"I'm lost in the darkness residing in me... consuming my existence, bit by bit untill I'm left with nothing but ruins..."
Zainab Aqeel has lost her will to live. She's withering away like a flower does in fall...only she may never bloom again.
"The...
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The car stopped before the familiar gates of a house that Zainab once called home. The big burly gates opening as her driver smoothly rolled the car around before diminishing the engine. She quietly got out of the car and said to the quiet man that was her driver
"I'll let you know when to pick me up."
The man only bobbed his head in reply and went away as quickly as he came. Zainab sighed and faced the porch. It was a bit different since she last visited. Tall big plants littered on the two corners of the door while an array of small potted plants lined the sidewalk. It looked beautiful giving the massive building a touch of love and care.
It must be around two or three months since she last visited. She couldn't even remember honestly. The last she remembered was when they all flew to Islamabad where the hearing of her late husband's murder took place. A familiar chill and a wave of sadness went through her spine at the mention of her husband and she shook her head to get rid of the thoughts.
Walking toward the gate with heavy footsteps, she knocked. After a minute amount of time, the door swung open by one of the maids who let her inside. The once quiet living room was buzzing with soft chatters and voices and Zainab almost felt like she was intruding. She had been a part of that family for longer she could remember. Even before her marriage to Hammad given the fact that her mother in law was her maternal aunt. But it didn't feel the same. After she lost...she lost....anyways it just wasn't the same anymore.
She stood behind a pillar listening into the small conversations and felt her eyes burn. No, she wouldn't cry. Heaving a sigh, she reluctantly stepped out from hiding and strolled into the room with what she thought was a bit of confidence. As her shoes clicked on the floor, Narmeen'seyes darted to her and her face split into a wide beam.
"My beautiful girl!"
The stark joy in her voice diminished whatever second thoughts Zainab had and she happily walked straight into her aunt's awaiting arms. A familiar warmth and a feeling of pure affection seeped into her bones and she pressed her face harder in her aunt's shoulders. Feeling her eyes burn, she shut them tight while Narmeen's hand slowly raked through her hair.
"I missed you, meri Jaan."
A tear escaped her eyes no matter how much she tried but she wiped it away and pulled back. Narmeen's soft eyes raked her figure before patting her cheeks lovingly. Zainab smiled and turned to greet Rehmat Bibi. The woman was old and grey. Her age ridden hands shook a bit as she enveloped the younger girl in her arms.
"Welcome home, beta."
Finally Zainab's eyes collided with a lean figure standing few feet away from her. The similar brown eyes staring at her with a small tender smile on her lips.
Safa.
"How are you, Zainab?"
The woman asked and Zainab only pulled her in a hug. Pulling away, she answered
