One year later
Shehry's POV:
I arrived at the accomodation and threw my luggage as I plopped onto the bouncy bed.
"Aah !" I grunted as I tried to relax my stiff back.
Switching the Wifi on, I Skyped them up. Hussain picked up.
"Kameenayyyy !!! Kaisa hai !" He yelled in excitement.
"Mein fit, tu suna. Whooo ! Finally here man. Yaqeen nahi aa raha. Oh and this place looks fine for a student accomidation." I said scrutinizing the interiors to my university's student accomodation.
Mom came from behind Hussain.
"Mamaaa !!" I yelled in excitement and she smiled widely.
"Kaisa hai mera shehzaada? Soye thay ke nahi plane mein? Neend poori kar letay thori si. Kuch khaaya ke nahi aur..."
"Maa ! Mein bilkul theek hoon. Chill karein yaar." I laughed at her constant interrrogation.
Aakhir maa to phir maa hi hoti hai na.
My heart stung as I was reminded of her once again and how she had nobody in her life anymore. Not even me.
A tear escaped my eye and I quickly wiped it away before anyone could notice.
"Acha mama, mein aap se baad mein baad karta hoon. Mujhe abhi university jaana hai. Papa ko mera salaam kehna aur Maha ko dher saari pappiyaan." I tell her and we sign off.
I sighed deeply and felt my eyes tear up once more.
One year....one whole year passed and I've never been more broken. Each day spent without her only made it worse for me.
People say time heals everything. Even the most broken of hearts.......It doesn't. Especially when your soul no longer resides within your body. What is there to a body if there's no life in it?
Can't believe I thought our hearts were tied together for a lifetime on this very day.....but I guess Allah had different plans for us.
Aik din, aik lamha bhi aisa nahi ke mujhe uss ki yaad na aaye. Har din sirf ussi ka chehra dikhta hai dimagh mein. Sotay, jaagtay, uthte, bethte, har lamha sirf woh hi yaad aati hai. Na jaane kahaan hogi woh. Kahaan ho tum Nida? Itni nafrat thi tumhein mujh se, ke...ke aik baar mur ke poocha tak nahi ke zinda hoon ke nahi.
She's in pain.......I can feel it.
I got off the bed with a heavy heart and freshened up, changing into a grey hoodie and dark blue jeans with my favourite Vans shoes.
Exiting the accomodation building, I walked to uni which was just a few metres away from the building. Upon reaching, I headed to the Student Affairs office and got my Student ID made.
I stepped through the doors of the main entrance to the Film-making and Arts building and my jaw dropped in awe.
The place was like a world on its own with bright colors everywhere, portraits of famous film and television arts personalities. There was a large Projection Screen on one side which played a wonderfully directed video that a few students stood, watching. On the top of the screen was a label 'Honorable Works'. Definitely honorable.
I looked to my left and found a beautiful display of different artworks by the students. And on the side was a uniquely huge and intricately built statue of Marilyn Monroe made entirely out of paper.
There were portraits of performers in fancy costumes and pictures of students, some of whom I knew as famous directors. Okay wow!
My picture would be there one day....In Sha Allah.
This place....was phenomenal, a dream come true for me. I raised my hands and thanked Allah with a huge grin on my face for making mom and dad agree to my studying Film-making.
Nida was right. Mom and dad realized my potential and let me decide my own future. If it weren't for her encouragement, I'd have just given up and dropped the idea of studying film-making a long time back. I love you Nida. For making me believe in myself, and I promise, if not the other promises, I'm definitely going to fulfill this promise to you of being the successful owner to Shehry Asif Productions.
Tum dekho gi Nida. Jahaan bhi ho, tum mujhe apna khawaab poora kartay dekho gi and you'll be proud of me. But before that happens, I'm going to find you and make you forget all that ever happened in the past and we'll start a fresh new life together. In Sha Allah.
"Uhm...hi?" Someone tapped onto my shoulder and I turned to find a fair brunette who had a slim figure and a badge around her neck, labelling her as one of the student counsellors.
