Arsalan

It was so tiny.

Just so much smaller than all the worries.I looked at it as it floated through the air among many other of it's type.But my eyes remained on that particular one although it was difficult to do so.

My back was against the cold wall as I sat on the floor, opposite to the large open window.The sunlight was casting through the glass window as I looked at the dusk specs.They were quite interesting if you observed them with keen interest.

It was just a spec but it held me concentrated as it merged around it's brothers.I sighed hopelessly knowing that it wasn't tagged that I could find it and hide it away in a bottle.

Though I'd love to do that.

A knock sounded on the bedroom door and seconds later Zarah's head pooped in.The young woman grinned as she walked in.I smiled at her way and folded my legs.

She handed me a mug of steaming coffee before settling on the floor besides me.Her hand instantly moving in the air before her.Scattering the particles away.I gulped a mouthful of the warm beverage.

"Finally ! you've learned to make coffee before my departure."I said playfully, narrowing my eyes in slits.

Her once calm expression change into into shock and then in self defence, her eyes narrowing too,

"Noo.. I always knew how to make coffee."She retorted flipping her hair behind her shoulder with sheer arrogance.I chuckled and soon she too joined in laughing.

"But bhai , I knew how to make coffee."She said smiling.

"I know."I said seriously this time, messing her hair.I drank my coffee as she rambled on about random things.

"You've done your packing?"She asked turning to be as I gave her the empty mug.

"Uhm hmm"I nodded slowly seeing the glint evaporate and sadness cloud her eyes.

"Oh."She only managed to say.

"Your flight is confirmed?"She asked after some seconds.

"Yes Zarah."I said looking at her, expectant of the hidden messages she wanted to convey me.

I rose my eyebrow at her when she didn't say anything.She huffed before sitting cross legged.

"Look, don't lie to me because I know you very well.I know you're just lying about coming back home in december but I know that you won't.You've spent the last four months here so why would you return in december.It's not that I don't want you home or something but you know that you'll not return until next year.So lie as much as you want to ammi, Daadi ma and Shahwar because she is surely gonna ask when you'll come home."She catched her breath as I stared at her dumbfounded.

Wow.How did the little brat just get to know.

"I am impressed."I only managed to say teasingly.She turned her face away, her expressions showing off slight anger and irritation.

"Why don't you come there, to me."I suggested although I knew it was a flop idea.

"Why would I come there bhai, when everything is here."Zarah's voice was quite. Making me tense with her words.

I only nodded.She asked if she needed any help to which I declined and then she left to help the others to make afternoon snacks.

Everything.

I didn't know where everything was.Yet how Zarah know where everything is.But again Zarah isn't a loser like Arsalan.

It was quite late as the dark night spread its blanket upon the vast land.The shining sun swimming down and the sparkling stars guarding the nights.

Cold air brushed past me as I left the window open.The light from outside only illuminated the room, whilst the creepers had also slept a while ago as the night remained silent now.

My eyes moved from the white ceiling to the clock that tick-tocked, seeing it strike past three in the morning.I sighed turning my side, pulling the comforter more closer.

Sleep was itself mad at me as I lay in bed wide awake.Unfortunately I had no office work as I had completed all on-going project with Imraan's help before leaving for London.

Changing my position yet again, I laid on my back now.I faked a yawn, atleast trying to bring sleep somewhere near me.

My phone vibrated from besides me as I leaned towards the side table retrieving it.The name flashing through the screen had made a small smile to stretch my lips.Sliding the green button through the screen, I pressed the black device against my ear.

"Assalam O Alaikum."The manly voice greeted.

"Walaikum Assalam."I greeted back, happy to hear salaam from the man's lips.

"How is your family?"He asked after a short pause.

"Everyone is fine here and so am I."I answered, chuckling internally at his arrogant formalities.

"Hm."He was silent again.It seemed as if he was walking as I could hear the horns and people talking in the background.

"How are you, Bashar?"

"Perfectly fine."His reply was almost instantly as I hummed this time.

"Something in the back of my mind was nagging me that you would be awake, so I decided to call.Hope I didn't disturb you."He stated as his voice wavered for a second.He definitely was walking.

"Yeah, something was keeping me awake."My voice sounded quite against the silent night.

"Work is great here.Infact we've got some new deals to finalize once you get back.And we've got another place.The location isn't far from downtown.We'll finalize that too when you decide to show your face."I chuckled at his words, sitting up on the bed.Hearing a low chuckle from him.

"Yeah sure, will be there in three days."

"You better be."His words were smiling.

