Finding Love

Chapter 14

Gaping at their retreating backs, Qizar was still swimming in a pool of confusion, desperately trying to hold on to something, so as to make sense of the whole situation. He stared at the now closed door of the cabin, exhaling loudly, as he shook off the stress that he had held within, for so long.

Getting over the intense meeting, Qizar stood to leave the room, mentally etching down his schedule for the rest of the day. Mindlessly entering the elevator, he was busy evaluating his countenance before the Abdullahs, consciously scrutinizing each of his words and actions, trying to develop a third person point of view of the whole thing.

Sighing, Qizar walked out of the elevator, once at the basement. He sauntered toward his car, gently shutting the door as he got in. Revving up the engine, he pushed off all his thoughts and worries, as he drove down the familiar streets, pulling into a large alley. Parking his dearest Mercedes, Qizar Ali walked into the house, surprising the inmates to quite an extent, the cheeky grin back on his face.

"Astonishing?" Qizar raised both his eyebrows, as he teased the people around.

"Indeed. Mr. Ali decided to pleasantly surprise us all. We're privileged!"

"Shaha, I'm pleased with the flip of your attitude towards me. It warmed my heart, to know that 'Qizu' has now come to the humble status of 'Mr. Ali'!"

"I see, I shall forever remain just 'Shaha'. Nevermind."

A loud raucous laugh resonated through the entire room, as people shifted their places, prepping themselves into positions, waiting for Qizar to make the first move. Smiling, he walked his way to the amplifier, connecting the chords, and strumming his space grey electric guitar, the pulse racing through the strings, waiting to be unleashed.

Smiling to himself, seeing the band jamming after so long, Shaha turned to walk, as he felt it was best to leave the band their much needed privacy, but was stopped in his very first stride, as a gentle call resonated amongst the beat of drums.

"Wait!"

He turned to find Qizar looking at him, guitar slung on his left shoulder, as he stood, as if to stop him from leaving.

"Ya?" Tone surprisingly soft, he looked at Qizar, waiting for him to proceed.

"Mr. Shahid Azhar, where do you think you're going?" Qizar sounded stern and demanding, a peek of playfulness still present in his voice.

Smiling at his dearest cousin, Shaha looked down, slight embarrassment creeping in. He thought he'd escape without being seen by this quirky group of free spirited souls. He had never liked music, but he didn't want to hurt the youngsters.

"I'm just going to take a stroll. It just got stifling inside here...." he just left the rest of the words to hang in mid air. And Qizar understood all that he left unspoken. A small nod was all that Shaha received. He too realised, that Qizu, was the emotional kind, and was more upset than he himself was, about it all. Sighing, he left, his smile a little small, stride a little slow, and countenance, a little slumped. The sense of loss and sorrow hit him hard, suddenly. It all felt raw and fresh once again. The memories, the trauma, the pain, it all resurfaced, and with an increased turbulence. He needed a breather! A breather...!

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

"You're so irresponsible!"

"No I'm not."

"You are!!"

"No, Princess. I'm not!"

"Just don't argue, okay!"