When Arafat had agreed to Ukashah's deal, Arkaan untied him from the pillar.

Arkaan then proceeded to offer leading him in praying the 'Asr Salah. Obviously, he hadn't prayed it. As to whether he regularly said his other prayers, that was a whole new matter.

Sadly, the boy snapped back,"I never made any deal about saying any prayers with you. I'm only here for your stupid Circle meetings, nothing more, nothing less." Then, with a scowl he made his way ahead. Arkaan shook his head with a weary smile and followed.

Apparently, Ukashah and Zak decided not to say anything about it..

The group of five retreated to the very first rows of the brightly coloured carpets, and sat down in a small circle.

As the gathering made to start, everyone looked over to Ukashah. Even though he would have preferred somebody else, - like Zak to preside over the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that he should lead.

Ukashah began by giving an opening encomium in praises of Allah and salutations upon the holy Prophet, and then addressed the gathering. Anything which began with the holy name of Allah was never bound to a failure. After saying a few words, he looked at Zak for any additions.

Seeing that Ukashah was finding it a little hard as to how next to proceed, Zak smiled warmly, saying in a cheerful voice,"I think we should first start by introducing ourselves."

"We'll start from the right then, Arkaan?"Ukashah looked to his right saying the words stoically.

"Geez, I thought the speaker was always the first one to introduce himself.."Arkaan muttered under his breathe. He rubbed his nose in silent laughter. It seems the lukewarm Ukashah has shyness issues too.

"Say what?"

"Nothing nothing heheh.."

"Uh-umm..Okay",Arkaan cleared his throat noisily,"My name is Arkaan Ibn Yahya Al Il-..."

After a short pause, he stopped. Everyone looked at him expectantly.

"Al What?"Zak asked. He had rarely heard Arkaan use a nisbah(title of tribal lineage added to one's name) in his name. Now that he did, Zak was curious but Arkaan just brushed it off lightly, for his own reasons perhaps..Zak thought.

"Never mind,"Arkaan laughed softly and turned to the next on his right," Your turn, Rafiki!"

Rafik looked at Arkaan weirdly.

Wait, was he nervous?

Now that Arkaan looked at him closely, he noticed the thick aura of anxiety surrounding the boy. Arkaan understood him. Actually, it'd be strange if he wasn't. Even Arkaan felt some tingling feelings, and sensations in his abdomen.

This was really his first time in the halaqah he had always admired although from afar, he probably couldn't believe he was sitting with Ukashah and Zak.

Arkaan was right though. As Rafik sat there, he could only internally revel in the feeling of sitting with people he'd looked up to like since forever!

TWO OF THE FAMOUS FIVE QURAA OF TÂ HÂ!!!

THESE WERE PEOPLE HE COULD ONLY LOOK AT FROM AFAR!!?

HE WAS REALLY SITTING WITH THEM,

AND IT WAS NOT HIS USUAL DAYDREAMING?!!!

Rafik's thoughts were already in a jumbo. As such, his heart picked up pace. It wasn't until Arkaan addressed him with the nicky that he settled a little, some of his anxiety lessened at the affable call.

This green-eyed guy had already started giving him weird nickname.

Giving Arkaan a short glance and a nod, he faced the others although a bit self-consciously.

"Rafik Al-Aswâdi.."

At this, Ukashah and Zak gave each other looks. An Al-Aswâdi..

"Is anything the matter?"Rafik asked quite meekly, seeing the complex expressions on the two Quraa' faces. It was funny seeing Rafik, a quite plump boy being all so nervous.

"Wow, another Al-Aswâdi! The last we had gave us quite the trouble." Zak exclaimed jovially, easily dispelling Rafik's unsettled feeling.

Even though, they knew Rafik by name as the 'Physician's apprentice', none of them really knew he was an Aswâdi.

Also, most, or to be more accurate, the members of the main branch of that tribe had moved to the capital. The tribe had been steadily relocating during the past two decades, Abdul Bâqi's family being one of the latest to move, - and just about two years ago.

Most of those left behind in Tâ Hâ were remnants of peripheral branches. As such, it'd come as a shock to the two that Rafik was an Al-Aswâdi.

