The Fight
Zoe had recovered somewhat from her beating, but she was still plenty upset. Imagine Charmaine running away. How she wished she had her favorite doll to cuddle for comfort, but no she had to be a big girl now. She was engaged to a man, and in a few years she would be married and have children of her own to take care of. That thought scared her. She couldn't even cook, or take care of herself how was she going to be a wife and mother? Well she couldn't worry about that now, she had to think of her sister. She hoped Abdullah wouldn't find her, because if he did her sister would be in a worse place than she could ever be now.
While Zoe was thinking of her sister, babies and marriage Akbar came into the kitchen where Farid was.
Akbar: Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be out looking for the little one? I think you wanted her to escape.
Farid: Of course I did not. I am loyal to the master. I am offended that you would think otherwise. I was out looking these many hours and she is no where to be found.
Akbar: Then you shirked your duty. I admit I did not want my father to have those girls here, but I fear for the young one now that she has escaped. It will not go well for her. I also fear for the little one Zoe over there. My father is vicious and for every day that child is missing, I know my father will take it out on her and us. I can take his abuse, but Zoe can't. You must go find her.
Farid: Your father is in a rare temper. I don't know how I am going to tell him that the little one is gone and can not be found.
Akbar who hated his father's toady smirked: Well that is unfortunate for you my dear Farid. I guess you will feel the lash of my father's displeasure.
He should feel sorry for the man knowing how cruel his father could be, but he remembered all the times Farid gave him the lash or reported him for any slight indiscretion to his father. He believed like his father Farid had a cruel streak in him.
Akbar: Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be out looking for the little one? I think you wanted her to escape.
Farid: Of course I did not. I am loyal to the master. I am offended that you would think otherwise. I was out looking these many hours and she is no where to be found.
Akbar: Then you shirked your duty. I admit I did not want my father to have those girls here, but I fear for the young one now that she has escaped. It will not go well for her. I also fear for the little one Zoe over there. My father is vicious and for every day that child is missing, I know my father will take it out on her and us. I can take his abuse, but Zoe can't. You must go find her.
Farid: Your father is in a rare temper. I don't know how I am going to tell him that the little one is gone and can not be found.
Akbar who hated his father's toady smirked: Well that is unfortunate for you my dear Farid. I guess you will feel the lash of my father's displeasure.
He should feel sorry for the man knowing how cruel his father could be, but he remembered all the times Farid gave him the lash or reported him for any slight indiscretion to his father. He believed like his father Farid had a cruel streak in him.
Abdullah came into the room and saw Farid arguing with his son.
Abdullah: Farid! Come with me!
Farid gulped and followed his master as Akbar smirked at him. Now he was in for it!
Abdullah: First you allow the one called Charmaine a little 8 year old outsmart you and get away for which I will never forgive you, but now you are disrespecting my son? What has gotten into you? Do you know I can have you pulled apart limb by limb, or have your skin peeled from you body inch by painful inch? Those are the least of what I can have done to you. What do you have to say for yourself you disloyal camels behind?
Farid bowing: Forgive me my master for my indiscretion. I have no excuse except to say that your son sorely tried me.
Abdullah: What is that to you? If my son ordered you to grovel on the ground, and lick his feet, I expect you to immediately obey! If you disobey my son, you disobey me! Have I made myself clear?
Farid smarting under the unjustness of the situation knowing how loyal he was to his master, snapped. He saw himself lift up his hand and slap his master across his face. It was like the hand slapping his master wasn't attached to his body. It was surreal. After he did it, he stood there stunned. He couldn't even move. Well what is done is done, there was no taking it back.
Abdullah: Farid! Come with me!
Farid gulped and followed his master as Akbar smirked at him. Now he was in for it!
Abdullah: First you allow the one called Charmaine a little 8 year old outsmart you and get away for which I will never forgive you, but now you are disrespecting my son? What has gotten into you? Do you know I can have you pulled apart limb by limb, or have your skin peeled from you body inch by painful inch? Those are the least of what I can have done to you. What do you have to say for yourself you disloyal camels behind?
Farid bowing: Forgive me my master for my indiscretion. I have no excuse except to say that your son sorely tried me.
