RANJISH HI SAHI [𝕮𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖙𝖊𝖉]

Chapter 23b| Eras (زمانے)

It's not easy, it had never been easy. Considering the fact that life threw different challenges at different phases, we all grew up.

It was another evening of December when he paused to breathe after a long jog, making smoky patterns of his exerted respiration in the bone-chilling breeze. He sat down on a wooden bench, shutting his eyes off. Sniffing his nose due to cold wind, he exhaled again when he heard foot steps approaching him. He tilted to have a look.

"Torturing yourself in December nights, huh?" Zain smirked holding two cups of scorching coffee.

"Not really, it's good for health though!" Hakan held one cup of coffee and offered him a seat

"It feels like yesterday you were that clumsy and mischievous Hakan who knew nothing about being doctor and health but look at you today!" He sipped his coffee.

"Clumsy? I still had that grace. Admit it."

Both of them chuckled and sipped coffee.

"You should have some rest Hakan. You look exhausted!"

"That's because I am back from a 5 kilometer jog five minutes ago."

He poured that burning hot liquid inside him to soothe again.

"Not physically. Your mind is exhausted. It feels like you are punishing yourself for something that you hadn't even committed. Let's just...."

Before Zain could complete his sentence, Hakan cut him out in a light manner.

"People of the world are weird don't you think? Just yesterday, all of them wanted me to turn out into a professional bomb and when I'm seriously making an effort for it, it doesn't go well with them either."

He gave a sarcastic smile.

"You got me wrong! what I meant is.."

"To mend her. One year has not been an easy on us Zain especially and what you, Deeda and Nehad have been asking is not in my control. You all need to understand this and stop forcing your 'fact' that I can change the situation."

He burnt his throat with the last steamy sip.

"Hakan! What I'm saying you need to make her understand that you lied.. because you loved her."

"Is that justification enough? You tell yourself?"

"She has been my colleague for almost months. More than a colleague, we shared a bond of counsellor and a learner. I might not have known her the way you do definitely but her father has left some good deep scars in her canvas of emotions."

Zain tried to defend his point of view.

"Not only him but I.. as well. All of this mess wouldn't happen if I would have stopped her years back!"