Batul Khala wobbled through the relatively still empty street'cursing her knees with her heart thumping she walked holding the address in hand, once Khirad had told her it was the tallest tower on that street, Hussain and Co written prominently, she hoped it still is for some years have past since then'a few cars zipped past her, the sun was not very strong yet'Batul Khala stared upwards, yes it was still one of the tallest tower and if not the tallest, having found it, taking a deep breath she looked for a suitable position from where she could keep a watch, hopefully he was in town, hopefully he would come to office and hopefully she would not have to wait for too long'lifting her hands, she muttered a prayer to the almighty, the water has already risen over our heads, you have taken enough tests ..abh rahem karo meri allah abh rahem karo'.saying the prayer, she looked towards the portico making herself prepared to face a test of her lifetime'.
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Ashar Hussain put down the laptop on the desk and plugged it, as he switched it on, he felt for the packet of cigarettes in his pocket with his other hand, his mother already had put smoke detectors in the house making it virtually impossible for him to smoke there, she threatened if he does not quit soon, she will ensure that there is one in his chamber here also'if there is a rule the same should be for all including the Chairman'.Ashar had promised her he will quit but has given no timeline'lighting his first cigarette of the day he dragged the smoke in to fill his lungs'.releasing smoke rings, he watched his mail box filling up as soon as it got connected to the office network'., transferring the cigarette to his left hand he picked up his mouse to start his day, a quick scan through the important mails and then people will start coming in, he comes early because of obvious reasons and lately felt the peace of the first hour when the office was quiet, relatively empty except the peons and canteen staff .
Placing his fingers on the keyboard in order to reply to the queries from one of the big corporate houses whom he was trying to get as a client, he paused to gather his thoughts when a strange voice asked permission from him to enter'..
Being interrupted he looked up to see an old woman standing, the face looked familiar but he could not place it somehow'
Yes he asked cautiously'..
The woman taking that as permission granted , strolled in with somewhat difficulty clearly indicating to the onlooker her bad knees'I am Batul Khala, you may not have recognized me but then
Hearing the name, Ashar immediately froze, clenching his jaws he asked who allowed you in? Making a note to find out who was in duty from the security'
My age has its usage..Batul Khala replied looking into his eyes'anyway I will not take much of your time'came upto his desk'Ashar did not ask her to sit, she too did not make any effort, I don't know how much it will cost but I know whatever its cost might be it will not be sufficient'.she placed a very familiar looking ring on the table, I have been asked to sell this off to get money in return, I was going on the way to a shop owned by a student of mine to get good price but then I know it will not be enough so I decided as a father you too have some responsibility, Khirad may be dead for you but it is time you get to know your daughter'..saying so Batul Khala kept a picture of a little girl on his desk and a file'
Daughter? Whose daughter'Ashar's hand shook as he gripped the burning cigarette '.
In the file everything is given, I see you wear specs now but so do many people, I only hope that the glass of your specs are clear enough to tell you what you want to know'..anyway as I told you I will not take much of your time, I am going down and wait for half an hour in the footpath opposite, if you do not join me after half an hour I will go on my way'Batul Khala picked up the ring only and wobbled out of the chamber, leaving behind a stunned Ashar.
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Khirad corrected the copies sitting next to the window as the soft sun rays bathed her'this was Khirad's favourite corner in the one room apartment she lived. Yes she was in the same city as him but then it was a big enough city to keep her identity under wraps'.when she entered this apartment on the top floor of a rundown building, the apartment owner had said, in any good building in a better locality you would be paying through the nose for a flat like this but then I can only guarantee no leaky ceiling rest you have to manage, rent is also low keep that in mind'.Khirad had sighed, the walls needed a coat of paint, the windows repair, not to speak about leaky taps and jammed pipes but for the last four years she and her daughter called this place their home and have fallen in love with it somewhat, Hareem had covered the walls with her sketches, Khirad had put up the cards presented to her by her students on various occasions, with some bright rugs the place looked decent enough. Khirad had thought she and her daughter would spend the rest of the years peacefully here but then 'man proposes god disposes''.Khirad sighed as she picked up the next copy noting the time, thinking Batul Khala should be back now, she hoped she would get good amount for the ring, money suddenly has become very important in her life but then she can overcome it, uske ghar me der hai, andher nehi'.no her heart did not pinch when today she took out the ring and gave it to Batul Khala who like a true grandmother had come immediately on hearing about Hareem's sickness'..Khirad paused putting down her pen, she glanced at her empty hands, her short nails, her fingers have become much rougher from all the housework she does, no on these hands diamond ring does not look suitable, they were meant for dainty hands'..during her sudden marriage to Ashar, he had put this on as handed over by his mother, they did not have time to buy one, it belonged from family heirloom, rightfully yours too as it belonged to Ashar's paternal grandmother and your maternal grandmother, a grandmother whom Khirad had not seen as her mother got married to a much older man, her professor whom she fell in love while studying under him, the result she had to leave her home, cut all ties for sometime till some years ago, after the death of her grandparents her mother established telephonic relation with her only brother, Baseerat who seemed always very cordial to know his long lost sister once again'..hearing sudden screams of children from the street below, Khirad broke away from her thoughts and leaned to look down '.the children playing cricket on the street were now chasing a big car entering the lane obviously a model not a very common one at these parts of the city'Khirad sat back on her chair shaking her head, it is good to see that innocence still exists somewhere in the world where still children get excited to see big cars, flying kites, gas balloons, unlike the upper middle class or rich household kids'.picking up her pen she corrected the copies when her eyes fell on her ring finger once again, a drop of dew was clinging on it and under the sun rays it was sparkling like a diamond'.Khirad bit her lip, no she does not regret that she let go of her ring, it did not belong to her, it meant not to belong to her, her only sign of marriage, with her thumb she rubbed off the dewdrop, she remembered as Ashar had slipped on the ring somewhat unwillingly, even though she was under the state of duress she shivered as his fingers brushed hers'.when she and Ashar had come closer after some months Ashar wanted to buy her a better ring in modern design but then Khirad was not interested'she had sentimentally become more attached to this ring by then'their wedding ring, carrying the blessings of their forefathers'..the door clicked open'Khirad quickly rubbed her eyes dry'.
Atlast Batul Khala you are back, I was getting worried and was about to call you but since you hate to pickup calls on the road I decided to wait for sometime more'Khirad rubbed her eyes with her dupatta and composed herself quickly'when she realized there was silence 'Oh damn the stairs, Khirad thought always makes Batul Khala breathless'.Batul Khala let me get you a glass of water Khirad turned and froze'.
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