"Every city has a story... Dehradun was quietly writing hers."
Happy reading๐ค!!!!
The soft sunrays had just begun to spill across the sky. Dehradun moved at its own rhythm; unhurried, almost thoughtful. The streets were lined with rain-dampened trees, and the air carried a quiet mix of chai, exhaust, and ambition. Cafes hid between bookshops, laughter echoed from college gates, and the evenings arrived softly, veiled in mist. For Tuba, the city was both comfort and confinement, a place that knew her routines too well, yet still felt too small for everything she dreamed of becoming.
"Breakfast is ready," Zubaida called out as she appeared from the kitchen, placing a bowl on the dining table. "Beta, are you even listening to me?" she asked, louder this time.
The curtain shifted, revealing a girl emerging with half-tied hair, a bag on her shoulder, and shoes in her hands. Clearly in a rush.
"Sorry, Ammi. I'm getting late today. I'll have breakfast in the college canteen," Tuba said, side-hugging her.
"Isn't it obvious? Kitni baar bola hai jaldi soya karo toh jaldi uthogi. But why would you listen to me?" Zubaida scolded her.
"Sorry na... take care," Tuba said while slipping on her shoes.
Her phone began ringing. Tuba picked it up. "Hell-"
She didn't even get to complete her greeting before the person on the other end started shouting.
"TUBAAA! Half an hour ago you said you were coming in ten minutes. Where are you??? Don't tell me you're still at home!"
"Coming, coming, babe!" Tuba said, trying to convince her.
"Take care! And don't forget to have breakfast there!" Zubaida shouted after her.
โธป โฆ โธป
The bell rang and lecture time began. The professor was about to start when someone came at the door.
"May I come in, sir?" Tuba asked, panting.
The professor gestured for her to enter. She slipped into the classroom and sat beside a girl.
"So that was the '10 minutes' according to your watch," Shireen whispered.
"I thought you'd miss this lecture."
"Tuba ke bina kuch bhi start nahi hota, madam," Tuba said, winking at Shireen.
-----------
Later in the canteen, Tuba sat alone, scrolling through her phone with the kind of restless focus that only comes when someone is waiting for one particular notification.
Shireen slid into the seat across from her, leaning in with a wicked grin.
"Ohho... looks like someone is missing someone," she whispered into Tuba's ear.
Tuba glared, cheeks warming instantly. "Shut up. No one is missing anyone."
"Haan haan, sure..." Shireen smirked, stirring her coffee like she knew every secret in the universe.
"By the way, when is he coming back from work?" she asked casually.
"I don't know," Tuba shrugged, eyes glued to her phone for a second too long.
"So you're still mad at him? Just because he didn't come today even after saying he will?" Shireen poked again.
"It's not like that. I'm not even thinking about him," Tuba muttered, locking her phone a little too quickly.
"Maaf kar de bechare ko. If it wasn't important, he would've been here," Shireen defended him, taking a slow sip.
Tuba raised her brows. "Excuse me? Are you my friend or his? Traitor!"
"Achha baba, sorry," Shireen pouted dramatically.
"But admit it... you are missing him, aren't you?" she teased.
"Whateverrrrr," Tuba rolled her eyes and pushed her chair back, walking out of the canteen before Shireen could say another word.
-----------
Inside the classroom, Tuba's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, and a small smile tugged at her lips.
Him: Reached?
Tuba: Yes.
Him: Eat something. You didn't have breakfast.
Tuba: How did you know that??
Him: Zubaida aunty called me to check on you. Take care. Attend the class and don't forget to call me when you're free ๐.
Tuba smiled despite herself. He always made sure she was doing okay.
โธป โฆ โธป
In the evening, after finishing all her tasks, Tuba was finally in her room. The silence reminded her of him, and she picked up her phone.
She called, and he answered in two rings.
Rafay: "Finally you decided to call me, huh? I feel like I'm last on your priority list."
Tuba: "Don't be so free, okay? I'm still mad at you. You said you'd be here today, but you didn't."
Rafay: "Sorry. Genuinely sorry, yaar. Something came up here, and you know how my father is. I'll be back in a day or two."
Tuba: "Not tomorrow?? A day or twoooo?? How about you stay there only? Don't come here."
Rafay: "Sorryyy. But by any chance... is someone missing me that badly?" he teased.
Tuba: "Just meet me once. I'll beat you so hard you won't be able to move for a week."
Rafay: "My bad, my bad. I think you're very mad right now. How about you sleep well and we'll talk tomorrow? Btw, had dinner?"
Tuba: "Yup!! Byeee."
She ended the call and looked up at the sky, as if her father was somewhere beyond it, listening. Her eyes filled instantly, but she didn't let the tears fall.
She lay down on her bed and whispered,
"I miss you, Papa. Good night."
A single tear slipped down her cheek despite all her control.
[Wanna meet ML - Haider Malik?? Wait for next chapter cutiesss๐]
โ ๐ เฃช ึดึถึธ ๐ ๐๐๐น ๐๐ป ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ เฃช๐ โ
How was the update?๐ค
Vote, follow and comment !!!
Insta Id - author_nasreen17
Until then,
~Love, love๐ค
Write a comment ...