THE DARKNESS WITH IN
Bang...Bang...Bang...
In some distant place a drum was being beaten. He groaned in frustration at that intrusive sound which had disturbed the cold numb peace that had finally settled in his body. He had lost track of time and place and was not aware of how far he had run but for the aching insistence that he felt on his calves and thighs proclaimed that he had covered quiet a distance. He could not remember seeing the sunrise but he could feel the icy rain and the wintry lash of the wind on his cheeks. He felt the sleet beneath his feet and the exhaustion overtaking his body but still he continued with the relentless pace, his infernal feet could not be diverted from running its course.
Bang...Bang...Bang...
The drumming continued like a clanging hammer. It's rhythm slow and steady - a beat that reverberated through his body and echoed in his ears like a cannon. The sound was closer to him than he realized. It was the cruel drumming of his very own beating heart.
Bang...Bang...Bang...
He could not outrun that infernal drumming vibrating through his body. He screamed in despair and ran faster, pumping his legs in tandem with the beats of his heart, hoping to outrun his black thoughts and turbulent emotions traversing through his mind, body and soul.
He did not want to feel anything - Not the fiery bite of cold hitting his face, nor the warmth of his short lived childhood memories.
He especially did not want to remember that horrible memory that clouded his childhood and shrouded it in misery, despair and loneliness.
Thud...Thud...Thud... went his feet, pounding on the hard wet ground.
It had been a while since he felt this helpless and vulnerable. It had been even longer since he had had that awful nightmare that left him feverish and gasping for breath. It was that house and the people that resided there that brought out this emotions in him; anger, rage, hate and bitterness that consumed his entire being like a cancerous disease. Every single moment in this place brought all the old memories flooding through his mind in vivid detail - sometimes black and white and sometimes in colour.
A few hours earlier...
He tossed and turned restlessly in slumber, his body sweating profusely. He uttered a litany of whimpers and sorrowful pleas whilst silent tears rolled down his cheeks and drenched his pillow.
"Ammi...Chutki...Ammi...Ammi..." he cried restlessly in his sleep.
An image of dancing orange flames flashed behind his fluttering closed lids. The pungent smell of burning wood and smoke made his nostrils twitch. He could feel the hot flames licking at his body and singeing his hair. He felt the hot furious flames invading his body making him thrash against the bed disturbing the sheets and pillows. His body writhed uncontrollably in distress and he woke with a jerk. His eyes filled with terror and remembered pain. His harsh breathing the only sound reverberating through the large empty room.
As he gasped out slow agonizing breaths, he blinked his eyes trying to clear the shadows of his nightmare and regain some semblance of control over his quivering body. He spied the bedside clock which read 4:30am and grimaced in despair, there would be no more peaceful sleep for him. He clambered out of bed, detangling himself from the sheets and duvet, grabbed the jacket to his matching sweats and donned his running shoes. Purposely he made his way out the sleeping house and into the still dark icy streets, looking for an escape.
He tried to outrun his over flowing emotions...
He tried to outrun the raging flames and fearful screams...
He tried to outrun his helplessness and feeling of inadequacy...
But to no avail because no matter how far he ran or how long he persisted, the feelings and emotions would not disappear. It followed him like a glaring shadow every step of the way.
Present...
Bang...Bang...Bang...
Continued the insisting drumming of his beating heart.
Thud...Thud...Thud...went the furious sprint of his tired feet. The course had been mapped. There was no room for distraction - No room for thought - And certainly no room for feelings.
The time had arrived...
For vengeance to be sought...
Old scores to be, settled...
Criminals to be, belittled...
These mutinous feelings...
Robbing him of breath...
Would leave them reeling...
Begging for their death...
His decision made, he turned around and made his way back to his temporary home. His feet much lighter than before. As he entered the house making his way to the gigantic staircase he was stopped by the soft sound of his name.
"Haider"
He turned, facing the lilting melodious voice. She stood there, a smile adorning her angelic features and twisting her fingers in nervousness. She looked at him with shy eyes, a blush dusting her cheeks in crimson hue.
"Breakfast is ready" she said, indicating the table laden with food and pointing at a vacant chair for him to sit.
His expression softened and his feet began to move without any thought towards her. She was his beacon of light amidst his dark dangerous thoughts. She called to his inner being like a moth to a flame. Her beauty attracted him, her innocence captivated him and her voice hypnotised him. He returned her longing gaze with one of his own, a smile creeping to his lips.
"Humeira, what are you doing standing here? Go bring the tea and coffee to the table" muttered Razia Siddique distractedly.
The sudden sound of Razia's voice had Haider stiffening, his lithe frame tensed with repressed emotions and wiping the smile of his face. Her voice echoed like a slap to his senses. If Humeira was his beacon of light then her mother Razia Siddique was his harbinger of darkness.
She was the reason for his loneliness...
She was the reason for his animosity and hatred...
She was the reason for his destruction...
And she was the reason for his living...
Flashback...
It was an ordinary day in the Sheik household, the only difference was the sound of boisterous laughter that echoed through the house and the sound of little feet scurrying across floorboards.
"Haider, go with Zeenath aunty and Zoya...show them the doll factory beta..."
"Jee Ammi" said ten year old Haider.
"Chutki, come...I'll race you" screamed Haider.
They both ran towards a waiting Zeenath, excitement rife in the air. As they made their way to the doll factory they chatted non - stop, giggling like little loons. Haider ran into the factory chasing his chutki further into the room not noticing the menacing shadow in the corner. The children oblivious to the coming danger played gleefully amongst the newly made dolls whilst the dark shadow made its way towards Zeenath.
