Beyond The Stars

Chapter 3

"What do you want" asked Furqan. Truth be told, he was scared to the core. He had heard about these feudal lords with the fancy, bullet proof cars and their own mini army of bodyguards. Irking them caused you your life and he was pretty sure that this formidable man in his Armani suit was pissed off.
"Let's forget about me going man. Let's talk about you. What do you want?" Saeen Shahnawaz Shah asked a very befudled Furqan.
"Excuse me sir?" Said Furqan
"You heard me boy. Was I speaking Persian? Tell me what do you want!" Screamed the Saeen, "Money? Cars?Girls?"
"You really think if I wanted those things I'd be selling flowers on the street at midnight?" Furqan replied.
"Hmm. The boy is brave! " Thought Shahnawaz and then said, "Ok then what do you want ? You obviously want money right?"
"Of course! I do" exclaimed Furqan, "But just enough to pay for my mom's treatment. You see she has cancer and I'm the only son. I left my studies and now......"
"Hold it, hold it!" The Saeen put up his hand, motioning Furqan to stop talking. "You'll get all of it and more. But you'll have to do something for me"
"Listen sir, I'm not that kind of guy" said Furqan "I won't do anything illegal or immoral. I have to go" with that Furqan tried to open the door but was stopped by Bilawal.
"You will listen to me!" Screamed Shahnawaz Shah. He then said in a much softer tone "It won't be illegal. All you have to do is to pretend to be my son, until my father doesn't hand me over all the properties and businesses. After that you're free to go. As for your mother, we can start on her treatment immediately. But during the time you're pretending to be my son you cannot contact her. I don't want someone to find out. My father is a cunning old man and if he finds out it would be trouble for you too".

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Arman was waiting for Furqan as usual outside his house gate. Normally Furqan would return by midnight selling off all the flowers but it was quarter past 2 now and Arman couldn't help but worry for his friend.
"Damn it! Why does it have to be us" Arman groaned in frustration. He knew his friend was hardworking, genius and a dreamer. But all his dreams had been shattered in the blink of an eye. Arman couldn't help but worry for his friend each day. He knew Furqan to be nieve and a tad bit desperate these days. He was afraid he might do anything stupid due to his mother's condition and might land himself in trouble. More than a few times he had planned quick rich shemes with Arman which were suffice to say impossible and dangerous.
"There you are man! What took you so long", Arman shouted when he saw Furqan walking towards his house.
"Huh!" Furqan looked pretty lost, "nothing man, was just finishing my work"
"Hmm" was all Arman could say. After all he knew how hard it must be for him. His own situation wasn't that good. Three little sisters and an old father kept him working day and night too.
"Hey listen I need you to do something for me" Furqan suddenly said with an urgency in his voice, "you need to keep it a secret though. I'm telling you man, you can't say a word to anyone, else it would be hell."
"What happened, don't tell me you did anything stupid", Arman felt himself sink in worry.
"No no, it had to be done" said Furqan hurridely. "Look all I need you to do is to take my mum to the hospital regularly or ask your mom to do it. The payment will be made, don't worry about that. I know you have a lot on your plate but please do it for me man. I have no one to turn to".
"I'm here for you dude, don't worry. But pry tell me how did you manage to get the money for the treatment?" Asked Arman.
"Look I can't tell you. I really can't" Furqan looked torn. "I wish I could but I can't. You won't see me tomorrow. Or any day after that. Not for a long time. I'm sorry man. Just tell my mom it's for the best".
And with that Furqan ran into his house.
Arman stood there perplexed, not knowing what to do.
The next day he couldn't find Furqan. No one could. So he did what his best friend asked him to and hoped that he would return soon.

Authors note
Hi there, I'm sorry if this chapter seems weird. I have no idea how guys talk about emotional stuff with each other.