Rooh-e-Zindagi (soul of life)

9|Deaths and Tears

Beep beep beep.

Hospital and Ambulances.

Deaths and injuries.

The phone from Ashaar's hand slipped as he looked up shocked. Arzoo was sleeping in Maahad lap meanwhile the young boy was doing his homework sitting in Ashaar's cabin.

It was almost 6pm and Ashaar was trying to contact Aabis since few hours now. Maahad didn't question him at all and didn't even let Arzoo get on her nerves but when he heard Ashaar's phone ringing and then falling on the ground something told him it was related to him.

"Ki..kia hua?" Maahad asks as his face lost all colours.

"Han?" Ashaar snapped back.

"Ashaar bhai kia hua?" Maahad asks panicking.

How can one tell a 16 year old that his mother is dead? How can one form words in this situation.

Ashaar got a call from Aabis neighbour as he was shifted to hospital because some people broke in his house and neighbours had no idea what happened but they rushed to the house as they heard gunshots.

On the way to hospital Malihaa passed away as the bullet hit her right near her head. Aabis was still alive as but with almost no chances of survival he was shot in stomach.

"Ashaar bhai please!" Maahad begged.

"Hospital.. hospital jana hoga! Leken Arzoo? Arzoo ka kia krnege ab?" Ashaar said loosing his composure. He took his phone out and dialled Amraha's number but she didn't answer. He called Zaamin he was not able to understand anything.

"Hospital kyu? Please bataye na woh theek ha?" Maahad broke down. Arzoo stirred in sleep.

"Ashaar?" Zaamin barged in. The news was all over Television.

"Zaamin! Hospital hospital." Ashaar rambled.

"Ye?" Zaamin gasped in realisation looking at the children.

"Amraha kaha ha?" Ashaar asks.

"Kaha ha? Zohaan sath ha?" Zaamin asks.

"Zohaan kaha ha?" Ashaar asks.

"Mein poochta hu usse!" Zaamin said.

"Abhi kia krna ha?" Zaamin asks.

"Ap dono mujhe kuch batange? Kia hua ha?" Maahad shouts loudly. His heart was beating fast and he knew something wasn't right.

"Bhai!" Arzoo woke up startled. She looked around and realised they were still in office a fresh lot of tears made way to her eyes as she started sobbing. Maahad immediately picked her up.

Ashaar took a deep breath and gathered himself.

"Someone has shot your mother and our father! Hamein hospital jana ha lets go." There was no easy way to say it.

"Shot?" Arzoo asks Maahad in confusion.

Maahad tightened his grip around Arzoo's waist as his veins were popping out. His eyes were stilled as his body was shaking.

"Maahad! Beta please aou." Zaamin gently guided the siblings by his shoulder.

"Mama baba ko kia hua ha bhai? Please mujhe mama jana ha." Arzoo was sobbing in Maahad's embrace but Maahad was unable to answer.

They made their way to the car and Zaamin took the keys from Ashaar's hand. He started the car and dialled Zohaan's number Ashaar's siblings has to be there. It will probably their one last moment with their father.

"I don't think nani or Amraha handle karpangi! Mama ko call karta hu someone needs to handle Arzoo." Zaamin said and Ashaar nodded.

It was in that moment that Maahad knew he has lost them both. His body went rigid thinking about Arzoo. He knew they were orphaned now but she was little sister he can't loose her. His grip on her tightened as she winced.