Happily Ever After Comes At A Price

Chapter 28: Angel's Help

   Wasn't this how it all started? The same old building that will claim me as it's prisoner. Last year, I found happiness, but at what worth? The person who I thought I was in love with had been lying to me since the very beginning, he killed my father in front of my eyes. My mother died at the sight. He made me so happy, and then took everything away from me. I found a best friend and I lost her all because of this. I wonder why I can't simply drop dead this one time. I've always asked my parents for everything. I wonder if God will answer this request of mine this once. Dear God, wherever you are, whoever you are, just make me die. Let my soul rot in hell, but at least take me away from this place. Living here, living numb like this is so much worse...

   "Badshah Auriq Memorial College" says the rusty signboard in front of which my dear uncle had left me. Thankfully, we had to take the bus. So I was safe, at least till now. Who's to say... I was living with the man. I suppose, there's a history to this place, but looking around for answers isn't exactly a good virtue. So I do what I was told to, secure my hijab, look down at all times and attend my measly classes. I should consider myself lucky, they really don't want girls to study... let alone attend college. It's funny how my bright side is so dimly lit, when just a few months ago I was planning on applying to the top colleges in America.

   It's funny how the tables spun right under my nose.

***

   The classroom is in tatters, littered with both garbage and oversized desks in one clustered heap. I'm the first one here, and judging by the appearance of this room, I might as well remain the only one here. I don't even know if there's an actual teacher here. The class was supposed to end after 2 hours. Even after 30 minutes into the class, no one arrives. And that's when a mild panic starts to bubble inside me. It's not safe to be alone anywhere in Kabul.

   When I walk out of the empty classroom, I notice a man walking out of another classroom with a bulky bag on his shoulders. I know I'm taking a risk but I can't help it. I never could.

   "Brother... " I try to address him, and just like I expected, he gives a small jump when he hears me. I try to get the question out before he can reprimand me, "Are the classes off today, I've been waiting for somebody to show up for so long."

   He eyes me suspiciously - his dark brown hair slightly shimmering in the light. Despite his defeated stature, his green eyes are sharp like a hawk's - it takes me a moment to realize that he must be of my age.

   "You must be new here." He states the obvious and ushers me inside yet another empty classroom, leaving the door open and sitting down at least 6 feet away from me. If it wasn't the necessary etiquette, it would've been downright hilarious.

   "What's your name?" He asks me.

   "Selina Zafeer." I reply with a petite voice. This is wrong... so wrong...

   "Well, Selina, I'm Aaqil Muhammad. And you should know that nobody really studies here. Just people who need a certificate that says you've passed with flying colours enroll here for a minimal fee. No classes, no teachers whatsoever. Nobody even comes here anymore. I'm not sure you knew this, you aren't from here, are you?" He looks like he's enjoying our one-sided conversation but I'm panicking internally. I shake my head in response to his question. The less I speak the better.

   He doesn't notice it though.

   "Well, it matters that you at least get to come out of the house. God knows this country needs help. But we're too stubborn for our own good. So what's your story, Selina?"

   My eyes widen when he asks me, and he seems to finally see he's overstepping lines.

   "Nevermind. I'll tell you mine..."

   And then he starts regaling the tale of his broken childhood – one quite similar to my broken present.

***

   Two minutes. That's all it took to show me what horrors I was actually facing.

   You don't understand? Well, I'm very happy for you then...

   Still, I'll tell you...

   He had told me to meet him outside the college exactly at 1.31pm, I got lost around the campus and reached the gate at 1.33pm. Exactly 2 minutes late. And he was there, standing with his hands at his hip, face contorted with rage, the pot-belly moving up and down with exaggerated breaths.

   "Come here." He whispers.

   I obey him. And before I knew it, his palm smacked my cheek, leaving behind a stinging pain.

   He slapped me...

   "We're going home and then I'll make your aunt teach you some manners. If that can't be arranged, I'll just have to make do with other arrangements I can get for me to teach you some very, very valuable life lessons..."

   He clutches my back as he makes me walk all the back to his house. I can't scream for help, no one will stand by me. No one cares here. But even after everything else, I'm still grateful. Things would have been much, much worse if he has seen Aaqil talking to me.

   All things considered, I got off pretty easy. They ended up using me as a punching bag for only a few minutes. The rest of the week, they made me do double the chores, with a side of slaps every time my work wasn't perfect. No college for the rest of the week, no food for the first two days and once the next five. All things considered, I really did get off easy. If this was God's way of punishing me for my sins, I was ready to embrace this judgment with open arms.