A dark period?” Rizwan asked.

“Yes, that’s your father’s prediction,” Mr Taha answered.

“Did he mention that it would come over us?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact he did state that.”

“What were his exact words?” Hannan asked curiously.

“I don’t know exactly, but the diary must have that and I would ask you two to attain that diary.”

“What good the diary will do?”

“It will help you guys to find out about your father’s prophecies.”

“That’s one thing,” Rizwan answered, “Would we be able to prevent those prophecies?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Hannan answered spontaneously. “Our father’s legacy cannot be challenged easily.”

“No one is challenging his prophecies Hannan,” Rizwan replied to his comment.

“What I’m saying is that we cannot prevent what has to happen?”

“Yeah, I agree,” Mr Taha said to him.

“Okay,” Rizwan added, “but isn’t there any way to prove him wrong.”

“What?” Hannan asked angrily. “What did you just say?”

“I said that there must be some way or the other by which we can prove our father’s prophecies to be wrong.”

“Shut up!” Hannan said pointing his finger at Rizwan. “Just shut up!”

“What is wrong with you?”

“Take back what you just said.”

“What is wrong with you man, I just said…”

Hannan stood up getting furious and said,

“I’m asking you for the last time, take it back whatever you said about our father. It was demeaning, it was disrespectful, take it back or I’m leaving.”

“Hannan,” Mr Taha said while trying to hold his hand, “Just calm down.”

Hannan angrily said,

“Don’t… Don’t try to defend him. He has disrespected our father.”

Rizwan held his forehead and said,

“Hannan, you’re over reacting. You always do that. Stop it, don’t make a mess out of everything.”

Hannan turned and started walking angrily.

“Hannan!” Mr Taha called him out.

“Hang on, Uncle Taha,” Rizwan stopped him, “it doesn’t matter, and it has never mattered to me.”

“What is it with you two?”

“This guy is over reactive and extra sensitive about our father. You cannot reason with him, just let him be.”

“Look, what you guys need to do is that you have to find that diary, it’s not too far from us, we just need to ask a few people and we will attain it.”

“You really think we will?”

“Sooner or later, we will.”

Rizwan remained silent for a while and said,

“But my question remains the same, will we or will we not be able to prevent the dark prophesies.”

“I seriously don’t know, but I personally think that we can’t.”

“We can’t?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t explain this but I believe that it is not possible.”

Rizwan after a while said,

“Well, anyways, thanks for your time, I think it’s time for me to go now.”

They both stood up. Mr Taha said as they both shook hands,

“Don’t think that your brother hates you, he is reacting like this because he loves your father.”

“I understand.”

“I would still advise you to remove all the grudges that might come in your heart.”

“You’re right, we can’t have any grudges, although we never had any.”

“Great, that’s what your father wanted, he would never want you guys to fight and end up as rivals.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure nothing like that happens.”

Two hours later, Hannan was sitting in the garden of their house; he saw one of his servants walking towards the gate of the house, so he called him out.

“Sartaj!”

The servant stopped walking and after turning his direction, he came towards Hannan. As he was standing close to Hannan, Hannan asked him,

“What exactly happened with our father?”

“What do you mean? We all know that he died of suffocation…”

“…That’s what we’ve been told by the doctors. I want to know the real cause.”

“Oh, come on, how can you suspect the doctors?”

“I’m just asking that you were the first one who entered inside the house. Isn’t that true?”

“Look sir, your father was already sick, we all know that.”

“So?” Hannan asked looking up at him.

“And we also know that he wasn’t taking good care of himself. He was not taking his medicines properly.”

Getting furious once again, Hannan stood up and looked at him straight in his eyes. The frightened servant moved backwards and before he could say anything, Hannan raised his finger and said to him,

“You take your words back, right now.”

“I’m sorry,” Sartaj replied fearfully, “I take all of my words back.”

Hannan got a bit relieved and then said,

“Now, tell me what you know about that night.”

