.:.Manzil.:. MOVED (Read 19) - Page 10

Here's chapter 11! Hope everyone has a basic understanding of basketball. Let me know if anything is confusing. Please review. Thanks!

Chapter 11

Tip-off was only minutes away. The starting lineup of Hopkins Middle School was stretching on one side of the court. Everyone was confident and focused; everyone except Maryam. Maryam's eyes were wandering around the gymnasium. She was clearly distracted and anxious, as if she had a premonition that something would go wrong.

Sitting in the second row of the bleachers, Imraan immediately noticed Maryam's anxiety. He knew exactly what was causing it. After informing his mother, he walked over to Maryam to alleviate her stress.

Imraan: Don't worry Maryam. Woh abhi aate hi honge. Kisi wajah se der ho gayi hogi. Don't worry Maryam. He's probably on his way. He must have been delayed for some reason.

Maryam: Aapko lagta hai woh aayenge? Do you really think he'll come?

Imraan: Jab unhone khud hi kaha hai, to zaroor aayenge. Lekin tum uski fikr mat karo. Focus on the game. Team ko apne best player ki zaroorat hai. He told us that he'll be here, so I'm sure he will. But don't worry about all that. Focus on the game. The team needs their best player.

A faint smiled appeared on Maryam's lips.

Maryam: Theek hai Bhaiyya. Okay, Bhaiyya.

Imraan: Good luck.

Imraan walked back to the bleachers and joined his mother, Samira and Shamyl. From the expression on Samira's face, he was sure that she had the same fears as he did. Imraan tried to push those thoughts away. His father had promised Maryam that he would make it for her biggest game. He wouldn't bail out now, would he?

A whistle blew to signify the beginning of the first half. The jump ball was caught by a tall red-haired girl on the Hopkins team, who ran it down the court and passed it to Maryam. Maryam dribbled the ball through the Walters team defense and scored the first points of the game. Half of the gymnasium erupted in cheers and applause, and Imraan began to feel a little better.

Twenty minutes later, his fears returned. About one-third of the game was over, and his father had not arrived. Maryam had apparently noticed this and began to lose her focus. She had missed her last two shots, both shots that she normally would have made. If this continued for longer, the team would lose their faith in her. Fortunately, for the next five minutes Maryam did not have the opportunity to attempt another shot, and the whistle was blown to call halftime. The score was tied at 23-23.

As the teams returned to the locker rooms, Imraan exchanged glances with Samira. How could their father be this late? Did something happen to him? Shamyl seemed to read his mind.

Shamyl: Mummy, Papa kahaan hain? Mummy, where is Papa?

Najma: Pata nahin beta. Imraan, zara tum unko phone karke dekho. I don't know beta. Imraan, can you please try to call him?

Imraan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed the speed dial code for his father's cell. The voicemail came up without a single ring. Imraan left a quick message.

Imraan: Lagta hai unka phone band hai. Looks like his phone is turned off.

Samira: Lekin woh aisa kyoon karenge? Unki to aaj char baje chhutti hone waali thi. But why would he do that? He was supposed to leave the hospital at four today.

Nobody had an answer.

The second half of the game started off okay. Maryam was not playing up to her standards, but the rest of the team worked hard to remain a few points ahead of the Walters team.

As the last thirty seconds of the game approached, Hopkins was two points ahead. The ball was in Maryam's hands and she dribbled it up to the three point line. It appeared that she was trying to sneak past the defense, but her defender was not giving her the opportunity. With twelve seconds to go in the game and five seconds left on the shot clock, Maryam launched the ball towards her teammate in the key.

As soon as the ball left Maryam's hand, Imraan knew that it was a bad pass. Maryam had overlooked the much taller defender standing nearby, who reached out and intercepted the ball. She then passed it to one of her teammates, who was already past the half-court line, running in the opposite direction. Upon catching the ball, she stopped just before the three-point line and shot the ball, making the basket just as time ran out on the clock.

The score was 46-47. The three-pointer at the end had won the game for the Walters team.

Imraan couldn't contain his frustration.

Imraan: Maryam isse bahut behtar khel sakti thi, lekin… Maryam could have played much better than that, but…

Samira: I know.