"Hello." I replied with a smile.
"New here, I'm guessing?" She asked politely and I nodded.
"Welcome. I'm Brittany Adams. Student counsellor. Want me to show you around? Since you already seem pretty fascinated." She grinned and I chuckled.
"Lead the way." I stood aside showing her the way.
She giggled. "Come on. Let us begin from that hallway."
She walked ahead with her heels clicking across the floor, and I followed. We walked through decorated halls as she explained everything and it instantly reminded me of........how we first met.
I was showing her around as she followed behind and seemed a little uninterested as I explained the school's system to her. That girl that I didn't fall for at first sight, but the second I did, I never wanted to let go. But she did......Left me with a broken heart with whatever mistake she did. I know that...whatever it was, I would have forgiven her. Why punish me and yourself both, just for the sake of that one mistake?
"Aah." A short scream pulled me out of my thoughts and I instantly grabbed her arm, pulling her back straight.
"Oh my God. I'm...I'm so sorry. I just...." I was so embarassed, I didn't even know how to respond.
"Hey. Relax, it's okay." She spoke with a reassuring smile. Can't believe I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize when she stopped and I didn't, consequently bumping into her.
"Hmm...looks like somebody got bored." She said, making a sad face and I chuckled.
"No no. It's..It's not that." I tried to explain.
"Well, let me show you somewhere interesting then. Ready?" She asked.
"Okay." And right then, she sprinted off.
"What the.....wait up." I laughed, running after her. Waah heels mein bhi speed check karo iss ki.
She finally stopped before a door and panted, and so did I.
"This is it. Are you ready?" She asked, breathing heavily and I nodded.
"Wait, before we go in, what's your major?"
"Film-making."
She smirked. "Then get ready to be amazed. Close your eyes." She said and I did as told.
I heard her open the door and she walked in, dragging me in.
"You can open up now." She says and my eyes popped out of my eye sockets the second I saw what lay ahead of me.
"Amazed?"
"Beyond amazed." I just stood there in awe at all the equipment that was neatly kept there. My passion that laid ahead of me. Those cameras, all of them placed at different angles, those lights, that equipment, those screens, microphones, the director's seat and a huge stage.
"Whoa !" A surprised whisper escaped my lips and she chuckled.
"Dream, huh?"
"Yep ! Everything here is magic." I sighed.
"I feel you. I'm in my final year of studying Film-making and I'm as obsessed with all of this as you are. I had the time of my life here, just living my passion, my dream." She said and I couldn't help but smile. I could see that sparkle in her eyes for this field.
"I wish you do too. This here is one of the best universities for film-making all across America." She explained and I nodded, knowing already that it was...in fact the best. I love you mom and dad for giving me so much.
"So...when is it used?" I asked.
"It's used by the professors to teach students the basics and reach the advanced level of film-making. Your classes will therein have minor equipment which you'll begin using from the second semester most probably."
"I can't wait to get started." I grinned and she smiled.
"Good luck." She said and we came out of the room, rather hall.
"What's your name, by the way?"
"Shehryaar. But you can call me Shehry. It'll be easier for you." I said and she laughed.
"Okay Shehry. Best of luck. I really hope you enjoy your years here." She shook hands and walked off.
I sighed. Best place ever !
I walked back home and slept for a few hours. Can't wait to explore this awesome city !
Nida's POV:
"Nida, she's calling you to her office." Henry told me and I felt instant nervousness build up in me.
"Is she angry?" I asked.
"Very." He sighed as he hung the new clothes that just came in stock.
I was so tensed right now. I quickly gulped in a few anti-depressants without water, only to calm myself down. I breathed heavily and he patted my shoulder, gesturing me to calm down.
I gulped the lump I had in my throat and walked into her office.
"Sit." She gestured and I sat down in one of the chairs.
