by Sara Naveed
‘Oh. I thought you came here to join the university,’ Zarish said.
‘No, I will be leaving.’
Just then, a cute little girl, around five years old, came running in and hugged Amber.
‘Mama, see what I got.’ She showed Amber her hand which was full of candies.
Zarish looked at them with a shocked expression. Amber looked really young to be a mother of a five-year-old.
‘You’ll get a cavity if you keep eating these sweets, Pari. Okay, c’mon. Say hello to her,’ Amber said, pointing at Zarish.
‘Who is she?’ Pari asked.
‘She is a student,’ Amber told her.
‘Hello,’ Zarish said, extending her hand.
Pari shook hands with her and then ran back to her mother.
‘Your daughter is adorable. I can’t believe you have one. You look so young,’ Zarish said.
Amber smiled, hugging Pari tightly.
Just then Maleeha entered the cabin.
‘Oh, hello, Zarish,’ Maleeha said.
‘Hello, Ma’am. I brought these flowers for you,’ she said, giving her the bouquet.
‘Oh, these are lovely. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. I should leave now,’ Zarish said, getting up.
‘Sure. Good luck,’ Amber said.
As Zarish walked out of the office, her scarf got stuck in the doorknob. She turned around to free it, but stopped when she heard Ahmar’s name. She crept closer to hear what they were talking about.
‘Who got you these candies?’ Amber asked her daughter.
‘Ahmar,’ Pari replied.
‘What? How do you know him?’ Amber asked.
‘She must have met him outside,’ Maleeha interjected.
‘You guys are really spoiling her,’ Amber complained.
‘It’s all right, Amby. Come on. She is just a kid. Pari, why don’t you go outside and play for a bit?’ Maleeha said.
‘Okay sure!’ Pari said, leaving the room.
Zarish made sure the girl did not see her.
‘She is such a beautiful child. Didn’t that bastard think about his daughter when he decided to leave you?’ Maleeha said angrily.
‘Forget about it, Maleeha. I am glad he did. He didn’t deserve me or my daughter.’
Maleeha nodded.
‘His parents don’t talk to him any more, but they have remained in touch with me. That’s why I came back to Pakistan. They had been telling me to come back for quite some time. Pari should know her grandparents.’
‘I wish your parents were alive,’ Maleeha said with a sigh.
‘They’re in a better place. Trust me,’ Amber said, squeezing her hand.
Zarish, who was still eavesdropping, felt bad for Amber and her daughter.
‘I know how hard it is to survive in this world all alone,’ Amber said. ‘But I have learnt to manage my life. I have Pari with me. She is all I want.’
‘Amby,’ Maleeha said, leaning forward, ‘for how long are you going to stay alone? Have you ever thought of remarrying?’
‘No. I don’t want anyone in my life. I’m happy the way my life is right now.’
‘What if someone wants to see you happy?’
‘Who?’ Amber asked.
‘Ahmar.’
Zarish became a bit more alert when she heard Ahmar’s name.
‘What are you talking about?’ Amber asked casually.
‘Oh, you don’t know, right?’ Maleeha asked.
‘Know what?’
‘Ahmar has always loved you, Amby. He has had feelings for you since college,’ Maleeha said.
For a moment, the world turned topsy-turvy for Zarish.
‘What? Is this true?’ Zarish thought, a sob escaping her throat.
‘What are you saying, Maleeha?’ Amber seemed shocked.
Maleeha nodded in response.
‘I don’t believe this. He never told me anything,’ Amber said.
‘Because he was too shy at that time. Everybody knew he had feelings for you. Everybody except you,’ Maleeha said, adding, ‘when he finally mustered up the courage to tell you, you told him you were getting married. So he decided to keep quiet.’
‘Maleeha! Why are you telling me this now? None of these things matter to me any more.’
‘Amby, I want you to think about him now. Think of marrying him. I’m sure he still loves you,’ Maleeha said.
‘Stop it, Maleeha. Please. I have a daughter and I am happy with her.’
