Light

Of Horse Hooves and Carriages

"1 kg gulab jamuns please." Noor said to the neighbourhood halwai and handed over 2 rupees.

"What are you celebrating beti?" The vendor smiled and scooped the sweets into a box.

"No no chacha...not celebrating, we're just having guests over."She said taking the box from him.

"They must be special guests then." He winked knowingly and walked to the money box, Noor nodded and turned away," Very special indeed." She murmured to herself.

Gaze slightly bent towards the ground, Noor walked to the house but stopped when she heard her name being called, she turned to see Moazzam racing towards her.

"Noor." He said breathlessly, stopping infront of her.

"Moazzam? Are you alright?" Noor looked at him worriedly.

"Noor...I have to tell you something." He spoke nervously, avoiding her eyes.

"Okay...?"

"I...I told Amma, that I wanted to marry you..."

"And..." Noor urged, she didn't look too eager, but if you looked closely enough, her eyes were shining with the want to know.

"She...she said...no." Moazzam bent his head so much Noor couldn't see a single feature on his face.

A long pause ensued," Kh-khala said...no?" Noor stuttered a little.

"Noor I'm so sorry." Moazzam finally looked up at her to see her staring at her hands, "Why?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"I...Noor I can't tell you." He shook his head sadly.

"Moazzam...tell me why she said no!" Noor said sharply, almost as if she knew what the answer would be.

"Ugh, she...she said you're too educated a girl to become a good daughter-in-law." Moazzam said hurriedly and hung his head.

She nodded," Okay then Moazzam, Allah Hafiz." And turned around, a pang in her heart, she but the jnside of her cheek from crying out, how could she ever have been foolish enough to think that her forever would be so easy?!, "But Noor, wait..." Moazzam called after her, hoping she'd turn around, but to no avail. So he ran after her.

"Noor just listen to me." She walked on, her pace quickening, she couldn't break down now, couldn't show how hurt she was, it would be horribly mortifiying for her, leaving Moazzam lagging behind, she was glad to see her house was only a street crossing away.

She checked for any traffic coming along the road and started to cross it, somewhere in the middle of the road she heard hooves and a shout, she started to hurry across but something gripped both her shoulders and pulled, while another hand flew across her mouth and sealed it.

She kicked but the arms pulling her behind were too strong, then she saw Moazzam appear a little way from the coach.

"Hey!" He shouted noticing her," Hey let her go!" He ran towards the coach and all at once it pulled away, with the arms still gripping and pulling Noor inside forcefully.

Noor was still halfway out of the carriage because of the resistance she was putting up, she watched Moazzam race after the vehicle and her eyes finally filled with tears.

"Noor!" Was the last thing she heard before something banged her on the head and she lost consiousness.

******

"Mariyam! Mariyam! Noor went to the halwai ages ago, why is she still not back yet, I am worried about my daughter, and Sultaana will be here soon, what will she think of us letting a young girl out alone?! Hae hae Mariyam do something jaan!" Noor's grandmother cried from the prayer mat.