ARKAAN'S POV

I can't believe I really went back there to help those sorry guys. I guess I really am the saint, right.

As I moved into the clearing, the first thing I notice is that, the place I've walked into is a grassy clearing. With undulating parts of the land, and a few flowers here and there, the atmosphere is refreshing.

As I walk further, I see some solitary trees. I step on something hard, clearly distinct from the soft meadow beneath. When I look down to see a sturdily embedded stone with markings, I realize this is the graveyard.

"Tâ Hâ's graveyard.."Eight years ago, I stood here with my mother. There was no marking because there was no grave. There was no grave because there was no body to be buried. We just stood on the hill, and marked the place in our minds - a lone tree, to commemorate my dad.

As I stood there, I thought I could still see my mum, her white clothes fluttering in the wind.

Even as I remembered all these, I reached the familiar tree, where we marked as my father's grave.

I climbed on the tree, sitting on one of its high branches. I was still stuck reminiscing, when I heard the soft rustle of the fallen leaves beneath me.

"You're Arkaan, right?" She called, obviously having heard the Eastern Halaqah boys call me by my name.

I looked down from my position on the tree. A girl about my age was standing underneath the tree, watching me curiously.

I dropped from the tree swiftly and landed right in front of the new intruder in the forest.

Immediately I turned, I studied her even as much as she did me.

She had a pleasant beige skin, shaded from being suntanned. With clear crystalline eyes like deep pools, and alluring velvet lips, she possessed all the feminine charms to a whole new grade, plus an amiable air that made her feel friendly. She was in her late teens like I was but everything about her spoke of glamour and extravagance.

If not for what I already felt in my heart towards another girl, I might have been allured by her.

She was dressed in a white blouse, blue jeans, and a black sleeveless overcoat tied with an elegant blue sash at her waist. The overcoat stopped short at her thighs, beyond which her blue coloured jeans appeared with heeled leather boots.

I could say she considered that as being completely covered, - except her ample form could not be hidden by her western styled clothing. She also wore a light velvet turban upon her head to make up for hijab.

I realized some tear stains underneath her eyeliner, which seemed to have almost been smoothly covered by her make-up keyword being - almost. She must have intentionally put on this air of positivity upon seeing me. Obviously, she had at least, shed some tears.

She would have still been beautiful without her extravagant make-up, but as I knew, some girls just overdid things sometimes to show their social standing and feel sophisticated.

Even though I knew I shouldn't be staring, but that first glance thing - especially since she drew my attention, was eating into me. I knew I was slowly losing my sensitization. I was slowly losing my hayaa, my lowering of gaze was becoming a thing of the past. I sighed inwardly. If my mother were to know - her adored adorned pillar was becoming sullied..

"My name is Yasmin." She said, her voice smooth like honey.

I seemed to have stared for a moment before lowering my gaze, for I caught her satisfied smirk before my eyes went down.

"You caused the smoke, right?"She looked at me as if I were something interesting.

I think I turned crimson as I scratched the back of my head, because she seemed even more interested."How did you do it?"

"What are you doing near the forest? You do know it's dangerous?" I asked, obviously avoiding her question.

She stared at me intently, making me feel more uneasy.

I suddenly wondered whether she was doing this intentionally to tease me. She was virtually eating my features!

She was still staring at me, making me more uncomfortable. So I continued to talk.

"There are bees here, and bad boys, and - "

"Are you one of them?" She suddenly asked.

"Eh~ What? Noo!" I said, my hands in front of me in defense.

"Oh~ I thought you were one."She looked disappointed.

"Why?" I was suddenly curious.

"So, you'd kidnap me," She said in a dramatic sigh, sitting crosslegged on the grass nearby, playing with a fallen leaf in her hand.

"And then threaten my father that if you do not be the one to marry me, then no one else would ~"

Wait, Was this girl a crazy psycho? I had better start finding a place of retreat!

"Hey~ Where are you off to? At least, if you'd not kidnap me, then at least give me some company eh~"

"What if you go, and those bad guys catch me? You'd never be able to live with your conscience for the rest of your life!"She pouted.

I stopped in my retreat, looking into her sincerely saddened eyes.

She really did look lost. At least I should accompany her till we get out of here.

Her expression changed to one of extreme happiness when I had stopped, and I wondered whether I had earlier imagined that sad expression on her face. Maybe she was just the drama Queen.

She smiled at me. I scratched my head lowering my gaze. She tapped the space beside her on the grass, indicating that I should come and sit.

I backed away immediately.

