Widow

4. THE MEMORIAL

Hashim reached the place soon. It was a clearing beside the road. He found Zain sitting beside the body. He was tieing the face. Then he wrapped the wound and in the end put some cotton in the nostrills. He was crying all the time. Hashim watched him crying for some time then he came forward.
"Zain, I am here." But Zain didn't reply. He just stood up facing Hashim. The Tears he was holding back for a very long time, came in Hashim's eyes immediately. He quickly hugged Zain. After sometime Hashim pulled himself back and sat besides the body.
"I think we should take the body to villa." Zain said.
"But what about postmortem?"
"That is not necessary."
"It is always necessary in murder cases"Hashim insisted.
"By seeing the condition of the body, it is not.." Zain said and gestured the policemen to pick up the body. Soon they were heading towards villa. 'There is something he is hiding' Hashim thought.
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When they reached the villa there was already a car parking and the gates were open. Zain drove the car inside. Khalil was standing there talking to an old man.
"Who's the man?" Zain asked Hashim.
"Moona's father." He replied and got out of the car motioning Zain to do so. Zain followed him. Khalil and 'the old man' had also spotted them so they came towards them.
" Where's Taimoor?" Khalil asked.
"There.." Hashim said pointing to Zain who was now pulling the body out of the car with the help of a policeman.
"Here put him on the 'charpai'." Khalil said. Zain noded and when they had done, took the 'charpai' inside.
Moona was weeping silently in the living room. Salma appa and the girls were sitting idly beside her. When she saw them coming she stood in her place. Khalil rushed to hold her and they placed the 'charpai' in front of her. She sat down and held Taimoor's face in her hands.
"Taimoor! I told you there was danger outside but you never heard me. Now see what has happened to you.!!" She cried no one tried to console her for they knew her love for him. Except Zain. He was just staring at her with deep sorrow written on his face.
How can one love other so much?? Taimoor was lucky to have her.
"Zain.??" Hashim shook his shoulder driving him back to real world.
"What?"
" What are you doing?? Are you mad??" He hissed.
"What am I doing?" Zain asked with open mouth.  Hashim just nodded in disappointment.
"Janaza will be tomorrow after Zuhr prayer." Khalil told them. They both turned to him. " What are you both doing?" He asked them.
"Nothing bhai" Zain  said hurriedly.
"Is there anything you are hiding?" He asked again. Now everyone was looking at them.
"Seriously, it is nothing." Zain said rainsing his both hands to his shoulders. Everyone turned their gazes but their was confusion on their faces now.
"I am going to call everybody to come." Khalil said walking towards the room.
"What the hell is the matter with you??" Zain turned to Hashim. Hashim just smiled. "There is a body in this room Hashim. And he was your friend. So be serious" Zain said, anger in his voice and tears in his eyes.
"Okay, Iam sorry. I was just trying to console you." Hashim said, kissing his forehead.
" You can't." Zain walked outside in the garden. Hashim let him go because he too needed some time so he went upstairs on the balcony. Downstairs Moona was still sitting beside Taimoor, crying. Everyone in this house was grieving in his own way. Sadness crept in the very air.
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Janaza (the ceremony of death) had conpleted. The visitors were leaving. Some were staying. Males were sitting out in the gardens while the females were inside the house. Zain was still there while Khalil has sent Hashim for some of his work. They both have been awoken all the night.
"Your eyes are red, Zain bhai" Asad said sitting beside him.
"Are they?" Zain smiled sadly.
"You have to be strong for your phupo, Asad. She needs you all."
"I know. These people. Dont they have anything to do? They are gossiping like they have been invited for this." Asad was clearly annoyed. Zain smiled and looked around. Asad was right.
"They will leave, eventually. Everyone will." Zain sighed.
" Zain! Your appa wants you inside." Khalil said coming towards them. "Asad help me with these chairs." He then said to Asad. Zain went inside. He spotted Salma in the kitchen.
"Appa you called for me?"
"Yes beta, when are you leaving?" She asked.
"Dont have an idea." He said.
"You should go and have some rest. Also there are some relatives who will stay tonight. Take some of them with you please."
"Okay appa. I and Hashim will go. I have to wait for Hashim."
"Good. Let me know when he come."
Zain noded and headed out of the kitchen. Just then he turned.
"Who is going with me?"
"I will ask Saadia and the children to go with you." Salma said.
"Let Moona come also. She needs to get out of here." He asked.
"Okay. I will ask Khalil." Salma said nervously.
"No, I think I can convince him." Zain said and left the kitchen. After Maghrib prayer he came inside again and headed towards Salma.
" Appa!! I have asked bhai. He has allowed to take Moona with us."
"That's good. Where is Hashim?" She asked looking around.
"He is outside." Zain replied.
"Call him in. I will give you some covers for sleeping." And after half an hour they were going to Zain's house.
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"Hello friend." Zain was in bed when Hashim entered  the room. Zain sat up.
"How many times have I told you do not call me like this?" He said annoying. Hashim was was now sitting on the other side of the bed emptying his pockets on the bed side table.
" Atleast 100 times, I think."
"Just shut up. Say what you want. I am very tired. I have to sleep."
"Okay. Dont you think this murder was pre-planned??"
"Of coarse it was! And I think Taimoor had some very important information that is why they killed him." Zain replied.
"What do you mean?" Hashim narrowed his eyes.
" He called me before his death."
"What?? When??" Hashim asked shocked.
"The day before yesterday."
"And you met him?"
"Yes. We did meet. But it was totally secret."
"So??" Hashim was now eager.
"So I have something to work on. And please sleep now. I have office tomorrow." Zain said laying down again. His back was now facing Hashim.
"You have holidays." Hahsim said.
"They are over now. I have to work."
"But you said.."
"I know what I said Hash.. but now I have to work. Secretly. No one should know. My salary will transfer to your account. And everyone will think that I am not working."  Zain told him.
"That is nice." Hashim said with relief.
"Dont you dare touch my money. And turn the lights off." Zain was now half asleep.
"Your money. My money. You know we are one." Hashim said but no reply came which meant Zain was asleep. Hashim sat there for some time then stood up to turn the lights off.