Soul of lights

Unheard Voices : Chapter 14

The day passed quietly in its usual rhythm. On her way back from college, Rooh noticed something unusual again — every face around her was glowing with happiness. The neighborhood aunty, who always found reasons to complain, was now laughing and chatting warmly with the woman next door. A little girl, who usually cried when her toy broke, was today smiling as if nothing in the world could make her sad.

Rooh stopped and watched them for a moment. A faint smile touched her lips, but her heart sank into thought.

“Why does everything seem so easy, so perfect? No complaints, no worries… only happiness everywhere?”

When she reached home, the same picture awaited her. Her mother cooked with a smile that never faded, her father sat peacefully reading the newspaper, and Rimsha — instead of her usual stubbornness — was quietly helping her mother in the kitchen. Every face glowed with serenity, as if life had suddenly erased all its flaws.

After dinner, Rooh quietly went to her room. A strange heaviness filled her chest. She picked up her phone and dialed Zayan’s number. The screen showed only “Ringing…” but no one picked up. She tried again, then sent a message:

“Are you okay? Just wanted to hear your voice.”

Minutes passed, but there was no reply. A weight pressed deeper on her heart.

She then thought of calling Laiba, who hadn’t come to college for two days. But the call didn’t connect. She tried once more… still nothing. Finally, she typed a short message:

“Laiba, where are you? Is everything okay?”

The screen stayed silent.

Rooh placed her phone aside and opened her diary, writing slowly:

“Every face shines with joy, yet my heart feels restless. Maybe some voices are still out of my reach…”

That night, she stepped out onto the terrace. The wind was gentle, the moon glowed softly above, but her heart was filled with an aching loneliness. She whispered into the quiet sky:

“Ya Allah… why is it that while everyone’s faces smile, I still cannot reach the ones closest to me?”