chapter 1

(All the characters in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to anyone is unintentional).'Aman, is it necessary to go?''Fiza, It's a new opportunity. You shouldn't miss it.''But, I don't want to go alone.''Who said you will be alone? Wherever you go, I will follow you. So leave all your worries behind and move to your new workplace.''Promise.''Promise'A serenity spread over Fiza's face.'Fiza, Fiza.' Fiza's mother comes to her room.'Beta, is your packing complete?''Yah Maa, it's almost done.''Beta, why haven't you completed your packing yet? You have a flight this evening. Can't believe leaving packing incomplete; you are enjoying the morning breeze standing at the window.' 'Don't worry, Maa, I will do it in time. More than 12 hours are left.'Fiza hugs her mother.'Is it necessary to go? We want you to stay with us. How will you manage there alone? We will always be in tension for you.''Don't worry, Maa. I will be fine.'Fiza can't say to her mother that Aman will join her soon.'Who will take care of your medicines? You were doing a good job here too. Why do you need to change your job? How will we live without you? Please don't go.''Maa, I am a grown-up girl now. Let me learn to handle my things.''Let me come with you. I will return after you get settled there.''No, no means no. Now, you go. Otherwise, I will miss my flight. You better go and make a delicious lunch for me.'Fiza forcefully sends her mother out of her room and locks her room. Shabana, Fiza's mother, knows that her daughter is stubborn. If she had decided to move on to Mumbai, no one would be able to stop her. Ever since Fiza announced her relocation to Mumbai, her father has stopped talking to her. Junaid is no less stubborn than his daughter. Junaid wanted Fiza to marry Arif, his childhood friend's son. Fiza and Arif have known each other since childhood. Junaid thought of marrying Fiza and Arif and turning his friendship with Shoaib into kinship. But Fiza thwarted his dream. She wanted to marry Aman, a struggling painter.Then an accident changed everything.'Fiza, I think Maa is right. You can take her with you. I think it will be nice to have someone with you in an unknown city?''Don't start again, Aman. (Pause) Oh, you have changed your mind. You aren't coming with me, right?''No, I am coming. You know very well that I can't be separate from you even if I want to.''Then, why do you want Maa to come with me?''You know the reason. (Pause) Maa and I are not the same. Please try to understand.''If Maa stays with me, it will disrupt our privacy, and I don't want that.''But ....''No, but. The decision I made is final.'(Pause)While talking to Aman, Fiza completes her final packing.'Aman, why are you sad?''You know the reason.''Aman, you know I can't live without seeing you or not talking to you. It will not be possible if Maa stays with me. So I don't want Maa to come with me.''You will become bored with me, and then you will no longer love me.''You know very well, Aman, whether you are with me or not, I can't stop loving you.''I can't understand how I will be able to keep you happy alone in an unknown city.''You don't have to do anything. You only have to listen to me and draw my painting. (Pause) Paintings ...'Fiza remembers that she forgot to take the paintings that Aman had given her over the years. Fiza searches all the drawers in her room, but she can't find a single piece of Aman's creation. Aman has made many postcard-size paintings of the different moods of Fiza.'Maa, Maa.'Fiza gets restless and runs to the kitchen. The fragrance of food was coming from the kitchen. Shabana was preparing a delicious dish for Fiza.'Maa, Maa, where are the paintings drawn by Aman?'Shabana wonders why Fiza wants those paintings after such a long time.'Beta, why do you need them now?''Tell me where you have kept them.''Beta, I have kept them in a safe place. But why do you need them now? You have a flight today. So. you don't have much time.''Please stop beating around the bush and tell me where you have kept my things.'Fiza gets restless. Shabana is scared of Fiza's restlessness. Shabana knows that if Fiza's uneasiness doesn't subside, she may become unconscious. 'Beta, calm down. I have kept all your belongings neatly arranged.''Why don't you tell me where you have kept them?' Fiza starts crying. Shabana gets scared as Junaid is not at home.'I have kept them in the store room.'Shabana knows that if Junaid finds out that Shabana has not destroyed Aman's gifts, he will be angry with her.'Why did you move my belongings even after reminding you so many times?' Fiza rushes to the store room. Shabana switches off the stove and follows her daughter. The storeroom is a small room on the roof. The room is a little untidy as no one usually goes there.'Maa, where are my things? I can't find them.' Fiza shouts from the store room.By then, Shabana had reached the store room.'They are in the blue trunk. I have kept your belongings in a safe place.''No, you have brought them here so that you can destroy my memories.'Shabana kept silent. Fiza is right. Junaid had asked her to destroy all Aman's gifts long back, but somehow she could not do it.Fiza opens the trunk and takes out all her things one by one - a friendship band, an earthen pen stand painted by Aman, miniature carving, greeting cards, various sketches of Fiza, dried rose petals - and gets lost in memories.'Fiza beta, you have to get ready. So, make it fast.' Shabana's words distract Fiza.Fiza closes the trunk taking all her things out.'Beta, what will you do with all these things now?''I will keep my things with me.''But ..''I don't trust you. You will destroy my things.'Shabana knows that if Junaid comes to know that Fiza has taken all Aman's gifts with her, he will be furious with Shabana. Yet she remained silent because these things calmed Fiza's restlessness.(Continued .... )