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16. Ashore

No matter how much of a workaholic you're, the summons of another day at work ending is always going to sound like music to the ears. Same was true for Bisma Kirmani. She'd just wrapped the paperwork for an important deal and that felt like climbing a mountain. Well, when you're a woman running an empire all by yourself that too in mainstream male dominant business market everyday feels like climbing a mountain but she was used to it now. It had been years she was doing this and acing at it as well. She was often told she was made for this only and she accepted that compliment with a smile. Her brother would've been so proud of how far she'd come with this company. She was sure of it.

The long day had finally reached it's culminating point and so far nothing out of ordinary had come out of it.

Except for a call.

She checked her phone and surely, Atif's name was there in her call log, the call she hadn't received no matter how much she tried telling herself it was okay. He used to call her every now and then anyway. Though their talks were always related to some mutual acquaintance, their kids who were best of best friends, or just some random suggestions about minute things. The effort had always been made on Atif's part. Bisma had just never declined his calls.

Except for today.

She didn't know how to name it but there was this feeling inside of her which was telling her to be cautious. It was raising its head since the time she'd opened up to Safwa about her and Atif's past. So her not answering Atif's call today was also due to the same feeling.

But for how long?

She was in the process of grabbing her things and get out of her cabin when she was informed of the arrival she wasn't expecting, not today for that matter.

She had sat down in her chair again. Her hands were fumbling with the file in front of her. Her in control demeanor had crumbled just a bit but she got over it instantly. And soon there was a knock at her cabin door.

"Come in."

She called and looked straight ahead. Atif had entered inside with a smile on his face, the same which was a part of his personality. No one could say he was a famous lawyer fighting high profile cases of his high profile clients. His easygoing persona never gave it off.

"You were about to leave weren't you?"

He asked after the preliminary greetings.

"Yes, but it's no problem. So, what brought you here?"

"Your ignoring my calls."

Straight on the head. Hesham had really inherited his upfront nature from his father.

Bisma's gaze also didn't falter. She sighed and leaned into her chair.

"You know why I did that."

"You also know why I'm here then."

"You're not about to make it awkward!"

"I don't plan on doing it. I just wanted to talk."

Bisma nodded giving him the cue to continue.

"I guess we have some unfinished business to take care of."

"No, we don't."

"Bisma..."

"No, really, Atif! We don't have any unfinished business. No matter how much both of us try to make ourselves believe otherwise."

"We never talked it out."

"We didn't have to. Look, I sometimes made it look like I was expecting more from you and wanted you to take sides that time. I know I implied it knowingly or unknowingly. But whenever things go wrong we need someone to blame. I also did the same. Blaming you for not standing up for me. But that was in the past. Now, when I think of it, I would've felt worse if you'd stood by me that time because my answer still won't change. I had made a choice, Atif and I firmly stand by it even now. I don't blame you anymore for anything. It was on me. All on me. So if you're here because of some pent up regret, just don't. You weren't the one to make the last call. I was. And I did."

Atif was expecting this. She was honest here as she'd always been with her dealings.

"I won't deny that for a long time I did feel bad for not being able to sort things out that time. I still do. But I'm here not just because of that regret. There's something else as well. I miss us."

Bisma's eyes widened for a millisecond and then they narrowed.

"Excuse me?"

"We were good friends before everything went downhill for us. You, Issa and I. We were inseparable, remember? Sharing everything with each other. Being the support the other needed. I first lost you because after parting ways you never looked back and then I lost Issa as well. By the rule we should've still been those friends, Bisma but we aren't. We got lost somewhere and I feel that very much. Lately, more so than ever."

"Our story has had its deserving ending, Atif."

"And our friendship? We were always more than just two people who were in love. We had so much more, Bisma and I feel right now we need each other as friends more than ever. Our struggles in life are same. We've lost people close to us. We both have kids entering into the bigger world out there and they happen to be great friends just like we once were and we both are always surrounded by people due to our work commitments but in reality we're so lonely. You don't understand it but we need each other as friends more than we ever did. "

Bisma opened her mouth to contradict him in any capacity she could but the truth was, she just couldn't. He was right as always. She might've never showed it but she often felt lonely even though she didn't want to. He had his life panned out for him almost she had hers for her and that was the indication enough but she was obviously ignoring it.

