Serenity

Invitation

The messenger had come in the morning, stern and bored. If it was not a custom to personally invite guests, he would have never done it. He stood in the veranda and delivered the message 'You are invited to the Danaii Khayl tribe house, to celebrate the birth of the new child, today at noon. Sardaar Zaraar says you must come' it was more an order than a invitation, as soon as the words had left his lips, he had strode off, eager to leave.

Zalmai blinked at the sudden departure and ventured into the veranda where his mother anxiously waited 'What is it Zalmai?'

'The Danaii Khayl have summoned us to celebrate the birth of the recent child.'

She let out the breath she had been holding 'Oh he seemed as if he had come to announce war. I will never get used to the way they are.' She turned to him, hands on hips ' Speaking of the Danaii, your wife woke up in a foul mood this morning, she made sure every person in the household suffered. What a vicious thing that girl is, nothing at all like Sardaar Fahd' She marched off angrily to tend to the chores.

It was no secret that the Zadraan Khayl had wanted Fahd to succeed his father as a ruler, he was wise, just and merciful, something the Danaii lacked. Sardaar Zaraar has crushed their hopes, he was the harshest, the most unmerciful of them all. Sakina had been a new hope, how quickly that dream had evaporated.

Zalmai ducked just in time as the shoe came hurtling past his head. She threw several other items after that, Sakina was on a rampage 'I can't breathe in this place!' she screamed and emphasized her point by tearing away the shutters 'This place suffocates me!' Her face was red and furious in the midst of the violent temper. Her eyes suddenly fixed upon him, finding her new target and she made a path through the wreckage towards him.

'You' her finger dug into his chest 'You did this'

He stared at her in confusion 'What have I done?'

Her eyes narrowed dangerously 'Stop pretending!' She snapped

'Please enlighten me I really have no idea what you are accusing me of'

A storm settled on her features, she shook with the rage 'You crushed my comb inlaid with mother of pearl!'

'Is that it? I will replace it for you'

'You utter fool, its not the object I care about, it's the sentiment attached to it. I wanted to always keep it'

'What was so special about it?'

'My uncle gifted it to me after I knocked out the neighbour's tooth'

He winced 'I see...that was well deserved'

'Of course you can replace the sentiment by giving up your tooth'

'I would rather not, I like my teeth how they are thank you'

She quietly stroked the comb, the storm had calmed. 'Your uncle has invited us to celebrate his son's birth'

She threw aside the comb 'Really?! Oh good I have some freedom. It was only a comb, don't worry about it' she flashed him a smile. Her sudden mood swings gave him whip lash. One moment she was a raging tornado and the next the most sweetest, most harmless thing that could exist.

****

Shaista's mother gasped, hand on her heart 'Oh Shaista isn't she beautiful?'

'I have a wife and she is the most beautiful of women'

The haughty voice rang in her head, forcing her to accept his statement. Afsana was the most beautiful woman Shaista had ever seen but she would never admit it. Her honey toned complexion was smooth and blemish free, her large almond eyes pools of gold. Auburn hair cascaded down her back,she was delicate and dainty, everything a woman should be. Shaista made a firm intention to hate her with all her heart. After all this was the woman Sardaar Zaraar had pledged loyalty to and because of her he had humiliated Shaista and refused her affections. She ignored her perfect manners and lovely way of conversing.

Afsana above, don't you think she is the most beautiful of women? What are your views, is her above appearance expected?