The Beginning

There's a cold dark corner

in the back of my room,

it speaks to me

and says I'm coming for you.

As I lie on my bed

in the fetal position,

my eyes are closed

hoping and wishing.

Maybe that one day

my dreams will come true,

that I don't have to be here

so down and blue.

The corner keeps talking

about how I'm going to die,

all I can do

is lie there and cry.

As the corner gets closer

and takes me in,

my soul starts to burn

as so does my skin.

My bones shall lie there

turning to dust,

my bed surrounding

nothing but rust.

~Blake Duffy

Ujala's POV

Silence... There was silence. It was the lull after the storm. Not a single word was to be heard. The sound which can only be heard was our breaths. Our chest was heaving up and down as we were panting. The sky was dark. Pitch black. Embedded with the gloominess. Not a single star was to be detected high above. The moon was hazy, as the cloud blurred it. It felt like the universe was mourning with us. The sky was weeping on our unfortunate fates.

What to do? we were alone standing by the nook of the bench waiting for our destiny. We dawdled in the wait of where our destiny would take us in the future.

"Appi, will we be able to overcome all of this?" My little sister let out the words. She was sitting on the bench beside me and clutched my hand.

"Jee Mera bacha (yes my dear)  we'll overcome this together. Don't worry" I assured, patting her palm that was clasped with mine.

"Appi, how can we when that monster is behind us. I know a day will come when he'll find us and then beat us to death" she mumbled as the tears formed in her eyes.

I detached our hands and cupped her cheeks brushing her tears away "Allah will save us, he's with us. Closer than that devil." She smiled in return.

Half an hour passed since we arrived in Skardu. The loud prolonged sirens of trains were so bothersome. It was half-past midnight, folks were still here as they waited for the guest and family. All of a sudden I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and sighed in relief.

"Maria, Thank God it was you," I stated as I opened my arms to embrace her.

"I'm sorry, I was a bit late as my poor car ran out of petrol," She said as she parted away.

"Maria Appi, I should tell you that you weren't a bit late. You were Hella excessively late." Noor, my sister stick her tongue at Maria. Sometimes I feel like why does she have to act so childishly in her seventeen years. Well, I appreciate that 'cause since that event, this behavior of hers blooms the atmosphere around us.

"I said, I'm sorry." Maria rolled her eyes at which I giggled.

"I don't accept your unwanted apology." Noor crossed her arms at her chest

"Who cares?" Maria shrugged her shoulders.

"Okay. Stop you two, My legs are aching" I protested.

Noor stood up on her feet and we all headed to our new world. I was anticipating many things. I was expecting perhaps on this journey of my life, I'll be able to escape my Past. I'll be able to avoid my feelings. Feelings of dread. I'm strong. I have to be strong. Not for me. But for my sister. She needs me. I've to be near her.

But little did I know, destiny has planned far-more worse for me than I had been through.

Skardu- A place where I was going to seek refuge in. A place where I distorted into a new Ujala Habib.

•••

One month later

Umer's POV

An empty shell. A broken wise.  An impoverished heart.

Three sentences. Three words. Oh just how different they are from each other. No parallels. Nevertheless, they fit me perfectly.  No, I don't say this to myself. People do. And by people, I meant the one I disdain the most.

The clattering of the stencils and the plates in a silent room filled the atmosphere around us. I was having shunned breakfast with my Family. We all are solitary and distant from each other. Or perhaps, they keep their distance from me. Yeah, it's apparent.

My Baba (dad) was sitting at the dining table on the head chair and the opposite head chair was my stepmother A.KA. Choti Ammi was sitting. My stepbrother sitting before me. Not a single word anyone uttered.

The silenced booms in this house since the day my mom died. Well, it was better that she died before seeing the downpour.

"Main to kehti hun ham yateem khana khol Ky baith jaty hain Pakistan ky har kony main. Jab aesy shaks ky hath main business thama hai to yah hy hoga janab (I say, Why don't we open an orphanage in every rural area of Pakistan? When you'll hand over your business to this type of person then this is supposed to happen)" My stepmother scoffed out of nowhere, but I do know what she was referring to.