"I know there's a lot of baggage and things we aren't yet ready to sort out but think about it. You and I both need each other like we always did. Somewhere the Atif and Bisma from back in time aren't as different from Atif and Bisma of today. "

Just not in love because love faded away somewhere in the dust of life. Bisma wanted to point out but didn't. Atif had gotten up from his seat.

"I hope you'll think about it. Take care of yourself."

"Bye."

"Bye, Bisma."

Her eyes followed him till he was out of the door. She had known this man since she was just a kid. He was her introduction to friendship, companionship, and love. It wasn't easy leaving him behind when it came to choosing between her self and losing the sense of who she was by becoming someone else to please people associated to him. She had no regrets on how their story ended but she'd always regret how it was never about just losing a love. It was losing a friendship which had stood the tests of times. It was losing someone she trusted with her life. Because they hadn't been the same after the fallout. They couldn't remain friends or the friends they once were. They were civil to each other. Still gave each other the needed advice whenever it was needed. If Bisma didn't trust him she would never approve of Hesham for Safwa. But still things had changed a lot. And Bisma was realizing it with its full force.

She had put a full stop thinking that was it.

But she was now realizing that was just a mere comma.

So foolish of her to end a story which wanted to write its own ending and when stories want to write themselves no one can stop them.

______

Nusrat Aapa stood close to the counter and saw Safwa moving around excitedly making coffee. It was such a simple task, one Safwa had done so many times without even paying attention but right now seeing her making an effort put a smile on Nusrat Aapa's face.

"Slow down."

"I can't! He's always on short notice. Last time also he left without having anything."

In no time she had poured the coffee into the mug and dashed out of the kitchen. Izaan was still standing close to the glass window looking at nothing in particular.

"Here."

Safwa extended the mug towards him which he took with a nod. They stood there in complete silence. Izaan had taken just one sip when his expressions told Safwa something was wrong.

"What?"

He shook his head smiling lightly.

"Nothing. It's good."

"Yeah now tell me what's wrong with it."

He scratched the back of his neck and then looked away sheepishly.

"It's sweet."

It hit Safwa suddenly. He had asked for sugarless coffee and she had added sugar. Way to go Safwa.

"I'm so sorry! I made it like I usually do for myself! Gimme a second I'll just make a new one!"

She was about to dash towards the kitchen again when Izaan extended his arm and held hers gently. It was just an attempt to stop her and she did, immediately.

"It's not bad."

"But you asked for sugarless."

"So? Doesn't mean I can't drink this one."

With that he had started taking small sips ending the topic there. Safwa was looking at him remorsefully. She had messed up, well it wasn't quite a mess up but it felt the same way to her.

"I hope you aren't still thinking about whatever happened awhile back."

Izaan's voice had brought her back from her thoughts. She knew what he was talking about.

"It wasn't your fault, Safwa. I don't like that I have to assure you about this because honestly this shouldn't even cross your mind but it has and only thing I can say is, neither we can decide our fate nor can we stop someone from making their choices. Your parents' death was the fate you or anyone else had no say on and your Phupho deciding to spend her life looking after the business and raising you was her choice. You could do nothing so now blaming yourself is just going to bring pain. Don't do that to yourself. You don't deserve it."

She was staring at him without saying anything. His focused gaze on her while stating his point, the changing expressions and at last his soft expression directed towards her. Safwa didn't know how to respond to this. She had always heard he was good at getting his views across and she had seen him doing so but right now it was something more than that. Something deeper and meaningful. Something which was etched on a more personal level. He wasn't just showing his thoughts, he wanted her believe his words so that she wouldn't feel what she was feeling. And that moment she promised herself that she wouldn't.

"I know. And trust me I will no longer think on these lines."

He was satisfied because that was the answer he wanted from her.

