Colliding Fates (On Hold)

Chapter 2: Struggles and Bonds

Imtiaz and Raza arrived home.

"Bhai, please let it go," Raza said, looking at Imtiaz. "Don't tell Ma; she will be worried," Raza added, glancing inside.

Imtiaz nodded and replied, "Go ahead, I'll get your luggage."

Raza stepped out of the car, putting on a wide smile. He walked straight to the garden, knowing that his mother would be tending to the plants at this time of day. Well, she was Imtiaz's mother, but for Raza, she was much more than that—his protector, guide, and teacher. She fulfilled everything he desired from his real mother. Unfortunately, his real mom wasn't around long enough to be all that for him. She passed away when he was six, and his father passed away when he was eight. He stayed with a few relatives for a few years until Imtiaz's mother found him.

Imtiaz' mother took one look at him, smiled warmly, and said to his aunt, "I am taking him with me. He will grow up in my home with his brother and family because that is where he belongs." Since then, she had done everything in her power to make this house his home.

"Ma," he called her in his sweet voice.

Aisha turned around, dropping the hose and wiping the dirt off her dupatta. "Raza, you're here!" she exclaimed, walking towards him. He hugged her tightly the moment she got close to him.

"Somebody missed me!" Aisha said, deepening the hug. "Then why didn't you come home? I was expecting you for lunch," she asked, breaking the hug.

"I went to meet bhai," he replied.

"That's alright! Nothing else happened?" she asked, narrowing her eyes patting his cheek. He shook his head.

"Look at you, you've lost weight," she observed, looking him up and down.

"I was only gone for a week. How could I lose weight?" he asked, walking inside with her.

"But you did. You didn't eat there?" she inquired, taking a seat on the living room couch.

"I did, but nobody cooks like you do," he replied with the sweetest smile, sitting beside her.

She smiled back and said, "I made all your favorites for lunch, but you didn't come. You can have them for dinner instead." He smiled, appreciating her concern.

"Yes, feed him more so he can cause more trouble," said a loud, angry voice from behind. It was a voice that Raza knew all too well, a voice that could bring him to his feet.

Aisha closed her eyes and thought, "Just a moment of peace." She turned around, facing her mother with an exasperated look, and asked, "Mumma, what are you talking about?"

"Him!" Dadi pointed at Raza. Raza moved behind Aisha, trying to hide himself from Dadi's gaze.

"Raza," Aisha said, staring intensely at her mother-in-law. "His name is Raza," she emphasized.

"He is an orphan," Dadi stated in an obvious tone.

"No, he is not," said two voices simultaneously—one from Aisha and the other from Imtiaz, who stood at the doorway, setting down the luggage.

"He is!" Dadi affirmed. "I am ashamed to call his father my son. He first ran away and left Raza as a reminder," Dadi said with disgust, gesturing towards Raza. Raza lowered his gaze.

"Raza, go," Aisha whispered to Raza, but he shook his head in refusal.

"Imtiaz, take him to his room," Aisha instructed, looking at Imtiaz.

Imtiaz nodded and led Raza upstairs. Once they reached Raza's room and Imtiaz closed the door, they could still hear shouts from downstairs. "Stop speaking to my son like that!" Aisha yelled.