شرر Sharar

Fifty-Nine

Important note at the end of the chapter do not skip it.

•••

When he opened the door of his room, darkness engulfed him. The bleak and cold room indicated how no one came here from a long time.

Taking his hand to switch board, he turned on the light, even with lights on, the room was dull and haunting.

There was no warmness. There was no Ayla to greet him with a smile, telling him about her day.

Going in, he stood beside her dresser, his and Ayla's walima picture frame was there, picking it up, he cleaned the dust on it by his sleeves, did no one came here when he was away? He wondered.

They were happy in the picture. His eyes flooded with tears recalling the past.

"Chalo tumhe ghar ka rasta toh yaad hai." Huzaifa's voice broke the piercing silence.

(At least you remember you have a home.)

Looking up, Kaif saw his father standing on the doorway.

"Papa, main..." Putting the frame down, he cleaned his eyes.

(Papa, I...)

"Halat dekhi hai apni." Huzaifa didn't let him say anything and asked.

(Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?)

Kaif was epitome scruffy. Untidy beard, messy hair as if hasn't combed them in ages, wrinkled shirt and tired face.

"Fresh ho, apne ap ko durust karo aur niche dining room mein aao." Huzaifa ordered him.

(Fresh up, make yourself proper and come downstairs.)

•••

Kaif and Huzaifa were silently sitting on dining table while Rukhsar served Kaif dinner, when she was done, Huzaifa indicated her to leave, unwillingly she left.

"Khana khao." Huzaifa told him.

(Eat.)

"Mujhe bhook nahi." Kaif mumbles. He has taken a shower and changed into a plain t-shirt and trousers, though his beard was still untidy (it needed trimming.) but otherwise he looked good enough.

(I am not hungry.)

Sighing, Huzaifa filled a glass with water for him. Kaif picked up the glass and took a sip.

"Kaha the 3 mahine se?" Huzaifa asked.

(Where were you from last 3 months?)

There was no friend of Kaif left whom Huzaifa hadn't called to ask about Kaif, no one knew about him.

"Tumhe ehsas hai, yeh sab jo ho raha hai tumhare irresponsible behaviour ki wajah se ho raha hai."

(Do you understand whatever is happening is because of your irresponsible behaviour.)

Kaif put the glass on table back with a sharp noise, "Mujhe pata hai, aap log baar baar wahi baat kyu yaad dila rahe hain."

(I know. Why are you keep reminding me that.)

Kaif took a frustrated breath out. "Maan liya hai maine apni galti ab aur kya karu?"

(I have accepted my mistake, what should I do now?)

"Tumne apni galti toh maan li hai lekin tumhe abhi tak ehsas nahi hai apni galti ka. Tumhe lagta hai tumne galti maan li hai toh sab bhool ke pehle jaisa ho jaye sab. Aisa nahi hota, galti ki hai, toh uska kaffara bhi karna hota hai." Huzaifa told him.