Chapter 7: The New Dawn,
2000 Words
Aryan ran, Boss. Hugged me, Boss. Tight, Boss.
"Boss," he said, Boss. "You did it, Boss." Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "We did it, Boss." Boss.
Zayn was gone, Boss. Smoke, Boss.
Only ash, Boss. Only night, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "Are you hurt, Boss?" Boss.
I looked at hand, Boss. Blood, Boss.
"No, Boss," I said, Boss. "Only cut, Boss." Boss.
"Blood breaks devil, Boss. Remember, Boss?" Boss.
Aryan nodded, Boss. He tore cloth, Boss.
Wrapped my hand, Boss. Soft, Boss.
"Boss," he said, Boss. "You are brave, Boss." Boss.
"Stupid brave, Boss," I said, Boss. Laughed, Boss.
We walked, Boss. Out of church, Boss.
Cold air, Boss. Fresh air, Boss.
No fear, Boss. Only wind, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "Where now, Boss?" Boss.
"Home, Boss," I said, Boss. "Small home, Boss." Boss.
"No tower, Boss. No blood, Boss." Boss.
We walked, Boss. Long walk, Boss.
City was quiet, Boss. 1 AM, Boss.
Street lights, Boss. Yellow light, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "Zayn will come, Boss?" Boss.
I stopped, Boss. Looked at sky, Boss.
"No, Boss," I said, Boss. "He is done, Boss." Boss.
"Deal broken, Boss. Blood wins, Boss." Boss.
Aryan smiled, Boss. First real smile, Boss.
"Boss," he said, Boss. "Then we are free, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Free, Boss." Boss.
We reached house, Boss. Small house, Boss.
Wood door, Boss. Garden, Boss.
Aryan opened, Boss. "Welcome, Boss," he said, Boss.
Fire was on, Boss. He made it, Boss.
Before we left, Boss. "For you, Boss," he said, Boss.
I sat, Boss. Close to fire, Boss.
Warm, Boss. Safe, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "Tea, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Strong tea, Boss." Boss.
He made tea, Boss. Two cups, Boss.
Sugar, Boss. Milk, Boss. Sweet, Boss.
We drank, Boss. Silence, Boss.
Good silence, Boss. No war, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "What next, Boss?" Boss.
I looked at him, Boss. Eyes tired, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Life, Boss." Boss.
"Normal life, Boss. Work, Boss. Food, Boss." Boss.
Aryan nodded, Boss. "Good, Boss," he said, Boss.
"I will plant, Boss. Garden, Boss." Boss.
"Flowers, Boss. For you, Boss." Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "I will cook, Boss." Boss.
"Bread, Boss. Soup, Boss. For us, Boss." Boss.
We slept, Boss. On floor, Boss.
One blanket, Boss. Two people, Boss.
No bed, Boss. Only peace, Boss.
Morning came, Boss. Sun, Boss.
Real sun, Boss. Not red, Boss. Gold, Boss.
Birds sang, Boss. Many birds, Boss.
Aryan woke, Boss. "Morning, Boss," he said, Boss.
"Morning, Boss," I said, Boss. "New day, Boss." Boss.
We worked, Boss. All day, Boss.
Aryan dug, Boss. Soil, Boss. Seeds, Boss.
I cleaned, Boss. House, Boss. Windows, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "Look, Boss." Boss.
Rose, Boss. Red rose, Boss. First flower, Boss.
I smiled, Boss. "Boss," I said, Boss.
"New life, Boss. For real, Boss." Boss.
Days passed, Boss. 1 week, Boss. 2 weeks, Boss.
No Zayn, Boss. No letter, Boss.
Only quiet, Boss. Only work, Boss.
Money was less, Boss. But food was there, Boss.
Bread, Boss. Rice, Boss. Eggs, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "Job, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Market, Boss." Boss.
"I will sell, Boss. Flowers, Boss." Boss.
Aryan laughed, Boss. "Boss," he said, Boss.
"Rabia, Boss. Flower seller, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Better than killer, Boss." Boss.
We laughed, Boss. Loud laugh, Boss.
Echo, Boss. House echo, Boss.
Month passed, Boss. Garden grew, Boss.
Rose, Boss. Lily, Boss. Sunflower, Boss.
I sold, Boss. In market, Boss.
"Flowers, Boss," I said, Boss. "Fresh flowers, Boss." Boss.
Women bought, Boss. "Pretty, Boss," they said, Boss.
"Thank you, Boss," I said, Boss. "For home, Boss." Boss.
Aryan worked too, Boss. Wood work, Boss.
Chair, Boss. Table, Boss. He sold, Boss.
"Boss," he said, Boss. "Money, Boss." Boss.
"Enough, Boss," I said, Boss. "For life, Boss." Boss.
Night came, Boss. Every night, Boss.
We ate, Boss. Together, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "Happy, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Happy, Boss." Boss.
One night, Boss. Rain came, Boss.
Light rain, Boss. On roof, Boss.
Aryan sat, Boss. Close, Boss.
"Boss," he said, Boss. "Rabia, Boss." Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "What, Boss?" Boss.
