A SWIM ACROSS TIME...

THE FACE OF ANOTHER.

Dedicated to Miss atbkm for her wonderful story and for helping me in the course of uploading this story.

Still, the one who best understands the significance of light is not the electrician, not the painter, not the photographer but the man who lost his sight in adulthood. There must be a wisdom of deficiency in deficiency, just as there is a wisdom of plenty in plenty.
-Kobo Abe, The face of another .

ANONYMOUS

Some view life as a race, but I chose to see life as a trip in a bus, different people, different thoughts, different ideologies, and different final destinations . Some may be lost along the way and few manage to find their way. Alhamdullilah, I am one of the lucky ones.

I leaned back on my chair and closed my eyes, I am grateful that I am a better man today than I was yesterday; stronger, wiser .

A bitter smile crossed my face as I thought about the life I lived . People do change, few people believe that and even fewer try to understand those who appeared to have changed . I am scared, deep within my bones, but I have faith in Him that everything would work out, that thought propels me forward.

I am not sure if I am ready to face my demons, I am not sure I can handle rejection again, I am not sure if my past would not destroy my future, I am not sure if I will land safely from this plane; but I am sure of one thing ....I am not alone, never was, never will be.

CHARO'S POV
"Assalamu alaikum ."

"Wa'alaikumus salam ." I could barely hear her.

She was lying on her bed, facing the wall. From her voice, I knew she had been crying . Dear God, not again ."Mama."

"Yes " she turned to face me slowly with her red eyes, she looked worn out and depressed.

"Is everything okay? " I asked although I know the answer . I didn't know what else to say, nothing is okay for the past five years, we all know that .

" yes, I am just tired ." Again with that excuse, I mean, they think we are some kind of blind, stupid creatures without an ounce of intelligence or something.

" Ermmm......I wanted to tell you I got admission ." I tried to smile ignoring the heavy feeling in my chest.

"Ohh! Alhamdullilah! I am proud of you . You got what you wanted? "She sat up and flashed me a smile.

"Yes ." Its good to see her happy for a change . I sat beside her on the bed . She didn't try to hug me or something ,which made me sad.

"May God guide you ." She said."so, you are going away ." She added a little bit sadly as if, if I move away I would take a piece of her happiness with me .

" it wouldn't be for long, am still in the country. " I wonder where things went wrong, I hate this uncomfortable silence that has found its way into our home; this silence that has managed to built a wall between these two people who were once madly in love with each other; this silence that is so suffocating.

Sometimes, I wish they even yelled at each other, perhaps they can let somethings out, but no, it was that deadly silence that left behind a broken home.

I fear for myself being the insecure person I am, would I be able to make a marriage work after seeing what happened to my parents? How can I succeed where these two great people have failed? But then, not all people are the same.

I tried to fight back the tears as I stared at her, she looked so broken,It hurts to see her like that more than one can imagine .

I wanted to say something soothing, but I didn't know what to say,instead I murmured" Amin." And with a fake smile exited the room.

I saw Hamma Umar approach me with a deadly expression on his face as I gently pulled the door behind me. "you better start explaining."

The only thing that came through my mind was that he found out I like his best friend; I don't think he will be cool with that .

"Um.....um....I. ..." I stammered.

"I can't believe I am just finding it out from Maryam." Maryam? Definitely not what am thinking or I am grilling my sister and serving her in a cannibal barbecue.

" wish you the best, but seriously when are planning to tell me? After u go off to school? "

I couldn't help but sigh in relief ."What can you say in your defence? "I totally forgot to speak .

" Ermm......I am sorry? " which sounded more like a question.

"Hmm...because I have a magnanimous heart, I forgive you ." I rolled my eyes and muttered "vain ." Under my breathe .

"I am not deaf you know, besides I am not vain, I am simply stating a fact." I burst of laughing because he sounded and acted like a girl.

" Anyway, I wish you the best of luck ."

"Thanks."

"Now, excuse me as I go stare at my gorgeous self in the mirror." He pushed me playfully out of the way.

"Why am I not surprised? " I said sarcastically. He let out a laugh and said something about how wonderful and great he is. I shook my head with a smile on my face .

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