The setting sun stretching along the horizon with its rays reflecting on everything within its reach.. The orange and red hues engulfing the dull gray clouds into a velvety darkness while the waves lapped against the vast sky,kissing them farewell..
seated on the shores of the beach.. as the waves lapped against her toes.. the balmy evening breeze toying with her hair.. creating a transparent veil through which her eyes twinkled in awe, Imani stared open mouthed at the mind blowing scene, though not as the ever serene Kandy with its unending range of mountains, lush greenery and the customized chill in the air, colombo has its own kind beauty indeed.. a kind of beauty that she vaguely remebered..
The shores of the very beach which drove her into minutes of wonder-struck, slowly started dredging up memories buried deep within.. the mere shores which felt foreign to her now were once etched with the footsteps of a life she once lived.. the breeze which slapped wildly against her face carried melodies of laughter once owned..
"maani ma careful, you are gonna fall.."
come on champ.. you can do it.. come on come to daddy..
mumma cant catch me.. mumma cant catch me.. mumma cant catch me..
Imani slow down.. not near the waters... Ilham grab her..
nope.. she is a big gurl, she can make it..
Mumma you cant catch me.."
Some memories and some bondings are such that they are irreplacable and inevitable.. A bitter sweet ride flowing you through whirlwinds of bliss this minute and ending up in spasms of grief the very next..
just because you knew they happened..
Just because you know that they will never again..
"mummaaa.." she cried softly hoping with all her might that her mom would appear out of thin air and hug her tight.. just like she did when she fell on her face, racing too fast.. she wished her dad would hifi her and do their weird dance just like he did when she successfully came running after raiding the cookie jar..
but in the recess of her mind, she knew that they will never again.. she has come a long way from the pampered princess who was adored by all to the gurl she is now.. so has her mum and dad.. gone on a faraway journey never to return..
nevertheless with tears cascading down her cheeks, she couldnt help but silently wish, she had someone by her side, someone to hug her tight.. a shoulder to cry on.. a familiar smell to be lost on..
she yearned so badly for a physical hug, a sense of belonging.. some assurance that she isn't alone in the cold world.. that the pain building up in the bottom of her heart seemed to rise higher and higher, threatening to suffocate her..
she was so lost in thoughts gripping a handful of sand.. when an eerie voice whispered in her ears
"mind if I join in ma'am?"
startled, she stood up abruptly, her head coming in contact with something..as if on reflex she flung her elbows behind, trying to attack whoever was intruding on her privacy , while a cry of surprise accompanied by a crunch echoed from behind..
"ouch.. my nose"
"Muradh?" Imani shot back, astonished..
"yeah Its me alright.." he muttered, plopping himself on the sand, while Imani took her place..
"you scared me.." she mumbled inaudibly..
"woman you nearly killed me" he exclaimed, rubbing his nose, which has gone pink..
Imani bit her lips to suppress a smile.. "sorry.. I didn't know.."
he smiled.. "so what brings you here.. that too alone.. not bad for someone new to Colombo" he smirked amusedly..
"I'm not new to Colombo, I grew up in here" she defended herself..
"whoa really.. I didn't know" it was her turn to smirk..
"I was coming back after work when I saw your scooter in the parking.." he continued.. I was literally roaming the whole place before I found you here while I was driving back, giving up..
"oh.." she said eyebrows furrowed in contemplation on how did he make it out while he was driving..
"your hair.." he answered her silent question
"huh?"
" I knew it was you when I saw the curtain of black locks dancing with the wind.." he answered tucking a strand of hair swaying with the breeze, gently brushing the side of her face..
her stomach lurched, a foreign yet ecstatic sensation taking over her.. she quickly lowered her head, her bangs falling back in place, hiding her face..
"its beautiful isn't it.." he marveled, eyes greedily running over the spectacular view trying in to take everything..
"Mmmm" she stared right into his eyes, the reddish hue reflecting in his brown orbs, radiated a tantalizing feeling of home, which she couldn't help but succumb..
"what do you feel?" he questioned back suddenly turning towards her...
"umm.. beautiful.." she replied coming out of her trance..
"it sure is.." he chuckled.. you don't talk more than 3 words do you?"
"what about you?" she asked back maintaining a stoic expression.
"secured.. serene.. hopeful?
"really? " she asked amused at the passionate glint in his eyes..
"when your rabb, is the creator of such sublime creations, whose mercy, the trees, mountains and the oceans chants day and night.. who waits open handed to give to those who seek.. whose plans are entirely ethereal.. with allah by your side.. the sky is your limit.." he finished defiantly
"poetic.. yet unrealistic" she chuckled wryly..
"you think so?" he smiled, still staring at the vast sky turning into dusk..
"see those gulls.. flying back to their nests after a hard day of toil.. he asked pointing to the sea gulls swirling above.. those stray dogs finding a perfect place for a nap.. all these busy humans rushing home after a hectic day of work.. including me and you- he took her hands in his..- all of us had nothing when we stepped out into the early morning rays of the sun.. but look at us, by dusk we have accomplished something or another.. Humans and animals.. such is the mercy of allah..
she stared at him dumbfounded.. she had never in her life heard someone speak so passionately of god..
"have you ever gone through times, when you were unable to summon up even a single ounce of strength to speak..When waves of hollowness and grief takes over you.. When your heart and mind goes numb leaving your tears do all the speaking,wishing badly that the earth swallows you up whole..
Yo and behold.. you see a miracle make way in just seconds that completely sweeps you off your feet.. wiping clean all traces of loneliness.. anxiety and broken hopes ..opening doors you never knew existed?
"Ever known what it feels like to see your unintentional prayer answered right before your eyes"
"Yes she did.. just now" her conscience spoke as if in a trance..
Imani gasped.. breathing hard.. Each and every words spoken resonating in her mind, commanding her to follow.. yet a meek voice on the back of her mind refused to oblige.. " another poet toying with words" it scoffed..
"When ur rabb perfectly understands the agony the tears converse.. what makes uthink tht your worded duas would go unaccepted.." he finished giving her hand a little squeezed..
Breaking out of her trance.. she suddenly pulled back her hand from his, as if stung..
An offended look made way through his face.. but he was quick enough to mask it with a smile but not before understanding dawned on her..
Standing up.. he pointed at a big boulder looming at the end to their right.. "you see that big rock.. right behind that is the best ice cream parlour in the whole of colombo.. An ice cream to sign off for the day.. what say" he asked excitement visible on his face..
Imani Smiled nodding..
"Run.. he yelped.. ill race you.. the one who gets their first gets fobble scoops of nut cracker.. they have the best in town.."
"Fobble..?" She questioned confounded..
"Oh come on Imani.. double of double is fobble..are you up for it?" He asked eyeing her mischievously..
Imani smirked.. "fobble scoops is it.. here I come.."
Helllooo felllaaas.. hw is it?
Above is the picture of Kandy.. Srilanka.. which is Imani's hometown..
While below are the pictures of colombo.. where she lives now..
Me and kandy have a love story since i was 10 when I was mesmerized with the beautiful view of the city.. Though its my dad's native.. I hardly have any relations back there now.. *cries*
hope you guys liked it too..
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Until then..
Allah hafiz lovelies..