She put his hand on his shoulder and Imraan knew she was trying to calm him down.

Imraan: Samira, Papa kyoon nahin aaye? Samira, why didn't Papa come?

Samira: Pata nahin. Chalo unko phir phone karke dekhte hain. Kahin aisa to nahin hai ke woh hospital se nikle aur raaste mein… I don't know. Let's try calling him again. What if he left the hospital, and then on the way here…

Samira didn't complete her sentence. Imraan took out his cell phone and once again tried his father's number. This time the phone rang. After two rings, his father answered the phone.

Javed: Hi Imraan. Maine abhi abhi phone on kiya tha. Hi Imraan. I just turned on my phone.

Imraan: Papa, aap kahaan hain? Maryam ka game khatam ho gaya aur aap aaye hi nahin. Papa, where are you? Maryam's game just ended, and you never came.

Javed: Meri ek emergency surgery thi. Itni jaldi mein jaana pada ke kisi ko phone bhi nahin kar paaya. There was an emergency surgery. I had to run so quickly that I didn't even have the chance to call anyone.

Imraan stayed quiet. He didn't feel that this was an adequate excuse.

Javed: Game kaisa raha? How was the game?

Imraan: Maryam ki team haar gayi. Maryam's team lost.

Javed: Oh…Maryam zyaada upset to nahin hai? Oh…Maryam isn't too upset, is she?

Imraan: Pata nahin. Woh abhi locker room mein hai. I don't know. She's in the locker room right now.

Javed: Achcha. Main usko samjha loonga. Abhi ghar aa raha hoon. Wahin milte hain. Okay. I'll talk to her. I'm coming home now, so I'll see you guys there.

Imraan: Bye.

Javed: Bye.

Imraan couldn't believe that his father had intentionally missed Maryam's game. Maryam had been so happy when he agreed to come, and now he had broken her heart. Imraan wanted to talk to him and make him realize that his career wasn't everything. But when he told Samira this, she disapproved.

Samira: Let Maryam fight her own battles. She's old enough.

Imraan: Lekin Papa ne uske saath ghalat kiya. But what Papa did was wrong.

Samira: Everyone has their own priorities. Papa ne wohi kiya jo unko sahi laga. Agar Maryam ko yeh ghalat laga hai, to usko khud unse baat karne dijiye. Agar woh nahin chaahti ke is baat ko badhaaya jaaya, to humein nahin badhaana chaahiye. Everyone has their own priorities. Papa did what he thought was right. If Maryam believes he was wrong, then let her talk to him herself. If she doesn't want us to make it a big deal, we shouldn't.

Imraan knew that Samira was right, as usual. After all, she was the most sensible person in the family.

On the way home, Samira explained to Maryam why their father had missed the game. Maryam just nodded and remained deep in thought until they reached home.

When they opened the front door, their father was waiting in the living room. He immediately stood up and stopped Maryam as she tried to walk past him.

Javed: Maryam, I'm sorry. Main tumhaare game dekhna chaahta tha, lekin main majboor tha. Maryam. I'm sorry. I wanted to see your game, but I really couldn't leave the hospital.

Maryam: It's okay. Aapka kaam zyaada zaroori hai. Main bahut thak gayi hoon. Aapse kal baat karoon to theek hai? It's okay. Your work is more important. I'm really tired. Is it okay if I talk to you tomorrow?

Javed: Haan beta. Jaao, aaraam karo. Yes beta. Go and rest.

Imraan didn't want to talk to his father either. He hurried up the stairs to his bedroom. His anger was intensifying every moment, but he wanted to distract himself. He put on some soft music, laid on his bed, and thought about Sabah.

He felt extremely lucky to have the woman of his dreams feel the same way about him, but sometimes he wondered whether Sabah did in fact love him as much as he loved her. Imraan was ready to declare his love to the world, but Sabah wanted to keep it a secret. She spent time with him, but avoided too much physical contact. He hadn't even kissed her yet. But all this didn't mean she didn't love him. Maybe she was just waiting for the right time.

There was a knock on Imraan's door. He turned off the music.

Imraan: Come in.

