— H O O R —. . . Fate was telling me from the beginning to never expect anything from Zahir but this time I ignored it and saw the result. I thought that Zahir was being nice to me for a moment but he dashed my hopes with one of his actions. Just a simple yet bitter act. Surely some people will murmur that Zahir cares for me but no one knows him better than me. I know very well that he was dying inside to take me out — not romantically. This pain was not being borne by him as if I was a burden. So today he expressed this by getting angry at me and scolding me for a small thing - that I did not cover my head in this cold.Why? Does he not understand that whether I wear a hat or not, I catch a cold? I am troubled by this myself but then, what is my fault in this? And he made me listen to him the entire way home as if there was no one on this earth more ignorant than me. Urgh! I bang the door shut behind me as I come out of the bathroom, wearing a set of fluffy pajamas. He stares

— H O O R —. . . “I am. Why do you ask though?” He asks me, gazing into my eyes so softly that for a moment that passes between us, I am lost in those deep blue chasms. I remain silent, looking at his face. His lips curl softly into a small smile as he leans closer, pushing his face into the crook of my neck. I squint my eyes, mumbling, “Because your behavior is different today.”“I know,” he says, chuckling. He raises his face again and adds, “Anyway, leave that.”He moves back and I miss the warmth he gives me. I miss his proximity. It feels like I am made for it — to be close to him. He stands beside me. “I have planned something for this evening,” he begins, leaning against the glass door.“And what’s that?” “Well, you'll get to know soon,” he shrugs, “Just be ready.”I narrow my eyes, wondering about his ‘plan’, but then, I do not wish to ask him further. I am not sure when his mood triggers and he starts scolding me again. Not like I am scared of him. I just do not want m

— Z A H I R —. . . “Zahir,” I hear the soft voice of Hoor calling my name. I hum in response. She taps my shoulder. “Leave me,” she says, groaning as she tries to get out of my hold. I do not want to. And I wish I could answer her this straight but I remain silent and do not even make a move. Well, as I said, I do not want to leave her. I like holding her while sleeping and I want to stay in bed for another hour. I am in no mood to get out though I know she somewhere in her heart wishes to explore more. I will take her out and I promised myself last night about it but not now. We have the entire day to do such things and almost a week to explore the city. I am sure she will be satisfied. But at least I should be rewarded for it, no?I do not ask for great things. I just want to sleep like that as long as we are together. I like holding her like this. She smells sweet and her small waist fits perfectly in my arms. Her warmth comforts me and I love pushing my face into her chest

— H O O R —. . . Tears leave the corner of my eyes as he keeps tickling me, stacking my stomach because he has realized that this is my weakest point of mine. “Zahir, let go!” I scream, turning and trying to hide myself from him. He stops, taking a deep breath. His hands remain close to my stomach as if he is threatening me while he asks, “Now say you won’t lie to me.”“I won’t,” I mewl, closing my eyes. He chuckles, looking down at me. “Aren’t you like a small child?” He wiggles his eyebrows, “Lying to me as if I don’t know?” He continues further, leaning closer. His arms cage me as he leans in and we are so close to each other. Under him, I get nothing but to stare at his handsome appearance as he gazes deep into my eyes. Should this be so—for him to come so close to me? I keep this in my head and do not let the words come out because for the moment passing, this all feels right and pleasant.Surely, I do not want to cross limits with him and I know how to keep this in mind s

— H O O R —. . . When talked about ‘talent’, it reminds me of the parable told in the Bible by Jesus Christ, the Lord. It is the story of three servants of a man who were given talents by their master. To one he was given five talents, to another he was given three talents and to the third he was given one talent.He gives them the talents and goes out and expects them to earn something from the talents given to them till he returns. The one who has five talents earns five more talents from them. He who has three earns three more, but he who has one talent does not do anything with it. In fact, he goes and buries that one talent in the soil because he says to himself that my master is a very harsh man. He takes from where he did not put any effort. He was afraid that his master might curse him, but when his master came, his fear came true.But when his master comes and takes account of everyone, he praises the remaining two servants for their work and hard work and gives them the