8 Billion

Aanisha Zainab

Daastan Publishing 2024

First Published in Pakistan by Daastan PVT LTD

House # A-41, Madni Street, Lala Rukh, Wah Cantt, Punjab 47040

www.daastan.com

www.meraqissa.com

Text copyrights © Aanisha Zainab

Book Design copyright © Muhammad Sharaiz

Edited by: Mariam Rizvi

The moral rights of the writer, illustrator and editor have been asserted.

All rights reserved

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN 978-969-696-967-9

eISBN 978-969-696-968-6

Printed and published in Pakistan by Daastan Printing Solutions

This book is a tribute to my beloved Grandparents with all my heart. May it be a testament to the power of family, love, traditions, values and perseverance.

Thank you for being my rock, mentor and my shining examples of kindness, compassion and strength.

Life is like a shell and ego like a drop

of April shower.

What’s the worth of a shell? If it can’t

create a pearl from a drop.

- Iqbal

HUGO HUDSON.

THE MAN IN THE DESERT.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK.

THE QUEST.

THE MEET AND GREET.

THE FIRST POUR.

THE PUBLISHER.

THE FLAME.

THE PLUMMET.

THE INK.

CHAPTER 1:

HUGO HUDSON

Another New York Bestseller. This was his fifth time. He really had a talent for writing books and an even bigger one for writing ones that sell. His name was Hugo Hudson. Everyone liked his name and apparently so did he.

     Hugo was gifted with amazing loving parents. His mother’s name was Rosabell. It meant a blossoming rose. Hugo had always been convinced that her name was destined for her, a flawless fit that echoed the grace and beauty that she embodied. She had a weak body. She was a slender reed swaying the breeze. She flowed through life with a vulnerable elegance, her eyes veiled by a perpetual curtain of gratitude. As the world’s blessing had humbled her very soul. She was just like a fragile flower and he sometimes felt that she would break at the slightest of touch. She always had a slight smile on her face as if everything was going to be ok. Hugo sometimes found this kind of attitude foolish but as long as it made it happy, he was ready to play along. Her looks didn’t conform to traditional notions of attractiveness, yet Hugo saw her as a stunning work of art, one of a kind treasure that captured his heart and he wasn’t the only one under the spell.

The name Ethan meaning strong and firm was a perfect name for the one who fell head over heels for Rosabell. Hugo thought it was perfect as he knew that some were born strong to protect someone who was born weak. Hugo knew that they were a perfect match for each other and so he gave his father the post of protector until he was big enough to inherit it from him.

Ethan worked as a farmer so his income wasn’t the best most of the year but he never let anyone have the slightest idea about his hardships. He was quite a sturdy man. He had wide shoulders which made Hugo feel safe. Those shoulders would sometimes become the toughest shield while sometimes the softest pillow. He wanted shoulders just like those so he would measure his chest for hours in front of the mirror trying to make it look wider from some angle. His parents would laugh at his cute act for hours.

Without realizing it, Hugo’s chest had grown wider than his father’s, a silent declaration of his burgeoning manhood, a manifestation of his inner growth. Hugo grew up to be quite the handsome fellow. He had a beautiful complexion complemented by glass-like skin very rare in men. He had a very muscular body with sleek muscles and pitch-black hair and eyes to complete the look. Before Hugo knew it wherever he went from college to social gatherings he became the epitome of beauty and brawn.

Hugo was the most famous person in college. Every girl fell for him and every guy wanted to be in his friend circle. If it weren’t for his inferiority in the bank account district, he would probably even have people bowing to him and they might even add a throne or two.

From a young age, Hugo always knew how he wanted to live his life, apply to the top law school somewhere out of his hometown, ace the entrance exam, get a full scholarship and finally go to the ‘big city’. Then with his tuition settled he would rent a small apartment and would take up a small part-time job to pay the rent. He would graduate with flying colors and get a job as a prosecutor. After stabilizing his career, he would think about settling down with a person that suited him and maybe have a kid or two.

Hugo had everything planned out for a perfect life with no surprises. He had already accomplished a couple of things on his checklist. He got a scholarship and left his hometown. He also got a job at a small restaurant and found a small apartment. He also had the smarts to live a peaceful life in university. He invited everyone who wanted to be on good terms and so had friends in every line of work. The bookworm, Max, the computer geek, Robin, and the frightening-looking thug, Ralph. He knew they were only friends of fair weather, but he didn’t really mind as long as they were useful. There were still people who weren’t fond of him, Hugo knew this, but didn’t care as long as they minded their own business. Till now everything was as Hugo had planned.

Perfect.

3 days before Hugo’s 19th birthday, he received a form from the university. It was after Mr. Spencer’s class on Tax Law and it always left his mind depleted of energy so he was resting his head on the desk. Just moments later a sudden interruption as a sheet of paper came crashing down near his head, the abrupt impact jolted him back into reality. When he looked up it was Max.

 “Dude! What the hell! Can’t you see a man trying to catch up on some sleep?” complained Hugo.

“Sorry, sleeping beauty, but you gotta fill this form by next week and submit it in the office. Besides it’s Miss Natalie’s class next and you know how she despises sleepy heads,” explained Max.

