Darkness, it was definitely darkness surrounding me but I couldn't help myself and it was becoming hard to breathe. Were my eyes closed? No, or else how could I notice the darkness, then I am sure I am not even sleeping but where am I? I turned around to catch on something, anything but I couldn't and it felt like I am suddenly back in that dark cold basement which was still a part of my nightmares.

Cell phone! Yeah where is the device when I needed it the most? I start searching my pockets but it wasn't there. And I am not even wearing normal clothes; it feels like I'm in my track pants and my t-shirt, why am I dressed in my night clothing? Nothing was making sense and I can't even remember how I ended up where I am. The fear of darkness wasn't helping me either and this place was extremely claustrophobic too. I could feel sweat drops running down my temple and now my head was also becoming heavy. I have to calm down, I should call for help but it feels like my tongue is tied up and I couldn't even mutter a word, gasping for air I was continuously trying to remember all the verses of Quran.

Slowly I took a step forward with all the courage I could muster, my legs were feeling numb but with the desperation of getting out of this place I couldn't stop myself and with each heavy step I take, I feel coldness surrounding me more, I was trying to reach to any support but I couldn't and then suddenly I felt metal under the touch of my hands, moving nearer I tried to figure out what it was and after couple of minutes had passed it felt like it's a metallic door, or more like the lift door. I was trapped in a lift but now the question was How? I couldn't remember anything. I came home after attending the Youth seminar, I talked there, Bhabi told me about Fa.. no Khadija but after that everything seems blurry and I can't remember anything.

"So we are trapped in a lift again, like the first time we met." I heard a soft familiar chuckle, a soft feminine voice which till now talked to me with coldness but today it felt like she was smiling. Shocked, I turned around but I couldn't see or figure out anyone's presence. "Don't worry I guess it's a power breakdown they are working on it." I heard her saying again but I couldn't believe my hearing. My hands were shaking and I could feel my neck hairs prickling. Was I scared? No, it wasn't fear. It was something else.

"Kh... Kha... Khadija." I whispered, my voice was rough as if I have cried a lot.

"Who else?" she chuckled. Why isn't she treating me like she does all the time? Why is she being so respectful? And why isn't this darkness ending? Why couldn't I see her? "Don't worry Wali, I told you try to think about something else and not let your fears come over you. Remember last time we were trapped in university's lift like this and you were panicking—"

"Because I am claustrophobic and nyctophobic at the same time Khadija!" I replied interrupting her and she started laughing, a soft melodic laugh, a laugh which was soothing my nerve, a smile made its way to my lips, even in the situation like this where I am not sure about my whereabouts I am smiling. She was always this magical.

"You replied just like you did last time! You were so mad at me when I told you to calm down all those years ago." She replied once she stopped laughing and silence fell between us.

"I am sorry Khadija." I whispered more to myself than to her, I took this moment to apologize for what I have done, for snapping at her in the lift almost ten years ago or for being the reason because of which she got hurt multiple times. I apologized for everything.

The silence took over us once again, I sat where I was standing and closed my eyes, I was getting anxious as the time was passing by, I wanted her to say something, but there was silence, all I could hear was my heart drumming inside my chest and I was sweating badly like I have run thousand miles.

Maybe because all this time you were running away.

And after what felt like eternity she replied in a slow whisper, "I forgave you Wali."

My eyes shot open and I found myself struggling for air, it was a dream, I was dreaming, she was there and she was calming me down, she even forgave me, a tear of gratitude made it way down my already wet face, she helped me like the first time she met me, she didn't knew me back then still she helped me and now after all this time she treated me in the same way, I looked around to find myself in my bedroom sitting on the arm chair where I felt asleep, my neck was paining because of its uncomfortable position. I looked around to figure out what I was doing out of my bed and the memories of last night flashed back in front of me, after I came back from the seminar I was more than broken and locked myself inside, I stayed in the shower for hours and last night I cried again and I begged for his mercy, last night I finally asked him, if I couldn't get her forgiveness, if she couldn't stop hating me, if I am not worthy enough then make it possible for me to forget her, take her out of my mind, don't let shaitan use her against me, don't make me do anything stupid or haram. I asked for calmness and for Allah's forgiveness, I picked up Quran and sat to recite surah Tauba, I remember I recite it multiple times but I don't remember when I became sleepy and placing Quran on the table beside the armchair, I closed my eyes sitting on right there till this dream woke me up hours later.

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Twelve hours later standing in my office and looking at the busy street of New York I couldn't help but think about the dream I had, it feels strange to call a dream, a dream instead of a nightmare, to wake up to something which didn't scare me but made me relaxed, after such a long time I was feeling like the storm inside me had finally ended. But then it was just a dream, an illusion, right? Today after a long time I felt like my life was back on track, though every single second of this day I found myself thinking about what I saw but I was managing to concern on my work too. It feels like I am breathing again. If just a vision, her vision can help me so much I wonder what it would feel like if I ever in my life could meet her again. That can't happen.

