Chapter 1 The Call

"Well, It's the story about how my grandfather died, sounds boring, wait till you hear it, I'm certain that you will change your mind afterward".

It sure is weird that after all these years my grandmother remembers that she has a grandson living there somewhere. it's not that I'm complaining or something but losing both of my parents and being isolated from any form of relatives is lonely and I hate being alone in this world without anyone beside me. I don't remember my mother, since I was very young when she left us. my father was my everything he was the best father anyone could ask for but had really limited time in this world and left me all alone to fend for and live by myself for the rest of my life.

it was one of those hot summer days, the scorching heat of the evening burned my skin sweat trickling down my forehead as I entered the house. the air-conditioning was on and the cool air brought me back to dear life. the maid did all her house chores, the floor was clean, and the smell of after-wash calmed my nerves. no matter what the comfort of my home was always there to embrace me after a long day at work.

running my father's business after him was a challenge, I was freshly graduated from university and had a degree in BBA but had zero experience. but with time I learned to thrive and worked hard to maintain the image my father worked so hard for all these years. I went to my room took a comfortable pair of pajamas and a T-shirt from the wardrobe and went to the bathroom to take a cold shower. I took a long shower to wash all the tiredness that seems to settle deep in my bones. I was lacking any sort of excitement these days and it was increasing with time I didn't understand how was I supposed to get out of it. My friend and business partner suggested that I should take some time off and travel to some place to take my mind off of my busy and tiring routine. " what's the meaning of earning so much and working your ass off, when you don't even have time to eat properly and be happy", he said questioningly. " I don't know Harris, the things that use to excite and made me happy, no longer do the same I feel like I lack purpose, running this business was my sole purpose in life. Now that I've successfully established it, I no longer feel the kick of adrenaline to lose myself in work and forget everything", I said while losing the tie that seemed like choking me. he looked at me with sympathy his brown eyes kind.

"if you don't know what to do with your life anymore, find a new purpose". he made it sound so easy. " take some time off I will look after everything while you're gone"." I'll think about it Harris", I'm a workaholic and he knows it, leaving work behind like this and going on a trip somewhere just to get my track of happiness right sounded ridiculous to me but I didn't say anything I said goodbye to him and left for home.

as I got out of the shower thinking about the conversation I had earlier. I heard my landline ringing downstairs which was odd since it was very rare that I got calls on my landline. as I was about to reach the phone it stopped ringing. I picked the receiver considering whether I should redial or not, I pressed the redial button, and I heard the faint sound of ringing, 'hello Shameer beta(son)'. A weak voice boomed from across the line, I was surprised at hearing my name from a stranger I didn't know. " umm yes how can I help you", I said questioningly. " it's me, you don't remember me shah meer, her gasp was audible". I frowned at her as if she could see me. " pardon me If I don't remember your name because I don't know you", I said trying hard not to sound rude. " I'm your grandmother Begum-Ara, how are you beta", I was so struck by her name that it took a whole minute to process what I heard because she can't be just calling me out of nowhere. I haven't heard from her since my father died its been a very long time, and her voice was weak. which was surprising because she is the strongest woman on the face of the earth. I remember when my father died she was holding everyone together, especially me I was a wreck at that time. The thought of him made my throat tighten, I cleared my throat and greeted her, and we chatted for a bit then she said," shah a nickname, she gave me after my grandfather died, you're the only heir of our family and all the inheritance is going to be yours. All the necessary paperwork is ready you just have to come and sign it. and I haven't seen you like forever".

Her call was the last thing I expected, though I'm the only heir of my family, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it was all inherited from me. I didn't hear from her in so long that I almost forget about her being my only family left. " I will come to visit soon dado(grandma), we said goodbye and I hung up". Maybe it was my sign to get my head out of the tiring routine and visit my childhood home and renew the memories of my parents. to be honest I was running away from the old days, visiting my grandma would renew all the hurtful memories I'd been avoiding for so long. I went upstairs to my room started packing my stuff in a bag and took out my phone to let Haris know that I was going to Hyderabad.