Two days later, in the afternoon.
Alone, loathed, and heartbroken. That is all that Taz had thought about ever since she woke up.
She laid on her bedroll, curled up, cried, and sobbed.
All she thought about was. What had she done wrong? What did she do to deserve abandonment and rejection?
In her mind, she pondered.
Was I such a burden that Hajras decided to leave me? Did I ever wrong my friends? Why did they choose to reject me so quickly? After all these years we have been together, our friendship and memories were thrown away because I decided to keep my promise.
Yasmine entered the house and looked at her daughter.
It pained her to see her once cheerful Taz crying and filled with sorrow. She put down her sewing kit, approached her, and sat on her right knee.
She stroked her hair to comfort her and tried her best to smile, but the sight of a sad child never brings joy to a mother.
"Tanaz," Yasmine whispers.
Taz looked up at her mother; her cheeks were still wet from the fallen tears, her eyes red, and her expression was sad.
Yasmine wiped her tears with her thumb and kissed her forehead.
She smiled softly and said, "How about we get some food?"
"I'm not hungry," Taz muttered.
"I will buy you your favorite snack," Yasmine said.
Taz smiled.
Yasmine rubbed Taz's shoulder and said softly, "Wash your face. I will be waiting for you outside."
Yasmine went out of the house and stood next to the door. She crossed her arms, sighed heavily, and muttered to herself, "My poor little girl."
Five minutes later.
Taz walked out of the house.
Yasmine looked at her and asked, "Are you ready to go, Tanaz?"
"Yes, mother," Taz replied.
As they walked out of the alleyway, Yasmine held Taz's hand and headed for the river street market.
After a while.
They reached the crowded river street market.
Babilim's marketplaces are designed to accommodate the social classes that visit them.
The same was true for the river street market.
Lower-class peasants and middle-class officials mainly visit it. Still, shameless nobles and royals frequent the market to buy tax-free products on rare occurrences to take advantage of the King's social welfare policy that lowered the prices of the goods.
They walked on the brick-layered ground of the river street. The sun's heat made the atmosphere humid, making the smell of the food stronger and hard to ignore.
Taz looked around as she walked beside her mother.
She saw wooden booths to her right, in front of the guard rails, and to her left, she saw the stores inside the buildings.
Yasmine looked at her daughter and said, "Tanaz, look, there it is," as she pointed to a booth.
The wooden booth Yasmine pointed to specialized in cooking meat marinated with honey to give it a sweet flavor and tender texture.
They approached the meat booth, and Yasmine greeted the old chef that operated it.
"Hello, Mama Norah," Yasmine said.
"Mama Tanaz? I didn't expect to see you so soon," Mama Norah said.
"I brought Tanaz this time," Yasmine said.
Mama Norah stepped beside her booth and saw Taz, "Is that Tanaz? I could barely recognize her," she said.
"Tanaz, do you know who this woman is?" Yasmine asked.
".....No, mother," Tanaz replied.
Mama Norah gasped playfully and said, "You naughty little girl, me and my older sister helped your mother when she gave birth to you."
"Really?" Taz asked.
Mama Norah chuckled and said, "Yes, I also breastfed you occasionally instead of your mother."
"Wouldn't that make you my nursing mother?" Taz asked.
"You and many other children," Mama Norah replied.
"How many nursing siblings do I have?" Taz asked curiously.
"You will find out when you grow up," Mama Norah happily replied.
"Mama Norah, I want to order the usual," Yasmine said.
"Take a seat on the bench, and I will bring it to you," Mama Norah said.
Yasmine and Taz sat on the bench near the booth with the river stream behind them.
"You never told me about her, Mother," Taz said.
"I did bring you here when you were little; I thought you would still remember her," Yasmine replied.
"Where is her older sister?" Taz asked.
"Her older sister passed away three years ago, bless her soul," Yasmine said.
"What was she like?" Taz asked.
"She was always cheerful, just like her sister. Also, she used to be a doctor," Yasmine said.
"Can she use healing magic?" Taz asked.
"No, that is a healer. A doctor uses medicine to cure people," Yasmine replied.
