Qasim and Abdul Rehman are walking and talking.
They say, "Something felt strange."
Qasim says, "Yeah, I know what must have happened. I know Abdullah. He is very cruel."
Abdul Rehman says, "I've seen him being cruel."
Qasim, with a confused expression, asks, "What do you mean by that?"
He replies, "Abdullah made the kids get whipped because they stole. They were just hungry and thirsty."
Qasim asks, "Are you telling the truth? When did this happen?"
Abdul Rehman replies, "The last time Abdullah went out."
Qasim becomes very sad and says, "How can someone be so cruel? Anyway, may Allah protect those children. Tomorrow, you and I will go visit them."
Abdul Rehman gives an emotional expression and says, "Yes, Qasim, I wanted to tell you something. I know those children, and they feel like my own now. One of them is missing—Abid. Please, brother, help me. I need to find him."
Qasim asks, "Since when is he missing?"
Abdul Rehman replies, "It's been a few days."
Qasim asks, "Exactly how many?"
"It's been two days. I've searched everywhere, but I haven't found him. I promised Umm-e-Farwah I'll bring him back."
Qasim asks, "Who is she?"
Abdul Rehman replies, "One of the girls among those kids. She's strong—my girl, Umm-e-Farwah."
Qasim says, "Don't worry, I'll find him. Now that I'm a commander, it'll be a bit easier. I'll assign some soldiers. Let's search together tomorrow. For now, it's very late, and we should go home."
"You're right," says Abdul Rehman. They both go home.
The next morning, they wake up to the sound of Fajr prayer and birds chirping—peaceful, no noise. Qasim and Abdul Rehman go for prayer. After praying, Qasim starts working on his mission. He goes to Abdul Rehman and says,
"I've assigned soldiers to find Abid, but if they go dressed as soldiers, they'll get caught. I need your old clothes—the ones you wear when traveling—so no one recognizes them. Quickly, I have work to do. I'll also find out what Abdullah did to those four kids. Hurry!"
Abdul Rehman says, "Okay, as you say. But didn't you want to meet the kids?"
Qasim replies, "Yes, of course. But not now—this work is urgent."
Abdul Rehman agrees and gives him the clothes. Then he leaves.
Qasim gives the task to two trusted soldiers: "Find Abid, but don't let Abdullah find out. Go in plain clothes." They agree. But actually, Qasim had taken Abdul Rehman's clothes for himself—to follow the Masked Man.
Qasim thinks, "Sorry, brother. I should've told you, but this mission is very secret and important. Forgive me."
The Masked Man takes everything he needed from the king, including coins, and goes on a journey. Qasim follows him in disguise.
After a long journey, the Masked Man senses someone is following him.
He stops and waits. As Qasim is about to step forward, the Masked Man turns and says,
"What do you want? Who are you? If you think you can steal from me, you're mistaken. I'm giving you a chance—don't follow me."
Qasim thinks, "If I don't act now, I might get caught and my mission will fail."
He smartly handles the situation and says while crying:
"My children are hungry. I can't even steal, because I'm not a thief. But I really need coins. I used to take care of horses, but Abdullah fired me. My kids are starving. I don't want to steal. I can travel with you. I'll take care of your horse. I've been through a lot because of Abdullah. I know this place—maybe that'll help you. Please, sir, have mercy. I want to feed my kids with rightful earnings."
The Masked Man says, "Alright, alright. Stop crying so much."
He thinks, "Why do all these people come to me?"
He then asks, "Why have you covered your face? You're just a horse caretaker."
Qasim says, "Because of Abdullah. If he finds out I interfered in any matter related to the Princess, he'll kill me. That's why I'm hiding my face—so no one recognizes me. And you're going to bring the Princess, right?"
The Masked Man thinks, then says, "Strange people. Stay in front of my eyes. Let's move, we have a long journey ahead."
He mutters, "Where do these people even come from?"
Qasim feels happy and thinks, "Great acting! But 'my children are hungry'—haha! I'm not even married yet, and already kids? Astaghfirullah!"
The Masked Man uses something during the journey and then says, "We'll go left now."
But a soldier sent by the king says, "But I heard the right path is better."
The Masked Man says, "Yes, but it's too long."
The soldier replies, "But I've heard the left path is dangerous, though shorter."
Masked Man laughs and says, "Exactly! That's why we're going—because it's dangerous, not because it's short. We'll get bored if nothing happens. Need some excitement, right?"
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Written By
Sabir Ali
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