There was some pause from his side, so I voiced out,

"Bashar, you there..."My eyes stared at the dark floor beneath me.

"Yeah , I am here.Actually I am out.I went to have lunch with mom.Just returning back to the apartment."He informed.

"How is she?How did the lunch went?"I asked quietly.

"She was pissed but got along.Dad wanted to come but ditched at the last moment.Mom was fine when I assured that I'll visit her sometime.Otherwise just the usuals."The stress streamed out of his words as I hummed.

"Don't stress yourself with work.Rest for sometime until I am back."I said worrying for my friend.

"Yes, Arsalan dad, I'll do as you said."He chuckled making me shake my head.

"Fine do as it suits you."I said annoyed at him now.

"Okay, I'll rest and save all the office work for you so that when you're back, you stress both of us with double work."He said a little sarcastically.

"Shut up."

Another pause.

"Take care.I'll message you before leaving for my flight."

"Yeah sure."He replied as the background rush stopped.

"Allah Hafiz"

"Allah Hafiz"

The line went dead.And I was again left to stare in the darkness.Bashar's call made me realize how much I've missed, from my life there.I loved my business.I loved what I did for a living.I loved what I did for me.

Knowing that I was deprived of sleep already , I got up to do wudu.I could read tahajjud before fajr.

The older woman once again kissed my forehead.Her arms around my shoulder, holding me close to her.Her soft cries clenching my heart.

"Daadi Ma.."I said helplessly as she embraced me.

"You are leaving my jaan.At least let me embrace you once more."She sniffed making a chuckle to rip off my lips.

"Hm.."I wrapped my arms stronger against her thin frame.

Next in line were my aunties as they blessed me with loads of wishes and prayers.Meeting my Uncles, I felt them hugging me tightly, like I wished Abbo would have done.Seeing their glassy eyes made me weak, that I had to leave them.

Salah and Imraan were going to drop me off to the airport and so they were keeping my luggage in the vehicle whilst I said my good-bye to everyone.Next in line was Ahya as she smiled at me and said Allah Hafiz making me smile back and keep my hand in her head, like a big brother would do.

Zarah's eyes were full of tears and her nose was red as she shifted on her feet, her eyes casted down.The teenage was doing good at seeming to be unaffected.

"Zarah.."I called her.She didn't look up making a pang of pain to smeared all across my chest.

"Zarah- look up here."I took both her arms in my hands.Her red eyes greeted me as she looked up at me.

"Yes bhai-"She said with wobbling lips.

"I'll come back soon.And I love you a lot.And that's why I'll call you everyday.Okay-"I assured her seeing her give a faint nod.

This was only getting difficult.

I thanked my internal self that decided to meet my other two sisters yesterday, otherwise if they'd be here too, I would've been able to keep a foot outside the house.

The hugged my little sister tightly, kissing her forehead I pulled away.

"Allah Hafiz.Take care and study hard.I love you."

I turned to look to my family.Shahwar was nowhere in sight and then my eyes landed in my ammi who smiled at me.

Just as I embraced her, I knew no words were needed because she understood all.

"Take good care of yourself."She said when I pulled away.I nodded wiping away the traitorous lone tear that dropped down.

Moving towards the double main doors, I said a warm good-bye to the servants and off duty guards and driver, who at twelve at night were wide awake to say goodbye.

As expected Shahwar was standing outside.She too looked sad when she asked when I'll visit and I lied straight to her face.

Sitting in the car, I waved at my family feeling a sudden weight on my chest.The very familiar roads passed by us as we continued at journey in the dark of the night.

My mind kept wondering that how difficult it was for Zarah.She was just eighteen and she didn't have a father's shadow over her and yet I was still leaving her.

Salah and Imraan too seemed oddly quiet.And I let them be because I was too sad to say something.

When the airport came into view, I left breathless.

It was going to be hard.How I'll say goodbye to my brothers..

***

Amal

Disappointment and sadness clouded over me as my fingers caressed the soft petals of the white roses.

It had writhed away.Just like me.

I sighed sadly, almost as if darkness had caged me in and there was no way out.

Biting onto my lower lip, I tucked off the writhed away flower from its stem.A new hope had bloomed within when I had planted it but now it seemed as if the hope itself had died away.

Feeling utterly sad that the flower was no more, I opened my black diary that was fortunately blank and placed it in between the pages.

Closing the diary I kept it aside.My feet leading me again to the window pane where I had kept the pot.Tears stung my eyes as the words kept repeating.

Writhed Away..

Writhed Away...

Writhed Away....

Amal was writhed Away...