"Choti Ammi, I didn't do anything wrong. Skardu is a little valley, there's no school or college nearby, the illiteracy rate is higher in that area. Tell me what's wrong if I had opened a school in Skardu?" I gaped at her as she whirled her head to Baba who was sitting on the head chair of the dining table

"Are you seriously saying what's w..." She again started but I cut her off immediately and Baba put his spoon down.

"Choti Ammi, I'm handling Baba's business but never think that I opened School from his money. Don't burden your mind, I haven't. I had built the school with my own money." I declared her as she looked into my eyes. "And one more thing Choti Ammi, I told you guys, Not Asked. Although, it's been two years since the school is formed and you every time brought that matter up. I hope you'd stay out of my business from now on." I smiled in her direction as I wiped my hands with a napkin and stood up from the seat flipping the napkin on the table and walked away from their sights.

•••

I hopped off my Range Rover, scrutinized the walls of the building in front of me. These glass walls are my attainment. I transformed this small business into a large company in the effort of three years. Baba was good but I'm the best.

I stepped into the building, the guard saluted me as he opened the door for me. Everyone around me greeted me with their heart wavering 'good mornings'. I hoisted my forefinger as my answer. Pressing the elevator button the door slides as I got in. Few seconds in the elevator I reached the top floor i.e; the eighth floor. As the elevator door opened, I headed to my office followed by my personal Secretary. After ordering her the coffee I sloped on My chair and flip opened the file in front of me. After a few minutes ticked by, my secretary came back with the coffee in her hand and left after placing it before me.

Hours went by as I retained myself in the work. Miss Alia, my Secretary showed up with more files to be signed and needed a little go through. She sat opposite as she gave me a briefing of every file. I asked her to pause as she announced "Sir, the builders have stopped the construction in Skardu due to some issues regarding the structure"

"Miss Alia, I hoped that I had clarified you enough, to discuss these matters with the management department first before me" I affirmed leaning on my chair.

"Sir I had already done and they had said that it has to be resolved personally by you." she retorted.

I rubbed my temple as I gave attention to the details. I had held a meeting with the management two weeks ago, and yet, they couldn't resolve the problem.  After a little consideration, I asked her "Okay, when is my visitation in school?"

"Sir, This Wednesday"

"Okay then, I'll be heading for school Wednesday early morning and tell the Chacha (supervisor) I'll be there till the construction is done so he could do the arrangements for my living according to it," I instructed.

"Okay sir"

•••

Two days later~ Wednesday

I arrived at Skardu by air in one hour this morning at 5:00 am. I headed straight to my cottage to freshen up. After I did breakfast I drove to the school in a white SUV.

I reached there at 9:16 am, as I entered my premises, I inhaled fresh air that was stuck in my throat for days since I left this place. Oh damn! Just how much I loved these trees, Mountains, lakes, and these students. I adore kids. I love the way, college students are so profound about their ambitions. I love how young adults share their family problems with us. I love them.

The day I saw the miserable condition of the poor children three years back, I was adamant to build a school here. To end the illiteracy from here. I know I can not do much. But I'll do as much it's in my hand. And see in a year and a half this is fully built, I hired the staff from the nearby residents who were educated and skilled but weren't able to find a job here. The students also joined as time passes and at last, there was a need for a college too. So the college is just formed six months ago.

Everything is running well over here. The piece of me that is wandering in the dark, finds relief as I come here. The darkness consumed me from my childhood. The love I mandated from my baba, I never got it. The love that my Mama demanded from baba, she never got it. I saw the tears in her eyes, She tried to hide them but I always observed. The screams I used to hear in her last few years once a week, she tries to hide them. She thought I won't be able to comprehend the things happening between her and Baba. But I did. Even though I was eight, I remember those heavy days on her.

Mama your Umer has matured so early, should I say, the circumstances made your Son mature in his puberty or his Baba made him matured. In other words, you left a stepmother for me.

Since she died. My hopes died with her. And so love died within me. I don't believe in love. And will never. Love leads a person to his downfall. And it's the beginning of my uprising.

My thoughts drifted as my eyes landed on a girl far away from me knelt on the grass with little kids around her and her in the center. She was new. I never saw her.

Who is she? I thought to myself.