“The night your father passed away?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I remember that you were outside and the other members of the family were also outside.”

“What about the servants?”

“Mr Rizwan had ordered them to leave the house, so they weren’t here.”

“Rizwan ordered them?”

“Yes.”

“But he was outside with his wife, wasn’t he?”

“No, that’s not true.”

“Then where was he? Hannan asked angrily.

“Yes, he was inside the house, I saw him with my own eyes.”

“Oh, my God, and he lied to me that he was outside with Sidra.”

Sartaj remained silent. Angry Hannan looked at the gate and said,

“Has he returned yet?”

“No, I don’t think so. I mean, I haven’t seen him coming.”

Hannan held his hand in his mouth and wondered,

Could it be him?

He said out aloud trying to refute the thoughts,

“No, it can’t be.”

“Sorry?” Sartaj uttered after listening to him.

“I wasn’t talking to you, I’m sorry, some thoughts are disturbing me.”

“I know, where you are going with these thoughts, but trust me, it’s nothing like that.”

“I know, but I can’t take my father’s death lightly.”

“I know, I agree and you shouldn’t, but I’m just saying that you shouldn’t suspect your brother. Your father would never want anything like that happen between you two.”

“I’m not suspecting Rizwan, who told you that I’m suspecting my brother.”

“It appears so, I’m sorry, but it does.”

Hannan looked away trying to hide his face away from him.

“Alright, you can go,” Hannan said to Sartaj.

Sartaj left and started walking towards the opposite direction.

Hannan looked at him go and then gave a deep thought to what he had just learned about his father.

Rizwan, he was inside the house. I didn’t know that.

He folded his arms and gave a little thought to which

he replied,

No, he can’t be harmful, the only question that remains is that why did he lie to me. Why did he state that he was outside with his wife?

Hannan got a bit furious but he closed his eyes trying to calm himself and said,

No, Hannan, don’t think like. Please don’t, don’t think like that.

But all of a sudden he remembered his brother’s words,

I said that there must be some way or the other by which we can prove our father’s prophecies to be wrong.

Hannan’s eyes opened out wide and he said,

That was disrespect. Yes, he dared to disrespect our father, so he can dare enough to do more than that.

Hannan stretched out his hands and said,

I’m going to talk to him, I’m going to ask him, why he lied to me, if he gives me a good reason then I might forgive him, but if he won’t, then it will be a serious matter that needs to be settled down.

Next morning, Rizwan was sleeping in his room. His brother was standing outside the room. Hannan thought of knocking at the door but stopped before he could really do that because he was a bit confused.

Should I or should I not inquire about this?

He moved back and after thinking for a while said,

Well, I’m going to leave this matter here and wait for the right time to inquire about this issue.

He turned back and walked to his own room.

Inside the room, he saw his father’s blanket on the bed. He went closer to it and said,

I’m not going to let injustice happen to you. I’m going to take revenge even if I have to take the matter into my own hands. I know you loved me more than anyone and no one could bear this, and this is probably why I should blame myself for what happened to you.

For a moment, he realised that he was getting too illogical and he needs to come out of his emotions and think analytically.

Few minutes later, Rizwan who was still sleeping in his room felt his bed moving. He opened his eyes and saw that it was Hannan who was shaking his bed. But went back to sleep.

Hannan wondered while looking at him,

I’m going to ask him this question straight, if his eyes open out wide then he is to blame. If he doesn’t react and stays normal, it would mean that he is not the suspect.

Hannan said to him,

“Rizwan, there is something I need to ask you.”

“What is it?” Rizwan asked with his eyes closed.

“I was told that you were in the house when our father passed away.” Hannan said spontaneously.

Rizwan did not respond at all, he kept on laying the way he was. Hannan rephrased his question,

“Tell me, were you or were you not in the house when our father passed away?”

“I wasn’t, I was outside with Sidra.”

Hannan was a bit surprised on his reaction and he said to himself,

This is not the reaction, I was expecting.

Rizwan appeared quite tired, Hannan asked him,

“When are you going to get up?”

“…Not anytime soon,” Rizwan answered after a few seconds, “I slept late last night. Just let me sleep, please.”

“Okay,” Hannan said moving backwards. “I’m leaving the room.”

Hannan slowly walked outside the room feeling unsatisfied. He uttered,

This is not a proper way to inquire. I need to cross question him.

He kept on walking until he reached the garden.

Two days passed, both of them had complicated communication as Rizwan was upset about his brother’s disrespectful and over reactive behaviour and Hannan was suspicious over his brother regarding where he was during their father’s last breath.

They weren’t really talking to each other and the only means of communication between the two were their servants or paper notes. They didn’t like sitting together and discussing the family matters.

But with the passage of time, their differences reduced a little and one day both of them were seated at the dining table having lunch. Rizwan was eating normally but Hannan was feeling a bit uncomfortable as usual and he asked,

“So, did you talk to Mr Taha again?”

“No.”

One of their servants, standing in the same room said,

“Oh, I almost forgot Mr Taha called here.”

“When?” Rizwan asked turning back and looking at him.

“Yesterday, I’m sorry, I literally forgot.”

“It’s okay, I understand, did he say anything?”

“He said he want to talk regarding the diary.”

“Our father’s diary?” Hannan asked.

“Yes.”

“What about it?”

“I don’t know, it’s something important I guess.”

After a brief moment of silence, Rizwan said,

“Okay, let me speak to him. I’ll give him a call and let you know Hannan.”

Hannan didn’t reply as he didn’t feel like arguing at that moment.

One hour later, Rizwan picked up the phone and dialed Mr Taha’s number. Hannan quickly came and hid behind the wall to hear him. He was trying to secretly overhear the conversation. Rizwan’s call was answered by Mr Taha,

“Hello?”

“Hello, it’s me Rizwan,” Rizwan said after recognising the voice.

“Oh, hi Rizwan, there is something very important I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” Rizwan asked curiously.

dark period?” Rizwan asked.

“Yes, that’s your father’s prediction,” Mr Taha answered.

“Did he mention that it would come over us?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact he did state that.”

“What were his exact words?” Hannan asked curiously.

“I don’t know exactly, but the diary must have that and I would ask you two to attain that diary.”

“What good the diary will do?”

“It will help you guys to find out about your father’s prophecies.”

“That’s one thing,” Rizwan answered, “Would we be able to prevent those prophecies?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Hannan answered spontaneously. “Our father’s legacy cannot be challenged easily.”

“No one is challenging his prophecies Hannan,” Rizwan replied to his comment.

“What I’m saying is that we cannot prevent what has to happen?”

“Yeah, I agree,” Mr Taha said to him.

“Okay,” Rizwan added, “but isn’t there any way to prove him wrong.”

“What?” Hannan asked angrily. “What did you just say?”

“I said that there must be some way or the other by which we can prove our father’s prophecies to be wrong.”

“Shut up!” Hannan said pointing his finger at Rizwan. “Just shut up!”

“What is wrong with you?”

“Take back what you just said.”

“What is wrong with you man, I just said…”

Hannan stood up getting furious and said,

“I’m asking you for the last time, take it back whatever you said about our father. It was demeaning, it was disrespectful, take it back or I’m leaving.”

“Hannan,” Mr Taha said while trying to hold his hand, “Just calm down.”

Hannan angrily said,

“Don’t… Don’t try to defend him. He has disrespected our father.”

Rizwan held his forehead and said,

“Hannan, you’re over reacting. You always do that. Stop it, don’t make a mess out of everything.”

Hannan turned and started walking angrily.

“Hannan!” Mr Taha called him out.

“Hang on, Uncle Taha,” Rizwan stopped him, “it doesn’t matter, and it has never mattered to me.”

“What is it with you two?”

“This guy is over reactive and extra sensitive about our father. You cannot reason with him, just let him be.”

“Look, what you guys need to do is that you have to find that diary, it’s not too far from us, we just need to ask a few people and we will attain it.”

“You really think we will?”

“Sooner or later, we will.”

Rizwan remained silent for a while and said,

“But my question remains the same, will we or will we not be able to prevent the dark prophesies.”

“I seriously don’t know, but I personally think that we can’t.”

“We can’t?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t explain this but I believe that it is not possible.”

Rizwan after a while said,

“Well, anyways, thanks for your time, I think it’s time for me to go now.”

They both stood up. Mr Taha said as they both shook hands,

“Don’t think that your brother hates you, he is reacting like this because he loves your father.”

“I understand.”

“I would still advise you to remove all the grudges that might come in your heart.”

“You’re right, we can’t have any grudges, although we never had any.”

“Great, that’s what your father wanted, he would never want you guys to fight and end up as rivals.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure nothing like that happens.”

Two hours later, Hannan was sitting in the garden of their house; he saw one of his servants walking towards the gate of the house, so he called him out.

“Sartaj!”

The servant stopped walking and after turning his direction, he came towards Hannan. As he was standing close to Hannan, Hannan asked him,

“What exactly happened with our father?”

“What do you mean? We all know that he died of suffocation…”

“…That’s what we’ve been told by the doctors. I want to know the real cause.”

“Oh, come on, how can you suspect the doctors?”

“I’m just asking that you were the first one who entered inside the house. Isn’t that true?”

“Look sir, your father was already sick, we all know that.”

“So?” Hannan asked looking up at him.

“And we also know that he wasn’t taking good care of himself. He was not taking his medicines properly.”

Getting furious once again, Hannan stood up and looked at him straight in his eyes. The frightened servant moved backwards and before he could say anything, Hannan raised his finger and said to him,

“You take your words back, right now.”

“I’m sorry,” Sartaj replied fearfully, “I take all of my words back.”

Hannan got a bit relieved and then said,

“Now, tell me what you know about that night.”

“The night your father passed away?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I remember that you were outside and the other members of the family were also outside.”

“What about the servants?”

“Mr Rizwan had ordered them to leave the house, so they weren’t here.”

“Rizwan ordered them?”

“Yes.”

“But he was outside with his wife, wasn’t he?”

“No, that’s not true.”

“Then where was he? Hannan asked angrily.

“Yes, he was inside the house, I saw him with my own eyes.”

“Oh, my God, and he lied to me that he was outside with Sidra.”

Sartaj remained silent. Angry Hannan looked at the gate and said,

“Has he returned yet?”

“No, I don’t think so. I mean, I haven’t seen him coming.”

Hannan held his hand in his mouth and wondered,

Could it be him?

He said out aloud trying to refute the thoughts,

“No, it can’t be.”

“Sorry?” Sartaj uttered after listening to him.

“I wasn’t talking to you, I’m sorry, some thoughts are disturbing me.”

“I know, where you are going with these thoughts, but trust me, it’s nothing like that.”

“I know, but I can’t take my father’s death lightly.”

“I know, I agree and you shouldn’t, but I’m just saying that you shouldn’t suspect your brother. Your father would never want anything like that happen between you two.”

“I’m not suspecting Rizwan, who told you that I’m suspecting my brother.”

“It appears so, I’m sorry, but it does.”

Hannan looked away trying to hide his face away from him.

“Alright, you can go,” Hannan said to Sartaj.

Sartaj left and started walking towards the opposite direction.

Hannan looked at him go and then gave a deep thought to what he had just learned about his father.

Rizwan, he was inside the house. I didn’t know that.

He folded his arms and gave a little thought to which

he replied,

No, he can’t be harmful, the only question that remains is that why did he lie to me. Why did he state that he was outside with his wife?

Hannan got a bit furious but he closed his eyes trying to calm himself and said,

No, Hannan, don’t think like. Please don’t, don’t think like that.

But all of a sudden he remembered his brother’s words,

I said that there must be some way or the other by which we can prove our father’s prophecies to be wrong.

Hannan’s eyes opened out wide and he said,

That was disrespect. Yes, he dared to disrespect our father, so he can dare enough to do more than that.

Hannan stretched out his hands and said,

I’m going to talk to him, I’m going to ask him, why he lied to me, if he gives me a good reason then I might forgive him, but if he won’t, then it will be a serious matter that needs to be settled down.

Next morning, Rizwan was sleeping in his room. His brother was standing outside the room. Hannan thought of knocking at the door but stopped before he could really do that because he was a bit confused.

Should I or should I not inquire about this?

He moved back and after thinking for a while said,

Well, I’m going to leave this matter here and wait for the right time to inquire about this issue.

He turned back and walked to his own room.

Inside the room, he saw his father’s blanket on the bed. He went closer to it and said,

I’m not going to let injustice happen to you. I’m going to take revenge even if I have to take the matter into my own hands. I know you loved me more than anyone and no one could bear this, and this is probably why I should blame myself for what happened to you.

For a moment, he realised that he was getting too illogical and he needs to come out of his emotions and think analytically.

Few minutes later, Rizwan who was still sleeping in his room felt his bed moving. He opened his eyes and saw that it was Hannan who was shaking his bed. But went back to sleep.

Hannan wondered while looking at him,

I’m going to ask him this question straight, if his eyes open out wide then he is to blame. If he doesn’t react and stays normal, it would mean that he is not the suspect.

Hannan said to him,

“Rizwan, there is something I need to ask you.”

“What is it?” Rizwan asked with his eyes closed.

“I was told that you were in the house when our father passed away.” Hannan said spontaneously.

Rizwan did not respond at all, he kept on laying the way he was. Hannan rephrased his question,

“Tell me, were you or were you not in the house when our father passed away?”

“I wasn’t, I was outside with Sidra.”

Hannan was a bit surprised on his reaction and he said to himself,

This is not the reaction, I was expecting.

Rizwan appeared quite tired, Hannan asked him,

“When are you going to get up?”

“…Not anytime soon,” Rizwan answered after a few seconds, “I slept late last night. Just let me sleep, please.”

“Okay,” Hannan said moving backwards. “I’m leaving the room.”

Hannan slowly walked outside the room feeling unsatisfied. He uttered,

This is not a proper way to inquire. I need to cross question him.

He kept on walking until he reached the garden.

Two days passed, both of them had complicated communication as Rizwan was upset about his brother’s disrespectful and over reactive behaviour and Hannan was suspicious over his brother regarding where he was during their father’s last breath.

They weren’t really talking to each other and the only means of communication between the two were their servants or paper notes. They didn’t like sitting together and discussing the family matters.

But with the passage of time, their differences reduced a little and one day both of them were seated at the dining table having lunch. Rizwan was eating normally but Hannan was feeling a bit uncomfortable as usual and he asked,

“So, did you talk to Mr Taha again?”

“No.”

One of their servants, standing in the same room said,

“Oh, I almost forgot Mr Taha called here.”

“When?” Rizwan asked turning back and looking at him.

“Yesterday, I’m sorry, I literally forgot.”

“It’s okay, I understand, did he say anything?”

“He said he want to talk regarding the diary.”

“Our father’s diary?” Hannan asked.

“Yes.”

“What about it?”

“I don’t know, it’s something important I guess.”

After a brief moment of silence, Rizwan said,

“Okay, let me speak to him. I’ll give him a call and let you know Hannan.”

Hannan didn’t reply as he didn’t feel like arguing at that moment.

One hour later, Rizwan picked up the phone and dialed Mr Taha’s number. Hannan quickly came and hid behind the wall to hear him. He was trying to secretly overhear the conversation. Rizwan’s call was answered by Mr Taha,

“Hello?”

“Hello, it’s me Rizwan,” Rizwan said after recognising the voice.

“Oh, hi Rizwan, there is something very important I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” Rizwan asked curiously.

to be continued...