‘He will accept her and give her the love she needs. Trust me. Ahmar is a good person,’ Maleeha told her. ‘Think about it.’
Maleeha’s voice slowly faded away as Zarish stood there in a state of shock. It seemed like a bad dream to her.
‘All this time, he kept a secret from me,’ she thought, fighting back her tears. ‘He never told me about his past. He never told me he had loved someone else. Why? Why? Why? What is he going to do now that she has returned? Is he thinking of going back to Amber? Oh no. What am I going to do without him? I cannot imagine my life without him. Oh god, please help me. I’d rather die than lose him,’ Zarish cried.
The teachers were having a meeting with the dean. Faris Ahmed told them about the new undergraduate programmes they were planning to launch next year. Everyone listened quietly except Ahmar. He was still thinking about Amber. ‘How quickly her life has changed,’ he thought.
Then his thoughts turned to Zarish and he remembered her childish nature, her innocence, her ability to love easily. It was true he had loved Amber at one point. But now he felt completely different.
He had to tell Zarish everything: about Amber, about the feelings he once had for her, about their relationship. He had to tell her that Amber had remained oblivious to his feelings. They had been friends, nothing more.
‘So, what do you think about this proposal, Ahmar?’ Faris asked him, interrupting his thoughts.
Ahmar came out of his reverie all of a sudden. He looked around at everyone present in the seminar room.
‘Uh. I think it is a great idea. We should go ahead with it,’ he said without even knowing the question.
‘Take me to Model Town,’ Zia ordered his driver and lit a cigarette.
He had been infuriated after learning about Zarish’s affair with Ahmar. After thinking for hours, he had finally decided to pay Muraad Hussain, his old business nemesis, a visit. Zia had played an important role in the development of the university. He had made large donations for its upkeep.
Zia told his driver to park the car outside and go and inquire if Muraad was at home.
‘Yes?’ Muraad asked, lowering his spectacles.
‘Mr Zia has come to meet you.’
‘Zia Munawwar?’ he asked, a bit surprised.
The driver nodded.
‘Please call him in,’ he said.
They had been rivals at some point, but now things had changed. Zia was still in the same business, but Muraad had shifted to something else.
Both of them shook hands firmly, without looking at each other.
‘I was not expecting you, Zia, but I am glad you came,’ Muraad said with a forced smile.
‘How are you, Muraad?’ Zia asked curtly.
‘I’m fine.’
‘Seems like you are settled in your life now,’ Zia said.
Muraad nodded.
‘You might have forgotten the past, but I haven’t. Tell your son to stay away from my daughter,’ Zia said coldly.
‘What are you talking about?’ Muraad asked, his face reddening with embarrassment.
‘Your son is playing with my daughter’s life. If he doesn’t stop, then I am afraid I will have to take some serious action against him,’ Zia said.
Muraad felt helpless for a moment. His son had found happiness after a long time. But it seemed he would have to fight for it.
‘Zia . . . If they like each other then what’s the problem?’ Muraad asked, trying to calm him down.
‘That cannot happen!’ Zia
suddenly became furious. ‘This is nothing but a mere trap. I have understood your plan, Muraad. When you could not destroy me by taking over my business, you thought why not take revenge by spoiling my daughter’s life. I will never let this happen.’
‘I don’t have any such intentions, Zia. I just want our kids to be happy.’
‘My daughter will never be happy with that professor. I know she’s immature and is making a mistake. But I am her father. I will never let you and your son take advantage of her innocence.’
‘But . . .’ Muraad tried to speak, but words failed him.
‘You and your son can never achieve what I have in life. Do you get that? Ask your son to get out of my daughter’s life or he will pay heavily for this!’ he said, storming out.
Muraad stood there speechless.
On the way back to his cabin, Ahmar saw Zarish walking down the corridor. He rushed towards her, calling out her name.
When she heard his voice, she quickened her pace. She did not even turn to look at him.
‘Zarish, wait!’ he called again.
When he realized she was ignoring him, he ran to catch up with her.
‘I want to talk to you,’ Ahmar said, holding her arm. ‘Why didn’t you stop?’
