In the Depth of the Heart - Chapter 24: Chapter 24
You are reading In the Depth of the Heart, Chapter 24: Chapter 24. Read more chapters of In the Depth of the Heart.
9:00 PM – Brigadier Imran Ahmed’s Living Room
Silence blanketed the house. The only sounds were the hum of the ceiling fan and the faint voice from a TV that no one was really watching. The room was cold — not just from the air, but from the atmosphere itself.
The familiar sound of a car pulling in broke the stillness — he had returned.
The driver stepped out and respectfully opened the door.
Brigadier stepped down calmly, dressed in his army uniform, bearing the insignia of his rank.
His face was tight, as if burdened with unresolved worries. Two soldiers followed behind him, escorting him to the doorstep.
As he entered the house...
At the edge of the sitting room, he spotted John and Usman seated and chatting.
Brigadier (quietly, but with weight):
“You’ve rested, I presume?”
They stood immediately at attention.
He said nothing more and walked past them.
Little Amir was asleep on the couch, wearing his pajamas, wrapped in a soft blanket.
Zuhra’s mother stepped out from little Ruhan’s room, intending to carry Amir back to his bed. But she froze at the sight of her husband standing there.
(Surprised, softly):
“You’re back…? I thought you’d be staying until tomorrow.”
Brigadier:
“I was invited to an event by Colonel Arvind, so I left from there. Where’s Zuhra?”
She paused, glancing at Amir before slowly lifting her eyes.
(Gently):
“She’s at school. There’s an Open Mic event at the university tonight.”
Before she could explain further, he turned sharply:
Brigadier:
“JOHN! USMAN!”
They rushed in immediately, standing firm.
Brigadier:
“Where is Zuhra?”
John:
“Sir, at the university. It’s a creative showcase.”
Brigadier:
“At this hour?”
Usman:
“Sir, it’s an Open Mic night. It’s part of the campus activities.”
Brigadier (shouting):
“I’ve told you before – I don’t approve of any nighttime events. Go and bring her back! From wherever she is – even if it’s the edge of the world!”
John and Usman (together):
“Yes, sir!”
They rushed out like they had been thrown from fire.
Zuhra’s mother stood still, looking at him with a mixture of shock and fear.
(Calmly):
“She hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s just a university event…”
Brigadier (his face tightening further):
“That’s how it starts. Classes by day, chaos by night. I know how this world works – I won’t let anything taint my daughter’s upbringing.”
He dropped heavily into a chair, releasing a heavy, burdened breath
Silence blanketed the house. The only sounds were the hum of the ceiling fan and the faint voice from a TV that no one was really watching. The room was cold — not just from the air, but from the atmosphere itself.
The familiar sound of a car pulling in broke the stillness — he had returned.
The driver stepped out and respectfully opened the door.
Brigadier stepped down calmly, dressed in his army uniform, bearing the insignia of his rank.
His face was tight, as if burdened with unresolved worries. Two soldiers followed behind him, escorting him to the doorstep.
As he entered the house...
At the edge of the sitting room, he spotted John and Usman seated and chatting.
Brigadier (quietly, but with weight):
“You’ve rested, I presume?”
They stood immediately at attention.
He said nothing more and walked past them.
Little Amir was asleep on the couch, wearing his pajamas, wrapped in a soft blanket.
Zuhra’s mother stepped out from little Ruhan’s room, intending to carry Amir back to his bed. But she froze at the sight of her husband standing there.
(Surprised, softly):
“You’re back…? I thought you’d be staying until tomorrow.”
Brigadier:
“I was invited to an event by Colonel Arvind, so I left from there. Where’s Zuhra?”
She paused, glancing at Amir before slowly lifting her eyes.
(Gently):
“She’s at school. There’s an Open Mic event at the university tonight.”
Before she could explain further, he turned sharply:
Brigadier:
“JOHN! USMAN!”
They rushed in immediately, standing firm.
Brigadier:
“Where is Zuhra?”
John:
“Sir, at the university. It’s a creative showcase.”
Brigadier:
“At this hour?”
Usman:
“Sir, it’s an Open Mic night. It’s part of the campus activities.”
Brigadier (shouting):
“I’ve told you before – I don’t approve of any nighttime events. Go and bring her back! From wherever she is – even if it’s the edge of the world!”
John and Usman (together):
“Yes, sir!”
They rushed out like they had been thrown from fire.
Zuhra’s mother stood still, looking at him with a mixture of shock and fear.
(Calmly):
“She hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s just a university event…”
Brigadier (his face tightening further):
“That’s how it starts. Classes by day, chaos by night. I know how this world works – I won’t let anything taint my daughter’s upbringing.”
He dropped heavily into a chair, releasing a heavy, burdened breath
End of In the Depth of the Heart Chapter 24. Continue reading Chapter 25 or return to In the Depth of the Heart book page.