Finding Love

Chapter 6

Shocked with what he heard, Razaak stood still, trying to fathom the suddenness of the events. The phone call had left him in a daze, as he mindlessly walked towards the verandah. There, in the verandah, perched in her usual wooden chair, was his mother, Ruksana Shah burying her gaze, and busying herself, into the intricate embroidery, for her youngest grand daughter's wedding veil. Sensing movement, she looked up, and through her thick rimmed heavy glasses, as she took in his strained and tense features, instantly perking up her senses too, as she waited for him to continue, putting down her needles and yarns.

"Ammi, Noorie will be flying down to India, in a few weeks..." He paused, taking in her bewildered countenance, before continuing. Mustering up all possible softness, he continued, as he strode towards her, kneeling by her side, and holding her fragile and tanned hand in his, "she met with an accident three weeks ago. She... she can't walk anymore....", his words faded down to a mere whisper, but the old lady caught onto each word, crystal clear. She couldn't believe what her son had just said. She looked at him, as if trying to decipher if this was all just a little prank pulled on an old lady. But seeing his eyes drenched with remorse and sorrow for his niece, she was sure he didn't lie or play the fool with her.

She felt like her breath was knocked out of her. Moments ago, she was revelling in the joyous thought of her Ayat's soon to be held wedding, and now, she was shaken by the thought of a wailing and sobbing Noorie, struggling to even move an inch. She mused at life's strange ways, of bringing unto one, the harsh reality checks, every now and then. How could happiness clash with sorrow once again! Would she be able to swap moods every so often, with both her darling dears living under the same roof, possibly even sharing the same room!

She looked up, falling into sujûd, as she prayed to Him, asking for His divine intervention. Her ripe old age has seen a lot of trauma and loss. She had lost her daughter and son-in-law in an accident, many years ago. Noorie was then around seventeen, and had decided to continue living in London, and Perdue higher studies. Ruksana knew then, that her Noorie would soon be fine, for she was a strong girl. What she didn't know then, however, was that Kabir Abdullah, the very strength of her Noorie, too, had lost his mother, that very day in an accident, right here, in Agra. Somehow, she was happy that Noorie had managed to figure out her life, and move on, thankfully not indulging into any form of substance abuse. Then there was a ray of sunshine, that seemed to try entering Noorie's life, in the form of a love interest. Ruksana had for long, despised Noorie and Kabir's friendship. She felt they were too anglicised, and feared where they'd cross the thin line of friendship, and commit a folly that even time would possibly not erase. But when she learned that it was Kabir who had spoken to the boy and his family, regarding Noorie, and her emotions, she knew, that she had yet to learn in life, as Kabir had defied her judgement of him. She knew that day, that there was someone who cared and loved Noorie just like her family did, without expecting anything from her in return. Her heart plummeted to the ground, when she was informed of the untimely death of Noorie's fiance, in the way of an air crash. Her mind was that day, clouded with worry for her Noorie. Her heart went out for the poor child, who had seen so much of heart ache in so short a span. But her faith in humanity, and in friendship, was restored soon, when she was told that Kabir was trying his best to get his Noorie to move on, and away from the painful and tragic memories. She assumed, that it must have been Kabir who had broken this painful news her grand daughter, and indeed, she was right.

This time too, she hoped, that Kabir was by Noorie's side, trying to help her out of the deep dark pit of hope lost and life forgotten. She had faith in him. She had faith in her Lord. And she knew, that her Noorie was on her path to recovery.

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Ayat was taken aback by the sudden news of Nooriye's accident. She was now yearning to meet her cousin, and pull her into a warm embrace. She wanted to tell her, that she had a family to fall back upon, whenever she wanted to. Sho wanted to cry her heart out, on her Nooriye's shoulder, for all she felt for the girl, was sorrow and pain, and wanted to try and reduce the burden of sadness that weighed down heavily on her shoulders. Such were the moments, when she missed Jannat the most. She so wished she was here, by her side, right now. As Ayat looked out of the large window, all she could do, was to hope for the best, for her Nooriye....

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"So, Ayat Razaak Shah is getting married! I see... Well then, I think its time for work!" There was a glint of a mischievous smile, that was so evidently visible in his eyes.

'Nobody wins against Shahid Azhar', he thought to himself, as the smirk on his face grew larger, with every passing thought, as he stood up to leave, from his comfortable perch, under the oak tree, making his way through the tall trees around him...

His mind was brewing up something sinister. Well, how long would it take to trace him down ....

*A/N: Shahid Azhar? Shahid Azhar?