"Moeez! Moeez! Tum theek to ho naa? Batao to hua kya hai." Eman waved her hand in front of him, trying to snap him out of his thoughts.
The night was still young, broken clouds drifting across the sky. Lahore was calm at this hour, the roads empty except for the streetlights illuminating them softly.
It had been a few hours since Moeez arrived at the café, which was usually quiet during these late hours. He didn't feel like working today, but this was the only place where he could find some peace. He felt betrayed and shattered. He loved her, but even more, he loved the friend he had relied on the most.
Since coming to this city, he had made some friends, though not close enough to depend on in times of need. It wasn't that he ever asked for help, but he believed that his best friend would be there if he needed it. However, today, that trust had crumbled, and everything fell apart in just one day.
The pain and anger were overwhelming. He didn't want to return to his flat—not just because of his emotional state, but because he couldn't bear to face his friend. The thought of going back filled him with fear, knowing he might not be able to control himself. He felt utterly helpless, with his once cherished feelings now replaced by deep pain.
Inside the café, Moeez sat by the counter, lost in his thoughts, replaying the events of the day. Every effort to push them away only brought back more painful memories. Eman had been trying to ask him what had happened, but he couldn't bring himself to explain.
"Eman… main kuch der ke liye bahar jaa raha hoon," he finally said, heading towards the door.
Sanaya, sitting at her usual spot with her laptop open, had been observing Moeez for the past hour. She could tell something was wrong but didn't want to ask directly. She had a sense of what might have happened, based on her own experiences. As she worked, she noticed Moeez walking out of the café.
It was unusual for him to ignore her like that. Sanaya watched him leave, then glanced at Eman, who was busy helping a customer, her face filled with concern. For a moment, Sanaya thought about following him, but she hesitated.
Instead, she refocused on her laptop. But suddenly, a flashback flooded her mind.
- Flashback
"Thanks, Fari, for dropping me off. Phir kabhi miltay hain," Sanaya said as she stepped out of the car, waving goodbye to her college friend.
Sanaya had been at the store earlier, picking up groceries after a long day of work. She had planned to cook something nice for herself and Aneeq. While in the store, she unexpectedly ran into Farah, a college friend she hadn't seen in four years. They caught up, with Farah mentioning her doctorate studies and Sanaya sharing details about Aneeq, the man she had been spending time with.
Farah offered Sanaya a ride home, and during the drive, they continued talking. After hearing Sanaya's story, Farah gave her a word of caution.
"Sanaya, dekho, tu meri bohot achi dost hai, lekin aik mashwara du—don't rely on him too much," Farah said, referring to Aneeq.
Sanaya knew from experience that Farah's warnings were often spot-on, but she shook her head and reassured herself.
"No problem, he's different," Sanaya whispered, waving off the doubt.
As they reached her place, Sanaya looked up at the large glass window of the studio where she and Aneeq had been staying for the past few weeks. She walked towards the staircase that led up to the studio.
Inside, moans filled the air.
"Fuckkkk, yesss, Sir… harder," a young woman's voice echoed.
Aneeq, a smirk on his face, replied, "No, you're the one who's going to move." He lay back casually, his hands resting behind his head.
The girl continued her vigorous movements, riding him as her moans echoed through the studio. Her hips moved rhythmically, taking him in fully, as the scene unfolded in front of Sanaya's eyes.
Without warning, the door to the studio creaked open, and Sanaya walked in. Shocked, she stood frozen as the woman hastily covered herself with a sheet. The groceries Sanaya had been holding slipped from her hands. Silent tears welled up in her eyes as the realization hit her—Aneeq was just like the man Farah had warned her about. Without a word, she turned and fled the studio.
Back in the present, Sanaya snapped out of her thoughts, her eyes returning to the laptop screen. She glanced outside at Moeez, who had just walked out of the café.
POV Change
The night was still young when Moeez stepped out of the café, feeling heavy and in need of fresh air. He stood outside, gazing up at the sky, feeling small and helpless. His eyes fell on the moon, and suddenly, a flashback came to mind.
- Flashback
"Mahi, wo dekho," Moeez said to Mahnoor, pointing at the sky.
They were sitting across from each other, chatting. Moeez had just pointed out the shining moon.
As Mahnoor looked where he was pointing, she teased him, "Kiya dekhu?"
