THE DANCING GIRL

Chapter 12

THE days passed quickly after that, with Noor doing everything she could to avoid remembering that she would have to go back to Sher Rakim soon, instead focusing on her studies in the night.

The Rajkumars were so helpful. She was advancing quicker than ever in mathematics with Rajkumar Fayyaz, who knew exactly what books she needed to do, which chapters, all that. And with Rajkumar Vikram, well, he said she was improving. She chose to believe him.

She was going to lunch after helping with the laundry when she was stopped.

"What?" Noor asked, looking. Her eyes widened.

"Noor Kassab," the black-robed man said, clasping his arms behind his back.

Noor dipped her head, calming her face. "Jhaan ji. And others," she said, peering at the other three men behind him. She swallowed. "I said I'd give the money by the end of next month."

The moneylender narrowed his eyes. "Wasn't it the end of this month?"

"No," Noor said slowly, pursing her lips. "But I can give you half this month, half next month."

Another one of them stepped forward. "Be very careful, Kassab. You have already tried our patience beyond measure."

Noor's cheeks heated. She knew that postponing the date she had to return their money over and over was wrong, so wrong. Her mother would never have done it. But she had no choice. At the beginning, it was either pay and starve or hold the moneylenders off with promises.

"I swear by Neqer, I really will this time," Noor promised, biting her lower lip.

The four of them raised their eyebrows in unison. "You've been saying that for the past two years," Jhaan said.

Noor grimaced. "Look, I really will. If you want, I'll give you half of it now. Right now."

The moneylenders exchanged a look. "Actually, yes, Noor. Do that." The moneylender's eyes bore into hers, and she knew he didn't believe her about the money. In all honesty, he had good reason to.

"Fine," Noor said. "Or, well, it might take me some time to get out my savings out. Meet me right here in two hours?"

They eyed her unamusedly.

"In the meantime, feel free to check out the library or something," Noor said, holding her hands up. "I'll be here in two hours." She turned and fled in the other direction, pulling her skirts up so she could run faster.

She made her way to the dining hall and dashed in, ignoring several bewildered looks. She stopped, looking around for Amir. She saw him looking at her in confusion and made her way to him, tripping over many feet, nearly falling before someone steadied her. She threw a quick thank-you at whoever that was before finally reaching Amir.

"What's going on?" Amir asked as she sat next to him.

"Amir!" She said breathlessly. "I need you to come with me!"

"Where?" He asked, frowning.

"The temple!" Noor said, putting a hand over her chest, still trying to catch her breath.

"But it's not the end of the week," Amir said, still looking hopelessly confused.

Noor made an impatient noise. "I need to get some money. I ran into the snakes and they said to get them half of what I owe them."

"Right now?"

Noor nodded frantically. "Yes! Will you come with me?"

"Alright," Amir said. "Let's go." He took a bite from his rice, shoving it in his mouth before standing up.