"Hope you wouldn't do same."Zak smiled at him cheerfully.

"I..I'm different..''Rafik said, perhaps seeking to dispel what he thought was their nuisance at his fellow tribe member. Only, he didn't really understand Zak's words clearly.

"Well, That'll be a shame."Ukashah murmured under his breathe, a low glint in his eyes.

After all, that Al-Aswâdi was actually the only one who could truly be a match for Zayn!!

Since Arkaan was right close to Ukashah, he'd heard it, although it seemed more like he'd imagined Ukashah saying it.

There was one guy who was suddenly feeling sidetracked on the show.

Arafat couldn't believe the group had just ignored him for the fatty, and relegated him to the backstage. Talk of lack of VIP's acknowledgement!

Thus, trying to get his shine, he slapped his thigh dramatically, easily getting their attention. He nodded his head as if in approval of their reaction just now, then proceeded to introduce himself, a smug smile on his face,"And I'm Ignacio Gonzalez Carmona! But you can just call me Arafat. That's my birthname. Previous' my native.

I know all you damn sorry guys' are dying for an autograph. But not today.

Maybe another day, when the winds are quite favourable!"

The boys looked at him in disbelief and chuckled. Someone like Ukashah had a look of annoyance on his usually expressionless face. It seemed the guy was taking them for funfair.

All the drama.. Arkaan shook his head. He had began to wonder whether it was right at all, - taking in someone who didn't really have any fondness for the halaqah or have the slightest desire to study..

It was then that they heard it.

The group of five in the Circle instinctively turned their heads simultaneously towards the doors of the masjid, - the source of the low thudding of many footsteps approaching.

The boys were alert, as they looked towards the doors at the sudden intrusion.

Why? Was there some mob or something? Arkaan thought. Only to have his mouth later gaping, his jaw drawn to the floor.

Zak felt his head thrumming.

Ukashah chuckled. Arafat and Rafik looked at the whole scene in front of them in confusion.

Standing there, right in front of a group of many little boys of the neighbourhood Arkaan recognized at once, was a little Abdullah with his cheerful smile.

"Yaa Ikhwânul Muslimîn! I present to you the new generation of Tâ Hâ's South district Halaqah - The future backbone and Heralds of fame and eminent distinction!"

The boys sat there with a loss for words.

What will they ever do with this guy? Such a large group in such a short time? How did he do it???

Arkaan looked at Abdullah wearily. But something else other than the large gang Abdullah had gathered, caught Arkaan's eye.

Zak had actually paled, when he saw what Abdullah had done with his hair.

Abdullah's once dark brown hair had been dyed to a light citrus yellow. His heart lurched as he was left gobsmacked.

Has his parents really seen this??

In their family, only Zak's mother had the distinguishing features of a Caucasian, with sapphire blue eyes and dark yellow hair.

Among the four of them who came from her, Zak was the only one who took both traits. Whilst Fatima had their mother's blond trait, she also possessed their father's dark brown eyes. Khadijah had sapphire blue eyes, but dark brown hair as Abdullah. Only Abdullah possessed none of those traits.

When he was younger he used to complain about it to their mother, even nagging. Could it be he's finally convinced Abii and Ummii to dye his hair.

Shaking his head. No, it's an impossibility. Before he could say something on it, Ukashah had already spoken up coolly,

"This is a halaqah. We're not running a mini daycare center here."

"That's the cue, yaa ikhwân. He means you can sit."Abdullah smiled back to his group. "See how happy he is.."

Ukashah chuckled, but did nothing to stop them.

Whilst the little boys made their way over to the small circle, Arkaan noticed something.

Wait.. Was that hesitancy?

Arkaan rubbed his nose wearily whilst sighing inwardly in his heart. What really went on between he and the boys? Something smells fishy..

Even as they got near the group of five, nobody seemed prepared to open way for the group. At least, not until they fully understood what was really going on..

Abdullah smiled. In a stunningly moving voice, he recited an âyah Arkaan did not recognize, then added with his clear bell-like voice,"For those of you who don't understand, Allah says in Al Qur'an Karîm,

O you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you.

And when you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.

And Allah is Acquainted with what you do."

Without waiting for further reaction, he comfortably made his space between Arkaan and Rafik, who both shifted reluctantly.