Understanding her teasing, Moeez grabbed his phone, opened the front camera, and held it up to her. He smiled, waiting for her to look back.
"Areyy, kaha dekh rahi ho, is chand ki baat kar rha tha," he said with a beaming smile.
When she heard his voice, she looked back. Her cheeks turned rosy red as she saw herself in the mobile camera.
"Moeezzz…!!! Kiyaaa haaiii!!! Q tang karty rehty ho!!!" she said with a beaming smile.
They both laughed at her reaction.
"Sigh, mere hisse ke log log le jate hain…" he said to himself, looking at the moon.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. Expecting it to be a customer, he was surprised when a feminine voice called his name.
"Moeez…, sigh… listen, wo tumhare layak nahi thi. Har kisi ko uska desired insaan nahi milta. I know she broke your heart, but duniya khatam nahi hoti. Be strong. Tumhare upar zimmedariyan hain, umeed mat haro. Us se acha mil jayega koi." She stood behind him, saying what she needed to say.
She felt relieved and worried at the same time because of Moeez being so silent.
"Ha-ha, sigh, tumhe pata hai ye easy nahi hai right, by the way, thanks, I needed that," he said, turning and giving her a smile.
"Yes, yes, I know you are a strong person," she said after seeing his smile.
She then noticed a few customers entering the café.
"Oh, Moeez, agar tum chaho to off kar sakte ho. Main yahan manage kar lungi," she said before going inside.
Streetlights illuminated the area as Moeez stood at the edge of the road. He pulled out his phone and looked for Hafsah's number.
"Hafsah… Hello, kiya haal hai?" he said on the phone, looking at the road.
"I'm okay, tum batao," she replied with a saddened tone.
She knew about what happened at the university but didn't want to ask him directly.
"Ha-ha, mujhe kiya hona hai," he said, trying to laugh off his situation.
He didn't want her to know the extent of his distress.
"Oh, acha," she said, choosing to stay silent.
"Han, wo mene call is liye ki thi ke kya tum meri leave de sakti ho kuch dino ki?" he asked.
"Umm, agar bura na mano to pooch sakti hun, waja kya hai?" she replied, wanting to understand his situation.
"Kuch nahi, bas thodi tabiyat theek nahi hai. Plus, next week exams start ho rahe hain, to socha beth ke padh bhi lun. Tumhe to pata hai teachers ne to padhana band nahi karna. Ha-ha," he said, pretending to be okay.
"Sigh, point chalo, main manage kar lungi. Tum bas apna khayal rakho," she said, wanting to give him space.
"Han, zaroor, thanks a lot." he said, ending the call.
As the call ended, he looked up at the sky again. His eyes were brimming with tears, but he turned around and walked back into the café.
Approaching the counter where Eman stood, he took off his apron.
"Eman, I think I'll be taking off for today," he said.
"Oh, okay. Khiyaal se jana, okay?" she said with a frown, still worried.
"Theek hai, bye!" he said, and without saying anything else, he walked out of the café.
POV Change
It was 11 at night, and Sanaya was on her way home after a long day. As she drove down the quiet road, her headlights caught a figure sitting alone by the side. She slowed down, recognizing Moeez. His face was tear-streaked, and he looked utterly defeated.
"Moeez, yaha kiya kar rahy ho?!" she called out, her voice thick with concern.
She had gotten to know Moeez over the past few months at the café. He was usually upbeat and full of jokes, but tonight, something was very wrong. She could see it in his eyes, in the way he tried to fake a smile as he walked toward her car.
"Ummm, kuch nahi Ma'am, bike aaj me nahi laya to bas chalty chalty thak gaya to socha beth jao thori deer. Haha," he said, trying to laugh it off. But his tear-streaked face betrayed him.
"Chalo betho main chor deti hun tumhy," she said opening the door of her car.
"Nahi, Nahi koi baat nahi main chala jao ga aap ko bhi late ho rha hai," he said still with the faking the smile.
Sanaya wasn't having it. She could see through his act, and she wasn't going to let him be alone. "Moeez, Car me betho," she ordered, not giving him a chance to refuse.
Reluctantly, Moeez opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. He sat stiffly, staring straight ahead, trying not to look at her. She looked at him for a sec and guessed what had happened as she was once in his place too. She didn't know what had happened, but she could tell he was hurting deeply.
