Chapter 22 Embracing ChangeIt was early morning. Aahil, Sanam, and Rehan had reached Banaras by bus. Rehan woke up at the sound of the bells on the bus that signaled they had reached to their destination. He turned around to the other seat where he saw Aahil and Sanam still sleeping with Sanam resting her head on Aahil's shoulder. Rehan got up from his seat and shook Aahil on his shoulder saying, "Aahil bhai!" Aahil woke up along with Sanam, who composed herself.
"We're here." Rehan told Aahil.
Aahil nodded his head and he got up along with Sanam. The trio left the bus with their bags, heading down towards the marketplace. "Where are we going to stay?" Sanam asked.
"I got us a reservation at an outhouse. We'll stay there for now." Rehan said. Rehan waved to an auto rickshaw coming by and it stopped. The trio got inside with Rehan instructing the driver where to go. After fifteen minutes, the threesome reached the outhouse. They stepped out of the auto rickshaw with their belongings. The outhouse looked a little smaller than the one in Bihar. "How exactly were you able to book our stay here?" Aahil asked Rehan as the three were walking towards the front of the outhouse. "Um...I'll explain when we get inside." Rehan said hesitating.
When they got to the front door, Rehan rang the doorbell. A manly looking woman dressed in a blue salwar kameez opened the door. "Are you Rehan?" the person asked Rehan.
"Yes." Rehan answered.
"You three can come in." the person smiled.
Aahil, Sanam, and Rehan stepped inside the house. "Good to see you here. I'm Latif...the owner of this outhouse," the person said. "So Rehan...is this the newly married couple?"
"Huh?" Aahil and Sanam said in unison, both shocked and confused.
"YES! This is Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim. Aahil here is my brother." Rehan said.
"Such a sweet couple!" Latif exclaimed. "Rehan told me the whole story over the phone!"
"What exactly did he tell you?" Aahil asked Latif.
"When he called to ask about you three staying here, I wasn't sure at first. Then he mentioned that you two had just recently got married and you were going to start a new life here! I got so sentimental...hence I said yes!"
"Really?!" Sanam asked.
"Yes! Anyways...stay here. I have to check on the food in the kitchen!" Latif exclaimed.
Latif scurried off to the kitchen while Aahil and Sanam looked at Rehan with raised eyebrows. "Again the married couple drama?!" Aahil asked Rehan.
"Aahil bhai...you have to understand...if I didn't say so then we wouldn't have gotten a place to stay. Just try and deal with it." Rehan told Aahil. Aahil looked at Sanam who looked back at him questionably.
The two were drawn into each others eyes as if their eyes were speaking to each other. Just then, Latif came back. "I'll show you to your rooms." Latif said. Aahil, Sanam, and Rehan followed Latif upstairs. As they went down the hall, Latif stopped by the first bedroom. "Rehan, this is your room." Latif said. Rehan nodded his head and headed inside the room with his belongings. "And you two!" Latif exclaimed. "Follow me."
Aahil and Sanam followed Latif to another bedroom. "Good thing you two are married...because this is the only other room free." Latif smiled. Aahil and Sanam eyed each other. "Anyways...you two freshen up...if you need anything, ask me." Latif said and then headed out of the bedroom. Sanam closed the door. "So...we have to share a room...again?!" Sanam asked Aahil.
"Hey...its not like I'm super happy about it! I don't even know why I always end up playing the married couple act with you!" Aahil rolled his eyes. Sanam set her belongings down on the floor. "Listen...," Aahil said. "I know this is hard for you to adjust to things...especially after what happened...but you're safe here...so just try to relax." Sanam looked at Aahil with surprised eyes, hearing Aahil's words of solace. "Listen...can I ask for a favor?" Sanam asked Aahil.
"Yeah?"
"Can we go to the mosque?"
"Mosque?"
"Please...its very important to me."
"Okay. Let's freshen up and get ready. Then we'll go."
After half an hour, Aahil and Sanam left for the mosque after informing Latif and Rehan. They went to the main road where they got in an auto rickshaw and headed towards the mosque. Once they reached there, Sanam took her dupatta, tying it around her hair while Aahil wore a white bandana over his head. The two of them went inside the mosque. Sanam bent down on her knees, holding her hands upward in prayer. She closed her eyes. As she prayed, Aahil stood near her, looking at her glowing face.
Allah...I've seen a lot of pain in such a short time. So much has changed in my life, When Aahil kidnapped me...I thought my life was going for a bad turn, Sanam said in her mind. But now I feel as if...he has brought me to an even different life...one that I thought I could never see. For twenty two years, I had never seen anything beyond the palace. And for the first time...I am here at an actual mosque where I can feel your presence, Allah. Please protect me for what is to come for me...and show me what is in store for the new life I'm going to embark.
Aahil got down on his knees, putting his hands upward. He was right beside Sanam. Allah, I have committed many mistakes...under the misguidance of Aslam...something which I truly regret, Aahil said to himself. I thought I would always stick with the life of a thug always. But I feel that Sanam has come into my life as a new door... which is opening me to a fresh life. A life where maybe...just maybe...the world isn't as dark as it seems. All I ask...is that you continue to make this new light shine even brighter...for the new life I'm going to embark upon.
Edited by meryl97 - 11 years ago
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
126