Regrets | ✔

III

Having left his phone home, Adeel had no way of communicating or calling for help.

He decided that is was best to leave the car and try to look for help. And so he began to walk along the path, in search for another human amongst the cold hillside.

His foot kicked the stones out of boredom. Work and his personal life had prevented him from being able to explore the place, the only time he had outings in Murree (Karachi) was with his wife. 

That last time he took her out, before she left.

They had gone to the grand lake, with it's transluscent water and rich green wildlife. Adeel had sat by on the rocks, whilst his wife splashed around water.

He admired the way her eyes lightened when she was happy, her hair flipped back and forth and her colourful bangles gingled. On impulse, he had taken some of the lake's water into his palm and sprayed towards her face, taking her by surprise.

Adeel found himself smiling at the memory.

Even that day, he had a chance of savouring their relationship, or rather start one by diminishing his past mistakes. But he didn't.

Rumbles of thunder broke from the sky, diverting Adeel's gaze upwards. Only then he noticed the different shades of grey clouds hanging above him. 

Seems like it's going to rain, Adeel thought.

His theory was proven right, as within moments raindrops began to attack his skin and clothes.

Adeel began to walk faster, before breaking into a steady run. He moved his feet, until he spotted a broken tin shelter and went to cover himself under it. Adeel took a seat on the little bench positioned there and watched the water pour from the sky.

His clothes were soaked and he shivered a little.

"You should have bought an umbrella." Someone said, and Adeel's head snapped up.

The sight in front of him was so unbelievable, that Adeel stood up shakingly, with his eyes fixed upon the figure in front of him. It was her.

"Rana?" he called, disbelieving.

"You didn't even wear warm clothes." She scolded.

Maybe this time it is her, Adeel thought. 

She sounded like her sweet mother-ish self, shaking her head and spewing strands of hair around at his state. Those same silver earings that shined on her small ears, that familiar rainbow umbrella that she loved holding with her petite hands.

"Don't just stand there Adeel, come on." She said.

Adeel walked towards her like a hyptonized person, still shaking.

Beep!

The sound of the car horn startled Adeel. As his eyes adjusted to the harsh light of the car's front, he noticed he was still sitting on the bench in the shelter and yet again, without his wife.

"Excuse me, Mr Adeel?" A man came out of the car and asked.

Adeel scanned his face for a moment before realizing it was one of his wife's friends, Uzair, also a local resident. 

A man that he had deeply hated, because he made Adeel feel like he was losing power over his wife, like he was taking his posession.

"Mr Uzair!" Adeel startled.

"You seem to be lost." Uzair noted.

"No, it's just that my car broke down and I was trying to find someone for help, then it started raining..." he trailed off.

"No problem, I'll give you a lift home. Get on!"

Adeel walked into the rain towards Uzair's car and slipped inside. As they drove and filled in the silence with small talk, Adeel began to regret how he had previously behaved towards this man.

He wished he could take it all back.

  👄  

So, third chapter out in only two days! Yay!

No sign of Rana quite yet, just Adeel's hallucinations. Should I make a chapter from her point view? A real appearance this time?

Dedication to Queen0226 for being so supportive!