An Empty Easel

He stared at the tiny heap of powder in front of him in the dim light. The excitement building up in his body.

Haaris could feel his heartbeats increasing thinking about the minutes he would be experiencing that euphoria.

It was his first time. His friend, Yawar and a bunch of other friends had invited him for a sleepover at Yawar's house.

After partying hard with loud music, food, and alcohol, Yawar introduced him to drugs.

" You should try it, Harry. You will forget every drink."

Those were Yawar's words, while he poured the powder on the table in front of him. Haaris was well known for alcohol from his teenage years. His teenage years were not a normal kid would experience. Haaris needed an escape door to get rid of the problems of his life. Alcohol suited him best as it took over all his senses to think, that's what he wanted.

Staring at it for a good ten minutes, he took the tiny roll from Yawar's hand and sniffed the drug. It instantly got into his head; Haaris closed his eyes smiling at the ecstasy the drug had been creating in him.

Why hadn't he tried it earlier? He thought to himself taking another sniff from the drug.

Haaris was again forgetting himself without thinking about good or bad.

***

Ghazal removed the stack of letters from her mailbox and began to sort it out. A letter from Fine Fettle Hospital got her attention, as it was holding her name on the cover. Quickly opening it, Ghazal's happiness knew no bound.

She giddily ran inside in order to share the happiness with her family members. Ghazal felt like it was a long time ago when she had felt happy, exciting. But she had to stop herself on the threshold of the living room hearing the argument which was going on.

"I can't take this burden anymore, Papa."

This was her brother, Ghani, who was anxiously walking and muttering. Her father was silently listening to him. Ghazal got an idea about what they must be discussing. It was about her and Adam, for sure.

"Ghani, we can support them both. It's not only your salary which is useful for our expenses but also my pension. "

"You don't know how costly it has become to spend on our daily needs. My salary and your pension aren't sufficient. "

Ghazal was right. She was noting this from the past one month when one day Papa had discussed the matter of schooling of Adam. She had seen how her brother's and sister-in-law's faces had changed just hearing that conversation. Even if she hadn't seen them, Ghazal knew that coming to her maiden home didn't hold a good meaning like before, anymore. She knew they both were a burden. That's why she had applied for a post of the Psychologist in some hospitals without telling anybody.

She wanted to use her Psychology degree to help her family with their expenditures and Allah had heard her plea as Ghazal had been chosen for the applied post in Fine Fettle hospital. But Ghazal didn't know why her brother's words had hurt her; the look of worry on the couple's faces had done something to her strong heart.

"I think we should tell Ghazal about our restraints." Ghani's voice brought her back to the present. Without any further ado she moved inside and they both became silent seeing her.

"Bhai, you don't have to worry about our expenditures anymore. I have got a job."

***

A loud crash broke his deep sleep. Haaris took his time to get acquainted with the place he was in. It was his own room, well furnished and everything which could be included in luxury was present there but Haaris never understood why he used to be restless. Why he never felt comfortable or happy living in this lavish surrounding.

He came to know that the loud crash was just from his nightmare and nothing else. Instead, someone was softly knocking on the door. The taste of yester night's drink was somewhat fading but yet he had to walk with extra care so as not to break his bones by falling.

As the door opened, the servant bowed him respectfully.

"Sir, Mr. Yousuf wants your presence for the breakfast."

Not having any energy to argue, Haaris nodded his head and closed the door on his face with a thud. He sat down on his bed, holding his head in his hands.

Haaris didn't want to face his father. He didn't want to hear his words which would make him feel too worse about himself. Also meeting him would bring back all his past's haunted memory. Just like now, how on earth his mind drifted from his father to his mother.

No, he couldn't bear that. Haaris shook his head as it would drop those memories but all went in vain. He opened the bedside drawer and fished out the packet of cigarettes.

By the time he got ready for breakfast, Haaris had smoked nearly two packets of cigarette. Coming to the dining hall, he saw Mr. Yousuf sitting at the far end of the twenty-four seater dining table. He was about to take the seat of the other end when his father's voice echoed in the dining hall.

"Come and sit here, Haaris." He said patting to the seat beside him. Haaris boringly took the seat without making any eye-contact with Mr. Yousuf. As Haaris took his seat, the trail of servants began to serve him various delicacies.

"How is life going, Mr. Haaris Yousuf?"

His father asked him. He knew his father just wanted to break that awkward silence that was enveloping them. 

Haaris bobbed his head. "Better than what I had thought."

"Living in a daze is not a life, Haaris." Haaris saw his father was looking at him with concern. That hurt him; he didn't want anyone's sympathy or anyone's advice. He was happy in his life.

"If you are about to start your lecture then I must go," Haaris said ready to leave his place when Mr. Yousuf held his hand.

"I am sorry. Do your breakfast." Then their breakfast went in silence but their minds were occupied with too many unspoken pains.

***

Ghazal kissed her son's forehead who was in deep sleep. His hand tightly holding her hand. Tomorrow, a new chapter of her life would open. She was extremely nervous, to say the least.

Today morning, she felt like dropping a bomb on her family rather than good news, about her job. Papa was not happy with her idea of doing a job but she had convinced him somewhat, putting forth their income problem.

Her brother didn't utter a word after that but her sister-in-law; Tehseen bhabhi was throwing daggers at her. Ghazal was unable to understand her problem but she never bothered about her at all.

Show off...

That was her sister-in-law's words. Ghazal shook her head and tried to slip in a peaceful slumber.

The morning sun peeked through the thin lashes of clouds and Ghazal was ready with Adam for her new journey. In fajr, she had found peace and ease after praying for guidance from her lord.

After dropping Adam to his school, she took a bus to Fine Fettle Hospital. Ghazal's heart was drumming profusely; she was reading all her learned supplications in order to calm herself. She had taken this decision for herself and for her family; this was the only thing which was giving her some courage.

A tall elegant building was waiting for Ghazal on her destination. Searching for the given floor, she took the elevator.

"Hi."

A soft voice chirped beside her. Ghazal found a lady smiling at her. She returned her greeting with a smile.

"Hi..."

"First day?"

"Yes."

"Me too." The lady giddily added.

"I am Neha Desai."

"I am Ghazal Fatima."

Ghazal introduced herself. Neha smiled and nodded.

"I understood."

She said casually and Ghazal knew Neha was talking about her religion because anyone could spot her due to her attire. She always wore an abaya and a scarf around her head. It was an important part of her life.

"You are beautiful by the way."

Neha's sudden comment made Ghazal blush. To Ghazal, Neha felt like a good woman. They were somewhat of the same age and as Ghazal was hesitant to share about herself, Neha was bombarding her with every information about herself and her family, friends. She took a long sigh and thanked Allah for lessening her worries.