Chapter 2

Shayari's pov 

"Api! (endearment for elder sister) Wake up" I heard someone yelling as I tried hard to open my eyes.

I opened my eyes finally with much difficulty and found myself in my bed room, on my bed. not on that empty road.  Thank God I'm not there anymore. 

"Api are you alright? You were sobbing in your sleep and you're drenched in sweat," Zeenat said and I looked at my state 

I must be like a ghost god! 

"Nothing happened Zeenat! I'm fine. What will happen to me? " I lied to her intentionally as if she gets to know the truth then she will panic for no reason and that's the last thing I want to do right now

"do you think, I am Dumb?that I don't understand anything? I can clearly see that you are not fine. Now spill the details already." She said strictly as if she is my mother. She is childish and mature all together. She can turn in anything according to the situations 

"I had a nightmare. Nothing serious! You go and get ready for college." I told her so she won't enquire anymore. 

"It's only 3 am and our college starts at 11 am." She said and rolled her eyes 

I looked at the clock and it's showing 3:05 am. Ugh stupid me! 

"then what are you doing here?" I asked her raising my eyebrows 

"Actually I saw a horror movie and I can't sleep in my room alone so I thought to sneak into your room and sleep on the bed with you but when I came you were sweating like a pig in a full air-conditioned room." she said smiling sheepishly she is looking very cute to be honest 

"OK come and sleep here." I told her and she laid by my side smiling happily. 

I hugged her and caressed her hairs so she would fall asleep soon enough. 

And as I thought she slept in minutes. 

Kissing her forehead I got up from the bed and decided to make coffee for myself because I can't sleep anymore. If I sleep then again those memories will haunt me. But before that I changed my wet clothes and wear a fresh set of night wear 

I walked inside the kitchen and fetched myself coffee with muffins that I freshly baked tonight only. 

Once done I walked out of the kitchen and entered the balcony of Zeenat's room and using that I reached my room balcony so I won't disturb her with the noise. We are staying in bade Abbu's, one of the houses. He doesn't want us to stay in the college dormitory. He has granted us freedom and a normal life that's a lot. 

In this big house we both stay along with maids and other staff. Our house is guarded 24×7 for our security. I miss everyone back there but I need a little bit of freedom before I'm tied fully so does Zeenat. So that's why here we are away from everyone and everything. 

I sat down on the couch and looked at the night sky. It's filled with stars and the moon Is shining brightly. 

I love gazing at the stars because I find my Abbu (father) and Ammi (mother) there along with Badi ammi and chachis. 

(Badi ammi - someone older than mother or just giving respect to someone 

Chachi- uncles wife)

I sipped my coffee and the bitter taste of it left a smile on my face. 

Fortunately I took my phone with me while leaving the room and decided to check someone's ID on Instagram ok I mean stalk someone. And you don't need to know who that person is. 

It's a secret that I will take with me in my grave though Zeenat has an idea about it but she thinks I'm over him. 

It's not that I love him, it's just that the stone man attracts me like a moth is attracted to the flames. 

I sighed and checked his profile and again he posted a shirtless picture. 

And has so many likes and comments are flooding there. All girls are drooling over him. 

How hot he is how sexy he is. 

Stupid girls! No stupid stone man. What's the need of posting a half naked picture when you're single? And will stay single only?

"it's called shirtless sweetheart and it's his body and his Instagram ID he can do anything with it. He can publish nudes for all you care about, isn't it?" my bitchy subconscious asked 

She is my biggest enemy, I'm telling you. 

"yeah because I say the truth. He ain't gonna be yours sweetheart so stop dreaming about him." Again she butted in 

"like I want him to be mine. He is like flames and I'm like a Rose and everyone knows that flames turn everything in ashes including Rose. He hates me reason is unknown but I know this fact" I told her and got no response from her 

Good thing! 

I finished my coffee and muffins and decided to scroll my Instagram feed as it's only 03:45 am but that's my one of biggest mistakes as Suddenly a notification popped in my phone and I saw Zarun bhai jaan is texting me. 

Uh oh I will be dead meat if bade Abbu got to know that I'm again staying awake late or better skipping sleep. 

(bade Abbu -endearment for elder then father or used for someone to give respect

Bhai jaan -elder brother) 

I decided to ignore his texts and quickly switched off the mobile data. 

I will make some excuses. 

But my plan was in gutter even before it formed because my phone vibrated as someone called me and the ID is Bade Abbu. 

Shayari beta tu to gayi kaam se (Shayari dear you're gone) 

I received the call and greeted it with silence. 

"Hello," I said after clearing my throat 

I'm feeling nervous suddenly. 

"Hello to you Shayari, so can I know why are you awake in this hour of night?" he asked in his ever so calm voice 

How can he always sound so calm when he is angry as well? 

I could have counter back saying that why are you still awake but I couldn't. It will make my situation worse. 

" Actually I was hungry so thought to have some coffee and muffins. You can check it. I can send you pics of the used mug and Dish." I told him 

"is it?" he asked and I know he is giving me chance to tell everything myself 

"I again saw that nightmare." I told him the truth 

I can't lie to him no matter what happened. I owe him the truth. 

I heard him taking a deep breath and then he said 

"don't skip your medicines. You have to continue them. And just a month more after that you both will be back home. Safe and sound." He said and I can sense the tension in his voice 

"Who will say that I'm no one to you, bade Abbu? You love me just like your own daughter. Where my own relatives left me to die. If that night…" I said but he immediately interrupted. 

 "shh! No need to think about it. Let the past stay in the past only. And you're my daughter. Just like zeenat. Maybe you're not born from me but I have accepted you as my daughter from my heart. And now try to sleep you can't ruin your health like this" He said cutting me in middle 

I know he wants only the best for me. And I should listen to him. 

"OK bade Abbu bye, good night I will talk to you tomorrow." I told him 

"Yes good night and take care of yourself and your sister." He said and I nodded in response but when I realised he can't see me I mumbled a yes immediately 

And cut the call. 

I looked at the phone screen and decided to text back Zarun bhai jaan. 

"you didn't do good by snitching on me" I texted him 

"I didn't snitch on you dear sister Bade Abbu asked me to text you. Currently we are working over our new project and he saw you online while checking his phone." He texted back immediately 

I send him a shocked emoji in reply 

"Now sleep, otherwise I will tell him." He texted back with a wink emoji 

I groaned and said ok and switched off the mobile data. 

The clock is showing its 4 am now and I still have time. 

I looked at the sky and the stars started to vanish as the sun would rise soon enough. But to my horror clouds started to gather around indicating it will rain soon. 

I got up from the couch and took my things and stepped out hurriedly. 

Placing all the things aside I locked the door and checked the windows. Making sure they are locked and covering them with the curtains I came back to my room and did the same. 

I laid down on the bed after putting earbuds in my ear so I won't be able to hear any sound. 

After everything I have developed a phobia of rain and thunderstorm. 

I get scared whenever a storm hits or it rains. 

Back home everyone was there for me and here it was. 

I hugged her tightly and tried to sleep but failed miserably. 

Shutting my eyes tightly I laid there and soon enough I was again lost in my dream land again living the past memories that had turned out to be a nightmare for me