In The Pursuit Of Love

Yet Another Quest

"O Allah, I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, and I seek refuge with You from incapacity and laziness, and I seek refuge with You from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek refuge with You from being heavily in debt and from being overcome by men”
(Sunan Abi Dawud).

Helpless.

Zeeshan couldn't feel more helpless at this very moment. That very morning he had vowed to find Nargis and bring her back home safe. But now, as he sat in the living room of his home, his family mirroring expressions of dejectedness, he couldn't help but feel discouraged. His heart almost giving away.

The news his father brought was nothing less than a nightmare for him, and if him being a police commissioner couldn't find her, he couldn't even bet on anything else.

However, he just couldn't sit quietly in the safety of his home doing nothing, while Nargis battles alone with the world against her.

Suddenly, he stood up straight, determination lurking in his eyes. The three members looked up at him in alarm, eyes filled with confusion.

"I have to find her" Zeeshan spoke rather calmly, but his voice had an edge. He turned to look at his father who was now standing, his forehead creased.

"What do you mean?" Adil asked.

"Papa I cant just sit here doing nothing. I have to go" having said that Zeeshan paced towards the door, his family hot on his heels.

"Zeeshan"

"Bhai"

Mehreen and Aamina called at the same time in a bid to stop him while Adil grabbed his arm making him turn around.

"Zeeshan if what Nargis told us yesterday was true, about you being attacked by them, then its dangerous for you outside. Your father is looking for her, you don't have to go" Aamina said, her voice a desperate plea. Knowing her son, she knew he wouldn't back away.

"Zeeshan, your mother is right. Give me some time, I am sure we will find her"

"You guys are not understanding. What we don't have is time. With every passing minute, her life is even more in danger" Zeeshan burst out frustratingly but then calmed himself down or at least pretended to after seeing the expressions on his family's faces.

Taking a deep breath, he again started, but with a voice that could make them understand and not retaliate to his wishes.

"Okay, I will just be out in the area looking for her and will be back in an hour or so. The previous few times I had found her in places nearby only, so I am gonna try my luck."

"Please" Zeeshan pleaded, once he didn't get a reaction from them.

"Okay" It was his father who gave in first, "But, if you don't come back in an hour, I am sending the whole unit on you" Zeeshan chuckled at the possible humor in his voice.

"Take care" Aamina said coming forward.

"Promise" and with that he left on his quest.

Mehreen was too overwhelmed to feel anything, let alone talk. And so she slowly turned around and retired to her room. She never imagined that her life would take a complete turn in a matter of a day. With everything that happened yesterday, she was not at all ready to deal with another blow. But here she was.

As she sat on her bed with a soft thud, her gaze fell upon the open letter lying on the side table. With a sigh, she picked it up and read it for the second time that day.

Dearest Mehreen,

Till the time you find this letter, I'll be long gone..

Cheesy, right? Hahaa.. I had to set the mood right before I apologize for my abrupt leaving. Mehreen, I hope you understand why I had to leave and without telling anyone at that.