Kismat

CHAPTER THREE

"Don't worry right now. Rizwan apne aap theek ho jaayega. He's just scared. Tum aaram kar lo, abhi bhi bukhar hai. Dawai rakhi hui hai table par, khaane ke baad le lena." I held his wrist as he began to get up.

"Tum logon ne khana kha liya?" He stayed quiet. I saw the clock and my eyes widened. "Ayaan it's 8:30! Tum logon ko bhook lagi hogi. Main abhi khana lagati hoon." I started to get up but Ayaan refused.

"Hum log bahir se order kar lenge. Tum aaram karo. Jab khaana aayega, tab tumhein jaga doonga."

"Lekin-" Ayaan shot me a warning look and I gave up, knowing that it's useless to argue with him now. I relaxed against my pillow and shut my eyes. Ayaan left, closing the door softly behind him

Rizwan's POV

I stormed out of her room, wanting to just scream. My throat felt tight and my eyes were burning with unshed tears.

"Rizzy!" Sabrina came after me, calling me by that nickname which only she calls me by. I stopped, making her run into me.

"Not now, I need some air. I'll be back soon." She hugged me, knowing that once I got into this type of mood, nothing but fresh air would console me.

"Okay, but come quickly." I put on my trainers and left the house. Starting from the driveway, I began running down the streets, every memory ripping me apart. Every time I see Sakinah Aapi struggle to provide us with something, it scratches me on the inside. Every day I have to see a certain pain in her eyes. Every time I watch her deal with the pain of taking us from our parents, when it's not her fault anyway. Every day, I watch her wither a little more as she tries to fill in for Ammi and Abbu. It hurts me so much, I feel so helpless. My steps sounded loudly against the pavement with my blood roaring through my ears. Cars whizzed past me, adding to the clutter in my mind.

I kept running until I reached my favorite spot. Here, the entire city could be seen, a sea of twinkling lights.

Panting heavily, I bent over, trying to get in air. Suddenly, a huge burst of anger filled up in me and I punched the tree.

"Rizwan?" A soft tentative voice spoke behind me. I would recognize that voice anywhere. I turned around to find Mahreen standing behind me with shocked eyes at my condition. My heartbeat sped up, looking at her.

"Hi. Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?" I spoke weakly, trying to make my voice sound normal. She took a hesitant step towards me and touched my hand, which was now bleeding. Using her dupatta, she started wiping off the wound.

"Are you okay?" My mouth parted, wanting to tell her everything. Sakinah Aapi, Ayaan, Sabrina, my feelings for her, Nikhat, Nadeem. I shut my eyes as tears welled up in them. A sudden force pushed me back into the tree. I wrapped my arms around her waist and let the tears finally fall. I felt my shirt getting wet. Pulling back, I saw tears in her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" I cupped her face gently and wiped her tears with my thumbs.

"Main tumhein iss halaat mein nahi dekh sakti." She raised a shaky hand and swiped it across my cheek. "Kya hua?" I felt her heartbeat getting faster as I looked into her eyes.

Looking around, I spotted a somewhat flat rock and led her over. We sat down, still hand in hand. Sitting in silence, we looked out at the city, drinking in the serenity.

"I'm tired of seeing my sister work herself into the ground for us." I finally blurted out. "Sakinah Aapi ne bohot mushkilein dekhi hain uski choti si umar mein. She's only 22! Tumhein pata hai, humaare maa-baap humaare saath nahi hain. Aapi hi humaare liye sab kuch karti hain." Mahreen rested her head on my shoulder. "Main thak gaya hoon Mahi. Main nahi dekh sakti Aapi ko qurbaan hote hue. Uski bhi zindagi hain na? Woh ek singer banna chahti thi. Jab se hamari zimmedaari uthayi hai, tab se usne mausiqui hi chod di."