The Beginning of the End

Risha Moobhan:

And finally, my life came to an end. So this was the end. All the hardships, struggles, tragedies, and sorrows that I went through finally came to an end.

The fire of revenge had already killed me five years ago, it is just my body that is no more in this world.

She thought while taking her last breath.

Had I ever wronged any of them? What was my sin? Loving a person? Since when did love become a sin? A tear slowly rolled down her cheek.

Maybe I'm mistaken, loving someone is always a sin in this community. In this world, these people are the enemies of love. Taking the lives of the lovers, promising one another to never let any couple stay together.

As much as she thought about it, she wanted to scream but all her energy was drained. She was already stepping in hereafter.

I was born in the wrong era, wrong country, and wrong community. today, I forgive you Risha. And I wanna congratulate you on the title you have earned.

She smiled and took her last breath. The tears were dried on her cheeks. This was going to be the most heartbreaking scene for the only person who cared for her - her sister.

"She is dead, the rebellious woman is dead, and she has died." People screamed in joy, ending the five years war of revenge.

"It was one woman against these so many powerful forces; everyone knew that she would die". Someone whispered.

"Risha, Risha, Rishaa...." a girl approached the rebellious woman's dead body.

"Risha, Risha, please wake up. Don't leave me. Don't go, please, listen to me this time, please for the last time come back, please". The girl cried and put the head of Risha on her lap. The tears were rolling down her cheeks; she sobbed and put her hand on Risha's hands. She was her younger sister - Birha - the only person who supported Risha. Despite the circumstances and the differences, Birha was always there for her but she couldn't save her. It was too late.

She wanted to go back to 1852 where everything was normal and peaceful.

____

10 years ago

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"Birha, why are you sad? Let's play a game." Risha blushed and said.

"I want to go home". Birha answered rudely.

"Okay, okay, but can you please tie my hair?" Risha asked politely.

Birha started to braid her long black hair, which was extremely thick and long. Her hair covered her thin waist.

"Can you please be gentle? My face is turning red, why are you pulling my hair so hard?" Risha shouted.

"It's done, let's go now." was the answer.

As they started to walk, a guy in Arz's army dress came out of nowhere and stopped Risha midway.

"You shouldn't tie your hair; you look more beautiful in open hair." The guy said.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" Risha replied.

"....." the guy was silent.

Risha was known for her bravery, courage, bluntness, archery and best sword skills. She was raised by her father as a sword woman. No guy could talk to her fearlessly, but this tall, handsome and golden-haired boy dared to compliment her.

She picked up her sword and pointed to this guy, saying, "Don't follow me if you want no regrets."

The guy took a step backwards, clearing their way, giving her a smirk, he said, "I'm even willing to accept death if it is for you."

She glared at him furiously and went back her way.

Birha was astonished at her behaviour, why didn't she just wound him? How dare he talk like this?

"What was that Dedi?" (Dedi is a word used for elder sister).

"Nothing, my dear Birha, will you please concentrate on your mood rather than poking your nose into my business"? Risha teased her.

"Why didn't you fight with him? What was that? Why did you let him live? And why did you let him go on his own feet? It's not you." Birha raised her eyebrows.

"Some things don't need an explanation". Risha blushed.

At that time only if she knew that she was walking on the tight ropes, she would have never chosen that way.

"Birha, Risha, where were you guys? I have been waiting for you since evening. Come on, let's have dinner." They heard their mother's voice when they reached the main gate.

"Maa, can you please let us stay outside a little longer? Due to your rules, I forgave my hunt today." Risha bluntly said.

"That guy was your hunt "? Birha whispered in her ear.

"Yes". Risha nodded her head.

The four family members sat down for dinner.

"Baba..." (Baba is used for calling father in Urdu).

"Sssshhhh, don't talk during eating." Her father stopped her.

After finishing the dinner, the father smiled at his daughters and asked: "What were you saying, Risha"?

"Baba, why there is Arz's army in our area?" Risha asked curiously.

