Loving You

When She Was Named. Again.

Listen to the piano version of Aik Ajnabee Haseena Se as you guys read this

I open my eyes to see a room. What room is it? I blink to clear my vision. Oh! I came to the back building. Did I go to sleep? Shit. What time is it? I check my phone. 30 minutes till school ends. What should I do till then? I get up and walk towards the old music room. As if out of an old habit, my feet carry me to the piano. It's been so long since I last played. Should I try again? It's not like anyone would hear. People rarely come to this side of the school now. 

I sit down on the old stool in front of the piano. It still creaks. I take a deep breath and try the keys

D BAB BABC5 C5C5BA DBAG 

I still remember. I close my eyes and press the keys. It seems as if my fingers remember everything. I know which keys to press. It is a strange feeling. A good kind of strange. It's like the feeling of finding dollar notes in the pockets of your old jeans. The music reaches my ears as a smile plays on my lips. My heart fills with joy as it dances with the music. My brain doesn't have to think much. Yet, it knows the keys. 

Aik Ajnabee

Haseena Se

Yun mulaqaat

Ho gayi

"Your father used to love this song." Mom said as she leaned in the chair and closed her eyes. "He was from Pakistan. An India vs Pakistan cricket match was life and death for him. I never understood his fondness with Indian films and songs when he was not too fond of the country." She laughed. I was hearing this story for the hundredth time now. Yet, I was not bored. I always enjoyed listening to stories about him. 

"What a man he was! He loved dancing, break dancing in particular. He would try to teach me and I would disappoint him greatly. He would slap his forehead. Like this" she gently slapped her right palm on her forehead, "and say, 'Tori. I expect better from you.' I would stick my tongue out at him and say, 'High expectations lead to great disappointments' and he would laugh."

"He adored you so much. He celebrated everything you did. He said he was a fan." She chuckled. "'Look! Zara is trying to open the door. She looks so cute. How can someone be so cute?' He would scoop you up in his arms and tickle you. Then, he talked about your laugh." She smiled. 

A wild cough roared her throat. I ran towards her. She was coughing up blood.

I open my eyes and wipe away the tears. I played "Aik Ajnabee Haseena" again. 

This one's for you, Mom and Dad.

***

"I thought you went home."

I don't have a home.

"You don't look too happy to see me. Are you embarrassed of me?"

"No no!" He shakes his head. "Just surprised, that's it."

"I am ready."

He gives me a confused expression.

"I am ready to play the piano."

"We'll start tomorrow." I have never seen him look so excited. 

***

I slowly press the final keys to end the song. 

"Dayum!" He whistles. I laugh. "I knew you were good. But you, Liz, have exceeded my expectations."

I take a bow and raise my eyebrows. "Did you just call me Liz?"

"You don't look like a 'victoria' and you don't want to be called tori."

"Why Liz?"

"You look like an Elizabeth. Royal. But it's too long."

"My middle name is Elizabeth too."

"I am naming you again. Make it your first name." He says.

I roll my eyes. "Your wish is my command."

He grins a boyish grin. "Would you come to the mall with me?"

"We haven't even practiced enough."

"You are already perfect. Just come with me."

"I-"

"Please."

"O-"

"No excuses."

"Drake-"

"Pretty please!"

"Woul-"

"I beg your company, Madam!"

"Bu-"

"I hate shopping alone. Please come with me. I need a tuxedo for lunch with Adam's parents and-"

I slap him. On the face. Hard.

"ow!"

"I was saying 'yes', you idiot."

"Oh."