Finding Love

Chapter 7

The huge windows illuminated the entire corridor, pushing sunlight through them, casting a soft yet vibrant glow to every panel. The gentle breeze caressed the softly tinkling wind chime, as it blew through the open windows, into the large, dimly lit walkway. What added the magical aura to the monotonous ho-hum, was the soft giggle, emanating from Noorie's room.

Walking into Noorie's room, with a tray full of breakfast, was Amaar, who was met with the most unexpected sight- Noorie, Saif and Kabir, all comfortably seated in a triangle, on Noorie's king size bed, engrossed in deep conversation, as they laughed heartily, at every forgotten memory that resurfaced with the flip of every page, of the photo album.

"Oh my! You remember this? It was holi! How old were we?" Kabir asked, as two other heads peered down at it.

"Seven" Saif said, recollecting all too well, the enthusiasm with which they had drenched their neighbour, Mr. Cahill, much to his dismay.

"You were seven, you twit face. We were five then", Noorie quipped, as she took in Saif's bemused expression.

Amaar stood at the doorway, amused at the sight before him. The gullible Saif again, the witty Noorie back, and, well, just the same Kabir, who only smiled for everything, at the most, resonating a chuckle, but never laughing his heart out. What now remained, was just Kabir. Not Beerah, anymore. Recovering as quickly, as he delved into this thought, Amaar knocked at the door, drawing the attention of the youngsters, as he tried to put on his best and most pleasant smile.

"Here's breakfast!", he chirped, as he walked in with the huge tray. Laying the food down on a bedside table, Amaar looked up, to meet three intent gazes, transfixed upon him.

"Okay fine! I'm leaving. Don't stare me to death now, you three." He walked away, towards the door, but not before he heard them chuckle, rather, giggle, like school kids.

Flipping through another page, they found the photograph of Kabir, aged 8, giving a vocal performance in school.

" What was that?"

"Keep on smilin'. Wet Willie."

"Oh yes, how can one forget that day. You sang! Oh heavens!"

" I was just showcasing my musical prowess, okay! You bo-"

"Oh please! Musical prowess! Cahill's cat died the last time you sang!"

"Believe me, that musical prowess belongs to the store room or the attic. Definitely not the showcase!"

"That's mean, okay! And that, was just lame!"

"Please! Your performance was so moving, that the audience slipped into a painful and puzzled silence, once you were done."

"Now that's even more mean. You two are no less, okay. Saif, or rather, Mister Picasso, do you remember that painting of the blue cat that you had made, when you were six? And you Miss ballerina? You tripped and fell on your face, during your fir-" The sudden realisation dawned onto Kabir. Silence encompassed the three of them for a short moment, before Noorie decided to crack it.

"At least, I received an applause, you twerp. Hah!"

"Okay fine, genius!"

"What's with the sass, mutt face?"

"Watch the mutt part, Saif. You're not any pedigreed stock, after all."

"What the actual heck is going on, you two?"

"Nothing! Just some Abdullah siblings stuff."

"Thanks for zoning me out of this. It just feels so good to be left out. Seriously."

"Can we have breakfast before you and Saif get into another argument? Please?"

"Fine!"

"Oh thank you!"

"Sass again"

***************

Shock was writ large on Razaak's aristocratic features. He held the receiver tight, for one long moment, unable to fathom what he had just heard. This was too much to take, in too short a while.

"I'm sorry? I- I didn't hear you right...", he was so sure he was imagining things these days.

"Razaak Bhai, Asif has been shot in the chest. He is in the hospital. They're trying their best to save him. As of now he's critical. Javed Bhai asked me to inform you of this happening. He wanted to know, if you can make it to Lucknow, in about two days. This has left the whole family shocked, and they wanted to talk this out with you..."

"I- Okay... I'll be there..." Razaak's voice, a mere whisper, against the turbulence of his wildly beating heart. He wasn't imagining things.

He paced slowly, across the hallway, towards his study. He couldn't find one reason, why anyone would want to kill Asif Javed! He needed to delve deep into this. But, should this be told to Ayat? Pacing across the study, time and again, his heart now clouded with worry, he decided that he would not tell Ayat of this. He continued strolling, as he etched out the schedule for the week ahead, fitting his Lucknow travel into the tedious business routines.

And as he walked out of the study that day, with the hope that Asif would survive, the walls encased within themselves the tale of yet another silent secret, to swallow within their infinite depths, whilst Razaak tried to decipher the happenings in all scrutiny.

*A/N: Asif is shot in the chest. Will he survive? Will he? And what does Javed have, to talk to Razaak about!
Well, a million figments, that need to be sorted out. In the hope that they do reach an end, and Kabir and Noorie flying down to India, for the first time in years now.