Daughter of Nomads Read Free Page B

village. Even Sameela had remarked on Jahani’s unusual blue eyes, her height and the graceful way she walked. Without saying another word to Hafeezah, Jahani retreated to the other room.
    The room was dark when Jahani had finally cried all her tears. Sameela had died and now this? But her heart told her Hafeezah was telling the truth. She returned to the other room and found Hafeezah still awake. She sat on the edge of the charpai.
    â€˜I am truly sorry, Jahani. I hoped this day would never come.’
    â€˜Why not tell me the truth when I was little …’ Jahani’s words faded when she saw Hafeezah’s distress, but she had to ask: ‘Did you adopt me?’ Her voice was louder than she meant it to be and Hafeezah flinched.
    â€˜Bey ya, no, I am your foster mother only.’
    Jahani thought for a moment. She didn’t want to ask the next question, but she had to. ‘But I don’t understand. Do you know my true—’
    Hafeezah laid a finger on Jahani’s lips. ‘You must not upset yourself – surely what I’ve said has caused enough heartache.’
    Jahani couldn’t stop herself. She pushed Hafeezah’s finger away. ‘Why don’t you explain?’
    â€˜So many tales, so much trouble …’ Hafeezah’s voice trailed away.
    â€˜Tales?’ Jahani echoed.
    Hafeezah took in a deep breath and said in a rush, ‘There was a lady. I was her companion and your ayah.’
    â€˜So you knew me when I was little?’
    Hafeezah tilted her head in affirmation. ‘I met you when you were four.’
    â€˜Who was the lady?’
    Hafeezah glanced up and Jahani was taken aback at the despair she saw in her eyes.
    â€˜Do you remember the sweets you’ve received each Eid from Aunty Zarah and Uncle Baqir?’ Hafeezah asked.
    â€˜Aunty Zarah? What does she have to do with it?’ Jahani checked herself, then her eyes widened. ‘She is the one? My mother?’
    â€˜Awa, yes.’ Hafeezah’s voice was so quiet, but Jahani kept going.
    â€˜And Uncle Baqir?’
    â€˜He is your father.’
    My father. She had a father! Jahani sat stupefied. ‘But why? Why did my parents give me up?’
    Hafeezah sat up and leaned against a cushion. ‘Jahani, it is not that simple. I will try to explain what I know. It isn’t much and I doubt my answers will help you feel better.’
    Jahani’s hands shook as Hafeezah held them in her own. ‘This is a shock for you. And I am afraid there is more to come. Zarah and Baqir live over a moon’s journey from here – in the Kingdom of Kaghan. It’s on the way to the Kingdom of Hahayul in the Qurraqoram Mountains where I was born.’
    Was that why Jahani had dreams of mountains? She had thought it might be because of Hafeezah telling her stories about them. ‘But why haven’t we visited all these summers? We could have travelled there—’ Jahani broke off as she noticed Hafeezah’s eyes fill again. ‘Ammi, I’m sorry.’
    Hafeezah wiped her eyes. ‘Bey ya, no, I am the one who is sorry. Jahani, there was a reason why you couldn’t go.’
    Jahani’s voice was small, but she had to say it. ‘They didn’t want me?’
    â€˜It wasn’t that, Jahani. It was too dangerous. I was told to keep you hidden in Sherwan. Listen. When you were a child, living with Zarah and Baqir, someone tried to hurt you. Zarah thought they meant to kill you. You were saved by the young son of Baqir’s master of horse,’ she paused, ‘and a snow leopard.’
    â€˜A leopard?’ Jahani’s brow furrowed.
    Hafeezah inclined her head. ‘The very next day Zarah asked me to take you away.’
    â€˜But did she say why she thought I was in danger?’
    â€˜Bey ya, no, but she must have had reason enough. Zarah and Baqir doted on you, so to give you up was a heavy burden for them to bear. You are