Sometimes it's okay to fall weak..
Sometimes it's okay to cry out loud..
It's important to let out your emotions..
Staying strong always can weaken you from inside..
Yes there is silence before the storm..
But there is also silence after the storm..
Bright morning may give you new hopes..
But rains brings happiness in life..

Inaraah was sitting in the balcony gazing the sky. The weather was little cloudy and seem it would pour out any minute. Serenity engulfed her after her breakdown last night. Alhaan joined her and took a seat next to her. She didn't look at him and continued to look forward.

"No matter how broken I am, your presence always brings tranquillity." Inaraah spoke breaking the silence.

Alhaan looked at her waiting for her to look at him. Finally Inaraah shifted her gaze on him, her eyes holding the un-shed tears.

"That day in park. It.. It was our birthday. I wanted to stay alone but I was wishing for someone's comfort.

And then you came there. Though we didn't speak much but your presence lessen my pain that day." Inaraah said smiling weakly. A lone tear escaped from her left eye. Alhaan wiped her tear and wrapped his arm around her securing her in his arms.

"What about your dream to be an interior designer?" Alhaan questioned. Inaraah took a sharp intake of breath before speaking.

"I always wanted to be an interior designer and Iza loved graphic designing. He was very passionate about it.

After his death, I was not myself. I felt as if my life had no meaning. At that time it was Izaad's dream which motivated me. And I decided to fulfil his wish."

"Can I say something Inaraah?" Alhaan asked not sure about her answer. Inaraah broke the hug and looked at Alhaan. He seemed little hesitant to speak. Inaraah took his hand in hers encouraging him to speak.

"You let go of your passion to fulfil Izaad's dream. Somewhere you wanted to keep him alive and you even succeeded in doing so.

Though Izaad isn't here but he would surely be happy looking at your dedication. But he would be equally hurt too, seeing you crying.

I know his death was a biggest blow for you and our family. But we can't change the destiny. Instead of crying for the loss, pray for him.

I am sure he would never like to see the present Inaraah who forgot to smile wholeheartedly. In your attempt to keep him alive you have killed Izaad's twinu whom he loved dearly." Alhaan said.

His words brought fresh set of tears in her eyes. She knew she wasn't the previous Inaraah anymore but Alhaan's words had a great impact on her. She was trying to fulfil her brother's dream without realizing that she changed herself.

Alhaan was right. If Izaad was here, he would be surely hurt seeing his sister. The Inaraah he knew was chirpy and naughty. She was bold and spoke fearlessly. But this present Inaraah is nowhere close to his twinu.

"I know it's hard for you to be back to your previous self but you can try for it. You forgot our whole family in your pain.

Even they endured the same pain as you but they stayed strong and hold onto each other. But you have pushed everyone away from you not allowing them to be a part of your pain." Alhaan spoke his heart out.

He wanted to explain this to her from a very long time but he wanted to know the reason of her pain. Last night he saw her in the most vulnerable state. The only thought in his mind was to hold her tightly in his arms and take away her pain.

Inaraah was busy pondering over his words while Alhaan kept looking at her whose expression changed from sad to hurt and lastly to guilt. He didn't wanted to disturb her thoughts and so they just sat there in silence.

_____________________

After offering zuhr prayer in the room, Alhaan and Inaraah went out to have lunch. Before they could leave the hotel, the manager came up to them and told about the person who wished to see Inaraah.

Inaraah and Alhaan went towards the waiting area to meet the person. As soon as Inaraah saw the lady in front of her, she took two steps back and try to hid herself behind Alhaan.

"Inaraah.." the women called out for her. Alhaan brought Inaraah close to her and looked at the lady with whom they collided previous day.

"I am so sorry for my behaviour Inaraah." She said.

"Who are you?" Alhaan asked curiously. Before she could speak, Inaraah replied, "Fiza."

Alhaan looked at Inaraah, his face holding so many questions. Inaraah understood his confusion and said, "She is my school mate."

All the doubts which Alhaan had was now clear like a day. Inaraah's behaviour from previous day and her breakdown, everything was making sense.

"Inaraah I am really sorry for everything. It was wrong of me to blame you for Izaad's death. Please forgive me Inaraah. Please." Fiza said.

"I don't have any harsh feelings for you Fiza. It's okay. Everything was destined to happen. I forgive you." Inaraah said passing her a beautiful smile.

Alhaan's heart skipped it's beat seeing her smiling face. He thought it would take time for Inaraah to warm up again after last night. But the smile was evident that she was slowly letting go of things which would only hurt her and everyone else.

"I am so happy for you Inaraah. May Allah always keep you both happy and bloom the love between you two. Ameen." Fiza said bringing Alhaan back to present.

"Ameen." Both of them replied in unison. After speaking for a while, Fiza left and the two moved to have lunch together.

Inaraah again demanded to visit the beach and Alhaan couldn't deny her wish. Both made a vain attempt to make a sand castle. Inaraah laughed looking at Alhaan's castle which looked more like a mountain. Alhaan was happy to see her laughing freely without any barrier holding her back.

