Chapter 6: Jihan Sikander (1)

"What happened Sulaiman??!"
"Thank you beta!" She understood that this actually signalled "Now you can leave." She was wondering why her father reacted that way. She took her plate but she wasn't hungry anymore. She quietly stood behind the pillars were her taya and dad were standing and tried listening to their conversation.
"Umair Lagari has sent his son's proposal for Haya" Sulaiman sahab was talking about his friend and a share holder of his company. When Haya heard this she started trembling and her heart sank.
"What are you saying?!!" Taya was surprised.
" Bhai! Why are you surprised? Waleed is a good boy. He will be attending mehendi tomorrow. You can meet and see for yourself. Infact I am thinking I will ask Haya and say yes for this proposal."
" But....but Sulaiman! How is this possible?"
" Why is it not possible bhai?"
" How can you get Haya married like this?"
" I am her father, I can, Fatima has agreed and I am sure Haya will also not object."
" And Jihan....what about Jihan?"

" Your sister's son Jihan, Sabeen's son Jihan, the one whom you had married Haya to, how can you forget! "
In answer to that Sulaiman sahab sighed regretfully.
" That was twenty one years ago and now Haya is twenty two years old. It was my stupidity that I had trusted Sabeen and gave my daughter in nikah to his son. Has Sabeen she ever mentioned about this nikah or discussed about it? At the most she calls every six months and talks for three minutes. You really think she is interested in this nikah? "
" But Sabeen because of Sikander.... you know how that person is...."
" How should I believe that because of her stubborn and senseless husband she has forgotten this nikah? So much time has passed since then but she has never mentioned anything about nikah, how can i hope anything from her? "
" But Jihan is a good boy, haven't you met him when you went to Istanbul last year? "
" Yes!! Jihan Sikander!..... Good boy my foot!! "
" He is very different. He was born and brought up in Turkey, he has never even visited Pakistan. He does not speak Urdu or Punjabi. Has he ever asked about any of us? Has he ever called? I would have forgotten everything but when I went to Istanbul last year I stayed there for eighteen days. I visited Sabeen everyday, Sikander never met me and Jihan....Jihan met me on the last day and that too for only fifteen minutes. And that too when his mom told him my name...he recollected after a long time that I am done relative of his. And you know what he asked me....? Is there a bomb blast everday in Pakistan? And is there any internet facility present? And then he got a call and he went. I wouldn't want to go to court to appeal for divorce if I wouldn't have seen him with a Turkish girl who came to drop him off at his home. The way they were free with other....!!!! He is the son of Sikandar Shah and is exactly like him. I thought like his father is just opposite of Ahmed Shah, his grandfather, then maybe he too will be opposite of his father. But no he is a snob just like his dad. Who is Haya, and what relation does she have with them..neither Jihan remembers nor Sabeen. Sabeen does not even mention about this..now should I forcefully send my daughter to their home? Anyway! I will introduce Waleed to you tomorrow, now whatever proposal will look good I will get Haya married there and...."
Now Haya did not have any strength to listen any further. With a pale face and slow steps she moved away from them.

