Qurban

•37• Suggestion / تجویز

Uh oh, I'm falling in love.......

Both the men sat in the cabin, the sunlight streaming from the floor to ceiling windows, bathing the entire wooden floor into warmth and nature. The television mounted on the wall streamed the footage of the huge and successful Jalsa held by none other than Idris Nawaz. It was no doubt the public still favoured him, and what little people did come to their senses had lost their leader as Irtiza was still in a coma. His party was in shambles. They desperately needed a leader. But unfortunately there was no one to volunteer.

Subhan's eyes cut a glance on the rigid man sitting at a mere three feet distance. His brown eyes glued to the device as it tracked every move his precious grandfather made.

"We will not stay silent. The people of Pakistan, the people of this beloved nation, I, Idris Nawaz, promise you a better Pakistan. A Pakistan that is clear of abhorrent mixes like corruption, injustice and lawlessness. This man before you promise you a land of peaceful living. Choose me as your leader and I will flourish you for centuries to come."

A bitter scoff left the man's lips before he popped a biscuit in his mouth. Feelings eyes upon him, Altamash couldn't help, but cast a glance at his friend. Subhan was scrutinizing him with an intensity. Altamash sighed and leaned back in his chair

"Spit it out."

As if Subhan was waiting for the invitation, his voice followed

"You hate him so much."

It wasn't a question. No, it was a mere fact and Subhan knew it all too well. Altamash eyed his friend again, feeling more than he let on.

"You hate him so much, so why don't you over throw him by playing his own game?"

The suggestive remark confused Altamash. Angling his body, he folded his arms on the top of the table before muttering his question

"What exactly are you pointing at?"

Subhan heaved in a breath as if he needed patience to say whatever he had in mind and it put Altamash on edge.

"Why don't you take leadership of Mamo's party?"

The blood turned cold in Altamash's veins. His eyes darkened and a shadow crossed over his features. Subhan noticed it too, but didn't comment on it.

"You're crazy to even suggest it."

He leaned back, but his fist were clenched tight.

"It might run in your favor. You hate your grandfather. And you will despise him more if he were to lead the country. The world needs someone stronger. Both in character and mindset and your grandfather is none of that."

Of course he wasn't. Idris Nawaz was a cunning politician at best. He didn't give a care about character. For him, winning was all he desired.

"I'm not saying do it right now, but at least think about it. You might give yourself less credit than you deserve."

Altamash understood him. He knew Subhan would never pressurize him to do anything. But he also knew for a fact that he was somewhere right. But right now he only voiced out a curt

"We'll see."
***************

Soft wind strolled through the open window, leaves rustling by the sheer force of it. Fallen leaves crunched beneath the shoes of running children as the veranda screamed of joy. The voices traveled all the way up to the room on the first floor where Zainab sat knitting a fabric while Kiran stood by the window gazing at the laughing children downstairs. Turning around she faced Zainab whose head was dropped onto the work at hand