Ash

Sure you're telling me this now. I'll check back with you soon. Then you'll look away embarrassedly, maybe stare at that cigarette you said you'd never smoke.

He flicked ash around for a bit, smiled and walked away.

I'm back

It's funny how when you lose something, you look around desperately to find people who are worse off and when you do find them, you never quite know what to say.

Here's to me smiling again. And here's to a summer that should be amazing despite what it promised.

Gunshot wounds. The crass colours of what some mistook for freedom. Empty condemnation. Dust was raised on the streets. Not just there but in little alleys and nooks and crannies, all full to bursting with anger and suspicion. But most of all hunger. For a while-but what is a while? A minute? A day? A year?

No. A moment in time.

So for a moment in time certain names were a curse. Certain labels just that. Ahmedi. Mussalman. Pakistani. Whatever you may.

For perhaps a longer moment in time, fingers were pointed directly at a country many miles way. More dust was raised. Tyres were burnt. Prayers were prayed for three strangers. Three brothers. They could have been Ahmedi. It didn't matter. Perhaps the word 'flotilla' was looked up in the midst of all the confusion and chaos. Screaming and tears. And yet more dust.

And for a short moment in time - a while? a millisecond? Half of a lifetime?- waves became terrifying. They prayed again. And some stood closer, laughing. Not oblivious. Embracing a moment in time within yet another.

And in some insignificant house in a part of the city where dust was never raised, a phone rang. A girl answered. A heart was broken for a moment in time that was both fleeting and lasting.

Karachi.

Today

I learnt that the person who used to be your best friend can always tell who you smell like.

Oh, and I'm officially done with exams :)

She sleeps somewhere else and he retires to the emptiest room in the house, lulled to sleep by the consistent whine of the fan and a conscience that he has forced clear.

Happy Anniversary.

For a while now

No one told me this was possible. But I suppose that's because this isn't something you can really talk about.

Yes, again.

Really though, it's like I don't learn at all. I have gone without sleep for about 17 hours and will not be sleeping for at least another 10. But I SWEAR this is the last time I will do this. What? Of course not ever again you fools. Just the last time for a while.