Chapter 59: Promises. 

*

"We make promises, 

to avoid the shortcomings"

-2am on promises-

*

Yazdan concluded his prayers and stood up, hoping to catch the brief sun rise at the Rashad Barns. He walked out of the mosque (after greeting everyone he met on the way) and set at the steps, tying his shoes. Once done, he headed out of the parking lot of it towards the path outside. The morning air rustled past him, sending shivers down his spine. He stuffed his hands into the pocket of his jeans as he walked, with his thoughts lingering everywhere.

The sound of his phone ringing snapped him out of his reverie. Without as much a glance, he picked it up.

"As salaam alaikum. Yazdan" he spoke in a monotone; not because he was unhappy or stressed but because it was his usual business tone.

"Wa alaikum mus salaam, Bhaiyu" He immediately smiled at the sound of his younger brother's voice.

"Safwah! How are you?" Safwah laughed on the other line. Yazdan felt warmth erupt within him, despite the chilly air around. This is the warmth of my family.

"Alhamdulillah. How are you? And Bhabhi?" he questioned like an excited kid. Yazdan chuckled, standing by the pedestrian crossing, looking at the light to change to green.

"All good, Alhamdulillah. What's the news?" he asked, just when the lights turned green.

"I am heading to India for border patrol" he told Yazdan. Yazdan frowned, as he finally stepped onto the footpath across the road.

"India? But why?"

"You know how we work, Bhaiyu. It's undecided where we go. I am glad Sahl is staying back" he told Yazdan who sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Does mom know?"

"No. Don't tell her. Please Bhaiyu. If you do, she won't let me go" Safwah explained and Yazdan nodded. Their mother would never let Safwah go if she knew what exactly her son was doing.

"Fine. But-" he spoke and the line went silent. "-Be careful, Safwah. I do not want you hurt. You can analyze, investigate or even fight. But you are not allowed to injure yourself. Clear?" he spoke like a stern older brother. On the other line, Safwah felt his breath hitch as his throat clogged up.

"I will Bhaiyu" he managed. Yazdan let out a small smile. A sad one.

"I love you Safwah. No one will be able to bare the pain of one of us getting hurt. Especially mom and Daadi." He explained, as he began walking again. He had not realized that he had stopped.

"I know, Bhaiyu. Trust me I know. I have been at it for a while now to know what you mean. Anyway. I leave tonight" he told Yazdan who nodded at him.

"Take care. Pray on time. I'll pray for you" he told Safwah who let out a small laugh.

"Your prayers have been keeping me alive, remember Bhaiyu" he joked. But something about the way he said it made Yazdan's inside churn. Don't overthink Yazdan. He has done this many times before. Yazdan said his silent prayers before continuing his chat with Safwah. By the time the two were done, he had reached Yahyah's street.

-

Yahyah caught a few hours of sleep before he was awoken by a phone call. He had been getting little sleep these past few weeks, well since Nahal left. He picked it up carelessly until he heard her voice. Then he smiled like an idiot.

"As salaam alaikum" she said and he looked up on the wall, checking the time. 5:03am. Must be afternoon there.

"Wa alaikum mus salaam. How are you?" he asked, sleepiness lacing his voice. Nahal let out a small laugh. Sleep. No, No sleep. Must talk.

"Alhamdulillah good. How are you?"

"Hmmn missing you" he muttered sleepily. Nahal let out another laugh before she sobered up.

"I miss you too, bubbah" she said and he grinned, closing his eyes and laying on his back. The air conditioning was switched on and it was chillier in the room than outside the house.

"How is work?"

"Just a few more days and I will be back with you. You coming here?" she asked him and Yahyah frowned.

"I can't. Work" he replied, heaving a sigh.

"Right" Nahal replied, disappointment lacing her voice. It had been almost a month since she left and each day, the two were on call every morning and afternoon. But it isn't enough, Yahyah thought in disdain. He wanted to touch her, kiss her, hold her and keep her with him.

"You said only a few weeks, right? We've got this" Yahyah consoled her. Like we say every time we talk.

"We got this"

-

Safwah stared at his black leather boots clad feet, the roughened edges at the bottom standing out against the smooth gray tile surface. He was dressed in a white t-shirt with an Army green windbreaker and black jeans.

An eerie of silence surrounded the place where he set, a large pot plant standing beside the wooden bench upon which he set. There was a painting of sea waves hanging on the wall, bright in contrast to the dark gray walls.

"Safwah?" he looked up to see his twin standing at the door. A slow smile made its way on his face as he stood up. Sahl crossed the room and stood in front of his brother.

"Why?" Safwah was not surprised by his question. I'd be more surprised if he didn't question. Instead he continued smiling. Sahl, at once, thought he had gone maniacal but of course he was wrong. His brother always had the tendency to do risky things.

Sahl, upon receiving no answer, let out a sigh and ran his hand through his hair.

"Fine. But promise me," he said, looking at Safwah firmly. Safwah let out a laugh.

"You also want a promise? I have made a total of 5 promises in a span of two hours today" he jested while Sahl glared at him. He held his hand up in surrender.

"What?" he finally asked. Sahl nodded at him.

"Promise me you'll come back to us safe and sound" he told Safwah. Safwah wanted to laugh. He really did. He had made 4 promises of the exact kind, just in different words.

"I promise" he stated, knowing he would not get out of here without promising his brother exactly that. They know this is dangerous. Yet they make me do this. Sahl smiled at him before pulling him into a hug.

"Stay safe. Take care." Sahl told him as they hugged. Sahl wanted to let go but Safwah held him tight, refusing to let go. Sahl frowned. This never happened before.

"Safwah?" he asked. Safwah blinked rapidly to rid the tears that were forming behind his eyelids.

"A little longer. Who knows when I will get a chance like this again" the last part was a whisper, mostly to himself but Sahl heard him alright. He lightly hit Safwah's back.

"We don't say such things in the Zaeef family. Remember that. We'll pray for you. Allah is above all and He shall protect you. Don't worry" Sahl stated as he let go. Safwah squeezed Sahl's lean body once more in his embrace before stepping back with a grin.

"I am leaving with hope in The Almighty only, brother" Safwah stated and Sahl nodded, patting his back.

A few men stepped into the room with grins. Sahl turned to them with a smile.

"Wesley, my brother better return safe" Sahl jested with the built man. The man, his green eyes sparkling barked a laugh, patting Sahl's back.

"Don't worry Sah. We got this, like always" Wesley and Safwah high fived each other.

"Alright men, time to leave" called out a gruff voice at the end of the room. Wesley rolled his eyes and Safwah shrugged. Sahl smiled at his brother.

"Stay safe. Allah hafiz" Sahl side hugged Safwah as the latter replied the same, adding Take care of everyone at the end.

Safwah walked out of the room, stepping into the chilly Canberra air. He walked over to the black Mercedes and turned to the large building in front of him. Interpol HQ, read in bold shining letters at the front.

"Let's do this men" he heard his partner say. He let out a grin. This is the life I love. 

*******

Update! 

Salaam :) :) 

So I wrote this part, slept then woke up now and published it. 

| To All My Panda's:

Please stay safe. With everything that's happening in India, Iran, USA and Australia; I pray that you all remain safe. Not just these places but where-ever you guys are at. I hope you all stay safe and sound in your homes. 

We all struggle but The Almighty doesn't burden a soul more than it can bare, right? :) 

STAY SAFE! I LOVE YOU GUYS.  |

| R - C -V |

xx, 

-Aalihha-