She laughed teasingly."I was just joking! I'm a decent girl, you know."

I nodded, swallowing. What does a decent girl do in a forest all alone? But I wasn't one to judge right? Everyone has their reasons and should be given the benefit of the doubt.

Especially since I had no plans to enter West district's forest today, and yet, ended up here.

"You look charming." I heard her say, as if to praise me. But I dismissed it. I already knew of my good looks, and couldn't forget Ukashah's compliment that morn after I wore the kohl like him. He said I looked different.

When I wore the kohl, my innocent handsomeness morphed into something lethal.

Different good or different bad, I asked him.

Just make sure the girls don't see you as a fitan*, he turned back to what he was doing pokerfaced, I smirked. Who doesn't like looking nice.

"Like a devilishly handsome druid priest."She continued shamefully.

I rubbed my nose, something I'd picked up from Zak."I do hope you know I can hear you right?"

"You remind me of someone."She says, then got up, turned away from me nonchalantly, and started walking in the direction where I had just left the boys to the bees."And I don't see what's wrong with being frank."

"Hey Yasmin, where are you going..." I enquired after her retreating figure. Suddenly realizing she was no more nearby, I turned to follow up.

"Since you'll not tell me, I'm going there to check for myself."

"Yasmin! - Hey! Wait up."I couldn't let her to her doom now, could I?

I followed her up to the forest line. There, I stopped as she entered. Sighing, I followed her.

I needed to harvest the honey after all. By now, most of the beehives would have been cleared by the smoke bomb I used, and the bees would be less likely to attack.

As we entered, I glanced over at the girl who was staring childishly excited at the aftermath of the smoke. She really did look like an enchanted fairy of light and allure.

I cleared my thoughts, and got to work immediately. Removing my leather bag, I climbed the nearest tree gracefully and starting harvesting the honey from the empty beehives.

"Where did you learn to climb trees?" An excited voice reached me from below.

"It's been my thing ever since I was a child."I answer nonchalantly. When I was living with my mother alone, I learnt to do a lot of things on my own, from climbing trees just to harvest honey, to learning to distinguish edible wild berries from poisonous ones. It was no feat for me in time.

"Oh.." She exclaims.

She stayed silent for a while, which I thought was strange. I looked down to see what she was doing.

She was ruffling through my bag, examining the items I had bought for the honey harvesting trip, from the market.

I was a bit shocked to see her start a small fire with the items from the bag I left on the floor, blowing on it with her mouth. Wasn't she a girl from a family of noble status?

She completed the fire, and expertly packed the smoking twigs she had made, in a container I had brought to carry more honey, and handed it over to me.

Smiling at me in a dazzling fashion, and yet her eyes were filled with tears from the smoke."Take. You can't be sure the bees are completely docile at this moment."

Looking at her for a moment, I nodded gratefully, and took the smoking container.

"What happened to the bad boys?" She said, a mocking tone to her voice.

"I guess they've left."I said, as if I were thinking it too. I had used the only smoke bomb I'd bought for emergencies, and thrown a batch of medicine bottles and ointment jars over to them, across the pandemonium of disoriented bees and smoke. These things, I had kept for myself in case of any mishaps. The bee allergy guy needed immediate attention. After advising them from a distance, I took off quickly, as they left by the other route. The forest wasn't safe, with the smoke and all, suffocation could occur.

"Do you actually harvest honey too?" I suddenly ask out of the blue.

"Why?" She asked.

"You seem to like asking questions, I see. Geez, - Even answering questions with questions."I pouted. She laughed.

"I used to.. once upon a time, with my mum." Her voice sounded light, and cryptically sorrowful. I decided not to probe further.

"You seem the kind of the noble class."I say, answering her previous question.

"Really!"Her voice excited, I can imagine the smile on her face at the moment."In the past, they called me Beegirl!"

"Why?"It was my turn to laugh. But before I knew what was happening, the girl was on the same branch as me, even climbing higher.

How? Her heels were removed. This so-called refined lady actually has a wild side.

She laughed,"Let's see who gathers the most honey." Luckily I had brought enough plastic containers to carry the honey. By the time she had finished fifteen containers from different trees, I was on my tenth.

She got down to rest as I continued above one more tree."I win." Her voice filled with glee and triumph. There were only twenty-six containers after all, including the one with the smoke.

I decided not to mind her, as I continued cutting some honeycomb on the new tree I was on. Of course you'd win, I felt a bit bitter. Some stings had pinpointed my arm, with one on my face. But she obviously had no sting on her, even though she did that with no smoke.

