Dedicated to you coz you simply are amazing and I love your comments and votes!

I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun. -Charles R. Swindoll

Chapter Twenty Eight

The Game

(Maahirah Furqaan)

'Dearest Dad,

Life without you around is like a wrecked, devastated garden. Every single day, I wake up thinking that this is all a dream that I’m just going through a horrible nightmare and when I will open my eyes, I’ll be back at home, back in you embrace. You’ve no idea how much I miss your talks, your advice, your constant pushing me into a decision, your motivation. In short, Dad I miss you a lot. And, I have no idea whether I’ll see you again or not…But Daddy…I hope that I can visit you soon…And Mom…and Vaneeza…’ I stop writing as my eyes fall on the clock. Good God, I’m five minutes late.

I leave my letter there and quickly, scramble up. Mum (Aseer) said that I can write Dad letter and that’s what I’m doing. I got ready thirty minutes earlier so I decided to sit on the desk and jolt down a letter to Dad, and God, time just flew by.

My first thought is to run but then I think that I’m already late so there is no use of hurrying up. Hence, I take my sweet time to reach ‘The Training Centre’.

When I mean sweet, I literally mean sweet. On my way here, I stop and have a chat with Destiny as she runs to teach elementary kids. And, then on the bridge, I catch up with Fadiya….yes, we are back on good terms….don’t know how…but we are.

And, finally, I get into the door that said Aayan and Maahirah. Aayan is leaned against the wall, his arms folded across his chest, and his arm muscles flexed. He looks at me without lifting his face.

“You’re late….”

“I know…” I begin but he cuts me off by saying.

“Catch.”

Then, there is something sailing across the room, in the air, making its way towards me. I move back, and cup my hands above my head; and I stumble back when it lands on my hands. My eyes bulge out as the grayish black solid shines on my palm. I raise my head to cast a questioning look at Aayan.

He’s still positioned across the room. “It’s a gun.”

“I know, it’s a gun.” I scowl.

He chuckles. “Do you see this red line?” He points at a line some three feet away from me.

I nod.

“Stand on it,”

Confused, I walk up to the red thin cummerbund like line.

He side-steps. “This is the target.” The target was hidden behind his back, that’s why I didn’t see it before. “You’ve to aim at the centre black dot. Or you can try to,”

The target is good six feet far from me. “What?”

“You heard me,” He takes the gun from my hand and hits the magazine in its place. The gun is loaded. He holds it out for me.

Once again, I stare at it. This thing looks evil just by the look of it. It has killed I don’t know how many lives, and I wonder how many lives Aayan has taken with it.

“C’mon Maahirah, just take it.”

I snatch from his hand, and feel the metal under my fingertips. And then, without thinking, I aim a shot at the target. It misses the circle, and is consumed by the wall.

“Focus. Your eyes on the target. And, take deep breath and think before shooting.”

I shut my eyes. Wrap my arm around the grip, and insert my index finger in the trigger guard and position it on the trigger. I close my one eye, and concentrate on the black dot.  For few seconds, the dot dances around before finally stopping at one place. Swallowing, I press the trigger, which leaves my ears ringing with the gunshot.

Aayan’s clapping brings me back to reality, and I glance at him, perplexed.

“You nailed it. Amazing.”

I indeed aimed at the black dot. “YESS!” I jump with joy.

“Good. Part One was Fighting Technique. Part Two was walking on the edge and Part Three was aiming with a gun.”

“Is there a Part Four?”

“Uh-huh.”

“What is it?”

“The Test,”

“Oh. Thank God.” I sigh with relief.

“….Which is tomorrow.”

“What?”

“Yeah, it’s early because the examiners are going on a raid…possibly not sure though, but they might go. So, they have to conduct the test earlier.” Aayan says.

I slump my shoulders.”Oh, God. I mean Ya Allah what I’m gonna do? I mean I haven’t practiced that well. And. You know how much I suck in martial arts. Well, you don’t know coz you have never seen me with Mum. BUT I’m telling you how much I’m pathetic in……”

“Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey.” He interjects and puts his hands on either side of my shoulders, and says.”You will do great, Maahirah. Trust me.”

