We finally arrived at the Khyber fort. To get to the fort, we had to park our cars at a certain point and walk through the path. The area appeared to be deserted, but it was still beautiful. We all made it a point to stick together.
Laila and I walked hand in hand the entire way. We appeared to be the only visitors; there seemed to to be no other tourists. We came across a small fountain with trees and a sitting area where visitors could rest for a while as we made our way to the fort.
Despite the fact that the afternoons are normally sunny, the weather was gloomy and it appeared to be raining at any moment. We paused in that location to take a break. Laila began photographing each moment with her camera when she noticed a lovely white bird perched on a tree branch. Haya, take a look at that bird! I haven't seen such a lovely bird in a long time. I was amazed to see that bird as well. Wow! Before it flies away, take a picture of that bird. I told Laila.
At the same time, the bird flew to the tree's backside. As I proceeded towards the tree to inspect it, I noticed a man seated by. I requested Laila to accompany me. Laila ran back to the fountain area and requested me not to go any further because the tree was a little further away. The man stood up and locked his stare on me. I didn't freak out because he had a wonderful shine on his face, was smiling, and appeared to be sorrowful at the same moment, as tears streamed from his eyes. I felt sorry for him and was curious as to what was bothering him.
I approached him and inquired whether he had been disoriented. He smiled and nodded his head. I observed him staring at my hair intently, and then I smelled a lovely rose fragrance. I looked around as he handed me a gorgeous red rose, said nothing, and walked away with that innocent smile on his face. I stood there perplexed, my mind spinning with questions. I kept looking at the rose and smelling it. It gave me an odd emotion, yet I was intrigued enough to ask that man why he was crying. Why was he deeply sad yet smiling?
I returned to the fountain area, holding a rose in my hand. I told everyone about the depressed man and how he gave me a rose. When Laila yelled, "What?" everyone was stunned and silent? You got a rose from a sheep? No, it was the sorrowful man sitting beside the tree who surprised and perplexed me. Mother and father ran up to me, tied my hair firmly, and told me to wear a scarf and not take it off until we got back to the car. Father snatched the rose from me and threw it into the sand dunes.
Before I could say anything, my mother drew me close to her and asked me to stay with her the entire time. I felt offended and bullied as an 18-year-old because I didn't realize my parents were panicking because I had just met a ghost and he had given me a rose. The entire situation was ignored as my father yelled, "Come on, enough of the rest, we've got to go!" And everyone began to make their way towards the fort.
I kept turning around to look at the rose as I walked. I was both sad and hurt. I was constantly thinking about him. As soon as the wind blew, I could smell the scent of the rose, as if someone was following me. I cried out of sadness rather than fear. I was curious about him; who was he? Why was he sobbing? What made him give me a rose? Was it based on love? I was baffled because I didn't think of him as a ghost at all. His face was lovely and expressive. The smile had a story to tell.
He was in agony. He was sobbing! It made me fall in love with him in an unexpected way. This adventure was different for me because I couldn't stop thinking about him.
Everyone advised me to ignore them because they were not considered humans. I didn't mind that they weren't humans. My heart was already forming a soft corner for them.
We finally arrived at the fort after a long walk. It looked breathtaking, and I found myself staring at it for quite some time, mesmerized by the views. I noticed a few men standing on the fort's roof. Others had barely noticed them. Laila made a point of photographing the entire scene. One of my uncles struggled to enter the fort because he almost crossed the main door, but the guide who was showing us the way to the fort warned us not to trespass or we would be held responsible for the consequences.
Uncle seemed unconcerned about what the guide had to say and continued walking through the main door as his wife rushed up to him and pulled him back, cautioning him not to take any risks. Asked him to strictly follow the rules and regulations. I saw the men in white on the fort roof again; who are those men? And how did they get up there in the first place? I inquired of the tour guide. Who are you referring to, daughter? There isn't anyone up there! Everyone was startled to hear this and remained silent for a few moments as a light breeze began to blow and I could smell the roses again and felt gloomy.
The earthy, abandoned fort looked breathtaking when viewed against the backdrop of the desert and mountains nearby. Nonetheless, I was preoccupied with the magical sad man. As the tears began to fall unintentionally, I couldn't figure out why it made me sad.
We could see other tourists coming in to see the fort, and since we were tired, we decided to return. The wind was turning into a small storm, a sand storm. My father assured that we would return before things worsened. We walked backwards, and I couldn't stop thinking about the rose. I made the decision to go pick up the rose in secret. On the way back in search of him, I cast a curious glance here and there, hoping he'd show up again. I felt compelled to speak with him.
