"Hmm..,"You don't want to leave this neighbourhood because you fear a child! - was what he wanted to say, but, having decided against it,"Okay. Fine. I understand you. I might have done the same if they were someone out there scary enough."

"But if you guys really want someone to talk to, I'm always around ya know. Who knows, I may be even able to solve your problem of the scary child for you."Arkaan looked at them, with meaning in his eyes.

The boys smiled back at him with gratitude,"You don't have to worry, Elder brother Arkaan. We'll get through it, nothing ever lasts for long after all."

Such wise kids, Arkaan smiled back. It was really fun being a kid. They had such weird problems that made life seem a little less serious, and a bit more bearable to live with.

"Okay. Then I'll be off then. I've quite a lot of things to do today, so I'll not be able to accompany you to have fun."

The boys looked at Arkaan sadly. It seemed they really did enjoy his company, and didn't want to part with him.

Seeing their expressions, Arkaan was touched,"But you see--- If you really wanna have fun. Why don't you join me in spreading this."He had the coloured cards outspread before him, a grin reaching his ears.

"But you don't have to do it, if you don't want to."He added after feeling that he was taking advantage of them.

"We'd love to help!"They said excitedly,"We've nothing to do anyways."

Arkaan was beaming with joy all over. Things would go much faster than he had expected, and he'd have the chance to collect the honey earlier than he could have ever hoped for.

"What is it that you want us to do, Elder brother Arkaan?"Humayd said, all the more righteous kid.

Arkaan smiled, removing more coloured papers in a beautiful display in front of them.

Within the next ten to fifteen minutes, Arkaan was on his way, out of the neighbourhood, humming all the while, a satisfied smile on his face.

It was when he got to the end of the line of houses in the neighbourhood that he realized one house he had not visited.
It was Khalid's house.

He stood for a while, having second thoughts whether or not to go in. After a while though, he mastered courage and entered through the front gate.

After ringing the bell outside for a while, a young maid opened the door,"Who is it?" But upon seeing the young boy standing right in front of the door, she held her breath. He was stunning.. Who was this stunning guy who had walked up to their door.

Arkaan didn't know what to do when he saw the girl's reaction. Normally, even though he was quite the handsome guy, girls wouldn't usually show this open daze in front of him.

How she was ravaging his looks was quite disturbing, and made him shy. He knew he had good looks but to be stared at like that, made him quite bashful. He instinctively scratched the back of his head. Just then, he remembered what might have been the problem.

It was the kohl he had applied to his eyes that morning.

Earlier in the morning, he had found Ukashah's kohl container, and had asked if he could use some. Ukashah had declined at first, but had later on given him a new one, - all for himself. He excitedly kept it on, only to receive compliments from the old lady and even pokerfaced Ukashah at breakfast.

"Uh-umm"Arkaan cleared his throat. The girl lowered her eyes, quite ashamed.

"I came to look for Khalid, is he around."

"Oh no. B-but if you have any message, In shaa Allah I can deliver it for you."She replied after seeing the disappointed look on his face.

"Oh it's nothing much. Just a little welcome party we're organizing over at my place later this Friday night. Hope you can all come." When Arkaan saw the girl blush furiously, and look down, he understood she had taken it a different way.

"Oh no, - The ladies and men would be separated, - no mixing, - strictly halal."He held up his hands in defence.

"Good." She smiled, covering her face bashfully as she run inside. She closed the door in Arkaan's face.

"Thanks though!" Arkaan called back, wondering why she just did that,"Weird..."

"Are we invited too?"Arkaan heard a playful voice behind him, mocking at him.

"Of course everyone's invited, who wouldn't b-"He said, even as he turned back to face the source of the voice, little Abdullah continued,"Even Al Maghribi?"A smirk on his face.

Ya Allah, did I just take the wrong turn today. Maybe I've entered a different fate other than my own. He facepalmed.

Abdullah said,"Yaa Akhii, you don't look too glad to see me. Did I spoil your little chitchat?" There was a teasing in his voice as he tried to make a wronged face, but didn't succeed due to the wide grin unable to wipe off his face.

The little devil..

"No it's okay. I was just about leaving. Did you come to see someone? I know you're very busy, so I'll not disturb you." Arkaan smiled, vigorously shaking Abdullah's little hand as he turned to leave,"Salaamu alaykum Wa rahmatullah Wa barakatuhu my young friend."

"Wait a moment, yaa Akhii." Abdullah said as he followed Arkaan closely behind."I came to find some boys. But it seems they're all not around. So I guess I'll be with you the rest of today."

"Which boys?"

"My friends.."

"You have friends?"Arkaan seemed shocked outside, looking at the boy with the wide grin. It seemed he didn't get Arkaan's subtle meaning.

"I see.."Arkaan continued, trying to get away. Abdullah wouldn't let up as he walked faster to match Arkaan's brisk pace, a wide grin beamed his face cheerfully.

Darnnit boys! Whoever you are, come out now! I know this boy is unbearable sometimes, but you don't have to run from fate...He felt sincerely wronged.

Suddenly he had a déjà vu;

..Scary children - no, just one scary kid - The terrorizer..

He turned to look at Abdullah. Aiyaa! Why had he not put the dots together earlier. They obviously did not want to go to Al Maghribi even more than the other places outside!

"..Who knows, I may be even able to solve your problem of the scary child for you", Arkaan remembered his own words to the kids. Rue your own words, Arkaan. Rue your words!

"So, where are we going now, Akhii!"Abdullah smiled innocently at Arkaan.

"A very dangerous place, - a very very dangerous place. Since I'm your Akhii now, I can't let you go there okay. So say, you take your own way for now",Arkaan smiled as he tried pushing Abdullah to another route away from where he was heading to.