Chapter 5 : Two faced relatives

"Amma, I am going to help Saima tai in the kitchen ."  Haya informed her mom and her mom acknowledged in return.
She was about to enter the kitchen when she heard Saima Tayi speaking " As if I don't know who she is trying to impress. And she had only my boys to make crazy." Haya suddenly stopped.. who were they talking about? "That is what I am saying bhabhi, why does Raza always keep saying Haya Haya." Haya heard her name and got stunned. "The last time we went to Sulaiman bhai's house she was so stylishly dressed..Since then Raza has been pestering me to ask for her hand. " Abida chachi was saying angrily..
"This girl knows how to attract young men Abida! It was so difficult to convince Dawar that she is not the right girl. He was very adamant that he wants to marry only Haya. But when Furqan said we don't want to spoil our aakirah by getting that be-pardah (who don't observe veil/covering head) and free thinking girl in our family, that is when he got convinced. And now this Faruq!! What do I do about this boy!! And now she will come to trap my boy and he will again start arguing for her. Now look at my daughter Irum, she never dares to leave her house without covering her head." (🙄)
Saima tayi was saying all this and she was standing by the wall dazed... She thought if she heard any further she will loose control , so she turned away to return to the function. Faruq was laughing with his cousins when suddenly he saw Haya and stopped. He smiled warmly at her. Faruq was a decent guy...but the question was not about his decency or Haya not taking her veil....the real thing....everyone knew about it.  Then how could Faruq even think about something like this?
She swept a glance over Faruq and went and sat beside her mom on the sofa. "What happened?"Fatima (Haya's mom) asked. "Nothing amma" Haya became normal very quickly. She was very shocked at what she had heard. Saima tai always addressed her as 'Haya meri jaan' and Taya always considered her as his elder daughter...and behind her back this is what they thought about her, this she could never imagine!
So those roses and cards....?? Did these guys send them? But no one knew about Sabanci University.. No matter how much she thought about it, it looked very unlikely that any of these guys would send her..since they were so busy with their jobs.
She truly felt it wasn't either Faruq aur Raza...whoever it was let him go to hell. First she had to fix their brains. She got up and went towards Irum. " Irum!" She asked while standing. "What?"
"Have you sent the wedding invitation to Sabin phuphu?"  She secretly glanced towards Faruq and Raza.. They were surprised at her question and looked displeased.
" Phuphu's card was given to Sulaiman chacha and he must have sent it. Dad even called her personally..but will she come?"
"She has to come. After all she is closely related. If not to you all, atleast we have a very close relation." She deliberately stressed the details and looked at Faruq and Raza. They looked like they were lost in some thoughts.

"Haya, meri jaan! This Irum is of no use. You are understanding. You have to take care of the table. As soon as you see that a dish is emptying you have to signal Zafar (cook). "
" Sure Tayi, I will take care" She smiled sarcastically and began serving.
They organised a buffet..so everyone could take whatever they liked and eat while standing.
" Taya jaan, you haven't taken the salad" Haya came towards Taya and her dad who were deep in conversation and were startled when they heard her. "Thank you, beta!"
Taya smiled and started taking salad with his spoon. He was wearing kurta pajama and had a shawl over his shoulders. His stern face had a moustache. Opposite to his looks Sulaiman sahab was clean shave and dressed in a suit. He looked quite handsome and smart "Abba, you too have some."
"Have you sent the invite to Sabin?"  Maybe he was reminded of phuphu when he saw Haya.
Sulaiman sahab was taking the salad when taya asked..suddenly his hands froze and he gave a displeased look. "Abba, will Sabin phuphu attend the wedding?" Haya could not stop herself from asking.
" Tomorrow is mehendi. If she had to come, she would have arrived by now. In 30 years, if a woman has visited us only a few times, its for the better that she does not come now."
Taya and Haya are shocked.

Chapter 4: Extended Family

After dropping Irum and Zara at their places she went to her home. She was already dressed for the dinner party but since she dropped the juice and it had left a spot on her dupatta she had to wash it. She washed it and while ironing she suddenly remembered the enunch's face.  She felt weird.
After she got ready she opened the door in the lobby. Her feet touched something. It was a bouquet of white roses. She picked it up and alongwith it was an envelope on which was written Haya Sulaiman. She opened the envelope and on it was written in Urdu "I hope you will enjoy tonight's dinner." There was nothing else written on it...only on the envelope mentioned was yesterday's date. She was confused and tried guessing who was sending her these roses and letters.