Shamyl slowly opened the door and came inside. He seemed troubled.

Imraan:Shamyl? Kya baat hai? Idhar aao. Shamyl? What's wrong? Come here.

Shamyl came and sat next to Imraan.

Shamyl: Papa ne Maryam Apa ko kyoon rulaaya? Why did Papa make Maryam Apa cry?

Imraan: Woh royi nahin, bas thodi pareshaan thi. She didn't cry. She was just a little upset.

Shamyl: Nahin, woh abhi ro rahi hain. Maine abhi unke kamre se rone ki awaaz suni. No, she's crying right now. I just heard crying sounds from her room.

Imraan was shocked. He had not seen Maryam cry since she was five years old and fell off a tree. She really wasn't the type to cry. If this incident had upset her that much, Imraan would have to do something about it. But he decided to first comfort Shamyl.

Imraan: Don't worry. She'll be fine.

He reached out his hand to pat Shamyl's arm, but upon feeling his skin, he abruptly pulled it back. Shamyl was burning hot!

Imraan: Tumhen bukhaar hai kya? Do you have a fever?

He felt Shamyl's forehead and cheeks, both of which were hot. He definitely had a fever. Imraan ran to call his mother. As he rushed downstairs, he decided to talk to his father some other day. His brother's health was a more pressing issue.

WOW ! *Amazing*
Cannot wait to see what'll happen next :D

this is a sad chapter na
bechari maryam....so sad her dad didn't come to see her game and now her bro has a fever......omg..!!
I hope everything turns out to be Ok!!

well a very sad chapter.......they lost da game....marium sad n den his bro suffering frm fever 😭
post da next chapter soon

im gna comment on ur last two chapters together...hehe...

i really liked both chapters a lot... im curious just like everyone else and hoping everything turns out ok...

i feel really really bad for maryam...and its really touching how all her siblings care for her so much... i hope everything turns out ok...

do continue soon! 😊

Please be honest in your feedback! Thanks.

Chapter 12

It was Thursday morning. It had been five days since Maryam's basketball game, and life had finally returned to normal. For a couple days she had been depressed and angry, but eventually decided to move on. Staying upset would not change her father's priorities. As she rode to school on the bus, she thought only about the Quadratic Formula.

"X equals negative B plus or minus the square root of B squared minus four A C divided by two A."

She repeated it in her mind over and over again, fearful that she might blank out on her exam that morning. No, she wouldn't let that happen. Nothing would keep her from an A+ this time.

Coming out of the test and walking to her second period science class, she discussed it with Anne. Fortunately, they both had the same answers, which kept Maryam happy for the rest of the day.

She returned home around four and ran immediately to Shamyl's room. As expected, he was resting in his bed and their mother was sitting at his side, reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to him. Shamyl's fever had lasted three days, and was accompanied by a sore throat and rashes. On the second day, they had taken him to their family pediatrician, who diagnosed him with strep throat. After a few days of antibiotics, he was feeling much better, but their mother wasn't taking any chances. Maryam was sure he wasn't going to be allowed to leave his bed until at least Saturday.

Maryam: Hi Mummy. Hi Shamyl. Tabiyat kaisi hai? Hi Mummy. Hi Shamyl. How are you feeling?

Shamyl: Main bilkul theek hoon. Apa, Mummy se kahen na, ke mujhe ab uthne den. I'm perfectly fine. Apa, please tell Mummy to let me get up now.

Najma: Phir bemaar hona hai kya? You want to get sick again?

Shamyl: Thodi der khelne se main phir bemaar ho jaaoonga kya? If I play for a few minutes, I'll get sick again?

Najma: Aur kya? Doctor ki baat nahin suni thi? You think? Didn't you hear what the doctor said?

Maryam: Come on, Mummy. Give him a break.

Najma: Lo, tum bhi uski tarafdaari karne lagin. Oh, so you're on his side now.

Maryam laughed.

Maryam: Sorry Shamyl. We don't stand a chance.

Her mother smiled.

Najma: Kisi din tum sab mera shukar maanoge ke maine tumhen itna protect kiya. One day you'll all be thankful that I protected you so much.

A few minutes later, Maryam excused herself and went to the kitchen for a snack. Just as she pulled a bowl of strawberries out of the fridge, she heard the front door open. Thinking that it must be Imraan and Samira, she peeked around the corner. She was surprised to see her father walk into the living room in his surgery scrubs. He hadn't been home this early in at least a month. Part of her wanted to go welcome him and ask him how his day had been, but somehow she couldn't bring herself to do it. She stayed in the kitchen and watched silently as he went upstairs.

Just as she entered the living room, the door opened again, and Imraan and Samira came inside. They were whispering and giggling, but as soon as they saw Maryam, they became quiet.

Maryam: Aap dono mujhse kuch chhupa rahe hain, kya? What's so funny? Are you two hiding something from me? What's so funny?

Samira glanced questioningly at Imraan, who hesitated for a second before nodding at her.

Samira: Okay, Bhaiya aur Sabah qareeb teen hafton se… Okay, so since the last three weeks, Bhaiya and Sabah are…

Maryam: Boyfriend and girlfriend hain. Mujhe pata hai. Maine pichhle hafte Bhaiya ko unse phone pe baat karte sun liya tha. A couple. I know. I heard Bhaiya talking to her on the phone last week.

Imraan's mouth dropped open and a pink tint appeared on his cheeks. Samira gave him a stern look.

Samira: Bhaiya, you really need to be careful. Aise hi chalta raha to raaz khul jaayega. Bhaiya, you really need to be careful. If this keeps up, the secret will be out in no time.

Maryam suppressed a snicker. Even if she hadn't overheard her brother whispering sweet compliments over the phone, she still wouldn't have been surprised that they were together. He was so obviously smitten by her that it was only a matter of time.

Samira: Anyway, Sabah yeh baat kisi ko bataana nahin chaahti hain. Unko yeh bhi nahin maloom hai ke mujhe pata chal gaya hai. Lekin aaj gaadi mein, she almost gave it away herself! Hum Kennedy ke ek couple ke baare mein baat kar rahe the. Jen aur Zach. They can't keep their hands off each other. Humesha saath rehte nahin. It's disgusting. To hua yeh ke Sabah kehne lagin "Haan, main aur Imraan bhi to…" aur phir unko khayaal aaya ke unko yeh nahin kehna tha aur kehte kehte ruk gayin. Aur phir kehne lagin, "Main aur Imraan bhi isi baare mein baat kar rahe the." Mujhe lagta hai ke woh asal mein kehne waali theen ke woh aur bhaiya bhi ek couple hain lekin unke jaisi harkatein nahin karte hain. Anyway, Sabah wants to keep it a complete secret. She doesn't even know that I found out. But in the car today, she almost gave it away herself! We were talking about how this couple at Kennedy, Jen and Zach, can't keep their hands off each other. They're always making out in the hall and holding hands. It's disgusting. So Sabah started to say "Yeah, Imraan and I are…," and she suddenly realized what she was saying and stopped mid sentence. Then she changed it to "Imraan and I were talking about them a few days ago." I believe she was really about to say something like "Imraan and I are a couple, but you don't see us behaving that way."

Imraan: It was a pretty good save, lekin I'm sure Rehan ne notice to kiya hoga. It was a pretty good save, but I'm sure Rehan noticed the hesitation.

Samira: Kiya tha. Kaafi confused lag raha tha. He did. There was a very confused look on his face.

Maryam laughed. Obviously, this wasn't going to be a secret for much longer.

She heard a rustle behind her and turned around to see their father walking down the stairs. He had changed into a kurta pajama and looked a lot more cheerful.

Samira's face lit up when she saw him.

Samira: Papa? Aap itni jaldi ghar aa gaye? Papa? You're home so early?

Javed: Haan, maine socha aaj tum sab ko khush kar doon. Yes. I thought I'd make you guys happy today.

Imraan (sounding irritated) : Ek din se kya hoga? What difference will one day make?

Javed: Kya matlab? What do you mean?