"By the way, thank you so much for coming. I never knew you'd be here just after a text."

He also didn't think he'd be but here he was.

"It's no biggie. That's what friends are there for anyway. Moreover, I don't like making someone wait."

She raised an eyebrow and then smiled. Something about his statement had her thinking on the opposite lines.

"What?"

"I don't know but I feel that in this lifetime somewhere, somehow you will make me wait, Izaan Shoaib. And to tell you, there's nothing I hate more than waiting."

It was his turn to raise an eyebrow.

"So you're saying that you think I'll make you wait and you'll hate it."

"Of course I'll hate it but I will wait for you nonetheless."

Izaan laughed lightly. It was just a light discussion but both were unaware how profound this simple conversation was going to be.

"It's getting quite late. I should get going."

He glanced at his wrist watch and then at Safwa. She nodded and took a step back.

"I hope the coffee didn't kill your taste buds."

"Nah! Far from it."

They had started walking towards the main door crossing the living area. Safwa hadn't asked him to stay a bit more. She was happy that he came and stayed for as long as he did. Asking for more didn't even cross her mind. She was happy with whatever she had at the moment. Because every moment spent with Izaan Shoaib was precious in its own way.

They stopped in the porch of Kirmani House.

"Thanks once again for coming, Izaan. It helped me a lot."

"Stop thanking me, Safwa or I might start acting all pricey."

"As if you can!"

He shrugged his shoulders in a 'you never know' manner and before Safwa could retort to a car entered the premises. Safwa looked in its way and a big smile reached her lips.

"Phupho's back!"

She exclaimed and sure enough, Bisma Kirmani came out of it holding her folder and purse. She was going inside in her usual way but stopped seeing them standing to the side.

"Ah finally! I've wanted to make these introductions for so long!"

Bisma was smiling but a curious expression was there on her face. It was the first time she was meeting Izaan face to face and same was true for Izaan as well. He had known Safwa for two years now since the time she and Hesham had started seeing each other but it was true he had started knowing Safwa on a more personal level just recently and that was the reason that even after being Safwa's close friend he was meeting her Phupho just now.

"Phupho, this is Izaan and and Izaan this is my Phupho."

Izaan nodded in Bisma's way in a polite greeting.

"Nice to meet you, Izaan. I've heard quite a lot about you from this one,"

She pointed towards Safwa who just narrowed her eyes in return. Izaan didn't know Safwa talked about him this much but it wasn't the time to make her uncomfortable about it.

"She talks about you a lot as well and very fondly, might I add. It's good to meet you too, Ma'am."

"Oh, please. Call me Bisma auntie just like all her friends do. I guess you are leaving?"

She had seen his bike at some distance from where they were standing.

"Yes, I'm just going."

"Visit more often. Safwa loved it when her friends are here. You are always welcome. "

"Thank you, Bisma Auntie. I should really go now or my Amma will scold me."

"Yeah sure. It was nice meeting you, Izaan."

"It was nice meeting you too. Bye."

He looked to her side where Safwa was standing.

"Bye, Safwa."

"Bye, Izaan."

In just few seconds he was on his bike and then out of the gate already. Bisma moved her eyes from him and back to her niece. Something in the way Safwa was looking at the space Izaan had just left was giving Bisma the signs. She wasn't that good at reading those but Safwa wasn't being discreet anyway. Bisma could tell there was more to whatever she had just witnessed.

"Safwa?"

"Hun?"

She seemed to back from deep thoughts.

"Shall we go inside?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure, Phupho. Let's go inside. It's cold here anyway."

She followed Bisma inside but she had no heart to leave the place just yet. But that was just a foolish wish of her foolish heart and listening to it right now wasn't going to end well anyway.

Half an hour later, Izaan Shoaib collapsed on the sofa in the TV lounge of his house with similar wishing of his heart and him suppressing those because it was all so foolish. But that didn't stop a smile to form on his lips. That's how Memoona had found him.

"Izzu! You're back!"

He nodded and rested his head on the sofa.