Taya Furqan was the most strict among the four brothers and a sister. And the strictness was related to covering the head and they were not allowed to talk to boys. Irum and rest of the cousins also never spoke to other boys. They were even studying in all women's college. Everyone knew that the other chacha and Sulaiman sahab would perform their kids marriage in a mixed gathering.
Their family wasn't that big. They were just 3 brothers and 1 sisters. Taya Furqan was the eldest. Dawar, Faruq and Irum were his kids.
Sulaiman sahab was after Taya Furqan. He had a son and a daughter, Rohail and Haya. Rohail had gone to America for his studies.
Zahed chacha was next. He had two twins, Mehvish and Sahrish and a son Raza..who was an engineer. And the youngest daughter Sana was doing her O levels.
All the cousins had gathered around and were enjoying themselves.
"Hello everyone." Haya entered and everyone went inyo a trance after looking at her. She looked exceptionally beautiful.
" Haya, How are you?"
"C'mon, let's defeat the boys."
"Come sit"
Everyone welcomed her. "First let me go and help Saima tai in the kitchen" she declined their invitation as she had seen Saima tai entering the kitchen the moment she entered. According to her tai Haya was more understanding than her daughter Irum. She did not see Haya or else she would have called her immediately. Abida chachi, Zahed chacha's wife followed tai into the kitchen as well.

Chapter 3 : Dolly

After shopping at Metro shoes they head towards Scoop to have some refreshments. They had a party to attend later at Taya Furqan's house.

" Order a pineapple slush for me. I will get something from the bakery in the meanwhile." Saying that Irum quickly went outside. Haya took a deep breath and opened her side of the window. The cold wind hit her face but drinking slush in this cold weather had its own perks.
They were in the parking lot and it was quite dark.
" Irum looks quite complicated, don't you think? " Zara turned towards Haya and asked.
" And you were airing her complexities " Haya retorted angrily. " Taya Furqan is only strict wrt her scarf. And just because of this she pities herself and you were encouraging he to do so. "
"I thought maybe she feels miserable ...." 
"She is not miserable. And explain her that she should pull herself out of this self pity. " Haya reminded Zara.

The waiter had arrived by the window to take the order.
" Do you remember Zara !  Last year the university had decided to take us on a trip to Turkey but in the end the entire programme got cancelled. " Haya said after placing her order.
"I was so disappointed that I never thought I would get to visit Turkey. "  Her voice carried a tone of hope.

Haya and Zara were 5th year students of L.L.B (Honours) from Islamic University.
The student exchange programme was a part of 7th sem. She had applied for Turkey and Spain but finally she was selected for Sabanci University.
After completion of 7th sem in February she had to visit Turkey for 5 months and select a subject of her choice. And then return and complete the 8th sem.
" It will be so much fun Haya ! If you find a romantic, handsome traveller with you..your journey will become do beautiful"
" I am not going to find anyone like that. Because only two girls are travelling from Pakistan to Sabanci. And we study in all women's university"
" That Khadija Rana who is going with you, have you spoken to her?" The waiter knocked on the window and Haya got startled. "No, I don't even know who Khadija Rana is. I wonder who she is. "
She handed one to Zara, kept Irum's on dashboard and slowly drank from her glass. She forget to close her window. Just then Zara's phone rang.
" Hello Amma, ji? What? I can't hear you, Give me a minute...." She held her glass and left the car trying to get a signal. Haya watched Zara as she went far towards a tree while talking on the phone.
" Hello my lady." Someone said suddenly.She became startled and a bit of juice fell on her clothes.
Through the open window she saw that there was someone standing... Face full of makeuo, glittery eyeshades, a wig of red hair tied into a bun, shiny clothes...that person wasn't a woman but it was not even a man. "How are you ji?" Haya got scared and trued closing the window but his hands were on it. "Don't be scared baji ji! I am your friend. I am called Dolly."
" Move, Move...go away!!" She coukd smell the cheap perfume the enunch was wearing and she felt suffocated.
"Listen to me..." he further bent diwn but Haya splashed the cold slush on his face. He suddenly moved back and she quickly closed her window.
"Listen to me...." he was smiling and cleaning his face while knocking at the window. Because the window was closed she could hardly hear him...and now he was singing a song.
She quickly started her car and went towards the bakery. She turned to see if the enunch was following her. But he was standing there, looking in her direction . He had even stopped singing. He was looking deeply at Haya and she felt scared.
"Where are these two!!" She got restless. She turned back to see if he was still there... He was stanfing znd still looking at her.

