Qasim's POV
Qasim feels something strange in his heart. There's a heaviness, a storm within his chest that makes his heartbeat feel louder than usual. He places his hand over his heart and softly whispers to himself:
"O Allah... You are the one who made me capable. You gave me the strength to stand against my enemies. You gave me the courage to walk alongside truth and to confront evil head-on. You made me capable enough to protect the people I love, to fight for them, to never let them fall—only by Your will.
O Allah... please, protect the ones I love. Let no harm come to them, not even a shadow of pain. My sister... she's a little childish, a little wild, always full of mischief... but I love her more than anything in this world. My mother... the very reason I breathe. I cannot even imagine a life without her. She taught me everything. She told me to always walk the path of truth. She raised me with simplicity, with values. Whatever I am today—it's only because of her."
His voice begins to tremble slightly.
"My father... I wait for the day I can hug him again. I wait for Eid like a child, just so I can feel his arms around me. I don't know if I've been a good son… or if I ever will be. But one thing I do know is that my father would do anything for me. Even if he doesn't say it out loud, even if he doesn't show it... I know how deeply he cares."
A soft smile touches his lips before he continues.
"And my friend... Abdul Rehman. He is not just a friend. He is like my own blood, my own brother. He has stood by my side since we were children. His father treated me like his own son. He taught me how to fight, how to wield a sword. He was my teacher.
And there is someone... someone whose voice echoes in my mind every night. Someone I cannot stop thinking about since the very first time I saw her. I don't know why I love her so much... I don't even know what to call this feeling. But every time I see her, my heart beats faster... and her voice stays with me, even in silence."
He takes a deep breath, his eyes raised to the sky.
"O Allah... protect all of them. They are not just a part of my life—they are my life. Without them, I don't know if I'd be able to keep going… or even survive."
With this prayer in his heart, he says "Ameen" under his breath. And as the moment passes, he grips the reins tightly.
They were now riding at full speed—Baghdad was just ahead. They were almost there.
On the other side...
Yousif and the Princess
Yousif's eyes begin to close. Exhaustion is catching up to him. But the princess gently shakes his shoulder and whispers:
"Please... don't close your eyes now. Just a little longer. We're almost in Baghdad. Just hold on a little more..."
Abdullah's POV
The healer's wife rushes in. The moment her eyes fall upon Nayab, she gasps in horror.
"Her condition... it's very serious," she says, stunned.
Abdullah's eyes widen in fear. He steps forward and urgently asks her:
"Sister... my daughter... will she be okay?"
The healer's wife places a gentle but firm hand on his arm and replies:
"Please... step outside. If you stay in here and continue looking at your daughter like this, it might affect you too. Her condition is very delicate."
Abdullah, with tears running down his cheeks, his voice breaking, pleads again:
"I'm asking you... will my daughter survive? Will she be okay?"
The healer's wife sighs, her expression pained but calm:
"Please... don't be angry. We are doing everything we can. But her condition is critical. A lot of blood has already been lost. We must begin treatment immediately, and for that, we need you to step outside. We cannot treat her properly if you remain here."
She looks at Nayab with sorrow in her eyes. Then turns to Abdullah again and says:
"Sir, please... for her sake... go outside."
Abdullah, trembling uncontrollably, nods.
"Yes... yes, I'll go..."
He leans over Nayab, gently caresses her hair, and whispers:
"My daughter... I'm right here. Your father is right here, standing just outside. I won't leave you... just please, get better soon."
And with that, he stumbles out of the room, barely able to stand on his shaking legs.
Inside, the healer's wife begins treatment immediately. It takes a long time—far longer than expected.
After what feels like an eternity, she finally steps out and calls for Abdullah.
"Sir... I've done everything I could. Everything in my power. I've never seen anyone in such a fragile state..."
Abdullah's legs give out. He falls to the ground, silent, motionless, his eyes fixed on her with unspeakable pain. Slowly, he lifts his head, eyes full of terror and hope.
"Is... is my daughter alive?" he asks in a trembling voice. "Please... don't say no. I won't be able to take it."
The healer's wife smiles faintly, her voice low but clear:
"Yes. She's alive."
At that moment, it's as if Abdullah breathes for the first time in years. His soul returns to his body. Just seconds ago, he thought his entire world had ended.
"Is... is she okay now?" he asks.
The healer's wife replies carefully:
"By Allah's mercy... yes, she's alive. But her condition is still very serious. I can't say for certain if she will recover fully, or how long it will take. For now, we must only be thankful that she escaped death. The blood loss was severe. She is still in critical condition."
Abdullah lowers his head, overwhelmed with regret. Silent tears fall from his eyes as he begins to reflect on everything he had done wrong.
"I remember those children I ordered to be killed. They were orphans... just children. And I showed them no mercy. If their parents had been alive, even they would not have been able to bear what I did to them. Now... when it's my own daughter lying there, fighting for her life... only now do I understand what true pain really is."
He falls to his knees and cries out:
"O Allah... I am a sinner. I deserve punishment. I deserve justice for my crimes. I accept whatever punishment is written for me."
He stares at the ground in silence and then says to himself:
"Once I see my daughter alive and safe for the last time… I will accept everything. Whatever fate brings me—I will not resist. And it will not be the king who decides my fate—it will be the people of Baghdad. Let them choose how I should be punished."
He thinks further:
"I won't tell the king... I won't tell anyone. Because if I do, they'll stop me. They won't let me confess. So I will do it in silence... I will face my truth, alone."
Qasim, the Princess, and Yousif Arrive in Baghdad
Qasim, the princess, and Yousif finally reach Baghdad.
Everyone cheers in relief:
"Praise be to Allah! We made it!"
Qasim turns around to tell Yousif:
"Yousif! We're here! We've arrived!"
But Yousif's eyes... are closed.
Qasim's joy vanishes. He rushes to him in panic, jumping off his horse and running to him.
"No, no, no... this can't be happening!"
He falls to his knees beside him, his voice cracking in fear.
Question For reader If you were there, what punishment would you have given to Abdullah or would you have forgiven him?
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Written by
Sabir Ali
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