Life was pretty boring... until an unexpected twist changed everything for Kifah.
Kidnapped without warning, she awakens on an island that seems ripped from the world of her FAVOURITE VIDEO GAME. She quickly realized she wasn't alone-her friends we...
Kifah looked at her home in front of her, hesitant to go inside because she had failed the maths test today. She didn't want to hear her aunt's scolding, so she turned around and took the road to her favorite escape route—"kingdom of whispering trees" she called it, though it was just a bunch of overgrown old trees, that were home to small animals. The sky was filled with dark clouds, ready to burst as she rode her bicycle, feeling the slap of her short hair against her ears.. She forgot everything and just enjoyed the moment. Trees lined both sides of the road. She was far from home now. She took a sharp turn, veered off the road, and entered the forest.
The leaves rustled rhythmically, creating a soothing environment. She liked to think that the trees and the wind were having a conversation. The faint sound of running water came from somewhere far away. Kifah hopped off her bike and rested it against a tree. She took a book out of her backpack, pondering if she should find a stronger tree or if this one would do. Eventually, she started climbing it and sat on a thick branch, her little bag and book in one hand.
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Kifah used the bag as a pillow. As soon as she rested her head on it, a crumbling noise of plastic came from it. She beamed with happiness as she remembered she had a few snacks (potato chips) left. She gobbled them down in a few minutes. After that, it was just her with the book and the trees.
The sun had just set. It would be best if she didn't stay here any longer after sunset, so she gathered her belongings and took the road back home.
Her hand on the doorknob, she took a sigh, prepared herself for what was coming, and entered the house. For her, this was not a home anymore; it was just a house made of blocks, bricks, and stuff now.
It had been long since she had seen her home, long since she felt like herself, long since she'd been happy, smiling with her family. That family did not exist anymore.
Her phuppo (aunt) was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Just the smell of yakhni pulao made her mouth water. Everything aside, she had to admit that Laila Phuppo was a master chef. She still had the best Pakistani touch in her dishes even after all these years.
Her phuppo and her husband had come to England a few years back when everything was alright. They moved to the house next to Kifah's family. After that, things took a downturn.
"Assalam u Alaikum, Phuppo," she said, going upstairs, trying to act cassual.
"Walaikum asalam!" Her aunt turned around with a ladle in her hand.
"Where have you been," she asked displeased, although she knew the answer, was that Kifah liked to venture off into the trees whenever she felt tired or overwhelmed, Laila didn't know why she ran off this time, then it clicked, she had a test today.
"Show me your test paper" She extended her hand forward to take the paper from her.
"I don't have it" Kifah had torn it apart and left it in the jungle.