She was explaining something to the kids as her lips danced with a smile tugged on her lips while her hands swayed in the air. She looked young. She was wearing a plain light pink skirt with a knitted white shirt, her head was wrapped in a white scarf showing her perfect brown skin. She was wearing only a light pink lipstick which was suiting her. So her appearance didn't look like a student. Who could she be?

I made a move in her direction. As I got near her, she spotted me and her smile faded away. I halted in my place as she abruptly stood up and walked towards me leaving the kids behind.

She stood before me scrunching her brows "May I help you?"

Is she seriously kidding me? Doesn't she know I own this place?

Before I could explain to her she cut me off and demonstrated calmly "If you're a parent or guardian you can head straight from here and then right you'll find the principal's office there. Or if you're here for a job then you can

go to the reception that's behind you"

"Do I look like I'm a guardian or in need of a job" I left her dumbfounded. By the looks of her, she was confused and perplexed.

"I don't know but what I meant was outsiders aren't allowed to go in this direction as you can read the board over there which clearly says 'Staff Only'" she exclaimed.

Like seriously she doesn't know who I'm am? Is she living in a veneer? Moreover, does she think I'm here for a job wearing a suit?

"Hello! I'm talking to you." she waved her hands in front of my eyes and I snapped out of my trance.

I knitted my brows in frustration as I was about to protest, three kids came running towards me one of them collapsed his tiny hands around my leg and two girls started jumping with joy in front of me.

"Ashshalm Alkum shal, you plomished to br...ing choclates fol meee" one of the girls named Asma rejoiced with her ungraspable tone.

"How'd I forget my kids? I brought chocolates for you." I exclaimed disarraying her hair and wrapping my other arm around Bilal's leg who was glued to my legs.

"I'm sorry sir but, who are you?" The lady finally got nuts and asked who I'm.

I straighten my posture and retorted in disbelief "Miss whoever you are, currently, right now, presently,  you are standing in my premises"

She scrunched her brows as her mind tried to process a new set of information. Without saying sorry she dared to walk away from my vision leaving the kids behind.

I picked Bilal up in my arms and walked to the other kids who were sitting crossed legs on the grass with a smile on my lips.

"Hello, children, what were you doing?" I asked them in a humorous tone.

"Painting" A girl replied.

"Hmm... Who was she that was with you minutes ago" I playfully asked them

"She eess tha new teachel. She ees sooo noicee. Hel name eess Miss Ujala hehe"

Miss Ujala. Hmm.

Then she must be reminded, 'I hate the people who refuse to recognize me! I'm Umer Shadab'. She dared to left our conversation on the hang. She dared to leave without saying Sorry. But don't worry Miss Ujala I'll make sure that you'll never forget me.

Ujala's POV

When something is meant to happen, it'll happen. Either this way or that way. They simply need a decisive motive to emerge in our life. Life never stays the same. And so does the person. People will show up in your life, spur you miseries, sufferings, agonies, and move on. They don't bother to look back at how many pieces they have wrecked. And some of them if they ever look back they'll have nothing to unite those broken pieces again, at last, they come up with nothing but 'Sorry'. As if their sorry can fetch the pieces together again. A glass that is broken, is broken. It'll leave its imprints on the glass if it was attempted to join those broken pieces together.

This is what our life is like. Once we are broke, we are shattered. Our hearts can't be repaired. Only waiting for a miracle to happen. For some of them who are fortunate, the miracle happens to them. But the unfortunate people like me, die in the wait for some miracle to happen and so they lose hope.

But Allah says "Indeed what is to come will be better for you that has gone by"

Skardu is not the first place I took refuge in. I'm running away from my fears for the past two years. Leaving my hometown wasn't a piece of cake for me. But what was my purpose for living in a city where my relatives refused to accept me? Where was I at fault? What was my sister to blame for?

We're to be blamed for our parent's murder. We were so hopeless that we could saw them get killed in front of our eyes. We did nothing. They could have been alive if perhaps if we had at least tried to do something. Noor was so young, she wasn't mature enough but I was. I could hit with a brainwave. But no.

I'm pleased that my college friend Maria was in contact with me. She didn't know the whole story but she does know that we are disguising ourselves from someone. She didn't inquire much which I'm grateful about. Sometimes I feel like she wanna ask something but was holding the urge in. She was curious about how our parents got murdered, it was weighing my heart so I couldn't confide her but I gave her assurance that I'll tell her when I feel like it's the right time to.