Chapter 2 : Shopping Spree

It was a pleasent evening when she came walking towards her car in her pencil heels, with a bag on her shoulder. The car belonged to Rohail, Haya's brother, but since he stayed in the US for pursuing his further education, it now belonged to Haya.
Haya was opening the car door when she saw Zara walking in. Zara and Haya were of the same age. Zara was stylish just like Haya. "I did not receive any mail" she said disappointedly. "Dont worry. You might receive it in z day or two. We both had applied it together. Since I got selected  you will be selected too." Haya said encouragingly. " But the list that scholarship programme co-ordinator put outside the office also does not have my name" Zara whined. " And mine?"  Haya asked eagerly.
" Only your name from our department and Khadija Rana from Environmental Sciences. I think I really did not get selected." Haya sighed after she listened to Zara. She felt bad for her. "Where you going somewhere?" Zara asked happily. " Yes. I am going to the market with Irum. It's Dawar bhai's mehendi function and I lost the heels that I have to wear with my lehenga. I think my maid stole them. Now I have to ourchase a new pair. Want to join us?" She asked while leaning by her car door. She was wearing a long light blue shirt and chudidaar. She wore her dupatta by her neck which was of the same colour and her long hair were open covering her back. She had smeared her eyes with kajal..which was a must for her.
"Yes, let's leave quickly then." Zara replied. "We have to pick Irum" Haya reminded her. " Btw your Taya is so strict. Does he allow Irum to go with you for shopping?" Irum was their junior and also brlonged to a different department. Zara was not really aware of her. " He is strict only when it comes to covering the head. Otherwise he is pretty good." She drove her car outside and stopped putside Irum's house. They were neighbours and their houses were separated by just a wall. Whenever she had to pick up Irum she would honk her car outside Irum's home and she would come out. She did the same today. As expected, in a while I rum came and sat in the car. "Hello Haya, Hello Zara!" She chirped without any reservations and closed the door. Such outings with Haya always made her happy. " How are Irum? I hardly get to see you." Zara turned back and asked. " Your department is far maybe that's why. Oh yes, Haya was saying that you all got selected to visit Turkey" Irum inquired.
" Only Haya got selected. Didn't you apply? "
" Only if Abba could allow!" Irum sighed sadly
" Parents shouldn't be so strict." Zara commented.

Haya side glanced her and wanted her to stop pitying Irum. But Zara did not notice as she was facing Irum.
"I don't know who abba is like. Is it easy to wear scarf in this hit weather? And he did not even allow me to wear half sleeves for tomorrow's function. Even Hsya is wearing half sleeves. They look so good. But abba is just not like Sulaiman chach" Zara lamented.
"Irum what do have to purchase today? I have to buy sandals" Haya asked suppressing her anger. She hated this complaining attitude of Irum so she tried diverting the topic.
" I have to buy bangles..but they won't even look good on full sleeves." Irum was sulking againg so she ignored her and switched on the cd player. Atif Aslam's song began playing in a loud volume so Irum had to keep quiet.

After reaching Jinnah supermarket Irum separated from them and went to purchase bangkes while Zara and Haya headed towards Metro Shoes.
" The third one in golden colour, please show us that" After a long time a high heel caught her attention.
"This one ma'am?" He kept the shoes in front of Haya. He was kneeling down while Haya and Zara were sitting on the couch.
" Shall I ? " he asked holding a heel in his hand and bringing it towards Haya's feet. "My hands are not broken, I can wear it by myself" Haya retorted.
" Yes sure , take it" he smiled holding it in such a way that no matter how Haya woukd take it, it would touch her hand. Haya noticed that and said dryly "Keep it, I will take it by myself. " The salesperson even troubled them while paying..trying to touch her hand while paying the money. But Haya cleverly avoided.
" I felt like slapping that idiot with all the sandals in the shop..don't know when the mentality of our men will change. They stare as if they have never seen a female species." Zara lamented.
" So don't dress up so much when going out, Bibi." They stood on the last step stunned. The lady was middle aged, wrapped in a long shawl and was slowly ascending upstairs glaring angrily at them.
" And people love preaching randomly. " Haya snorted. She would have said many more things but Zara pulled her away. At the very moment they saw Irum coming towards them. Her dupatta was now by her neck. She did not shop for anything and it looked like she had just came out for outing.

