"So, you are crying again today?"
"You?"
"Yes, me! Do you recognize me?"
"I don't know how, but whenever I cry, you always show up here!" Faiza said, wiping her tears.
She felt inexplicably happy seeing that stranger at the bus stop after so many days.
"You still won't tell me your troubles today, but the friendship offer is still valid!" The stranger, who had once again covered his face with a black mask and black sunglasses, said to Faiza.
"I don't mind being your friend, but I don't know how to make friends!" Faiza smiled awkwardly, dressed in her black abaya and with her face covered by her hijab.
"No problem, I'll teach you! Just accept this gift!" The stranger handed the book to Faiza again.
"But what will I do with this book?" Faiza asked.
"Look, we can become pen friends! Don't tell me anything about yourself except your name. We'll exchange this book daily, and you can write down your feelings that you can't share with anyone else, and I'll do the same!" The stranger explained kindly.
"My name is Fiza!" Faiza wasn't ready to trust a stranger so quickly, so she gave a different name.
"Nice to meet you, Fiza! I'm Shehri!" The stranger handed the book to Faiza.
"Shehri? Sounds like a dog's name, like Sheru... Shehri!" Faiza laughed loudly in excitement.
"Is my name that bad?" Shehri pretended to be upset.
Faiza quickly apologized, and Shehri forgave her immediately.
"Alright, Sheru... oops, I mean Shehri... we'll meet again!" Faiza took the book and smiled as she boarded the bus.
Shehri smiled and watched the bus leave.
************************************
For a few days, this routine continued. They met twice a week and exchanged the diary. They had become quite close friends, and Faiza started feeling much better. She opened up to Shehri and began sharing her innermost thoughts with him.
Date: March 4, 2019
Dear Shehri,
Today was a very good day! After meeting you, I feel a bit relaxed! You don't know, but you are like an angel in my life! Whenever I am in trouble, you somehow show up at that stop to talk to me! May Allah grant all your wishes, ameen!
Your friend,
Fiza
"Faiza, what do you do all day in your room? Don't you have any work?" Mami called out to Faiza.
Faiza quickly washed her hands and came downstairs, adjusting her dupatta over her head. She saw Shafiq playing a game on his phone in the hall. Mamu was sitting there watching the news on his phone. Mami was cutting onions at the dining table.
"What should I do, Mami?" Faiza asked as she washed her hands.
"I'm not feeling well today, so you cook today, and tell Shafiq to get some oil from market!" Mami put the onions aside and spoke.
"No, Mami! Shafiq just came back tired from college... I'll go and get it!" Faiza saw an opportunity to exchange her diary.
"No, you stay home and cook today... when you go out, you disappear for 2 hours. Shafiq will get the oil today!" Mami said firmly.
"Shafiq, Mami is asking you to get some oil." Faiza said sadly as she went to the kitchen.
"Mom, you know I'm tired, I can't do it, please ask Dad!" Shafiq, still engrossed in his game, shouted.
"Son! I'm more tired than you, and don't you feel ashamed making elders do work while you sit at home?" Mamu scolded Shafiq.
"It's okay, Mamu! I'll go get it!" Faiza tried to take advantage of the situation.
"No, with me here, why would you go? Wait, I'll get it!" Shafiq said begrudgingly as he went outside, making Faiza very angry.
Three days ago, Faiza needed to exchange her diary, but Mami kept her busy with chores, not letting her go out. Maybe Shehri waited there for her every day, but what could she do? It was all Mami's fault. Faiza thought about all this while cutting tomatoes.
****************************
After a whole week, Faiza got another chance to go out, making her very happy. Faiza waited at their spot for Shehri for an hour, but he was nowhere to be seen. Faiza kept waiting there for Shehri. Today, one of Faiza's friends was getting married, and she had come specifically to invite Faiza. It wasn't that she was a close friend; she used to be jealous of Faiza in school because Faiza always topped and she came second, but now she wanted to show that she was getting married before Faiza. Faiza didn't mind, as it gave her a good excuse. Deep down, Faiza thanked Neelam sincerely. Now, under the pretense of the wedding, she sat at the stop waiting for Shehri.
"How are you, partner?" Shehri's voice startled Faiza a little.
"I'm fine! How are you, Sheruuu!" Faiza teased him again.
"Fiza, you little... you know!" Shehri said angrily.
"Okay, sorry... here’s the book. We'll meet next week... I’m a bit busy today!" Faiza was about to leave.
"Why didn't you come last week, Fiza? Is everything okay?" Shehri asked worriedly.
"Yes, Shehri, everything is fine! Just didn't get any free time from household chores!" Faiza reassured him with a smile. Then she handed him the book and boarded the bus. They had planned to exchange diaries daily, but it wasn't possible for Faiza, so they started meeting once a week.
They still hadn't seen each other's faces and never discussed it. Both were very happy with their anonymous friendship. Faiza had shared all her childhood stories with Shehri, only talking about her mother. She never mentioned her father to Shehri and also didn't tell him about Mami's cruelty. But from Faiza's condition, Shehri had some idea that Faiza wasn't living a happy life.
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Date: March 21, 2019
Dear Fiza,
How are you, partner? It was very nice meeting you after so many days. You talk about your mother so much that it reminds me of mine. You know, I'm an orphan too. My parents passed away when I was young, so I don't remember much about them. You've told me a lot about your mother, but how was your father? You know, my father was very kind. Everyone who meets me gives me a lot of respect because of him. I hope you share something about your father if you feel comfortable. By the way, I am very happy to have met you. You have become a very dear friend to me, Fiza!
Your friend,
Shehri
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Love Obsession {Completed}
General FictionThey say first love is never forgotten, but for him, she was not just his first love, but also his last and only love, an obsession he could never let go of. Fardan Shehriyaar, the formidable owner of Shehriyaar Industries and known as the Shadow Ki...
