"سسکیاں لیتا ہے وجود میرا
نوچ نوچ کر کھائیں گی یادیں تِری"
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The phone rang in the middle of the night. The shrill sound of the telephone resonated in the silent room. The clock struck ten in the night. For many people, the night had just started, but for Bua Ji it was midnight already. She slowly descended the stairs as the phone constantly rang. She placed her hand on it and muttered a little
'Ya Allah Khair'. She grasped the phone in her hand and spoke
"Hello."
"Bua Ji are you both okay?" The familiar voice of the man reached her ears causing her to calm down in an instant. But it was replaced by worry in a flash
"Yes. We both are fine. You don't sound too good, beta". She said worriedly. It was odd of Hammad to call this late at her house. He always managed not to call late at night, except for an emergency. Her heart palpitated loudly as she clutched the phone in her hand. Her voice came out shaky when she asked
"Sab khariyat ha?"
(Is everything alright)
She heard a sigh on the other hand. It was quiet for a moment after which he spoke
"Everything's fine. I just want to check up on both of you." His reply couldn't rest the agitated old heart as the woman tried again
"Please tell me beta, if something is wrong." The listener on the other hand stayed quiet. After a long pause, she heard him say
"Take care both of you." The line went dead afterwards.
Bua Ji kept the reciever back at its place and sent a dua up to her Lord to keep Hammad safe. She heard rushed padding of footsteps and turned around to see Safa standing at the threshold of the stairs.
"Bua Ji what happened? Why are you up this late?" The young girl already seemed distressed so, she thought not to disturb her further.
"It was just Hammad."
"This late?" Safa can't help, but ask. Bua Ji sighed. She cleared her throat and said
"He asked about my medicines. He was at the medical store." She lied smoothly. Safa's eyes drew closer. She didn't believe that, but chose to ignore it. She took hold of Bua Ji's hand and they both went upstairs.
Safa's eyes scrutinized Bua Ji. She looked shaken up. She thought for a while and asked
"Shall I sleep with you tonight?" The old woman nodded meekly and soon Safa joined her. She placed a small kiss on old woman's forehead and turned on her side to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The bird's chirping woke Safa up. Opening her eyes to the mild sunlight, she sat up in bed. Running a hand through her hair she take a look at her side to find it empty. Of course, Bua Ji never sleeps after fajr. She quickly went back to her room and got ready for university. Tying her hairs in a braid, she reached down the stairs. The aroma of fresh toast and half fried egg greeted her as she took steps toward the kitchen. She smiled and said
"Salaam." Bua Ji turned and passed her young girl a small of a smile. She blew something on her and both the ladies sat down for breakfast.
In the midst of breakfast, Safa asked
"How are you feeling now?" Her question was directed toward the last night's incident. Bua Ji was quite shaken up. Bua Ji stopped mid bite and looked at her. Safa's eyes were soft yet she won't be taking any nonchalant answer. She sighed defeatedly knowing too well she can't keep things from her.
"Hammad called. He never calls late at night, but something about him was different last night."
Safa pulled her chair closer to her and held her hand
"What type of different?" She probed. She too find it odd of him to call this late. She knew this man for the past 8 months now. He wasn't someone who broke his rules.
"He sounded scared..no he sounded too afraid." Bua Ji poured out her anxiousness. Safa's brain fell in confusion at what might possibly be the cause of him being afraid.
"Maybe he was just looking out for us." Safa said. She was unsure of her statement too. But Bua Ji's perturbed eyes were troubling her. This woman took her in as her own daughter. Nurtured her back to life. She can't see her pain or worry. Bua Ji sighed and squeezed her hand
"I hope you're right."
"I'm always right Bua Ji." Safa sassed trying hard to lighten the mood. Bua Ji smiled at the young girl's attempt to make her smile and patted her head.
"Allah tumhen hamesha khush rakhe, meri bacchi."
(May Allah always keep you happy, my child)
Safa kissed the woman's cheek and said
"Come on, no more tension or stress." The old woman chuckled lightly and the rest of the breakfast went somewhat satisfied.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Safa wiped the single layer of sweat from her forehead as the hot and humid weather made it hard for her to stand a second in the packed class. Fortunately, the class was over after a whole five minutes. Those five minutes were the most agonizing five minutes of her life. She quickly packed her tote bag and made a bee line for the door. She walked towards the exit door with hurried steps. Suddenly, as she was just about to leave the premises of the University, she heard a loud roar of clouds. She groaned when she felt tiny rain drops on her sweaty skin.