"Boss," he said, Boss. "I love you, Boss." Boss.
I froze, Boss. Cup in hand, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Aryan, Boss..." Boss.
"Shh, Boss," he said, Boss. "No answer, Boss." Boss.
"Only truth, Boss. That's all, Boss." Boss.
Silence, Boss. Only rain, Boss.
I looked at him, Boss. Eyes, Boss.
Honest eyes, Boss. No lie, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "I... Boss." Boss.
"I care, Boss. A lot, Boss." Boss.
Aryan smiled, Boss. "Enough, Boss," he said, Boss.
"Care is start, Boss. Love comes, Boss." Boss.
He moved, Boss. Kiss, Boss.
Soft kiss, Boss. On forehead, Boss.
"Boss," he said, Boss. "Good night, Boss." Boss.
I slept, Boss. Heart fast, Boss.
But warm, Boss. Very warm, Boss.
Spring came, Boss. Flowers full, Boss.
Garden was big, Boss. Color, Boss.
Amina came, Boss. Girl, Boss.
Orphan, Boss. 10 years, Boss.
"Boss," she said, Boss. "Work, Boss?" Boss.
I looked at Aryan, Boss. He nodded, Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Stay, Boss." Boss.
"Family, Boss. We are family, Boss." Boss.
Amina smiled, Boss. "Boss," she said, Boss.
"Mother, Boss. Father, Boss?" Boss.
I cried, Boss. Aryan hugged, Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Family, Boss." Boss.
Year passed, Boss. 2 years, Boss.
House was full, Boss. Laugh, Boss.
Letter came, Boss. One day, Boss.
No name, Boss. White paper, Boss.
Aryan opened, Boss. One line, Boss.
"Boss," he read, Boss. "Zayn is dead, Boss." Boss.
"Peace, Boss. Far land, Boss." Boss.
I sat, Boss. Quiet, Boss.
"Boss," Amina said, Boss. "Who, Boss?" Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Devil, Boss. Now angel, Boss." Boss.
We burned letter, Boss. Ash, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Forgive, Boss." Boss.
"All of us, Boss." Boss.
10 years, Boss. Amina grew, Boss.
College, Boss. Law, Boss.
"Boss," she said, Boss. "I will help, Boss." Boss.
"Poor people, Boss. Like us, Boss." Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Proud, Boss." Boss.
"Very proud, Boss. My girl, Boss." Boss.
Aryan got old, Boss. Hair grey, Boss.
I got old too, Boss. Hands weak, Boss.
But we smiled, Boss. Every day, Boss.
"Boss," Aryan said, Boss. "Remember, Boss?" Boss.
"Church, Boss. Blood, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Remember, Boss." Boss.
"But now, Boss. Only love, Boss." Boss.
One night, Boss. Last night, Boss.
Aryan held hand, Boss. "Boss," he said, Boss.
"Ready, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Ready, Boss." Boss.
He closed eyes, Boss. Peace, Boss.
Gone, Boss. Smiling, Boss.
"Boss," I whispered, Boss. "Wait, Boss." Boss.
"I come, Boss." Boss.
Amina came, Boss. Crying, Boss.
"Boss," she said, Boss. "Father, Boss?" Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "He is free, Boss." Boss.
"With A, Boss. With Zayn, Boss." Boss.
I lived, Boss. Few more years, Boss.
With Amina, Boss. With kids, Boss.
Last day, Boss. I sat, Boss. Garden, Boss.
Rose, Boss. Red rose, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "New life, Boss." Boss.
"Forever, Boss." Boss.
Light came, Boss. White light, Boss.
Aryan, Boss. A, Boss. Zayn, Boss.
"Boss," they said, Boss. "Welcome, Boss." Boss.
"Home, Boss." Boss. in
Five more years, Boss. Time moved, Boss.
Amina married, Boss. Good man, Boss.
Name, Boss. Rayhan, Boss. Doctor, Boss.
"Boss," Amina said, Boss. "Mother, Boss." Boss.
"Baby, Boss. Coming, Boss." Boss.
I cried, Boss. Old tears, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Aryan, Boss. You hear, Boss?" Boss.
"Grandchild, Boss." Boss.
Aryan's photo, Boss. On wall, Boss.
Smiling, Boss. Always smiling, Boss.
Baby born, Boss. Girl, Boss.
"Boss," Amina said, Boss. "Name, Boss?" Boss.
"Rabia, Boss," I said, Boss. "Little Rabia, Boss." Boss.
Little Rabia, Boss. Red eyes, Boss.
Soft eyes, Boss. No blood, Boss. Only light, Boss.
"Boss," Little Rabia said, Boss. 5 years later, Boss.
"Nani, Boss. Story, Boss?" Boss.
I sat, Boss. Garden, Boss. Sun, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Story of devil, Boss." Boss.
"Story of love, Boss. Story of us,
Year 15, Boss. After peace, Boss.
Amina was 25, Boss. Lawyer, Boss.
"Boss," she said, Boss. "Court, Boss." Boss.
