Anarkali

jolted awake by a rustling in the bushes. Anarkali's heart racing with fear, she

What was that?" she whispered, her voice barely au

yes fixed on the bushes. "I do

owed by several others. Anarkali's heart sank, an

enemy soldiers she had feared. Instead, they were a group of Mugh

ings, ladies," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "We mean you no harm. We are soldiers of

e soldier's arm. "Thank you," she said, her voice trembling with

"The rebels have been causing chaos throughout the region. B

with curiosity. "Where

. "It's a safe place, where you can rest and recover. We will provide you with

tears. "Thank you," she said again.

ur duty to protect the people of the empire," he said.

her to gather their belongings, and then

st spoken to them about the rebel forces. "Who are the

roup of disaffected nobles and soldiers who are dis

rue," she said. "Emperor Akbar is a wise and just rule

nd he has done much to improve the lives of the people of the empire. But these men do not see it that way

was filled with women and children, old men and young boys

other to a large tent, where they w

d, weeping. "Everything is

r tent, watching as the other villagers cried and

an from their village,

hazia," he said, bowing his he

alaikum assalam, Faruq," she said. "We are well, thanks be to All

ke to one of the Mughal soldiers earlier today, and he told me th

as able to drive Khan Uzbek's men back," he said. "But not

illing with tears. "Oh no," sh

rebuild," he said. "We will work

. "We will rebuild and we will make

pproached the tent. They were led by the same soldier wh

bowing his head in greeting

ting. "Wa alaikum assalam," she sai

rt the process of recovery. One of the soldiers, a tall and imposing ma

e casualties and identify the dead bodies. We also need to

began to disperse to start the task.

he said. "I want to make sure

orry. "Be careful, Anarkali," she sai

eyes scanning the ground for any signs of life. As she approached one of the h

didn't want to see what was inside the hut. But she knew that

s thick with dust, and Anarkali could barely see. But as her e

read. She approached the figure slowly, her eyes fixed on

punched in the gut. She couldn't breathe, and she couldn'

h over her. She couldn't believe that her father was gone

narkali felt a sense of anger and determination. She kn

back to her mother. She knew that she had to tell

e the worry in her eyes. "Anarkali, what's wron

find the words. "Mother, I found Father,"

ched out to grab Anarkali's arm. "No, Anarka

of tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm s

words hung in the air. She stumbled

her voice trembling with grie

Shazia shook her off. She stumbled forward,

n't listen. She kept walking, her feet carrying he

he fell to the ground, her body wracked with sobs. She crawled f

losed, his face pale. Shazia's wails echoed through the air as she

e barely audible over her sobs. "Why did yo

s filled with tears. She knelt down beside her

her," she whispere

ief. Anarkali held her tightly, trying to comfort her, but she knew that i