Chapter 8: Back to where everything began

A full year had passed since Dan's arrival in the city and his integration into the family of Father Reda, where he was learning quickly and eagerly.

 Nana, her mother, and her brother taught him some short Quranic verses, instructed him to ablution and prayer, and Manu and his father took him to the mosque for prayers. He became increasingly fascinated and attached to his new life as his understanding of Islamic principles and rituals grew.

However, as autumn arrived, he began to experience periods of depression for unknown causes. Initially, they were fleeting and could be dissipated by merely looking at Nana's beautiful face or pleasant smile, or by engaging in playful scuffles with her brother Manu, who, at his age, had learned new tricks in his wrestling training. They would fight friendly battles on the lush grounds of the orchard, while Nana and her younger brother Raji watched and applauded. 

But the spells of melancholy started to lengthen, and neither Nana's smile nor Manu's antics could dispel them anymore!

One morning, Dan woke up crying and sobbing, and Nana, sent by her grandfather, came to him, finding him in such a state. 

When she asked him, urging him to speak, he told her that he had dreamt they were preparing to throw his grandmother off the cliff again! She tried to comfort him, but she failed. 

She returned to her grandfather to inform him, and he said to her:

"The boy misses his old home, it's natural. I expected it."

He went with her to Dan, finding him packing his few belongings in a bag. 

From him, they learned that he was determined to return to his village to rescue his grandmother.

 Impressed by his courage and determination, Father said to him:

"I will send Nasash the gardener with you."

Dede refused, but the Grandfather insisted, saying:

"You don't know the roads, and the mountain is teeming with thieves and murderers, and Nasash knows how to avoid the mountain and navigate secret passages and shortcuts... So accept, Dan!"

Once Manu's mother learned of Dan's departure, she gathered warm clothing and colorful sweets that mountain dwellers favored, gave him gifts for his parents and all his siblings, and urged him to return as soon as possible.

Dan and Nasash tied their bags on their backs and bid farewell, embarking on their perilous and daunting journey...