His Land Called

2] The decision

2] The decision

Falak

When I woke up, I found out that I was in my room. I looked around me, trying to figure out whether everything was a dream. Everything was like this when I had decided to get some sleep. Even my dupatta was carelessly thrown on a chair like it had been before I went to sleep.

So it was a dream! What a weird dream!

I looked at the clock. It was 5 45 am which meant that I still had time for fajr salat. I quickly got out of bed and made wudu. Once I was done, I dried my hands and face with a towel and spread the prayer mat in the direction of Mecca. As soon as I had prayed, I took a quick shower and quickly got ready for university.

I put on a casual Pakistani maxi with a flowery print and a pant. I put my dupatta around my neck and pulled my hair into a messy bun.

About ten minutes later, I rushed downstairs to leave. I had a car of my own, thankfully, but I rarely used it before Baba passed away. Thinking of Baba made my eyes moist, but I had resolved that I wouldn't cry. Before leaving I grabbed an apple from the kitchen and hurried outside. I wasted no time in driving to the university. I had left early because my first class was at 8 am. I had already taken the leave for two days and I couldn't afford more. I found it pointless to stay idly at home and do absolutely nothing but cry.

I was heading to class when my phone ringed. The last time I had gotten a call in university, it was horrific news. I shook the bad thoughts away and answered without looking at the caller ID as I was in a hurry.

"Assalam o Alykum."

"Walykum Assalam, Falak?"

"Yes. Who is this?" I asked urgently, I was getting late.

"I'm Faaris. Where are you?" Faaris said.

"At university. Why?"

"Oh. You could have told me." He said, sighing.

What?

"Why would call you just to tell you this?" I asked.

"Call me?" He voiced, sounding confused.

"Yeah. Why would I call you just to tell you I'm going to university?" I was really getting late, "Wait. Never mind. I'm getting late for class. I'll call you after class.  Okay?" 

Faaris laughed.

"Okay. You can go. Allah hafiz." He said.

"Thank you, Allah! Allah hafiz." I exclaimed dramatically and ended the call.

I hurried to class, think why I should have called him.

My day at university was horrible. I couldn't focus properly in class and many people came to give their colodences. I know that they were trying to be nice, and I don't really blame them -except for the part where they say it's alright- because it really wouldn't be nice of of them if they kept quiet. However, every time someone would approach me with this subject, I would be forced to hold back my tears. One teacher even gave his colodences in front of the whole class. I mean come on! Who does that? The people who didn't know about the tragedy, also found out and I again had to deal with many people.

Finally, when I pulled into my driveway, I put my head on the steering wheel and cried for a good five minutes. When I had composed myself, I got out of the car and went inside. Once inside and dropped myself on the sofa in the living room, and put my bag beside me. I rested my back on the back of the sofa and closed my eyes. I massaged my temples in the effort of releasing stress.