Arkaan watched as the lukewarm boy exited the room, taking the path to the backyard. He followed him.

"Woah!" Arkaan exclaimed, seeing the piebald white and black horse secured within a stable behind.

There was a free space there, with a high wall demarcating the building from beyond. Arkaan knew there were no other line of houses after theirs. It led to the furthermost tributary of River Kawthar, beyond which was a line of houses, and then a graveyard.

The backyard had a stable, and a vegetable garden, and a lawn, with pavements in a pattern. Since there was no border between the two conjoined apartments, it was quite spacious.

Ukashah changed into a more lighter shirt, a navy blue henley. Taking two wooden swords hidden within the hay for the horse, he threw one over to Arkaan, who caught it perfectly. "Wow! You got swords hidden on the backyard. I'm amazed, Ukashah. Which era are we?"Arkaan joked.

Ukashah raised an eyebrow. Before Arkaan knew it, his opponent's wooden sword was almost upon him. Instinctively, he blocked.

"Your reflexes are good." Ukashah laughed, for the first time since he came.

Arkaan opened his eyes to see his own hands outstretched, with his wooden sword for defence. His heart was beating rapidly, "Heyyy, that was an uninformed attack, no fair!"

He quickly made to strike back, with Ukashah dodging elegantly, like he's practised it so many times.

Arkaan changed into his light cotton undershirt, placing his white thobe upon the lawn. Man! There was going to be a lot of sweat, but he was going to vent his morning's anger here, in swordfight.

Even though Arkaan wasn't good at swordfight to Ukashah's level, he had read a lot of books on it. He also had learnt some skills under some of his grandfather's guards, in order to master defence.

Grandfather had wanted me to learn at least defence because, in the world today, there are some countries that deal with the sword in any conflict, like - The Country of Sulaymân, the most lagging country in development in our world. Arkaan laughed. Didn't know it'd come in handy today, or I'd be a sitting duck to Ukashah.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Nothin'.."

The fight continued for a long while, till the boys were soaking wet. As they sat down to rest, Ukashah retrieved two bottles of water, handing one over to Arkaan.

"I heard what happened today."

Of course, Mother Ashyaa had told him before he came in. That's why he didn't ask.

"I don't know how to comfort people. But I do know that, whenever I'm low, I can either read the Qur'an or practise swordfighting. Both relieve the stress."Ukashah continued, facing the stars.

It wasn't that he didn't care, he just didn't know how to help, Arkaan thought, suddenly understanding the cold boy's previous behaviour. But do I really need people to be trying to cheer me up every time I'm down?
Perhaps I should rather be the one doing this for others, after all, it's much better to be at the giving, than the receiving end.

He looked over at the quiet Ukashah who was still staring up the stars, completely lost in their beautiful constellations, or perhaps, some thoughts of his own.

"You know, most people would say you're aloof." Arkaan said, laughing, "I just think you burden your mind with more than it should bear. Just be yourself. With all that you've learnt in Qur'an and hadith, I guess you should have an answer for every situation by now, no matter what."

A brief silence passed by before Arkaan saw Ukashah jump-stand up awkwardly, his face beaming in rare excitement,"That's it!"

Arkaan imagined Ukashah had wanted to jump right now in excitement, but realized it was much inappropriate, quite late though.

"What's it?"Arkaan asked, a teasing smile was almost playing on his lips. It all felt so weird that Ukashah was this excited. He could barely hold from teasing him, maybe later. The refined boy was actually like any other youth his age.

"We refer to the Qur'an and Sunnah." Ukashah said as he sat back down, enlightenment shining in his eyes."Ikrâm opens the doors of hearts."

"Eh, What's Ikrâm? And I'm still lost.."Arkaan became sober now, but still was at a loss for what Ukashah was trying to say.

"Have you heard of the Al Muallafa al-qulub?"

"No"Arkaan said,"I guess my knowing that, would clear my confusion right, so shoot!"

"During the Holy Prophet's time, there were people who had newly embraced Islam, and yet, Imaan had not yet been firmly established in their hearts. They were weak in faith, and were known as Al Muallafa al-qulub, - those who's hearts were won into Islam."

"One narrative in Sahih Muslim, goes like this; Anas bin Malik, radiyallahu 'anhu, narrated,

"The Messenger of Allah was never asked for a thing by one who may be about to accept Islam, except that he would give it. A man came to the Prophet, who gave him a herd of sheep filling an area between two mountains. When that man returned to his people, he said to them: 'O my people! Embrace Islam. Muhammad gives, like one who has no fear of poverty.'٤

Anas, radiyallahu 'anhu said; the person initially embraced Islam for the sake of the world, but later, Islam became dearer to him than the world and what it contains."

Ukashah looked to Arkaan,"That's what I mean by, Ikrâm opens the doors of the heart. By giving out to people, even a staunch enemy may just become a bossom friend."He smiled, a rare smile for Arkaan to see, but it seemed to fit him very perfectly well. Somehow, he looked princely when he did so.

"And I have just the perfect idea for that!" The boys turned back to see Mother Ashyaa intensely smiling at them, her eyes crinkled. She was rubbing her palms in the way of someone who had a big plan coming up."But we'll need honey, lots and lots of honey!"