Imraan: Aap kayi hafton ke liye apni family ke saath dinner nahin khaate, weekends ko bhi humaare saath waqt nahin guzarte, aur upar se Maryam ke game mein aane ka vaada karke bhi nahin pahunch paate. Aur ab, ek din ghar jaldi aa gaya to aap ko lagta hai ke hum woh sab bhool jaayenge? You don't eat dinner with your family for weeks, don't even spend weekends with us, and on top of all this, you promise Maryam you'll come to her game and still miss it. And now, you come home early one day and think that we'll forget everything?

Maryam's heart began to race.

Javed: Imraan, zabaan sambhaal ke baat karo! Main yeh sab tumhaare liye hi kar raha hoon. Imraan, watch your tongue! I'm doing all this for you.

Maryam decided to interject.

Maryam: Lekin humein yeh sab nahin chaahiye. Yeh luxury humaare kisi kaam ki nahin agar wohi humein aap se door kar rahi hai. But, that's not what we want. What good is living in luxury if it keeps us away from you?

Javed: Theek hai. Lekin mujhe jaanen bhi to bachaani hain. Tumhen nahin lagta kya, ke main achcha kaam kar raha hoon? Fine, but I do need to save lives. Don't you think I'm doing something good for the world?

Imraan: Woh to hum jaante hain, lekin humein bhi aapki zaroorat hai. We understand that, but your family needs you too.

Their mother appeared at the top of the stairs. She stayed there and listened to the conversation.

Javed: Mujhe yaqin nahin aa raha hai. Main itni mehnat karke, raat raat bhar jaagke, logon ko nayi zindagi de raha hoon, aur tumhen koyi farq nahin parta. I can't believe this. I work so hard, sometimes staying up all night, to give people a new chance at life, and it makes no difference to you.

Imraan: Nahin, mere matlab yeh nahin hai. Main to bas yeh keh raha hoon ke…Samira, tum bataao na. No, that's not what I mean. I was just saying…Samira, please explain it to him.

Samira: Sorry bhaiya. Main Papa ke saath hoon. Sorry bhaiya. I'm with Papa on this one.

Imraan: Kya? What?

Samira: Woh sahi to keh rahe hain. Unhone humaare liye hi to itni mehnat ki hai, aur ab woh mareezon ke liye kya kya kar rahe hain. Main aapko apne khudgarz maqsad ki wajah se Papa ko bura bhala kehne nahin doongi. He's right. He worked so hard for us and now he's doing so much for the world. I won't let you insult him to achieve your own selfish purposes.

Imraan: Samira!

Javed: Bas ho gaya. Ab main kuch aur nahin sunna chahta. Main ek surgeon hoon. Main aur parents ki tarah tumhen waqt nahin de sakta. Agar tumhen yeh baat nahin samajh mein aati, to it's fine. Lekin main is ko badal nahin sakta. That's enough. I don't want to hear any more. I am a surgeon. I can't give you as much time as other parents do. If you don't understand this, then that's fine. But I can't change it.

With that, he turned around and hurried upstairs, pausing once to glance at his wife, who was still standing at the top of the staircase. As he passed her by, she followed him up the second flight of stairs to their bedroom.

Imraan shot Samira an angry look before leaving the room. Samira's eyes filled with tears and she looked at Maryam for support. However, Maryam had taken Samira's statement about selfishness personally. She turned her back on her older sister and went upstairs to her room.

Despite having been a part of most heated dispute her family had ever had, Maryam wasn't upset. She was actually glad that the truth was finally out, and she wasn't the only one angry with their father. Imraan's support had increased Maryam's confidence that her feelings were not unjustified.

She had just begun her science lab report when her cell phone rang. It was Aisha.

Maryam: Hi Apa! Aap kaisi hain? Hi Apa! How are you?

Aisha: Achchi hoon. Yaqin nahin aa raha na, ke main tumhen phone kar rahi hoon? I'm good. I'm sure you're surprised that I'm calling you.

Maryam: Woh to hai. Aisi kya khaas baat hai, ke aap depression se nikal ke mujhe phone kar rahi hain. That I am. What's the big news that has taken you out of depression to call me?

Aisha laughed, and Maryam was pleasantly surprised to hear cheeriness in her voice.

