𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐑 ✓

⎟ promises ⎟

On the way back home, Muratza unexpectedly met with honeyed rain before a golden sun that invoked memories that were surprisingly still remaining, ever vivid and heartwarming. He then realized that the happy times happened. They were real...

'It was a bright day with sun shining brilliantly and silver clouds pouring down hot and ample waters, creating the best memories of a beautiful sun shower along the way. Murtaza has just returned from the university and before he could crawl under the covers for a quick nap his phone went off and it read 'my ride or die'. A smile crept on his tired face as he instantly answered the call.

"Murtaza you won't believe this, there's a rainbow in the sky, come on the terrace quickly"

"You are such a... kid! it's not as if we haven't seen a rainbow ever? We always do and still you get excited about it as if it's your first time seeing that freaking thing in the sky" He chuckled while shaking his head at her obsession with rainbows.

"Did I ever mock you about your weird obsession with hot sauce collection? Who even does that?" Mehrul shrieked in disbelief from the other side.

"Ok.Ok. let's call a truce. I'm in no mood to get roasted by you right now" Murtaza knew better.

"Fine, come up now! I'm waiting" And she hung up.

Knowing better not to ignore her, Murtaza got up and walked out his room. The hallway was silent and eerie like always. His parents were away at work, food placed untouched on the dining table. He hated this place, He hated silence. He would've long given up if not for the girl, his only ride or die, who's enjoying rainbows on the terrace.

After her parents demise, Mehrul moved in with Murtaza's family and since then their bond grew stronger as they found comfort in each other's presence. Slowly what started as an innocent friendship turned into something more precious and meaningful, that unfortunately remained buried in their hearts.

Upon reaching the terrace, Murtaza found Mehrul curled up on the hammock swing with her head buried in her knees and he noticed her shoulders tremble lightly. She was crying.

"Hey hey, what is it? Why are you crying?" Murtaza reached her side and pulled her to his chest.

"I broke Mama's pazeb, it was the last thing she gave me" Her voice trembled as she forwards her hand with a broken pazeb.

"It's okay, it can be fixed, you don't have to cry for that. I'll get it fixed for you. Promise" He wipes her tears and holds her until her whimpers die down.'

...and, That was then. This is now-People changed, Promises broken.

****

Zohra was always unique with her ideas and this time it was her granddaughter who's in question so she pulled out all stops to make it the best birthday party she'd ever had. Typical grandmother eh?

Ordinarily, she would have invited the VIP's from the business world to any party thrown at the mansion-just how she'd always celebrated Murtaza's birthdays. But tonight was no ordinary night. She didn't want to repeat the same mistakes, not now, not when she was about to redeem the iniquity of several years.

Invitations were sent out to her friends at school, Zohra strictly opted for a small gathering that included Maisha's friends, her parents and her grandparents and considering the likes and dislikes of her granddaughter, Zohra picked a rather quirky theme for Maisha's fifth birthday-A cereal & pajama party.