THE CHASE OF STARDUST

that had been ripped away and tossed aside like old dreams in a dusty corner. She cried for the girl who once beli

e has a cruel s

rning sun decided to be a show-off. Golden rays poured through the curtain

here

fa

e doo

reaper of

the morning breeze and just as unwelcom

e sat up, a mess of tangled hair and defiance, trying once more to reason with him, to find some shre

't even

ow," he said flatly, as if he wer

asn't just shut-it was slammed, padlocked, a

d there would be no more fights, no more pleas. There was only the cru

ed into the room like a fashion police raid. They were carrying what could only be described as a green explosion-a bo

a, you'll look so beautiful. Like a Mughal

ons. She stared at herself in the mirror, unblinking, as t

ve to keep the pride of their parents never feel unhappy. They prosper. Learn to live for yo

sing to not yell, "Yes, life is unpredictable-especially when you'

Emotionally? Or just with more cooking skills?" Fazeela snorted, sighing disappointed in reply. She

le, out

tioning for a budget cigarette ad. He was tall, dark, and handsome-exactly how girls in TV dramas described trouble.

ms crossed and a scowl on her face. "Zaryab!" she snapped, "What the hell a

beneath his heel, and turned to her, unfazed, "Re

ou're supposed to make a good impression, and here you are, smokin

ked. "Jealo

cally. "Of you? I'd r

real. They'll get used to me eventually. Go back in the car fo

ny? If you don't shape up, I'll tell Khala about

ala! Please, Saniya, not her!" He made a gesture like he

e that emerged from the shadows was unmistakable. It was none other than the formidable Rukhsana Khala, cloaked from head to toe in her black niqab and burqa, a walking fortress wit

'll be good. I promise, no more ci

thunder. "You selfish boy! You're out here poisoning the air like you're Godzilla on vac

spond, she delivered a

cartoon character causing the cigarette bu

ou're killing the environment, you're killing the air, and worse, you're killing my hope for humanity!" She was on a roll as she swirled around, picking up the he

laugh. Zaryab danced away from each stri

are on his shoulder. Zaryab let out a dramatic howl. "Khala! Please, I'

nuing her verbal assault. "This girl inside is a gem. And you, you're a gut

ering. "Okay! I get it! I'll behave! I'll be ch

final thwack on the back, making him stumble forward. "Khala, please!"

sed, eyes

denly serene. "Now le

to leave..

u doing?" Saniya as

icked up the fallen cig

belief. "WHAT?! Khal

ffled by the niqab. She took a quick glance around to make sure no one saw her, then, without missing a bea

ssing a beat, "It's called research, Zaryab. I'm making

ya just stared

lievable," San

rst into laughter, watching as their fearless Khala waddled in her full glory, cigarette d

led out, "Hey Khala-you've been

back, "Finally, someone not

eply, waved her stick in the air dramatically as she entered

's party approach