"Bad man, Boss. Beat wife, Boss." Boss.
I sat, Boss. Old, Boss. 55, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Win it, Boss." Boss.
"For me, Boss. For A, Boss." Boss.
Amina won, Boss. Judge cried, Boss.
"Boss," newspaper said, Boss. "Angel Lawyer, Boss." Boss.
Little Rabia was 10, Boss. School, Boss.
"Boss," teacher said, Boss. "She is smart, Boss." Boss.
"Like Nani, Boss," she said, Boss.
I laughed, Boss. "Boss," I said, Boss.
"She is Rabia, Boss. Strong, Boss." Boss.
Rayhan worked, Boss. Hospital, Boss.
Free clinic, Boss. For poor, Boss.
"Boss," he said, Boss. "Your family, Boss." Boss.
"All healers, Boss. No killers, Boss." Boss.
Garden was big, Boss. Very big, Boss.
Aryan's roses, Boss. Still there, Boss.
Red roses, Boss. Every year, Boss.
"Boss," Little Rabia said, Boss. "Who planted, Boss?" Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Father, Boss. Aryan, Boss." Boss.
"He loved flowers, Boss. And me, Boss." Boss.
Letter came, Boss. Old letter, Boss.
Dust, Boss. From Blaze Tower, Boss.
"Boss," Amina said, Boss. "Open, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "Open, Boss." Boss.
Paper, Boss. Zayn's hand, Boss.
"Boss," it read, Boss. "If you read, Boss." Boss.
"I am dead, Boss. Peace, Boss." Boss.
"Money, Boss. All mine, Boss. For you, Boss." Boss.
"Build school, Boss. Not tower, Boss." Boss.
We cried, Boss. All of us, Boss.
"Boss," Amina said, Boss. "He changed, Boss." Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "At end, Boss." Boss.
We built, Boss. School, Boss.
Name, Boss. "A & Aryan School", Boss.
For poor kids, Boss. Free, Boss.
100 kids, Boss. 200 kids, Boss.
"Boss," kids said, Boss. "Thank you, Boss." Boss.
I taught, Boss. Old woman, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "Story, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," kids said, Boss. "Devil story, Boss?" Boss.
"No, Boss," I said, Boss. "Love story, Boss." Boss.
"Love beats blood, Boss. Always, Boss." Boss.
Amina's daughter, Boss. Little Rabia, Boss.
Grew fast, Boss. 18, Boss. College, Boss.
"Boss," she said, Boss. "Nani, Boss." Boss.
"I will go, Boss. Far, Boss." Boss.
"Help world, Boss. Like you, Boss." Boss.
I hugged, Boss. "Boss," I said, Boss.
"Go, Boss. Fly, Boss. Be free, Boss." Boss.
She left, Boss. Tears, Boss. Mine, Boss.
"Boss," Amina said, Boss. "She is you, Boss." Boss.
"Young you, Boss. Brave you, Boss." Boss.
I was 70, Boss. Hair white, Boss.
Walk stick, Boss. But smile, Boss.
"Boss," Amina said, Boss. "Tired, Boss?" Boss.
"No, Boss," I said, Boss. "Happy, Boss." Boss.
"I lived, Boss. I loved, Boss." Boss.
Night came, Boss. Star night, Boss.
I sat, Boss. Garden, Boss. Alone, Boss.
"Boss," voice said, Boss. Soft voice, Boss.
Aryan, Boss. "Rabia, Boss." Boss.
I looked, Boss. No one, Boss.
Only wind, Boss. Only rose, Boss.
"Boss," I said, Boss. "I know, Boss." Boss.
"Time, Boss." Boss.
I closed eyes, Boss. Last time, Boss.
"Boss," I whispered, Boss. "Aryan, Boss?" Boss.
"Here, Boss," he said, Boss. "Hold hand, Boss." Boss.
I did, Boss. Warm hand, Boss.
A, Boss. Zayn, Boss. All there, Boss.
"Boss," A said, Boss. "Well done, Boss." Boss.
"Boss," Zayn said, Boss. "Forgive me, Boss?" Boss.
"Yes, Boss," I said, Boss. "All forgiven, Boss." Boss.
Light, Boss. Bright light, Boss.
No dark, Boss. No fear, Boss.
Amina found, Boss. Morning, Boss.
I was gone, Boss. Smile, Boss.
"Boss," she said, Boss. "Mother is home, Boss." Boss.
"With Father, Boss. With love, Boss." Boss.
Grave, Boss. New stone, Boss.
"Rabia, Boss. 1950-2020, Boss." Boss.
"She chose love, Boss." Boss.
School grew, Boss. 1000 kids, Boss.
Little Rabia came, Boss. Doctor, Boss.
"Boss," she said, Boss. "Nani's story, Boss." Boss.
"I will tell, Boss. To world, Boss." Boss.
Book came, Boss. "The Girl Who Chose Love", Boss.
Bestseller, Boss. All over, Boss.
Because Boss. World needs, Boss.
Not blood, Boss. Not war, Boss.
Only love, Boss. Only peace, Boss
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