MYSTELWOOD

Chapter-9

The days flew by quite fast,and it was the second week since the travel writer came to Mystelwood.He was literally the talk of the town,and by then the locals have started looking upto him with hopeful eyes.Everyone had started work on the newly titled mission "Operation Beautify Mystelwood".It's not that the town needed any beautification but Mayor Rosaline could not come up with a better name after Mystelwoodian's previous successful monomania,which was "Operation Rebuilt Mystelwood." The latter brought the locals together,developing a rather sweet bond of friendship and understanding among them.

It was not a surprise when the obvious uncreative mayor came up with an obvious uncreative slash childish name for the betterment of Mystelwood through the now celeb travel writer's help.Mystelwood had to change,but everyone agreed it is going to be for the better.

Aara didnot get the 'amazing' opportunity to meet Dayyan like her infamous neighbour put it,after their first meeting.She,on the other hand,didnot really thought about that because her thoughts remained consumed by her father.

He came home two days later,and Aara felt like dragging him back towards the front porch for walking inside the house like his absence was nothing of a big deal.Ofcourse,Aara couldn't do that.Afterall,her father was the 'His Highness' of the Elahee family.

That made Aara so angry and the only thing that kept her going was the regular visit to the masjid and the thought that Allah doesnot guarantee us a life free from trouble,but He does promise to be our refuge in the midst of the storm.

It was the days of constant tears,occassion sniffing and more tears and consoling her mother.Arshia kept asking her what has happened,which made Aara more disheartened when she could not explain the little girl the reality of their lives.

Drunkard person,gambling every now and then,surviving on alcohol,swearing whenever he got the chance....that's what Aara's father was.Thus,when the family had to deal with so many of his baggages,the fact that he was also a chain smoker did not really made a difference to them.

But the catch was,the Elahee's were muslims,and it took three years of constant striving to built a nice impression of themselves to the Mystelwoodians.Aara lived in constant fear that one day her father would ruin it all,just like he did in the town they used to live in before coming or to be more precise,sending away,to Mystelwood.

When a random person turns out to be an alcoholic,people sure looks down upon him.But when a muslim is seen with flaws,they are banished as if they had committed the most gievious thing in the history of unforgivable crimes!

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The crispness in the air held the promises of an early winter.Here and there flowers blossomed from the earth's womb.Darker shades of green danced against the naked branches,while the softest of breeze caressed the town of Mystelwood.

Aara made her way to 'Mystel Crisps', the little food parlour she works at.She went inside as the dwindling bells on the parlour's door announced her appearance.

Granny was waiting for her behind the counter,and the moment her eyes fell on Aara,she whisked an apron towards her.Her frenzy state told how crowded the place was with customers.

"Good morning love.Hurry,hurry it's going to be very busy here today.Get to work right away." With that the old woman dashed to the kitchen inside,shouting orders to other staffs.

"Hi Aara, wassup?" Her co-worker, Sandy asked.

"Alhamdulillah,all's good.How about you?" Aara questioned.

"I'm great as well.Alhaamdulillah, I guess." Sandy smiled,and Aara couldn't stop her lips curving as well.She likes it when people happily accepts her religion and respect it.She wished one day they would start believing too.But now,the nearly burning toast needed her attention most!