And, that’s all it takes for me to forget my confidence and be my old, shy self around him. Last night, I had pep-talked myself to be casual around him but whenever he acts nice or sweet, I’m back to being speechless.

Why?

****************

It is during Lunch in the Grand Hall that I find out about the Paintball Game. Believe me, I’ve heard a lot about this kind of leisure activity but I never really got a chance to play. Anyways, let’s flashback to that scene.

The Grand Hall is as usual a bit crowded today. I bite on my cucumber stick, looking around wildly for one person.  Jarred, Destiny, Hope, (Hope is Destiny’s second oldest sister, younger than Faith) Fadiya, Haaziq, Haazim and Aaron, Destiny and Hope’s brother, are mostly engrossed in talking about new rules in Elton. I don’t pay attention because I’ve no idea about the old rules why bother learning about few new rules?

Aayan isn’t still anywhere in sight nor is Fakhir. My ears tune back into what Hope is saying:

“…..Oh God, Jake, just texted me that there is gonna be Paintball Game tonight.”

Everyone cheer in excitement and I stare at them, confused. “A what?”

They stop high-fiving, squealing and look at me as if I’m the most stupidest creature on this planet.

“It’s a game we play to entertain ourselves.” Jarred explains.

“Okkaay.” I say, slowly.

“Rules and regulation and how it is played all that crap we will explain you later. Anyways,” Hope continues reading the text message.”Jake says that Jarred and Aayan will be the captains this time. Can you believe they are discussing this in a meeting?”

Aayan is in a meeting. That explains a lot. I inhale a deep breath.

Fadiya chuckles. “Oh. Well. Last time, Fakhir and Destiny, you were the captains. Man, none of the teams won because of Aaron. He aimed at everyone even after Fakhir’s team – which is mine too, by the way – was victorious. Thus, drawing the match.”

They laugh, and exchange with each other a joke which I lose concentration to because I start thinking about my Test. What happens after I pass? Will I be officially an Eltonian? Will I attend the meetings? Will my life change more? On the other hand, though, if I fail…then what is going to be my fate? Will I be kicked out and finally freed to go home to Dad, Mom and Neez? This thought, however, makes me cringe with mixed swirling emotions. Isn’t it this what I wanted…to go home and leave Elton? And, suddenly, I want to stay here, and I wonder why?

My train of thought is interrupted by a steel clattering on the floor. Fadiya reaches out across the table and nudges me at her mobile.  I take it from her, frowning.

‘Excited to c ya, Maahirah at th games ;) – A’

I smile at his text message. Yep, he is the reason for my tumbling and twisted emotions.

*****************

At half past seven, there is a knock on the door. I don’t want to answer the door and whoever is on the other side I definitely don’t want them to enter. So, I stay rooted on the bed, my hands stuck on my laps.

Unfortunately for me, the door knob twists and the door is pushed from the outside, and Mum enters. She places her hands on her waist.

“What is wrong, Maahirah? Why aren’t you at the game?”

I sigh.”Because. Because. I don’t know how to play and I’m afraid no one will want me to be part of their team coz I’m a newbie who doesn’t know a single thing about Paintball Game.” I dramatically put my head in my hands.

Mom laughs. “Honey, you’ve got nothing to be worried about. Everyone won’t be that harsh on you. I assure you that. And, besides, Aayan is with you.” She winks at me.

My jaw drop as she chuckles at my reddening cheeks.

“Now, come’on. Go and play. I wanna rest, ‘alone.’” She adds alone with air quotes.

I nod.

It won’t be that bad.

*********************

Apparently, the Games are always held in the back area of Elton. And, we are allowed to spread in the entire area of about 1250 miles.

And, apparently, I didn’t know that teams were gonna be chosen in front of everyone. There are about sixteen of us. Aayan and Jake stand in the centre, a periwinkle blue light illminates from the bulb on their heads above them. The rest of us surround them, with their hands folded on their chests.

“You first.” Aayan says as he holds his hand in between them.

Jarred looks around the crowd, and his eyes beam and he claps on Aayan’s hand, saying,”Hope,”

Hope skips over to them and stands behind Jake.

