Chapter 2
Shanzay’s POV
Darkness engulfed everything. I looked around the room and found a small light. I tried to reach it, and it(the small light) took the shape of a familiar-looking figure. I leapt towards it but as soon as I got closer, it disappeared right before my eyes and reappeared at another corner of the room. This game of hide-and-seek was getting frustrating. I desperately wanted to reach it and grab it and never let go. Out of helplessness, tears welled up in my eyes, and I was running madly towards that familiar-looking figure trying to hold it one last time, but soon it began to fade away.
“Please don’t leave me”: I cried “please not again”: I whimpered, but I was left alone in darkness….
I heard someone calling me from a distance.
Shanzay! Shanzay...!
I woke up abruptly, cold sweat beaded on my forehead, and my breathing was irregular. It was my mother calling at the door.
“Shanzay wake up, or you’ll be late for university”: She said
“Yes, mother I am awake”: I replied
“Ok, then I am waiting downstairs for you, your breakfast is ready…”
“ok”: I replied and got up to get ready for university.
After twenty minutes, I was ready standing in front of the mirror, looking at myself for one last time. I wore a simple shirt with jeans and put a staller around my neck and went downstairs for breakfast…
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Azlaan’s POV
It was 7:30 in the morning when I returned home after jogging. I went straight into the shower as it was getting late for university. I changed my clothes, wore simple denim jeans and a black t-shirt and my favorite leather jacket. I sat at the breakfast table and hurriedly ate my food on which my mother scolded me
“Azlaan eat with patience, how many times have I told u not to do it”: she said
"Mom I'll be late for my class ": I told her while munching on food and getting up from the chair to head outside.
"Azlaan at least finish your breakfast first ": She said seeing me heading out.
"I have eaten the food Mom, now I will take leave take care! “I replied and grabbed my car keys and head outside.
After sitting in the car, I ignited the engine and hit the road…!
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Shanzay’s POV
When I came downstairs for breakfast, Mom was talking to someone on the phone. I sat at the table and quietly started eating.
With a sigh, Mom put down the cordless phone in its place and strolled towards the breakfast table. There was a cold silence in the air, and Mom made the first move to break it.
“Shanzay…” She said
“yes Mom” I replied
“your aunt called she said your uncle was asking about...,” she said
“Mom I already told u what I want, please don’t ask me about it again” I told her with a straight face while cutting her off.
“child u know how your uncle is, he’ll be outraged,” she said in pleading tone.
“Then let him be Mom, it doesn’t matter. They haven’t done anything for us till this day,” I said while getting up. Now I was getting frustrated by this daily drama.
“Shanzay…” she tried to say before I cut her off.
“Mom, I have to go, its getting late,” I said while gathering my things.
“Shanzay why are u leaving food because of it at least finish it,” she said
“Mom I am not hungry” I replied
“Driver uncle take out the car …” I told the driver as he rushed to take out the car.
“Good bye Mom…” I said not matching her gaze and sprinted out.
“In God’s protection.” She replied
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Azlaan’s POV
I parked my car at the university’s parking and practically ran towards my class. I wasn’t very late, but today the first lecture was of Professor Manan, and he was very strict about punctuality. He never liked it if someone got late for his class. He (Professor Manan) came to class 5 minutes earlier.
I was pacing fast in hope that he hadn’t come to class or I was going to get into trouble, and suddenly bumped into something or rather someone and next things I know that I was on floor…
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Shanzay’s POV
I rushed out of the car and headed straight towards the admin office to submit some of my papers. I had taken the shortcut and went from the garden area instead of walking from the direct way. It was the wrong way, but judging the time I had to hurry, so I didn’t care about any of that.
While walking, I could not shake the gloomy feeling I had after seeing the dream. This dream has been haunting me for such a long time. why can't I get rid of it? and then to top it all the phone call of my aunt made it worse. why can’t uncle understand that I said no. why does he have to be so stubborn? It's like all the bad things come to me. It feels like being cursed or something. Can my life get any better? I was walking, lost in my own thoughts when I felt something hit me, and I fell, and my assignment pages scattered on the floor everywhere…
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Fatima (Shanzay’s mother) POV
Today I decided to go for groceries; I wasn’t feeling too well after the argument with Shanzay. I was just worried about her, but I end up hurting her.
Moosa was at school, and by the time I would be done with groceries, I will pick Moosa up from school.
I was grabbing the things from the rack and putting those in my trolley when I heard someone calling my name.
Fatima…! Is that you, Fatima...!
I turned around and was shocked to see…