2
1263 Words
The silently weeping bride was seated in the groom’s decorated car for her new beautiful journey. Mother of bride, silently weeping on her dearest daughter farewell, held onto her son, who wished best for her sister. All were happy with the completion of such sacred event.
Soon everyone started to make there way out of the house to their car. But Hooria’s mother, Abida, stood in the corner, with a worried look marred on her face . Her eye wandering from here to there in search of her beautiful daughter and loving husband.
Dialing the phone number for fifth time, answer remained same. The number you are trying to call is out of reach. The voice repeated.
Sighing heavily, she sat on a stool and then called out for Amir, her nephew.
“What happened chahi (auntie) ? You look tense? Is there any problem? Where is chahu Ali (uncle).” He bombarded the questions as he looked at her aunt tensed face.
“Son I don’t know. I have been calling Ali for so long but he haven’t picked up once. I am so worried. And Hooria, that stupid girl! God knows where she is. I haven’t seen her since . Son, please do something. I am so worried.” The mother confessed her worry. A frown appeared on Amir face as he listened to her auntie.
“Auntie Abida, don’t worry Hooria must be in some room or with some cousin. I will go find uncle Ali.” He said as he rushed out of the house.
Abida wiped the sweat from her forehead and started to look around the house, in search of Hooria. Frantically moving from here to there, her tread was broken from the ringing of phone.
Ali Calling......
Quickly sliding to green arrow she spoke “Hello? Ali? Where are you! You were not present throughout the ceremony! Where are you?”
Her voice louder with worry lacing each word.
When no reply was heard from the other end she again called.
“Ali....?”
“Ali why are you not saying anythi—.”
Her voice was cut off by loud sound of man crying. Her husband cries....
“Ya Allah! Ali please tell me what’s the matter! You are scaring me. Please say something Ali?” Her breathing quickened then before.
Tension shoots through her nerves.
What is wrong with her husband?where is her daughter?
Panic taking best out of her.
“Abida...” her husband spoke at last.
“Abida please come home p-please Abida come quick and don’t tell anyone about it please. I-I need you. I am calling a taxi for you. It will come in 5 minutes.” Her husband voice hoarse and helpless made her heart crumpled. Frown lines appeared on her forehead.
“Hooria! I can’t find her..! Is she with you?” She voiced her biggest worry.
“.....yes.” He replied after few seconds.
“Thank God! But please tell me what wrong—.” And the line was cut. She stared at the phone absentmindedly.
Maybe call got cut by mistake...yes it must be so.......
Quickly, walking out of the gate she looked for any sign of taxi but find none.
“Chahi ?” Amir called as he came near.
“Oh Amir beta! Your uncle called informing that he was having migraine so he headed home with Hooria. They didn’t inform me about it, so I can enjoy the wedding function. They are so stupid they don’t know how much worry they caused me like this!”
She explained as she saw the approaching taxi.
“Oh OK auntie thank God they are safe. And why are you going through taxi? Come I will drop.” He said politely.
Such a nice boy.....so perfect for my Hooria......sighs...
“No no beta it’s okay and it had already arrived. Thank you beta.” She said as she blessed him with her prayers and entered the taxi.
_____________________________
The thick smoke of cigar covered the room as the silence fell heavily upon the room. No sound could be heard till a footstep nearing the room were heard soon followed by a knock on the door.
"Come in...." A thick voice from inside the room answered. The man entered the room and walked near the table.
"Sir?" His voice confident as he looked at the tall man sitting on leather chair with his one leg over other as he took in the deep inhale of the cigar.
"Is it done?" Only three simple words spoken but they could change someone life entirely for good or bad.
"Yes Sir." The man answered with same confidence and the work was indeed done smoothly.
"Good....." the reply came after some seconds as a deep whiff of cigar is inhaled again.
"Anything else sir?" The man asked for any other order as he tied his hand on his back.
"Yes! No one touches the girl! Is it clear?" Icy voice cut through the air.
Dead clear...
Time for some revenge.....!
__________________________
The man sat there with a box of cigarettes. Lightening the seventh cigarette, he heaved a sigh.
Oh God forgive us for our sins......
Tears rolled down his eyes as he looked at his destruction.
Only for few millions......
I sold my faith........
Only for few millions.....
Few millions.......
Sold my faith........
Sold...........
The words kept ringing in his mind as he repented over his crime for which he knows he had to pay with his most beloved........
CRASH!
He threw the vase on wall harshly as the same word kept ringing repeatedly.
Falling on his knees, he cried louder.
Clink...trrrrrrr
The door opened revealing his beautiful wife.
Abida let out a shriek upon seeing the scene in front of her. Broken vase....her husband on his knees....crying.....
“Ya Allah! Ali what happened!” She started crying along with her husband.
“Please forgive me Abida. I have committed a grave sin and I am so sorry please forgive me please!” The man cried helplessly.
The wife hugged her husband before again asking.
“Ali what is wrong? What have you done?” The man cried looking down uttering no word.
“ALI TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG?” She shouted this time having enough. Her head pounding with pressure.
“Abida I-I s-stole the designs for the new summer lawn collection and I-I sold them to the opposition company for f-few mi-millions.” Abida stunned looked at him who now held his forehead with both hands.
“Wh-what! But......Ali you never ever looked at black money and always had opinion on earnings with fair means.... you were respected so much because of your this fair earning habit and here you have spoilt everything....ohhh Ali....” the woman wiped her tears and accusingly and with pity looked at her husband.
“B-but Abida I-I really needed money. I had to pay the pending debts and I had to pay the money for the plot, I bought ... and Hooria’s dowry. We have to collect money for her marriage.”
He stated his reasons for the shameless act he committed.
“B-But I am worried because I think the HR somehow came to know that
I-I had stolen it b-because they were searching my desk yesterday b-but they said nothing. I am so afraid ugh I am so worried..!” He said breathing hard.
Abida looked at his state and starting calling out for Hooria to fetch water.
“Hooria! Hooria! Fetch a glass of water for your father! Hooria!” Hearing no reply she got up herself and came rushing back with glass of water.
Slowly making her husband gulp it and let him get relaxed.
“Where is Hooria?” She asked looking around for any sign of her.
“She was at wedding with you.....” he answered absentmindedly.
“Yeah but on phone you said she’s with you at home.” She looked at him with wide eyes.
“I said? I didn’t even know what you were asking... I just wanted you to come and be with me..” he stated with frown.
“Oh God! Then where is Hooria??She was not seen after ceremony.” The mother now looked at her husband with wide eyes.
TrrrrrTrrrrrTrrrrrrTrrrr
The ringing of telephone cut through the thick tension in room, making both of them look at it at once.....
- Writer
