Along The Lines of Love

Chapter 4. A sister?

Husn-e-jaana ki tareef mumkin nahi.

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I sat in the balcony after everyone fell asleep. The soft midnight breeze played with my hair as I sipped on some hot tea and thought about Rafey. My mind flooded with emotions, most of which...was guilt. I still can't forgive myself for what I had done to him. I had ruined his life. Forever perhaps. I was lost in my thoughts when I heard a knock on the balcony door. Aliyan, his disheveled hair all over the place making it evident he just woke up. I quickly put my dupatta on my head and ask him to come in.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" he asks me in his sleepy voice.

"Kuch nahi, bas aise hi." I replied.

"Can I ask you something Minahil?" he asks, sitting in front of me. My heart skips a beat listening to him call my name. I nod in a yes.

"You felt a bit...uncomfortable at Aleena's in-laws today. I mean, you didn't talk to anyone after that and you look disturbed ever since. Is everything fine? Do you know them by any chance?" he leaves me shook by his question. I don't know what to say. How to reply. I sit there silently not speaking a word.

"No, nothing of that sort." I replied. I can sense he already knows but I somehow try to hide it. Tears well up in my eyes and I try to blink them away. Aliyan carefully gets up from his seat and sits beside me leaving a little distance.

"You can tell me. I will always be there for you Minahil. You know that right?" he says in a gentle tone. More tears well up and finally a lone tear makes its way out of my eyes. Aliyan swiftly grabs a tissue from his pocket and wipes it away.

"You don't have to tell me now. I will always be with you, tell me whenever you feel like it. But I would love to see the jolly and bubbly you back." he says again after a short silence. I let more tears flow out. Soft sobs escape my mouth as Aliyan keeps wiping my tears away. I finally look up at him. His eyes full of concern and worry, yet giving me the reassurance I need.

"I had an elder sister." I started mustering up all the courage I had. I continue after wiping my nose,

"We were always very close, we shared everything and it was as if I had a second half of me. It was the best feeling. She was going to get married when I was in my last year of grad. She had been in love with that guy since she started med school. We were all really happy that she finally got the love of her life, it's rare you know. Actually marrying the person you love, its rare. She was beyond happy for her marriage. But then she did something that changed all our lives forever. She ran away on her wedding day. She told me she would be back before the Qazi arrived an hour before her wedding. I shouldn't have trusted her. But I did. I trusted her, let her go for her so-called important work, and I didnt even let mom and dad know as per my promise. I thought she would be back by the time the Qazi arrived. But she wasn't. She never came back. We had to call off the wedding leaving the groom and his family in shock. Rafey. Rafey Abid. Rahil bhai's brother. He was the man my sister was in love with and was going to marry. And to my surprise, he saw me helping appi out of the house. He thought she ran away with someone and I helped her. But before I could explain, he left. And never turned back to us for an explanation. I could never explain it to him, but either way, it was my fault. I made his life miserable by helping appi escape. I know one thing for sure, Aliyan. She did not run away with anyone." I break into loud sobs. Aliyan slowly puts his thumb on my hand and caresses it softly and I let him, I need comfort right now. I need someone to believe me and tell me its not my fault right now and surprisingly he does exactly that.

"Hey. it's not your fault alright. Everything happens for a reason. And maybe you have got another chance to explain yourself to him now. Nothing is your fault Mina, if anyone is responsible for all this it's only your sister." Aliyan consoled me. I gathered myself back and stopped crying. Wiping my nose with a tissue I turned to Aliyan.