"How'd you do it?"I asked, now obviously curious.

"Gentility is the key." She said in a matter-of-factly way.

I scoffed. Who'd believe that?

"Also,"She continued,"The bees of this area know me. They're quite familiar with me. In fact, all the Bee fields of Tâ Hâ are virtually my allies, - you know what I mean."

"Impossible."I mouth. Even I hadn't achieved that in the past. I guess maybe the 'gentility' thing had something to do with it.

"Why else do you think they called me Beegirl? If you like, I'd accept you as my apprentice." She laughs.

"No apprentice, - just teach me."I say.

"Hmph! Getting a bit overbearing now, are we? But don't mind, I'd still teach you even if you didn't want to, because I like you."

God! This girl is too blunt.

"Why?"I couldn't stop myself from asking.

"Because you remind me of someone."She said without any hesitation.

After that I kept silent. She also did.

I couldn't tell what she was up to, until I heard it.

"Yasmin! Don't!"A moment, and I'll be too late. Forgetting the honey in my hand, I jumped straight down, luckily not breaking my spine.

I quickly snatched the flare from her hand before she injured herself from mishandling. Immediately, the thing shot from my hand, letting a brightly coloured flame in the air. This time, I knew I was in trouble. This could be seen for a distance in few kilometers - meaning, South district, and some part of West district.

If I had been a moment too late, she wouldn't have only been hurt, but looking at this forest surrounding, there's surely much of fossil fuel here. If it had hit the forest floor, even if my great grandfather founded Tâ Hâ, I would have been a scapegoat soon enough.

I sigh, having just narrowly escaped a great catastrophe. But then, not for long. I hear the distinct buzzing above me.

The bees also seem to have slightly been agitated. I looked up, a foreboding within.

One word, when I saw the dark wriggling cloud flying above us.

"RUN!"

We quickly grabbed my important stuff, the honey containers already kept inside the bag by Yasmin, and were off, laughing all the way.

"Yasmin!"I called as we raced down the hill, our adrenaline rushing, laughter ringing in our wake. The whole of today I might have called this name uncountable times. This girl was just too daring.

Yasmin was just impossible! Her character had given me a whole new impression on girls. I thought as I run freely, the swift wind in my face.

We had successfully escaped the bees. Having outrun them and gone far, they could but return to their hives.

It all felt so exciting.

We rushed down the hill, suddenly bumping into a group of two down below.

I saw Yasmin stop too late as I moved past her, my eyes to the ground foolishly laughing as I bumped into something soft.

I realized my face was against someone's shoulder hugging the person, my eyes staring at a black veil. My eyes came wide with shock.

Maryam?

Before I realized, I was pushed to the ground violently.

"Oww"I groaned. Did I just lean against Maryam.

"Ar-Arkaan--!" I heard two high pitched voices call out at the same time. Yasmin helped me up by my shoulder, as Maryam was frozen in a bending posture towards me, her hand outstretched, worry clearly displayed on her face.

She quickly retracted her hand, and maintained proper distance. Seeing the girl near me, a certain unreadable emotion flashed through her face for a moment, before being replaced by a nonchalant expression.

Maryam was right in front of me with Zak at the moment. I'd bumped into her earlier, only to be thrown back abruptly by her. I knew it was a reflex reaction.
Quite the reflex reaction..

Damn! What wild strength! I thought, still rubbing my aching butt.

Zak though, had his hands folded across his chest mimicking Yasmin as he studied her, a stony expression on his face.

"What are you doing here?"His eyes narrowed at Yasmin, his voice blunt.

"Oh, She was visiting the graveyard.." I lowered my voice when I realized how delicate it was,"- someone special to her I guess."

Zak sighed,"It's her mother."Then turning to her again, he added,"The next time I see you at South district, I'd tell your brother. You know who he'd tell after that." He raised an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes,"Like I care."

What's going on between these two?

But before I could say anything, Yasmin had already turned and was gone.

"Sayonara!"She called as she faced me from uphill, and then disappearing towards the forest once again.
Seems she really didn't mind the bees...I didn't get to thank her for helping me harvest the honey. Then again, I had caused enough trouble on West district's forest for it to not remain unknown.

She had said as long as no one mentioned it, no one would know who did it, - meaning, she would not tell. But I was at a loss as to what to do though. The boys of Eastern Waterfall could surely get back at me, if they snitched on the smoke bomb and flare. Obviously, since I was the last person they saw there, they could also blame that one on me.

"Beegirl"I murmured after her. I wondered when I'd next meet her. After all, she was in Tâ Hâ.

