His Beloved

8

"Api? You want to have tea? You look so pale! Let me bring something light for you to eat." She placed my now neatly folded shawl, down on the bed as she made her way out.

My damp self all too familiar to the wounds he scarred me with, the nightmares.

I had better things to do, not like he will be able to do a thing. I will tell ma everything if he sent his pathetic proposal.

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It was late in the night, moonless sky, stars shining so bright, the roof quiet, peace surrounded the nature. Winds singing in my ears with it's own unique melody. I took deep enticing breaths in.

It was the usual for me to take a walk at the roof at midnight, the nightmares one of the reasons. But today, I just sat at the swing, deep into my thoughts. Today was no different. Sometimes Dayyan would join me if he feels like it. Dayyan was someone I could count on if I needed help or advice. He was the best listener.

"It's rare to see you sitting on that swing. For a minute I thought you didn't come today." He spoke sheepishly from behind. Sitting beside me on the swing, he started moving it with his long legs. I laughed heartily on his sentence.

I was always hesitant to sit on this swing because of the horrible incident attached to it from our childhood.

It was a routine for all our friends of the community to gather on our roof, for one, because ma made the best snacks for all of us despite the tiredness, and second because we had the biggest swing in the community, that can fit 4 people easily at the same time.

That day was no different, I was sitting on the swing, while Dayyan, Maha and Areesh were playing with the ball Areesh had brought. Other kids of the community sat at different places talking playing, and laughing. It was my final paper of class five, the next day and i had begged ammi to let me play with them upstairs. Despite her denial, I slipped up the stairs quietly.

I was lost in my thoughts, planning to come up with the best lie for ammi to believe why I came upstairs, too engrossed, I didn't feel Areesh coming up behind me. Just as he pushed the swing as hard as he could, I was snapped out of the thoughts.

I remember I had shrieked so hard, the whole neighborhood would have heard it. The next thing I knew, I was slipping down the swing on to the marbled floor. From the swing that was still in the air halfway.

I had landed on my butt, and had cracked a bone and two, and soon slipped into unconsciousness. This was all witnessed by a horrified Dayyan and a pale Areesh, with Maha Laughing along with the other children. That day onwards I had stopped hanging out with Maha and the others who laughed, and started disliking them.

On that day, I first time was in the hospital, with a very worried ammi and Dayyan while Auntie and Fariya stayed back at the house.

Ammi was more troubled then angry at me. She didn't even say a thing to Areesh who was the sensible and the eldest one among us, and she never expected this stunt played by him.

I had a fractured wrist and a bruised waist, the worst was, I failed that class that year. Disappointment laced ammi's horrific reaction when she found out that I failed my tests, but she knew why, and so she had made sure that I didn't get to repeat it, and took it upon herself to supervise me while I studied. I remember I had cried whenever she used to make me study. I was a reckless kid in the past.

"You are still a crybaby." Dayyan chuckled, getting a glare from me in return.

"Jokes apart, why are you sitting here? Fariya told me you came early today. Why? Were you alright?" I could detect the concern lacing his tone.

I sighed. Fariya couldn't keep anything to herself. But the question was, was I alright? No.

"Yes. I am alright. A class was cancelled so I thought to come home." I lied through my teeth. I had bunked my class for the first time today.

"Okay, I believe you. But you know you can tell me anything." He had said. He was a sincere guy. He acted like a very older brother despite me being two years younger then him.

He had loved Fariya like a father then.

We heard dogs barking, and knew it were Areesh's pets talking. He was now transformed into a nice guy, a perfect gentleman. He was my senior where I did my internship, and now my head in the same department.

He had liked me since forever, and I had even no problem with his likeness, because he always stood at an arms length whenever we talked. A reserved man, and happy with whatever little he had. He could be a good husband, to any girl, as well as me.

Dark brown piercing eyes flashed through my mind, and I almost scowled in distaste. Shuddering a little, I placed my head on his shoulder, stifling a yawn. Sleep was now consuming my mind, it looked.

"You should sleep now Hays. You will look like a churail if you go with these dark circles tomorrow in the office. Areesh bechara dar jayega." He joked.

(Witch) (Areesh will get scared)

I just remember slapping him on the head before sprinting inside. All too sleepy.

He loved calling me Hays. He was famous among all our friends for nicknaming everyone with meaningless names.

But he never put a nickname for Fariya. He loved her name too much to ruin it for fun. Some said he loved her too much to even see her hurt if he calls her something bad. I just wish they remain like this forever.

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