Riwayat- Pt 2

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A/N: Beware, the start is a little booorrinnggg but read on, you'll see some real masala!!

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Opening the blinds of the room that was perfect in size or maybe even bigger for a single person, Zaahira stretched her arms to release the ache in her shoulders. The jet lag got the best of her and she ended up sleeping in for more than 9 hours.

"Ah, yaar, suraj dada aaj toh thoda late aate."

Knowing very well that her words sounded stupid than the multiplication table being recited by a 7 year old, she tied her hair in a low bun and ordered a cup of tea alongside a plate of pancakes from the room service before quickly dashing into the washroom to take a quick shower.

Changing into a loose knitted beige top and black denim jeans fitting loosely to her form, she combed her hair into a low ponytail. Dabbing a little bit of powder on her face, she applied the transparent lip balm on her slightly chapped lips- thanks to the changing season- and removed her small backpack for the trip she had planned for the day.

The very moment, the doorbell rang and she quickly took in her breakfast, thanking the server who smiled politely, leaving her alone in peace to munch on the delicious looking tray of simple yet classy food.

Gobbling it all in a record time of less than 10 minutes, she wiped her lips before smacking herself for her stupidity for putting the lip balm before having her food. Unlocking her phone, she refrained herself from rolling her eyes upon seeing the constant messages from her brother and father. Despite their over protective nature, Zaahira felt a smile tugging at her lips and she closed the phone, keeping it aside for the rest of the day.

Looking into the schedule that she had planned for herself based on the timings given by the tour guide, Zaahira hummed on seeing that her first tour session was fixed in less than 45 minutes now.

Knowing where she'd be able to join the group, she quickly took hold of her bag, gave herself a last look over in the mirror and dashed out of the room. Highly excited for what this small and beautiful place had to offer.

"Bibi, dhyan se chale."

A woman in her late forties reprimanded Zaahira when she bumped into her by mistake. Giving the older woman a sheepish smile and a polite apology, she rounded the corner and sighed in relief when she spotted a group of 15-18 people all hurled up in a circle not far from where she was.

Tightening her grip around the strap of her black bag, she stood silently, not engaging in the conversations but rather enjoying the moderate breeze.

"Attention everyone!"

A loud voice boomed out of nowhere and Zaahira held in a surprised squeal. It was obvious that many were caught off guard by the gasps and shrieks that rang in the air.

Multiple pairs of gazes landed on the man who now looked visibly flustered. A sheepish expression was what he wore on his face as he cleared his throat and clapped once.

"Sorry for the unexpected noise. Moving on, I'm Burhan Asif, your tour guide for the day and the one who'd take you to see the best of beauties that you've ever seen. The trip will be from 1 to 6. Beware, if you're lagging behind, the rest of the group would not be put on hold for you. It's a group trip and should be treated as such."

Murmurs were heard, some agreed while some frowned.

"We'll be starting with nature today. One of the best things about this town is the miniature forest- yes, that's what they call it- not too dense, nor too easy to cross. It's free of any wild animals or poisonous serpents, so your safety in that matter is assured. Rather than that, small insects, mammals and a few gopher snakes that are not poisonous, so if you spot one, please don't panic."

Burhan motioned with his hand and another person came forward, distributing a small pamphlet amongst the tourists.

"Here's a guide for you IF you were to wander away from the group, safety measure of course. Survival skills that wouldn't be needed are also mentioned in case you've the habit of panicking more than necessary. A paragraph is dedicated to gopher snakes in order to ease your worries if you're alone during your encounter with them. With that, we shall now begin our journey. Follow aboard humans!"

Many chuckled at the enthusiasm that the young tourist guy offered. Zaahira too was one of them as she got on the bus with a curious expression.

Taking her seat, she adjusted the ac and relaxed back on the comfortable seat. Her eyes looked at the pamphlet with a hidden curiosity and she opened the three layers one by one and read through the words that were written in simple words, easy for anyone to understand and follow.

Do not eat from an unknown tree, the fruit could be poisonous.

Never startle a resting animal or an insect large enough for you to spot, in their state of alarm, they can cause unwanted harm to you.

In case of injuries, clean the wound with water and tie a piece of clean clothing in order to avoid interaction between the injury and the surroundings to avoid infections.

If you have spotted a gopher snake, do not acknowledge them or make a high pitched sound, they aren't poisonous but that does not mean they'd not cause any harm.

