sixth episode
408 Words
Outside the Library:
Noor held Suzain’s hand as if afraid she would disappear again.
“You didn’t tell me, Apa. You didn’t even call!”
“It’s a surprise, silly,” Suzain said proudly.
“And Faiz booked my ticket. Baba almost fainted when he heard.”
Noor giggled. “Did he scold you?”
“Of course. He even gave a long lecture.”
Suzain rolled her eyes.
“But kuch farq nahi padta. I missed you.”
They stepped outside. A soft cold breeze brushed their faces. Noor hugged her sister’s arm tightly.
“I missed you more.”
Suzain studied her from head to toe—her tired eyes, her slight dark circles, the stress sitting quietly on her shoulders.
“You’ve lost weight,” Suzain said instantly.
“No, I haven’t—”
“Stop lying. I’m a doctor, Noor.”
Noor sighed. “It’s just studying… living alone… little pressure—”
“Shh. I’m here now,” Suzain whispered, kissing her forehead again.
Back at the Apartment
When they entered the apartment, Zarnab jumped to her feet like she had seen a ghost.
“APA??”
Suzain laughed.
“You must be Zarnab. Noor has told me about you.”
“Noor told you??”
Zarnab looked betrayed.
“Why didn’t YOU tell ME, Noor??”
“SURPRISE,” Noor and Suzain said together.
They all burst into laughter.
Suzain opened her suitcase and took out gifts—shawls for both girls, some food items, new pens, a sweater for Noor, and a pair of silver earrings.
Noor held the sweater close to her chest.
“Apa… you didn’t need to bring all this.”
“I know,” Suzain said. “But sisters don’t need a reason. They just bring love.”
Noor’s eyes softened again.
🌙 Later That Night — Noor’s Thoughts
After dinner, after laughter, after the long conversation of months’ worth of stories, Noor finally sat alone on her bed.
Her heart felt full… and strangely restless.
Musa’s words echoed in her mind.
His story.
His sincerity.
His struggles.
And then Suzain’s sudden arrival, her warm hug, the comfort she had missed…
It was all too much for one day.
She held the sweater close, breathed softly, and whispered to herself:
“Maybe… something in my life is beginning to change.”
Outside, snowflakes began to fall—soft, white, quiet.
As if the universe itself was shifting.
- Writer
