A Tale of Hearts

Chapter Thirty Five

Zoya's POV:

"Where is Sher? He promised he would meet me near the sea?" I trembled because it was getting chilly. The breeze was whizzing through my chipped teeth making me feel funny. "Should I have told papa I am coming to the sea? I think Sher would have told him. How long do I have to wai-"

I heard a bone chilling scream and whipped my head to the source of the sound but couldn't find it. What was that just now? A dying cat? Suddenly, the air didn't feel just cold. It felt heavy. Was Sher playing a prank on me again? I keep telling him to act maturely for his age. Oh well, we both know I am the smarter one. Another scream followed and I pinpointed the area where it was coming from. It was a long building with a hut on top. What did papa call it again? I think it was War-Ware-Warehome! Yes, that is it.

Should I go check if the cat is okay? What if it stuck inside something? Anushay most definitely should. I really should stop addressing myself like this. But Bubbles in Powerpuff girls looks cute doing it and Sher doesn't mind it either. He always laughs when I do it. I like his laugh. I giggled as I tiptoed to the warehome. Maybe it is Sher trying to fool me with his phone. I don't know why his father got him a phone at such a young age. It isn't fair. I want one too! Hmph! I will ask Shahbaz bhaiya when I get back.

As I was nearing the warehome, the voice of breathing increased. Was the cat close by? Oh no, was it a kitten? The door creaked as I opened it to enter the large building. I couldn't see much since the windows of the building were dusty. Just where is the kitte-

"Aisay maat karo mere sath. (Don't do this to me please.)" I heard the sound of a girl whimpering followed by the sound of glass crunching. Huh? A girl? Where is she? I looked left and right until my eyes fell on a beautiful girl with silky long brown hair. She was on the ground looking at something in the darkness on the other side of the building. Tears soaked her cheeks and fear covered every feature of her face. Why was she crying? Why did she look so terrified?

"Tum mere paas se bhagi kyun? (Why did you run from me?)" A dark and monotonous voice spoke in response. "Men tumhe bhi kaha tha agar tumne mujhe chorna chaha men tumhe mardunga. (I already told you that if you tried to escape from me, I would kill you."

"When did I run from you? Come on, we are cousins." The girl whispered at him softly while wiping her tears with the back of her sleeve.

"So you are saying if we aren't cousins, you would have ran away, huh?" The boy finally stepped out from the darkness and bent down to hold the girl's face. The boy had a very scary expression on his face despite having such handsome features. He didn't look that older than Sher.

"N-no! Of course not, why would I run away from you? I cherish you-" The girl held unto the boy's wrist while her eyes pleaded with him.

"I would have believed you but you can't fool me anymore. You know, I even planned to marry you when we turned into adults." There was suddenly a click sound and the boy took out a black gun. Oh no, what was he going to do with that?

"Don't do this. I won't try to leave you anymore please." The girl backed off but the boy just smiled as he leaned on top of her and pointed the gun under her chin.

"Too late for that, Kainat."

Wait, Kai...nat? Kainat? Where had I heard that name before? And then a shrill scream erupted in the warehome followed by a gunshot. I screamed at the sound and closed my eyes while covering my ears. When I opened my eyes, he was there. Infront of me.

"Now where did you come from, little girl? Oh wait, I know you. I have seen you before with him." The boy gripped my shoulders tightly and smirked at me with charcoal black eyes. "Anushay, was it?"

I woke up with a scream. My hair clung to my forehead with cold sweat. I felt my chest suffocate and ended up throwing up on the carpet. What was that just now? So vivid. It felt so real. His touch on my shoulders. The girl with tears in her eyes. His charcoal black eyes.

My mother barged into my room as I felt my throat burn. I could feel another vomit coming.

"Zoya? Zoya! What happened? Ali! Ali, come quickly! Shahbaz, where are you? Something is wrong with Zoya!" My mother rushed to my side and patted my back as I threw up again. His eyes, her tears and the sensation kept echoing on my body. I felt goosebumps all over my body. The hair on my neck and arms rose as my heart palpitated. What did I see? And why did that name sound so familiar? Kainat? Kainat?

And then it hit me.

She was Sher's sister. Kainat was his sister. No. No. No. This can't be. I don't want this. NO.

"I know you." I heard his voice in my head followed by a slow laugh.

And then different images flashed into my head causing my head to feel like it would split open. I screamed again as my body started to vibrate and tremble.

"What happened?"

"Ali! Zoya is getting a seizure. Call an ambulance quick!" And then there was darkness everywhere. The sound of my parents started getting distant as I felt numbness all around me.

....

Kamran's POV:

Yesterday felt unreal. For a minute, I felt like I had gone back in time. The way the two of us just sat in a corner talking about our past. When Anushay and I used to talk for hours on the most random topics while walking in a park or when I would push her while she sat on a swing. After years, the feeling of being near her felt real. No, it was real. I looked down at my hand that she had held unto. I imagined her hand that was trying to comfort me.

Everything about yesterday was so perfect. I didn't have to imagine it anymore. The questions in my head had slowly started to find their answers. How it would feel like to talk to her after all these years, how her hands would feel with mine, how we would feel together. Her eyes had gotten brighter than before. She definitely looked prettier with both long and short hair. The scar on her wrist had faded but it was still there like a battle trophy. Her scent had changed. She smelled like jasmines before but now there was a hint of sandalwood.

All of this wasn't a dream anymore. It lasted a short time but it made me feel complete in that moment. I felt like I was reconnecting. As if there really was light at the end of the tunnel.

My joy didn't last for long though. I grimaced as I remembered her farewell words. Someone had been trying to hurt her. Who dared to? Why? When? What the actual fuck? I had to find out and end them. I have already lost her once I can't afford it again. Never again. My heart won't be able to take it. None of me would be able to handle it. We finally reconnected. If the memories of the past hurt her, I won't force her to recall me. I am sure with time she will remember what we share. Those memories are safe with me anyway but I have bigger issues to deal with.

I have to protect her. I couldn't protect her before. No, I couldn't protect them before. But this time, I am different. I looked down at the picture on my bed side table and picked it up.

"Baji, I have finally found my Anushay. I am sorry I couldn't stop you from leaving but I will find you too. I promise. I know you never meant to leave me. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. When I do, I will make sure the two of you meet. Anushay, no, Zoya saved me. She is someone I love dearly." I rubbed my thumb on a picture of me and Kainat baji sitting together on the trunk of a car. Her soft brown eyes look at me kindly while her long brown hair glowed in the sun. "I miss you baji. So much."

Even if I have to wait another fourteen years, I will find you too. Kamran Khan Narejo never fails on his promises.  

Author's Note:

Hello and Asalam o Alaikum Lovelies!

I hope all of you are well.

Yes, this is happening. It is real. I actually updated. I can't believe my eyes either. I just thought I would give you all a pleasant surprise at 2 am on a random Tuesday in August. I know the chapter is short but please bear with me, I haven't typed a chapter in ages. It is going to take a while to get back into form. I had to literally poke at my sleeping creative side to get a grip and write a chapter. 

Well, you all know what to do. Comment and let me know what you guys think.