Rewrite the Stars

Chapter 17: A New Start

"I have risen from the ashes
My aim is to conquer now"
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Hareem:(a year later)
My alarm buzzed to its loudest. Groaning I shut the alarm off and looked at the time showing seven in the morning. It was time for me to get up and get ready for my job. Sighing I got up from the bed and put my phone on charging. I went to the washroom and washed my face. Coming out I changed into my outfit of the day and went downstairs after taking my mobile with me. Going downstairs I started to prepare for breakfast. I took out some eggs and placed the tea to brew on the stove. Frying the eggs and toasting the bread I set the table. I pour the tea into cups and placed it onto the table too. After setting the table I went to Mama's room. She was ill from the last two days. Knocking on her door I entered inside. I hear the tap water running in the washroom, so I started to clean her room which not messy, just some things were here and there. The door clicked open and Mama came out. I smiled at her and greeted her
"Assalamualaikum Mama. How are you?" She smiled at me and placed her hand on my head. She replied back
"Walaikumassalam and Good morning". I checked her forehead and said
"It's great you don't have fever now. I have made the breakfast let's go". We both came to the dining room and started with our food.

After having breakfast I started to pack my things for my job. I have started to work in a small school nearby. I been working for almost seven months now. I love my job to be honest. It's not much work and I can handle home and job at the same time. I come to home around two and after that I enjoy my time with my mother. My income is just enough for both of us. We are having a really satisfied life right now. I'm happy the way I'm moving on with life. I'm not the incompetent and unconfident girl now. I have gained some inner strength and now I can walk my head held up high. Not going deeper into my thoughts I announced to Mama
"Mama I'm leaving now. " Mama nodded her head and blew some Quranic verses on me. Kissing her cheek I came out the of the house and went to the bus stop.

"Okay class we'll continue this lesson tomorrow Inshallah". Saying that I exited the classroom and went to the staff room. Finding Tara I walked up to her and sat down beside her. She looked at me and asked
"All finished for the day". I nodded my head and sighed. Today was a hectic day. She said to me
"That's great. Well are you free today evening?" I looked at her and said
"I guess. Why do you ask?" She told me that
"I want to go shopping. I want to buy some dresses, so I decided to ask you". I nodded my head and told her that I'll go with her. She told me to come to my house at five. Nodding my head I started to complete my pending work and then I'll be done for the day.

I was home now and currently we were having lunch. Mama has made some potato rice(tahari). I was tired now and just needed a good sleep. After washing the dishes I informed Mama
"Mama I'll be going shopping with Tara. You want something?" She shook her head and I went to my room. It was three in the noon so I decided to take a short nap.

I woke up around four thirty and started to get ready. I gathered my hair in a loose low ponytail. I put my phone in my purse and took some cash with me and went downstairs. Mama was watching tv, so I said to her
"Mama I'm leaving. I'll be back before seven". She nodded her head and told me to be careful. Walking out the house I hailed a rickshaw and went to Tara's home.

I arrived at her house in a maximum half an hour time and knocked at her door. Her mother opened the door and I greeted her
"Assalamualaikum Aunty". She smiled back at me and said
"Andar ajou beta".
(Come inside child). I stepped inside the house and waited for Tara in the living room. Aunty told me
"Tara is getting ready. I'll call her". Nodding at her I sat down on the sofa. I heard someone coming down the stairs so I looked up only to find Tara's brother Bazil. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me. Feeling uncomfortable I tore my gaze away from him and focused on my phone. Soon I heard Tara's voice and she came to me and apologized
"I'm sorry for making you wait". I shook my head at her and she looked at her brother and said
"Bhai will you drop us to the mall?" He nodded at his head and we both went outside to settle in the car. I sat at the back and Bazil started driving once we all were settled inside. While driving I could see him taking glances at me. Not liking the way he was looking at me I moved to the other side, so he won't be able to see me. I just hope this drive ends soon.

We arrived at the mall and I stepped out the car. We were about to head inside when Bazil stopped Tara and said
"Just give me a call when you get free. I'll come to pick you both up". Tara nodded her head and we both went inside the mall. We went to different stores and shops. Tara wanted to buy some fancy and plain suits. I too starters to look for the stuff I need. We were passing by some shops when I caught the glimpse of some bridal dresses. My heart instantly filled with a sudden sad feeling. Gazing at it I was reminded of my own wedding. How excited everyone was. How happy everyone looked. I didn't know that I stopped in the middle until Tara shook me and asked
"Hareem you okay? What happened?" I could see that she got a bit tense looking at my condition, so I brushed it off and said
"Nothing let's continue with the shopping". She still looked worried, but nodded regardlessly.

We were done with the shopping now. It was near to seven now. I should be getting home now. Tara too was tired. Calling her brother we finally decided to go home.

I came home around seven thirty. Mama has already prepared the dinner so that I couldn't be hungry. After having our dinner I retired to my room and started to put the things I bought from the mall in my closet. I was putting the clothes in the closet when a certain jewelery item caught my attention. It was a ring. It was an ordinary ring, but still it was a ring that was close to my heart. I took the ring in my hand and examine it. It was still very much new. It was the ring that Sohail gifted me on my first birthday after marriage. I was so happy when he surprised me with it. He wished my at twelve in the night. He even took me out for dinner that day. I was just so happy that day. He was the perfect husband anybody could ask for. He was always there for me when I was in pain or trouble. He was just so supportive and caring, but I didn't know how it changed from caring to completely ignorant towards me. The event's that occured at Hafsa's engagement were still engraved in my mind. His brutal words and accusing stare. Everything was imprinted on my mind like a memory. It replays in my mind every now and then and it is hard to forget it. I can't know when I can overcome from this memory. I know Mama is worried for me. Sometimes I feel like I want to change the course of events. Maybe if I was a little more brave I would have been able to save my marriage. But nothing could be done now. I have to live this. I'm quite happy with my life as I said earlier. Wiping my tears and putting the things back at place I shooed the ghost of pasts away and went to the bed.
Hopefully Allah has something else, something great for me in the future.
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Assalamualaikum everyone. So that's it for the chapter. I know it's a small chapter but I had nothing in my mind right now. So please bear with me. I'll give a nicer long update on Thursday. So stay tuned.
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Till then Allah Hafiz.