Abdullah: What is that to you? If my son ordered you to grovel on the ground, and lick his feet, I expect you to immediately obey! If you disobey my son, you disobey me! Have I made myself clear?
Farid smarting under the unjustness of the situation knowing how loyal he was to his master, snapped. He saw himself lift up his hand and slap his master across his face. It was like the hand slapping his master wasn't attached to his body. It was surreal. After he did it, he stood there stunned. He couldn't even move. Well what is done is done, there was no taking it back.
Abdullah went ballistic. He lunged at Farid.
Abdullah: You dare to slap me your master? I allowed you to remain alive after your mother wanted to throw you into the trash heap as a child. She didn't want you, a child of a monster who raped her. You would be dead if it wasn't for my mercy. I begged my honorable father for you to be my servant. You owe your life to me, and you dared to raise your hand to my sacred person? You shall die for this.
Abdullah: You dare to slap me your master? I allowed you to remain alive after your mother wanted to throw you into the trash heap as a child. She didn't want you, a child of a monster who raped her. You would be dead if it wasn't for my mercy. I begged my honorable father for you to be my servant. You owe your life to me, and you dared to raise your hand to my sacred person? You shall die for this.
Farid fought for his life. His life was forfeit anyways.
For the next 10 mins. or so all that could be heard were scuffles, slaps, punches, growls, and heavy panting.
For the next 10 mins. or so all that could be heard were scuffles, slaps, punches, growls, and heavy panting.
Farid triumphed but found no joy in it.
Farid: I am sorry master for what just transpired between us. I did not want to do these things, but you left me no choice. I do regret everything. I will leave out of your employ if you spare my life. I know I do not deserve mercy, but in spite of everything I have been loyal and have loved you like my brother.
Abdullah was livid: Go you camel's butt hole! I care not what happens to you! Just know if I ever see you again you shall die! I only spare you now because of what you used to mean to me.
Farid bowed: I thank you most humbly my liege for your mercy. I will be leaving after I get my things. I will never forget you or stop loving you.
Abdullah smarting muttered death threats under his breath. Farid would pay, but first he had to find that little one.
Farid: I am sorry master for what just transpired between us. I did not want to do these things, but you left me no choice. I do regret everything. I will leave out of your employ if you spare my life. I know I do not deserve mercy, but in spite of everything I have been loyal and have loved you like my brother.
Abdullah was livid: Go you camel's butt hole! I care not what happens to you! Just know if I ever see you again you shall die! I only spare you now because of what you used to mean to me.
Farid bowed: I thank you most humbly my liege for your mercy. I will be leaving after I get my things. I will never forget you or stop loving you.
Abdullah smarting muttered death threats under his breath. Farid would pay, but first he had to find that little one.
;
Later that day:
Zoe had gone to Akbar and asked him what she could do to appease his father. He suggested a gift, and she asked him what she should get him. Akbar offered to go to the market to get him something for her. She was pleased. Surely this would soften him up. She was afraid if he stayed angry, she would be in mpre trouble as well as Charmaine.
Zoe having wrapped the special book sought out Abdullah.
Zoe: Honored lord, I know you are upset with myself and my brat of a sister, but I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive her and myself for displeasing you. I have a gift to thank my lord for opening his honorable home to such ingrates as myself and sister. We are truly privileged to have been chosen by you. Zoe hadn't known what to say, but Akhbar had coached her.
Abdullah still in a rage from the beating he took at the hands of Farid was having none of it.
Abdullah: You are lucky you are still alive standing here talking to me. You are an ungrateful, disgrace of a woman. I don't know if I even will honor you with the lofty position of my wife. Instead perhaps I will make you and your sister, when she is brought back and trust me; I will comb the whole earth to find her so she will be found, my prostitutes whose sole waking hours will be to pleasure me. You won't eat, sleep, or do anything but please me unless I allow it. You and your sister only deserve to be disgraced. Perhaps I will come to your bed tonight and do all the things a man does with a prostitute, and then throw you out on the street. No man would dare have you after having been disgraced in such a way, not even your father would allow you back in his home. Yes, I may just do that.
Zoe's knees trembled. She wasn't sure what Abdullah was referring to, but she knew what it meant for her future. She didn't understand what a man did to a woman, but she just knew she didn't want to let Abdullah do those imaginary horrors he was talking about to her. She shuddered.
