Noah didn't feel victorious in fact he felt stupid, now that he thinks back at what he did few moments earlier, running behind a car and that the car with the board is in front of him and the man who drove, is standing with his hand stretched out to him.

'What-the-heck-am-I-suppose-to-say-to- him?' clouded Noah's brain, dumbfounded with himself still, Noah took Adam's hand weakly.

Adam's face shined and when he caught Noah's vague bewildered look on his face his eyes  twinkled trying to ease away the weirdness . He obviously reversed his car  after seeing Noah breaking into a run giving a glimpse of a sprinter. Adam was wracking his brain to come up with  respectable words before asking him why he had to become an athlete all of a sudden.

"I'm sorry- I mistook your car for someone else's."muttered Noah avoiding eye contact with him.

"It's okay, brother."said Adam patting Noah' shoulder, taking the note from his speech that he probably doesn't want to reveal the reason yet.

Advancing back to his car, Adam checked into his watch and settled down by pulling back the door after him, without thinking he gave a last look at Noah from side-view mirror who seem to draw nearer, on reaching his side Adam lowered the window shield.

"By any chance, were you present on Tay road bridge yesterday?"muttered Noah, creases forming on his forehead.

"We can catch up on that during the ride, would you mind if I drop you?"said Adam brightly and more clearly giving a head flick, signaling Noah to take the empty passenger seat next to him. Strangely Noah's legs seem to work automatically, since they were now carrying his weight and made him leading into the car. After making himself comfortable Noah went to fasten his seat belt, halfway down while buckling he realized how come his state of mind changed so drastically, yesterday he was about to jump off the bridge and today he's ensuring the safety measures.

"So Noah, yes I was indeed there."continued Adam while the car started with a bump,changing the gear and releasing the clutch, the car caught it's momentum.

"But you lost control over the car, it appeared to skid recklessly."said Noah inspite of asking how he knows his name,feeling more and more awkward with each passing minute, he let that mere issue of his name disclosure drift away.

"Right, but I'm alive-"snorted Adam "With the Grace of God indeed."he added with the touch of Thankfulness in his voice.

Noah somehow couldn't refrain from wincing on the word God, he never really followed any religion or thought he needed any one to live, coming from an agnostic family, throughout his childhood he was taught that it's impossible for human beings to dig deep to uncover how this whole universe came to existence and whether or not any divine deity exists.

"Don't worry, um, I drive safely- follow all the traffic rules.."said Adam perplexingly, while a car passed his own in full speed with loud volume blasting from it. Noah felt, maybe Adam mistook his wincing as a form of fear to ride with him, considering that Adam spotted him when he automatically went to secure his seat belt rather leisurely getting completely absorbed on the irony of his condition.

Noah wanted to clear the matter for him but Adam neutralizing the atmosphere which has builded between them continued with his talk.

"Well, I lost control on steering wheel when I saw you up standing on that railing."said Adam breaking the silence, struggling with the words, as he didn't want to push Noah off guard, since he was aware of Noah's intention was not just to have a mere thrill or to experience any kind of adrenaline rush when he was up there, it was definitely to give up on his life.

"Every one came to my rescue when I pulled the brakes, I got down and saw that you weren't standing anymore.."continued Adam though his voice seemed to get strangled as the scene surfaced his memory bringing back the same sensation. "My knees went weak, my throat ..bit dry ... a sudden drop in my chest, bizarre conclusion flooded my brain..."incessantly gulped Adam as he side glanced at Noah. "Witnessing something like near death or worse isn't one will, ever want to experience even in their nighmares." A car honked behind them and Adam found that the speed of his car was rather slower than it should be, checking from rear view mirror he allowed the copper blue sports car to move past them whose path he was blocking.

The words discomfited Noah, he felt buried under a huge mass of guilt, maybe he thought so .. but why should he feel guilty, his inner self argued it's his life whether he wanted or not.. but again Adam wasn't imposing anything on him, he just blurted what he felt at that moment. Noah's unsettling part of his heart spoke again the last time he experienced it before ascending that bridge, that time he brushed it away however today he is willing to listen it's viewpoint.

How can a stranger like Adam cared so much about his life? -inquired his heart
Simply because he has a heart- replied his brain dully.

