Abrar stepped in the mellow eatery after a walk in the sweltering heat. Relief coursed his being as the cool air of the air conditioned area soothed his heated face and body. Halal* spots were quite hard to find in some countries. Travelers or visitors often survived on instant foods like noodles and resorted to actual cooking on rare occasions. These were difficulties that Abrar was well acquainted with.
He prayed for the well being of the busy point's owner in his heart and hastened to order. He had places to be at and tasks to complete before returning to his homeland the next day. But first of all, he needed to make an important call immediately after his meal. Thus, he rushed.
''Abba*.'' Hayat uttered while her eyes roamed around for the possible presence of her mother nearby. Her father smiled, getting a hint of what was coming next.
''You are coming soon, right?'' She demanded with her heart in her throat. '' I'll be there tomorrow in fact. Don't worry my doll.'', he replied and chuckled.
Hayat struggled to giggle back. She muttered a goodbye and hollered for her mother at his request. He could be finding it amusing as he sensed her hidden obstination but only she knew the restlessness she had been tackling since the few past days. Even Hayder seemed jittery at times. He acted normal but the eye bags and frequent faraway looks weren't imperceptible. She reached for her phone in her pocket and called him. Hanging out at the park seemed like a good thing to do. Sarah was to join them after running a few errands. There was a dire need of her glowing light in all honesty.
''Come on, pass it to me. Pass it to me!! HEY!'' Sarah yelled while running at full speed. They were having a football dual. The trio had come across Pierre, a fellow classmate loitering around. He was quick to join them for a match of football. Everyone needed to blow some steam at some point.
Hayat kicked the ball to her with all her might and started to run on the opposite side. She had to approach their goal post before the boys intercepted Sarah and had the ball in their possession. Eventually, Pierre swiped the ball away from Sarah and passed it to Hayder. The guy grinned like a cheshire cat aiming to score the ultimate shot of the ending match when Hayat reached to guard her side.
''Know that I love you. Sorry my lil one!'' He stated teasingly with a wink.
Hayat shook her head with a glare at his overconfidence. He fired the ball with vigor, fully convinced that it would bang his opponents' net, given the angle of his shot. Yet Hayat lunged and launched herself on it, preventing it's fusion with the goal post.
''Hahh! In your face, airheads!'', shouted Sarah giddily while helping Hayat up from the ground. Both girls jumped with glee and stuck their tongues out at the boys. Pierre huffed with fake annoyance. He shot them a thumb up and headed out while Hayder laughed at their antiques and ruffled Hayat's hair.
Sarah flipped her hijab* in response to his nod and they all jogged to their homes.
Manha glowered at Hayder and beckoned him inside. Her son had been rushing home suavely since some time without having a proper conversation with her. She wasn't letting him off the hook this time. She asked the kids to freshen up and brought them juice. She had gotten up from a chat with Maira, Hayder's mother and her best friend, minutes ago. The lady in question had returned home to wrap up her dinner preparation.
Hayder and Hayat were arguing playfully over nonsense when the landline phone rang. The girl got up to attend the call with her silly brother in tow. And nothing had prepared her for what she heard from the other end. Intuitions seldom go wrong. All their internal struggles had a purpose. Warning them. Announcing them that Abrar, their father who was supposed to be back in a matter of twelve hours, had left them. That earlier Hayat had bid him the last goodbye unknowingly. That he was not coming back as per plan. That he would no longer be there to brighten up their dinners with the warmth that his presence brought.
Hayat felt numb and did not react to Hayder's questioning gaze. Her eyes watered and she grappled to speak. He took the phone from her when he found her unmoving and mute. And the ominous news chilled his bones as he glanced at Manha who entered the room to enquire about the call. She looked at her daughter who was standing motionlessly.
''Mamma." Hayat's shrill voice shook Manha and before she could speak, Hayat completed her sentence.
''Mamma, dad is not coming back. He won't be with us. Ammi, Abba dunya se pardah farma gaye.''
And that was all it took for black dots to appear in Manha's vision. Her minds registered the words ' Abba*' and 'not coming back' repeatedly. She collapsed on the floor with the last thought that she would not be able to witness the smile of her love anymore.
Glossary
Halal- edible according to Islamic standards
Abba - father in Urdu
Hijab - head covering
Ammi - mother in Urdu
Abba dunya se pardah kar gaye - Dad left the world.