Novel "Humnava" Writer: Arisa Rashid Episode 5

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“What’s this?”

Rehan asked, looking at the item wrapped in paper that Asif was holding.

“It’s my drawing. How does it look?” Asif replied while removing the wrapping.

“Yaar, this is beautiful! Did you really make this?”

Rehan took the drawing from Asif's hands and examined it closely.

“Yes, I made it myself,” Asif said with a smile.

Rehan already knew that Asif was very talented at drawing, but seeing the family portrait, he could hardly believe that Asif had created it.

“Alright, put it away before it gets damaged,” Rehan said, handing the drawing back.

“Yeah, I will.”

---

Two Months Later...

Today was the last day of the matric class.

All the students were sharing their plans and dreams for the future with their teacher. No studying took place today.

Everyone had passed their matric exams with good marks.

Kainat had topped the class.

And Asif had secured first position.

There was only a small difference between their results.

Since it was the final day, many students had brought their mobile phones and cameras to capture the memories. Normally phones weren't allowed in school, but today was an exception.

Kainat didn't own a mobile phone, so she was looking through Mahnoor's pictures instead.

While looking at the photos, she kept turning around and glancing at Asif for reasons she didn't understand.

Asif was sitting with the boys, laughing and joking loudly.

Kainat smiled.

---

“Asif, should we take a class photo?” Mahnoor called out.

“Sure,” Asif replied as he stood up.

“We’ll use the camera.”

“Everyone stand over there... yes, Kainat, stand here.”

Mahnoor positioned Kainat beside Rehan.

“And what about you? Aren’t you going to be in the picture?” Asif asked Mahnoor.

“Oh, right!”

“Then who will take the photo?” Asif asked.

“This guy will.”

He moved Rehan away from Kainat.

“Why me?” Rehan pointed at himself. “I'll bring someone from another class.”

He left the classroom to find someone.

Meanwhile, Mahnoor searched for a place to stand.

There was a gap between Asif and Kainat.

Mahnoor decided to stand there.

Asif glared at her.

---

“Here, take a good picture. Everyone should be visible.”

Rehan returned with a boy from another class and handed him the camera.

Rehan stood beside Asif.

“You come here,” Asif said to Mahnoor, giving her his place.

Mahnoor agreed.

Then Asif quietly moved and stood beside Kainat.

Kainat looked at Asif.

Asif looked at Kainat.

Their eyes met for a brief moment.

Then both quickly looked toward the camera.

After the picture was taken, everyone went out to the playground.

Perhaps it was the first day when the entire class played together and laughed freely.

---

At Dismissal Time

Everyone said goodbye to each other.

The boys hugged their friends.

The girls hugged one another too.

“I’m really going to miss you.”

Asif slung his bag over his shoulder and said it with a smile while looking at Kainat.

Kainat stared at him in surprise.

Asif stepped backward, waved at her, and left.

---

There was one person who couldn't believe all of this was really happening.

And that person was Kainat.

It felt like only yesterday she had entered school.

Only yesterday she had learned how to write.

Then how had she completed matric so quickly?

Why had time passed so fast?

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Why am I sad?

This is exactly what I wanted.

I wanted matric to finish quickly so I could leave school and finally get rid of Asif.

Now it's happened. I'm free from him.

Then why am I sad?

Kainat asked herself as she sat quietly in the van, looking out the window.

A part of her heart whispered:

I wish that moment had never ended.

But her mind immediately argued back.

Why? You're finally free from all the trouble. He annoyed you every single day. It's a good thing. At least now you won't have to see his face again.

She sat silently while her heart and mind continued arguing.

It wasn't only because of Asif.

She was going to miss everyone she had spent half her life with.

---

“Assalam-o-Alaikum.”

Kainat greeted as she entered the house.

“Wa Alaikum Assalam,” Shazia Begum replied.

“Nano, please serve lunch. I'm hungry.”

“Go change your clothes and wash your hands first. I'll set everything up.”

A little while later, Kainat sat on the floor mat eating her meal.

“How was your day?” Shazia Begum asked.

“It was really good.”

“Nano, when will I take admission in college?”

“That’s something you should ask your mother. Rest for a week or two first.”

“Then I'll get late, won't I?” Kainat asked innocently.

Before Shazia Begum could answer, someone knocked on the door.

“You eat. I'll check.”

She went to open it.

Outside stood Maria Begum.

“Has Kainat come home?” Maria Begum asked.

“Yes, she's inside.”

---

“Assalam-o-Alaikum, Mom.”

“Wa Alaikum Assalam. How was your day?”

“Very good.”

“So, when should we start looking at college admissions?”

“Let's see on Monday.”

Kainat got up from the floor mat and sat on a chair.

“Nano, I'm done eating.”

“Look at this girl, making me do all the work instead of putting the dishes away herself.”

Shazia Begum grumbled while collecting the plates.

“Until my admission happens, I'll help you with everything,” Kainat promised.

Then she turned toward her mother.

“Mom, I want a mobile phone. Everyone has one. You promised you'd buy me one after matric.”

“Yes, InshaAllah I will. But promise me you'll continue getting good grades and keep working hard.”

“Don't worry! How could I ever lose interest in studying?”

Maria Begum smiled and kissed her forehead.

“I'll bring you some water,” Kainat offered.

She had barely stood up when Shazia Begum arrived carrying a glass of water and handed it to Maria Begum while giving Kainat a meaningful glare.

Kainat immediately looked away innocently.

---

“What are you doing? Aren't you going to continue studying?”

Rehan asked, placing a hand on Asif's shoulder.

Asif turned around.

“When did you come?”

“Just now.”

“Oh, so the gentleman is busy drawing?”

Rehan noticed the paintbrush in Asif's hand.

Asif smiled.

“Yeah, that's what I'm doing.”

“It's been a week since matric. Time to take admission somewhere.”

“Have you already taken admission?”

“Yes.”

“Then I'll probably join the same place.”

Asif wiped his hands with a cloth.

---

“Yaar, I miss everyone from class.”

Rehan ran his fingers through his hair.

“Especially Kainat.”

For some reason, Asif didn't like hearing that.

“Why do you miss her?”

“She was innocent... and hardworking. She always got such good marks.”

Rehan smiled.

“Will you stop talking about her and discuss something else?” Asif said through clenched teeth.

---

“You know, I actually saw her in a dream last night.”

Rehan continued.

“It was strange. Someone was blaming her for something. I wanted to see what happened next, but Mom woke me up.”

“Why are you even worried about her?”

“I'm not worried. I was just thinking... on the last day, we should've asked for her address.”

Rehan shrugged.

“Why would we need her address?” Asif snapped.

For some reason, his anger was growing.

Rehan was only talking about a girl from their class.

She wasn't even a relative.

Then why was his blood boiling?

Before Rehan could say anything else, Asif walked away.

“Brother, what's wrong with you?”

Rehan called after him.

---

To be continued... ✨

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