Resounding Rhythm Of Rutted Love

Chapter-30 The Subtle Rhythms Of Heart

8 January 2022

And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied. (93:5)

Abdullah was returning home from an architect's firm. He had been contracted for the construction of a mosque that, according to the information given to him, was located a little far from Ayesha's school. The owner demanded a spacious masjid with a minimal amount of extravagance that at least accommodates a thousand people. His happiness was reaching stars that couldn't be described. Absorbed in his musing, his mind hustled ways to orbit around the woman that persisted in staying. His own hypothesis was rammed when he opined about the attraction as a subtle infatuation that night. The biggest lie he ever fed himself. However, he was happy that his new project was far away from where Afreen worked.

It was past midnight as Abdullah peacefully drove, and not too long after, he saw a familiar female figure, standing on the roadside, tapping something on her phone. Her eyebrows were joined together in frustration. He speeded his car, halting right in front of her as he rolled down his window. He saw the terrified look on her face, which was expected, and if the rapid heart was a thing to behold, he certainly could see it almost running away from her, all terror-stricken. "This is not the time to wander alone, Hafsah." He roared, almost causing her to tremble. "I was trying to book the cab but they keep on declining." She justified truthfully. Abdullah unlocked the gate, and she sat inside without any reluctance.

"Why were you out this late?" Hafsah's candour snapped him out of his plans that he was fancying. "None of your business, I believe." He retorted with courtesy. Lately, he had been noticing a sudden shift in her behaviour. She was acting all different around him and visiting his house every so often. She started to come to his dadi's house too, which made him uncomfortable, thus causing him to lessen his visits there. No matter how many times he tried to escape, their fate always seemed to cross paths with him. And so, the only way to prevent himself from earning sin was to maintain distance as much as he could.

During the journey to her home, Hafsah prompted many unnecessary queries, to which Abdullah remained silent. He parked the car a little far from her house as she stepped out of it and, muttering her farewells, she paced the distance to her apartment all the while, turning her head towards him intermittently. Abdullah sighed in relief when Hafsah was inside her house and accelerated his car towards his destination.

If the truth be spoken, Abdullah enjoyed the thought of Afreen more than the presence of his best friend's sister. But certainly, this could not rule out the possibility that Abdullah liked the idea of it.

 ***

Afreen was troubled between the two dresses she had reserved for special occasions as she sighed in the mirror, placing both the suits one by one. "I have never seen you this conflicted." Rida commented, sitting at the corner of the bed as she took a bite of her apple. Afreen turned towards Rida with an exasperated look on her face. "They are people with class and big reputation Rida, at the very least, I must do my best to maintain a level of decency and sosphitication." Afreen announced, exhausted. "And you are supposed to be helping me and not be judgemental like a fashion star." She later added, holding onto her dresses. "My sentiments are deeply hurt." Rida mocked her, taking pleasure in Afreen's predicament, before she sat stiff and squinted her eyes. "Okay, so wear that pink one; it will suit your complexion well." Rida confessed, analysing the clothes before she added "Are you not wearing the abaya then?"

"I am, but there will be females, so I will remove my abaya there." Afreen welded her plan precisely. "Okay then, go for that pink one." Rida finalised the pink dress with ocean blue lace embroidery. Afreen was invited by Fajr to the dinner, and at first the thought of Abdullah being there prevented her, but Fajr assured her that the opposite genders would be segregated, and after an elongated time of contemplation, Afreen agreed.