“Yes Mom,” said Hugo sarcastically.

Hugo took the form and started reading, it stated that they were surveying careers people choose. You had to write what you wanted to become and also why. “Next week! I can fill this in two minutes,” thought Hugo.

So he picked up a pen and was about to write. The pen hovered its tip almost kissing the paper, its descent was frozen as if the very fabric of reality had intervened to prevent the intended stroke. At that moment even though he had all his life planned Hugo was unable to fill in that box. In an instant Hugo’s mind shifted from absolute certainty to utter bewilderment, his thoughts evaporating into mist in the sun leaving him a blank slate. This feeling of uncertainty was foreign to him, it scared him so. He shoved the form inside his bag making an excuse for himself that there was no need to rush and that he would do it after his birthday. After classes that day Hugo went to                                     his apartment and placed the form inside the right-hand side drawer of his study table for safekeeping.

Hugo loved his parents and would always celebrate his birthday with them so he took out a bag from his closet and started packing for a 5-day trip. Three for the preparation, one for the party, and a day for interests.

He left for his hometown the next day on the bus taking leave from college. It was a two hour ride and he always sat beside the window because no matter how much he wanted to escape from his hometown, the view from the windows of its fields was something he knew he could never bring himself to hate. The gentle green undulations of emerald green pastures that stretch towards the horizon punctuated by rustle wooden fences and meandering streams that glimmer into ribbons of silver. The warm sunlight illuminated hues of wildflowers that decorate the landscape like colorful brush strokes on a canvas. The scenery unfolded like a soothing melody but Hugo avert his eyes as he believed that he is not allowed to admire the beauty he himself chose to leave.

His parents were delighted beyond words at his arrival even though they knew he was coming. After one day of catching up, the preparations for Hugo’s party began.

Hugo’s real life all started on the night of his 19^th birthday. Hugo loved birthday parties but he could not have the huge celebration he wanted due to the restriction of funds so he never really invited his friends and it was just his parents’ acquaintances. Hugo and his parents got ready thirty minutes before the guests arrived to greet them properly. They had beautifully set up the yard for the night and it was vivid the hard work they had put in. Twinkling fairy lights and lanterns adorn the lush greenery, casting magical glow on the vibrant balloons and sparkling decorations. The air is filled with a sweet scent of blooming flowers while the tables were set perfectly. The darkness emphasizes on the beauty of the garden giving a vibrant and intimate setting for a memorable birthday celebration to remember under the stars.

Hugo was radiating brighter than usual that night. He wore a black suit along with a white undershirt that contrasted with his eyes and hair letting them take the limelight. He had his silky black hair pushed back with some gel giving off a wet look and creating a deep aura of sophistication around him.

His parents were also looking especially lovely that night. Rose was wearing an elegant red gown that extended down to her ankles with a pair of matt black heels. She had her hair tied up in a messy bun allowing a little speck of her carefree personality through. Ethan was dressed exactly like Hugo to set fire to a competition on who Rose thought was more handsome. Hugo looking disappointed asked his father, “Pops, it’s really hard for me to do every time so why don’t you stop trying when you know that Mom’s going to choose me?”

Ethan replied with anger, “This time is going to be different, right, Rose?”

Rose saw people coming in and went away without answering like she did every time, prominently indicating Hugo’s win and Ethan’s defeat.

By half past seven, the guests started arriving, and by eight o’clock everyone was present. Hugo saw a lot of unfamiliar faces but considering it his duty he made sure to greet everyone with the utmost respect like he always did. This for him was the most tedious part of every birthday party. Greeting counterfeit smiles with feigned gratitude always left him feeling a little hollower, a little more worn down. Finally, after an hour of greetings and discussions, it was time for the cake-cutting. It was chocolate fudge cake which was Hugo’s favorite. He picked up the knife, put his parents’ hands on his, and began slicing through.

Halfway through the cake, someone suddenly placed their hand on Hugo’s shoulder and whispered in his ear, “It’s high time you start now, Hugo Hudson,” with a blurred chuckle at the end. He then swiftly sliced through the whole cake and turned around but there was no one there except for the presence. It was a mature woman’s voice and Hugo could feel the amusement in her tone as if she had finally found what she had lost. The thought sent a chill down his spine so deep that it became visible on his face. Noticing this, Ethan put his hand on Hugo’s shoulder. Hugo forced it off in fear but the next moment realized his    mistake.

“Are you okay?” asked Ethan, looking worried.

“What….Um….Yeah….Yeah, just a little surprised. I’m fine.”

Ethan decided to believe him and went to tend to the guests. Hugo was lost in thought for a moment but was then also caught up in the goodbyes and farewells. After everyone had left, Hugo went straight to his room leaving his parents with the excuse that he was fatigued from all the partying which they knew was a lie but let it slide. Rose   became busy with cleaning the dishes and Ethan with the yard. After going into his room, he took off his coat and took a seat on his bed, swiping his hair in confusion. Hugo kept on thinking what that woman meant but by no means could make any sense of it. He thought that someone might have just done it to tease him so decided to freshen up as he thought it might help him relax. But after he had freshened up Hugo realized something, he wasn’t relaxed. That woman’s words kept spiraling in his head.