Noah felt his heart lurched upon that thought, he always believed people are heartless, their hearts hold no humility it's selfish and self consumed.

"Where do you stay?"said Adam profoundly, cutting through Noah's link with his inner self.

"Uh- down the Turnberry avenue.."

"Well I think we're neighbors then.."said Adam with raised eyebrows then quickly straightened his eyes ahead, he saw cars were being lined up . "...anyway on our way, can we pick up my little brother from his school."said Adam which almost sounded like an announcement releasing the accelerator and halting behind a vintage two door, Volkswagen beetle which was covered with multi colored spray paints, the car was thumping up and down. The driver's tattooed arm stretched out dusting the cigarette ash.

Noah studying Adam's strained look on his face glanced at the scene, the primary thought that crossed his mind was Adolescence, he sniffed, that's what these bunch shrug it off calling it as 'just having fun'. While Noah didn't feel anything unusual about this fact, but Adam on the other hand showed to hold a disliking of such acts and believed that this can never be categorised as Fun.

Radiant green light gleaming at the cars, and like a crazy bull race all the cars erupted ahead, in different directions, the VW beetle in front of Adam dashed straight where as Adam's hands flapped circling the steering wheel making a sharp U turn meanwhile the tires screeched without missing a beat. They turned into a narrow lane lined with trees, the ride continued in silence for another fifteen minutes until they reached a bumper before ceasing at the edge of a brightly painted building.

Adam pulled his car inside the huge gate, numerous kids came into view.After securing a vacant place Adam parked the car and quickly checking his watch again rushed out bidding a word with Noah.

Noah also moved out seeing vibrant faces, a little blonde girl wearing pink shirt with blue skirt.

"Mom, Today Avery got her new color pencils box, she even had sparkling glitters.."the little girl exclaimed pulling her mother's hand who flashed her an encouraging smile. "I want glitters too, Mrs Peterson gave her a big star but I didn't get any star."said that little girl pouting her lips.

Noah looked at the bunch of four boys playfully pushing each other, he strolled around the area, still amused by the surrounding children.

"Thomas claims to be the strongest among us all." A short round boy informed a skinny tall boy who instantly rolled up his sleeves.

"I'll show him who is the strongest, let's go, teddy Ted."said the skinny tall boy. On the right there were two boys seated on the bench, one wearing rather big spectacle covering his freckles,hair neatly combed even during the home going time, the other one was a tad shorter than the assumed nerd, third boy ran towards them, who was also wearing spectacle and hair arranged in the similar manner just like the nerd, Noah guessed they must be brothers.

"Who invented telephone?"asked the newly arrived kid.

"Alexander Graham Bell."shouted both the boys and Noah smiled that he assumed right about them being nerds.The tiny boy exhaled in relief.

"I got that right, Charles babbage-Computer?"the little boy said with raised brows and both the listeners nodded, the little boy clasped his hands in excitement. "Now last one, Wright brothers designed,invented and took the first successful flight. True or False."

"True!"

"Noooo!" The little boy covered his mouth. "I wrote false, I mean how can a human build a huge airplane, that's so massive and we're so tiny in front of it."

"How can you write false, didn't I teach you yesterday?"growled the nerd kid.

"I thought you were joking, Ethan".

"I would never joke about studies!"said Ethan shaking his head in disappointment.

"Billy, come here." The other boy called, something about the boy's sparkling honey brown color eyes hooked Noah's attention. "Listen, just because it appears impossible doesn't mean it can't happen, our minds limit us to believe in the information which we haven't witnessed or which is unseen."

"HADI! I've been looking all around this place."shouted a familiar voice from behind Noah, the boy with brown eyes whose hair almost covered his forehead, flashed his milky white little teeth, who got up with the help of Ethan, Noah noticed that he was limping and the man who called after him appeared.

It was Adam.

"What were you doing?"asked Adam glancing between Hadi, Ethan and Billy.

"I was about to say that every design has a designer, because apparently Billy didn't believe that the Wright Brothers designed the airplane."said Hadi thinning his plump lips.

"Indeed every creation do have a creator."said Adam giving a ruffle to Hadi's chestnut brown hair. "Now say bye to your friends."