"Your turn, Aslam."

Aayan without giving crowd a look slaps his hand against Jake's, calling out my name. "Maahirah."

I swell internally with pride. He chose me first.

"Jessica." Jake says.

"Haaziq." Aayan says.

"Haazim."

"Fadiya."

"Fakhir."

"Destiny." Aayan smiles.

"Faith."

"Jules."

"Will."

"Ian."

"Iris."

"Cameron." Aayan says.

And..so it stops there. Each of them saying out the name and smacking the opposite hand. On each side there are eight members, which include the captains, too.

Aayan hurls his team in a circle. Our group consists of me, Haaziq, Fadiya, Destiny, Jules, Ian, Cameron and of course, Aayan.

"Okay. Spread out how far you can. Spot an opponent aim at him without thinking. Be vigilant, careful, and guarded. Jules hand out the guns from the barrel behind you. And, Came you the Paintballs."

Aayan continues. 'This time the game strategy is different. You see the wall facing your backs." Aayan looks at me.

I along with everyone turn around to see. It is the wall on which Aayan made me walk.

"One of the members has to jump across the wall after the thirty minutes of the game, and when after jumping over the wall, you will spot a flag hidden by Jake before the game, you have to get that and insert the flag on this barrel.” The next to him “The first team with the flag wins. And I nominate Maahirah for this task,"

"What?"

"Since you never have played this game, and it seems fairer that you do this flag thing." Somehow everyone agrees with him.

I take deep breaths. Yeah. I can do it. "Okay. Okay. I will do it."

Ian hands me the gun; it is long but light. And Aayan pushes a tube filled with pink fluid through the nozzle, and loading my gun, he hands me back.

"Okay. People." Iva's voice comes in our ears and we all turn around to face her. She's wearing a cap on her head and whistle is stuck between her lips.

Yep, Iva is too an Eltonian. I met her in Brazil. She was one of the mentors.

"When I blow my whistle, you all will split up and exactly one minute later, you guys will officially start the game. No cheating. I support fairness. Okay? Ready? 1 2 3," She blows her whistle. 

It is instinct or I don't know what but my boots are running away from my team straight. I can hear thundering of other boots beside me and even then I've no idea who is alongside with me.

"Don't go too far. Stay near." Aayan pants. I stop and look at him. He quickly pushes something into my hand. Stop-watch. 

 "Don't stop. Go." He bellows.

I roll my eyes as I pick up my pace and get farther away from him. Somewhere far beyond me, Iva is shouting at the top of her lungs which only reaches my ear as faint audible sound. "30 29 28...." 

I tune her out as I turn around the corner. The advantage of going on the roof and renting out my feelings and from there, I had seen the back-area of Elton many times and thus, it gave me an idea that at the rear side of the wall, there is no light except the moonlight, which will give me edge over the opponents because they won't be able to spot me. 

I glance at the stop-watch five minutes have passed. And, I still got twenty five minutes to wait. I round the corner and get into the narrow alley. I pause by the wall, catching my breath. My heart hammers loudly in my chest. As I breathe the air out, a gust of cold air forms a cloud. Even though it's cold but I'm sweating, feverishly.

When my heartbeat pacifies, I can now hear the sloshing of the colours. I chuckle. Okay, I'm safe. At least, for now.

I look around the alley for a ladder or anything but nothing comes in my sight. How will I climb this thing? I feel the wall and surprisingly I find small holes across the wall. I smile, triumphantly.

I gaze at the stop-watch. Shockingly, I’ve only five minutes left to start my search. I utilize these five minutes. Taking deep breaths. Asking Allah Almighty's help. 

5

4

3

2

1

0

I pocket the stopwatch and press the gun between my upper body, below my underarm. Wiping my hands on my jeans, I dig my fingers into the first hole I find. For a second, fear builds in my mind, what if there are crawly insects or maybe snakes leaving in and I almost withdraw my hands, but then I remind myself that I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing on the behalf of my team. Aayan's team.