Laila made eye contact with me as we approached the fountain area. She kept everyone busy while I ran towards the sand dunes where my father threw the rose that the magical man had given to me. I was excited when I saw the red flower from a distance and realized I had found it! I found it! I mumbled to myself. When I got closer and tried to pick it up, it turned into blood. As the blood touched my hands, I freaked out. I gasped and knelt on my knees, stunned. I sobbed as I stared at the blood on my hands. I wanted to wash it off right away. That surprised me.
Haya, kindly return! My father yelled from behind me. We need to go back in time. I ran back to the fountain and washed my hands, sad but not afraid. Laila noticed the same brightly colored bird perched on the same tree. Look Haya! She confirmed that it was the same bird. I want to go and take a closer look, however the guide who was following us from behind warned, and "don't dare to go any closer to the tree." We're just leaving, and we'll make sure not to disturb any living beings out here said father.
Mother clutched my hand tightly as Dad turned around to look at me and Laila, am I making myself clear, girls? Yes uncle, said Laila and I remained silent. We were walking towards the parking lot when I smelled the scent of roses. I immediately turned around and saw the magical man peeping and waving at me from behind the same tree. I was stunned and amazed to see him. I cried as I returned his wave. At the same time, I felt both happy and sad. I couldn't express how I felt to him.
Except for Laila, no one noticed. You're waving at the trees again, aren't you? Laila stated. I tightened my grip on her hand and asked her to keep her mouth shut! Instead of being serious, she laughed. When I turned around, he was gone. That's when I realized he's not a human at all, but rather a ghost. I wasn't scared for a second; in fact, I was gloomy because I was so eager to meet him and talk to him. I've never felt that way about anyone before.
We arrived at the parking lot, and I sat in my car, hoping to see him at least once more. Dad was anxious to get back home before the sun set. Make sure you don't take off your headscarf. Haya, I'm very concerned about you! You should not have gone to the tree's side by yourself. Whoever gave you a rose knows who you are! All the while, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Ali, we really shouldn't have come here. And you, Haya, I kept telling you not to take off your headscarf!
Why don't you pay attention to me? Mother scolded me angrily. Mother, I was sweating profusely. And I'm perfectly fine. Don't worry. That guy was better than the majority of men I've ever met in my life. He was courteous. He was nice, but I'm not sure why he gave me a rose. And he didn't appear to be dangerous in any way.
Stop talking about it right now! Father stated. I don't want any more confessions about it, so forget about it. Haya! Don't think about who you met or what he gave you! You should comprehend why your mother is concerned. He wasn't a human being. Thank God you're still alive! This concludes the discussion. In the backseat of the car, I sobbed and fell asleep.
I was dressed in red and sat beside the same tree where I met the mystical man. I was covered in roses. It felt like a fantasy scene, with a princess and maid styling my hair as if I were getting ready to be a bride. I have a feeling I'm going to run into him soon. At the same time, I was overjoyed and shy. We've already arrived at the hotel, so wake up both of you! As I opened my eyes, I realized it was all a dream, and I regretted waking up for the first time. What's the matter with me? I think I've gone insane because I couldn't stop thinking about him.
We went up to the suite, and I jumped into the bed facing the wall without even getting dressed or eating anything. My parents were whispering to me, "She's tired, let her sleep." My father advised my mother to make sure she eats something when she wakes up. I didn't know why I was so sad; I cried and cried, but silently. All I wanted to do was go back and see him again. My heart was taken over by his innocent smile and pitiful tears.
I couldn't even talk about it with anyone because I was certain he wasn't a human, or even an ordinary person. "Get a grip on yourself, Haya!" An inner voice chanted in my head, but my love and care for that magical man won out. As I was falling asleep crying, I was startled by the sensation of someone gently patting my head with care. I felt a little scared, but before I could react or panic, I began to smell the lovely scent of roses out of nowhere. I jumped out of bed because I had goosebumps, my hair was open, my parents were sleeping, and no one else was in the room.
I hopped back into bed, tightening my hair. I mumbled, "Help me, God, I don't know how to deal with this situation." I could clearly see the woman with the flock of sheep waving at me again as soon as I closed my eyes. The magical man, who was hiding beside the tree, waved at me. I could see a white bird and a bouquet of rose's right in front of my eyes. Despite my fear, I became more interested in getting to know them and meeting them again.