•••FLASHBACK•••

~5 years ago, October 2014, Murree, Punjab~

~Hooriyah

It was still early when the clouds started giving their rain to the grass and trees, when the road became alive with more splashes than my eyes could appreciate. Yet together they brought such a soothing sound, a natural melody every bit as beautiful as a mother's soulful hum. I felt each splash that touched my skin, raising goosebumps all over my arms as I stretched them out of my window. It was as if earlier the street had been a matt photograph, only to be washed as glossy as any magazine page could be!

The dark tumultuous clouds roared again , threatening some more heavy downpour for today.

"Hmm, seems like a beautiful start to a lazy day!"

I hummed to myself as I wrapped my prayer mat after offering my fajar prayers ,and recited some surahs and blew them on my house, my parents, myself and my sister Iman who was sleeping awfully, with her mouth open really wide ready to welcome in all the bugs and cockroaches out there!

What a sleepy brat she was.

I laughed to myself and silently came out of my room. I walked like a burglar, out of my house because I knew, going out at this time , and that too in such a bad weather condition was going to be an unforgivable mistake, specially when Ami comes to know this.

But how on Earth can a pluviophile like me, miss such a beautiful chance to go out for a nice morning walk?

Without wasting a second, I grabbed my umbrella, slipped in my slippers and covered my head with a dark maroon shawl beautifully designed with an embroidery of white pearls and purple stones.

I quickly picked up my straw and mason jar full of hot chocolate, topped it with some marshmallows and chocolate chips. Slowly and carefully, I unlocked the door without making any noise and dragged my feet outside the cottage.

Phewww! That was easy!

As I sipped my deliciously made hot chocolate, a shiver of excitement ran down through my spine.

Ahhhh! The earthy aroma of rain and the wet soil was something I could die for!

I hurriedly opened my umbrella as the rain wildly pelted down on my head . The glossy main road of Murree was all clear. Not a single vehicle could be seen. Some noises could be heard nearby as the kids ran after a ball in a football ground. The green leaves shimmered with rain drops as if they were wearing a necklace of pearl ready to mesmerize anyone passing by. The tall alpine trees moved rhythmically backwards and forwards and from side to side producing some gentle sounds enough for me to fall madly in love with this morning.

This sound brings a calmness to mind, a soothing melody, a natural lullaby.

A couple was sitting on a bench nearby smiling ear to ear as they talked about the most pleasant and picturesque moments of their life. The twinkle of love was dancing through their eyes as they enjoyed this blissful downpour and a beautiful conversation.

I smiled to myself as I recalled a childhood memory which danced in front of my eyes making me feel lost amidst the main road, while I blankly stared at two little figures running crazily. A sparkle of an innocent hope and desire glittered through my hazel eyes as my fragile body shivered due to the cool breeze brushing through my dark brown hair.

I smiled like a mad woman as my eyes averted towards the jet black umbrella in my hand.

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•••Major Flashback•••
~Murree, July 1996~

It was raining cats and dogs at 8:30 am in the morning. An 8 year old angry little boy was running after a 5 year old cute little girl as she laughed ridiculously, rather mischievously.

"Hoor, this time I won't leave you! You broke my umbrella again! Give me your umbrella or I will tell this to your Baba! Prepare yourself for the best possible revenge!"

The boy ran after the girl with anger boiling madly in his charming olive green eyes.

"As if I care? You deserved this Veer. This serves you right for what you did with my innocent doll!" the little girl pouted.

"Innocent? Her face was even worse than Annabelle or Chucky. I should have slit her throat instead of throwing it away in the river!" the boy laughed hysterically.

After sticking her tongue out on the boy with annoyance, she started running again when suddenly her foot stumbled on a rock and as soon as she was about to fall, the boy held her arm tightly.

He slowly took out something from his bag, which left the girl astonished.

"I never threw your doll in the river 'cause I knew how dear it was to you!" He smiled sheepishly.

She started jumping with excitement and quickly hugged the boy.

" Awww My dear barbie!!!!! Thank you so much veer. You can have my umbrella now!" Both of them smiled and started running again.

x-x-x-x-x

Suddenly a loud horn of a car interrupted my beautiful memory and made me jerk from my position. Soon I returned back to the moment, the song of the rain became a fusion, birds bringing sweet high notes.

The memory was so vivid that it was difficult to distinguish it from the reality.

So I quickly brushed it away from my mind before realizing that,

I was blushing!

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"Oh Veer!"

I paused before taking a deep breath as if this name was the only reason why I was breathing.

I found myself smiling shyly as my cheeks rapidly turned crimson and my heart raced wildly.

And then something scary happened!

My wrist watch started beeping as soon as I realized it was 9:00 a.m.

"Shit"

It was time to go back. I had already prepared myself for a lengthy lecture from my parents.

On the top of the hill, there stood a beautiful and welcoming cottage which was more than a house for me. It was all dolled up like a bride due to the flamboyant flowers and tall alpine trees surrounding it. The flowers which were like my brothers and sisters. I would spend hours and hours while talking to them, watering them, buying some new seeds of rare flowers and sowing them in my small garden.

Out of all the flowers, my favorite one was Chrysanthemum.

Because, it was 'his favorite'.

The garden was always a shade brighter in the rain. It was as if the gift of the skies wasn't water, but liquid magic, washing our world to show what was there all along, nature in her humble brilliance.

The buttercups became gold, the grass was the shade of every dreamers meadow, roots quenched, soil renewed. And after the patter of the rain came bursts of birdsong, their hearts rejoicing the occasion of the rain.

As soon as I came out of my trance, I realized that I had to go in before my Mom informs the police about my disappearance.

Yeah! She was this much overprotective.

I crept inside the cottage trying to save myself from all sorts of glares.

But

I

Failed!

"Hooriyah!" Ami came towards me.

Her hands were folded against her chest and her eyes were boiling with lava while staring at my shivering and drenched form despite of an umbrella in my hand.

"I won't let you have a single panadol if you catch up fever!" She glared at me with immense anger. God! It was too much to handle man!

"Sorry Amma!" I feigned innocence

"Don't talk to me ! And go change your clothes!" It was getting out of control as she was not in a mood to forgive me at all.

Then my savior joined the scenario.

"Arey don't make such a big fuss about this Nazia! If my daughter won't enjoy her youth now, then when?" Baba smiled trying to cool down the atmosphere. He stretched his arms and I ran towards him to give him a tight hug.

Fathers are love !

"Stop taking her side always. Your love will spoil her someday, Jahangir!"

Ami marched angrily towards the kitchen to prepare the breakfast.

We both tried to control our laughter. She looked so cute when she marched like this with anger.

Baba instructed me to go and prepare breakfast with her as another taunt could be thrown towards my innocent existence, anytime!

A loud annoying phone bell diverted our attention.

Baba sluggishly picked up the phone.

Seconds after saying hello, he screamed loudly with joy and laughed wholeheartedly making all of us curious to know that who was there on the other end?

"Seems like he's talking to his long lost friend! You know chuddy buddies?" Iman laughed to herself.

I ignored her lame humor and turned to go back to the kitchen until something abruptly stopped me in my tracks as my heart raced wildly and goosebumps rose over each and every single inch of my skin.

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"Shehroze Ali Khan ! Merey Yaar!
I don't believe my ears! You are finally coming back to Pakistan?"

My Baba laughed once again while my heart pumped faster and faster.

Like never before.