"Ethan, if you're free then do come to my place we can watch soccer match together.."

"Sure today your team is going to lose, mark my words."said Ethan grinning at him which revealed his blue colored braces.

"Can I also come over."squealed Billy.

"Do you even know what it is."said Ethan looking down at Billy.

"A bunch of young men running behind a ball."said Billy making everyone around him chuckle including Noah however it was short- lived. A pair of girls were pointing at Noah and muttering, they even maintained a solid distance while going past him, and grinding his teeth, the inner rage of displeasure flooding inside Noah, he wasn't angry on those girls, he was angry with himself to take his monstrous face out in public. Twitching his facial muscles which caused burning and needle like sensations to his scars, quickly walked back to Adam's black SUV trying his best to hide his scar. It has now become a habit of Noah to disable his rage with pain, hurting himself became the means of relief and eventually he is getting addicted to it.

Meanwhile both Adam and Hadi arrived, Adam helped Hadi to climb in at the back seat and dropped his school bag beside him.

"Asalaamualaikum!"said Hadi promptly at Noah,then turned his head at Adam who got settled back at his driver's seat, twisting the key into ignition. "So that's the reason you're late."Hadi continued gesturing at Noah.

"Even you were with you friends, weren't you?"said Adam craning his neck."By the way, Noah meet my little extremely talkative brother Hadi and he's Noah."said Adam slowly moving out of the school gate.

"Well, Hello Hardy!"said Noah which sounded croaky, rough and with a tinch of shyness.

"Oh, that's the reason you didn't reply my greeting..Well, I only meant 'May Peace be upon you' Mr.Noah."vocalized Hadi in much professional tone, realizing that he doesn't share his religion and ignoring the fact that Noah completely misspelled his name, in the end won a hearty laugh from both the men.

"I wish you the same."

"Then repeat after me, Wa-lai-kum Sa-laam."said Hadi excitedly.

"Hadiii-"growled Adam eyeing him through rear view mirror, but in a playful way. "That's not the way it's done."

"It's okay, Adam.. so what was it.."said Noah wearing a struggling twisted expression. "Uh,Wa-lay-cum Salam.. what does it mean?"

"And upon you be peace, it's just equivalent to Good day or hello.."said Adam cutting in between. "And Hadi, you should respect -"

"A Hasanah recorded for me ..Yes!"exclaimed Hadi, punching his closed fist in air victoriously, his voice taking over the words of Adam who slammed his mouth shut and waited until he is done celebrating, from the corner of his eyes Adam saw Noah was coming up with his query.

"Listen Hadi, you can't force someone to do that even if it's a good deed, you should show some respect to other religions too, because that's how you'll receive your quota of respect for your religion."advanced Adam before Noah could open his mouth, taking a sharp left turn leading to a commercialized busy street packed with loads of money making shops, the whole situation seemed as if there is some kind of competition, because before any silence could descend, Noah spoke again.

"What is Haz-Anna."finding real difficulty in his pronunciation with the unusual words Hadi's speaking.

"An Arabic word for good deed."without missing a beat Hadi quickly replied.

Adam suddenly pulled the brakes of the car,which made three of them to jerk forward with a force. The earlier VW Beetle was back which has apparently made a wrong turn but the two boys inside were so engulfed in guffaw of laughter that they failed to even realize the critical and crucial moment like this which is vital for their survival as well as of others, after ticking of few seconds ear-splitting wails of siren made the three heads swing to their right. There came to sight blue and white colored sheriff's car and the cat and mouse chase began, between them and the boys in VW beetle. Adam still didn't ignite the key, muffled voices of their heaving breathe filled the inside of their car. It also made them realize that how rapidly they were chattering.

"Well, that was close." said Hadi to which Adam agreed producing a nasal sound. "Today at school we were asked to give a simile for Life, like to compare it with something ."

"So what did you write then, it's a pretty difficult one to answer."encouraged Adam and sensing that Noah also seemed too interested in knowing the answer as he shifted in his seat tilting his head into the gap since Hadi was muttering to Adam inching his position towards him.

"Victor gained the strongest approval by loudest applauds, for him Life is a game or sport where we entertain ourselves and eventually leave after going through different stages of life."

