The Inevitable Fate

CHAPTER 1 The Train Journey

It was a beautiful summer morning in Mashaal with children running and shouting on the empty streets, playing and enjoying as it was the beginning of the vacation. Everything seemed to be beautiful and pleasant in the city, but not in KHAN'S VILLA.

"Did you keep the clothes I gave you?" asked the Lady of the house, "Yes mom" came a reply from the young teen of the house, "How about the charger?" "I've already kept 3 one for each of you." "And the towels and...." "Everything is packed mom, you please relax and sit down for breakfast" said Zoya, to her enquiring mother. Naeema, the mother of two, seemed to be quite tensed as she was checking their luggage with her younger daughter Zoya, who knew exactly how to handle her mother's anxiety.

Zoya, a 16 years old, smart young teen. Quite innovative and naughty at the same time, the youngest in the family.

"Hmm... I smell something really good!" said Subhaan Khan the Man of the house, as he came down the stairs. A successful business man, strict and tough with everyone but melts when it comes to his two princesses, the one whom the whole family feared was the hero for his two daughters, whom he and his wife had nurtured with all love, care and proper attention. It had already resulted in Alia Khan being a topper in her high school and Zoya walking on the same path.

He greeted the rest of the members and sat on the dining table with a really happy smile on his face. "Someone seems to be really happy!" said Zoya, for which Subhaan heard an immediate reply, "Obviously Zoya! After all, your father is going to meet all his kin after years." said Naeema. "Naeema dear, what is making you get tensed? It's just a vacation." said Subhaan. "Subhaan, you very know what is worrying me the most! Alia, I still don't feel like taking her to that place, after everything that has happened..." said Naeema, looking really very worried. Subhaan tried to console her and said, "Dear, have some faith on me. She is my daughter as well I know what is good for her. I will never let your fear come true, trust me dear... why can't I see the food whose aroma is starving me more. Alia, your dad is hungry dear, make it fast"

"Yes Daddy!" said Alia, as she came from the kitchen with the plates and food. Alia, a young lady of 17, entered in a peach colored T-shirt and a pair of black jeans with a stole around her neck. A tanned lady with long wavy black hair, tall and short tempered like her father while sweet and intelligent like her mother. A lady of patience filled with self confidence. She was the pride of her father. "Here you go daddy, Spanish Omelet with some healthy veggies and bread." said Alia while serving everyone.

"So I guess everything is packed and we will be leaving on time for our journey." said Subhaan after almost finishing his breakfast, "But I still don't understand why are we travelling via train? why not by air?" asked Zoya, "Zoya my sister, everything is an experience. We've never travelled by train, so this must be interesting, do not frustrate over it. Okay?" said Alia, "Whatever" said Zoya. "I guess we should check our luggage for one last time and leave as soon as possible. Ladies, only one hour to go. Get ready. Go get a move and make it fast" said Subhaan completing his breakfast.

After few hours, the family had managed to board the train on time and started off with their journey. They were in a room like compartment, which was for four members. It was noon and Alia was very excited with the thought of meeting all her cousins because this was something she always admired the most, a family filled with cousins.

"How long will we take to reach? I can't bear this anymore" said Zoya. "We've not even reached half way there" her mother said. To which Subhaan added, "Zoya dear, I guess even you must get along with people here." indicating Alia, who was busy talking to a young lady of the neighboring compartment.

"So, you and your family live in Pinewood?" asked Alia. "Yes since four years." replied the lady. "O My Goodness! That place is soo amazing. You get to see the beach and the mountains at the same together, though it's not an island." said Alia in astonishment "I always wanted to visit that place at least once" to which the lady smiled.

"What are you both talking about? May I join, please I m getting bored" interrupted Zoya, Alia then introduced her new friend, "Zoya, this is Sera" to which Sera waved and Zoya said, "Hi!" and Alia continued, "Sera and her family are travelling back to their home in Pinewood.", "Pinewood! I love that place, our school had organized an excursion to that place last year. It was so much fun. So...you married?" "No dear" said Sera with an unnoticeable sigh.

"Zoya! Come here" called out Naeema and Zoya left them. "Hey Sera, what are you doing now?" asked Alia. "Final year of fashion designing" replied Sera. "Wow that's amazing then how did you end up in a place like that" Alia asked with eagerness, to which Sera seemed speechless. "Umm... Actually... I... My family..." "Appi, mum said the next station is about to come, we can go and buy something if we want." Zoya interrupted, Alia nodded and Sera took a breath of relief, but Alia did notice it.

The station had arrived. The two girls in hijab, Alia and Sera, got down and were checking out some posters while waiting for their beverages. Ten minutes had passed since they had got down. They got their drinks and also snack for others. Two of them were busy gossiping and did not realize that the train horn was already blown. The train had started moving slowly.

"Hey siso" shouted Zoya "Alia appi, the train has started, get in fast..." but Alia was busy talking to her new friend, "....so that's how me and my family ended up in Pinewood... oh no! Alia! The train..." said Sera pointing at the train. Alia turned around to see the train was speeding up while Zoya was yelling, "Appi run, come fast" the girls started to run... Run... RUN... "Come on appi, you can reach, hold my hand." cried Zoya from the running train. Alia, on the other hand was actually enjoying all this. She somehow managed to get hold of her sister's hand and got into the train, the both helped Sera and they got into the train safely, but suddenly Alia started to laugh, "Oh god! This was amazing" said Sera, smiling. As they tried to catch breathe.

It was evening. Khan family was relaxing in their compartment, when suddenly Zoya pointed towards the red chain of the train, "What is that for? Is it for balancing? Shall I try it?" she asked. "Yes sister go on." said Alia with a giggle as she kept her novel on the berth and sat up straight. Subhaan interrupted, "Zoya dear, that's an emergency chain, in case of any emergency we shall pull it to stop the train and if the TT finds out that you were playing with it and pulled it for no reason, then they shall charge your father a lump sum amount." Alia started laughing, "Go on Zoya why did you stop? Hahaha..." Zoya got really annoyed. "HA HA HA... nice joke! But I won't pull it. Huh." She said.

The day went as calm as it could. The two girls enjoyed and cherished every little thing in their journey so far. From constantly hearing the tea sellers alarming sound to playing hide & seek with the slippers beneath the berth and wobbling knees between the two coaches of the train. It was surprising for them to see the coolie holding the luggage like superhero. Their father constantly showed them the farms from the window and gave them loads of information regarding crops, farms and soils.

Mr. and Mrs. Khan slept on the lower berth while the girls took their place in the upper ones. "Girls, you need to get up early in the morning, we will reach the station by 5 o'clock." Said Naeema "Okay mom" replied the sisters.

It was almost mid night, Zoya was not able to sleep on the berth as it was her first trip via train, but tiredness took over and she fell asleep. While all were dozing Alia was awake, dreaming about her vacation, her eyes were full of expectation and excitement. She could barely wait. 'Allah, may this vacation not be like the previous one' she thought and closed her eyes. But little did she know what fate had planned for her?