"Nida what is this all about? If you don't wanna work here, why don't just get the fuck outta here !" She yelled slamming her hand on the table, scaring the living cells out of me.
"Kiara listen. Lemme explain..."
"No Nida, I don't want any fuckin' explanation. You're fired ! I want you out of here. Get out !"
"But Kiara you don't understand. I...I was sick. I...."
"Sick? Damn this sickness of yours !! You were absent for a week, I bore that, but then 4 months? Continuous?! We suffered a lot. Now you have to leave." She stood up in her seat.
"But Kiara please try to understand. This job is my only source of income. Only means of living. You can't do this to me." Tears began streaming down my face.
"Just hold on a minute there ! What about the rent for the accomodation this job provided you? You did not pay that rent even, Nida. I'll make sure you don't stay there a second longer....Now get out. Out of my office !" She screamed and I bawled.
"Please Kiara. I have no place to live, no where to go. Please." I begged her.
"You should've thought of that before you wasted all your money on those drugs. You fuckin'....drug addict !!!" She yelled and I stood in my seat immediately, my heart pounding in furiosity, but I couldn't say anything. This job was the only way I earned for myself after mom and dad had died.
"Kiara...please."
"You. Are. Fired !!! Get the hell out of here !" She yelled and I begged her.
"Okay, fire me. But please, please let me stay in the apartment. I....I have nowhere to live. Please have mercy on me." I cried.
"I've had enough ! Security !" And with that came in a guard and grabbed my arms.
"No, let me go. Kiara please." I begged her one last time as the security guard begun dragging me towards the door.
"No Nida. No more." She turned her back on me and sat down as the guard pulled me out.
I cried hard trying to let myself out of his grip. The door opened and I heard her merciless tone again.
"You have exactly one hour to empty the apartment. Security, make sure please." She turned her back on me and slammed the door close before I could say anything.
The guard dragged me to the apartments buliding and threw me into my room.
"Just one hour." He said sternly, walking away and I cried badly.
Ya Allah, mein kahaan jaaoungi. Mera sab kuch khatam ho raha hai aahista aahista. Pata nahi mein ab kitni dayr aur zinda reh paaoungi.
I weeped continuously as I folded my clothes out of the wardrobe and stuffed them into my suitcase. Collecting all my stuff from each and every corner of the room, I loaded it all into my suitcase.
I dragged my suitcase with me and headed towards the door. I looked back at the apartment, which was the only hope for me after I was kicked out of the hotel 11 months back for not being able to pay the rent.
I don't remember clearly who lived with me there, but she parted her way and I lived on the streets for a month until I walked to the Attire's clothing store one day, and met Kiara who gave me a job along with an apartment to live in.
I worked long and hard to earn for myself for a few months until I started feeling sick both mentally and physically. I don't even know what bothered me back then, but whatever it was, it was a source of excruciating pain for me.
I hadn't eaten properly for almost four months as I'd only grow weaker and everyday was like hell as Kiara kept screaming and shouting at me for being late for work and taking holidays but my condition was not allowing me to work.
And now.....I'm back to where I once was 11 months back. But now.....I'm not going to work and earn for myself. I'm just going to stay poor and starve to my death. I am coming mama.....papa. I'm coming back to you guys. Dua karna mein jald aap ke paas aajaoun. Iss ghurbat se humesha ke liye jaan choot jaaye meri. Dua karna....
I headed out the door and walked out the building with a crying heart.
Naa maa aur na hi baap. Kiyun ya Allah. Koi to sahaara chor detay meray sir.
I roamed the streets in pain as the sun begun setting slowly. My feet ached with each step I took into an endless nowhere. I had no idea where I was headed and no hope left anymore.
Mera bharosa uth chuka hai iss duniya se. Ab...ab kisi pe bharosa nahi. Na hi apne maa aur baap pe, jinho ne humesha saath rehnay ke vaaday kiay, magar chor gaye. Ab bharosa tha to sirf Allah ki zaat pe, ke woh bas mujhe jaldi apne paas bula le.
