OBLIVION

3

Chapter 3
And it began...

I don't know how long I stood there staring at the retreating figure of my parents until Amal intertwined our hands and lead me inside.

I knew the Khalid's home like the back of my hand. Their home was like my second home. Though I had stayed here several times previously, this time was different.

It was almost midnight and we set off to sleep. The usually cheerful house was dull and thick with tension.

After a lot of failed attempts, I gave up on sleep and walked out to the terrace. Happy memories flashed by as I stood there looking at the starry night sky. I stood there feeling the chill and the light wind caressing my face. I adjusted the few strands of rebellious hair within my hijab if incase Habib or uncle were to pass by.

With shivering hands, I clutched the paper in my pocket. Looking at the bright and unusually sharp quarter moon amidst the tiny stars surrounding it, I smiled a genuine smile for the first time in a while, after  the recent turnout of events. The dark fascinated me; it frightens me as well as amazes me at the same time. I love the night sky, so peaceful yet so full of mysteries, secrets and splendid beauty. The sky always gave me a feeling of protection. It may sound weird but I feel a sensation of homeliness when I look at it. The same sky and the same moon I look at every night through my window is the same moon you look at some from some other point of the world. It is the same  moon my Rasoolullah(saw)  once looked at too! I chuckle at my weird thoughts and take out the letter that felt heavy in my pocket, though it was just a piece of paper. Yeah, just a piece of paper your mom gave you before leaving. Just a piece which contained those words which may or may not be herlasts to you. Your only memory left of them. Just a piece of paper.

A shiver ran down my spine, maybe because the night has turned even more windy or maybe due to the thoughts that were clouding my mind right now.

I looked once again at the sky as I saw the dark grey clouds enveloping the moon in its embrace. With a deep sigh and a madly hammering heart full of hope, I open the letter to see the words neatly scrawled upon the paper-

"Dear Ziya,
I know it must be terribly difficult for you, I am not the one who should be sharing the news with you,atleast not now. I just wanna say a few things to you Zee. And don't take it as my rambling. There are things which only you can figure out through this.
There is a solution to every problem Zee. No door is ever closed without another opening. There is always an open door, we are just too blind to see it. All you need is to knock. Things might not go the way you want them to. Times might be tough. Stay strong. Believe in yourself. When you face something difficult, look atthings from a different angle, remember what I'd advise you. Remember my likes and dislikes. Trust me, it'll help you one day. And then the most imporatant thing Zee, make your choices wisely. Your choices determine were you go. We all have to choose between what's right and what's wrong. And deep within, we know what's the right thing to do Zee, we are all just too selfish in our own ways to do it. And right now, am going to do what's right.
Don't ever give up on faith. It opens doors you could have never imagined of. You can crack any code if you have faith. Its not just some war Ziya,there's more you need to know, and when the time comes, you'll know where to find the answers. Things won't be the same anymore,Zee. If all of this ends well, If all of us get through this safely and lets pray it does, we shall soon meet. Until then, stay strong, stay safe.

Love
Mom.

I felt a tear trickle down my eyes. I look up at the sky, helpless. It felt like she was speaking to me. The last words of hers were blurred,probably as they mixed with her tears. The letter still had her fragrance. It smelt like her. Like home.
I sat there,on the ground,hugging my knees to my chest, wiping away that single tear. I read it all over again...and again. As much as I'd love to sit there alone and stare at the sky all night long, my eyes felt thick with sleep. I sent a silent prayer to God to keep them safe.