And the list went on. Some simple precautions that could ward away unwanted troubles.

Zaahira felt the bus coming to a halt and waited on her seat for everyone to go first. People had the tendency to push and pull in such queues as though they were giving free diamonds outside the vehicle.

"Bibi, aap pehle chali jaye."

A polite woman who seemed a few years older than Zaahira offered while motioning with her hands. Zaahira smiled and thanked her politely before quickly getting down the bus and inhaling the much needed fresh air.

"Listen up, everyone! No pushing and no violence. You'll be kicked out of the trip if seen causing troubles. We're here to enjoy the scenery and relax in peace, not control raging bulls."

Burhan warned with a stern yet playful tone. Everyone nodded their heads, agreeing with his words and in no time, two lines were formed, each being guided together through the forest.

"Please don't touch any tree unless you have assistance. The forest looks beautiful but beholds dangers of its own-"

Zaahira zoned out Burhan's words unconsciously. Her eyes raked from one magnificent tree trunk to the other. The cracks in them told of their age while its height was of a noble standing in all its glory- proud and unmatched.

She couldn't pinpoint their names since botany was never a subject of her interest. Small flowers of different colours were scattered around like parts of rainbows in the vast land, adding their own touch to the brown and green surrounding. The smell of the soil was rich and distinguishable, probably because of the rain a few days back.

The soil melted under the touch of her boots while her eyes itched to see more of what this part had to offer.

Her eyes caught sight of a small bird hurled in a corner at the top of the tree. It's size that of her palms while its wings were different shades of brown from warm tan to sepia mixed with arrays of squash orange.

The small beak hammered gently on the tree trunk beside its small nest, as though afraid to hurt the majestic being but at the same time feeling bored and not knowing what to say or do.

"What's that bird-"

Zaahira turned around to ask the guide but was left mute when she found herself standing all alone, nothing but the sounds of the rustling leaves, small chirping of birds and heavy beating winds around.

She blinked.

Her hands fell to her side and she rubbed her palms against her jean clad thighs, mentally chanting herself to stay calm and collected.

They'd be around.

And with that hope, she called out in the silent placid environment.

"Burhaan! Anyone there?!"

A deep silence fell after her words and she gulped, feeling the first remnants of nervousness seeping into her veins.

"Just take deep breaths. Walk ahead, you'll find them."

She whispered to herself and with a newfound confidence, she took long strides into the unknown, hoping to find the group she had lost sight of.

*****

Loud screeches made the man wince in his seat. A look of fear glistened in his eyes as he noticed the tree ahead of them, a single loss of the controls and they'd go crashing into it and by the speed of the jeep, he wasn't sure if they'd make it alive.

He opened his mouth to protest, say something but the fear had made him silent. He watched as they neared the tree more and more, the person beside him not ready to change his route.

Upon a few meters away from the tree, the man finally yelled in a state of panic and distress.

"KHUDA KE VAASTE BHAI GAADI MOD!!"

Upon his loud plea, the car was turned at the last moment and his wide eyes took in the tree trunk that they had missed by not much of a distance.

The rumbling laughter from beside him made him huff in annoyance. The frustration that had built up in the air had now reduced but the one in him had not yet calmed down.

"Kya hai bhai? Hamesha aisa karna zaroori hai? Takra jaate toh?"

"Takraye toh nahi na. Kha ma kha dimag ko takleef dete rehte ho. Waise bhi kitna kam hai tumhare paas."

Dilawar smirked at Yazan, amusement gleamed clearly in his syrup brown eyes as he tapped his forefinger leisurely on the steering wheel.

"Very funny. Ab batayega yeh karnama kiya kis liye tha?"

Yazan dusted his shoulders to clean the invisible dirt from them, a frown rested on his face and he couldn't help but glare at the man he called his best friend.

"Aise hi. Bahot din ho gaye the jab aakhri baar tujhe darta hua dekha tha."

Dilawar shrugged towards the end as if his words were no big of a deal, not giving a single glance to Yazan who sat gaping at his psychotic friend.

"Ghar chal tu, chachi ko na bataya teri is harkat ke baare mein toh dekh lena."

"Amma, mujhse pehle tere kaan pakdegi. Unho ne jo samaan mangaya tha woh liya ki nahi?"

Yazan's once annoyed eyes turned wide at his words. Within seconds, the once lost panic returned with full force as he urged his friend to take a u-turn.

