❝ I know. I could be happy until midnight if I wanted to. But what about after midnight? What about two AM? What about four AM? What about months and even years later?
I don't want to let him in knowing sometime in the future I'd have to let him go...
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The next morning, Tabish woke up with a resolution planted in his mind, and a fire in his veins.
He took a short shower under burning hot water that scalded his skin, but still warmed his insides. He changed into gray attire, made his bed the same way Daneen made Ammi Jaan's, and sat down to work on his assignments for another hour, all the while stepping out of his room periodically just to see the light in Daneen's room still out.
Tabish shook Abnosh awake and helped Ammi Jaan to and fro the bathroom. The three lined up in the living room for Fajr. Ammi Jaan pushed him to start the prayer, but he insisted on waiting for Daneen. He knew she would come. She had to. She never missed Fajr.
But she didn't show.
After everyone had dispersed to their rooms, Tabish walked to Daneen's, two rooms down his. The door was closed, but even before the Fajr adhaan, the light in her room would flicker open and she'd step out.
Tabish paced the hallway in restless steps. As the minutes ticked by, his legs grew fatigued, and he lowered himself on the hallway carpet. He rubbed his hands for warmth, but nothing would help him now.
Not unless it was Daneen.
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