"Don't worry... I'll be with Daniaal..." She says and walks out of the house without letting him speak. Ali shakes his head and removes his apron. He knew she was lying.
....
She started walking towards the jungle where she lost her everything, her father, her innocence.. everything.
The forest was quieter than usual. Even the birds seemed to hold their breath. Noor walked along the narrow path leading away from the village, her pendant resting gently over her collarbone, glowing faintly under the setting sun. She didn't notice the glow—because it always did that in the sunlight. Or so she had told herself. She was wearing it as usual, she never removed it just as she promised her father. But she wanted to know the reason. The reason that why her father said that? While walking towards the jungle memories flooded in her mind.
Flash back....
"Baba, wait! You're hurt—please stop!" Little Noor's small voice cracked, her bare feet stumbling to keep up.
Yaram reached the cave at the base of a rocky cliff, barely holding himself upright. Blood soaked through his side, dripping onto the forest floor. He leaned against the stone wall and slowly lowered himself to the ground, wincing.
Noor rushed to him, breathless. "You need help! Let me go get someone—please!" She was feeling helpless. She wanted to help but couldn't.
"Noor…" Yaram's voice was weak but firm. He reached for her hand, gripping it gently. "No one can help me now."
Tears welled up in Noor's eyes. "But… you're bleeding! You can't just—" She choked back a sob. "You can't leave me." She was trying not to cry.
He smiled faintly, brushing her hair back from her face with shaking fingers. "You're so much like her…"
"Mama?" Noor asked, blinking away her tears.
Yaram nodded slowly. "She was special. Just like you...powerful and brave. Different. Not like the people in this world."
Noor sat down beside him, trying to understand. "You said she was a princess, right?"
"She was. From a world you've never seen. A world full of things most people don't even believe in." He held her hand, as if he was scared to let go.
Noor's hand clung to his. "Will I ever see it?"
His gaze drifted to the small pendant around her neck — a silver charm shaped like a crescent moon. It shimmered faintly in the dying light. "Maybe one day. But listen to me, Noor… this pendant—" He reached out, fingers trembling as he touched it lightly. "You must never take it off. Ever. Do you hear me?"
She looked down at it, confused. "Why?"
He paused, his breathing shallow. "You don't have to understand now. Just… promise me you'll keep it on. No matter what."
"I promise," she whispered, hugging his arm tightly. "But Baba, don't talk like this. Please don't go…"
Yaram's eyes were starting to close, but he still looked at her with all the love in the world. "You're stronger than you know, Noor. One day… you'll see."
"No, no, Baba—stay awake, please! I'll do anything, just don't—"
His hand slipped from hers.
"Noor…" he murmured one last time, barely a breath. "I love you."
Then silence.
Noor stared at him, frozen. "Baba? Baba!
But he was still.
She buried her face in his chest, sobbing. "You promised… you said you'd always be there…"
...BACK TO REALITY.....
She was engrossed in her thoughts but she senses someone's presence. A hand taps her shoulder from behind.
"You always come here alone...." A soft voice came from behind. She didn't have to look back to recognize him.
"Danial...." She mumbled his name. She turned back. He looked a little older than she remembered — broader in the shoulders, a bit taller maybe. His black shirt clung slightly to his frame, the sleeves rolled up carelessly like he always wore them. His hair was the same messy wave it had always been, like he'd run his fingers through it instead of brushing it.
His eyes were as warm as always, hazel, steady — met hers with that familiar softness she couldn't describe, the kind that made her chest feel tight without knowing why.
"You're lost in your head again."
"Danial," she said, a small smile touching her lips.
"I've only been gone for 2 years.." he teased. "You look like you aged ten years." he chuckles softly.
Noor rolled her eyes. "You wish. I was enjoying the peace."
"Liar," he grinned, nudging her shoulder gently. "Come on, I brought you something."
She raised an eyebrow. "If it's another lizard—"
"It's chocolate this time," he laughed. "Even I've matured… slightly." He says playfully. "You forgot I was coming today, right?" He asks with amusement dancing in his eyes.
She rolls her eyes not wanting to admit it.
For a moment, everything felt light again.
"Where were you going? Your father's grave?" He asks but he already knew.
"Yeah..." She replies. "It's been eight years today..." She says and looks away as if she was fighting her tears.
"Can I come?" Danial asks.
"No." She replies with a straight face.
"Thanks..." She holds her hand and starts walking towards the jungle.
"I said no... can't you hear?" She says trying to look angry but she isn't.
"Come on. I came back after two years...and I missed you." He says with a playful smile.
She rolls her eyes and continues walking.
They walked deeper into the woods and reached the place where she had lost her everything..her father. But if this place took people from her, it gave her new people in return. But you might have heard:
....Old wounds never truly heal....
She sits near the grave and takes out the bracelet he gave her from her pocket and kisses it. She's not a person to cry easily, or at least that's what she shows the world. A tear betrays her and she wipes it not wanting Danial to see it.
"It was today, right?" Danial asks as he sits near her.
"Yes..." She says in a small voice without looking at him, her posture stiff as if bracing against a storm.
He puts his hand on her shoulder. "Noor, you don't have to act strong all the time. It's okay to cry sometimes..it doesn't make you look weak."He says with concern in his eyes.
She sighed, her fingers trembling as she traced the engraved letters of her father's name. Yaram Kazmi. "He was trying to save me." Her voice cracks. "And I couldn't do anything... I'm useless."
Danial gently wraps his arms around her . "Shh... You're not useless. Don't say that. He loved you more than anything." He rubs her back trying to comfort her.
As Noor sits near the grave, she feels a chill in the air. Something rustles in the bushes behind her. She lifts her head sharply, her heart pounding. Danial tenses beside her, scanning the darkness.
"Did you hear that?" she whispers.
Danial's face tightens. "Stay close to me."
A pair of glowing eyes emerges from the darkness.