Rewrite the Stars

Chapter 28: Missing Pieces

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder"
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Hareem:
We came back from the airport about an hour ago. Everybody is quiet and sad. Phupho didn't say anything and just went in her room while Dilawar Uncle followed her. Hafsa smiled at me and too walked to her room. It was only me sitting by the living room window having a cup of coffee. I asked everyone else if they wanna have a cup and they all refused. I understand everybody. No matter how much you try to move past it, but the presence of a person is still missed. Although everybody knew including me that he'll be going back soon and yet no one ready to say goodbye. Certainly not me. I wanted him to stay here as long as he can. I wanted to just fall into his arms and never let go. I never knew how much I'll miss him until this moment. Everybody has already confined to their rooms except me. I don't want to go in my room. I know if I go, I'll miss him just beyond imagination. I can't even call him now. His phone must be off. I can only wait till he reach his home. I finished my coffee and decided to go to my our room now. Whether I want to accept it or not, he's gone now and I have to stop being so sad over it. He didn't leave me. He has already started with the paperwork and I need is to wait.... patiently.

I opened the door of our room and the silence greeted me. The room was as clean as new. There were no wet towels onto the bed, none of the shirts were discarded on the chair by the balcony and none of his watches were there on the table. I stepped further inside the room and opened the balcony door to let the cool air inside. It was starting to get a bit cold now. I went in the closet and changed into my comfort clothes. I laid down on the bed and texted him
'Give me a call when you reach there, despite the time. I miss you'. Pressing send I put my phone away and covered myself with the duvet and waited for the sleep to overcome me.

Rohaan:
I reached the London airport and the breath in the air. I missed this so much. Pakistan is my homeland, but living here for four years made me fall in love with this place. The weather was very nice, but you can't judge it. It can get sunny from cloudy in no second. I have already called for a housemaid to clean my house. I hailed a cab and settled inside. I took my phone and opened it after setting it up a bit. The first message that popped up was from Hareem. I quickly opened it and read it. S smiled made its way on my face after I read the message. I looked at the time. It was close to ten here, so it would be five or near five in Pakistan. I dialed her number and it rang for a while until she picked up and I heard her voice
"Hello". It looked like I was hearing her voice after a decade when it's only been few hours. I muttered
"Hello. I just landed here". She hummed and I asked her
"Tum theek hu?".
(Are you fine)
I didn't hear her reply after a while, but then she muttered in a small voice
"I'm fine. It's just a bit strange without you". I smiled at that. Of course it would be a lot strange not to have her by my side. I already miss her. I assured her
"It's alright. It's only temporary." She hummed and we talked a bit more until I cut the call to let her sleep. I kept the phone back in my pocket and rested my head against the back of the seat.

I jiggled the keys inside and opened the door of my apartment. My apartment is not very big nor very small. It has three rooms and a kitchen with a living room and a small balcony. I hope Hareem likes it. I know she doesn't like things that are extravagant, but if she wants to make changes in the apartment I'll never stop her. I placed my suitcase in the living room and headed straight for the shower. After spending a good time in the shower, I changed into some comfortable clothes and decided to call mama. She picked up on the second ring and I greeted her
"Asalamoaliukm mama. I've reached home". I heard her muttering 'alhundulillah' before she said
"Rohaan I'm already missing you. The house seems very lonely without you". I comforted her. If not for my career I would have never be away from my family. After talking to her for a bit, she said
"Okay take care of yourself". I nodded as if she could see me and cut the call. I decided to take a short nap before I do anything and went to my room.

I woke up around six the evening. I didn't know my short nap was this short. I was feeling hungry, so I went to the kitchen to make myself something. I opened the fridge and there was nothing that I could cook and to be honest my habits had been spoiled. I get used to the meals mama cooked for me. I already miss being home. I slammed the door shut and decided to go out for dinner. I wore my jacket and decided to walk to the small restaurant. I picked a window table as it has the best view. After placing the order, I started scrolling in my phone. A message popped up from Hareem that said
'Have you eaten?'. I smiled at her concern and typed back
'I'm at a restaurant'. She replied almost immediately
'Good. Take care of yourself '. I have no idea how much more wide I can smile.
'Yes Ma'am'. I took a mental note to bring Hareem here when she comes here. I was busy in my phone when I heard my voice
"Rohaan?". I looked up and saw Neha. She was looking at me in question. I acknowledged her
"Hi". She came out of her shock and asked
"When did you come back?". She took a seat onto the chair in front of me. I shrugged and said
"Just today". I found her gazing at my ring which was in my finger. I made a set for both of us. I cleared my throat and said
"I got married". She nodded robotically and said
"I know. I mean.... congratulations. Where is she?" I explained
"She's not here now. There is some paperwork pending, but she'll be here soon". She nodded again. An uncomfortable silence filled the atmosphere. She looked at me and then said
"I'll be going back now. Let's meet at office if you're joining." I nodded at her and she left. My food arrived just in time and I dig in.

Hareem:
It's been two days since he has gone now an I'm slowly moving past the fact that he's in another country. I was making breakfast when Phupho came inside. I greeted her and she smiled at me.
"Hareem I was thinking maybe you should Bhabhi. You haven't gone since the day of your marriage". I heard her say and I turned to look at her. I nodded my head and at her and she left the kitchen. After having breakfast, I went in my room and called mama. She picked up on the third ring and I greeted her and told her that I'll be coming to meet her. After taking to her for a while I hang up and decided to take a shower.

I reached there at around four in the evening. Right now I'm sitting with dado and Mama as we all talked. Dado said
"Warisha must be missing Rohaan a lot". I nodded my head at her. Chachi entered the room with some tea and snacks. I took the tray from her and she sat down beside dado and said
"You're right ammi. Rohaan is such a nice kid. He's very hard working too". Her praising Rohaan really made me feel proud. I smiled involuntarily. She looked at me and asked
"When are you going to the UK?" I shrugged my shoulders and said
"My documents are already in process, maybe in a month or so". She nodded her head and then said
"It's good. A wife should stay with his husband. I've seen many cases about how husbands leave their wives as they go abroad". I looked at her as her words slowly sink in. Rohaan would never leave me. Dado nodded at her completely oblivious to the hidden meaning behind her comment. I know I shouldn't be feeling like this, but what if she's right? What if....no I shouldn't be thinking like that. He's different. He'll never leave me or betray me. I looked at Chachi again and she was normally conversing with everyone totally unaware of the havoc she created inside of me.
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