I sobbed quietly after so many months. Months that I spent in peace getting over some sort of internal pain that lived in my soul in the past.
But now, a new torment broke out in this wrecked life of mine. A torment I'm not going to try to escape from, a torment I want to die enduring.
The sky darkened and it began raining hard. I staggered into an alley and sat under a shade, crying my heart out.
"M..mama....mama !!" I yelled in a painful whimper.
My mind ached and I just ate all of the tablets that I had left with me and drank some of the rain water that collected in a small bird pitcher nearby.
I laid down on the cold wet ground and just cried to myself. I shivered in the freezing weather and coughed harshly as my throat tore off with every breath I took among the chilly winds.
I shut my eyes trying to envision a faint picture of mama and papa's faces but my tears did not let me as they kept building in my eyes that burned in agony.
I heard a dog bark from behind me in the alley and I hurriedly sat up, and grabbing my luggage I stepped out of the alley and sat in front of one of the buildings that formed the alley.
The cold harsh raindrops fell onto my skin, freezing me from head to toe and I just clung to my own self, trying to stay warm.
I leaned my head against the wall and shut my eyes, trying to sleep, letting the effects of extreme anxiety wear off me.
All of a sudden I felt something drop into my lap and my eyes shot open. I looked down into my lap to find......a few cents and I broke into sobs once more. I looked ahead and saw an old man walk away under an umbrella.
Poor....He thinks I'm poor. I am. An orphan is in fact, poor. Someone who has no parents is the poorest person to ever walk this earth.
My lips shivered as I stared into this distance watching people walk by, busy in the hustles and bustles of life.
A few metres away, a guy and girl quickly huddled together in the girl's shawl and smiled to each other. The guy kissed her forehead and she smiled shyly, looking adorable. As if she was the happiest, most carefree girl in the world.
I smiled unknowingly at their little moment as tears slowly slipped out my eyes. I coughed thrice and sneezed as I wiped the tear stains away, with my sleeve.
They both saw me and their expressions softened. Walking towards me the girl put her shawl around my shoulders and the guy gave me a hundred dollar note.
I shook my head. "No. Please." I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Please keep it." The guy said softly and walked away with the girl, leaving me to cry even more at my helpless condition.
I laid down against the wall and forced my eyes shut, trying to rest my aching heart as I shivered against the cold muddy ground.
Shehry's POV:
I had just gotten back from the famous Hollywood Walk Of Fame. After viewing the loads of pictures that I took, I finally arrived back at the dorms only to find it raining cats and dogs.
I kept my backpack under the shade and stood in the rain, drenching myself from head to toe. Tears pooled up in my eyes as her face flashed across my mind.
My heart ached more and more as it all flashed across my mind. How we got married....today, one y...year back and how we now lived apart from each other.
Bas aik awaaz...aik awaaz se mujhe pukaaro Nida, aur mein sab kuch bhula ke aa jaaounga tumhaare paas aur sab bhula doonga tumhein. Bas aik baar mera naam le lo Nida.
Wiping away my tears, I walked back into the dorms and into my room and just lied down in bed as all sorts of terrible thoughts invaded my brain.
Are you.......alive? Please tell me you're alive. Itna dhoonda hai tumhein aur dhoondta rahoonga jab tak tum mil nahi jaati mujhe. Jaise marzi mil jao tum mujhe, tumhein theek kar doonga bas....zinda milna mujhe warna mein bhi...marr jaaounga.
"I miss you." I whispered, wiping away a tear that rolled down my lashline.
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Yep, one whole year passed :'( And I cried again -_- Nidaaa :""(
Sorry for the short chapter. But something's better than nothing right? ;) p.s. Exams alert -_-
AB TO ITNA BARA HINT DIYA HAI !! LEKIN KISI AUR CHEEZ KA ;)
NA MILEYA HINT TE DOLLY AUNTY DE CHITTAR PEYNE AYE TUSSI LOKAAN NU -_- :P