Memories We Hold Together

" A ray of sunshine "

He didn't care about himself or the people around him, he just wanted to drown in that deadly intoxication; he thought that he was free from all his problems; from all his troubles; but how wrong he was!

********

In the black dark night of a cold December, Rehan limped into the house,

"Shirt sleeves rolled up to the corners, open collar, disheveled hair, red-pink eyes; he was drunk, deep under the influence."

At the sound his stumbling steps halted,

"Have you got drunk? Have you found peace?" Rania stood in front of him saying,

Rehan nodded in agreement.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you torturing me and yourself?"... You....

Rania was very worried.

"Look, Rania, it's late at night and I'm having a deep sleep, so we'll talk about all this in the morning, okay?"

Rehaan patted her cheek, and limped towards his room while Rania watched him go helplessly..!

**************

A beautiful morning had arisen again,

The room was full of sunlight and he was sleeping soundly, then the ringing of the phone broke his sound sleep, he opened his heavy eyes with difficulty, the light made his eyes close, he reached out and picked up his phone lying on the side table and received the call.

"Assalam Alaikum" [ Hi!] came the voice from the other side of the phone.

"Walalaikum Salaam", [Hey] why did you disturb my sleep?.. He said in a semi-long voice;

"Are you still sleeping? Shame on you Rehan, it's nine o'clock in the morning!... Don't you have to go to the office?..."

"Shut up!, Shut up!.. Hisham, so many questions?...

I didn't go to the office because Rania's wedding coming and I have to take care of all the arrangements, I told you.

"Oh... yes.. forgot...!"

"Alright, I'll be there in a little while to help with preparations,"

"Hmmmm, come on, missing you anyway"

"Well, you are talking as if I am your wife,"

Both laughed at the last sentence;

"I'm coming and be careful don't sleep again okay?

"Ok! okay."

Both of them hung up the phone.

*********

Holding cups of hot tea in their hands, they were engaged in discussions.

Rehan took out a cigarette and a lighter from his pant pocket and pressed the cigarette to his mouth. He was lighting the lighter when Hisham snatched the cigarette from his mouth and the lighter from his hand.

"Stop it Rehan!" Hisham got angry.

"What?.. give back Hisham!"

Rehan tried to snatch the cigarette from Hisham, but failed.

"Look Rehan, I am tired of explaining to you, just don't do all this, leave these habits, you know all these things are licking you like termites, hollowing you out from the inside,