"I know just where to find them!" Ukashah and Arkaan said at almost the same time.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

"Remember, we're meeting after Asr today at Masjid-ur-Rahmân." Ukashah called out to Arkaan as they both left through the front gate, taking different paths."In shaa Allah, I'll pass by Dr. Dawûd's place to inform Rafik. I've already notified Abdul Sattâr. He said he'd get Arafat to join us. This will be our first gathering, so don't miss up."

Ukashah and Zak had already shared all the information they had, about possible recruits for Inabâh during Ukashah's visit to Al Maghribi two days before. Arkaan wasn't there, as he was resting from being up late at night that time. But he had also reviewed his notes with Ukashah later on.

Ukashah had decided to take the Honey Fields landmass to search for honey. Arkaan chose Mt. Shirah landmass. At the place bordering the River Kawthar tributary, there were a large number of bee colonies on the mountain trees too, near the graveyard area.

According to Arkaan, though he was much familiar with the Honey Fields landmass, Mt. Shirah had the best honey available in the entire Tâ Hâ. Even though Ukashah had agreed with him, he tried to dissuade Arkaan from going to his 'doom' as he saw it.

"The Honey Fields is safer. The bees there are much milder, and even though Mt. Shirah has the nicest honey, better be safe than sorry." In Ukashah's mind, he could vividly remember the place where he had his fellow students who were proving naughty to go and harvest honey for their Ustadh's insatiable crave for it. It was kinda cruel, but they were children that time, and were daring.
As to whether Al Iskandarī knew of it and yet, looked on with a blind eye or not, Ukashah would never know. And even if he did, he knew his Ustadh would never hurt any one of his students. Rather, he always had a motive behind everything he did.

Thus, he had tried to warn Arkaan, but the boy was still adamant.

The boys had spent the night before arguing. This was the first time Mother Ashyaa had seen Ukashah argue.

In the end, Ukashah had left Arkaan to go experience things for himself. Once he learns his lesson, he'd never approach that place again.

Even as they parted ways and Ukashah left, Arkaan walked upto their closest neighbour's gate - The mysterious person who lived in the apartment conjoined with theirs. He knocked on the locked gate.

Once..Twice...Thrice.

No one responded.

He looked up the top windows of the building. The curtains were slightly raised open, a pale face looking out. Their eyes caught each other for a second, Arkaan smiled as he held up a big cardboard he had designed in big collage letters. It featured an invitation to a 'New Neighbour Welcome Party'. Even as he held it up smiling, the curtains moved back down, abruptly.

"Eh."Arkaan scratched the back of his head,"Such unfriendly neighbours."He puffed.

He removed pieces of papers he had made as invitation cards to the Welcome party, from his leather bag. They were in many coloured form, he still wondered why Ukashah was keeping such things with himself. It looked too childish, but in this situation they were quite handy.

"Hmph!"Arkaan harrumphed,"Let's see how long you can continue hiding. As long as I'm here, you'll have to acknowledge me as your new next-door neighbour." He didn't understand this neighbour's problem, but it was certainly not going to daunt him. He threw many coloured papers over the gate.

Next-door neighbour: "..."

He continued onward, giving the coloured papers to any passersby, a wide friendly smile on his face. He had to do this, before heading out to the Mt. Shirah landmass for his honey harvesting.

It was tasking, and made him feel weird. So weird that, Ukashah had from the outset, declined his suggestion to notice people; he'd help him in anything, but not this.

Mother Ashyaa was quite happy to be of help, and had gone earlier to do her part. Even though Arkaan was feeling weird inside, this was a task to accomplish, and so he had to do this!

He continued doing this for about half an hour, before he met the kids he'd played kickball with, the previous day. They were much excited to see him.

"Elder brother Arkaan, we meet again!" They called out as they run to him."What's it that you're doing?!"

Arkaan was much happy that they remembered his name. He turned to the eldest one amongst them who was the leader,"Humayd! Boy am I glad to see you! How have you been?"

The little boy who was wide with a smile answered,"We were just strolling about, looking for an adventure today. Didn't know we did meet you."

"An adventure? I don't think you'll find much of an adventure in this quiet neighbourhood, Humayd. You'd find better luck trying outside here. Maybe, Chinese market, East district..thereabouts. But don't try Honey Fields, and Mt. Shirah mountain areas. Those places are much too dangerous."

"En. Elder brother, We dare not even step outside here."One of the boys said, Arkaan recognized him as Salih.

Arkaan looked at the boys before him. They all seemed to have wary expressions on their faces.

"Okay, never mind, the safest place is Al Maghribi estate. I'm sure there's--"

"No! Definitely not there."The boys all shouted at once, looking at him with horror. Fear was clearly written all over their faces.

"Yh--Definitely not there."Humayd bolstered their words. Arkaan looked at them suspiciously. Reading nothing but their fright-filled faces, Arkaan decided not to push things further, or find out why. He sighed.

"Okay, if you guys don't want to.."Arkaan scratched the back of his head," I guess this place too is fine. You're quite safe and sound here. It's probably because your parents want you safe right. You listen to them okay, Allah loves us honouring our parents."

The boys saw the guilt-filled look on Arkaan's eyes.

"Elder brother, it's not that we don't want to go out to those places. It's just that, you see--"One boy began.

"There are just scary children out there."Another completed for him.

Scary Children??.. Arkaan was finding it hard to understand what was really going on.

"No, brother Husayn, isn't it just one scary child - The terrorizer.."One other boy said in low tone to the boy who just spoke, earning a hit to keep quiet.