Ep#5
1264 Words
Hira's POV:
"Who were you talking to yesterday night?" Saba asked.
"Huh?...No one." I answered absent-mindedly.
"Liar, Hassan called me this morning, complaining I kept his best friend busy for so long last night... He is thinking you were talking to me."
"He misunderstood."
"Yes, he did. But when will you tell me who you were talking with?"
"Argh! Aby yar, wait." I said, getting irritated by her.
I quickly emailed the documents and turned to face her.
"Now tell me, what is it?"
"Who were you talking to, i***t?"
"Muhammad Shah."
What was his nickname????
"Muhammad Shah???? Who is he? His name sounded like a big scary man. Who usually wears white cotton Shalwar Kameez, with a big pointed moustache, which he swirls whenever he smirks evilly." She also swirls her imaginary moustaches, putting one hand on her waist. It made me chuckle. Then, I tell her the whole story, how I dropped my laptop and he sent it through his mother and how we became friends.
"Wow! It sounds like a drama story."
"It is." I agree with her.
"But I think you should tell Hassan about him. You cannot trust a man only because his mother is nice."
"I know and I wasn't planning to hide it from him in the first place. I mean, why would I hide? I am not doing anything wrong." I shrugged.
"True!... Oye, but if he asks to meet you?" She asked, holding a piece of mango in her hand.
"I'll say no... I wouldn't meet a stranger." I answered and stuff a big piece of mango in my mouth.
But I have a feeling that we will come face to face someday...
~
Zulqarnain POV:
"Zulqarnain, you have an interview on tomorrow morning's show related to your new drama serial." My PA reminds me of almost shouting from the stairs.
"Roger that." I shouted back from opening the car's door. I am already late for picking Sara, she will be mad at me.
I quickly drove to her place and text her to come out. I don't want to go in, her mother is quite proud and self-centred and I really don't like such people.
Sara silently slid inside the car and turned her face to the window.
"Hay, I am sorry yar. I was caught up in work." I tried to explain.
"Ahan." She didn't look at me.
Uff! She is too much...
I pick the small Teddy bear and flowers which I bought for her and slowly put them on her lap. As soon as her eyes landed on it she shrieked in joy.
"OMG! It's they are beautiful and look at this Teddy... aww it's so cute." She said, hugging the Teddy bear.
"Now will you accept my apologies?"
"Yes." She gave me a bright smile and wrapped her arms around me to give me a small hug.
Problem solved ...!
"So where do you want to eat?" I asked her.
"Surprise me." She answered, holding her chin up.
~
I dropped myself on the bed. Too exhausted to take off my shoes. I look at the time. It's one-thirty a.m.
Tch! She must be sleeping now...
It has become almost a part of my routine to talk to Hira and getting scolded by her for calling late hours is the best.
It's been a long time since someone scolded me except my parents. Being famous is not easy. You'll lose your privacy as well as some dear and honest friends. I lost them too, but I feel blessed now to have Hira. She still didn't know anything about my profession. When she asked, I told her I was a social worker. Well, it isn't a total lie, I usually do social work. Allah gave a lot of wealth and I cannot take it with me into my grave nor can it help me on judgment day. So, it's better to spend some amount of it on needy people.
I scroll through the context list on the phone and stop on her number.
Do it!... call her... call her.
And I called her with the thought of cutting it if she didn't pick up the first ring, but coincidentally she picked up the first ring.
"Hello, Assalam o Allaikum."
"Wallaikum Assalam!" I quickly sat up after hearing her tired voice.
"How are you?" Somehow I don't feel exhausted anymore.
"I am fine Alhamdulillah and you?"
"You don't sound fine and why are you up at this time?" I totally ignored her question.
"Couldn't sleep."
"Lie!"
"Yar... Baba has been hospitalized for the past two days."
"WHAT? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't tell anyone. Only Saba and Hassan know."
"And your family?" I frowned.
"Yar I don't like bothering others. He is my Baba, means he is my responsibility, so why should I trouble others about it."
"Yeah like you didn't bother to tell me either."
"Hay! I did tell you na? If I didn't want, then I wouldn't pick up your call or lie to you."
"Just like you did to your family?" She went silent.
"It's getting late. When will you leave for home?"
"I am not going home. Shah, there will be no one at home and besides, who will look after Baba if I go?"
"Don't tell me you're going to stay in hospital in the men's ward?"
Is she mad...?
"Don't be such an i***t. Baba is in a private ward so I could stay with him."
How stupid of me...
I scolded myself.
"I see, so how is uncle now?"
"Pray for him." Her voice was sad and low.
"Have faith in Allah Hira. Everything will be fine."
"Hm, Inshallah." Her reply was half-hearted.
"Hey! Have you eaten dinner?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I am not hungry."
"Hmmm!... Ary, I have an idea. I will bring food for you and we can eat together."
"...Mr Muhammad Zulqarnain Shah its two a.m right now, visit timings are already over and if I wanted to eat something I would buy from the canteen... so no thanks."
As I thought...
"Come on yar. Everything I ask you to do, your only answer is always a 'No'. Can't you say 'Yes' even once?
"No!" she giggled and I found myself smiling at it.
~
My phone's annoying ring wakes me from my peaceful slumber.
"WHAT?" I barked without looking at the caller ID.
"Assalam o Alaikum... please don't tell me you just woke up on my call?" My PA's annoyed voice knock some sense into me.
Uff! I am late...
He wouldn't call me if I wasn't. I scratch the back of my neck and got up.
"Sorry! I was talking with a friend and lost track of time."
"It will be better if you find that track as soon as possible. Sir."
"Yes, yes I am coming."
I quickly freshen up and ran into the kitchen where Ami was yelling at Ahmar for something.
Why can't this boy be a little obedient...?
"Ami don't make breakfast for me. I'll eat outside." I kissed her cheek and rushed towards my car.
I slide inside my car and was about to leave the gate when I saw Ahmar throwing a cigarette before starting his bike.
Does he smoke???
I was beyond shocked at my little brother. What's wrong with him?
First, he started skipping college and now this? I have to talk to him, but now... I am late...
I think Hira gave me the right nickname.
'Late Lateef...'
Her teasing voice echoes in voice leaving a smile on my face.
- Writer
