Chapter Twenty-three

At some point in your life, when you turn back and look at everything that has passed, and then, with a soft smile- you return your gaze to the place where you are, you begin to realize the Qadr of Allah. You see that everything happens for a reason, even if you may not know it at that time.

Returning to Islamabad was, perhaps, the best decision for Amal, even if it wasn't always easy. The journey had been pleasant. They left right after Fajr, and took turns to drive (it took some convincing on Zahid's part, for he was a staunch believer that first impressions last, and Amal not being a good driver was definitely one of them) enjoying each other's company and chatting about the most random of things.

Now, knowing her family a bit too well, Amal was aware that the task of coming out clean to them was not going to be an easy one. Thus, while Zahid had wanted to leave for Lahore right after saying his salams, Amal smiled at him a bit too sweetly, grabbed his arm, and pulled him into the whole ordeal.

With their son-in-law present, her parents were sure to go easy on her. Zahid also had a darn good way of explaining things- and as per her expectations, once the greetings were over and done with, he managed to relay everything.

Surely, her parents would have thought something suspicious when Amal stuck to Zahid, looking down at her tea as if it was the most fascinating thing she had ever seen.

Her family's reactions were nothing less of what Amal had expected. They were concerned, surprised, and worried- asking questions over questions until they were finally satisfied. Sana did not leave out the scolding either, even if it was a lot gentler than it would have been if Amal were alone.

While Amal kept silent, she caught the glare her mother sent her way more than once, and thus, when she went to see Zahid off at the door, she tried sneaking her way into his car again. "I'm going to die today," she kept muttering under her breath, till Zahid diverted her attention to his goodbye. Soon, Amal had forgotten that she had a cross family waiting for her inside, and she could only bid Zahid farewell, and good luck- till their 'parting-words' had extended to 'parting-speeches' which might have been neverending were it not for Zahid who laughed, telling her that it wasn't like they were never going to meet again.

On returning back to the living room, however, she found her family waiting for her, and... let's just say that the next hour or so was chaotic. While both Sana and Usman wanted to know how she could keep something so huge from them, Eman and Mr.Hussain were in favor of giving her a chance to explain herself, and thus, Amal had to relay the whole story once again.

Even if her family were quick to react, Amal's entire views and beliefs were based on how she was raised, and thus, it was no surprise when her family agreed that it was right for Amal to support Zahid.

Usman went off to talk to Zahid on the phone once again, while her parents told Amal that while she had only done the right thing in siding with Zahid, both Zahid and herself were still young and inexperienced- and thus, should have first considered taking council from their elders. Soon everything was settled, and Amal found herself realizing the wisdom behind her parents' words.

Though she might have thought that being without Zahid would be difficult, she soon grew used to it. Sure, she missed him, but she had missed her family just as much and she had much to do to keep herself busy. For one, she found out that she was going to be an aunt- and so she spent a lot of time with Eman, teasing and debating with Usman over potential names and catching up with her parents.

Zahid felt her absence more than she did, for while Amal had her family with her, he only had Eddie to keep him company at home. He too, however, did not have much time to brood over her absence for he himself was busy most of the time.

Yet, the two always found time for each other, either through text or late-night phone calls.

"For some reason, Zahid, I am suddenly craving your late-night pancakes," Amal said to him one night, standing out on the terrace.

"Really?" She could almost see the smile on his face. "I would have made them for you if you were here"

Amal leaned against the railing of the terrace, watching the dark mountains loom in the distance. She was quiet for a while, her phone held close to her ear and a faraway look in her eyes as she thought of how intimidating the mountains looked at night. The dark shadows that seemed to be staring at you from afar, and in their looming presence, you felt the smallness of your own being. Of how diminutive ... how insignificant you were.

"I'm going to try something," Amal finally said, her voice breaking through the silence of the night.

"Hmm?"