The Arz's Army came to the River land in 1800. It dramatically spread all over the region; however, Awaish was the only area without Arz's interventions.

"Why are you asking this? Have you seen anyone from Arz's army? Did they harm you or followed you here?" Her father asked anxiously.

Moobhan was extremely worried, as the Arz's atrocities were well-known. There were rumours that they used to kidnap and rape the women of Riverland. After all, he was a husband of the most beautiful woman and a father of two cute and pretty teenage girls. He was married to Misha Bai for almost 25 years now. Risha was 18 years old and Birha was 15. He was old enough to protect his daughters. In Riverland, the honour of a family was always in the hands of women.

"Baba, come on! Who can touch your daughter? Don't you know, I'm the brave one?" Risha said carelessly.

"From today onwards, you both can't go outside after 5 PM," Moobhan ordered and went back to his room.

"Birha, tell me what happened"? Misha Bai asked the younger daughter.

"Maa, someone in the Blue uniform stopped us on the way but you know Dedi..."

"Shut up, I know your Dedi."

"And you Risha, don't you dare to go outside without my permission." Misha Bai said angrily.

Risha rolled her eyeballs to Birha and they both went to their room.

"The sun rises in the east, and sets in the west, aye,

I look out for you, staring at the sky,

Where are you, aye, hmm..." Risha woke up murmuring these lyrics.

"Will you please shut up my dear sister?" Birha said in a sleepy voice.

"Hey, wake up, it's almost 6 AM," Risha said while trying to wake up.

"Huh." Briha covered herself again in the blanket.

After taking a bath, she left the room and helped her mother to prepare the breakfast.

"Maa, why there is so much on the table today?"

"Don't you know, your cousin is coming to have breakfast with us". Told her mother.

"Ahan, again, that Pschyo is coming. I don't like him, Mama, please don't force me to have a meal with him". Disappointed Risha said while protesting.

"..."

"Maaaa..."

"...."

At that time, a tall guy wearing Youdha (Warrior) suit came inside.

"My dear Zebar, may God bless you. We were just talking about you," said Misha Bai.

"Aunty, don't be so formal. I know you were gossiping about me." Zebar teased her.

"Won't you welcome me?" he turned his face towards Risha.

"Welcome Zebar Sahab (Sir)." Risha awkwardly said.

"Come on, have a seat. Kaptan must be coming here soon." Misha Bai used to call her husband Kaptan as it was the custom of Riverland.

"Kaptan Sahab, welcome. Please accept my blessings." Zebar stood up when Moobhan entered the dining room.

"Zeb, may God bless you. Thanks for visiting us." Moobhan said.

"Where is Birha?" Zebar asked.

"Oh, she is a lazy child. She wakes up late." Misha Bai nervously replied.

"Oh". Zebar replied regretting asking the question.

They all sat down and had breakfast. Zebar was the brave warrior of the Javedan family. He was the first cousin of Risha. During a battle, he lost both his parents and now was the only ruler of the Javedan family. Moobhan and Zebar's father were stepbrothers. Due to some misunderstanding, Moobhan was disowned by his stepbrother. But after his death, Zebar mended up the ties with his only uncle. Risha disliked him from the core of her heart. She knew Zebar was not someone to be trusted. He was a selfish person with strong motives. Being a girl, Risha could only protest verbally.

After having breakfast, Zebar and Moobhan walked outside the room.

"Arz's army is here," said Moobhan.

"I know. I have met their leader. They are going to conquer this land too." Zebar calmly said.

"What, but..."

"Uncle, we don't have any option. Our warriors are not enough in front of Arz's army. They have good weapons and much capability. We can't fight them, you know that." Zebar said.

Moobhan was astonished at how Zebar had cut him off in the middle of his speech, so he remained silent. He knew Zebar was of no use. He was the person who would always salute the rising sun.

"Uncle, I'm going now. Take good care of yourself and your family. We will meet soon". Zebar bade goodbye.

"Hmm," Moohbhan replied.

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