"Abdullah told us there were some guys stalking you since morning." Maryam said as we made our way through the market stalls of the Chinese market.

Yasmin had long since left.

Drats! I had not yet asked where she had come from.

I looked at Zak suspiciously. He seemed to know something about her I didn't.

"But, - where does Yasmin stay?" I asked suddenly, and know I shouldn't have, at Zak's and Maryam's questioning gaze.

"Eh~ "Zak amusedly said as he put his arm over me, pulling me closer. I stepped in line with him. Maryam by his other side."You'd better be careful about that one, Kān. You'd better be careful, bro.. One day I'll tell you a story."

Even as he said this, I felt there was much more to it than simply a story, and somehow Zak had a role in it. Zak was always in an amiable mood, but this time, the feeling I'd from his voice couldn't be mistaken. His relation with Yasmin went beyond ordinary.

The time, - I just realized it was 'Asr..

I hadn't prayed Dhuhr too, and now 'Asr.

One day I'd get back at Redbeard, and Eastern Waterfall. Just wait!

...

The group prayed in the stall of a Chinese old lady nearby. Maryam seemed to be on friendly terms with her, Arkaan noticed.

"Zak!"Arkaan held Zak's shoulders as he stared him wide in the eye. This was after the prayer. At once, Zak got the cue.

"Our First Halaqah Meeting!!!" They both said at once, as they took to their heels leaving Maryam shaking her head at them in disbelief.

"Vibrant youth, they're."Madam Chu said."I noticed the gleam in your eyes when you watched the green-eyed boy."The old lady teased.

This time Maryam just smiled faintly. Her thoughts were entirely somewhere else, and she felt herself lost in a deep struggle with her lower self.

Just you wait Redbeard! I've not forgotten about you, and what you almost got me into trouble for!

Arkaan couldn't help remembering the bargain he'd struck with the redheaded man. Just what was Redbeard thinking?

At a distance from them, a well-refined youth appeared from behind a stall. He was stealthily hidden till then. He held a dark expression on his face. How dare this foreigner take advantage of Tâ Hâ's number one beauty and saintess of their generation!

Alright then, since he clearly doesn't feel like living, I'll take care of the nasty villain - The problem of the saintess, and also of the tribes - 'Inabah.

Whatever it was, he definitely was not going to let the foreigner go now. He felt a sense of righteous duty binding upon him.

Husâm appeared after him, a carefree smile on his face."I really like that guy. He's got guts. Too bad he's not from the tribes, and he'd soon have those guts removed due to his shenanigans."Husâm sighs dramatically."But what's more entertaining is the news of 'Inabah's revival. In the past, West district failed to represent the city, even though we were the native people. The elders felt it was our biggest shame. So I'm sure this news would be quite significant to them."

"Of course this news would spark interest, - even in the whole of Tâ Hâ. Also, that boy has obviously done something that can turn into a long case if the elders want."Zuhayr smirked coldly.

"In the light of that, even if 'Inabah comes back, things won't go so smoothly for them!"

"First, smoke that drove the wildlife out of the forest.

Then he harvested West district's honey.

Then he shot a flare that almost burnt the forest, causing noise pollution, and attracting attention.

This boy must really have nine lives, to lock horns with one of Tâ Hâ's four tribes.

Even if he were the only son and heir of the other tribes, he wouldn't be let off so easily."Zuhayr said, with a cold glint within his eyes. To him, Arkaan was just a careless boy who was fed up with his life. Never had the Al Hilâli tribe been trifled with like this. Each tribe held a responsibility in the city, and the forest was one of the things his tribe had been charged with. Even disturbing the peace of the forest was unacceptable to them.

"I guess Second Patriarch would take this serious, since he's in charge of the forest."Husâm said, as he thought of his tribe's second patriarch.

Among the patriarchs of his tribe, the second elder was too enigmatic and most petty. It seemed he was always bored, so whenever he had the chance to make somebody else's life miserable, he sprang into action. Since this new victim was a foreigner, he'd suffer even more. Arkaan had really provoked the wrong person, and - the wrong tribe.

The two boys turned and walked away, towards the West district.

__________________________________

Words, Translations, and Meanings

١. Reference;
Uthman bin Affan reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it."

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4739

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Bukhari

Hayaa - shyness, is one of the seventy branches of faith.

Fitan - Trial

•••

I think our Arkaan has already started making enemies for himself. Aiya! Don't bother, he's also making friends too.

The next Crescent is "Heaven's Gathering Clouds"

Till next Crescent!
Salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu.