contest” 1 Picture 1 Story Week #69

Hello my steemian friends, HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2025

This is my participation in the contest” 1 Picture 1 Story Week #69 @suboohi in Steem For Pakistan

I also want to invite here @senehasa @suryati1 @tammanna and @dove11

A cheerful band was playing in the background, echoing through the hall. It was 11 pm. Zubeida hummed a familiar tune, she couldn't believe that after all these years she was at her school reunion. She had enjoyed the reunion immensely, but still her eyes were searching for someone the whole time. Now she was about to leave.

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Zubeida straightened her gown and headed towards the door. She was about to go back home and lie down on the bed. But a few steps away from the door she heard a familiar voice.

"Are you leaving so soon?"

She was stunned and stopped right there. Even without turning around she could tell that the voice was Sarfaraz's. She found it strange that even after all these years his voice was the same.

She slowly turned and faced him. Apart from his voice which was still the same, he looked different. His college face had now been replaced by a neatly trimmed beard and light streaks of white hair.

She remembered sneaking out after college and spending time alone in the library. People there were jealous of how a famous boy like Sarfaraz could fall in love with a simple girl like her. But one day he left everyone and vanished into thin air. There was no reason for his disappearance. Then all sorts of rumours spread about him.

Now he has reappeared after fifteen years and is standing here, smiling and behaving as if everything is fine.

"Sarfaraz," she called softly.

"Zubaida, you look so nice," she said. "Can we find a private place? I want to talk," he pleaded.

Zubaida seriously resisted the urge to curse him. Perhaps she owed him some explanation.

"I don't think we need to talk. I think you should give me an explanation as to why you left" Zubaida said angrily.

"I know. "Please" can we sit somewhere and discuss this peacefully?" Sarfaraz said.

Reluctantly Zubeida agreed and asked him to proceed. They found a seat at the far end of the hall. Just in a corner where they could only hear each other's conversations.

Sarfaraz picked up a glass of grape juice from the way "Take this, it's your favourite", he handed it over to her with a smile.

She tried to smile, "You still remember"

"It's been fifteen years, isn't it? I can never forget," he said with a smile.

He nodded without a smile. If he couldn't forget her favourite drink, he could at least say goodbye to her and tell her why he left.

"Why?" the words slipped out of her mouth, which she couldn't stop herself from saying. She was desperate to know why.

Slowly, Sarfaraz's smile faded. "It's a long story".

"I have time," he replied. His words were firm, his face unwavering.

"Look, I was just trying to save you."

"From whom and why?" Zubeida cried.

"I was saving you from yourself."

"What does that mean?" Zubeida asked, confused.

"After my parents' sudden death, I had to take care of my younger siblings. I was very upset. But you, you had everything under control. You were an ambitious girl with a bright future ahead of you.

I didn't want to drag you into my poverty." He paused and leaned forward in his chair. "Believe me, I loved you and still do. It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I didn't want to ruin your life."

Zubeida frowned loudly. “But you should have let me decide. You should have stayed here instead of running away like a coward. I spent years thinking that there was something wrong with me. You hurt me a lot.” Her voice choked as she said this.

“I am so sorry,” Sarfaraz apologized.

“And why didn’t you contact me when things got better?”* she asked, this time looking into his eyes.

“I was ashamed of what I did. Besides I thought you would have moved on”.

He admitted, his eyes softened with remorse and he was playing with the glass in his hand.

Zubeida looked at him carefully. He had really changed over the years. The brave young boy she once loved was now afraid of life and couldn’t even look her in the eye.

“I never moved on, Sarfaraz”, her voice was weak.

“So, does that mean I still have a chance to improve?” Sarfaraz asked with a sparkle in his eyes.

“No, Sarfaraz. No. I mean, I still love you, but we have to move on without each other. I am just happy that after all these years I got the answers I needed”. Saying this, she stood up, grabbed her purse and walked out of the hall.

Sarfaraz watched her walk out of the hall. He felt tears welling up in his eyes too.

Thanks for reading my story , I pray to God for the progress and happy future of all Steemians.

Sur-riti❤️