"Tum ne khana khaya hai?" she asked as they started driving.
He hesitated, clearly lying when he finally said, "Uh, G dost k saat khaya tha mene."
Sanaya knew it was a lie. She didn't push him further, but she silently decided to make sure he ate something tonight.
After a short drive filled with occasional small talk, Sanaya pulled up in front of her house. It was a large, beautiful home—one she had designed herself. She glanced over at Moeez, who was staring at the house, clearly impressed.
"Mera ghar pasand aya?" she asked, smiling softly at him.
"Bohot piyara hai," he replied, looking out the window at the garden.
Sanaya led him inside, telling him to sit on the couch in the lounge while she prepared something for them to eat. Despite his protests, she started making sandwiches in the kitchen which is right behind him. He tried to tell her he wasn't hungry, but she wasn't taking no for an answer.
As she prepare the food he looked at the house, these type of house he only seen in the movies. She was busy making food while Moeez sat on the couch looking here and there, while he suddenly checked his phone. there 26 Missed call from the same contacts and the display on the screen was Wajahat and Mahnoor. He turned off the phone instantly as he there name appear infont of his eyes.
"Sandwich tiyaar han hope tumhy pasand aye gy," she said cheerfuly as she sat the plates in front of him on the table.
"Haha khushboo sy hi pata lag raha hai." he said in trying to be cheerful as her.
"O, to tumhy jhooti tareeefy karni bhi ati han." she said with a teasing smile.
"Aryy Nahi nahi asi baat nahi hai," he said moving his head in right and left.
"Haha maza kar rahi hun khaa kar to dekho mujhy yaqeen hai tumhy pasand aye gy," she said grabbing one sandwich from the plate while sitting down.
He looked at her who just bit her sandwich and then at the sandwich and grabbed it from the plate and bite it down. After the first bite he ate it all. he has eaten anything since the morning and this was his first meal.
After they had eaten, they both leaned back on the couch, watching TV. Sanaya kept stealing glances at him, while moeez who foucs wasn't the TV. Sanaya suddenly looked forward at the LCD and spoke
"Moeez kaafi Raat ho chuki you can stay here if you want to," She said in non forcing tone.
Moeez sat there in slienece and then spoke, "Nahi main nahi ruk sakta mujhy jana chahiye," he said while look at her with his sad face.
She in his eyes, "Main sirf abhi ki baat nahi kar rahi, you can stay here as long you want." she said in a gentle voice as she got up to take their plates.
He shook his head. "Nahi… main kisi ke liye burden nahi banna chahta," he replied, getting up to help with the plates.
"Burden? burden kesa tum hi thy jis me hame dost kehna shuru kar diya tha." she said, stopping and turning to look at him.
Moeez fell silent, unsure how to respond. Sanaya could see the conflict in his eyes. She didn't want to force him to stay, but she also didn't want him to feel like he had nowhere to go.
"Listen, Moeez, tum jab tak chaho reh sakte ho. If you're not comfortable, I understand," she said, placing the plates in the sink.
Moeez didn't say anything, just stood there, lost in thought. Sanaya gave him space, heading upstairs to freshen up. She didn't want to push him, but she also didn't want to leave him alone in his pain.
When she returned downstairs, Moeez was gone. The front door was slightly opened. As she saw she went to the door and looked outside, but he was already gone.
POV Change
Moeez walked in silence, the cool night air hitting his face. He didn't know why he had left Sanaya's house. She had offered him kindness, a place to rest, but he couldn't accept it. He felt like a burden, even though she had assured him he wasn't.
As he walked, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He had bought them earlier, as he had this feeling that he needed this. He lit one and took a long inhale, feeling the burn in his lungs.
The road was quiet, the only sound coming from his footsteps and the occasional car passing by. His mind raced, replaying the events of the day, the betrayal, the heartbreak. Every thought brought him back to the same conclusion: he was alone in this city.
After walking for what felt like hours, Moeez found himself standing in the middle of the road, staring up at the sky. The stars were bright, but they offered him no comfort. His cigarette had burned down to the filter, and he flicked it away, watching the embers scatter in the wind.
"Sigh… koi nahi. Koi bhi nahi hai tera yaha," he whispered, his voice cracking as a the tear few tears fell on his cheek.
To be continued...