Haider, his attention suddenly diverted from his chutki looked up when he noticed sounds from the room behind him. Leaving his little cousin to play by herself he made his way to the room and what he witnessed left him shocked and terrified. There stood his aunt Zeenath with a knife protruding from her chest, blood seeping from her white salwar suit clutching the table for support.
Frozen in terror, he could not utter a single word or scream. He stood there and watched the unfolding scene like a statue. He watched the person standing by his injured aunt turn and give a wicked smile and a loud screeching laugh. He heard her words but could not understand what she was saying. All he could see was that villainous face filled with venom and hate. That murderous face was imprinted in his innocent mind, it was the face of Razia Siddique. As he watched her leave the factory, he smelt the arid smell of smoke permeating the air. He looked around helplessly as the entire building was engulfed in raging flames. He tried to scream but no sound escaped his lips. He tried to move but his body was paralysed with fear. He felt faint, weak and drowsy. The last thing he heard before he blacked out was the terrified high pitched cries of his chutki.
"Ammi...Ammi...Help me Ammi...Bhaijaan?"
Present...
Rousing himself away from the painful past memories, he fisted his hands - nails biting into his palms. His mouth white with rage and his eyes blazed with defiance and hatred for Razia Siddique. The need for revenge super ceded all other emotions. His mind which for a moment flashed with the image of sweet serene Humeira was doused in darkness and engulfed with dark vengeful thoughts.
His mind firmed with the decision made - he would not waiver, he would not be swayed or distracted by feelings for Humeira. The only thing of importance to him was the need for revenge. The Siddiques should fall like crumbling bricks and mortar with no hope of ever being resurrected.
He gazed at Razia with venom filled eyes, making her wither before him, but totally oblivious to his plans. He gazed at Humeira with painful eyes for a moment, regret and sorrow eating at him and walked away muttering, "I'm not hungry".
She turned to watch him walk away, clutching her beating heart - Hope shining brightly in her eyes and heart.
Later that evening...
He stared out at the dark night, frustration evident on his face. The day had not gone as planned.
"Another wasted day" he muttered to himself angrily kicking at the door.
He watched the rain fall trying to calm his thoughts and black mood. Somewhere in the distance a stereo played a popular tune, the melody like a balm to his wounded soul.
As he stared out the terrace doors he saw Humeira walk outside and tentatively put her palm out to catch the falling drops. She opened her arms wide and looked into the night sky, twirling in circles - her clothes drenched with the pouring rain. He was mesmerised by the sight and found himself walking towards her in a trance.
kuchh khaas hai kuchh paas hai
kuchh ajanabi ehsaas hai
kuchh duriyaan najdikiyaan
kuchh hans padi tanhaayiyaan
kya yeh khumaar hai, kya aitbaar hai
shaayad yeh pyaar hai, pyaar hai shaayad
kya yeh bahaar hai, kya intjaar hai
shaayad yeh pyaar hai, pyaar hai shaayad
He observed her dancing in abandonment and admired her alluring curves. He suddenly let out a loud sneeze alerting Humeira that she was not alone. She turned so fast that she tripped over her feet, she closed her eyes and waited for her fall...
And waited...
And waited some more...
She opened her eyes cautiously only to realise that she was caught in the arms of Haider. She stared at him in wonderment and locked her gaze with his. He straightened up, pulling her to her feet but not letting her go. A high voltage of current raced through her quivering body making her heart beat twice as fast. The rain continued but they stood there lost in the moment and drenched in each other's thoughts.
kuchh saanz hai jaage se jo the soye
alfaaz hai chup se nashe mein khoye
nazarein hi samjhe yeh guftgu saari
koyi aarju ne hai angadaayi li pyaari
kya yeh khumaar hai, kya aitbaar hai
shaayad yeh pyaar hai, pyaar hai shaayad
kya yeh bahaar hai, kya intjaar hai
shaayad yeh pyaar hai, pyaar hai shaayad
They were like magnets drawn to each other. He ran his hands down her wet face and she lowered her gaze in shyness. He lifted her head to meet his intense gaze and ran the pad of his fingers down her wet pink lips. His head moved forward to meet hers, he rubbed his wet cheek against hers and she giggled at the rough abrasive feel of his bristled cheek against hers. His lips met the corner of hers in a fleeting sweet kiss.
Forehead to forehead they breathed deeply, trying to inhale each other's scent which was mingled with the rain. Their lips met once more in another sweet kiss but as his embrace tightened the tempo of the kiss changed. Their lips clung and tongue sought entrance into the moist cavern of each other's mouth. He bit at her lips and soothed it with darting flicks of his tongue. They both gasped in pleasure. She moaned softly alerting him and returning him to his senses.
He pushed her away from him suddenly ashamed to meet her gaze. She touched her throbbing lips and looked at him questioningly, her chest heaving with her every breath. She made to touch him but he pushed her away and walked back into the house with furious steps leaving her gazing at his retreating back with confusion and hurt reflecting on her face. She called out to him but he ignored her, leaving her standing in the rain cold and alone with tears mingling with rain on her face.
Lightening flashed and thunder rumbled - sealing his thoughts and the fate of the siddiques. Doom was apparent and looming near, like a panther waiting to pounce.
The question being, whose doom was it going to be?
Haider's or the Siddique's...
Do let me know your views...I'll be waiting but to be honest I'm not expecting much comments😕 but I will appreciate the few that I will get😳
Love
Navi
Edited by NAVI55 - 11 years ago
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