Chapter 3 A peep into the Past

16 Years Back

Malik Mansion

Khushi, a five year old baby girl was running after her father with a handmade painting in her hand.

"Daddy, luk (Look). I dlaw (draw) this for you."

Without turning to her even for once, her father, Zahir Malik left the house.

Running up to the entrance of the house, Khushi turned back inside with tears in her eyes.

Finding her mother on the staircases, she ran again to her.

"Mummy..."

When Mrs. Afreen saw her daughter in that state, she descended the stairs hurriedly.

Khushi hugged her leg while sobbing. Mrs. Afreen took her in her arms and sat on a sofa.

"What happened, sweetie?" While saying this, she wiped her tears and cupped her small face.

Khushi showed her the painting and said, "I dlaw (draw) this for daddy but he didn't take it."

Mrs. Afreen looked at the painting with a sad smile. She knew why her husband behaved like that but still how could he..!!

She thought he was happy with her that's why she tried to talk to him gaining so much of courage but it didn't even work for a single bit.

While thinking the things, tears also made their way from her eyes.

She came back to reality when Khushi wiped her tears with her baby hands and innocently said, "Don't cry mummy. Coming back, Daddy will take it. It's so butiful (beautiful), isn't it mummy?"

Mrs. Afreen hugged Khushi and got uttering, "It's beautiful, sweetie."

Khushi hugged her mother and patted her back.

Finding her daughter doing that, Mrs. Afreen again started crying silently.

When Khushi was born, Kowshik was 3 years old. Her father showered Kowshik with so much of love and care that nothing was left for Khushi.

Only her mother loved and cared for her but she left early leaving an innocent little soul behind with her so called family that includes her father and an elder brother who never cared for her a little bit.

She went on craving for their attention and care only to get ignored.

At college, she got a friend, Preety who was more like her sister and cared for her. But Khushi didn't get to share anything about her family with her as she didn't want Preety to think bad of her family.

Preety somewhat knew almost everything as she understood seeing Khushi's condition but couldn't do much about the matter.

Mahmud Mansion

Nothing but a crying sound was being heard for the last 2 days in Mahmud mansion.

Areesha, a girl of 13 years old was trying to console her brother, Arhaan of 8 years old like a big girl.

Their parents died in a road accident 2 days back leaving the two siblings behind all alone.

Iftekhar Zaman was the best friend of Rehaan Mahmud (Their Father). They were more like brothers. He was trying his best to make them smile but nothing was working.

At night after putting Arhaan to sleep, Areesha was standing by the poolside thinking about her parents and crying, when Mr. Zaman went up to her.

She was blankly staring at the sky without paying heed though Mr. Zaman kept calling her name for a while.

He had to leave for London for his business but he also didn't want to leave these siblings behind in that state.

After thinking about the situation, he made up his mind to take them with him.

They were not agreeing with him nonetheless he took them to London with him forcefully so that they could forget their bitter memories and start afresh.

Present Time

Malik Mansion

On the dining table, Khushi was looking every two minutes at the face of her father and brother only to find out if they liked the food without touching her own food.

But as usual, they didn't bother her existence let alone saying anything to her. Her father gossiped with Kowshik (Khushi's Brother) without turning to her even for once. When they were done with their eating, they left the dining table.

She kept staring at them as they walked towards their respective rooms. When they got out of her sight, she turned to her food. But she didn't feel like eating anymore. Despite her hunger, she also left from there without touching her food.

Entering her room, she grabbed the photograph of her mother. Hugging tightly the photograph, she got on her bed.

Tears started flowing from her eyes as she silently screamed, "Why did you leave me, mummy? Why?! I Miss you"

Remaining like that for some good hours, she fell asleep. Tears stain was visible on her cheek. But there was none to wipe that and console her now.

She woke up at Fazar time and after making ablution, she offered her Salat. Then she poured her heart to Allah and kept asking Him to send at least a little ray of hope to her life so that it doesn't remain like a dark and closed room forever.

At the same time in London, someone woke up suddenly from his sleep having a dream. He felt something strange but couldn't just point out what was it.

Not understanding what to do, he got down from the bed and stood by the window staring at the sky while thinking about it.