Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Shaan's P.O.V.

I was sitting on a bench at a park thinking of past time. We used to come here almost regularly not because all of us loved the place but for Titly. She just loved the place. That time the park was always beautifully organized and decorated but now nothing seems the same.

My mind spoke up interrupting my thought, "Or maybe just you are not the same anymore."

Maybe and why not! My world changed all of a sudden. The people who were supposed to be with me forever, now they are found nowhere. After Ammi left me, Abbu was still busy in his business like always. But they were there for me always.

They always tried their best not to let me feel the absence of my parents. But at that point they also left me in the middle of the journey of life suddenly. I am still stuck there where they left me.  And Titly? Didn't she promise me that she will wait for me?

And now where is she!

I don't know how to go on with my life. How to move on!

With teary eyes I was going on thinking like that and got interrupted when I felt someone sitting on the bench beside me. I would be on nine clouds if the person was the one I was expecting. But I knew that was not the case. The person had to be Vai and I was very sure of that.

I was wiping my eyes when I felt his hand on my shoulder. I looked at him and saw the sad smile with teary eyes. When Titly was with us, we two generally didn't get the chance to talk to each other for long as we were needed to listen to Titly without interrupting whether we wanted. But now the case is opposite. We get a long time with each other but there is nothing to talk now.

After remaining silent for a while, I spoke up, "Vai, should we go there today?"

He looked at me and I pointed towards a restaurant which was at the middle of the park. Titly loved the restaurant and literally dragged us specially me there whenever we came here in this park.

Vai smiled sadly at me and nodded. We entered the restaurant and a boy came towards us with a warm smile and said, "You didn't come here for a long time, Vaia. I thought you guys left the town or country. By the way, where is Titly Api?"

We got paused for a moment. We didn't know what to reply him. The boy was a waiter here and a great fan of Titly. She used to talk to him a lot like always and the boy listened to her like he was listening to the most important thing of his life. Titly used to bring gifts for him sometimes and that times he became happy beyond imagination.

I didn't know what answer he got from our silence but the smile faded away from his face and he asked sadly, "What will you take? The same as before or something else?"

Vai and me replied at the same time, "Same." And looked at each other. The boy left to get our food. We took a table and remained sitting there silently. I felt Vai was hesitating like he was trying to tell me something but just couldn't get to tell.

So I spoke up, "Vai? Do you have something to tell me?"

He remained staring at me but didn't utter a single word. I was again about to say something but got interrupted when the boy kept our food on our table and said, "Here are your food." And left from there immediately.

When I again turned to vai, I saw him staring at our food then.

Pizza and cold drinks.

Titly's favorite food but Vai and me never liked it but had to eat it as we were left with no other choice then. Today we had a choice but still we chose the same.

Vai looked at me and then started to eat. Without uttering any word, I followed him.

Ruhaan's P.O.V.

While eating, I was looking at Shaan every minutes but couldn't decide whether should I tell him now. Whenever Shaan caught me staring at him, I just smiled a little and turned to my food. After finishing our Pizza, I looked for the waiter boy but didn't find him. Paying the bill, we got out of the restaurant.

We were silently walking towards our car when Shaan stopped me and asked, "What is the matter vai? Do you want to say something to me?"

I stared at him for a while and then uttered, " Shaan, I" but got interrupted by my mind.

"Don't. At least not Today, Ruhaan." I became silent hearing this and Shaan again called me, "Vaii?"

Finding nothing else to say, I just asked him, "When are you returning?"

Hearing my question, the expression on his face changed as he was not buying my word as the answer of his question but with a sad face he replied, "I am not returning to anywhere, Vai. I will stay here."

Hearing his word, I became silent for some time and then said, "It's quite late Shaan. Uncle must be waiting for you. Go home and meet him. We will meet some other time."

Completing my say, I went near my car and hopped in and drove away without bothering to turn to him. As I knew if I remained with him a little longer, he would ask me again and this time I might not be able to avoid his question.

But I don't want to hurt him this way at least not today.

Ruhaan's P.O.V.

I knew, Shaan was still standing there. But I didn't bother to look back to him directly. Hopping in my car, I drove away while looking at his receding figure through the side mirror.

