ZAIN
Almost half of London had gathered in one place ... and why not? It was the funeral of Zain Farooq's father, one of the most famous celebrities and a national sports idol.
Everyone was trying to reach Zain, to offer condolences, to shake hands. But he stood apart from it all, distant, lost in the moments they once shared ... when they were together, complete, a family.
Those memories now felt like a dream. Baba, Mom, and me... a picture of blissful souls.
And now, within just a few hours, baba had closed his eyes forever, leaving him alone in this world.
The crowd slowly started to disperse, until finally, only Mr. Alam stood beside him.
The sorrowful and empty atmosphere felt strangely familiar ... perhaps because his Baba was eternally resting here now. Zain turned to Mr. Alam, who had silently stayed by his side for hours, out of duty and loyalty.
"Mr. Alam," Zain said, without even looking at him.
"Yes, sir?" he responded gently.
"I want some time alone... with my Baba."
Mr. Alam looked at him, searching for something in his face, but Zain's expression was unreadable.
"Okay, sir," he replied, obediently. He turned to leave but paused as Zain's voice called him again.
"And one more thing..."
This time, Zain turned to face him.
"Thank you for everything."
His expression was now a mix of sorrow and gratitude. Mr. Alam felt a deep grief for this young man, who had lost his father ... and almost his mother ... at just 21 years of age.
Normally, he remained detached, never involving himself in personal matters. But today, he couldn't hold back. The boy needed to hear this.
"Mr. Zain... I know this is the biggest loss of your life. Mr. Farooq wasn't just your father ... he was your best friend. But that's life. It's perishable. No one is immortal. Pray for his eternal peace in Jannah... that's the least you can do for him."
BABA
It wasn't just a word for him. Baba was everything ... his father, teacher, trainer, and friend... now an angel who had flown to another world.
"Baba..."
Zain knelt beside his grave. The tears that had frozen behind his eyes finally began to melt. He picked up a handful of sand from the fresh grave, as if trying to hold onto a connection between them. As the tears rolled freely down his cheeks, there was no stopping them. He cried his heart out.
Mr. Alam stood silently behind him, allowing him to grieve. Even he felt his eyes grow moist.
His gaze drifted to a figure standing in the distance, near the trees at the edge of the graveyard .... Mrs. Stafford. He knew she was grieving for Zain too. She and Mr. Alam were all the family Zain had left now...
while his mother was still fighting for her life, because her son needed her.
Mr. Alam thought back to just hours ago, when they had all been so happy.
FLASHBACK
"Alam, make sure Zain doesn't feel lonely without us. He'll be busy with his tournament, but still ... keep an eye on him," Mr. Farooq instructed again and again, as though he couldn't bring himself to leave his son behind.
"Farooq, stop it. He's no longer a teenager," Ayesha ... Zain's mother, said with a smile.
"Besides, we'll be back long before his tournament ends."
"You don't understand, Ayesha," Mr. Farooq replied softly. "If it wasn't for Zain's constant pestering, I wouldn't have agreed to leave him ... especially during the most important tournament of his life."
Mr. Alam and Mrs. Stafford exchanged a smile at the concerned father fussing over his son.
"Mama, Baba, you're still here?" Zain walked over.
"Mr. Alam, please take them to the airport before they miss their flight ...
and waste my money!" he teased.
"Zain, please ... we can go on our honeymoon after your tournament," Mr. Farooq made one last attempt to stay.
"Baba, come on. This is my gift to you both. Don't waste it. I'll be fine. Trust me," Zain reassured him and hugged his parents tightly.
Then they got in the car .... never knowing it would be the last conversation they'd have with their son.
On the way, their car collided with a crane. Mr. Farooq lost his life on the spot. Mrs. Farooq was taken to the ICU... unconscious, in a coma.