Aisha: Actually Maryam, tum sahi keh rahi ho. I was in depression aur ab main woh sab kuch bhulaane ki koshish kar rahi hoon. I want to move on with life. Lekin us se pehle main tumhen sab kuch bataana chahti hoon. Actually Maryam, you're right. I was in depression and now I want to try and forget it all. I want to move on with life, but before that, I want to tell you what happened.

Maryam: Aapne Bhaiya aur Samira Apa ko bata diya? Did you tell Bhaiya and Samira Apa already?

Aisha: Nahin. Main abhi unko nahin bataaoongi. No, I'm not going to tell them yet.

Maryam: Achcha? Kyoon? Really? Why?

Aisha: I just trust you more.

Maryam felt elated at the compliment. She never imagined that Aisha would choose her over Imraan and Samira.

Maryam: Thanks. To bataiye, kya hua tha? Thanks. So tell me, what happened?

Aisha told Maryam the entire story of Hasan, their plan to get married and his early death. Maryam listened patiently, only interrupting twice to share her amazement at the turn of events. By the time Aisha finished, Maryam felt guilty for being upset with her when she had refused to tell her what was wrong. Anyone would react angrily if someone pressured them to relive their worst memory.

Maryam: I'm really sorry about what happened, Apa. Main yeh dua maangoongi ke Khuda aap ko is baat ko bhulaane ki taaqat de. I'm really sorry about what happened, Apa. I'll pray that God gives you the strength to move on.

Aisha: Thanks Maryam. Main bhi isi ummeed ke saath khush rehne ki koshish kar rahi hoon. Thanks Maryam. It's with the same hope that I'm trying to be a more happy person.

Maryam: Jaise aap pehle theen. Like you were before.

Aisha: Haan. Yes.

Maryam: Lekin aap yeh baat kisi aur ko abhi kyoon nahin bata raheen? But why aren't you telling anyone else about this?

Aisha: Main unke reaction se darti hoon. Main Mummy aur Papa ko abhi pareshaan nahin karna chaahti. Imraan ko agar bata diya to mujhe yaqeen hai woh mujhe har din phone karke poochhega ke main theek hoon ya nahin. Aur Samira zaroor mujhe yeh salah degi ke main Yusuf se shaadi karloon taake bhoolne main asaani ho. That's not what I want right now. I'm afraid of their reactions. I don't want to alarm Mummy and Papa about this yet. If I tell Imraan, I'm sure he'll call me every day to make sure I'm okay. And Samira will definitely advise me to marry Yusuf to make it easier to forget about what happened. That's not what I want right now.

Maryam smiled to herself. She could picture them reacting exactly that way.

Aisha: Aur waise bhi, agar un mein se ek ko bata diya to woh ek doosre se baat karne lagenge. Those two are inseparable. And anyway, if I tell either Imraan or Samira, I'm sure they'll start discussing it with each other. Those two are inseparable.

"You'd be surprised," thought Maryam, but she decided not to say anything. It was not a good time to tell her sister about the argument that had just occurred.

When Maryam finally hung up the phone, she felt a sense of pride. Her brother took her side against her father and her sister trusted her more than anyone else in the family. Things were not going perfectly in her life, but Maryam still felt more worthy than she had in a long time.

great job .. i love how you also write the english :D ! thanks so much for that .. it makes reading it so much easier for me ! umm, my fav. character is probably Maryam ! i honestly, don't know why .. the character is just so .. err, hard to descrbe .

- Navi .

Thanks for the comments Navi! I like Maryam's character too, because she's easy to relate to...but my fav is definitely Samira, although she's not exactly behaving her best right now. I hope my character development is succeeding, and I haven't confused everyone.

Waiting for more comments before I start writing the next part.

great job!!
it was really sweet of how aisha trusts maryam and I am really happy that aisha decided to moveon 😳
thank god Shamyl is all right ..........why are imran and sabah hiding their realtionship?? 😕 😆
thaks a lot for a wonderful chapter......waiting for next chapter!! 😉

wow keep up the really work and god bless you u r soo good at writing!!im waiting eagerly for the next chapter!i feel happy that maryam feels happy and feels that sum people in her family stick up for her! 👏 👏 😆