Twins

Sohail and Hina were twins. They were born 21 years ago in a superrich family and had everything one could wish for except for their parents’ love. Their father was an industrialist who spent most of his time in business activities. Their mother was an ex model who would seldom be present in the country. Their early childhood was spent playing with each other and with their pets. They often saw their father on Sundays who would have brunch with them and then leave for playing golf with his buddies. Last time they saw their mother was almost a month ago that too in a television show. There were many wall sized pictures and murals of her in the house. They would secretly talk to her before going to sleep every night.

   

They were admitted to the best school in the city. Their school life was the usual. They went to school together, had the same tutor in the evening and then watched television. Their favorite cartoon show was ‘Dexter’s Laboratory.’ Throughout the school life, they did not have any close friend. They had each other. He cared for his sister as much as she cared for him.

They both wanted to become doctors and got admission in a renowned medical college on self-finance basis. It was here that they parted their ways. Sohail joined a company of friends which was more into partying than the learning. Hina had different purpose of studying medicine. She wanted to open a charity hospital and help poor people. There was no dearth of money so they both started pursuing their goals ambitiously.

Sohail became friends with Obaid and Saad. The trio had a similar family background and soon became fast friends. Despite their hectic routine, they would get to gather on weekend nights and enjoyed their life. They had started using drugs as well and just within one year, they were known to every club house of the city because of their high mood and extravagant spending. They were now known as SOS gang.

Hina on the other hand befriended Saima who was from a lower middle class family. Her father was not alive and she lived with her mother in outskirts of the city. Saima had topped the entrance exam and was granted scholarship by the medical college. Saima, besides her studies was into social work too. She regularly spent few hours on weekend in a charity organization as a volunteer. Hina also started going to the same setup which was close to Saima’s house. They would go to the charity office, do their office work and return to Saima’s home. Hina liked Saima’s mother a lot and would spend as much time with her as possible. She especially enjoyed the food made by Saima’s mother.   

The SOS gang did everything they wished and got whatever they desired. One person out of their reach was Saima who was never impressed with their money or looks. She was a serious book bug and spent most of her time buried in her notes. Sohail tried every trick and even used Hina to get some attention from Saima but all in vain. They were now into second year of their medical college and the SOS gang had earned a solid repute. The only black spot on their high mark was Saima. She had now become a challenge.

Hina had always protected Saima from Sohail and his buddies. On Thursday, Hina did not feel well and skipped the college. SOS gang got perfect opportunity to mess with Saima. They were sitting in cafeteria, when Saima walked in alone. Hall was full. Sohail immediately approached her and offered his hand. Being Hina’s brother, Saima had always tolerated him. She very politely refused and started to turn back when Sohail got hold of her arm and tried dragging her to his table. She yelled at him to stop and leave her alone. Whole cafeteria suddenly went quiet and started watching the dramatic scene being created there. When Sohail refused to let go of her, she swung her free hand and banged it on Sohail’s face. 

Sound of slap in pin drop silence created an electrifying climax. The hall burst into a huge round of applause coupled with giggles and hoots. Sohail got extremely embarrassed and froze for a moment. He then quickly walked out of the hall and disappeared for rest of the day. Next morning, SOS gang was summoned into dean’s office and was admonished for their despicable activities. They were also barred from entering college cafeteria for one month.

Sohail was insulted and offended beyond his imagination. On Friday night, SOS gang was high and angry. They could not believe such a mal treatment. As the night was growing, so was their frustration and rage. After one hour of booze and hash, they got up and sped on road to Saima’s house which they had already seen once before when they had followed her. Sohail parked the car on road side at a relatively darker place and kept sitting on driver’s seat. Obaid and Saad took along the baseball bat which they always kept in the car and went inside the street. Sohail waited in the car anxiously smoking hash. After about fifteen minutes, Obaid and Saad appeared from the murky street carrying a body in their hands. Sohail immediately opened the back latch and the body was dumped into trunk of the car.  Obaid had struck her head hard with the baseball bat when she came out of her home. Obaid and Saad tied her hands with her dopatta and also duct taped her mouth and eyes. Nobody had seen them abducting Saima.

After wandering for an hour and unable to decide as to what to do, they stopped to check on Saima. Obaid went to the trunk and came back dazzled. He told them that Saima is dead as he could not find her pulse. They all got panicky and started blaming each other. After a while, they agreed on dumping the body in a nearby canal. They drove to the bridge. Sohail stopped the car and opened the trunk. They went back and in dim light of the trunk they saw her body. It was completely covered with blood which was still dripping out from her head. They all picked the body up and threw it in the canal.

It was Monday morning and nobody dared to miss the class of Professor Jameel. There was a popular saying about Professor Jameel’s class that if a student is absent then the student is dead. The class comprised of 54 students. SOS gang had taken their seats. They looked around and counted the students. There were 50 students present. Saima was of course absent. They knew she is dead. As the attendance proceeded, suddenly Saima along with two other students appeared in the door asking permission to join in the class. SOS gang looked at each other disbelievingly. Their hearts sank and heads started spinning. Only person now missing was Hina.

Written By: Nadeem Alam

This story is Published in Mag, the weekly.
Other short stories by same author:
Click 👇
The Better You                        
Help-1      Help-2      Help-The End
The Devil                                  
Price of Love
Shadow                                 
My World                                 
Lost Girl