Notice

{1} Family reunion

Heer Anwar

".... And that's why your brain treats rejection as if it's a physical pain." Professor Kinza, my mother, spoke, almost being inaudible at the endmost part of the sentence.

I slowly reached for my phone, the time was 1:54 PM. The lecture ended earlier than I had expected. Well, psychology is the field I'm most determined to be in. Why complain?

Psychology wasn't something as an alternative or something I was forced to take just because Mom majored in it. I wanted to learn about the behavior of mind and body. No harm in that. But despite majoring in psychology and being a psychologist, she had her own demons scowling at her.

I watched my mother go in and out of therapy sessions in front of my naked eye. It would be the same everyday, she would go in, I would hear screams and then.. complete silence.

She never let anyone in. She thought no one would bat an eye. How invalid though.

We're family, and there for her.

My father, Anwar Chaudhary, was upset with how my mother would not share anything with anyone.

Her children might not be that important, but her significant other deserves to know, doesn't he?

They spent at least half their lives with each other. Considering my oldest sister, Rabia, was already 25. Me being the middle child with 22, a weird number. Lastly, Talha, who had just turned 18. I snorted, he seems so small.

I glanced at mom and she beamed her tired smile at a student asking questions. It broke me inside. She's vulnerable, weak, old. And I could do nothing about it.

On the contrary, dad is a cheerful and outgoing person. Complete opposite to me and mom.

Rabia and Talha were in dad's steps too. My mother and I liked our peace at things, not being the centre of attention.

I looked around the large classroom, seeing unfamiliar faces with eyes that spoke complete ignorance of the surroundings. Going to this University for four years, about to graduate, and I still don't know half the peeps here.

My eyes landed on a couple on the far left, not knowing their names, I wondered what circumstances pulled them together?

The guy, whispered something and she innocently giggled. He gazed at her like she was water and he was a knocked out beggar in a faraway land.

Their love was pure, from the way his eyes twinkled while stealing glances. And her, keeping her safe distance from him but still blushing at every remark he sent her way. He was still respectful towards the Non-Mehram thing. That's nice.

I turned my head around to find half the classroom looking at them.

But not in the same way I did.

I could hear hushed whispers, some cranky people gagging at the sight. I felt sorry for them, it must suck to not keep your bullshit to yourself.

Some students smiled at their affection, some hated, some became the Haram police, while the rest is story.

So many opinions on one sight.

Mom must've been as relieved as we were to finally reach the conclusion of the address, because she didn't fix her gaze at anything or anyone particularly, but motioned me to come along. I nodded in her way and started packing my stuff. Wanting to be alone in my bed right now.

I almost made it out the classroom, until my steps ceased and I was facing someone's chest.

Ahmed Khan's chest.