Thief

The beginning

A/n

Its a short chapter. I had been busy with exams and i just wanted to post sooner, so here it is. 

it is shorter but its still a begining. 

we will get to the main story after this chapter. 

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2/june/2008

Falisha's POV

Running down the road all alone; it was all I had to do on a Saturday morning.

Schools were finally over, and I could not feel anything but pure joy.

No, I was not sad about it, I was relieved.

High school is something I don’t ever want to experience again. It had been bearable when Mustafa and Harris were there. They were seniors when I was a freshman, and they were like my bully-guard; if that’s even a word. But then they graduated and I was all to myself.

The reason behind my being bullied was pretty obvious.

I was a terrorist. According to them anyways

My name is Falisha, and I was a Pakistani Muslim girl living in a widely white populated town in Chicago. My mother had died when I was 6 years old. I had an older brother Harris, who was 3 years older than I was. My father was a lawyer and was mostly busy all our lives.

It was always just me and Harris. When we were kids, we used to stay awake till late at night and count the blessings. Our mother taught us this. She said whenever you feel lonely and sad; count all the blessings that you have and many people doesn’t. So we would sit on the rooftop covering ourselves with thick blankets and count them. Harris would say “We have a big house, while many people don’t have shelters to cover their heads and we at least have one parent even if he stays a little busy, but he is there; a lot of orphan children don’t have that” he would always ensure me that we are luck, “and I have Mustafa, many people don’t have him” I would add as a matter of fact, at that Harris would smile and say “yes, and You will always have him Falisha.” And I would hope and pray to God that it was true.

 It worked fine for us; Until Harris grew old and went for college.

I would now sit alone at night on the rooftop and count “I have my dad” but he was busy, “I have Harris” but he was away for school, “I have Mustafa” but he is not here at the moment, “I have this huge house” but it was empty, “I have a big allowance” that I don’t need.

It wouldn’t help anymore.

I ran and ran until my lungs couldn’t take it anymore.

I stopped and looked around, I found myself at the park that was located right across the corner of street, where I lived. I went and sat at the farthest bench and pulled my knees up to my chest and hugged my legs. I wished mother was here.

My father was 40 when my mother had Harris and Harris will be 22 next month. Father didn’t want to get retired yet. He thought he would be young as long as he thinks he is young. But that was just not working for his health. He was getting weaker day by day and he would still drain himself, working late till night. My father was not a quitter but he was old. He needed someone with him.

Harris was already away for college, it was my time to decide, whether to stay or leave.                             

I got accepted for Chicago University and a couple of more universities around the state. It was an easy decision. I could just go on and chose one of those but I just couldn’t help but think for a moment. When I needed him, he wasn’t there. It was only fair for me to do the same, wasn’t it?

But even if I think about it, I knew in my heart that I could never do it. It wasn’t in me to do the same to him that he did to me because deep down I knew I loved my father more than this. I couldn’t just abandon him and run.

I had to stay.

“You are up early” a voice I recognize by heart stated.

“Yeah” I said, turning around “Couldn’t sleep, had a lot in mind”

“Care to share?” he offered, walking towards me.

“College decision” I moved a little, making him space, “I think I’ll stay Mustafa.”

Mustafa sat down beside me; he stayed quiet for a while, looking ahead at nothing in particular, as in deep thoughts.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t regret it later?” he asked, breaking the silence.

It was an odd question. I didn’t matter if I’d regret it or not, I didn’t have any other choices. It was not about me. I had to stay. “I don’t know Mustafa. I don’t want to leave him alone” my voice dropped to almost whisper, “He needs me”

“Staying would be the right choice” he nodded, “But Falu think it through. Do not rush into this, because sacrifices aren’t worth it, if you are gonna regret doing them.” he said softly.

“I know” I said burying my face between my legs, “I will.”

Mustafa put his head back on the bench, and stretched his legs, we stayed quiet, it felt so comfortable. He had always been my escape. He always had the right things to say.

We stayed like this for a while, I nudged him and said “Thank you Musi.”

“Don’t call me that.” He rolled his eyes.

I faked a pained look, “It’s cute” said I, nudging him some more.

“Yeah! Very cute” He replied sarcastically, “It makes me sound like a mouse or something”

I laughed at that, “shut up! It is cute, and I will call you that.”

“Only on one condition” he smirked.

“What?” I inquired, raising one eyebrow.

“Come to the fair with me.”

Oh! Today was the fair, I totally forgot about it. It was our yearly fair; the whole town was excited about it. I hadn’t gone for three years now and I had no plans to go this year as well because it was no fun when you don’t have any friends to enjoy it with. Every year Mustafa me and Harris used to go together before Harris moved, but then he went off to college and Mustafa got busy with his school and volunteering at the crime branch, we just didn’t have time to go.

“You want to go this year?” I asked, “Haven’t you grown old for this?”

“Excuse me! You never grow old for fairs,” he said cheerily.

“Yeah! That’s why we haven’t gone for three years” I said sarcastically.

“Oh come on Falu! Just cut all the crap and say yes already.”

Well, I didn’t have any other plans so why not.

“Okay” I stood up and smiled, “we’ll go.”

“I’ll pick you up at 6” he grinned ear to ear, “Wear something nice”

As if, I rolled my eyes started moving towards home, “See you tonight” I yelled and waved, while running.

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