Noah felt he somehow connected to Victor' idea of Life.

"I would be more interested in knowing what my little genius had in mind."

"Please don't laugh."said Hadi awkwardly though he wasn't looking at Noah,but those words were definitely pointed at him. "I started ..er."Hadi clenched his teeth and was finding it difficult to spat his opinion out.

"Hardy, you're a good speaker and I'm not just saying this to make you happy, back at the school you were great explaining that little boy, Billy."assured Noah rubbing his earlobes, he was amazed by himself feeling extremely cumbersome, is he really trying to comfort someone. Nevertheless he earned Hadi's brightest lip tighted smile which eased away knotty tangled emotions. Adam snorted sensing exactly what was happening between them.

"You must have gained more applauds."said Noah feeling much relaxed.

"NO, I didn't."Hadi shrieked "Everyone were dead silent."he pressed his lips into a pout. "Anyways, I started with saying that Life for me is a battle ground and we all are warriors, fighting our ways through the obstacles laid down in this world. We are instructed not to spread mischief on this earth by Our Guide,The Owner of all that exists,He has even set certain rules and regulations to which we have to abide if we are willing to tackle the evil."

The words appeared to drew breathe as if they were emerging from a state of total inactivity and was heading to engulf Noah's mind completely, blinding him from the visual reality and playing the scenes of Hadi's speech. Noah no longer felt he was sitting in a car, he was hearing voices in his head, more like a dreadful chaos where people are afraid of an inevitable war.

"We know it's about time to fight, but without swords, spades or arrows we can easily be defeated many of us can think but to fight with this enemy which resides within us, which feeds on envy, jealousy and hatred, so our weapons cannot be swords rather we need to make Honesty, Loyalty, Love and Peace-making as our valuable weapons."said Hadi gripping Noah's mind even more into the story. Adam on the other hand smiled listening to his brother who speaking so eloquently.

"They will come a time when we all might turn to mere dust, vanished from the face of the earth. This made me wonder that I believed life was a period of test and death is a part of life which signifies the alloted time,  up to which we were asked to strive."

Noah got a glimpse of an examination hall,he pictured the whole scenario to be like that of an Examination, he saw himself struggling with the test and out of nowhere the loud bell rang which almost seemed like the death of his limited time to complete the exam, he heard the shuffling of sheets and was aware that now his almost blank sheet would be snatched out. Based on his performance he'll be judged. If this life is a test and after struggling between good and bad throughout your life what you get in the end?

Noah thought.

Death?!

Isn't the concept of Life which Hadi was portraying meaningless, without any result, why would anybody strive so much when there's no prize for it. These thoughts have clogged Noah's mind which even blocked Hadi's voice for sometime, he was sure he found a loophole but something brought back his sense of hearing again.

".....with the rain shower we'll grow  just like the trees. This time we're not warriors. We'll be brought to life again!"

Hadi showed the signs of some sand artist, atleast that's what Noah felt, because his words were rendering the impression of sand being modelled into images like a barren land with huddling crowds anxious of their actions.

"This next life is total opposite of our previous one, here we'll be held accountable for our actions, that would be a result day for us. Sorted into either blazing fire of Hell or exquisite gardens of Paradise."Hadi said and waited for their response.

The loophole about the Resurrection day, that is, the life after death, in the eyes of Noah was stocked with the touch of fantasy. But he wondered why it trembled his heart.

"STOP! LIBRARY!."shouted Hadi jabbing his feet when Adam failed to follow his command.

"Hey, calm down boy."said Adam inwardly groaning at his slip of mind, he promised that he would take Hadi to a library. A tall building came into view on his left with glass door displaying a rough picture of it's inside. He was totally embarrassed of his situation especially in front of a newly acquainted fellow,Noah.

"I think we should enter into this library now that you have stopped the car."snorted Noah while Adam posed him a pained smile.

Hadi moved out of his car making loud thuds and said something under his breath making sure they hear it. "Silence, that's what I get on my story."