"I- you know I have tried contacting newspapers and magazines, right? And I always got rejected?" Amal paused, the smallness of her being hitting her weirdly now. "I think I'm going to try something else now. Just maybe, maybe it might work?"

Being on her own now, Amal was beginning to realize how important Zahid's work was, and while he spent all of his time in trying to make a difference in the world... Amal had only tried for a brief time, and when she had constantly failed, she had given up.

"Go for it." Zahid's immediate support made her smile. "Whether it works or not- at the end of the day, it is our struggle that counts."

It is our struggle that counts. Amal lowered her gaze, tightening the shawl around herself, but when she spoke, her voice was merry and teasing. "Aren't you trying to convince yourself here?"

Zahid chuckled and Amal heard him move about.

"You or me. Isn't it one and the same?"

Amal could not help the light-hearted chuckle that escaped her lips. Zahid was like that... he would say the sweetest of things, and he would always be so innocently genuine about it.

A sudden gust of wind played with a strand of her hair and Amal tucked it back, her gaze returning to the mountains. Humans were so... small. Like an ant stuck inside the middle of a wooden bowl- trying to make its way out but it fails again and again, and every time it falls, it gets up right away and tries again. After hours of constant struggle... one would ask:

What's the use? Isn't it better to just stay there and wait for your destined end?

"At the end of the day, Amal," Zahid said again, his voice low, "It is our struggle that counts. At least we're trying-"

But no, the ant does not understand that. The ant does not even stop to think when it falls. It gets right up and tries again.

"-And that in itself is our victory," Amal finished for him, smiling softly.

To an onlooker, the ant's struggles might mean nothing- someone might even think that the ant is a fool to aim for something it can never get. But it tries- and it tries, and after a hundred tries, after a hundred failures, it manages to move a little further, it manages to climb a bit more and succeeds.

"Let's give it our all then?" Zahid whispered.

Amal's gaze returned to the mountains. 

Yes, humans were small, and yet- if a creature as small as an ant could display such strengths then how unimaginably strong could a human be?

"Every atom of our being."

~~~

It was past midnight. The street light flickered a couple of times, before it went out, darkness enveloping the street.

The sudden lack of light brought to focus a window in the corner-plot. It was an office window and the lights were still on, for a young man was still very much awake.

His laptop was opened in front of him, and his eyes were narrowed, a solemn expression on his face. Harris read the email once again, and then he leaned back in his seat, his forehead creasing.

He seemed to be deep in thought, his fingers subconsciously tapping the table.

Suddenly, the door to his office opened, and Harris sat up, his hand automatically moving to close the laptop with a snap.

Zahid stood at the door, blinking at Harris' surprised expression.

"You're still here?" Harris cleared his throat, hoping that he sounded normal enough.

"I'm going home now," Zahid stifled a yawn, "What are you doing this late anyway?"

"Just- catching up on some work," Harris said a bit too quickly.

Zahid nodded. "You should go home as well. We still need to visit Qammar Fayaz tomorrow-"

"Oh, about that- I told Mrs. Syed and she said that she wants to go as well."

"We could have handled it though-"

"Yeah, I know. I told her that, but she says that she really wants to help in some way."

Zahid's brow drew together but he eventually nodded. "Alright. Let's do it tomorrow."

As Zahid called out his salam, the door swinging close behind him, the smile fell from Harris' face. He inhaled sharply, his eyebrows drawing together. For a while, he seemed to be deep in thought, and then, with a determined nod, he opened up his laptop once again, quickly typing a reply to the email.

To: faaris

Subject: Reply- Request to Meet

Where and when?

-Harris 

Assalamualaykum.

It took me forever to get this chapter up and I apologize for the delay but I had two tests this week and life was slightly insane. I hope the wait was worth it though. 

What are your views on the Harris scene?

This was also the last chapter of part two: scintilla. We are now moving on to part three, and I- for one, am pretty excited for it. If you liked this chapter, do consider leaving it a vote. 

Jazakillah!