High On Life

45: Sajna Teri Judaai.... Meinu Raas Na Aayi

"But mom. I don't wanna go to camp. You know that very well." I frowned, whining like a little kid.

"Nida, it's okay. Go and enjoy your life. These moments are never going to come back, princess. Your...your father always wanted you to enjoy, have fun, live the best out of every moment. At least....for him?" She said and I sighed, giving in.

Papa has always been that one excuse mom would use to get me to do something. What can I say? He's my ultimate weakness. In everything.

"Fine. But if I get bored or too depressed. I'm coming back, okay?" I already cautioned her.

She sighed. "Okay. Now get ready." She said tossing me an empty bag to stash my clothes in. Summer was fast approaching. Thank God the weather had begun changing.

Suddenly the door bell rang. Looks like Hafsa was here. I grabbed my heavy bag and rushed downstairs to find her at the door talking to mom. She saw me and hushed up immediately.

"Nida !!" She screamed running in my direction and just crashed into me.

"Hey babe." I smiled over her shoulder.

"I missed you so much yaar. One whole month you didn't come to school. Hmm... doesn't matter though. We had those stupid competitions and activties to do the whole month, anyways. Ugh." She rolled her eyes, pulling away and then smiles.

"So, are you ready for camp?" She grinned.

"Sort of." I answered bluntly and she rolled her eyes.

"Come on yaar. It'll be lots of fun." She squealed.

"I'm waiting outside for you. Hurry up, or the whole school's gonna leave without you." She said hurrying out the door.

I glanced at mom and she looked down. "Maa, kia hua?" I asked.

She placed her hands on my shoulders and spoke softly. "Nida, try to talk to him, jaan. Tum aise nahi kar sakti uss ke saath, woh...."

"Mama bas please. Mein..mein nahi sunna chahti uss ke baaray mein kuch bhi. Yeh camp sirf papa ke liye jaa rahi hun mein aur school bhi sirf unhi ke liye. Kiyunke woh chahtay thay ke mein Richard Shane se parhun likhun aur graduate karoon. Warna...warna kuch bhi reh nahi gaya wahaan meray liye ab. Woh sab jo chordna chahti hun mein, woh...woh sab ussi goddamn school mein hai." A tear rolled off my cheek and I quickly wiped it away and hugged her.

I pulled away and kissed a tear that slid down her cheek as well.

Managing a smile and trying to avoid the topic, I spoke. "Love you. Koi bhi problem ho, just hit me up okay. I might even come back before time, so that you don't feel lonely. Okay?" She nodded and I hugged her again, a little tighter.

We pulled away and bidding goodbye to her, I walked out to the door. I saw Hafsa and Hussain standing beside her car. They gave each other a short nervous glance and turned to face me with bright smiles on their faces.

"Hey bhab...hey Nida. How are you? It's been so long." Hussain said running a hand through his hair at what he was about to utter.

I smiled genuinely. "I'm good. Alhamdulillah. What about you?"

"I'm fine." He smiled and opened the car door for me. Hafsa glanced at Hussain and he rolled his lips inward as if tensed.

I was right about to sit in when my eyes caught sight of the person sitting at the far end. He was there...staring out his window.

Are they fuckin' kidding me? After all he put me through, they're doing this to me? No. No...

I turned to walk away when Hafsa and Hussain grabbed my wrists from either side.