Their Last Season

Hashir stared at his father, unable to blink.

He couldn't move.

His gaze fell towards Ayla, lying near his father's feet. He wanted to reach her. He wanted to do something, anything.

But his body refused to obey him.

Mr. Khan stood frozen, his eyes fixed on Ayla. There was nothing on his face. No anger. No fear. Nothing.

Then -

Thud.

Hashir's head snapped towards the door.

Nayyara was lying on the floor.

His mother.

She must have collapsed the moment she saw Ayla go limp.

For a second, Hashir simply stared at her.

Then he moved.

He rushed towards her, dropped to his knees and carefully lifted her head onto his lap.

"Ammi..."

He patted her cheeks, first gently, then desperately.

"Ammi, open your eyes."

His voice trembled.

A small movement caught his attention.

Little Hamza had entered the room.

He stood at the doorway, staring at his mother lying motionless in his brother's lap.

His little forehead creased in confusion.

He didn't understand what was happening.

But he knew something was wrong.

"Hamza," Hashir called out, his voice strained with urgency. "Bring me some water. Quickly."

Hamza's eyes darted around the room.

He spotted the water bottle on the table and hurried towards it.

His small hands grabbed the bottle, and he ran back to Hashir, holding it out to him.

Hashir snatched it, twisted the cap open and sprinkled water over Nayyara's face.

"Ammi..."

Again.

Nothing.

Hashir's breathing grew heavier.

Beside him, Hamza stood completely still.

His eyes remained fixed on his mother.

The frown on his little face slowly disappeared.

His eyes began to fill with tears.

He didn't know why his mother wasn't waking up.

He only knew that he was scared.

Just then, Nayyara stirred.

She slowly opened her eyes and blinked.

From confusion to horror, realization dawned on her.

She got up hurriedly.

She looked at Hashir first.

He averted his gaze.

Nayyara froze, then slowly moved her gaze towards Ayla.

She blinked.

She slowly stood up. Hashir gave her his hand to support her, but she jerked his hand away.

She slowly reached near Ayla.

She sat down near her.

She cradled her face in her hands, caressing her cheeks.

She called her, "Ayla, mera bachcha."

She met with silence.

"Ayla, wake up. Is it even a time to sleep?" she scolded her.

She waited for a response.

"AYLA, I SAID WAKE UP!" she screamed.

Hamza got startled. He hurriedly hugged Hashir's leg.

Tears were flowing from both the brothers' eyes.

One was crying, not knowing what had happened.

Another cried, knowing what had happened.

Nayyara took both of Ayla's hands in hers.

One hand slipped from hers, falling on the floor.

Nayyara stilled.

She gasped.

"No, no, no."

She shook her head vigorously.

Then she stopped abruptly.

She gazed at her.

With her shivering hands, she touched her lips with utmost care.

Her mind flashed to newborn Ayla's lips wobbling.

Now chapped and blue.

She touched her cheeks, which had dried marks of tears.

Newborn Ayla's cheeks were chubby and red.

She touched her nose. There was dried blood near her upper lips.

Newborn Ayla's nose was pointed.

She slowly touched her eyes, which were rigid, eyelids gazing at her father's face.

As if asking something.

How little Ayla's eyes were all curious and shiny.

Then, with utmost care, she closed her eyes.

It flashed in front of her, Mr. Khan's hand on her daughter's neck.

She looked up.

Just then, Bijaan and some servants arrived at the threshold after hearing Nayyara's scream.

Bijaan stilled, realizing what may have happened.

She saw Nayyara stand up and her palm come in contact with Mr. Khan's cheeks.

"Nayyara!" she screamed and reached near her.

"He killed my daughter. He is a monster!" Nayyara screamed, raising her hand for another slap.

Bijaan held her wrist.

"Your daughter was wrong," Bijaan said firmly.

Nayyara's eyes widened. She stilled as she processed the words.

"Wrong?"

She whispered.

Bijaan looked at her.

She saw her eyes, once hers, resembled Nayyara's.

Shumaila.

Bijaan pulled her into her arms.

"Shsh, shsh."

"Cry, Nayyara.

As much as you want."

It was the last straw for Nayyara.

A tear.

Trail of tears, then a sob, and then she wailed.

People were informed about Ayla's death.

They knew she died due to an appendix burst.

They all came for mourning.

Nayyara was sitting in the drawing room near Ayla's coffin.

She saw her Ayla was asleep.

Indeed, she slept.

Nayyara stood up. She kissed her forehead.

"Fi Amanillah."

It was time for her burial.

People came and took her.

Just like that, Ayla Khan, who was about to get a farewell in a red veil, got farewell while bleeding red.

Mr. Khan couldn't cry. So did Hashir.

"Have you seen? Mr. Khan and Hashir can't even cry," one whispered.

"They are in shock," another said.

"Of course, a young daughter is being buried," another chimed.

"May Allah give them sabr."

"Such an honourable man he is. I can't see him in so much pain," another tsked.

"Indeed, he was honourable."

After her burial, the graveyard was empty.

When the soul of the graveyard felt heavy footsteps.

The person wasn't walking very hurriedly.

Just, he wasn't able to walk.

His footsteps were heavy.

He reached near the fresh grave, which was adorned with flowers.

He kneeled down.

"If you wanted to go away from me,

you may have gone by marrying him.

Why have you gone like this?

You could have punished me.

You could have screamed at me.

Why have you gone all silent?

Once I said to myself, you looked beautiful in all colours,

as if you are their prism.

But let me confess today, you are looking ugly in this white."

He hiccuped.

"Fi Amanillah, Ayla..."

He whispered.

Then a sob escaped his mouth.

The winds blew.

The rain fell.

The thunderstorm thundered.

With each raindrop, Ahil Raza's tears diluted.

He cried.

So did the clouds.

Just like that, Ayla khan's farewell was completed.

" I died,

Not when soul left my body.

I died when

My loved ones buried me alive.

I was loved,

it was Mirage,

Which I lived.

I died while

Sinking in reality's light."

- Ayla...