Unknown

10

*Some days later*

Yaseen's POV

14 May, Thursday

Man! It's been three days and yet I found nothing. I went to his university and office but found nothing. The professors and staff, everyone was replaced.

Just my luck you know.

But wait! The admin at Saad's University had told me about a professor named Ahmed. He had been teaching at the University for 20 years.

Maybe trying one last time won't hurt. Thinking this I got up and changed into white shalwaar kameez and made my way to his university. Surely professor Ahmed will be there.

As I entered the university, the sweet scent of jasmine flowers hit my nose. The halls were full of students buzzing around. Remembering that I had came here for something else, I walked towards the office of the university's head(I don't know what the head of a university is called :/ ). He was a nice man with grey hair and ebony eyes that shined when he laughed. This was the second time I was meeting him. The first time was when I was 9, Saad had taken me there to introduce me to his friends and professors.

He made me feel really comfortable. When I told him that I was Saad's brother, his eyes shone.

"Yaseen, wasn't it? So you are Saad's brother! What a brilliant kid he was! He was really nice to the professors, staff, students, and even the janitor. We'll, where is he now? He told me he was working as a property dealer. How's his work going?"

I felt a pang in my heart. To disclose the news of my brother's death in front of this jolly man would break his heart. But to get information, I must tell him.

" Well, H-he........died a few months ago." I regretted my words instantly as I saw his crestfallen face. What have I done?! Because of my selfishness, this poor man's day is ruined.

"But-........he had just told me six months ago that his business was going great and....." a tear rolled down my cheek as I listened to him. Was he that fond of my brother?

For an hour or so, there was silence in the office. Mr. Khalil (aka the head) had a hard time believing that Saad was dead now.

You know there is this feeling of regret of losing someone even though it is not your fault. Maybe Mr. Khalil was going through the same turmoil.

"Sir, I'm really sorry to disclose this news to you like that. I shouldn't-" he shook his head as he put on his glasses. Looking at me he smiled but I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"It's okay. My emotions got a little out of hand." he looked at me for a few minutes as if he was trying look for something.

Mr. Khalil's POV

He reminds me so much of Saad. Those same green eyes, same golden hair, same facial features. The only thing that made difference were those cute dimples that adorned his face. As if he was his twin or something. He has that same doe eyes like Saad's that get worried on seeing other people sad.

"So, what brings you here?" he straightens his posture as he hears my question.

"Well, I came here yesterday and the day before yesterday. I wanted to collect some information about my brother. All the staff and the professors are replaced axcept for Mr. Ahmed."

Professor Ahmed, my very old friend and a fellow teacher.

"So, I was wondering if I could meet him."

"Sure why not? Let me ask Hafifa to call him." I picked up my phone and dialed her number.

"Ah! Hafifa beta, could please call professor Ahmed to my office. There's a guest who wants to meet him." I said as I looked at the boy who was lost in a painting that was hanging on the wall. The painting of a Markhor standing on the peak of a mountain with its head held high in pride as if it was asserting its power on the mountain. Saad would always get lost in this painting whenever he visited my office.

"OK sir." the voice on the other side brings me out of my reverie.

"So, how are your parents? How's your father doing?" I asked him as a sad expression took over his face. The words that came out of his mouth shook the ground beneath me.

"They died in a fire. Only I survived." he held his head down.

I was lost for words. Saif is dead? Saif-ur-Rehman? The Saif I used to know? How much had this boy had to go through! The grief of losing your family is something unexplainable. It reminds me of my childhood when I  was left alone without a family.

"May I come in?"

Both of us come back to reality as he stood beside the door with the same jolly smile on his face.

"You?"