𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒𝟗

ARZO

“How are you feeling?” I ask api as we sit down on her couch with our food.

“I’m fine. The morning sickness isn’t so fun but the rest is okay.”

I smile, “I am so excited to be a khala! I’m going to spoil your child so much,”

She chuckles, “I expect nothing less,”

Api and I are having lunch at her house today. Zahid bhai and Faizan are busy with work so we are spending time with each other.

“So, what has been going on with you?” api asks as we start eating.

“Nothing much. I’m thinking of applying at Faizan’s company but I want to continue my career as an artist.”

“Then do that! You’re so talented.”

“It’s not easy, api. I have to find someone who is willing to portray my painting in an exhibition.”

“You’ll find someone. In Sha Allah.” She pats my lap.

“In Sha Allah.”

After a while I ask, “is Hira Chachi bothering ammi abbu?”

She shakes her head, “No. She's actually pretty upset with Shoaib.”

I frown, “for what?”

“I’m not sure. But abbu said that Shoaib is different now. He’s being his old self.”

Huh? “What is his old self?”

Api hesitates, “the way he was before the incident happened.”

A knot ties in my chest and I sign, “I saw him at Doctor Zahra’s building when I went to visit her.”

“You went to doctor Zahra? Why?” she asks, her voice etched with worry.

“I was hearing a voice in my head that was scaring me- it's hard to explain. I went to ask her for help.”

“What did she say?”

“She said that my brain wants to regain those memories.”

“Oh,” a pause, “so, did you?”

I shake my head, “no, it’s scary.”

“Oh.. okay,” she says, then looks down at her food.

I place my hand on hers, earning her attention and ask, “what are you hiding?”

She slightly shakes her head, “Nothing.”

“You’re lying.” I sign, “tell me what’s wrong.”

She stares at me for a while then her eyes fill with tears, “the night of the incident.. You didn’t only lose your voice but… Shoaib lost his whole life.”

“What?”

She swallows, “Shoaib wasn’t like this. He was sweet, nice. He used to play with us when we were young.” her voice cracks, “that incident snatched something from both of you.”

“What do you mean he lost his life?” I ask, dread settling into my stomach.

She releases a shaky breath, “I can’t tell you anything about it. You have to remember it yourself. I don’t want to break you mentally. I’m sorry.” A tear slips out of her eye but she quickly wipes it. Api always hated it when she cried in front of me.

I quickly put away our plates and get close to her, keeping her attention on me as I hesitantly ask, “Shoaib mentioned that the night of the incident costed a life… whose life was it?”

Api swallows, hesitates then finally reveals the person.

“Shoaib’s abbu.”