After my family, Shaan is the most important person in my life. He is the son of Saima Aunty who was my mother's bestie. He loved my parents dearly and so did my parents and if Titly was still alive, they would have been married now. After that incident, he has totally changed as he couldn't get over that. But I can't watch him having a future all by himself and mourning over that. I want him to be happy and for this I have to get away from him.

While being with me, he won't be able to forget Titly and the past. He must get a life now and get married to have someone in his life and move on. I will make sure of it. I have to do this and anyhow I will.

"And what about you? If Shaan is also gone, won't you remain just all by yourself?" My mind uttered softly and I stayed silent for a moment, then spoke up, "That's enough for me."

Roshni's P.O.V.

Ruhaan was apologizing again and again but I felt like he was not apologizing to me but to himself and when he left, there was tear in his eyes but why? Only Allah knows what made him to get his eyes watery but I felt guilty. I knew, I was rude but it was not my behavior that made him like that of which I am very sure. But then why I am feeling guilty!

When I looked at Tithy, she was also staring at the way of Ruhaan going out. She was also looking sad. My thought broke when Ammi came near us and spoke up, "Tithy, you should take rest now." She turned to me and said, "Take her inside."

We went inside and took our dinner. After dinner, Hena and Heer left and we got to our room. While sitting on the bed, Tithy asked me, "Api, didn't you invite Tamim vai today?"

Then it came to mind that Tamim was not there in the party. I replied normally, "I did. May be he is busy."

While nodding, Tithy also uttered, "May be."

Little did they knew what he was busy with!

Mr. Mahmud's P.O.V.

I was waiting for Shaan. He arrived at noon and it's late at night and he still isn't bothering to meet me. He at least should have called me but no. Even I called him but he didn't answer my call. He must be busy with that Ruhaan. What should I do with him! I can't believe that he is my son.

With uttered annoyance, I called Ruhaan and immediately he answered my call and greeted me, "Assalamu_Alaikum, Uncle."

With zero of interest, I answered him and asked, "Waalaikum assalam. Son, is Shaan with you?"

He seemed shocked and said, "Uncle, earlier he was with me but he should be home by now. If he isn't then where did he go?" and became silent.

Being hopeful, I asked him, "By any chance did you talk to him about" but cutting me off, he replied, "No, uncle. I wasn't able to talk to him today."

"So what did you do earlier with him! I just can't tolerate my son hanging out with you people." I thought in mind but tried to use my painful voice and said, "I know Ruhaan, it's quite painful for you. Son, I just want to see you two having a happy life before I close my eyes forever. But I don't think, I will be able to make it. And the thought 'I failed as a father' is making my life hell."

After remaining silent for a moment when Ruhaan spoke up, "Uncle, I will talk to him tomorrow and I will make sure not to get you fail. You don't worry.", I sighed in relief and thanked him.

I cut off the line while thinking I just need Shaan to be happy but that's of course without having you around. I was going on thinking like that when my phone rang off. I answered the call and asked him, "What is it that you are calling me this late of night?"

The man uttered in a fearful voice, "Sir, I am sorry for calling you this time but it was urgent."

Hearing him, I spoke up, "Then speak up. What is it?"

"Sir, actually today Ruhaan" While answering, he stopped mid-sentence. I just hate this when someone stops midway while talking. So I yelled at him, "Ruhaan what?"

He answered in a low and fearful voice, "Sir, today I saw Ruhaan in Tithy's house meeting Tithy and her family."

I wasn't expecting that and shouted at him, "What! How come did this happen?"

"I am so..sorry sir. I tried my best but"

With extreme anger, I cut him off and yelled at him, "You tried your best and it ended up happening this way! Are you kidding me? I told you to get rid of them but you said otherwise. You said that you would take care of it all by yourself. Now what is this!"

He tried to say something again but I cut him off remembering something. "Wait a moment. What about Shaan? Was he with Ruhaan that time?"

"No sir"

"That's a relief" I thought in mind and uttered coldly, "Now do as I say or you will bear the consequences along with them and you know that very well." and cut off the line.

After thinking for a while, I made up a plan and texted him something.

"Why this is happening now out all the time! Just why?" I was talking to myself in annoyance and turning back, I found Shaan standing there and staring at me. I was shocked and started thinking, "When did he get here? Did he hear me?"

He got near and stood in front of me and asked..