"Saale, pehle yaad nahi dila sakta tha?"

"Tab teri yeh shakal kaise dekhta?"

"Kut-"

"Zaban sambhalke Yazan babu, warna kaan ke neeche ek zor ki padegi."

Dilawar gave a stern look to the man who grumbled under his breath, not knowing why he even allowed himself to be treated like a kid when in fact they were of the same age.

"Chal abhi, wapas chal, warna meri shamat aa jaani hai aaj."

"Wahi toh chahiye mujhe."

"Dilawar, tujhe teri jeep ka vaasta mere bhai, please market ki oor ghuma gaadi."

He pleaded with his hands joined and Dilawar rolled his eyes at the melodrama.

"Mera mood nahi hai."

"What do you mean by mera mood nahi hai?"

"Angrezi na jhado mere saamne. Koi dusri gaadi pakad le yaha se."

"Yahi sila dega tu meri dosti ka?"

Yazan wiped the fake stray tear that leaked down his eyes, once again making Dilawar bite back a curse at his horrible acting skills. Sighing in agitation, he pressed the brakes, sending Yazan flying to the windshield.

"Kameena."

Yazan muttered as he rubbed his now sore forehead, feeling the pricks of pain that now travelled across his head.

"Seat belt pehanni chahiye thi. Chal bhai, nikal bahar."

"Lekin-"

"Nahi chod raha tujhe akela mere bhai. Tu jeep leke ja, main chal kar chala jaunga, waise bhi kafi din ho gaye hai pairo ko takleef nahi di."

Yazan's jaw would have hit the floor if not for Dilawar smacking his cheeks with a manly force. Wincing at another injury that he had received in less than 5 minutes, Yazan did as asked to and quickly drove back to the market, not wanting to have his ears eaten off by his amma and chachi.

Dilawar stretched his arms over his head. The road wasn't deserted yet since it was just 5.30 in the evening, though people could be seen ushering their cattles back home, the grazing time was over for the day.

The hickory coloured shawl that he wore covered his broad shoulders up to his mid torso, falling down the ends of his left bicep a little below his torso. The traditional pathani suit that he wore made him resemble the nawab taking strides in his state, attracting attention without even trying.

The smile he wore on his face could bring the brightest of stars to hide behind the moon in shame, his eyes gleamed with a light that showed just how content he was with life while his strong steps told not to mess with him just by seeing his playful state.

"Dilawar miya, aaj akele kaha chale?"

"Kahi nahi chacha, bas socha aaj pairon ko thodi kasrat de de."

"Chalo acha hai, kabhi aya karo humare yaha bhi. Tumhari chachi khidmat mein koi kasar nahi chodengi."

That was the thing about this place. They may be a little traditional but the bond between the residents was unmatched and admiring. Hospitality and warmth was all they offered to the people.

"Insha'Allah, kabhi aur chacha. Abhi ke liye toh ghar pahoch na hai."

The older man sighed but anyhow nodded his head. Patting Dilawar's shoulder, he bid his words of goodbye and Dilawar continued on his way.

Halfway through his steps, the sight of a fully bloomed violet chrysanthemum stopped him on tracks. They were his mother's favourite, and a beautiful piece of nature too.

With his smile still intact, he quickly plucked a few but with the roots on, knowing well that if he were to simply pluck the flower, his mother would make him rot just like the beautiful petals after a few days of being separated from their source of nourishment.

Taking a total of 5 of them, he balanced them securely in his hands and was about to walk away when the crunching of leaves behind him made him freeze.

The muscles in his shoulder tensed at the sudden invasion and he straightened up, the smile now no longer seen while his eyes hardened, erasing any traces of playfulness from them.

"Kaun hai waha?"

His tone was strict and filled with an underlying warning.

He waited for a few seconds, and immediately took a few steps forward, trying to get a look of the person but whom he saw, had his eyes widening in surprise and interest.

For the person that greeted him was a woman who wore the cutest of frowns and mud etched to her soft pastel like cheeks.

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Sooo sorry for the late update but yaar, I'm just too exhausted before iftar and too lazy after iftar. Main kya karu ab?!

Ahuh, aye haye, Dilawar seems to be the perfect blend of joy and seriousness that I need in my life...

Chalo, dono ruh baru toh aa gaye, ab bas kuch heart to heart connection ban jaye toh bahot acha. (Like damn, me be going at the speed of metro when in fact it should be a bail gaadi.)

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