"You look so tired. Just go get freshen I'll arrange some snacks with tea for you. It's not the time for dinner yet and your Baba isn't home as well."

"I'm not hungry, Amma."

"You ate from outside?"

"Not really. I just had coffee."

"Coffee isn't enough. Have some snacks at least."

"Not now. I feel full."

"Was that coffee that good?"

He remembered the taste of it. It was a regular mug of coffee with nothing extraordinary added. It wasn't even his usual preference still he could taste it.

"It was sweet."

Memoona's eyes narrowed.

"Ma Sadqay, Izzu! If I make you coffee with added sugar you'll cause a racket with your whining and look at you now after drinking sweet coffee from somewhere else. How happy you look!"

"That's not true!"

"Then should I start adding sugar in coffee as well?"

Izaan immediately shook his head.

"No!"

Memoona couldn't stop her chuckle at this. He was such a kid sometimes. And these days her kid was looking happy and relaxed. Just like she always preferred him to be. She patted his head in her motherly manner and went to the kitchen.

Izaan again dropped himself on the sofa. Sugar in coffee was still weird to him but this idea wasn't looking as weird if the coffee was made by Safwa Kirmani.

_______

The atmosphere of IST was examically charged to put it mildly with the schedule hitting them in less than two days. Another semester was flying away leaving memories. It was hard to believe just one more year of them here and they'd be off to make a place in the real world outside these bricked walls and narrow hallways.

Sarim turned another corner and came in front of the door of the auditorium. They had most of their lectures free today and only a two hour long practical was remaining but there was time for that, almost two hours. Most of the students were off to cafeteria. Sarim wanted to do the same but his friends were not cooperating. Safwa had an assignment to discuss with her class mates and Hesham was also busy in his end of the semester project. This left only Elaf and according to the sources (Marva and Rabea) she was in the auditorium trying her best to study.

Sarim opened the door and peeked inside. He smiled finally finding her there sitting on the edge of the stage with her notes opened in front of her.

"This isn't the right setting for this place."

Sarim had taken his place next to her. She didn't even glance in his way. Just shook her head as if he was interrupting something important.

"Go away, Sarim. I need to study."

"I'm here to help."

She snorted in return.

"Don't be like this. I'm getting so bored."

"Cons of being the topper who has everything already memorized while others are just getting started."

"I didn't stop anyone!"

"You sure are stopping me now."

She was pissed and it was the cutest thing ever.

"I can always help you."

"I'm doing fine."

"You're ignoring me."

"You're distracting me."

"You're just bitter you are here but not for performing but cramming notes."

He pointed around. Elaf sighed. He was partially right. It had been long they had a play here. Professor Kaleem was busy in some other things so he had no time to give the dramatics club and so all the plays were on hold for sometime. Now with exams right in front of them, it was possible only during the semester break or with the new session.

But if she was being honest to herself her mood was on the down side since that conversation regarding her future with Daud. It had unsettled her and consequently she was working harder to ace these exams.

This morning when she had come to the campus, her mood had dampened some more after coming to know their last Lab was scheduled so late and they had all the lectures before that free. It was the perfect time to get done with the notes she had started the night before. She just had to find a silent space and she knew nothing could be better than the auditorium right now. The place was like her sanctuary anyway. She loved the whole feel of it so she made her way straight to there.

"I have an idea."

Sarim said again after the silence of just few seconds. Elaf gave him the dirtiest look she could manage. Why was he such an energizer bunny this morning? Maybe being updated with the whole syllabus already gives you this edge? Who knew? It was a topper's thing she supposed.

"You stay here. In fact stand up and strike a pose."

"What the hell are you on about!"

"Come on! I think it will cheer you up. You look like you ate stale cereal for breakfast."

Elaf tried her best but she couldn't stop the smile that made its way to her face. Sarim had gone towards the switch board behind the stage and soon the only light Elaf had on was turned off.

"Sarim Haider, you're just an idiot!"

"You are just saying it for the matter. You know I'm not one. Now get ready."

She stood there with her arms crossed on her chest. Soon the button was pressed and the only light was on her. The spotlight.

What had started as just a playful thing shifted within seconds for Elaf Daud. She had stood there under that spotlight for countless times but this time around it felt like defining some thing for her. Sarim Haider was doing it just to cheer her up. To give her the feel of what this stage actually meant to her but in doing so he had made something very clear to her.

No matter whatever she do and wherever she goes, this was always going to be that sanctuary for her where she'd feel like herself. This was who she was and what she loved doing and no matter what no one could snatch it from her. The haze that was there for days slowly lifted and Elaf felt like she could think clearly once again. She had accepted long back that this part of her life was never getting the main stage anytime soon or ever but this would always be where she'd be the most comfortable and the most accepted because this was her passion and she was always going to keep it in mind.

She looked up and under that glorious light which was marveling the brightest star, she found Sarim Haider sitting in the first row of the seats smiling. He was just there and somehow that made all the difference.

She was feeling like drowning in the world outside. It was scary. It was unnerving and it was not her idea of the world she wanted to surround herself with.

But right now standing on this stage, under the spotlight in her perfect setting and Sarim Haider in front of her she felt this was it.

This was the shore to the sea of her troubled waters. This was where she could rest. Where she could feel like home. Where she could be just her. No pretense and nothing that was a lie. Everything true, crystal clear and so hers.

She was ashore.

"Told you! You were just missing the feel!"

Sarim's voiced echoed in the empty auditorium.

Elaf didn't say anything.

She wasn't missing anything. Especially when she was here. She had everything.

_______

Hejab adjusted the ice-cream bowl in her hand and slowly opened the door. The first thing her eyes landed on was the discarded mess of laundry and it made her scrunch her nose and roll her eyes.

"Can't you at least pile up this mess in a corner? No one's asking you to take care of it. At least do the bare minimum."

The person currently immersed in her book on her bed didn't retort back to this. Hejab sighed and after shifting the clothes to the chair in the corner sat back close to her on the bed.

"You are still not done with this one?"

She asked putting the bowl between them. Suddenly her eyes lit up with mischief.

"I can always tell you what's going to happen next. You won't have to pull all nighters to finish it."

"Don't you dare!"

The warning was clear cut and to send her point more explicitly, she even glared in Hejab's way through her glasses.

"Come on! I'm a good storyteller."

"I said don't you dare spoil this book for me."

The warning was vehement than ever and Hejab understood teasing her beyond this point would mean war. Zonish was passionate about the books in her tbr and didn't like someone even taking their names in front of her. It was no news. The girl hated spoilers.

"I won't but at least eat this ice-cream before it melts. You didn't come down for dinner as well."

Zonish just opened her mouth and Hejab fed her a spoonful. The heavenly taste of her favourite flavor had her finally place the book to the side and properly dig into the bowl.

"You're pretty free these days. Your university is planning on taking your exams anytime soon."

"Just because yours are right on your head doesn't mean you have to spoil other's fun and books for them. And I'm done with the project so that's why workload isn't too much. It's manageable and I'm managing well so far."

"Yeah, rashly driving and finishing books after books. I can see how well you are managing."

"Why the hell everyone keeps on bringing my driving into everything?"

"Because, it is totally meme material."

"Shut up or you want me to flip you the bird as well?"

Hejab was immediately reminded of the incident in the parking area today.

"That was uncalled for to be honest."

"He was calling me a spoilt brat if you didn't notice."

"So? Aren't you one? I do remember Baba getting you out of a though situation where you not only ended up ramming your car in the sidewalk but also had an argument with a traffic warden as well."

"You are a lawyer in making! You aren't supposed to be this truthful!"

"You are a journalist in making you aren't supposed to be this clumsy and prone to getting into arguments."

"Can't help it."

She shrugged her shoulders and turned back to her book. Hejab leaned into the cushion and kept on looking at her sister. Zonish Alvi. The dynamite introvert. One who wouldn't bother you and would keep to herself mostly but once you've grabbed her attention for all the wrong reasons, you're in for a ride. Hesham came under the same heat today. It was uncalled for in Hejab's opinion but Zonish didn't share her sentiments.

"Are you free this Sunday?"

"Are you finally paying me back for the lunch I paid for from my pocket money?"

"It was your birthday lunch, Zonish!"

"Means no. Sorry I'm not free then."

"You just told me you're done with your project."

"So? I'm not available unless I feel I'm available."

"You have to be home on Sunday."

"You can stop me?"

"I can try."

"Why?"

Hejab shrugged her shoulders awkwardly.

"Auntie told me to ask you to stay home on Sunday. Her family is coming over to meet us all."

Zonish didn't react. She just kept on looking at Hejab as if wanting her to elaborate more on this.

"Her mother and sister are coming and I think her brother with his family as well."

"Wow, just what I needed."

Finally a reaction. Hejab knew it was just the beginning. Now she'd start grumbling about how she hated unnecessary interactions and when auntie did this. It had always been like this.

"Why her family is so eager to meet her step kids anyway. Which family does that? They should come, meet their daughter, her husband and her son. What's the point of pulling us into this!"

Hejab wasn't hurt by this outburst. It was a norm. Years back when their widowed father had remarried, Zonish was the one who had the most objections to it and that hadn't still changed.

Saima Alvi wasn't a perfect clichéd step mother nor was she a stereotype breaking one. She was just a normal human who had a normal amount of affection for the two girls her husband's first wife had left behind before she died. She had a cordial relationship with Hejab which sometimes was on lines of friendship. Hejab had kept her hopes low since day one and that was the reason she fit into this relation with Saima sooner than expected. But Zonish on the other hand. Well she had no expectation at all. She also had a no entry sign written on her face and Saima was more than ready to never even try. Both were just on talking terms with each other and that had never changed. After Saima gave birth to Taimoor, she got busier than she already was.

But same wasn't true for Saima's family. Her mother and sister loved both Hejab and Zonish like they loved Taimoor and that was the reason whenever they were around both Zonish and Saima had to work hard to put on the show that they were getting along fine and weren't strangers in their own house and in all this the most work was on Hejab, just like right now.

"Okay. I'll be home but don't expect too much from me. I might never come downstairs. You know human interaction pisses me off."

Hejab just rolled her eyes. She hated how her softie of a sister acted so hardcore sometimes. She was just a bean who was trying to be the beast. Ha. Cute. And a bit pathetic.

______

Checking all the windows and doors was Nusrat Aapa's responsibility plus habit before going to bed and it had been going on for years. She was walking with her Tasbeeh in her hands and reciting her night Duas all the while checking everything for the last time before going to her room.

She was satisfied and was walking towards the stairs when the door behind the pillar caught her attention.

The small study room.

It was in use when Issa was alive as Firdaus hated it when he brought his office work to their bedroom but after his death the study hadn't been opened in years. Bisma had formed a corner of her room into her work space because she found it comfortable this way. So, right now at this hour seeing the light of the study on had made Nusrat Aapa change her track and walk towards it.

When she opened the door, her eyes found Bisma standing close to the book shelf. Her shawl was covering her well. The cold winter night was pleasant but seeing Bisma's lost state Nusrat Aapa could tell the weather inside her wasn't like the outside.

"Bisma?"

"Come inside, Aapa. The commotion will wake Safwa up."

Nusrat Aapa closed the door and stood close to Bisma. The book shelf was clean without any trace of dust over it. Nusrat Aapa used to get it cleaned every other day. But still the way the books were placed and everything else, it was an indication that this room hadn't been used by anyone in a long time.

"You don't look good. What's the matter?"

Bisma turned away from the shelf and sat down on the sofa. Nusrat Aapa followed suit.

"I'm okay. I was just thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing special. The friend of Safwa who came today..."

"Izaan?"

"Yes. Him."

"What about him?"

"Nothing. I just felt like him and Safwa are good friends."

"I think they are. Nice lad. So well spoken and he has this calm energy to him. Safwa was having a rough day today but after he came she talked to him and then she was back to being the ray of sunshine that she is."

