swallowed a sour grape she thought was sweet Zalmai'

The giant sighed
'Sakina I think you upset her'

'She was planing my murder before she even greeted me'

'How can you assume Sakina?'

'Because I am Danaii we have seen many enemies'

'Shaista is not like that she has gone through much grief could you make an effort to be gracious to her?'

'What has she gone through?'

'You can probably see she is not my biological sister'

'As clear as a day'

'My father found her near the border'

'Where is she from?'

'I cannot be sure but from her features I would say she was from one of the Mongolian regions'

He untied the turban from around his head and breathed out in relief, his shoulder length red hair seemed as if it was on fire in the candle light

'You need a haircut'

He looked at her suspiciously
'And..'

'Nothing I just thought I would put my scissors to use'

'Have you ever cut hair before?'

'I cut a horse's once'

'Forget it'

'Even if it goes wrong I can just shave you bald'

He groaned as she took out the scissors and started humming

After what seemed like hours he looked into the mirror, afraid to see what he would find.

'So?'

'You did alright'

'You boulder! This is the treatment I get after all that effort'

'Okay you did an excellent job, my head feels lighter'

She smiled 'I knew that I just wanted you to admit my excellence'

He laughed in disbelief 'you are just like your uncle'

'And what a pleasing comparison that is to hear'

She lay back her hair fanning around her, she looked so lovely when she did that but he valued his life so he didnt voice his opinion.