Later that day:
Zoe had gone to Akbar and asked him what she could do to appease his father. He suggested a gift, and she asked him what she should get him. Akbar offered to go to the market to get him something for her. She was pleased. Surely this would soften him up. She was afraid if he stayed angry, she would be in mpre trouble as well as Charmaine.
Zoe having wrapped the special book sought out Abdullah.
Zoe: Honored lord, I know you are upset with myself and my brat of a sister, but I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive her and myself for displeasing you. I have a gift to thank my lord for opening his honorable home to such ingrates as myself and sister. We are truly privileged to have been chosen by you. Zoe hadn't known what to say, but Akhbar had coached her.
Abdullah still in a rage from the beating he took at the hands of Farid was having none of it.
Abdullah: You are lucky you are still alive standing here talking to me. You are an ungrateful, disgrace of a woman. I don't know if I even will honor you with the lofty position of my wife. Instead perhaps I will make you and your sister, when she is brought back and trust me; I will comb the whole earth to find her so she will be found, my prostitutes whose sole waking hours will be to pleasure me. You won't eat, sleep, or do anything but please me unless I allow it. You and your sister only deserve to be disgraced. Perhaps I will come to your bed tonight and do all the things a man does with a prostitute, and then throw you out on the street. No man would dare have you after having been disgraced in such a way, not even your father would allow you back in his home. Yes, I may just do that.
Zoe's knees trembled. She wasn't sure what Abdullah was referring to, but she knew what it meant for her future. She didn't understand what a man did to a woman, but she just knew she didn't want to let Abdullah do those imaginary horrors he was talking about to her. She shuddered.
Farid got his stuff together and was preparing to leave.
Farid stopped outside the house that was his home for his whole life and sighed. How had he screwed up so bad? He hadn't meant to slap his master, but all the blame unfairly heaped on him was too much. Plus the strain of what his master planned to do to those two innocent children. He didn't always like what his master did, but he would lay down his life for him.
Abdullah after terrorizing Zoe and thinking of all the ways he could torture her felt some better and changed his mind about throwing Farid out.
Abdullah having seen Farid leave called after him.
Farid came slowly back not sure what his master wanted.
Abdullah after terrorizing Zoe and thinking of all the ways he could torture her felt some better and changed his mind about throwing Farid out.
Abdullah having seen Farid leave called after him.
Farid came slowly back not sure what his master wanted.
Abdullah: You sweat off a llama's balls, you would leave your childhood master who has been most generous to you so easily?
Farid: When my master orders me to do something I obey. You know that I am loyal to you. I beg your forgiveness for raising my hand to your eminence.
Abdullah: I have decided to give you another chance because of what you meant to me at one time. You will not enjoy the same privileges as you had before, as you will have to grovel and earn them back one by one. I will allow you to serve me, but you will sleep with the goats. You will eat what they feed the hogs. You will do the dirtiest jobs only the unclean lepers are allowed to do. You will be my lowly slave instead of my brother. In time if you earn it, you may be called my brother. You will not address me directly, or my son. If you even dare to look at us without permission I will have you killed. Do I make myself clear?
Farid knowing his fate living on the streets of Al Simhara would be brutal and a fate worse than death, got on his knees profuse with his master's benevolence and kissed his feet over and over.
Abdullah kicked him in annoyance. Now go and feed those hogs and yourself. Do not come until I call for you.
Farid crawling backwards expressing his thanks and praising his master departed.
Abdullah smiled. He knew that he had regained control. After all Farid knew that a disgraced servant of a high ranking official meant most likely living with lepers to survive. That is a fate worse than death, and Farid knew it. He would humble Farid so that he wouldn't even think of crossing him ever again. This was going to give him great pleasure.
Farid: When my master orders me to do something I obey. You know that I am loyal to you. I beg your forgiveness for raising my hand to your eminence.
Abdullah: I have decided to give you another chance because of what you meant to me at one time. You will not enjoy the same privileges as you had before, as you will have to grovel and earn them back one by one. I will allow you to serve me, but you will sleep with the goats. You will eat what they feed the hogs. You will do the dirtiest jobs only the unclean lepers are allowed to do. You will be my lowly slave instead of my brother. In time if you earn it, you may be called my brother. You will not address me directly, or my son. If you even dare to look at us without permission I will have you killed. Do I make myself clear?