She moved back and took shelter. Glancing at her mobile phone, she saw that it was past three thirty. She waited for the rain to stop. It was heavily pouring down. She was tapping her foot continously as she grew impatient. After half an hour later, when there was still no sign of the rain to stop, she took a seat at one of the benches under the shade. Most of the students left by now. Only a few left with her.
As she sat down, she finally noticed the beautiful rain that poured down from the sky. An amazed whisper left her lips
'Subhanallah'.
She can't not just praise her Lord whilst having witnessed His qudrat. She took some water in her hand and splashed it on her face. The cool, pure water gave her a sense of calmness. She repeated the phenomena twice after she was fully engrossed in enjoying it. First, she wished for the rain to stop, now she wishes for it to keep pouring down.
~~~~~~~~~~~
It was after another hour that the rain finally stopped. She glanced back the clock finding it to close to six.
Great! She can't possibly find any rickshaw in this weather.
She didn't let the misery stop her as she started walking in the puddles of water. The atmosphere felt fresh. The trees looked all showered and clean. The roads were slippery . She slowly walked as she didn't want to fall and then had her clothes soaked.
She didn't reach quite far away when she heard a car honking. She stopped abruptly, but her alarms of alert subsided when she saw the window rolling down
"Need a ride?" Hammad asked. She heaved a relieved sigh and nodded. He opened the door for her and she climbed in.
"I'm sorry to bother you. It's just hard to find any means of transport after rain." He shook his head casually and started driving. Meanwhile, Safa ring Bua Ji and told her about her whereabouts. The old woman was worried dead for her.
"You should have called me." Hammad said as he took a turn. She shook her head and said
"It's fine, really." He shook his head. Of course, she won't take his help.
"I won't be bothered." She smiled and said
"I know." Both fell quiet after that. Hammad was driving slow. He was taking precautions.
"Bhai I think we're being followed."
Safa said as she noticed a car following them. Hammad glanced back the rearview mirror. His grip tightened on the steering wheel. Safa turned her head and looked at him. She wanted to see his expressions and tell her that she's wrong, but the dread that masked his face as he sped forward proved her right.
They were being followed.
Her heart started to beat wilder as the car black car sped up too. Keeping up with them. She started reciting Quranic Verses as her heart was jumping in her chest. Hammad pressed harder on the gas. But a loud sound resonated which had both of them ducking down.
Her breaths started to come in short pants after she realized what that sound was.
A gunshot.
Multiple followed after as the car twisted and turned. Tears started to fall out her eyes and she noticed Hammad's shoulder that was bleeding. She placed her hands on her ears to block out the sounds. The car suddenly took a stop and she glanced at him. They were in a secluded area. She craned her neck to look back and the car was not following them. She heaved a sigh when she heard him say
"Leave." She turned so quickly at him that she was afraid she'll get a whiplash. She stuttered
"Wh..at?" He looked at her and she saw those frozen eyes looking back at her. She shook her head and refused to get out.
"Leave now." She shook her head. She was crying now.
"I'm not leaving you." They both heard the sound of wheels again and he sighed. He looked at her again and she saw those pleading eyes staring at her.
"Leave right now." She cried. She was defeated. She looked at him. Begging him not to tell to her leave. He shook his head and opened her side of the door
"Go now." She slowly stepped out and said
"Sorry." She ran without looking back as she heard his car speeding away. She ran and ran while tears were cascading freely down her cheeks. She ran and ran until she heard a loud gunshot. Her steps faltered and she fell down. Her hands came down to support her weight as she sat down on her knees. Hiccups left her lips as she finally looked back. She couldn't see anyone. Banging her hands onto the rough ground, she stood up again and started running. Her hands were bleeding. Still she ran and ran.
She didn't remember how much she ran untill she saw the flash of headlights. She fell back down on the road. She was saved. But there was this nagging feeling in her chest. She glanced back again. No matter, how much she wanted that feeling to go, but it stayed.
That feeling that something wrong has happened.
The guilt surrounded her like smoke. She started to cough as she was unable to register her surroundings anymore. It was only a matter of time till she succumbed to darkness.
But that feeling stayed and something told her it's going to be with her forever.
••••••••••••••••
Asalamoaliukm everyone.
Here's an update.
Let me know if you like it.
Till then, Allah Hafiz.