As he sat between them, Abdullah faced Ukashah with a genial smile,"Yaa Akhii Ukash, you know what? All of us here are really willing to receive your guidance on the Qur'an and Sunnah. Aren't we - yaa Ikhwân?"

He gave a cryptic smile at the boys behind him. They hadn't yet taken their seats and were looking down with clenched fists. Arkaan knew that, if they were to raise their faces, he'd see something of anger, or even more likely.. - tears and grievances towards Abdullah.

Arkaan didn't know whether to cry or to laugh. He had known Abdullah for such a short while, but was well aware of the little guy's manipulations.

Gosh! Even Humayd was caught up in the sly boy's machinations! Arkaan looked through, and counted among the boys Abdullah had gathered, all the neighbouring kids who had helped him in disseminating the invitation cards earlier that day.

Yep! Number's up!...Our Halaqah's pioneers are pretty much a group of unwilling people! He really felt sorry for the guys, but he didn't know what to do. After all, they joining the halaqah was for their own benefit.

He looked at Humayd, trying to get his attention. Perhaps he might get some clues from him, and just maybe, - help them out. But sadly, the boy had his face lowered. As if too ashamed to even meet Arkaan in the eye.

So he turned his attention to Abdullah who was still grinning from ear to ear.

Since when did the little twerp start planning and working to catch all these boys in his net? Looking at their number, it must have been such tedious work!

Also, they don't all seem to be from the same friendship circle. Just looking at how they're clumped in distinctive groups from one another, one can tell.

Arkaan counted at least four of such groups, including Humayd's. The average being roughly a dozen, and the smallest, about five boys. Humayd and his friends were the largest.

Arkaan sighed again, finally looking at Ukashah and Zak, awaiting their reactions. Obviously, the tension between the kids wouldn't escape their eyes.

Of course, Ukashah had noticed it. But he had also turned, - to Zak! Since Abdullah was his brother he hoped he'd handle the situation better.

Zak was calmly examining his brother, and the boys, with the growing tension between them.

If Zak didn't know his younger brother well, he'd have thought little of that laced-with-hidden-meanings smile. But he had lived with this boy since he was born, and had watched him grow up.

Suddenly, he now understood why Abdullah had been running around since the day of the quiz, and even was dogged on leaving Arkaan on his own to find Ukashah's. It was all because of this...

"Spill."

One word, and the boys all burst out simultaneously, on the verge of tears.

"Elder brothers, we didn't really do anything.."

"We were unjustly wronged!"

"Spare us, we'll never go back to Old man Hao's ever again!"

"Eeeeiii.."

The older boys watched in stupor as the younger boys confessed, and cried, and lamented. They were quite the penitent bunch.

But Abdullah looked at them with a warm smile, as if it were nothing."With how you guys are talking, aren't you afraid you'll make things worse for yourselves.

Know that, I've not told them~~~"he spoke his finally sentence in a singsong.

At this all the other boys shut up immediately. They seemed to regret having spoken just now.

"Old man Hao.."Arafat said suddenly. He seemed to be thinking something."When we were younger, we used to steal mangoes from his backyard. Well! Those were the old days. Can't believe you guys still do that today! Don't you have other things like video games to busy yourself with. Haha.."He laughed.

"Geez, if the old Chinaman gets to know about your little adventure to his backyard, you'd all be better-off dead or something. He has his ways to get back at, and give you nightmares for a lifetime." He laughed again, this time uproariously as the boys all pale in complexion.

"Wait a minute. How come you are still alive, and from the way I see it, you don't seem to be suffering the effects of nightmares either.." Abdullah said to Arafat, thinking aloud.

"Well,"Arafat said, like a master of all sorts,"I happened to always find my ways around, not to get caught. Although, even the times I did get caught, I managed my way out without as much as a mental disturbance! You guys really need to learn from me."

"Elder brother, help us.."

"Elder brother, save us. We'll do whatever you say." Some of the boys cried out successively in a dramatical outburst.

Arafat just smiled grandiosely. Apparently, he was happy with his newfound attention.

Suddenly thinking about something, Ukashah asked Abdullah,"How come all of them are whining about it, and not you?"

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