After spending whole day outside, Inaraah and Alhaan moved back to hotel after having dinner. However Alhaan excused himself to make a call while Inaraah moved to their room lost in her own pool of thoughts.
___________________

Alhaan came towards the backyard and called Ziyaad.

"Assalamualaikum Bhai." Alhaan greeted.

"Walaikum Asalam. How are you both?" Ziyaad said.

"Alhamdulillah good Bhai." Alhaan replied.

"Alhamdulillah. So how did you call me? Is there any problem?" Ziyaad asked sounding little worried.

"No Bhai there is no problem. I just wanted to tell you something and know something's from you." Alhaan said.

Ziyaad patiently listened to everything. He was happy that Inaraah finally shared everything with Alhaan. The last block of faith which was lagging finally fitted in it's place moving their relationship a step ahead.

"Bhai how does Fiza concerns with Inaraah's pain?" Alhaan asked curiously. He wanted to ask it to Inaraah but thought otherwise. He didn't wanted her to again go through the same old memory which still make her weak.

"Fiza was Inaraah and Izaad's classmate. She used to like Izaad.
However Izaad always maintained distance from girls. The only girl he used to speak freely was Inu.

Inu was aware of Fiza's feelings but she also knew that Izaad was very much uncomfortable with it. So she always kept Fiza away from Izaad. And this made Fiza dislike Inu.

Izaad's death was shocking for everyone. Fiza was very much upset as well. After his death, Inu hardly spoke and mostly she used to cry all the time.

It was necessary to bring her out of her shell. So I asked her friends to arrange a get together for Inu. But it turned out to be the worst idea.

Inaraah's friends managed to take her out but Fiza was very much hurt and angry. She blamed Inu for Izaad's death. Her words effected Inu so much that she started to think that she killed Izaad.

After that day, Inu distant herself from us. She spent her whole time in her room. We thought that she needed time to cope up but in reality she have shut us out.

At one point she stopped talking to mommy and baba thinking they would also blame her for Izaad's death. She used to hide herself from them.

I was worried about the changes in her and told everything to Fahad bhaiya. We consulted doctor seeing her behaviour. That's when we got to know that Inu is in depression.

After knowing about Inu's health, everyone was worried. Mommy was scared that she would lose Inu too. We started pampering her and behaving normally forgetting Izaad's loss. But nothing seemed to work out.

Inu was given anti-depressant pills and had few interactive sessions with the psychiatrist. After a month Inaraah started to get over the pain and decided to make Izaad's dream as her career.

College life seemed hard for her. Everything was like a new challenge to her. That's when she met Suhana.

Suhana is really a true companion. She not only supported Inu but helped us in bringing her out of depression completely. Though Inu didn't let go of the pain, but she no longer pushed us away.

She shared her pain with Suhana and like a good friend, Suhana was always there for Inu.

Izaad's death had a very traumatic effect on Inu. It took so much time for Inaraah to accept everything." Ziyaad said.

Alhaan was shocked to hear everything. The only word that stuck his brain was that she was in depression. Tears started flowing from his eyes knowing the pain she endured. He could feel the wetness in Ziyaad's voice too. Not only Inaraah but he lost his brother too.

"Bhai can I ask you something?" Alhaan asked.

"Yeah." Ziyaad replied in a low voice.

"Did you cry for Izaad's loss?" Alhaan asked.

There was silence for sometime before he spoke, "I never got a chance Alhaan. I never got a chance to mourn over Izaad's death.

My family needed me at that time. My parents were broken and so was Inaraah. I had to be strong to look after them.

Mommy was not well after Iza's death and baba was mostly silent. He used to weep whenever he was alone. And Inaraah her condition was the most vulnerable. I didn't had time to cry and miss my brother."

Alhaan's heart broke hearing his side of the story. He was busy taking care of his family. Everyone was engrossed in their own pain and nobody cared to know how Ziyaad felt.

Just like everyone, he too lost his younger brother. Maybe he never showed it but he too loved him dearly. Alhaan got tears thinking of his pain. He always hid his pain to keep his family happy.

Alhaan was at short of words. His respect for Ziyaad increased even more. Somewhere a part of him was happy that he shared his pain with him.

"Bhai I am younger to you and not as matured as you are. But you can always speak your heart out in front me.

You are my elder brother too. I can never take Izaad's place but I am always there. Be it happiness or sadness, you will always find me next to you. That's my promise." Alhaan said.

"I know Alhaan. I am just worried about Inu. Please take good care of her.

Even Izaad would have been happy to know we choose the best man for our Inu. Always stay happy." Ziyaad said.

"Thank you so much Bhai." Alhaan replied.

"Now you should go Alhaan. Inu would be waiting for you. Take care and have a great holiday. Allah Hafiz." Ziyaad said.

"Allah Hafiz Bhai." Alhaan replied.

Alhaan felt relaxed after speaking to Ziyaad. Now he understood what his next step should be. With these thoughts he made his way back to the room. As soon as he entered the room, he was shocked unable to believe his eyes.