She didn’t meet his eyes.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
‘Sir, I am going home. I cannot talk to you right now,’ she said.
Ahmar knew there was something wrong. She had addressed him as ‘Sir’ and not ‘Ahmar’.
‘What? Are you okay? Are you angry with me?’ he asked.
‘I have no right to be angry with you,’ she said, looking away.
‘Why? You have every right to be angry with me, Zarish. I’m sorry I couldn’t answer your calls. I was really upset over something.’
‘Upset? You should be happy,’ she said sarcastically.
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Nothing. Just let me go. I have to leave now.’ She walked past him, but he grabbed her arm once again.
‘You wanted to talk to me about something. What was it?’ he asked her, searching her face.
‘Zarish?’ he asked again.
She buried her face in her hands and burst out crying.
‘Zarish?’ Ahmar asked. ‘What’s wrong? Please tell me.’
‘I cannot lose you, Ahmar. I just can’t,’ she whispered between sobs.
‘I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’m here. Right here with you.’ He held her hands firmly. ‘Just calm down and tell me what’s wrong.’
‘Amber,’ she said at last.
‘Amber? What about her?’ he asked.
‘Why didn’t you tell me about her? Why didn’t you tell me you loved her?’
Ahmar heaved a sigh.
‘I heard Ma’am Maleeha and Amber talking about you. All your friends want you two to get married,’ she sniffed.
Ahmar remained silent.
‘Why, Ahmar?’ she asked, looking at him accusingly.
‘Okay . . . Now that you know about her, listen to me carefully. Amber is nothing but my past. I used to like her during my college days but now things have changed. She means nothing to me. You are my present and my future,’ he said, looking into her eyes.
‘Why didn’t you tell me about her earlier?’ she asked.
‘Because I didn’t think it was important,’ he shrugged.
‘She was a part of your life once and now she is nothing?’ she asked, surprised.
He heaved a sigh and looked away.
‘One day even I won’t hold any importance in your life. Are you that selfish?’ she asked, wiping her tears.
‘Zarish, please.’ He grasped her shoulders again.
‘Tomorrow when someone will ask about me, will you give them the same answer?’
‘No, Zarish. Listen to me. Try to understand. Amber was a part of my life once, but now we have both moved on. She has a daughter. She has not come here for me. Please. In fact, she never loved me.’
Zarish looked away restlessly.
‘She taught me how to love, but the truth is, you taught me how to live.’
‘Perhaps she needs you more than me, Ahmar,’ Zarish cried, fresh tears streaming down her face.
‘What?’ He was amazed.
‘Her daughter needs a father. They need you.’
‘Who put these weird notions in your mind?’ he asked. ‘There is nothing between us. Please stop crying. She doesn’t have any such intentions, neither do I. All I know is that I love you. Nobody else. Please trust me,’ he said.
‘Ahmar . . .’ she whispered.
‘What,’ he asked, looking into her eyes.
‘There is something else I need to tell you. Mom knows about us . . . probably Dad too and I . . .’
‘Zarish, it’s all right. I will sort out everything. They will agree.’
‘But . . .’
‘I said, I’ll take care of everything. You trust me, right?’
She nodded.
‘Then don’t worry,’ he said, stroking her cheek with his thumb.
‘Ahmar . . .’ she said.
‘Yes?’
‘Will you always love me? Will you remain by my side?’ she asked.
‘Always and forever. I don’t want this life without you.’
She managed a smile.
‘I love you,’ he said, wiping her tears.
‘I love you too.’
On returning home, Ahmar found Muraad pacing the living room.
‘Dad. Is everything okay?’ Ahmar asked.
‘Mr Zia came here in the morning,’ Muraad said.
‘What did he say?’ Ahmar asked.
‘Ahmar . . . he knows about you and Zarish,’ Muraad told him.
‘Zarish’s mother must have told him everything,’ Ahmar said, looking away.
‘He wants you to back out of the relationship,’ Muraad said.
Ahmar smirked.
