An Ordinary Yet Beautiful Night
1425 Words
After his father, Talal, passed away, Saeem became the sole person responsible for the entire empire.
He had taken control of MA Corporation at the age of just twenty-four.
And to everyone's surprise...
He proved to be even more capable than his father.
Under his leadership, the company expanded faster than ever before, reaching markets that even Talal had never imagined.
But there was one crucial difference between father and son.
Unlike his father...
Saeem was not an honest man.
Talal had built his empire while believing that a business should strengthen its country.
Saeem believed power was far more valuable than patriotism.
Instead of helping the nation prosper, he quietly helped rot its foundations from within.
Political meetings had become a part of his daily routine. He maintained close ties with influential politicians, using his wealth and influence to support their agendas while securing his own interests in return.
There were three siblings in the Talal family—Saeem, his younger brother Ibad, and their younger sister.
Years ago, their parents had been brutally murdered.
The only witness to the killings had been their little sister.
The horrifying scene had shattered her mind so completely that she fell into a coma... one that lasted for five long years.
Even after she finally regained consciousness, returning to a normal life had been painfully slow. The scars left by that night refused to fade.
As for Ibad...
He had grown into a spoiled young man.
Surrounded by luxury and endless comfort, he had buried the past beneath a reckless lifestyle.
Saeem, however, had forgotten nothing.
He knew exactly who had destroyed his family's happiness.
He knew who had murdered his parents.
And deep inside...
An overwhelming desire burned within him—
To one day kill that person with his own hands.
🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑🛑
An Ordinary Yet Beautiful Night
*"Tell the morning breeze that we, too, are like a fragrance...
Those who share the same soul do not meet every day."*
"Mom, I'm heading out. I'll be back a little late... probably around three in the morning."
It was eight o'clock at night.
Humael slipped on his jacket as he spoke.
Asad was busy scrolling through something on his phone, while Sohaib and Jahanzeb were inside the room watching the evening news. Mahak and Zainab were there as well.
"Humael," Zainab called out from inside the room, "be home by midnight. Otherwise, I'm not opening the door for you."
"But, Mom..." he replied while putting on his shoes and walking toward the front door. "I'll be leaving in a few days. At least let me spend some time with my friends."
"If you come home after one o'clock," Zainab answered sharply, "don't bother coming home at all. Stay with your friends."
The moment Humael met her warning glare, he immediately changed his target.
"Fine then, Uncle. You'll open the door for me. Mom is asleep by ten anyway."
Sohaib and Jahanzeb continued watching the news while Asad looked up at him.
"Don't worry, Bhabhi," Asad said with a smile. "If he doesn't return by one, I'll go and bring him back myself."
Zainab shot Humael another disapproving look.
"See how much your uncle cares about you... and then look at yourself."
"Oh, please don't start praising him now," Humael muttered with an exaggerated pout. "I'm already getting late."
Asad was still occupied with his phone.
Otherwise, he would have thoroughly enjoyed teasing Humael over his obvious jealousy.
"Brother... bring something back for me!"
A voice came from behind him.
Humael didn't even turn around.
"By the time I get back, you'll already be asleep. So don't make too many requests."
With that, he started walking away.
"He's becoming so ill-mannered," Zainab complained angrily.
"Zainab, lower your voice."
Sohaib frowned without taking his eyes off the television.
"Your shouting is making it impossible to hear the news."
Zainab pressed her lips together in annoyance.
Asad silently gestured for her to calm down.
Just then, Humael suddenly walked back inside.
"Mom, I'll come home early. Don't worry. I haven't become that disrespectful yet... not enough to bring you a daughter-in-law without asking."
Zainab looked at him.
"You just try bringing a daughter-in-law home," she shot back. "Then you'll find out exactly how powerful my shoe is."
The moment she said it, Asad and Jahanzeb burst into laughter.
Sohaib glanced at the two of them before quietly turning his attention back to the television.
Mahak covered her mouth with her tiny hand, desperately trying to hold back her giggles.
Humael, however, wasn't ready to surrender.
"Look at Sarah's mother," he protested. "She's so nice. I've never once heard her threaten her children like this."
"Then look at her children," Zainab replied instantly. "They're well-behaved. A mother has no choice but to become whatever kind of mother her children force her to be."
Humael pulled a face.
"Fine... I'm leaving."
He turned toward the door once again.
Before he could step outside, Mahak hurried over and gently held his hand.
"Brother... stay with us instead."
Humael looked down at her.
"We won't be able to spend time with you either once you leave."
She smiled sweetly.
"I'll go to bed early tomorrow because I have school. Stay with us tonight... and meet your friends tomorrow instead."
Humael smiled helplessly before glancing around the room.
"Stay with who?" he asked with a hint of disappointment. "He's glued to his phone, those two are more interested in the news than in me... and as for her, making quilts seems to be the most important thing in the world."
He looked at each of them one by one as he complained.
Jahanzeb chuckled warmly.
"Well then, for the happiness of my grandson, we'll turn the TV off early tonight. Sohaib, switch it off. The news isn't going anywhere—we can watch it tomorrow."
Without another word, Sohaib picked up the remote and turned the television off.
"I need to make a phone call," Asad said as he stood up. "It's important."
He walked downstairs and stepped out into the courtyard.
"Alright then," Humael said, his excitement immediately returning. "I'll quickly bring something for everyone to eat. Tonight we're going to sit together and talk for hours."
"Brother... don't forget mine!" Mahak reminded him eagerly.
He smiled at her.
"Of course, my little mother. I already know exactly what to bring for you."
With that, he headed outside as well.
---
Asad stood alone in the courtyard, his phone pressed against his ear.
A large neem tree stood in the middle of the yard, its thick branches stretching over the neighboring houses.
"Shahzaib... listen to me," Asad said patiently. "First, calm yourself down. You're angry right now, and that's exactly why you're letting your emotions take over."
On his way out, Humael paused for a brief moment and glanced at Asad before quietly leaving through the gate.
"Shahzaib, listen to me carefully," Asad continued, concern evident in his voice. "Don't do anything right now. I'm coming back next week. We'll sit down and talk about everything calmly once I'm there."
"I know," he said after listening for a moment. "I know our country is full of traitors... but you still need to calm down first."
Those were the last words Humael heard before the gate closed behind him.
---
When he returned sometime later, his hands were full.
He had bought roasted peanuts and sunflower seeds for everyone.
And despite the freezing winter...
He had also brought an ice cream for Mahak.
The moment Zainab saw it, her patience snapped.
"So this is what you asked your brother to bring?" she scolded Mahak. "How many times have I told you not to eat ice cream in this weather? You cough all night long, and while nothing happens to you, the rest of us lose our sleep!"
Her frustration filled the room.
Meanwhile, Asad, Humael, Jahanzeb, and Sohaib paid little attention to the lecture.
They sat together, chatting, laughing, and happily cracking open warm peanuts and sunflower seeds, enjoying the simple comfort of the winter night.
Although Asad continued talking with everyone, a part of his mind remained occupied with Shahzaib.
He was still worried...
But deep down, he trusted that Shahzaib wouldn't make a reckless decision while he was angry.
That thought eased his heart, if only a little.
It turned into one of the most beautiful nights they had ever spent together.
None of them knew...
When—or even if—they would ever get the chance to sit together like this again.
- Writer
