Don't quit! Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion. -Muhammad Ali

Sanam's POV

I was standing on a roof top which extended over many yards.The house seemed wierdly familiar to me.The next moment,I hear someone calling.

"Sanam, look here dear!" I looked around only to see my dad.

He stood beside me ,his hands resting on the wall which encircled the terrace.

"Look there dear daughter, it's the brightest star.Sanam, I want you to be like that star.The one that brightens the darkest of nights." I smiled at his words placing my small hand in his. I was so happy to hear dad's voice. My gaze was transfixed to the big blue sky, contemplating his words. I didn't feel him leaving my hand. The next moment when I twisted my neck to look at him I saw him walking away.

"Dad! Dad!" I called out.Yet he didn't stop. He slowly vanished away behind a thick fog. I tried to run after him, but my legs wouldn't move.Tears of grief ran over my cheeks as I threw my tiny self in a corner.

I opened my eyes to find Shaila sitting beside me rubbing my hand.Realisation dawned on me.It was a dream. But it felt too real to be one.

"Are you alright? Did you have a nightmare? " Shaila kept asking me with a worried expression. She told me that I was practically screaming so she had come to check upon me.

With teary eyes I revealed what I dreamt of.Our father was standing with me in a beautiful starry night..And the next moment he was gone!

Tears started rolling down my face, as I got flashbacks of my dream. I retold her about his beautiful words.Listening to them even Shaila started sobbing. Though I was the elder one I couldnt console her.Perhaps that moment I was emotionally worse than her. We both cried our hearts out, hugging each other tightly.No doubt,we missed him badly.

Hearing our sobs, mom came to my room, with worry etched on her small face. I clinged on to her like my life depended on her.

She calmed us down, explaining to us that dad wouldn't be happy seeing us cry so often.If we really missed him, then we should pray for his maghfirah.Inshallah we shall meet him in jannah.

Mom kept caressing and patting our backs slowly so we both fell asleep with our heads on her lap.Her lap seemed to me like the most comfortable place on earth.She kept mumbling the quranic verses-

ﻭَﻟَﻵْﺧِﺮَﺓُ ﺧَﻴْﺮٌ ﻟَﻚَ ﻣِﻦَ اﻷُْﻭﻟَﻰ

'Indeed what is to come will be better than what has gone by!'

*****

Shiraz POV

I didn't sleep the whole night yesterday as I was busy carrying out my revenge on Sanam but I did doze off for two hours after the sunrise. I was too sleepy to get off the bed but dragged myself to the washroom to get ready for university.Internally I was very eager to see the outcome of my revenge. My eyes were blood shot and I had bags underneath but my mind of evil was smirking at the accompolishment.It was worth the trouble game.After a long warm shower I was in my dresser when I heard a knock.

Stifling a yawn,I opened the door to find Masarrath standing there, with a grave expression.Like she was forced to come there.

"Morning Mashi, what brings you here?"

"Mom and dad had to go to some business trip abroad and the driver went to drop them at the airport.I needed a lift to the school."

I replied in assertive and was ready within a span of few minutes.After school she was going to a sleepover at her friend Lubna's house which would leave me alone yet again.

No matter what any of us has, and how grateful we are for what we have, the truth is no one has it all!

Today she left my room without ruffling my hair, which she usually does, just to annoy me.For she know how much I disliked unkempt hair.It was evident that she was still mad at me. I needed to make it up to her.

I believe that in a world where we relate closely to several people, it becomes incumbent on us to create exclusive space for the ties that matter most.Disagreements exist everywhere.But when its with our loved ones we need to handle it delicately.You can't break the hearts of people whom you love.

As I walked into the dining area I witnessed my sister sitting silent,fiddling with her breakfast. She looked like she was in deep thoughts. I made an attempt to start a conversation with her but she was giving me the cold treatment.

"Look Masarrath..I know I shouldn't have yelled at you the other day. I am extremely sorry for that! But you need to understand that whatever I did was for your own good. I don't want you becoming immodest or an immoral girl.You better keep your distance from guys!"

"I want to make it up to you..So if you want, I can take you out for a movie tonight.And if u wish we can have dinner in your favourite restaurant."

"Really?"
On listening to my apology and the plan, her face lit up like a five year old who is promised her favourite toy.

"Okay Bro! I am gonna come with you but on one condition- you need to take me for shopping after the movie," Masarrath agreed with a grin on her face.I don't really like shopping with Masarrath for she makes me run from shop to shop, until she finds her perfect dress.She literally shops till you drop! But I couldn't say no.I didn't want to ruin our sweet and sour relation.

She can be a little annoying sometimes, but I love her too much to bear it. I huffed a sigh of relief, knowing that I had managed to untangle a knot which had formed in our relationship just on time.Lest it could have gone worse.

With jokes cracked here and there and little fights, I had a heartful breakfast with my younger sister. She would go on laughing looking at me gulping down my food like I hadn't eaten since ages.I must have looked like a hungry beast.I had skipped dinner last night.

After the breakfast, I dropped her to the school.On my way to the university, my eyelids kept on rolling down.I was trying to focus on the road but it was becoming difficult. For a second my eyes shut themselves and the next second I heard a BAM!

