It was destiny ✨

Chapter 7

"Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond." ~ Rumi 

"Hello? Who is it?" Haya picked up an anonymous call.

"Wtf, Haya, you don't remember me?"

"I'm sorry, this number isn't saved, but who is it?"

"Ma'am, this is Erhan," The guy on the phone eventually confessed with a mocking manner.

"ERHAAAN! when did you come back to Pakistan, and why didn't you call me before?" Haya screamed.

"Abhi bata raha hoon na,"

"I'm telling you now,"

"Shut up, I'm still upset," Haya exclaimed.

"Shukar hai, I was worried you'll bother me when I'll show up to visit aunty," 

"Karlo drame tum," Haya expressed her annoyance at his comment, but she was really excited about Erhan's arrival. 

"I'll reach Kashmir tonight, so be prepared to welcome me," 

Haya hung up the call with a small smile adorning her face. This was the first time in the last two weeks she was genuinely content. Erhan came back from Australia after completing his higher studies, and it thrilled Haya as she could now spend time with him after 6 years. He never once came back to Pakistan in all those 6 years.

She flipped her phone on the bed in a rush, raced down the stairs, and dashed straight into her parent's room without even knocking. Hamna was stunned seeing her crazy daughter huffing.

"Mama... woh... Erh... Erha-," Haya struggled to speak after running hastily.

"Haya, please breath first," Hamna rolled her eyes.

Haya calmed down for a second and inhaled deeply.

"Erhan called. He is coming over," Haya informed her mother.

"Kiya? He's coming today? Allah! I need to prepare his favorite dishes. Haya, go tell Shabnam to fix the guestroom," Hamna jumped down from her bed, swiftly slipped into her slippers, and basically sprinted out of her room, leaving Haya dumbfounded.

Haya shook her head at her mother's fondness for Erhan. Hamna treated Erhan just like an offspring, and the same goes for Erhan. He cherished her as if she was his mother. Hamna showered him with the motherly affection Erhan missed all his life.

Haya, after helping her mother in the kitchen, retired to her room. She was sweaty and greasy after spending the entire day near the stove, so she showered. It was already Maghreb and by the time she's done showering, it'll already be 8 pm. She let her hair down and picked up a white kurta to wear for the evening. 

Haya was sitting on the bed with her wet hair wrapped in a towel when there was a knock on the door.

"Haya, Erhan ki call aai thi, woh 15 min mei aajyei ga," Hamna informed Haya 

"Haya, Erhan called, he'll reach in 15 min,"  

"Alright, I'll be downstairs in 5 minutes,"  

Erhan was only 14 when they had to shift to Kashmir from Lahore because of his father's work. They rented out a place right next to the Khan Haveli. At that time there was only one high school in Kashmir, so everyone studying there belonged to an authoritative family. His father could afford to send him there as he was earning well. Since his father was out usually because of his job, he was frequently alone in the house with the cook. Erhan's mother passed away when he was merely 9 months. When Hamna visited her new neighbors with a dish of kheer as a welcome present, she learned that a 14-year-old was living without his father most of the day. She couldn't overlook this bitter fact, so she invited him over. After that day, Hamna and Erhan formed an unbreakable bond.