ILLITERATE

ILLITERATE EPISODE 05

In the days following Zuhair’s arrival, Muzammil musters the courage to bridge the chasm of unfamiliarity between them. He approaches his cousin with a tentative smile, his words carefully chosen, hoping to ignite a flicker of camaraderie. At first, Zuhair appears receptive, offering polite nods and faint smiles that Muzammil clings to as glimmers of hope. For a fleeting moment, Muzammil dares to believe that Zuhair could be different—a beacon of kindness amidst the shadows of hostility that define his household.

But the illusion is fragile, and it shatters with cruel swiftness. As days pass, Zuhair’s demeanor shifts like an ominous cloud rolling across a once-clear sky. The warmth Muzammil perceived begins to dissipate, replaced by a growing indifference that mirrors the callousness of the rest of the family. Muzammil’s attempts at connection are met with curt replies and sidelong glances, his optimism unraveling thread by thread under the weight of rejection.

The final blow comes one evening when Muzammil approaches Zuhair with a hesitant question, only to be met with a voice as cold as winter’s breath. “Stay out of my way, Muzammil,” Zuhair utters, his tone devoid of empathy or regard. The words strike Muzammil like a hammer against glass, splintering the remnants of his hope. His heart sinks, the reality of Zuhair’s indifference settling like a heavy stone in his chest.

In the wake of Zuhair’s cruel dismissal, Muzammil is left to grapple with the bitter taste of betrayal. The possibility of finding an ally in his cousin now feels like a cruel joke played by fate. And yet, beneath the crushing weight of his disappointment, a quiet resilience stirs. The world may turn against him, but Muzammil refuses to relinquish the fragile ember of hope that smolders within his soul—a defiant light against the encroaching darkness.