Chapter 1 : Welcome to Sabanci

The laptop was kept on the pillow and she was lying and facing it. One hand was supporting her chin and the other was on the touchpad of the laptop.
Her long black straight hair covered her back. Her black, big, almond shaped eyes glistened like moonlight.
She quickly clicked two, three buttons...
Loading..
She casually put her hair behind her ears while waiting for the page to load. Finally when the page loaded she opened her eyes wide and stared at the screen in disbelief. She quickly sat up and grabbed her phone which was placed on the sidetable. The calmness of the night was disturbed by the pressing of the buttons. She waited for the other person to pick up the call.
As the call went through she started chirping joyfully
" Hello Zara, How are you? Hope you didnt sleep. Haya speaking". She waited for Zara to reply and then continued " Forget everything Zara. I have a huge news. And I know you wont believe me. "
"Oh no, it's not regarding Dawar bhai's marriage. Infact guess what it is"
"OH no, I am not getting married"
"No, Irum is also not getting married"
"Seriously Zara, is this all you can come up with? Now listen to me carefully, Do you remember the Erasmus Exchange Programme that we had applied for? Can you believe it Zara? The European Union has selected me for the scholarship."
Zara's scream could be heard in the entire room despite the speaker being off.
"I am telling you the truth Zara. I just received the mail fifteen minutes back. At around 9: 30 pm. You should also check immediately."
She held the phone in one hand and switched off the laptop with the other.
"No, not Spain's Deusto but Turkey's Sabançi has selected us."
"I have seen online, Sabançi is a beautiful university, but.." She kept quiet and looked at the closed door of her room and continued speaking " There is one problem and we cannot let our families know about it. Actually girls are not allowed to wear headscarf. Lets not tell them about this. We don't wear scarves anyway. "
Just then she got alarmed when she heard a sound by the window. The windows were covered with thick curtains but the window was open. She thought she must have misheard and ignored it.
" Dad has never forced me to wear scarf or cover my head. But Irum wears scarf while leaving her home. Taya Furqan is a bit strict, so.."
"Permission is not a problem Dad was against Spain but Turkey is different. Sabin phuphu stays there. Besides my dad completely trusts me."
She listened to her friend for a while and then replied "Not tomorrow. Dawar bhai's mehendi is tomorrow. You are coming right? " "And yes, me and Irum are wearing lehenga. All the cousins are excited. Afterall its the first marriage in the family."
"Ok. You should go and check your mail. It's pretty late. I will go and sleep too." She said her goodbyes and tossed away her phone on the pillow. She then got up and walked towards the lounge. It was pretty dark. She was wearing full length black shirt and black trousers because of which she looked even taller.
There was darkness in the kitchen as well. She stopped by the door and started searching for the switchboard. She took waterbottle from the fridge and poured it in a glass. Just then she noticed a white bouquet on the counter. Haya lifted the bouquet, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The roses were fresh...like they have been plucked recently. She was wondering who must have kept it over there. She lifted the envelope and turned it. There was her address and above it was written ' Haya Sulaiman'. Ther sender's address was not written. Date of previous days was written. She was surprised and opened the envelope to find a thick paper inside.
And on it was written ' Welcome to Sabanci '..

She was stunned.
No one knew about this except her. And it looked like this person knew it a day before. It looked very authentic with the stamp.
Confused she forgot about glass of water..held the paper in her hand and went towards her room.