PROLOGUE

“AND HE FOUND YOU LOST AND GUIDED YOU.” (QURAN 93:7)

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"All passengers to board the bus to Gilgit are requested to proceed to the bus stop. The bus is ready to leave."

The anchor announced over the mic, repeatedly while the hustle and bustle in the station remained unfazed.

"I repeat--"

They both heard the announcement but neither moved. Only, continued standing at their place, staring into each other's eyes.

Her eyes, clear, decided with a hint of hesitance that was hidden carefully behind the many covers of her soul. His eyes portrayed his soul, baring everything to her. She could see now tears welling up in his eyes and this she couldn't take. He wasn't the one to breakdown so easily. She didn't remember ever seeing him cry for anyone but her. It is rightfully said that eyes are the windows to soul, she thought, finally looking away.

As always. She was the first one to push away, he thought, but this time he wouldn't stop her. This was it. This wasn't an intermission. It would be how their story ended and how he would continue remembering her. No, how could he continue to live on with her memories alone? She meant the world to him.

"Aa--" He started calling out to her, but realised his mistake. No. He won't do this to her. Not again. She had made her decision and he will have to learn to live without her.

"----" He called out, one last time.

She turned around as she heard the familiar name. Unexpectedly her heart skipped a beat. Something had moved within her. She looked at his smile that outshone the tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Allah Hafiz." He said, raising a hand in parting. Suddenly, she wasn't sure anymore. Yet, she continued to watch him with quivering lips and the tears pooling in her eyes, no longer able to hold in, started streaming down her cheeks. It was clear to her now. The truth that she desperately tried to ignore, erase and bury, was out in the open now and it was raw and brutal, as it challenged her to dismiss it this time. However, her hesitance couldn't last long, as the final announcement was called.

She raised a hand to him in farewell, a small sad smile forming across her face while his smile withered as he turned his back to her. In attempts to hide his tears, she thought through tears herself. She only waited a few moments to look at his retreating back before turning towards her destination.

Yes. This is how it ends.