Farid knowing his fate living on the streets of Al Simhara would be brutal and a fate worse than death, got on his knees profuse with his master's benevolence and kissed his feet over and over.
Abdullah kicked him in annoyance. Now go and feed those hogs and yourself. Do not come until I call for you.
Farid crawling backwards expressing his thanks and praising his master departed.
Abdullah smiled. He knew that he had regained control. After all Farid knew that a disgraced servant of a high ranking official meant most likely living with lepers to survive. That is a fate worse than death, and Farid knew it. He would humble Farid so that he wouldn't even think of crossing him ever again. This was going to give him great pleasure.
Akbar came across Zoe who was crying. His heart strings were tugged painfully. How he cared for this little one, so brave yet such a child yet.
She would be quite a woman when she grew older if his father didn't break her spirit. Sadly he was afraid that would happen. How he hated his father, yet feared him too much to not do his bidding.
Akbar: What is the problem little monkey? He instinctively gave her an endearment term to make her feel better.
Zoe sobbing: Your father frightened me. He told me he was going to have his way with me, and make me unfit for any man. Then he was going to throw me to the street because of what my sister did. I had nothing to do with that I swear. I was just as surprised as anybody she was gone. I don't even know what he means. What does he mean Akbar?
She would be quite a woman when she grew older if his father didn't break her spirit. Sadly he was afraid that would happen. How he hated his father, yet feared him too much to not do his bidding.
Akbar: What is the problem little monkey? He instinctively gave her an endearment term to make her feel better.
Zoe sobbing: Your father frightened me. He told me he was going to have his way with me, and make me unfit for any man. Then he was going to throw me to the street because of what my sister did. I had nothing to do with that I swear. I was just as surprised as anybody she was gone. I don't even know what he means. What does he mean Akbar?
Akbar was upset. Did his father really say such things to this innocent child? He couldn't let his father come into this child unprepared. If his father was serious and he probably was, he had to take away her innocence by telling her the way of men and women.
Akbar: Little one you must listen closely to me. I must do the job of your mother and explain the ways of men with women. He in the gentlest terms possible told her what she must be prepared for. He explained all about the birds and the bees.
Zoe listened wide eyed and appalled. Surely this old man wouldn't do those things to her? He couldn't? Is this why Charmaine ran away? How could women allow men to do these things?
Zoe: You are lying Akbar. These things are too filthy to be true. I don't believe you. You are trying to frighten me more.
Akhbar grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes. His heart broke.
Akbar; Look at me little monkey. Zoe looked into his kind eyes and knew he was not lying after all.
Zoe buried her face into his chest. Through her sobs she said I wish it was you who would do those things to me instead of your cruel father.
Akbar rubbed her back: Do not despair little one. I do not believe he will. If he does it won't be bad. You will get used to it. It is the way of women. Simallah has decreed it so. Millions of women have gone before you and survived. It will be ok.
Zoe started to cry louder. I wish we could be husband and wife. You would not treat me so shamefully.
Akhbar whispered: Me too, but such is not my good fortune.
Akbar: Little one you must listen closely to me. I must do the job of your mother and explain the ways of men with women. He in the gentlest terms possible told her what she must be prepared for. He explained all about the birds and the bees.
Zoe listened wide eyed and appalled. Surely this old man wouldn't do those things to her? He couldn't? Is this why Charmaine ran away? How could women allow men to do these things?
Zoe: You are lying Akbar. These things are too filthy to be true. I don't believe you. You are trying to frighten me more.
Akhbar grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes. His heart broke.
Akbar; Look at me little monkey. Zoe looked into his kind eyes and knew he was not lying after all.
Zoe buried her face into his chest. Through her sobs she said I wish it was you who would do those things to me instead of your cruel father.
Akbar rubbed her back: Do not despair little one. I do not believe he will. If he does it won't be bad. You will get used to it. It is the way of women. Simallah has decreed it so. Millions of women have gone before you and survived. It will be ok.
Zoe started to cry louder. I wish we could be husband and wife. You would not treat me so shamefully.
Akhbar whispered: Me too, but such is not my good fortune.