My car had collided with another! The other car belonged to some lady who came out of her car and started yelling at me. She thought that I was drunk. I am not a good muslim but I don't drink. Dad had told me once that Islam prohibits one from drinking because it does no good to your body, rather it harms it .

My head became heavy and my vision began to blur.I felt like I would pass out any moment.I stood there holding my head with my hands, unable to reply to that lady.My phones battery was dead.As I tried thinking how to bring myself out of the situation,I heard a familiar voice.Sanam emerged from the crowd. She analysed the accident and spoke to that lady to agree for negotiation.But that lady proved to be a difficult citizen.

But Sanams efforts payed off in sometime when the lady left without any further argument. I looked like a damsel in distress and she, my saviour.Guilt started nibbling my conscience. I wanted to thank her right then, but she left without sparing another glance at me . She was really one of a kind.. I felt bad for judging her.She was a good human, though she often behaved like a cold soul.

After parking my car and steadying myself, I made my way towards the class with a late pass. Sir Ahmer motioned me take a sit quickly, as the class had already begun. My eyes began wandering and stopped at Sanam's face only to see her engrossed in the lecture. It didn't appear at all that she had a disturbed sleep the previous night, because she looked quite fresh.It meant that I had failed in my attempt. My plan actually took a toll on me. Dad was right - Allah never helps you in your evil deeds ,these are all the whispers of shaytan which lead you to them.

I was in deep thoughts, when my eyes began to shut themselves. I badly needed some sleep so I leaned on my desk. Unable to resist its warmth, I felt asleep within minutes. I woke up to someone calling out my name and nudging me constantly. My eyes fluttered open to see the entire class gazing me, as if I was some wax statue in Madame Tassauds. Then it dawned on me that I had fallen asleep during the lecture.

In a half dazed state,i heard Sir Ahmer announcing the result of yesterday's test.Sanam was the topper, Shehriyaar got the next best marks and I stood third. I was still drowsy and my body felt pretty heavy so I excused myself from the class.

After treating myself to a cup of steaming coffee, I went to the nurse where she gave me some medicine for my headache and took a nap in the medical help room. I woke up an hour later .This place was suffocating me so I decided to go out for some fresh air.

While walking out in the university ground I spotted Sanam on a bench. I thought that I would very well thank her so I walked up to her. She looked a little angry and was lost in her thoughts .

Suddenly I became conscious of my looks.My hair were unkempt and my eyes appeared smoky red.Lack of sleep showed on my face.And it was my fault.I shouldn't have played the stupid revenge game. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration and after a deep breath I crashed on the seat beside her. When she saw me, she stood in her place to leave, but I pleaded.

"Wait! Sanam,just hear me out once. I know you dont wanna talk to me but I have come here to thank you. Had it not been for you, that lady would have called the cops  and I was too blank to tackle the situation." I spoke with a sincere expression. When I paused for her reply, she walked away. She didn't even acknowledge my words.

I knew she didn't like me much but she could have atleast given me a response. I didn't tell her anything which she couldn't comprehend. I became a bit wary.Did she, by any chance, get to know about me being the blank caller? That was nearly impossible, as I had used the phone from my living room.But if she has learnt about it then her reaction was just,I was guilty much.Nevertheless I left those thoughts and headed towards home.

On reaching home,I was met with an excited Masarrath.I then remembered that I had promised to take her out. I made a run to my room. After a quick shower, I got dressed in a white shirt and blue faded denims with rust canvas.Grabbing my keys,I ran along towards the parking.We were getting late for the movie.Just before getting into the car she scrutinised me from top to bottom and gave me a full score.I pinched her cheeks which made her pout, but she ruffled my hair and sat in the passenger seat.

We first headed towards the multiplex to watch a movie.Masarrath wanted to watch romance but it was definitely not my genre, I liked action movies more. But I agreed, as it was her day today. In the theatre I happened to met Yumna.What caught everyones attention was her body hugging attire. She wasn't a bad human, but she was in real need of someone who could teach her to dress modestly.

"Hey Shiraz! What a co-incidence! I had come here along with my cousins," Yumna spoke beaming with joy.

"This is Rania and that's Ayaan," She introduced her cousins to me. Her cousin Rania kept staring at me which made me a little uncomfortable.How could she checkout men so openly.We spoke for a while and dispersed when the movie started.We had seats in different rows.I fell asleep in the middle of the movie, but Masarrath kept nudging me. During the interval I obliged with some popcorn and soda for both of us.

"Thank you so much bro! I really had a great time with you!" Masarrath exclaimed.

She enjoyed the movie and wouldn't stop repeating those cheesy dialogues. I couldn't help smiling, looking at her blabber,my little sister was growing up.

After the movie we decided to have pizza for the dinner which was followed by some heavy shopping . Masarrath was very happy as I had tagged along with her from shop to shop, carrying her baggage around.From makeup accessories to dresses she shopped every stuff that was visible to sight.

After a tiring day,I was back home,sprawled on my king size bed.The day went fine but guilt was gnawing me hard,I had never felt so bad for any of my pranks.

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A/N

Another chapter! !! yeah!!!

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