Submission

'Haya, please let's just leave from here, before father sees us. ', Noor, her Sister pulled her elbow, to move her from the large pillar they were hiding behind. 'Just wait for five more minutes, please. At least, Let me see him properly', Haya was irritated by her sister's constant bickering. But still, her gaze was fixed at the centre of her universe, Zafar Abdullah.  God had created him in his spare time, perfecting each detail, she thought.  His muscular physique well supported his tall frame. Nothing could have beaten his golden skin, adorned with sharp features and a dark beard.  His eyes held so much depth; even oceans could shy away. Although she had hardly seen him smile but was sure, if he ever did, it would definitely make the flowers bloom. She clung tighter to the pillar, taking every detail of Zafar inside. It was after two long years; she was finally able to see him. She ran here as soon as she got to know that Zafar has returned. Her heart held infinite longing and love for the cold man standing and talking to her father. He had never lifted his gaze even to spare a glance at her. If someone says that she was obsessed with Zafar, it won't be an understatement.  Her father, Nazar Gul, was a presidential candidate, and right now he was having an important meeting with his associates and supporters. This was a very critical period for them as the elections were due next month.  Zafar was here to help her father, getting through it. He had just returned from London, where he had lived for the past two years. Suddenly, their father stood up from his seat and walked towards the screen on which a presentation was running. They immediately hid behind their refuge and quietly tip toed their way back. When they were in a safe zone, they began laughing and dashed into their room. 'He has become so handsome Noor', Haya gushed remembering him, while they both laid on their bed, finally catching their breath. 'Yeah, and you have become so dumb. How could you just barge in there Haya?' Noor was scared of her increasing madness for Zafar.  Had it been two-sided, it would still be OK. But Zafar hadn't even acknowledged her sister's petty existence, forget about reciprocating her feelings.  According to Noor, he was simply arrogant of his looks and achievements, and it was only getting worse with time.  'You wouldn't understand it, Noor, unless you fall in love, my dear Sister ', Haya hugged her chubby little sister, who was more mature than her age demanded. 'If that's how I could end up, I would rather die ignorant. THANK YOU!', Noor giggled and hugged her sister back.  I hope he marries you Haya, she silently prayed for her innocent elder sister and smiled. ▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎ Nazar Gul was an honest and hard-working man, who had spent most of his life for the upliftment and development of his people. But his generosity and goodwill had gathered the envy of many, especially when he decided to run for the top chair.  He was tired of the corrupt and incompetent people governing his country when all they did was to benefit themselves, without actually caring for the people, further plunging the country into a downward spiral.  Thanks to his previous good works and his untarnished reputation, the public was responding positively to his candidature. They were way ahead than their corrupt and immoral opposition.  And the whole of the campaign was carefully planned and executed by Zafar.  Zafar Abdullah was ten years old and an orphan when Mrs Gul took him up from the streets. He was hiding in the bushes, right outside their house, trying to avoid the heavy rain that day, when Mrs Gul saw him and her heart filled with godsent mercy for the young child. She took him in and her husband, being the good man he was, accepted her decision wholeheartedly.  Zafar was a very sharp and intelligent kid. Mr Gul's sharp and experienced eyes had realised his potential even when he was still a kid. So instead of shifting him with other servants, he invested his time and money and sent him to the school to study. And afterwards, there was no turning back for the kid. Zafar's further education was mainly funded by the various scholarships he had earned; he didn't want to burden Mr Gul, then he already was. Managing a household, while being honest and upright, wasn't an easy task.  But soon Zafar started helping in managing his business, and it scaled new heights, under Zafar's watchful and keen eyes. After his graduation, he earned a scholarship from the world's topmost University and shifted to London.  While being there, he opened an office and expanded Mr Gul's business further, putting it in line with the other top-class companies.  Zafar was aware of the kindness that the family had shown him; he had matured a lot earlier on the roofless streets.  Zafar had never betrayed their trust, nor has he ever surpassed Mr Gul's wishes. His sole goal in life was to serve Mr Gul because wherever he was currently was all due to them. He had always delivered whatever Mr Gul demanded from him. He was meticulous and diligent, blessed with a sharp mind and photographic memory. He had never faltered; his plans were always fail-proof.  Where other people struggled in having a plan B, Zafar always had a Plan A, B, C, D.  Being a lawyer by profession, he had never lost a case. Saying that wherever Mr Gul and businesses were today was due to Zafar's efforts, it wouldn't be an exaggeration.  Zafar never did anything, without having an ultimate goal of benefitting Mr Gul.  And Nazar Gul knew it very well, thats why he had recently been called to aid his election campaign.  With Zafar by his side, he felt invincible and powerful.  ▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎ Haya felt all her prayers were answered when he returned home! She couldn't be happier than she was these days. Her face glowed in an unknown happiness of having him around her.  But Zafar was a very enigmatic man. People could swear on their life that they had never seen him smiling.  Unless it's very urgent, he hardly spoke. His mind was always calculating or working on something or the other.  His eyes were that of a predator; they looked straight into the soul of a person. So people also usually avoided his formidable presence.  He made them feel threatened, as some of them had quoted. Within the past few years, he has created deep roots in Mr Gul's business, and he was also the mastermind behind the presidential campaign. Probably, that was the reason for its success.  With time, Nazar Gul realised his selfless services and was indebted to him. He felt lucky and deeply grateful to have Zafar around him.  He didn't know to manage or survive without him anymore.  And he never felt the absence of a son when Zafar was around.  ▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎ Right now Zafar was briefing the party members about his plan to step up their game further and make new strategies to win this election.  Although they were ahead by their opposition by many points, they still couldn't afford to get lax at such a crucial time.  'Zafar, Get me a list of constituencies where the opposition is leading and strong, we must figure out their strengths at those regions', Mr Gul asked Zafar, his most trusted man. 'Mr Gul, I have already made this file, about their strength and weaknesses, according to the different states. Apart from that, I have also mentioned the solutions for each of them. Please go through it and suggest if any more corrections are to be made to this ', Zafar replied, while handing over a file to his benefactor. Mr Gul smiled on his resourcefulness , 'Thank you, My Son, you have never failed to amaze me.' 'It's my pleasure, Sir,' he replied with a sincere bow. ▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎ Haya was busy making a handmade birthday card, which she used to send every year on Zafar's birthday. When suddenly, Noor came and hugged her from behind. 'What are you doing sis,', she asked Haya. 'I am making a card for Zafar; his birthday is next week', Haya blushed. It has been a long time, since he was home and that too near his birthday. She planned to send a card as usual and a present as well, a pendant with half a heart. The other half would be with her.  'They could have been more fruitful if you also mention your name with it. You are doing this since ages now Haya, come on, he doesn't even know it's you', she told her sister.  'It doesn't matter whether he knows or not, I am doing it for myself. I want to do it for him.', Haya smiled and put final touches to the card, finishing it.  It was ready to be posted, although he lived in the same house, but she couldn't compromise her identity. So like every year, she would send it by post to her own house.  ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