Episode 1
Cries and sobs echoed all around, and he sat alone in a corner, silently weeping. Today, he had lost his only support—his mother. From childhood till now, she had been his whole world. His father had passed away before he was even born.
The relatives had long turned their backs, and now only the neighbors were there, offering him condolences. But some pains are too deep for words to heal. He wasn't just carrying his mother's coffin on his shoulders—he was burying his entire world.
Just that morning, he had seen her before leaving for college. Like every other day, she kissed his forehead to send him off. How could he have known it would be her final kiss?
He was still at college when his neighbor Sharafat called to say, "Aunt Shamaila was found collapsed in the alley. We're taking her to the hospital." By the time he reached the hospital, everything was over. The doctor said it was a heart attack. So sudden… how could you leave me so soon, Mother?
This thought kept swirling around his mind. After the funeral and burial, when he returned home, the house was empty. All that remained were her memories. He never imagined the house would feel this desolate.
His name was Haider. Average height, light brown hair neatly combed back, clean-shaven with sharp black eyes. Just one look was enough to catch anyone's attention.
He was doing a BSc in History, a subject he loved deeply. He was always drawn to ancient things. His mother had washed utensils and run small stalls all her life to support his education. He, too, gave part-time tuition to children. He had a passion for traveling but not the resources to fulfill it. His greatest unfulfilled dream was to travel across Pakistan, and maybe even abroad.
After his mother's death, life felt even more difficult. But as the saying goes, time heals all wounds—though some wounds always leave a mark.
It was a heavy winter morning, shrouded in thick fog. Haider was heading to visit his mother's grave. Just outside the graveyard, he saw a strange man wrapped in a black shawl. His face was visible—an unruly beard, red eyes, and hair falling across his face. He kept staring intently at Haider.
Finally, the man called out, "O Paya, come here."
Haider was startled. He looked around, confused. When he saw no one else, he turned to the man, puzzled.
The man said, "Why are you looking around, boy? I'm calling you!"
Haider asked, "What is it? And what's 'Payal'?"
The man chuckled, "Whoa, slow down. Should I tell you everything right away? You seem to be in a hurry!"
Then he laughed hysterically. The smell from the man was unbearable, and Haider covered his nose and began to walk away, assuming him to be just another madman.
He had barely taken two steps when the man called out behind him:
"Go ahead, run away. But when you're tired, come back to me. I have the key to all your problems—whether it's about money... or Rabaab."
The moment he heard Rabaab's name, Haider's mind went blank with shock.
How does this beggar know about Rabaab?
Just as this thought crossed his mind, he turned around…
Hello guys, I'm Arif Ali, a new writer here.
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