‘He thinks this is our plan to seek revenge.’
‘Revenge?’ Ahmar asked. ‘What revenge?’
‘For the differences we had in the past.’
‘I can’t believe he is so stupid,’ Ahmar said.
‘Son. All I want from you is to . . .’
‘No, Dad. Please. Do not ask me to step back. It’s too late now. I won’t leave Zarish.’ Ahmar shook his head.
‘No, son. Listen to me,’ Muraad said.
Ahmar looked at his father.
‘I want you to fight for your relationship. Do not give up. Do not be afraid of his threats.’
‘Threats? Dad, did he threaten you?’
‘Not really. Nobody can threaten your father, son. He just said in case you don’t back out, we will have to face some serious consequences.’
‘I am ready to face anything,’ Ahmar said.
When Zarish reached home, she found Haroon’s family sitting in the living room, chit-chatting with her parents.
‘Hey!’ Haroon said. ‘Where have you been? We have been waiting for you.’
She greeted Haroon’s parents and exchanged an awkward glance with her parents.
‘I was at the university,’ she told him, looking at her parents.
‘Oh, right,’ Haroon said, nodding happily.
‘I’ll be right back, excuse me,’ Zarish said and left the room.
‘Is she okay, Zarina?’ Haroon’s mother inquired.
‘Yes,’ Zarina hesitated. ‘She just came back from the university. Must be tired.’
‘It’s okay. We can wait,’ Haroon’s mother said.
‘I’m glad Haroon has finally agreed to marry my daughter,’ Zia said, patting Haroon’s shoulder.
‘Thank you for accepting our son’s proposal, Zia Sahib,’ Haroon’s father joined in.
Soon Haroon and his family got busy talking to Zia. Zarina thought this was the right moment to go and talk to Zarish. She excused herself and went to look for her daughter.
‘Zarish. I need to talk to you,’ Zarina said, entering
her room.
‘Yes?’ Zarish said.
‘Where were you?’ Zarina asked, shutting the door behind her.
‘I was at the university, Mom. You know that,’ Zarish told her.
‘Zarish, I don’t want any nonsensical answers. Do you get me? I sent the driver to pick you up but you didn’t come with him. Who dropped you home?’ Zarina asked in a stern voice.
‘If you already know the answer, then what’s the point of asking me?’ Zarish replied curtly.
‘Did you come with that professor?’
Zarish heaved a sigh.
‘Tell me!’ Zarina shouted.
‘Yes! I did!’
‘Why? I told you not to see him again.’
‘That is not in my control, Mom. I can’t fall out of love just because you said so. Why can’t you understand my feelings?’ Zarish asked, feeling helpless.
‘You have no future with him, Zarish! He is not good enough for you! Your father took over his dad’s business years ago. Now they have nothing,’ Zarina said.
‘Mom . . . please . . . money doesn’t matter to me at all. I only want to be with him. I will be happy with him. He is a good person. Trust me!’ she said, holding her mother’s hand.
When Zarina didn’t return to the living room, Zia excused himself and went looking for her. He heard them talking and stood outside his daughter’s room. He did not want to go in and interrupt the heated conversation.
‘Mom, I love him,’ Zarish said.
Zarina sighed hopelessly.
‘Please. I beg you. I want to marry and live with Ahmar. Please,’ she said as tears trickled down her cheeks.
‘Zarish,’ Zarina said, cupping her daughter’s face, ‘we want you to get married to Haroon.’
Zarish could not believe her ears.
‘What?’ she asked, shaking her head disbelievingly.
‘Yes. This is what we want for you. There cannot be a better match than Haroon,’ Zarina told her.
‘No!’ she said, freeing herself from Zarina’s hold.
Zarina didn’t know what to say.
‘I have already told you my decision. I love Ahmar, and I will only marry him. Nobody else,’ she said and burst out crying.
Zia could not take it any longer and stormed into the room.
‘What’s happening here?’ he asked in a low voice.
Zarina looked at her husband nervously.
‘Dad . . .’ Zarish said, wiping her tears.