I slowly turned my gaze from the rushed view and got back to pack up my things and leave the office, it was 4:30 in the evening and I have to get to Murtaza's place before 5:30, today my little niece was turning two and I was the first one to get invitation personally by the princess herself. A thought of that little girl had always been enough to make me smile. So picking up my laptop bag and cell phone, I made my way out of the room. Informing Megan about the rest of the work she has to take care of, I made my way to Matt's office where he was busy in a call, so gesturing him about my departure something which we both are used to do when either one of us is leaving earlier then the other I made my way out of the building.

*Where are you?* my phone buzzed with Murtaza's message as soon as I stepped outside the car in front of the building he reside, before replying I rushed in before getting soaked in the thunder.

*Getting into the lift. Is she crying?*

*Obviously! Yahya got here before you and she thinks you are not coming today.*

*Tell the princess to hide and Wi is coming to find her.* I send my last message and leaned back on the wall of the lift.

It was just few seconds later the lift suddenly stop and the lights went off, I should have taken the stairs was the first thought which came into my mind. Though I was not alone in the lift I had a boy almost thirteen years old, but still the uneasiness was settling in me, they told on the news that there are chances of power breakdown today but still I forgot and opted for the lift.

"Why aren't they turning on the generator!" The boy standing across me panicked.

"They'll be figuring it out, don't worry!" I tried to calm myself more than I intended to calm him. I can already feel sweat around my neck.

"Then they should hurry!" he said, he was sweating more badly than I was and it felt like his hands were shaking too.

"Hey are you okay? Relax it would be fine!" I said looking at him.

"Easy for you to say!" He snapped at me. "I should have taken the stairs." He shook his head.

Before I could reply my phone started ringing showing Murtaza's name on caller ID.

"Wali are you still in the lift?" he sounded worried, almost everyone knows about my weakness.

"Yeah are they checking on the generator?" I asked eyeing the boy; I was worried for him more than myself.

"Yeah they are. Look it might take couple of minutes so you know um..."

"Murtaza I am fine," I chuckled.

"Are you sure? Are you alone in the lift."

"No there is a kid," at which the boy looked at me, "Murtaza I'll talk to you. once I got to your apartment." I hung up and dropped my back on the floor getting near to him, he was completely shaking now.

"How long would it take them? I am basically... I feel uncomfortable in these compact places." He looked at me with fear.

"Just few more minutes," I smiled and sat opposite to him because I know it would take longer than that. "You know if you would concentrate on something else you might just feel better." I gave him a assuring smile but he kept quiet, still looking at the lift entrance. "Well if it makes you feel better I am kind of claustrophobic too." I looked at his face for any reaction and my last sentence brought it.

"How do you know I am claustrophobic?" he raised his eyebrows at me, "Maybe I am just not feeling well!"

"Maybe! And I don't wanna show my Sherlock self but a claustrophobic can only guess presence of another claustrophobic! We can smell it." I tried to make a joke on which he slightly smiled but covered it up. "If it makes you feel better let me tell you a secret." This made him turn and look at me "I was once stuck in a lift like this when I was in university. It was storm and power went out, I was alone in the lift with a girl of my year and imagine when I start getting sweaty and panicked in front of her, I was punching the lift door and she was looking at me with this horrid expression first, man that day!" I shook my head and laughed at the memory which turned fresh just this morning. "She first thought I was some mad man but then she said me to calm down, and I turned to her and almost yelled 'I am claustrophobic' and I may tell you that I was part of one of those group which are quite known around the campus but I turned into a chicken, thank God she didn't told anyone or my reputation dude!" I looked at him faking my expressions to get his mind off the situation.

"Man you had it bad!" he chuckled sitting like me.

"Easy for you to say!" I mimicked his expression and he rolled his eyes at me.

"Thank god I don't have my girlfriend with me." He whispered and I choked.

"You have a girlfriend?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Well don't you?"

"Nah I am single and happy," was my reply.

"NO WAY! Who stays single at this stage?"

"Me?" I rolled my eyes.

"Loser."

"Said the one who was chickening out."

"Dude you are making fun of me! You are double my age." He frowned.

"Well you made fun of me too!" I was bantering like a kid.

We both were still chatting, now over basketball when the lift opened and we realized that the power was back on, Alhamdulillah I was successful in taking his mind away from his fear, She was right, again; it was completely on us to control our fear or to let it control us. I stood up to find group of people standing outside and I stepped out after Jace. Before I could turn and walk away with Murtaza, he stopped me and said "Thanks for helping me like she helped you. I really do feel better." And I nodded to him with a smile.

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A.O.A

So sorry for the late update but hope it's bearable :)

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