So, I start climbing. I slip and scrap my knees twice. And when I'm halfway to the top, I stop and run my gaze around, like I predator looking for its prey.  The wall which is way across from me, I spot a head that appears like a dot, walking on the edge of the wall. I divert my eyes away from him or her and concentrate on my journey. 

In haste, I skid down once again, and this time I feel coolness on my right knee and I know it's bleeding because the stinging pain speaks. I ignore the pricking and move higher and higher. 

Once on the top, I swing my legs and plant my butt on the ledge. It's deep. Almost ten feet deep it is.

The land is covered with sand, and maybe it won't hurt. Hence, without thinking I jump and let gravity pull me down.

I land on my back. The impact makes me wince. I lay there for a minute grasping the pain.

I pick up my gun and look around, wildly. There is only dirt around me. And few rocks at the side opposite from me.

And I'm off to the rocks. Sitting on my knees, I start picking up the rocks and putting them aside. As I do this, dirt slaps on my face making me cringe.

Underneath the rocks, there is no flag. I bite my lip and wipe my hands on my jeans.

Where can be that wretched flag?

I sit down, already slumped out of energy. Oh God...how will I find the flag? I don't even know the colour of the flag.

I let out a sigh as I stand up. The whole team is counting on me. I've got to find it. Jake wouldn't be that heartless, I suppose.

I start walking around. I round the area about two times. Frustrated, I throw my gun down on the sand, then I don't know what clicks in me but I'm picking up the gun and I've the trigger pressed and aimed at the wall. Pink colour splashes all across the wall.

I squint and put the gun at side, as my eyes follow the black cross mark. The marks run parallel across the wall and stop at the wall across from me. I rush towards the wall. I have started feeling all giddy and happy. 

I kick the red cross mark expecting the brick to move on and protrude a flag out. However, nothing like that happens, and if it wasn't a pretty messed up situation, I would have had laughed at myself for such an absurd, childish, magical thinking. But, again, this is Elton. Anything is possible here.

I stare at the red mark, thinking. I get down on my knees, and start digging the sand. It feels dry and rough against my fists. It is rusty like it hasn't received any water for years. But the night makes it cool.

Each fistful of dirt brings a cloud of dust.

The dust makes my clothes untidy, and I simply choose to neglect it for now. As my hands seep deeper in deeper, I feel hopeful and hopeful. A pile of sand  forms behind me and  I've gone far down since my elbows are touching the sand now.

 My fingers come across a material. I've to hold in my breath to stop from screaming. With a little effort, I pull it out. The flag erupts out in my hand and an immense amount of sandy grains are inhaled through my mouth. I cough and spit the sand out.

 I hug the blue flag to my chest. I did it. Yaay!

 Without wasting any second, I grab my gun and start climbing my way out. As soon as I leap down on the other side, a rain of different Paintball colour smears all over me from different directions.

 And, even this doesn't stop me. I bolt like lightning all the way to the barrel that Aayan mentioned before the Games and dig in the little wooden pole of my flag into the tiny hole on the barrel.

 A whistle echoes in my ear. The spattering stops and I let out a victory cry. I've no idea that whether my team has won or not but the whistle just whispers and assures me that my team is the winner.  Before my doubts can overcast in my head, I feel someone turning me around and crashing me into their arms. 

 "You did it, Maahirah." Aayan says, loudly in an excited tone.

I hug him tight, squealing. "I did it. Yeah, I did it."

 All around us congratulations are going on. Fadiya and Destiny embrace me and we jump around in circle with our arms on each other’s waist. 

Jake congratulates Aayan and both of them do the manly handshake thing.

 When things quieten down, and everyone is busy in their small talks, I look down at my attire to find it covered in different colours.

Aayan comes next to me, and says. "That was amazing, Maahirah. I'm really proud of you." He touches his fingertip on my cheeks and shows me. Blue colour stains on his finger. “This is my favourite colour.”

 I simple smile. His white shirt is splashed with varying colours making a werid cress-cross pattern. Aayan puts his hand around my shoulder and squeezes me.

 This is one of the reasons that I've to pass tomorrow. Not because everyone respects me now but because everyone here is wild and free, and I feel like I belong here.

*********************

VOTE COMMENT AND SHARE PLEASE.............!