The Grey Stones
Chapter 2
“I should talk to him” sparked across mind of Abassi while seeing a young man from his terrace staring at him. Bilal is around twenty two and is doing bachelors from London School of Economics. Bilal has been a very bright student throughout his studies as he is on scholarship in LSE. Bilal lives in the same street that of Abassi. He is been trying to talk with Abassi for few days now but never gained courage to have a conversation with a man who is tabooed among their community.
Abassi signalled Bilal to come up to his apartment. Bilal stared in his eyes for a moment and then lowered his head gazing at dry leaves spread over the road. He closed his eyes trying to make the decision and then left it to his mind to control his movement. He slowly walked to Abassi’s apartment. He knocked at his door breathing heavily. He was not nervous for talking to an old proscribed man rather the thought in his mind was responsible for his anxiety.
Abassi opened the door with a smile and said “Your parents do not like talking to me then why you have been trying to speak to me.” This sudden straightforward remark by Abassi made Bilal’s heart to jump out from his body. He mumbled “I do not know.” Abassi looked directly in his eyes trying to capture the natural feelings in his mind. He signalled him to come inside. Bilal followed him inside a well furnished room. Bilal looked around to observe his surroundings. There was a piano in one corner and a huge rack of CDs in other corner. There was a huge painting of an eagle flying across the blue sky hanged on the wall. There were very comfortable leather sofas in the room with one wooden centre table. There was a stylish astray full of half burnt cigarettes placed on centre table. Bilal observed that there were broken pieces of pencils scattered near the centre table. “What drink you will have” said by Abassi. Bilal could not come up with an answer and remained quite. Abassi spoke in a soft tone “Drink will make you comfortable to say what you want to.” Bilal realized that Abassi had a decent clue of what was going inside him. He said “scotch”. Abassi smiled and replied “nice choice.”
After having two pegs Abassi broke the silence and said “Why u been staring at my terrace for last few weeks.” As Bilal has got more comfortable now, he replied “You know the reason.” Abassi spoke in stringent tone “If you do not have courage to speak up then leave right now.” Bilal took a deep breath and spoke looking right in eyes of Abassi “I do not stare at your terrace to see you. I like looking at Juan who is often in you terrace working with you on paintings. I like her.” Abassi smiled and stood up. He put hand on shoulders of Bilal and said “Juan was also asking me other day about the guy who is often whispering songs while walking in street.” This answer made blood of Bilal to pump so faster that he could feel his face getting red. “I think that guy is you” Abassi continued. Bilal said “she likes my whispering.” Abassi said “I can introduce you to her on Saturday as she will be visiting me.” Bilal got excited and shouted “You are an angel.” Abassi said “You need to do something in return,” Bilal asked with lot of curiosity in his voice “What.” Abassi looking at the hanged painting said “You have to learn singing. Your voice is really good it just need tuning.” Bilal felt like that it was the best moment of his life. There was a man with whom he has never spoken before was offering him two of his most desirable dreams singing and Juan. “My father was wrong about you. You are one of the best persons I have ever met. I will come on Saturday now” was said by Bilal. He did not wait for Abassi’s answer and rushed out of his apartment. Abassi smiled while seeing him rushing out. He was not jovial at his apprehension rather was satisfied for taking lid off from jar full with talent.
