Dreaming Of The Ball

Lying on his bed, Ahmer called his friends and told them about what happened. He played music loudly to prevent the guards outside his room from overhearing his conversation.

“So you’re basically grounded?” Shoaib asked, “I was sure he would disown you or something.”

“He threatened to do that but didn’t go through with his threat,” Ahmer said.

“Maybe it’s because he cares for you,” Saif theorized.

“There’s nothing caring about my father, he is doing this because he wasn't able to control me like he usually does,” Ahmer grumbled, “What about you guys? How did your parents take it?”

“My parents are worried. They want me to give up and go back to college but I told them I’m only going back after we win,” Saif said.

“Mine were also worried but they support me,” Salman said, “Though they want me to help them at the shop if I’m not going to college.”

“My parents don’t know about the mass bunk,” Shoaib said, “They aren’t up to date with news and I haven’t told them anything about it.”

“You might want to tell them yourself rather than them finding out on the news or something,” Saif said.

“Will you be able to manage the mass bunk without me?” Ahmer asked.

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of it,” Salman assured him.

“We’ve crossed six thousand supporters,” Saif added, “the administration has to take us seriously now.”

“What are you going to do now?” Salman asked Ahmer.

“I’ll play along for now,” Ahmer shrugged, “it’s not like Abbu can stop me anyway, thanks to the secret passage.”

“Yeah but you’ll be watched more closely by the guards,” Saif pointed out.

“I’ll be careful,” Ahmer assured them.

“Honestly, I’m surprised your father doesn’t know about the secret passage,” Shoaib noted.

“It’s because it was made years ago by our ancestors, who kept it secret even from family. I happened to find it accidentally while cleaning my room,” Ahmer explained.

“I wish I had a secret tunnel,” Shoaib lamented.

“Bro, you don’t need a secret tunnel, your parents are super chill,” Saif said.

“It’s about the adventure,” Shoaib said.

“Guys, there’s one more thing,” Ahmer got their attention, “I will see Roxy tomorrow,” Ahmer whispered.

“Oh ho! Are you finally going to confess your feelings for her?” Shoaib guessed.

“I will,” Ahmer admitted, “And if she says yes, I will tell her everything about myself and find a way to be with her if she agrees.”

“Ooooooooo!” The boys cheered.

“Shhh! Quiet!” Ahmer shushed them.

“What about Ruqsana?” Saif asked.

“She hates me, I think she’ll be happy to know that I’m leaving her,” Ahmer shrugged.

“You really love Roxy, huh?” Salman asked.

“I know it’s been less than a week since we met,” Ahmer said, “but I’ve never felt so strongly about anyone. She’s more than a friend to me and I want to be more than a friend to her.”

“Oh! The sweet agony of love!” Shoaib teased.

“But will your parents agree to this?” Saif asked.

“I don’t know, I’ll figure out what to do after I get Roxy’s answer,” Ahmer decided, “Besides, tomorrow may be my last chance to share my feelings. She’ll return to Asadabad the day after tomorrow.”

“Well, I will pray for your happiness. I think you two would be great together.” Salman said.

Meanwhile, in her hotel room, Ruqsana was also thinking of Prince as she lay on her bed. She had always been a sucker for stories about love at first sight. But she never expected that she would experience it herself. After all, that was just the stuff of books and movies. Yet she never realized when she fell in love

“There is nothing plain about you,” Was it at the fort when she responded to his echoes?

“You are the bravest and most beautiful girl I know.” Was it at the towers as they watched the city lights together?

“You make me brave,” Was it at the beach as they walked under the starry night?

“You give me the strength to fight the world.” Was it in the lanes of the Souq?

She could still feel the warmth of his hands on her shoulders as he held her. He hadn’t said the words but she dared to believe that his silver eyes had said it all. She dared to believe that these past days, which passed like centuries and seconds at the same time, meant as much to him as they did to her.

She dared to admit to herself that she was in love.

But that was as far as she could dare. It’s where reality and fantasy parted ways. In a story, she would have a happy ending with her Prince but reality was cruel. Reality meant going against Mamma and Papa and risking their wrath. It meant putting Prince in trouble.

It meant a repeat of Qasim.

“If only I had never met you!” said a crying young boy with shaggy sandy blonde hair that covered his eyes.

“Why did you do it?” a young girl with blonde hair asked, her green eyes teary.

“Don’t be sad. They are not like us.” A beautiful blonde woman and a red haired man grinned from ear to ear, their eyes completely blackened by the scorn within.

“If only I had never met you!” said a young bespectacled man with spiky black hair with tears in his silver eyes.

Ruqsana jolted awake, breathing heavily as sweat dripped down her eyebrows. Her phone pinged, startling her again. It was a text from Prince.

Prince: Hey! Have you been to the Capital Garden yet?

Roxy: Is that an invite for a date?

Prince: Lol! Let’s meet tomorrow at 3 PM.

‘That’s not a no,’ she noted.

Roxy: Sure, I’m free. Let’s meet up.

‘This will be the last time we meet,’ She told herself, ‘then our paths diverge.’

She was sure Ahmer would scoff at her if he saw her. She put him down for suggesting they run away but couldn’t muster the courage herself when it came to being with Prince. Ahmer, for all his faults, was at least brave enough to fight for what he loved. ‘I am just a cowardly hypocrite,’ she cried, ‘But if this is what it takes to keep Prince safe, I’ll gladly be one.’

She stayed awake for long, both anticipating and dreading her last day in Shah Sarai with Prince.

Ammar sat at his computer desk, replaying the events of today. Today, he had seen a new side of Ahmer, beyond the cold and aloof person with childish hobbies, he saw someone who was willing to give it his all. And the political manoeuvring he had pulled off still blew his mind.

But right now was not the time to be impressed by his elder brother. Now he had to capitalize on the opening Ahmer had made to make his own mark in the world of politics, even indirectly. He quickly tapped a number to call someone, the phone rang for a while before someone picked up.

“What is it Ammar? Why are you calling me so late at night?” Farha asked from the other side.

“How would you like to outdo bhaijaan?” He asked with a smirk.

Farha responded by cutting the call. Ammar called her again. After letting the phone ring for some time, Farha finally picked up the call.

“I don’t want any part in whatever game you’re playing against Ahmer,” She said.

“Just hear me out,” Ammar requested, “I promise, it will be worthwhile.”

“It better be,” she said, with an edge in her voice.

Ammar smiled and explained his plan.