33. THE EVENT

His stare made her nervous as she drew back her eyes to her lap, her sadness flicking from her face. He don't know why, but he felt bad for the little girl.

Sighing, he agreed nodding his head at her.

She shrieked again and pulled him to his full height by his wrist. Adjusting him like an object, she made him stood under the pole light, so that both of their shadows reflected beautifully on the ground. Slightly, tilting her head towards his shoulder, she captured their photo of the shadows.

"Great. Thanks!" She got engrossed in her phone and thanked him, her lips still stretched into a smile.

Haroon walked away from the girl, his mind still buzzing with her infectious energy. She had asked for his help with such enthusiasm that he couldn't refuse, even though he had been lost in his thoughts about Taliya. Now, as he made his way back to his room, he couldn’t shake the odd feeling that had settled over him.

The girl had asked a picture with him, and Haroon had just helped her. Her vivacious attitude was a stark contrast to the quiet introspection he had been wrapped up in. She had talked non-stop, her words a rapid-fire stream that left him little room to think about anything else. For a while, he had forgotten about Taliya, swept up in the whirlwind of the girl's presence.

He sighed deeply as he entered his room, closing the door behind him. The silence was a welcome change from the constant chatter of the girl. Haroon sat on the edge of his bed, running a hand through his hair. He couldn’t deny that the distraction had been refreshing, but it also felt wrong. Taliya had been such a significant part of his life, and the thought that someone could so easily push her from his mind bothered him.

Haroon got up and walked to his cupboard where a framed photo of Taliya stood. He picked it up, staring at her face. The memories came flooding back: the laughter, the late-night talks, the quiet moments they had shared. He felt a pang of guilt for allowing himself to be distracted, even if it was just for a short while.

He sat back down on his bed, the photo still in his hands. The girl's chirpy attitude had been a temporary balm to his aching heart, but it had also made him realize how deeply Taliya was embedded in his thoughts. Her absence was a void that couldn't be filled so easily.

Haroon lay back, the photo resting on his chest. He closed his eyes, trying to sort through his feelings. The girl's liveliness had been a stark reminder of what he was missing—a lightness and joy that had once been a part of his life with Taliya. But now, all that remained was the heaviness of her absence. Her presence was flown with Murad. She was always with Murad even when she was having an important meeting with him.

The encounter had been an unexpected reprieve from his sorrow, but it also made him confront the depth of his emotions. Haroon knew he needed to find a way to move forward, but he was unsure of how to do that more of it he didn't wanted to move on from Taliya. He still had hopes for her, for if she came to him. The girl's influence had been fleeting, but the impact it had on him was undeniable. For a moment, she had managed to push Taliya from his mind, and that realization left him feeling more conflicted than ever.

As he drifted off to sleep, Haroon wondered if he would ever find that same lightness again, or if he was destined to carry the weight of his memories with him, always.

~☆~

Taliya stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the delicate earrings that complemented her vibrant dress. The air buzzed with excitement and a sense of urgency as workers scurried around the venue, transforming the space into a dreamlike setting for the event.

"How's this look?" Taliya asked, turning to her staft Sara, who was busy organizing the seating arrangements.

"Perfect! You look stunning, as always," Sara replied, barely glancing up but managing to convey genuine admiration.

Taliya smiled, her excitement at bay. "Thanks! I just hope everything goes smoothly tonight."

"It will," Sara assured, looking up briefly to give her a confident nod. "We've got everything under control."

The venue was a flurry of activity. Sound checks were being run, decorations were being hung, and catering staff were setting up an impressive spread of food. Taliya could hear the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversation as everyone prepared for the big night.

Haroon walked in, a clipboard in hand, looking both focused and slightly harried. He caught sight of Taliya and his expression softened. "You look amazing," he said, making his way over to her.

"Thanks, Haroon," Taliya said, her smile widening. "How's everything going?"

"Pretty good, actually," he said, checking his notes. "Just a few last-minute things to handle. The band is setting up, and the decorations are almost done."

"Do you need any help?" Taliya asked, her eyes sparkling with eagerness to pitch in.

"Just your charming presence is enough," Haroon teased, giving her a playful wink. "But seriously, if you could check on the flowers one last time, that would be great. Make sure they’re arranged the way you want them."

"On it!" Taliya said, heading towards the floral arrangements with a determined stride.

As she walked, she greeted the workers, her energy contagious. "Hey, everyone! Great job so far! Let’s make this place look magical!"

The staff responded with enthusiastic nods and smiles, encouraged by Taliya's upbeat attitude. She reached the flowers and began adjusting a few arrangements, making sure they were perfect.

"These lilies need to be more centered," she murmured to herself, repositioning them. "There, much better."

Haroon joined her, looking over her shoulder. "You have an eye for this stuff," he said appreciatively. "It looks fantastic."

"Thanks, Haroon," Taliya replied, turning to face him. "I just want everything to be perfect tonight."

"It will be," he said, his tone reassuring. "We've all worked hard, and it’s going to be an amazing event."

Taliya nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction as she looked around the room. The venue was coming together beautifully, the culmination of all their efforts. She caught Sara’s eye across the room, who gave her a thumbs-up.

"Alright, let's do this!" Taliya said, her voice full of determination and excitement. "We’re ready to make tonight unforgettable."

The final preparations continued with renewed vigor, everyone feeding off Taliya's energy. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the venue, the stage was set for an evening filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories.