Shareefabad, it is a suburban area of the main city. Once it was a place where Shareef

decent

people lived before Land Mafia started their business here. Police were helpless against them because they were backed by some strong politicians. Those days were one of the most horrible days that people of Shareefabad had ever seen...but soon Allah has shown his mercy upon us and the Land Mafia was annihilated by a gang named Black Eagles. Most of the member of this gang was from our town except its leader Moosa Khan. According to rumours one day he suddenly showed and killed two important members of Mafia. Then slowly he formed a proper gang and within a month this gang killed all Mafia people one by one. After getting rid by land Mafia we thought this was over but that wasn't the case. Black Eagles took control of the whole town and make it their territory.

Now Shareefabad is ruled by a gang or to be more precise by Moosa Khan.

~*~

Mahnoor's POV:

"Attention, all final year students!"

The auditorium of the Girls Government College of Shareefabad, that was buzzing with voices suddenly came to a silent still at the authoritative voice emanating from the speaker continued.

"Form a straight row on the right side of the stage. As for the rest of the students, leave the auditorium."

A split-second silence prevailed when the announcement ended, Kanwal my best friend hugged me tightly.

"Mano," Kanwal gasped and her voice was frantic, "I don't want to stay… I don't want to go …Please take me back with you. Please, please, please." Like every other final year student, her eyes were wide with panic, clutching on to their friends for dear life. My heart sank as I realize, I could do nothing but to pray for her.

I am a year younger then Kanwal and also her junior academically. Both of our families moved in Shareefabad almost on the same month ten years ago. It was the time when this area wasn’t fully developed, therefore, all of the neighbours were living like a big community. None of remembered how we met each other but we are friends since our second month in Shareefabad.

"Kanwal, relax." I tried to reassure her, barely holding on my composure. "Everything will be okay…Have faith in Allah." I patted her cheek.

"I- I have Mano... but-"

"Hurry up Kanwal, they are almost here and you, Mahnoor, go outside now." A professor almost yelled at us from near the stage.

"Mano…"

My heart clenched painfully when she called out my nickname, pleading silently. Looking helplessly at each other, we both start walking towards our destinations. When I was about to exit, a familiar male voice echoed in the auditorium.

"Everyone can leave except for Nida Abdullah and Kanwal …. Mehmood."

My steps came to a halt upon hearing my best friend's name. I turned my head to see the source of the voice and my eyes widened when I saw a familiar man approaching Kanwal.

"Ahad...!" I breathed out.

I wasn’t able to see his face clearly as it was shadowed by his cap but his usual attire of jeans and a t-shirt of full sleeves and walking style was enough for me to recognize him. Kanwal’s face paled as he walked over to her and stood just before her. He wasn’t a bulky man, yet well-built enough to complete hide Kanwal’s lean frame behind him. She was out of my sight now, I tried to go back to her but before I could do anything, a crowd of final year girls rushed past me, pushing me out of the door. After a long struggle against the crowd, I was finally able to reach the auditorium door again only to end up cursing under my breath on finding it locked from the inside. Frustrated, I decided to wait outside.

I never cared about the existence of the gang Black Eagles in Shareefabad, to me they were better than the land mafia that held us hostage for years. I appreciate that because of them, education has become equal and compulsory for everyone. Even the kids of lower-class families were now able to attain good educational environment as the opened up schools with no fees. But unfortunately, this was not the only thing that they do.

After the takeover of Black Eagle, they made it a custom to choose two to five students on every convocation ceremony of graduation. If the chosen students were boys, they are forced to join the gang or they will be banished from the city, without leaving any traces. All such students never came back. Only half of their salaries were sent home along with a letter saying they are alright.

However, if the girls were selected, they are forced to go along with the career that was chosen for her, or they were married to the gang members instead. Of all the things the Black Eagle had done in this town, when it came to the worse this took the crown.

I am now afraid for Kanwal. She will definitely be forced to marry Ahad, her ex-fiancé and my tutor in school days. Knawal’s parents broke off the engagement he joined the gang. No one wants their daughter to be married to person involved in criminal activities.

I waited for almost an hour but Kanwal never came out, neither did the other girl. I ran towards the faculty room to ask about their whereabouts and I was told that both of the girls were gone with them long ago. At that moment, I felt like killing every teacher of our college for not feeling even a little shame for telling me this. I took out my phone and inform Kanwal's sister about it. Then, I called Bhai

Big brother

to pick me up from college. My mind was a total chaos and I spent rest of the day on a bench near cafeteria, skipping all my classes.

~*~

"Ami

Mother

, please take me with you. I want to see Kanwal." I practically begged Ami, who was ready to visit Kanwal’s house after hearing the entire scenario from me and later from Kanwal’s mother on call.

"We will send you there tomorrow. There is a possibility that Ahad or other Black Eagles members would be there." My mother reasoned. 

Cold shivers ran down my spine at the mention of the Black Eagle, "W-why will they be there?"

"I think you already know the answer." 

"Don't tell me Ahad is asking to marry her?"  Ami nodded.

I was suddenly overcome by anger, "How could he? That piece of garbag-."

"Behave, Mahnoor." Ami scolded.

"Sorry."

I was a little stunned by the news, it was just a thought came in my mind when I saw Ahad in college but didn't know that he hasn't moved on and still waiting for Kanwal. But, how can he be so selfish? Ahad was aware that Kanwal and her parents are not willing to go through with the marriage. How can he just force her into this?

"Dinner is ready. Eat it with Hammad, he doesn't like to eat alone. Your Papa and I will be out late, okay?"

"Okay! Be safe both of you." I whispered, still deep in thought.

Ami patted my cheek and left. After coming to my room, I collapsed on the bed, thinking about Kanwal being married off to a criminal. 'Ya, Allah! Have mercy.' I mumble and plunged my face into my pillow.

"Mano! Wake up." I heard Bhai's voice, from a distance.

"What?" I groaned.

"It's almost ten-thirty. Are we going to eat or not?" He said angrily. Bhai was one of those people that cannot cope well with hunger.

"Oh! Sorry, sorry." I quickly got up and ran towards the kitchen.

I heated up the food and ate with Bhai while watching Spirit the stallion of Cimarron. After cleaning up the kitchen and I went back to my room to study for an upcoming test.

Focus...

Focus...

Focus...

"Argh! Go to hell!" I dropped my head on the pillow and my mind wandered back to the morning when I saw Ahad approaching Kanwal. Her unforgettable pale face swam before my eyes and I quickly left the bed. Sighing on my uselessness at the moment, I walked up to the window. It was a nice summer night and the full moon shone brightly against the dark sky. Its radiance together with the light breeze felt refreshing on my skin. I glanced at the clock, telling me it was past midnight and I should go to sleep but I was waiting for Papa and Ami. I shifted my attention back to the moon again and later on the light piano chords disturbing the silence of the night.

I focused a little more wondering if it was my imagination or if someone really playing the piano. A few seconds later, the melody notes got a little higher confirming my suspicions. The sound was beautiful, as if it will sweep off of my feet any moment and before I knew it, I was running towards the roof to listen to it clearly.

____________________________________

*Ami: Mother

In Urdu

*Bhai: Big brother

In Urdu