"I thought they were the same thing," Taz said.
"They are similar, but they cure people differently," Yasmine said.
Mama Norah approached them with a clay bowl filled with grilled honey-marinated meat chopped into small square pieces and two thick wooden pick sticks pinned on the meat chops.
"Here you go, Mama Tanaz," Mama Norah said.
"Thank you, Mama Norah," Yasmine replied.
"Call for me if you need more servings," Mama Norah said.
Yasmine placed the bowl on her lap and handed a wooden stick to Taz.
They started eating and enjoyed their food as the calm winds blew by them.
The river's burble captures the place's ambiance, giving it a relaxing atmosphere.
Yasmine sighed and said, "I still keep thinking about the times we used to go on walks together."
"We could still go on walks, but you and my father are always busy working," Taz replied.
"Because we have to provide for you and ourselves," Yasmine said.
"I know. I wish we had a better life rather than being poor," Taz said.
"I wish that too, but for now, it is better to be grateful for what we have," Yasmine said.
"I would be grateful if I had a bed to sleep on," Taz said.
"Your father and I told you to sleep with us in our bed multiple times, but you always refuse," Yasmine said.
"Because my father snores!" Taz replied.
Yasmine chuckled and said, "He does."
Mama Norah approached them and said, "Do you need a second serving, Mama Tanaz?"
Yasmine looked at Taz and said, "Do you want more food, Tanaz?"
"No, mother," Taz replied.
"Mama Tanaz, can I talk to you for a moment?" Mama Norah asked.
Yasmine Looked at Mama Norah and said, "uh…..sure," She looked at Taz and said, "I will be right back, dear."
"I will be here, mother," Taz said.
Yasmine stood up, picked up the clay bowl and the wooden sticks, and walked with Mama Norah back to the food booth.
They reached the food booth. Yasmine puts the clay bowl and the wooden sticks in the water barrel next to the stand.
Mama Norah turned around and asked, "What happened to Tanaz? The poor girl looks horrible."
Yasmine sighed, crossed her arms and said, "She had been like that for two days after what happened between her and her friends."
"Poor girl," Mama Norah said.
"Radhi and I tried comforting her, but Tanaz still blames herself for what happened," Yasmine said.
"I hope Tanaz finds a way to get over it," Mama Norah said.
"Me as well. It pains me to see her like this," Yasmine said.
Mama Norah removed her silver bracelet, handed it to Yasmine and said, "I want her to have this."
"Faten, I can't accept it," Yasmine said.
"I insist, Yasmine, please let her have this bracelet," Faten said.
"But it belongs to your late sister," Yasmine said.
"My sister always told me to help people in need, so I will honor her wish and give this bracelet to Tanaz," Faten said.
Yasmine smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Faten."
Faten called for Taz and said, "Come here, Tanaz!"
Tanaz approached Faten and said, "Yes, Mama Norah?"
"Give me your hand," Faten said.
Taz extended her right hand. Faten held her hand and put the bracelet on her wrist.
"Do you like it? Tanaz," Faten said.
"It's pretty," Tanaz cheerfully replied.
"It's yours," Faten said.
"Thank you, Mama Norah," Taz happily replied.
"But promise me one thing before I let you keep it," Faten said.
"Yes?" Taz said.
"In your darkest times, when all hope seems lost, remember to keep smiling," Faten said.
"I don't know if I can do that, Mama Norah," Taz replied.
Faten smiled and said, "Tanaz, what is important is that you try; smile and good fortune will follow."
Taz smirked and said, "I will, Mama Norah."
Faten chuckled, rubbed Taz's shoulder and said, "Good girl."
Yasmine smiled and stroked Taz's hair. She looked at Faten and said, "Thank you, Faten."
Faten smiled and said, "Ohh, don't mention it, Yasmine."
She pinched Taz's cheek softly and said, "I couldn't live with myself if I saw my little Tanaz sad and didn't do anything to help."
"Thank you, Mama Norah. I will take good care of this bracelet," Taz said.
They said their farewells to each other. Yasmine and Taz waved their hands briefly as they walked away.