The heads of some girls bobbed as the door whizzed open and two tall handsome men made their way across the counter behind which sat a plump short blonde lady in her 50s probably. The library had long narrow brown carpeted lanes with huge shelves stacked with books Adam got the familiar smell of the books lingering inside the library, but after passing the counter he got the hint of murmuring girls. Noah spotted Hadi dashed with difficulty into Fantasy section, then threw a momentary look at the bunch of  four girls giggling who were later hushed by a stern lady in suit sitting at round polished table with the sitting arrangement of four. Noah noticing Adam's odd behaviour, is he ashamed to walk with him because of the scar.
Meanwhile Hadi walked haltingly towards them and catching his breath opened his mouth.

"I couldn't find the book, whose  chapter printouts you're giving me."

"Oh, you won't find that book here."Adam said sympathetically with a worried look on his face. A cry of ringtone which received complaining howls from people around.

"That's from your sister."Adam said quickly after taking it out from his pocket but Hadi snatched it from his hands and walked towards the door, muttering "I'll complain it to her".

"What book is he asking for?"asked Noah out of pure curiosity, he believed the silence after listening to Hadi's story was because they were speechless and couldn't bring themselves to react.

"Er..."Adam struggled scratching his forehead."There's no such book"he muttered." Most kids grow up believing in fantasy, I was one of them..."he said while looking at the Fantasy section on his right, which was filled with different ages of people.

"I was disappointed to know that things like talking animals, flying horses, invisibility cloaks doesn't exist." said Adam while facing Noah. "Me and my sister got this idea that while Hadi's mind is deeply woven in fantasy with unrealistic elements, why not we extract the passages of origin of life or the events occurred in Prophets life from our religious Holy Book, so that when later he asks me, is this for Real, I could at least say yes to him."

A boy carrying his oversized back pack showed up at the counter holding three heavy books. The lady wearing leafy green colored shirt got up, peeking through her spectacle resting on the bridge of her nose.

"Well, I guess then I should keep moving."said Noah nodding.

"Oh mate, I'm sorry for the inconvenience.."grimaced Adam feeling extremely abashed. Noah clearing his throat, thinking hard how to flick away this awkwardness. Nevertheless this was definitely not the customary protocol of males interactive nature. They are usually unsparingly outspoken and straightforward but following the etiquette of speech was a bit too much to handle.

"It's all right, I can just walk from here, and it wasn't your fault after all." Noah managed to say and walked away but someone grasped his hand.

He looked around to find Hadi watching him with his twinkling eyes.

"It was nice meeting you."said Hadi innocently which made Noah smile back at him."By the way does that hurt?"he continued eyeing the scar which took Noah aback.

"Hurt? Who got hurt? Hadi are you listening to me."a shrilled voice of a female came from the cell phone Hadi was holding, he quickly dropped Noah's hand.

"Oops, she's still on line."mumbled Hadi while placing the phone back at his ear and taking the moment of distraction Noah, slipped out of the door.

He walked along the side walk lining square country houses, fenced with neat lawns. When he reached A-framed small cabin-like house, climbed few short steps and unlocked the door with glass panes.

Architecturally it was concisely built, hardwood flooring, straight on his two foot distance, a pair of staircase led to small storey close to gable roof, under this triangular sloping roofs was his double bed and it's side table with a lamp standing on it. It was compact and no other things can be inserted in it. A book shelve lined below the stairs,there was a time when he loved reading biographies of successful personalities but now it just depresses him. Single blue sofa and at the end opposite to the entrance door was modern day open kitchen counter.

Noah walked straight to the bathroom beside the shelve, on passing the tiny mirror hung he stopped in his tracks. He stared at his reflection which he hated seeing the most because of the scar, whole house was devoid of mirrors except this tiny one. He wished to meet the person who actually designed the idea of mirrors, but then he was gazing beyond the mere reflection, Every design has a designer echoed in his ears. He looked into his eyes, thinking about how intricately he was molded, the numerous veins running beneath, organs, tissues, cells, dna and genes.If that concept of every creation has a creator is held true then they must be someone who beautifully fashioned human beings.

Was his belief of no divine deity came shattering upon him?

**

Author's note

This chapter consists of sudden realization blows for Noah, which I feel he needed it as soon as possible.

Share you views about the pace of this storyline.

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Happy reading!