Hell on Earth

Fariya took a last, longing look at her and Zoya’s room as she wiped her tears. This room was her sanctuary. Here, she spent most of her free time. She hated to share her room with her sister, but she had no other choice because Zoya, her younger sister was afraid of sleeping alone.

However, right now, she was even ready to accept her annoying sister’s presence in her room, only, if someone would miraculously stop them from moving out of their bungalow.

Fariya has a fair complexion with big black eyes. She has naturally rosy cheeks with high cheekbones and a broad forehead. Her lips are slightly red while her nose is small and pointed. She is around 5′5". Her sister, Zoya, is almost similar to her, but she is taller, around 5′7", and has hazel coloured eyes.

During the last two years, Fariya’s father, Yameen, had faced multiple setbacks in his business, due to which he had drowned in debt. He was forced to sale his beloved home, where he had been living since his marriage. He only had a building left in the old city area of Karachi, whose only one flat was habitable.

“Fariya! come down quickly. We have to reach our new home before Isha prayers.” Fariya’s mother, Sultana, called her.

Fariya picked her books box and came down.

“Mama, why do we have to leave? I don’t want to leave.”

She stormed out and threw the books box in a truck, which was already loaded with multiple other boxes and the remaining furniture. Most of the furniture had already been sent to the apartment.

“Behave Fariya!” Yameen scolded his daughter.

Zoya giggled at her sister’s insult.

“Alright everyone, get in the car, we have to leave.”

Fariya, Zoya and their youngest sister Aisha, settled in the back seat. Their mom sat next to their father, who was driving.

After battling the Karachi’s traffic for an hour, they finally reached the new apartment.

As Fariya stood in front of her new home, she felt as if someone had dragged the ground from under her feet. Only one thought was going through her head.

How can someone live in this ruin?

It was a completely ruined two-storey brick building. There weren’t any galleries, but just barred windows. “Built-in 1932” was written mockingly above its main gate, which was barely standing there as one of its hinges was detached. Fariya is a fan of historical architecture, but this building seemed more like a haunted prison or a mental asylum from a Hollywood horror movie. Apparently, it looked like the building comprised of six apartments, but only one seemed habitable, the others were completely ruined.

“Dad, we can’t live here.” Fariya barely managed to speak. She was completely shocked. Her sisters and mother also sported the same expression.

“I had no other option. This is the only house I could acquire with the left money.”

Yameen handed over the keys to the truck’s driver.

“Please, unload all the stuff and place it in the first apartment on the second floor.”

“Sure, sir.” Replied the driver and gave directions to the boys that were with him.

Fariya noticed that everyone in the street was behaving weirdly. Instead of welcoming them, most of the shopkeepers stared at them strangely.

“AssalamuAlaikum!” Yameen loudly greeted his new neighbours.

Just an old man replied.

“Walaikum Salaam. Baita, why are you moving to this building? It is dangerous.” The old man replied with a worried expression.

“Why, uncle?” Fariya chipped in.

“Don’t you know about this building’s history?” The old man asked with a wide-eyed expression.

“What history, uncle?”

“Enough, Fariya. All of you go upstairs and decide your rooms.” Yameen dismissed Fariya.

“Thank you, uncle, for your concern, but I already did my research, and I believe all of the stories related to this building are just myths, which were born because of it’s ruined condition. Once I’ll clean it, all your doubts will be cleared.” Yameen dismissed the old man politely and started to inspect the workers.

“Make it quick boys, I am very tired.”

“Okay, sir.” Replied the workers and increased their pace.

Fariya inspected the apartment from inside and decided, it wasn’t as spooky as it looked from the outside. She chose the room with a window for her and Zoya. Furniture was already set. She just had to place her clothes and books.

Multiple questions regarding what the old man said was brewing in her mind. She was waiting for her father to answer them. She was slightly frightened and wanted to share her fear with her mother and sisters, but she didn’t want them to get tensed as well.

“This is the last box, Madam.” The worker told her mother.

“Thank you. Collect your wages from my husband.”

The worker left. After fifteen minutes, Fariya’s father came.

“Hey dad, can I please have a minute?”

“Sure.” Fariya took her father to her room.

“Dad, what was that old man talking about?”

“Nothing, baita. He was talking about the myths that are associated with this building.”

“It’s nothing baita.”

“What myths, dad? If living here is dangerous, then we should at least prepare.”

“I told you it’s nothing. I assure you, nothing will happen. Just have some rest.” Fariya’s dad patted her head and left.

Even her dad’s assurance was not able to remove her fear.

She pushed all her thoughts aside. She went to the common room, and picked her clothes and books’ box, and brought them to her room. She didn’t feel like setting things up, so she just took her nightdress and Sidney Sheldon’s “Master of the game”. It was just 9 p.m., but she was feeling very tired. She changed and got in bed.

“Zoya, I am going to sleep. Don’t you dare wake me up by your ruckus, or I’ll wring your skinny neck.”

“Fine, siso, I’ll come to sleep once Aisha is settled in her room.” Zoya shouted from another room.

“Okay, good night.”

Fariya started reading the novel, and soon, she was engulfed by sleep.

Next day, she woke up around 10 a.m by the loud volume of the TV.

“Oh come on! shut it down. I am trying to sleep.” Fariya groaned in her sleep. Zoya ignored her and continued watching “Fast and Furious”, which was streaming on TV.

Fariya got up and threw her pillow at Zoya. Zoya picked up another pillow and threw at Fariya. Soon it turned into a full-fledged pillow fight.

“Stop it! both of you. Are you kids or what?” Sultana shouted as she entered their room.

“I am giving you a few things that I have cooked. Get ready, and distribute them in the neighbouring building.”

“Fine mom.” groaned both Zoya and Fariya.

Fariya changed into a blue Kameez and a White trouser. She applied a little bit of makeup and covered her head with a dupatta.

Zoya was already ready.

Both of them picked up the wrapped food and made their way to the neighbouring compound.

Like yesterday, once again, they were greeted by hushed whispers and worried stares.

“What’s wrong with people. Last time I checked, I was still human.” Zoya looked around her with a puzzled expression.

“Hush. Behave, we are new here, maybe, that’s why they are behaving like this.” Fariya replied as they entered the compound.

Few old aged women were sitting on chairs and talking, while children were playing. Men were hurrying to reach their offices on time. Women shushed as they entered, and stared at them. They also started talking in hushed tones as Fariya and Zoya made their way to the first house.

“I don’t think so. Listen closely to what they are saying.” Zoya placed a hand in front of Fariya.

Both of them listened closely.

“Why have they shifted here? What if they awaken THEM?”

“What if IT kills them?”

“Are they stupid, or they don’t know? THEY won’t be happy?”

“I don’t want police to barge in my house, again, just because these idiots got themselves hurt, or worse.”

Word translations:

Baita: child