Outside the cottage at a length of about a mile was a small well. It is like we've migrated to a village. As far as one could Stretch his eyes no other civilization could be seen. However, the house was high and if we crossed the gate one could see a few mansion afar but that was still further into the boundaries.
We were offered dinner every night at our cottage but lunches were hard. We tried to deny the lunch invitation at Manor house but Mr. Elahim was persistent with his requests. Now I was three weeks into this schedule and my chin now had availed the courage to lift itself. I started noticing the family with short glances.
The father and his sons were made of platinum, strong and durable. Their backs were erect, their heads were strong, their chins were high and they were arrogant. They had manners in which they sat upon their seats brought exasperation to me, their spines were parallel to their chest. Neither they would bend nor relax their selves. They were like machines, never I heard a word from them. In a span of a long lunch, their eyes would not blink. They seemed cold and mute. I could not see beyond the sight they would offer and I could sense that it was all controlled.
In addition, the food was so hard to swallow with their table manners. They ate like they were at the royal table, I was tired of seeing them use their fork and knives for peas, we had boiled peas every day. The displeasure would float mine and Fateh's face when the 'healthy meal' would arrive, I'd rather have raw leaves from the garden but yet the food did not disturb as much as the manner and their straight backs did. When I'd lie down in the night my back would ache with the thought their backs at the table.
Not only the brothers but the father himself was a strange being. He enjoyed the company of my father, almost after lunch till the evening they would spend their time together. After a few days, Fateh too spent his times at the mansion. It was me and grandma, we received no notice. We were nonexistent to them. I would kill my time almost staring the unusual abode.
Meantime I met a woman who lived in the underground chambers of the house. She was the cook of the house. She befriended my grandma. They both found pleasure in each other's company. She was an old woman, round in her figure and lines on her face. She was soft in her tone and gentle with her affection on our wounded souls. She had a daughter who was in her late forties. These two women were of the house but still by words people said that Dar al maqamah had no women. I was delighted to come across such amiable ladies. After lunch, they would sometimes come to grandma and by the sunset, they would return. The days were passing gradually but my heart was not at rest. I ate but my hunger wasn't quenched. Dad joined Mr. Elahim with the work of his personal secretary. Mr. Elahim had fluctuating moods, when happy he would laugh and speak on and on. Would be pleased with all the things around and wouldn't stop laughing and patting backs but when he would be in his bad temper, his eyes would glare like a lion. He had no regards for me or my grandmother. The thrive to do something drove me anxious and one day I spoke to the dear ladies. Mrs. Salma and her daughter Mrs. Kasheefa. I poured my heart out to them, I told them the need for me to do something; so one day we could live as respectable a life we did back then. My need to work... To do whatever in my power to share the responsibility with my father. She sympathized with me and then she said "there is no work but of a helper in the mansion...You are not to be a helper, you are our guest...."

My heart shrank. A servant?
I nodded.

The next day after the lunch Mrs. Kasheefa came to me. "Miss would mind the job of bookkeeping?"

The words lifted my spirits, I grabbed my scarf and slipped my shoes.

"grandma....should I leave?" I asked impatiently.
She did not break her breath so I hurried with Mrs. Kasheefa to the mansion.

"My dad had a library. I have grown up practically in one" I said with my breath catching up.

"Well Soon you have to take care of one" she stated.

My steps halted. I lifted my head "They have a library?"

"I think you are going to love the way," she said.

We marched inside and the hallway ended to a door, a big dark door. She opened. A library...... A vast gigantic library. Wherever my head turned I could see the books. I gasped. Shelves higher than a couple of floors. Stairs set to reach the books on height. A small glad laugh left me, how wonderful this place is. As I moved forward I was spell-bounded. I was turning and walking and revolving around when suddenly I froze. The brothers, they all were in one corner. With their glamorous fashion staring at how stupid I look.

By the time now I could perfectly examine which brother was older than the other, they all looked slightly or more old or young making it easier. I pursed my lips. Usually, they don't even glance at me and now this full blown stare is putting me in distress.

I don't know any of them by their names but one of the twins blocked my way and said "la Yasmah lilnisa"

I looked up at him. Perplexed he tilted his head to one side and looked to the other side.

"English?" he asked.

"yes please!" I responded immediately.

"Never mind, what is your name?" asked the eldest rising from his chair.

"Falaq... Falaq-Naaz" I uttered shyly.

