𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐦 & 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐦

Chapter 6

The boy ran barefoot through the crowded streets, his torn clothes revealing the harsh reality of his life.

His small hands, covered in dirt and cracks, bore the weight of his struggles.

Life for him was nothing short of a dungeon—no light, no hope.

He stumbled, falling hard onto the rough pavement. A sharp sting spread through his arm, and tiny drops of blood seeped from a fresh bruise.

But he didn’t stop.

He pushed himself up as if nothing had happened, though the unshed tears in his eyes told a different story. Quickly, he wiped them away and kept running.

Reaching into the pocket of his worn-out shorts, he clutched a few coins. With shaky breaths, he ran toward a grocery store.

Desperation filled his voice as he begged, "P-please—" he inhaled sharply, trying to steady himself, "Please—m-mi—milk, my s-sister—h-hungry, please?" His broken words held a weight far heavier than his small frame.

The shopkeeper, an elderly man in a white shalwar kameez, looked down at him.

Fair skin masked by dirt, big, tear-filled eyes—such beauty, forced to survive the streets. The shopkeeper sighed. "Beta, this money isn’t enough—"

"P-please," the boy cut him off, his voice cracking as he joined his hands together in a desperate plea. "M-my s-sister—she will d-die." His sobs broke through the silence of the shop.

The old man’s expression softened. "Hey, hey, beta," he reassured gently, reaching for a packet of milk and some food. "Take this for your sister. And here, something for you too. Okay?"

The boy hiccuped, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. "Shukriya," he whispered, gripping the items tightly.

Before stepping out, he turned back to the shopkeeper, determination flashing in his eyes. "I will remember you. One day, I will pay you back."

The shopkeeper smiled warmly. "Beta, jo bhi karo, Allah ki raza ke liye karna." (Son, whatever you do, do it for the sake of Allah's pleasure.)

The boy nodded, stepping outside. His gaze lifted to the sign above the store. Irfan Grocery.

———

Erum had a bad temper. She became careless whenever she was furious. And she had left MDA in rage. Moreover, none of her friends were with her.

Something could go wrong.

Anything could go wrong.

At least, that was what her friends—Dua and Zoya—feared.

They immediately called Enayat and informed her about the situation. In response, Enayat assured them that she would go and find Erum. Without wasting time, she got into her car and set off, determined to find her friend safe and sound.

———

A scream tore through the surroundings, sharp and piercing. The soundwaves hit Erum’s eardrums like a shockwave, her body reacting before her mind could process it.

She got out of her car immediately.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she followed the source of the scream. And then she saw her—Enayat, kneeling on the ground, head bowed, shoulders trembling as sobs wracked her body. In front of her, flames engulfed that car, its metal frame crackling under the heat.

For a second, Erum froze. Then, realization hit.

Enayat thought it was her car.

"Enayat!" Erum called out, breathless. "Enayat, I'm here!"