THE LUMINESCENCE

Chapter one

The lingering light was obliterated by the rapidly falling night. The once salmon and purple sky transformed into a vast expanse of jet-black that engulfed the town. A canopy of luminous stars materialized amongst the ocean of blackness. Some were dull, merely flickering into existence every now and then, but there was an adequate amount of shimmering stars and the brilliant moon which illuminated the dark night.

He gazed at the stars and the moon along with his six year old daughter who seemed to be excited to spend time with her father at every given opportunity.

'Papa, why can't we reach the moon?'

Shaaz smiled fondly at his daughter as he lifted her tiny form and made her comfortable on his lap. 'Some things are only beautiful from far. If you were to go near it then you wouldn't find it so mesmerizing.'

'I don't get you, Papa.'

'The moon has no light of it's own. It only reflects the light of the sun. It's beauty is only an illusion.'

'What is an illu-lusion?'

He laughed at her innocence and kissed her pink cheeks, 'It's time for bedtime. Let's get you settled and then I will narrate to you a story until you fall asleep.'

She ran past him to her room and changed into her favorite pajamas as soon as she was done with her daily night routine.

Shaaz came to her room several minutes later, adjusted her blanket and sat beside her narrating the stories of prophets and the little girl listened to him with a sparkle in her eyes.

When her eyes drifted to sleep, he switched off the lights and was about to leave the room, when she stirred in her sleep, murmuring quietly, 'Paapa, will maama come back home tomorrow.'

Shaaz swallowed the lump in his throat as he wondered to himself, how was he supposed to make his daughter happy. It had been almost two years now that his wife had abdonded them, but their daughter hadn't yet forgotten her mother and still hoped that someday they would be a complete family.

~*~*~*~*

Raania sat starting at the prayer mat until she couldn't help but wink.

It had been almost a year that her stepfather had thrown her to the streets, with no money and no proper qualifications, she had no other option than stay at the Islamic centre for needy woman.

Even though she hadn't just sat and cried at her fate nor had she been successful in doing anything worthwhile in her life.

But what could she do with the little amount of knowledge she possessed, who would hire her.

She reminded herself that for ALLAH nothing was impossible and he would help her find a way.

Raania strongly believed that there was always goodness in whatever god had planned for us. After all who else could know the future better than the creator himself.

~*~*~*~*~*

The conference room was bustling with life, all were involved in discussing the new project and everyone shared their opinion with equal enthusiasm, except a man who seemed to be always lost in his thoughts.

His classical features as hard as ever, with eyes that looked like huge fathomless pools.

Oblivious to the discussion around them, he kept thinking of a plan to make his daughter happy.

He couldn't allow such a innocent little heart to spend her childhood is distress or in false hopes that her mother would ever return to her.

As the meeting winded-up, he pushed his chair and excused himself, only to be stopped by an angry looking managing director, 'Shaaz I want you in my cabin within five minutes.'

He sighed deeply and a ran a hand through his silky mane of hair as he nodded his head in approval. He could bet that this was going to be another lengthy lecture, but as always it wouldn't profit him in the least.

'Have a seat, Mr Shaaz Athar.'

Shaaz smiled slightly as he took his seat.

'I do not wish to repeat myself but I cannot see you wasting your life and emotions on someone who has already left your life.'

'Sir, I have told you time and again that this isn't about her.'

'Then what is bothering you young man?'

I'm not sure. Shiza misses her mother extremely and I'm unable to help her.'

'Why don't you move on in life and re marry?'

'Haven't we had this discussion a countless number of times? I don't have any warm emotions left within me? It would be unfair of me to involve someone in a relationship if I'm unable to ever love her.'

'It is a lie. You have so much goodness inside you and the fact that you love your daughter is enough evidence that you haven't gone numb.'

'The love I have for my daughter is different. Sir, will you please excuse me. I do not have the heart to discuss this any further.'

The director raised his hands in surrender, 'Fine. But why don't you hire a nanny for Shiza?'

Shaaz's eyes twinkled with renewed hope. 'Is there a possibility of finding a capable caretaker.'

'Ofcourse, there is. Don't ever loose hope on Allah's mercy. I will ask my wife to enquire in the ladies wing of Islamic centre. I pray to my lord that he fills your life with the peace and happiness you deserve. Don't ever forget that Allah gives his hardest battles to his bravest soldiers. This is a test from your lord and shall soon pass.'