"Akhii, Since it's dangerous, I've to go with you. The more the numbers, the better."Abdullah either seemed unable to grasp what Arkaan was implying, or he just wanted to make things difficult for him.

"No!"Arkaan almost cried,"You see - your safety is my priority, so let's just part ways for now. By now Abdullah was obstinately following him. Every time Arkaan would push him away towards the other route, Abdullah would turn back and trail after him. He was really like a tail that wouldn't be easily gotten rid of.

After a while of the same process repeating itself again and again, Abdullah smiled mischievously; this time, not turning to follow Arkaan.

As he turned to walk away he said aloud so Arkaan would hear,"Don't worry yaa Akhii. I know you care very much for my safety. I care about yours too. So I'll tell Zak where you went..." His voice sounded worried, and a bit - sad.

"Maybe I might even tell Ukhtii Maryam. She'd be a lot concerned for you, right. Aiyaa! I might even start from where I saw you first, and with who. So if anything happens we'll have all the clues..."His voice was urgent as he looked back from the corner of his eyes. As expected, Arkaan had paused.

"...You know, I think those two would understand what happened to you, ~ especially Maryam..- with all the evidences, - and witness~" he stretched the last word out, perhaps a bit too tauntingly. He had already noticed how Arkaan looked at his elder sister. It was just a guess, but if it didn't work, he still believed anyone would care about her impression of them. She was like the Saintess and lotus of their esteemed family. Anyone, especially males, would want to curry her favour. Seems Arkaan was not much different :-D .

"..."

Arkaan was at a loss for words. He didn't care Abdullah telling Zak and others, but he wondered how Maryam would take it. How Abdullah continued emphasizing his meeting with the girl, he knew the boy would at least exaggerate something.

He turned back, Abdullah smirked.

An Hour Later...

Arkaan and Abdullah are walking up the Chinese market area. Since Abdullah was following him, Arkaan had a change of plans. He would take the Honey Fields landmass for now. The bees over there were milder. He wouldn't dare to bring any harm to Abdullah, even though the thought of him teaching the little guy a lesson for his self-reformation had crossed his mind.

As they walked through the bustling market area, Arkaan saw a lot of commodities on display. People were everywhere, buying and selling; undoubtedly, this was the most active area in the entire South district. There were people from Africa, Arabia, India, China, and even the West. Everyone was busy in trade. South district's Chinese market was really a merchant's base, as restrictions and tolls were lesser here.

They decided to look at stuffs while they were there. Perhaps, one or two nice accessories would catch their eye, and they just might buy it.

Arkaan found a lot of interesting things from different parts of the world. It was just like the last time he was there. It seemed really true that, one could find anything in South district's Chinese market. A lot of new stuffs were also on display here.

Even as they passed by several stalls, Abdullah pulling Arkaan's hand to check out stuffs, a group of boys in cyan thobes caught sight of them.

"Well, well, well - If it isn't the loudmouthed Al Maghribi, and the foreign kid who dared to look down upon us."Olive-skinned Mahâsin said, his voice, venomous and bitter. His rage was already towering to the heavens.

"Maasha Allah! Allah has delivered the Wrongdoers into our hands!"Layyin cried, his baby face filled with intense excitement. He looked to the heavens in gratitude for having the chance to exact vengeance.

"Tsk.tsk I still can't forget all that the little Al Maghribi said. To this time, I'm still haunted by his shrill voice!" One guy shakes his head in rage,"Let's deal with them, Now!"

Abdul Majid held him back,"Brother Saddiq, this is the market. No matter what, we can't attack them here. Let's wait for the chance. Once they get out, nobody will be able to stop us."

"What about if they go to the Al Maghribi estate, or some other place we can't attack them?"Kifâyat said impatiently. He couldn't understand Abdul Majid's sudden coolheadedness. Among them all, he should have been first to lead them into attacking the two.

"Let's just follow them for now. Nothing is certain, and we can't also attack them here after all. So we're still limited in our options."Another guy said, understanding Abdul Majid's sudden calmness. He knew the guy wanted revenge and must have his blood boiling within, perhaps, even more than they all combined, but he was trying to keep levelheaded.
He was bidding his time..

All the boys from the last encounter, with the exception of Luqmân and Hâshim were present, including some new faces who had heard of the past event. They were filled with excitement as the other boys though, any day to ward off boredom was a welcomed day.

Arkaan and Abdullah were followed for a while, till they noticed the two were headed for the Honey Fields landmass.

"You were right, Brother Abdul Majid. They seem to be taking the path towards Honey Fields landmass."Mahâsin said excitement written all across his face. He never even knew he could ever be happy this much. He now truly believed that, heavenly retribution surely reaches those who deserved it.

Even as Arkaan and Abdullah reached the edge of the market area, and were preparing to cross over, the Eastern Waterfall group noticed something strange occur with the boys.
_______________________________

١. Aishah's hadith, Allah be pleased with her;

Source: Sahih Bukhari 6528,

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

٢. Sunan Ibn Majah,

Vol. 5, Book 36, Hadith 106

٣. Suhaib's hadith, Allah be pleased with him;
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2999

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim

٤. Muslim

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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

What's the strange thing that happened?

Look out for the appearance of an important new character in the series, the title of the next Crescent bears her name. Oh hoo - I've delivered a clue already, I guess...Her gender.

In shaa Allah, I'll be going on a trip. Dunno yet, if I'll be able to write there. But if I'm not, then in shaa Allah, the next Crescent will probably come out around the middle of next month to its ending.

Till then,

Salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu!