"I don't know why you have to go there, I wanted us to spend the vacations together" Ameena exclaimed as her big brown eyes shone brighter than the yellow lights in my room.

"I would love the same but you know this is a family tradition and it is so important to all but I would miss you"
I replied. Another bag I zipped. I looked around and wondered if all these bags would be enough for the stay or am I carrying yet too much. My eyes now recover from the baggage to Ameena.

"Why don't you come along,it would be such an adventure, oh you won't believe it is so wonderful out there--"

"I've heard too much already oh how exotic your vacation home is, I don't care I want my best friend with me!"she circled her arms around my waist and hugged me.

"I want my best friend too,please come with us"
I took her hand and urged her one last time, she looked away.

"I won't be comfortable with all your cousins there. So many strangers at once. Also I'll miss Yusuf"
She explained while still comforting my hand with her nibble fingers.

"Can't stay without Mr.Fiance, huh?
I teased exceedingly smiling.

"Can't live without him anymore" she confessed.

We both stayed in arranging,re-arranging and almost stuffing our bags to a breaking point.

"I hope you wear all of these outfits,it has took us four wrenching hours of life and pain to pack these" Ameena stated as the last bag was supported to it's place.

I laughed at these possibility that even wearing half of these would be an authoritative success.

"How long will it take you to reach there?"
She now asks.

"Two days and one night"
I replied sighing.

Painful.

"Call me if your exotic or rather say deserted of human civilization's empire catches any satellite network"
Ameena uttered in a groan.

"Very few chances as it may have but I won't leave a chance!"
I smiled in a little sadness.

"But Mahnoor Take pictures at least!"
She grumbled.

"Lots of them! I promise"

We both hugged for a moment.

"Please stay for dinner,mum has made berry cake!"
I caught her hand when she headed to leave.

"Oh no no, she already thinks of me as an immoral for wearing no hijaab;I don't want her son to see me naked headed,also she might be accusing my character now that I'm engaged to my boyfriend!"

"Oh don't say that!" I cried.

"Her words not mine"

"Oh I'm sorry,she's just a little old soul with a bitter mouth,I'll talk to her"

"Oh don't be,take care of yourself and please please tell me all the details of your mystery man!"

"Tie your tongue to your mouth for Allah's sake!"

She left the room giggling, wiggling her eyebrows and laughing downstairs. I would for certain miss her, a reckless soul indeed.

The next day,
We all woke up or might say that mum didn't not even get to blink her eyes,through the hustle and bustle I found her finally packing a few last snack dishes.

"Mum! I can't find my niqaab!"
I complained,she marched out and placed it on my bed from the exact same drawer that I had checked a dozen times with no success.

"What did you talk about Ameena?"
I murmured.

"What! What now? This girl must be kept away from you as immoral as she is,shameless wearing all these types of tight clothes and open hair; no wonder you will pick her manners too!" She busted at once.

I shook my head,she is just too judgemental.

"Now will you call your sister and brothers from their room,they're yet sleeping! Oh nonsensical children!" She commanded.

I have often felt the need to correct my mum's view or tell her that she needs be a little kind and humble but I must admit the tiny amount of feeling that I guard that is she is a bit drama queen.
I laughed to my thoughts and slammed my brother's room open. "Tufayl mum's buzzing around, I came here to alarm you if you don't get off your bed in a minute she might explode in your room,thank me later little brother" and with that awakening he stood upright and ran to the bathroom.

I woke up my younger sister Masirah and knocked my elder brother's door,her wife Safa opened the door; smiling as she always is and gentle in her apprehension I was left not to worry about nothing no more.

About an hour later,we were all set to leave. Baba (dad) would join us later this month. I hardly could on time transfer myself in the car satisfied that I've kept everything I needed and hopefully haven't left any item of my use.

With that the cars were set on a long journey,miles and miles away from these soaring scrapers to a beautiful little village in solitude and beauty,our regal mansion 'Firdous'

***

We were about ten kilometers away from our destination,when my phone buzzed. A text message from Ameena says "hoping you've carried precautions"
I deleted it.I warned her not to text me any Ill humour my while away but that is I'm sure the very reason she is doing it. I shouldn't have mentioned him,it isn't even a serious one. A subtle crush and nothing else.

Another buzz. I switched it off immediately.

We parked outside the outstretched gardens. The lilac and rosemary plantations and sweet favor of the cold breeze. Enchanting as it has been all these years.
How mesmerizing....

We all stepped out and the children ran free on all sides. A smile flourished on our lips. I walked towards the fountain,the restorer of my cherished memoirs. I was overwhelmed by this feeling of being back home,being back at Firdous.

The Mansion,as it was six long years back stands mighty and appealing. The strong pillars calls us endearingly back. Mum announced us to head inside and we walked our way to these wide steps on which our childhood have been spent playing various fun filled games.

The crimson lights befall on us,the sign we are inside the giant hall,the crème and gold furnishing,the large exquisite carpets and invaluable handicrafts and vases all revealed over our sights. It must have been a long session of cleaning before hand by the sweet maids of the house.

My uncle and his families are here since a week ago, my grandma comes first with them to set the house in all it's natural fashion and flavor. My aunt as informed has just arrived. We all greet Granna and each other, on some faces we without a moment of recollection showered love then on some it took a time of reflection to recognize. Everybody looked great,better than ever and the babies have grown into beautiful young people.

Perhaps I'm getting old, we have been going on and on since. Even on the wide dinner table when the food was devoured,our hunger couldn't stop us from admiring and talking about all those years missed. I was almost by every person received a little attention for missing the last two trips.

My uncle is the eldest, then my mum, my younger uncle and finally my aunt. My inclinations are that my granna's eldest son's family have acquired all the beauty and charm. I've adored their poise,their grace and their enviable charm.

My Eldest Uncle Umar has two sons and three daughters,all married. Of them only his eldest son; Brother Ubaid,his wife Dania and his sweet little darlings and sister Aafiah was attending.

My aunt Umera has brought,my loveliest cousin Mehreen, Marwa her younger daughter and their elder brothers Aabid and the youngest Aabish.

We all halted in the hall till evening. Mum was helping the maids set our respective rooms and deciding whether we were safe to be allotted a room on the top floor or we will be laughing nuisance all night,we have been so to my mother's fright.

We sat to Grandma's interest,her fascinating stories of our tender age and our embarrassing fouls.
Soon everybody moved to the garden in the greens to adore the subliming nature. My youngest Uncle was yet to come, I helped with little chores and when the tea in the garden was served and the little children were placed in their bedrooms asleep; I escaped. I stood on the balcony with a war in my head.

I don't care,I repeated. But I did,I earnestly did.
I was anxiously waiting for my Uncle to arrive in his mega van and park in the Garden and for I to look at what I nervously wait for.

Mehreen looked over me but she didn't call,for a moment to fool I pretended to be helping the maids to clean the forth part of the balcony but I couldn't help for I was absent in my pysche,my mental being was tied to the Gate.

Though in fainted sounds but I heard that Uncle would be here any moment. I exclusively breathed. How ? Why !
I knew nothing. I kept blinking too much,breathed in short patterns and kept biting my lips.

I pretended to look away not attending my senses but still being all conscious of the movements of the Entrance.

I grizzling sound echoed and the lights went off,oh boy. The life has started. It isn't anything new here,this happens at all hours of the day and need constant fix. I awaited in the balcony as I could not go downstairs with no light. By that time all maids had left me in isolation and I waited somebody to bring me a lantern or a candle.

I heard cars park when I was in the passage awaiting for help. But I returned in soft steps back at the balcony to see him step down.

I don't know why but I was in vain,my steps were frozen and I was lacking the courage. I stood still for a few moments. I gathered myself up,this cannot be so! I have no reason to act so sheepishly. I should move and call out for help.

When I preoccupied my place back at the balcony,there was no headlights to help my sight but faint lights of small candles shining a few familiar faces.

I called out my mum who said she has sent Aabish with his phone torch to rescue me. I was calm now. I waited. Moments turned to long minutes and now little sounds of the bird haunted me. I need someone. I marched towards the passage. My mind started horrifying me with tormenting thoughts of lizard falling over my face. Who needs a ghost when your own mind play scare tactics on you.

I heard footsteps marching towards me,I grew a bit alarmed.
"Hello,who's there?" I called out.

The sounds were getting more louder. My frowns grew deeper.
I hesitated that it was someone human.
A small spark of light decorated the passage again. I Sighed and lifted my sight elevating from the two feets to the man standing.

"........SubhanAllah" he sighed.

.................

I froze shy. I tucked my loose strand of hair behind ears and lacked air to breathe. My lashes hid my eyes and I presently stood like a pale statue.

He cleared his throat and my breath reaffirmed after a long length.

"I.....Mahnoor? Ugh...Aabish fears the dark..darkness so I... Follow me downstairs if you--"

The crimson lights bursted in again interrupting his speech. Good timing.
I made a way for myself and escaped. Near the staircase before I stepped he questioned "why didn't come last summer?"

I had no air in my lungs nor courage in my exceedingly speedy heart to answer him,I continued my slow walk with icy legs to the garden. Blushing all shades of pink and peach I could feel my blood rush to my cheeks. I was hot yet cold. Confirming that I was anything but the most surely nervous I hid myself behind the elderly gathering; from where I couldn't be noticed nor be questioned.