Yasmine looked at Taz and asked, "Is there any place you want to visit before returning home?"
"Can we visit the library? I want to take a book from there," Taz replied.
"I didn't know you started reading books?" Yasmine said.
"I started reading recently," Taz said.
"It's good you started reading again. The last time I saw you reading something, it was a food menu," Yasmine said playfully.
After a while, they reached the library and went in.
They saw A'saal on their left. She was cleaning a bookshelf with a feathery brush.
Yasmine approached A'saal and greeted her. A'saal turned around and welcomed her back.
Taz approached A'saal and said, "Good afternoon, A'saal."
"Tanaz! It's good to see you again," A'saal said.
"It's good to see you too, A'saal," Taz said.
"I never knew my daughter visited you before, Lady A'saal," Yasmine said.
"She came here recently," A'saal replied.
Yasmine looked at Tanaz and said, "Tanaz, go find the book you wanted."
"Yes, mother," Taz said,
Taz went to the bookshelf, took the book she wanted, and sat at the long table to read it.
A'saal looked at Yasmine and said, "Please, take a seat."
She and Yasmine walked to the keeper's desk across the room from the long table Tanaz was sitting on. They sat on the chairs in front of the desk, facing each other.
A'saal put the feathery brush next to the desk and said, "I surely didn't expect Tanaz to be the daughter of my tailor."
Yasmine chuckled and said, "It's a small world."
"To be honest, I was worried when I saw you; I thought something happened to my current order," A'saal said.
"Well… there have been some complications; we are running out of silk," Yasmine said.
"How long will it take to bring more silk?" A'saal said.
"A week or so, hopefully," Yasmine said.
"Hopefully?" A'saal asked.
"From what our supplier told us, the roads are getting more dangerous, and merchant convoys are attacked more than usual," Yasmine said.
A'saal sighed and said, "It can't be helped, but you haven't told me how Tanaz is doing these days?" A'saal said.
"The girl is troubled these days after what happened with her and her friends," Yasmine said.
"What happened?" A'saal asked.
"They got into a disagreement, and now her friends don't want anything to do with her anymore," Yasmine said.
"Poor girl," A'saal said.
"I am more worried about what she will do. Since she has no friends anymore, I fear she might get mixed with scoundrels," Yasmine said.
"I do have an idea if you wouldn't mind it," A'saal said.
"What is it?" Yasmine said.
"I can employ her in the library and appoint her as my apprentice," A'saal said.
"I'm not sure about it," Yasmine said.
"I can promise you I will keep her under my watch, and she will be paid as well," A'saal said.
"How much are you going to pay her?" Yasmine asked.
"It depends, but I can pay her fifty Dinars a month as a start," A'saal said.
"It doesn't seem like a bad idea, but I have to talk with Radhi about it," Yasmine said.
"I'm more than happy to start teaching her about library work if Radhi agrees," A'saal said.
"Thank you, Lady A'saal. I will talk to Radhi when we get home," Yasmine said.
"Don't thank me. I need someone to help me take care of the library for a while," A'saal chirped.
A'saal and Yasmine chuckle briefly.
Taz approached Yasmine and A'saal as she held a book and said, "A'saal, can I take this book home?"
"Sure, just make sure it doesn't get dirty or torn," A'saal said.
"Thank you, A'saal," Taz cheerfully replied.
"You are welcome, Tanaz," A'saal said.
"Are you ready to go home, Tanaz?" Yasmine said.
"Yes, mother," Taz said.
A'saal and Yasmine stood up and exchanged their farewells. Yasmine and her daughter left the library and headed home.
They reached their home at sunset, saw Radhi with a worried look near the door, and walked back and forth.
Yasmine and Taz approached Radhi.
Radhi saw them and shouted, "Where were you!?"
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, Radhi, but I couldn't let our daughter stay home like she was," Yasmine said.
Taz walked to her father and said, "Mother took me to the library."
Radhi kneeled, hugged Taz and said, "Next time, tell me, dear. I have enough to worry about already."
"I'm sorry, father," Taz replied sadly.