And the one who can rob any being of his breath at a sight turned his table and chuckled which felt like my feet sank to the ground. He sighed "oh I do not sleep in the night for I fear I would miss it"

I did not intend on speaking but I spoke "excuse me"

"Dawn....can not sleep in the dark for I fear I might miss the beauty of the dawn" he smirked.

I looked at the eldest with his eyes fixed on me, he explained
"Your name means Dawn, another transcription says Falaq means The Sky. You adopted a foreign suffix Naaz which means Pride, you sound like a dangerous combination"

I gulped. Had ever in my life had I researched over my name. Nope.

"She comes for bookkeeping... For the library Master," Mrs. Kasheefa saved the day with her interjection.

"For bookkeeping? Nay, I deject even the idea of my books being touched by someone else" Spoke one.

"For I'd love my books at the table if they were left at the table Mrs. Kasheefa, I'd appoint her to kill the one who moves it," said another.

"Keep her," said the eldest.

"Thank you," I said with my head down.

" nisa'? " asked the twin.

"Yes" replied the gorgeous man.

Suddenly I have a change of heart, I don't want to work. I did not expect them here. Aren't libraries supposed to be all vacant?

"Ar-Hassan- the blessed with the best by Al-musawwir. In other words, handsome" said the good-looking man coming forward.

"Ar-Wildan - the boy of paradise," said one of the twins, they all started introducing themselves.

"Abdur Shizad -the fire, the flame," said the other twin.

"Ar-Souffian- The sand and the storm," said the other.

Lastly, it was the eldest. The most like his father, there was something about him, so different so heavy and powerful in his aura that no head could help but fall at a glance. He was mightily immersed in value, he breathed out the respect and fright from within the soul, he said in his raspy voice

"Al-Wais Ma'ad Bin Abu-Bakr Elahim- The King"

They all slightly smiled. It was the smile of pride and respect when the eldest introduced himself with the name of their father. Like they felt the honor of being associated with their father's name and they were glad I heard they belong to that name. I felt a little happiness in their proudness.
So now myself could attach names to the faces. To put them in line I rehearsed their name in their age order: Wais, Souffian, Hassan, Shizad, and Wildan.

Wildan had the cutest little nose below the big circle glasses he wore every day. Once mistaken as identical now I could tell them apart.

Shizad seemed swift and a little mischievous. He was the one to block my way here.

Hassan had already begun to wear me off as I had never seen such handsomely figure in my entire long life.

Souffian was yet to understand for me. He was the one who never yet has spoken.

Wais was the perfect embodiment of the essence of his father.

Now I noticed my brother at the very side in a corner on the lap of Wildan.

"so cool..." he said in awe of the brothers.

They all slightly laughed. I despise their mannerisms at times.

"even I want a new name. A cool one!" he said jumping from Wildan's lap and eagerly waiting for Hassan to grant him one.

"You are Ar-Fateh- the Victory" Hassan said smiling.

"No! A cool one like yours!" he said. He adores Hassan.

"what's in a name?" I said to him. "A rose would smell as sweet as it is if you even call it by any other name"

"In a name is a character. An attribute, a legacy, a history, and a lineage that a man is given at birth by his Father. He is given a responsibility, had him no name; he would have no identity. A name is a reflection of an ins. You are blatantly corrupting his roots" Wais bitterly responded.

"I never thought so---" but before I could complete my words he interrupted me by speaking in between "then you should"

I frowned as He announced "Dismissed" and all were setting out. He reminded me of someone's manhood I hate and with that, a name that never matched the persona that crawled in my mind. I grew red in rage.

"I do not believe that what the names offer is available to all. I believe that a man whose name is Abdul Rahman can be a non-believer and a man whose name is Raza can be hideous and who means mercy can be cruel and who means Haya can be shameful. I do not believe that names reflect people....not always"

"You deny the signs associated with a few letters that when coupled together make you amongst the clan of billions who combine to make a community. Give the proof that you are amongst them?"
Asked Hassan.

"It's all old tales. Not everything around has to make perfect sense" I spoke in angst losing.

There was silence.

Souffian returned and stared into my eyes "Do they not see the birds controlled in the atmosphere of the sky? No one holds them up except Allah. Indeed there are signs for people who believe. Verse 16:79''

My eyes fell on the ground. He spoke again softly this time
"He has subjected to you. The night the Day, the sun, The moon, and the stars are subjected to his commands.
Indeed in that are Signs for people who REASON. Verse 16:12"

They left the library with me sinking into the floor. I never would be able to understand these men.....

It proved overwhelming to my soul to have answered them back.