Bisma nodded absentmindedly. Nusrat Aapa had stopped talking as well.

"This isn't the actual matter which is bothering you, am I right Bisma?"

Bisma looked above at the ceiling and sighed.

"Atif called on me today."

"It's pretty normal isn't it? He often comes to meet you."

"That's what I didn't think. He called me before that but I didn't respond. Somewhere I knew what it was about. But he came to my office and I had to meet him."

"What did he say?"

"He wants to rekindle our friendship. The ease and the vibe we shared back then. Says we need each other more than ever and I should think about it."

None of then talked for sometimes. But as expected Nusrat Aapa was the one to break this silence.

"He's doing the right thing. There's nothing wrong in trying to be friends again. You both started off as that only."

"But I'm scared."

The helplessness in Bisma's voice had Nusrat Aapa almost reach to her and embrace her in a hug. She had seen this person sitting in front of her morphing from a girl into the woman she was today and the path wasn't easy. No matter how much Bisma would show she was tough but even the toughest ones have their bad days and weak moments in which they feel vulnerable.

"You're scared that if you got close to Atif again, you might start regretting the decision you made years back. You don't want that woman in you to be disappointed who had chosen herself back then above everything and everyone."

Bisma bent her head. Nusrat Aapa could still read her like a book and she did this again without mistake.

"Love is complicated, Bisma. It's not as unidirectional as we think of it. But life is more complicated. The ever changing process of it is frightening. What you did all those years back wasn't wrong but what you'll do now, will also not be. It's just about circumstances. What happened in the past, let it be. Circumstances were very different from today."

"But I thought our story got its ending."

"It's not a movie or a book. The endings in life are very different from those. When we're on the last page of a book or watching the last scene of a movie we always wonder what now? Because that's a full stop right there. We don't know what happened to those characters after. But in life, stories keep on going even after those full stops. In different directions, in different circumstances. Sometimes we have to start a new dynamic with someone we thought our story had ended with. In life faces don't change but circumstances do and they have a way of having a new story written with the same faces. Think of your and Atif's story to be one of those. What was isn't important because you two aren't the same Bisma and Atif. Start a fresh. Give life a chance. It might surprise you."

She had seen the thoughtful expression on Bisma's face and that was the indication that the point had gone across. Patting her shoulder, Nusrat Aapa had gotten up to leave, Her work here was done. She had shown Bisma a new face of the situation and now it was upto her what she wanted to choose.

After all it was going to be choice. It had always been her choice.

_________

Maybe it was the relief of having a though exam schedule over with or the fact that the soft warmth of sunlight never felt so soothing, whatever it was Safwa could tell this day was going to be there on the curtain of her memories for a long time because of its serene feeling.

"I never thought I'd feel this light after sending my Dad on a date."

Hesham spoke from behind her.

"It's not a Date."

Elaf corrected him peeling another orange. It was her idea to spent the beautiful noon in the patio roof of Kirmani House and to be honest they weren't disappointed.

"That's what they all say."

Sarim put in not getting up from his comfortable position. Elaf kicked him into the side and when he gave her a duh expression proceeded to put a piece into his mouth. He didn't complain. Feeding him was mostly on Elaf and Hesham. He was too tired to move a muscle. Just topper things after an exhausting exam week.

"But it's not really a date. They've decided to get back on their friendship they had lost over the years. Let's see where it goes."

"It's a wise choice I think. They both need it."

Everyone could agree with Izaan as always. Safwa looked at his relaxed profile and closed her eyes leaning on to Elaf. Bisma and Atif were getting somewhere. No one knew the direction of their relation from there on but they were hoping for the best. A happening semester had just came to an end and Safwa could say whatever had happened was for the best.

The people she felt have each a part of her home in them were there with her and right in that moment, everything was perfect.

"I'm always going to be bitter about the fact that we can't see the shore from here even though this house is in Clifton."

Safwa smiled with her eyes closed.

"That's because we are on the shore, Hesham."

She didn't open her eyes to confirm whether he got what she was trying to say or not.

But the fact remained. Together they were always ashore.

_________

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