After I arrive at Skardu, I lived with Maria for a week. During those days I tried to live a normal life so I applied for the job in a school where Maria teaches. After a week I got a call that I was hired but my salary would be quite low as I'm a starter. I agreed with this 'cause I believed it would be sufficient for my sister and me. I rented a house in the same neighborhood as Maria at a cheap rate for living. Soon Noor continued her college where I teach, I was so glad that she finally decided to continue with her studies.

I hoped and prayed for peace in our life. I was so tired. Tired of running, Tired of hiding, when I know what the end would be like. No one ca...

"Helloo, Are you even listening?" I was brought out of my trance when Maria snapped her hand on the table where I was sitting with her.

"Ohh... Yes, I am" I stuttered blinking twice.

"Yeah, sure you were" she rolled her eyes.

"I was!" I exclaimed albeit I knew I was zoned out.

"Uhh! Well, do you know what date is today?" she questioned straightening her posture as she crossed her hands on the table.

"Um... 10 or 1l, I guess..." I said dithering as I vaguely wobbled in my seat.

"10. It's." She said

"Hmm. Okay, Dokie" I hummed.

"Ujala what do you mean by hmm don't you know what is today?" she inquired leaning back on the chair.

After a lot of thinking, I came up with "Happy Birthday!" I rejoiced.

"Aahh... Ujala my birthday is on 21st July" she hissed.

"Don't eat my head just tell me" I grumbled.

" Sir Umer is here today, you couldn't meet him last week as you didn't come," she stated joyfully.

"So?"

"Are you crazy girl? 'So What?" she groaned.

"What? What do I do with it?" I didn't know who she was talking about and why.

"Nothing! Just listen he's the generous man who owns this place and has called a meeting with all the teachers. And make sure not to do act stupid in front of him and don't cut him off while he's talking." She snarled thrusting up from the chair as the chair pushed backward and left the staff room leaving me dumbfounded.

"Did you just call me stupid?" I shouted at her back but she was out of my sight.

Her words recalled the memory that happened an hour ago while I was painting with the students in Garden. The man I met was cold, rude, stern, and whatnot. His words recounted in my brain "Miss whoever you are, currently, right now, presently, you are standing in my premises"

This is so bizarre and Absurd! Why did I do that? I should have asked him who was he in the first place but no I didn't! Instead, I made a fool of myself. Uhh...

Well, Ujala it's not as if he will fire you for this!

Will he?

Uhh... No Ujala he won't. He's not a child.

I tried to console myself that nothing will happen as I hadn't done anything wrong it was a misunderstanding.

'But little did I know the thing that boosted his ego was not my misinterpretation but something else.'

•••

"Do you think he'd be in?" I asked Maria, holding the doorknob of the conference room and debating whether to go in or not as we were late.

"Who are you kidding Ujala. He's the most punctual man" She whispered rolling her eyes.

"Oh means he's the total torture!" I bobbed my head down as I groaned

"Correction Miss Ujala; A hot man can never be torture" She started grinning ear to ear.

"Ewww! From what angle does he look like he's 'hot'" I made a gross face as I interlaced my fingers to generate commas in the air.

"He's hot! no matter what" she shrugged her shoulders.

"Astagfirullah" I muttered. "Okay so you enter first"

"Noo! I'm not getting in you go" She backed away a step from me.

"You aren't in the nursery Maria that you're fighting on who to go in first. It's not like he's gonna eat you" I concluded in exasperation.

"Neither you're in the nursery Ujala! You too can go in first although you are holding the doorknob. See." she denounced.

I turned my attention to the doorknob, summoning up the courage I tilted the doorknob and I heard a click sound which clarified that the door opened.

I peeked inside the room and everyone's eyes dropped on me but I didn't care about that. I scrutinized every single person's face but didn't discern the man I met earlier.

I took a sigh of relief as I ushered Maria to come in. I stepped in with a new build-up enthusiasm. I sighted two empty chairs at the end of the lined chairs and was about to make a move but halted by the rough and husky voice behind me. "How dare you to step in without a knock?"

What... No... How? How the hell? Where did he come from?

