Rigmarole Of Patience | TBH Trilogy 3 | Sequel |

04 ● Learn

In all senses, love meant you

The warm sunlight cascades down onto her skin. She had a terrible headache when she tried to wake up. The pain was unbearable so much that she let out a yelp and held her head between her hands and still it wouldn't budge. This was her everyday routine now. It's been four months since that night and every night she failed to not think about him, about them and about the future she cherished.

Wrapping her hair in a sloppy manner and slipped into her slippers. She took a shower and changed her clothes. It was the last exam in her fifth semester. She had already read everything and she didn't seem to care much. Just passing through it was enough now as she had no will to do more.

“Breakfast is ready!”

Jannat took her bag and rushed downstairs. Ahad was having his breakfast, Zairaah setting up the table. Ziah sat revising for her exams and Zain scrolled his phone, earning a glare from Ahad across the table.

“Assalamualaikum Mummy Papa!”

Jannat grabbed a plate and sat next to Ahad. She put in a paratha and poured herself sugarless tea.

“Walaikum assalam beta.”

Zairaah hadn't failed to notice the solemn expression Jannat carried everyday. She knew what it was but more than that she really wanted to know who was behind it. Maybe Shuraim?

“Mr. Siddiqui is throwing a success party at the end of this month.”

“Acha?”

“His leather business worked well in Tamilnadu.”

“It's quite rich there.”

“Ali Sahab has quite a reach there. He has his branches in five districts. That's a lot.”

“Leather works for them.”

“They are not quite popular in construction there like they are in Karnataka.”

“Good enough.”

Jannat hated conversations related to his family. It was difficult for her to survive around those topics. It only led her to think about him and those intense gaze she had started to get scared of now.

She chewed her paratha in a hustle and got up.

“I'll leave. It's getting late. I have to pick up Ayla.” They nod. Jannat walked away and tears found their way down her cheeks like it always does. She hasn't moved on. It isn't easy for her to let go. She stopped midway when Zairaah called her. She quickly wiped her cheeks and turned.

“Your phone… you forgot it here.”

“Thanks Mummy.” She grabbed it and rushed out. She had learnt driving in these months and had been quite good. She always kept herself busy and if she couldn't keep herself busy, her mind would drift back to that ghost.