Days filled with laughter, with joy and tears,
Through every challenge, we faced all our fears.
Together we grew, our love deep and true,
A beacon of hope, a bond forever new.

The breakfast went by quickly. We were offered broth with Naan. Can not say it was delicious but doable.

I do not have the luxury to be picky. Ammi is not here to cook me delicious meals.

The sun was at its peak, glaring at me once again with its heated gaze and making me sweat.

I feel icky all over! I need a shower! A bath! Ooh, I miss the cold water. Do these men even bathe?

Sighing, I wipe my forehead with my sleeve. This is difficult.

I was already feeling dizzy from the heat, and can not imagine what will happen if I were to fight in this heat.

No excuses Hoor! You chose this for yourself!

I wonder what Ammi and Baba would be doing at the moment. They must have noticed my absence by now. Ammi might be searching for me frantically and Baba must be making a reasonable approach to look for me.

Walking with my eyes closed due to the heat, I was not really looking where my feet were taking me until my head slammed into someone's hardback and my body jerked a step behind.

My eyes split open in surprise and I take in the back of this gigantic man.

What was his name again? Khulaid bin Kudsiya was it?

The man turned around with murder looking all over his face. Why does he look like someone just slapped him in the face?!

"Can't you watch where you are going tiny legs!?"

Not knowing what to do, I lower my head a little, and turn on my heel, planning to escape immediately because I did not want to know what he was planning to do next.

So . . . I tried to escape but this man, Khulaid I believe had grabbed me by my arm and pulled me back.

My heart lurched in my throat.

"Where are you going!? Not going to apologize? Oh wait, you can't speak!" He let out a mocking laugh and I narrowed my eyes, holding my fist at bay that had suddenly started itching.

Grabbing the hand that was holding my arm hidden beneath layers and layers of clothing, I used my lady weapon - my long nails hidden under my gloves that I had decided not to cut.

Digging them deep into his arm, without feeling any remorse, the crescent shape formed.

Khulaid hissed and retracted his arm immediately. Hah! Thin-skinned.

"How dare you!" He moved forward to grab me once again and my eyes widened, almost losing my balance, I somehow managed to stay on my feet and take a step back.

Khulaid moved closer, the crescent embedded in his skin had already started bleeding and a smile dared to permanently etch on my face.

Just as he was about to grab on my hood this time, something cut through the air, so fast, and embedded itself on the wood next to me and Khulaid.

I stilled, not moving an inch.

A flash of recognition went through Khulaid's eyes and his open palm which was reaching out for me a mere second ago, fisted. He clenched his jaw and ground his teeth.

"Aza!" He gritted in pure fury and snapped his head in the direction from where the blade came out from. "Stop meddling in my business!"

By the way, he spoke, it was obvious that this was not the first time something similar to this had happened.

Aza?

Looking in the direction Khulaid was staring in, I could see no one. Looking back at Khulaid, he continued to stare into nothingness.

That was until suddenly a mysterious figure jumped down from the tree nearby and my eyes widened as well.

Aza! His name is Aza! The man from the bazaar.

And he was currently coming towards us! Suddenly my hands felt clammy and nervousness enveloped me. What if he recognizes me?

But he cannot! Right!?

I can not let him look me in the eye either way! He looks like a sharp man, what if he recognizes?

"When you stop tormenting those around you," Aza spoke as came to a stop right beside me. "And if you continue to keep this up, you know what I am capable of."

At this, Khulaid rolled his eyes and averted them to me instead, "I shall see you again." That being his last sentence, Khulaid turned on his heel, head held high, and left.

Now I was left alone with Aza. His musky scent mixed with sweat reached my nose.

Not meeting his eyes, I turn towards him and give a slight nod of thanks.

"So you really can not speak, huh? And I had a hunch -" Aza lowered his lips to my ear, "-you were pretending for whatever reasons." My body froze and Aza moved to his original position and grabbed his blade embedded in the wood, pulling it out in one jerk.

I did not move, could not move. If this man somehow finds out my secret, it would not be the best for me and I can not begin to even imagine what will be made of me.

This man was dangerous and I have to stay away from him if I want to fight.

Turning around, without responding, I move to leave.

"Seems like you are hiding something." Baffled, I look back at him and his eyes gleam.

Aren't we all? Words threatened to spill from my mouth.

Rolling my eyes at him, clearly so he could see what an idiotic speculation he has made, and turned around to leave for sure this time.

"Interesting."

Not looking back this time, I moved to the spot where the rest of the men were gathering.

I was right, Aza is a sharp man indeed, noticing even the slightest change in behavior. I wished to put a name to the face of the man I met in the bazaar but now that I have, I wish I did not.

He gave me the creeps.

Among all the hustling men, I too squeezed myself between, eager to form the line and disappear among the crowd as soon as possible. I noticed my brothers joining the line as well.

I wonder what we will be doing right now.

Ahmad along with the man he called Sahab once again stood in front of us.

"We will be starting with a duel to judge your strengths and then divide you into teams. Kindly pick your preferred weapon of choice."

My jaw dropped.

I am going to die, aren't I?

It's time for Hoorain to show her talent . . . If she has any that is.
Maybe, cannot say, will spoil everything.

Also!! Aza! My man!