At Faizan’s place. “I tried talking her out of it, but she was adamant,” Faizan spoke.“We are almost at the endpoint, Ayaan. I have known Zoe for a long time now, she does what she says. She’s that crazy, you know? Just see it as a sacrifice you have to make to save the future of the one you love. I’m sure Liyana is going to be proud of you,” Faizan advised. Ayaan stared into space for a while. He sighed and sat up on the couch.“Are you drunk, Faizan? How can she be proud of me? Have you ever heard that a lady praised her cheating boyfriend?” Ayaan said calmly. “I love Liya, Faizan, I don’t see myself making out with another woman. It rings like cheating in my head. Try to understand.”“I understand you, buddy, you just have to wave it off your mind. I have never seen Zoe desire anyone like that before. She just fell for you, okay? And you know matters of the heart work differently,” Faizan stated. “She is hurting to know that she fell in love for the first time with someone who is
Some minutes later, like a dream, Zoe heard a knock on the door. She turned on the bed, not wanting to wake up. The knock came up again and she opened her eyes, sitting up and yawning. She looked at the wall clock, it was half past 8 PM. The knock came up again and she stepped down from the bed. She headed to the door. As she opened up, Ayaan was standing at the door.“I thought you weren’t coming,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck. He freed himself and walked into the room. “What kept you for so long?” she asked, following him up. “I was deep asleep.”“Why did you wake up?” he asked coldly, taking a seat on the bed.“Your knock practically did,” she smiled. “I was helplessly anticipating your coming,” she commented, taking a seat beside him. “Here you are now, I can’t wait!” she said, trying to steal a kiss from him.“H…hold on,” he pulled away from her.“What now? Don’t tell me you are here to behave like a novice that you are not.”“You ar
Two weeks later. The students of Haleem Ibn Khan College of Education began preparing for their exams. Mr Smith’s course happened to be the third paper on the timetable. After the first paper of the examinations, Liyana strolled around the campus. She sighted Mr Smith coming her way. She halted. She wanted to change direction, but the unimaginable happened. Immediately Mr Smith saw her, he quickly turned around, heading back to his office. Liyana was puzzled. Why will the great Mr Smith be dodging her? She wondered. She shrugged her shoulders and headed on.Later on, Ayaan and Liyana were both seated opposite each other in the canteen. They had two bottles of soda on the table. Liyana was mute, she was playing with the straw in her drink. Ayaan wasn’t comfortable with that. He felt guilty. What will Liyana think of him when she discovers he spent a night with Zoe? The thought rumbled in his head. He decided to speak.“Liya?” he called. Liyana lifted her gaze to him
At the graduation party. The graduating students were in their usual graduation wear. Collecting their results and taking pictures with professors, families, and friends. The lucky ones graduated with flying colors. The achievement made them throw their caps into the air as their sign of victory. Liyana wished she was among them, but not yet, very soon. In the hall, the graduating students, the graduands, the professors, families and friends, and all other bodies of the institution were all gathered, ready to receive the usual speech from the famous professor, Smith Lawson. As he stepped onto the stage, he was welcomed with a round of applause. Ayaan texted Zoe.“Ahem!” Mr Smith cleared his throat and began. “Good day, ladies and gentlemen. You all are welcome to another glorious party of our graduating students,” Mr Smith spoke firmly. “As a well-known professor, it gladdens my heart to be part of the success stories of my students. In the world of education and civiliza
A day later. Liyana stood along the street, obviously waiting for someone as her head whipped from side to side. She was there when Rayan’s car pulled over in front of her. Then the back door window slid down, revealing the face of Rayan. Liyana scowled at him.“Hey, baby, where are you going?” Rayan asked with a little smile across his face. She ignored him. “I hate being snubbed!” Rayan groaned.“And do I look like I care?” Liyana riposted cheesed off. “Look here, Rayan, sir, I’m not one of those desperate ladies that run after men for their money, okay? Stop stalking me for God’s sake, please.”“I take that as an insult from you, but it’s fine. I forgive you because I love you. You don’t know my story, Liyana. Give me a chance and I will prove to you that I love you with all my heart,” Rayan expressed. Liyana began looking around the ground, like searching for something. Rayan was confused as he stuck his head out to see what she was looking for. “What
The sun rose brightly in the deep blue sky. The shaft of the sun pierced through the windows of the Khawaja’s mansion. The early morning dew was still vivid on the flowers in the compound. In the gold and white sparkling living room, Mr Asad was rushing downstairs when his wife came up his way.“Good morning, dear,” she greeted.“Good morning, dear, how was your night?” Mr Asad responded, checking his wristwatch.“It was fine. Breakfast is ready,” she announced.“I will have breakfast in the office,” he declared, heading toward the door.“I also want to talk with you,” she said, following him up. He turned abruptly to her.“I am in a hurry, dear, we will talk when I return,” Mr Asad said and hurried out. Mr Hamdaan was already waiting for him. Mr Asad entered the car and Mr Hamdaan drove off.Back in the living room, Rayan met his mother. “Good morning, Mom,” Rayan greeted.“Good morning, son,” the mother responded, heading to the dining room.
The following morning, Liyana was woken up by a call from Ayaan. She yawned sleepy as she sat up on the bed to answer the call.“Hello?” she said, still yawning.“Are you still on the bed?” Ayaan asked from the other end of the phone.“You just disturbed my sleep, Ayaan. Why are you calling so early?” she queried, wiping her face with the back of her hand.“So early?” he chuckled. “This is 09:07 AM and it’s still so early?” he said and Liyana checked her wall clock, it turned out to be true.“Oh, God! I slept too tight today. The so-called alarm didn’t wake me up,” she lamented. “But the good news is that I have prayed,” she smiled, feeling proud of herself.“Hmm! When did you pray?” Ayaan asked.“Well, I was awake earlier, just a makeup sleep that lasted this while.”“Okay…so, what was your father’s good news all about?” Ayaan queried.“Um, well, it’s nothing serious. How is Naaniji? Hope she’s taking
Two days later, Rayan and his armed men stormed into Ayaan’s home. The grandma was in the living room, ending her Zhur namaz. She folded her prayer mat and placed it on a side table alongside her Qur’an. She sighed and sat down.“How may I help you, my sons?” the grandma asked nonchalantly, not even a slight fear of their firearms.“We want you to deliver a simple message to your grandson. Tell him to stay clear of Liyana if he still loves his breath,” Dave, Rayan’s right-hand man spoke out. Then Rayan stepped forward. “I hate mercies, old woman. Tell him his days will be numbered if I ever see him with Liyana again,” Rayan groaned in a husky, yet calm tone.“Why are you all disturbing yourselves? Let those bonded in love be. I know Allah will provide you all with your heart desires at the appropriate time,” the grandma stated, her look neither changing nor her soft tone. “My grandchild has nothing to do with that. Moreover, no one can take another’s life without the permission of Al