Intizaar

𝚃𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢- 𝚜𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗

- Alaya -

"Aslamoalkuim api," I called out on the call, "one sec Alaya." She responded after I heard a lot of shuffling and noises. "Sorry about that Alaya, but the kids are really missing you lately, I was wondering if you wanna come over, it's totally fine if you are busy and can't come, I know your have your opening today" I laughed at how fast Romessa api can speak. "Don't worry, Api. I'll come around, I miss them too."Great, you'll stay for dinner too, I'll see you soon," and she ended the call. 

I was excited to meet the kids. I quickly changed into the clothes I was wearing before, then grabbed my bag and made my way out.

I stopped by a shop and got cupcakes for the kids since I knew they loved them. I was able to drive to their house in 10 minutes and was so excited. It had been almost 2 weeks since I last saw them. Since I was so busy because of the opening.

I rang the bell and waited a few minutes. After a few noises and a few minutes, the door flung open, reveling the 6 year old boy and his 4 year old sister. "Aya khala, you're here!" They both hugged me. "How are you Kiran, were you a good boy, Amir?" they both smiled. "Come inside, Shahzad is messing with Mama." Amir shouted, running inside. I picked Kiran in my arms and went inside after closing the door.

Amir wasn't lying. Who's he said his brother was messing. The 2 year old had a bowl of cereal on his head, and his mother was also covered. "Shahzad, we don't play with food," Romessa api said. Kiran and I ended up giggling at Shahzad laughing at his mother.
"Alaya, when did you come?" "Just a while ago, api," she nodded. "I'm sorry about the mess. It's just that Shahzad is so naughty and messy. I have to get him clwaned up." "No worries, api, I'll play with Kiran and Amir while you do that."

- °•○•° -
It wàas almost 7 in the evening, i helped Romessa Api set the dining table for dinner. Soon, Shehryar bhai was home too, and we all sat down for dinner.

"I heard about your successful opening chotto," Shehryar bhai complimented. "Thank you, bhai," "So, are you going to work on any projects?" "Not for a while, bhai. I dont have any projects lined up yet either." "Well then, our company is having an international project, it isn't too much, it's more of an opportunity to grow your own business and get into the specific business you want to work. This could bring you into the fashion industry. You should join." "I am working on my second line, and this could be the perfect opportunity. When is it taking place?" "In two days." He replied. "I think I'll have a go. It'll be good."

- Harris -
I was standing right outside the CEO's office. I was only here because I was requested by him. "You can go in now," his PA said, gesturing towards the door. I nodded and opened the door, entering it. I quietly sat down in front of his table, as he continued to type, but stopped as I sat down.

"Harris, when will you grow up, I have to take over this company when I should be retired." Abbu said. I quietly looked down. "What is wrong with you? It's been a year since you stopped working, I had forcefully come in since you weren't doing anything, and on top of that, I took your anger out on the poor employees." "Ask Amna and her husband to take over." "God sakes Harris, they don't want to, thwy have their own work they are busy in!"

He took a deep breath. "I know what caused you to be like this, but you deserve it for making an innocent person's life miserable." I looked up at him. "You used her to become a CEO and can't even fulfill that role now." I looked down again. All he had just said was true.

I was getting up to leave when he told me to stop, "There is an international business event in a few days, I want you to go as CEO of Ali corporation. This way, the company can stand back up from all your mistakes." I didn't reply and instead just nodded and left the office.

I drove around in circles for the next few hours. I've stopped going home, really. It makes me sick and closed up, I feel like I'm suffocating. I can't go home, not until I'm knocked out of my senses. It had been a routine I was happy with for a while. I checked the time, and it has half six, normally the time our local bar is open. I parked my car in my usual spot, and I would probably remember after I sobered up. Walking in, I ordered drinks and continued drinking until I was knocked out my senses.

My drunk episodes weren't that bad. The first month Alaya had gone, I drank a bit too much than my tolerance and ended up sleeping outside her family's house. I don't know how her family might have reacted, but in the morning, they had called my family, and I was picked up.

- °•○•° -
I think I am on my fifth drink, or sixth, or seventh. I lost count after my third drink. The only thing keeping me awake is the picture on my home screen of my phone I'm holding. I was still looking at it when my phone rang. Did it have to ring now?

It was Atif, we would try to talk once a month, but he's been busy with getting married and issues with his company, I lazily picked it up, "hey harris" I replied, "Uncle told me about the business event, he told me to join you," as he said that, I had sobered up, "babysit" e?" "If you want to take it that way," he said, "where are you right now? Are you atthe bar again?" "Yea and?" I asked after his remark. "Go home Harris. It's not good for you, and your family is worried for you." I internally laughed at his comment, but I didn't say anything to him. "When are we leaving?" I asked, trying to sound sober and changing the topic, "tomorrow morning, should arrive by the evening." "I'll see you then." Saying that, I ended the call and had my last drink before heading home.

I took a taxi home, still too drunk to drive my own car. I opened the door with my keys and slowly walked in, kicking my shoes off by the door. Then, I sluming my jacket on the table nearby. I slowly unbuttoned the first few buttons of my shirt and entered her room. It was I slept every night, the place that made me feel she was still here. This was the thing that kept me from going insane. I looked at the same empty room that I had slept in for a while now. It used to be clean and decorated when she lived here. It made me miss her even more.

I was looking around. When I saw a stack of mats, I would always ignore it. It would always be sitting there, untouched. I felt a spark of energy through me that made me stand up and walk into the bathroom. I washed and cleaned myself, changed into new clothes. Slowly approaching the stack I would always look away from, I picked up a prayer mat.

Laying it down, I started praying, praying the most I could remember when I used to pray as a kid, when I saw Alaya praying. I prayed for a long time. Feeling peaceful and restored, like I had found something after so long. Making dua on the mat, asking for forgiveness, for peace, for health, and for the return of my love.