RASGHADHAN

MHAT'S POVI shake my head in pity. Such slow pace can get him killed. The loud noise of running feets from across the street is thunderous and deafening; forcing me to shield my ears with my hands firmly pressed against  them. I squint trying hard to see the running men through the dust. A sharp gasp escapes my lips when the old man steps on the hem of his garment. He tries gaining back his balance but fails woefully, falling face down. I watch in fear as the feets of running men draw closer to the old man's fragile body. "Get up! Get up!" I mentally scream. "Noooo!" My cry is faintly audible as I watch the old man's body get matched and the boots of the runners ahead of his dead body, paint the floor in red. I cringe when I notice the broken head of the old man. At least now he doesn't have to put up with this dumb tradition anymore. "Mhat!" A gasp escapes my lips, my eyes open wide in shock. When did she wake up? I turn to meet the familiar face of Hona. "M

I force my eyes close...... holding them that way with all of my strength. I just want to sleep already. Zet Hona and Rate must be far in the dream world but my eyes just won't close. On a norm, I won't think twice before moving to the lake but not today. My jaw was still hurting badly. I didn't enjoy the little meal I had because of the sting in my stomach. It wasn't as bad as this earlier. I quietly get up, not wanting to wake any of them. I wince in pain as I rise to my feet. Trying to ignore the pain in my stomach, I gently walk to the door. "Be back before two Mhat." I turn to face Hona who has her eyes closed. "Yes Ma. I will." And with that I step out. The cold air hits my skin and I inhale my environment, the cold air running in and out of my nose. This is what I enjoy about the night; the coolness of it. The way everything works in unison to maintain peace and how the proud of nature, make noise in the quiet just to gain attention. Sometimes I come out at night just to shou

 I wake up when I hear the cockcrow. Must be 5am already. I quickly crawl out the mat. Gentle enough not to wake Rate, Zet or Hona who are still asleep. I take a quick glance at them to ensure they are still sleeping before sneaking out the house. Everywhere is quiet but for the noise from nature. On a normal day a lot of people will be up by now but not today. Today is one of the few days of the year when we slaves get to rest. You may also want to look at it as another day when we are forcefully blinded from the activities of Rasghadhan. Today the best dancers of Rasghadhan will compete for the position of the best dancer in Rasghadhan. I found this out from Hona. Yesterday she called us around to explain why we won't be working today and she said a lot....... probably too much because now I want to see everything she spoke about. She said females always win the competition because the King has no business with a man. Well I've made up my mind to witness this competition and

MHAT'S POVI can't stop replaying what I just witnessed as I regretfully walk home. I walked hours just for this. To witness the shame in being a slave. I sniff, trying to stop my nose from running. Using my left hand to wipe my face, I walk back through the tunnel. After a few minutes, I'm back in the forest. I take some branches and cover as much evidence as I can to prevent someone from knowing the tunnel was used. I keep walking. My heart aching with every thought running through my mind. Would I have laughed along with them if I wasn't a slave? How would life had been if I wasn't a slave. The dance carried so much truth. We slaves are timid, weak, used and then we die and are thrown into a pile of dead bodies. I cry harder. All I've ever known is pain. Suffering, frustration, rejection. My life has no fulfillment. I have no self. I'm alive but not living. I can't do what I want. I can't be who I want to be. The worst, I can't change who I am. I am a slave. Dirt to Rasgha

AIRLEN'S POV"I know what can cheer us up." Mhat joyfully speaks, grinning like a ten year old. "What?" I ask uninterested. After she pursued me with a stick, I need to be careful. "Get up." She instructs with an outstretched arm. "Why?""Just do it."I don't want to just do it. Just doing it means taking a risk and I don't feel like doing that. At least not with water. "Urgh! Fine." I eventually agree. I stand up to my feet and take her hand in mine but I let her lead the way. I don't know why we have to hold hands but I'm not going to complain; I do love the feel of her small hand in mine. I am surprised when she starts entering the lake. The cold water welcomes my feet and my body shivers in greetings. What is she thinking? The water is so cold yet she wants to swim and she's doing so with her clothes on. We stop a little way into the lake. We are still close to the edge. I watch as she lets go of my hand and slowly sits