Radhi stood up and said, "It's okay, dear. I was worried about you and your mother."
"How about we go inside? I barely rested ever since I got out of work," Yasmine said.
"I had a long day as well. Let's go," Radhi said.
The family went inside. Taz sat on her bedroll and started reading her book, and Her parents went inside their bedroom.
Afterward, they changed into indoor clothing, lay on the bed and released a heavy sigh As they finally rested after a long day.
"I need to talk to you about something," Yasmine said.
"What is it?" Radhi said.
"Lady A'saal offered to employ Tanaz at the library," Yasmine said.
"A'saal? Your regular client?" Radhi asked.
"Yes, that same A'saal," Yasmine said.
"That is weird; why did she offer that?" Radhi asked.
"She told me Tanaz visited her before, and she liked her," Yasmine said.
"That can't be everything," Radhi said.
"I did tell her I was worried about leaving Tanaz alone while you and I went to work," Yasmine said.
Radhi sighed and said, "I had that concern as well."
"A'saal also mentioned that she will give Tanaz a salary," Yasmine said.
"Really?" Radhi said.
"Yes," Yasmine said.
"I don't mind it," Radhi said.
"You don't?" Yasmine said.
"Yes, if Tanaz were to start working and earn an honest living, I support it," Radhi said.
"I thought you would be against it," Yasmine said.
"I can't let the past repeat itself. If Tanaz had an opportunity to live normally, then let her take it," Radhi said.
"You still think about those days?" Yasmine asked.
"How could I not?" Radhi said.
Yasmine cuddled Radhi and said, "Leave it behind, Radhi. We have a new life here and a beautiful daughter that hadn't grown up getting used to the smell of human blood."
"I try, but for now. I am focused on ensuring Tanaz grows up without fearing a blade on her neck," Radhi said.
"Me too, Radhi," Yasmine said softly.
Radhi and Yasmine fell asleep, holding each other closely, ending their long day.
Taz bent the top corner of the page she was on, placed the book next to her pillow, and slept shortly afterward.
In the early morning of the next day.
Taz woke up to her mother's calls. She opened her eyes and saw Yasmine standing in front of her.
Yasmine kneeled and said, "Wake up, Tanaz, you will be late."
"Late for what, mother?" Taz said.
"You will be working with Lady A'saal in the library," Yasmine said.
To her surprise, when she heard that, it took her a while to comprehend what Yasmine had told her. with Yasmine's constant talk and poking, Taz had no choice but to get up and prepare for the day ahead.
After a while, Taz and Yasmine left the house and walked until they reached the river road and headed north.
"Mother, you never told me I would work in the library," Taz said.
"I didn't think your father would have agreed to it, but he did," Yasmine said.
"I don't know how to manage a library, mother," Taz said.
"You won't, A'saal will manage the library, and you will help her with what she needs," Yasmine said.
"How long will I stay there?" Taz asked.
"Until the library closes at sunset," Yasmine said.
"I am not sure if I am ready for all of this," Taz said.
"Don't worry. A'saal promised you would be under her care. If you don't know anything, ask her," Yasmine said.
They reached the library after a short while and went inside.
They found A'saal sitting at her desk, and Yasmine greeted her.
A'saal stood up and welcomed her.
"I guess Radhi agreed to let Tanaz work here?" A'saal asked.
"He did! Although Tanaz doesn't seem ready to start," Yasmine said.
A'saal chuckled, looked at Taz, and said, "Don't worry, Tanaz, I will teach you everything you need to know."
"I will try my best, A'saal," Taz said.
"Well then, I will head to work now," She looked at Taz and said, "Remember to behave and listen to what lady A'saal tells you," Yasmine said.
"I will, mother," Taz said.
Yasmine walked out of the library.
A'saal looked at Taz and said, "Shall we start?"
"Yes," Taz said.
Taz started her first bit of work that day. She started in the morning and left in the evening.
She kept working in the library for two months, but one thing she hadn't forgotten about all that time was her promise to Hajras. she waited patiently for his return to uncover the mysteries of their family.
The End