I tightly shut my eyes, sizzled  as I knew I was caught 'Red handed'

Okay, Ujala! Cooldown! I mumbled to myself while taking a deep breath.

I opened my eyes and without turning around I retorted "We thought that the room was empty" I lied.

"Oh, really What was the time of the meeting Miss Maria?" He asked her and I could feel the snub and coldness in his voice.

Before she could answer I turned around and replied in her place "11:15" I lied again 'cause I knew if I had left this for Maria to handle she'd had told him the truth.

"First of all, I didn't ask you, miss. Second, I think that you hear more, so I suggest you visit an ear specialist. The time was 11:00 till I remember.  And third, Who are you?"

What the falooda? Who the hell he's to talk to me in this tone and who does he think he's? He's a pure torture

His words stimulated the rage inside of me, I folded my arms around my chest tightening the scarf around I spoke "Answer number one, Maria and I, we both came late so it doesn't have to matter if she replied or I did. Answer number two, I don't want anyone's suggestion but still thank you for your query. Answer number three, I'm a new teacher, my name is Ujala Habib, I teach junior and primary section Islamiat and Arts."

I could feel that my words triggered his ego, by the looks of him he was about to kill me. But soon his facial expression cooled down and smirked.

Weirdo!

"Sit" he commanded me to sit on the chair while he walked to his seat.

I seated myself on the chair and so did Maria, as I bobbed my head up I was awkward as hell. Damn everyone was looking at me with wide eyes. I gave them a sheepish smile before I looked down.

"So here as you all know who I am, but for SOME PEOPLE, I'm still gonna introduce myself so that they'll be careful from next time who they're talking to." He pronounced the word 'some people' harshly glaring at me and I dropped my gaze. "I, Umer Shadab Sha, the CEO of the 'Shah Co Limited' and most vital for presently..." he paused as he gaped at me. "I- Own-This-School." He enunciated each word making sure I understood. Everyone nodded and so did I and then he continued with his meeting. "So my brother Zohaib Shadab shah will be joining me from today, he'll arrive at any minute so I want you to cooperate with him. He'll be dealing with the matters of the construction while I'll be at school. My stay in Skardu would be last till the construction is done and that'd take almost two months." He narrated placing his hand on the table, leaning back on the chair, and while his other hand was resting on the chair arm. Then he Again stared right into my eyes and proceeded "Am I Clear?" He questioned everyone but I could feel like he only questioned me. I don't have anything to say so I just nodded and mouthed yes.

Noor's POV

Thrust. Thrust. And another thrust. And BANG! I won! I jumped with joy, cheering as I plummeted the badminton on the grass.

"Yeahh! we wonn, We wonn, We won, We won, we won, we won"

I hugged my girls jumping up and down and made a boo face to our competitor team. We were playing badminton in our sports unit for a continuous forty minutes. My turn came at the end and I won the match with only two points. Ha! I can see the other team wasn't happy with this. But who cares? Our opponents were so aggressive and bold. I hated them with all my heart. They are the attention seekers and I know they won't withstand their loss.

"How about we do the rematch of the last round?" One of the girls named Zarina in our opponent's team said from behind.

I parted away from my team and turned around to look at her. I knew that they'll do something like this. Uhh! Rottu.

A wise one won't argue with the dumbhead. Yeah so the wise one is me and the dumbhead here are they as they would start saying that I cheated and all that.

"Yeah sure, why not" I agreed to this and my team groaned.

We moved back to our places and started to play the last round, I made three on one, once again I was before them. My palms were drenched in sweat as I was playing for a very long time. All of a sudden as the shuttlecock was coming in my direction I was about to hit the badminton to it but my arm twisted and I unintentionally tossed the badminton along with the shuttlecock as it slipped from my hand. I groaned in pain as I fell on my knees holding my arm.

In seconds I heard a man howled from afar "Aahh, Who the fuck did this?"

•••

Hey Readers, this is the first book that I'm publishing 'Officially'. I commenced another book earlier before this but I unpublished it as I thought I'll upload it once it's all in a condition to. Lol.

Well, as you can see I'm new to Wattpad, my grammar isn't good and all that. But please compromise with this for now.

And one more thing, comment down below and tell me how do you like the first chapter haha.